We got as far from the carnage as possible. None of us could even open our mouth. It had a huge impact on all of us. Somehow, the painful silence was soothing. It was Ethan who finally broke the void of tension around us.
âYou guys ok?â âIâm fineâ Maggie muttered her voice barely audible. I simply nodded not trusting my voice. What have I done!? My mind screamed. After days of struggle, we finally reached the river, but we couldnât take any pleasure in it. Our minds were still clouded. I noticed that there were prawns in the river, I sighed internally, at least the water was pure. Maggie walked straight to the water and drank from it. I joined her.âDonât wet your clothes, you can clean yourself up tomorrow. Itâs getting colder, and frostbite doesnât go well with survivalâ he said backing away from us. âIâm gonna make fireâ he added. My eyes widened. I opened my mouth to protest, but, âWhoa, are you crazy? Donât go in there aâMaggie!?â I shrieked at the top of my lungs and dragged my legs through the forest floor as fast as I can. Ethan was right behind me. I stopped suddenly, it sounded like she was somewhere here.âMaggie?â I called out again.âAna!â her voice exclaimed right above me? My head snapped up to find her hanging upside down with a rope fastened around one of her ankles.âMaggie!â I exclaimed. I trailed the rope she was hanging down from, with my eyes. It was tied at one of the lower branches of the nearby treeâŠwound up in several circles. Thank goodness we can get her down. Ethan must have realized the same, he reached for the branch at the same time that I did. He slowly rewound the rope from the branch and lowered her down.âBe careful!â I yelled, and stood right beneath her, to catch her in case she falls. He seemed to manage it easily. Once she was within my reach I put my arms around her and clutched her tightly, till her feet touched the ground.âOwâ she yelped once sh
I woke up adrift and looked around. Maggie was up, and as usual eating something.âHey cupcakeâ she said chewing, her words comically marred by her glutted mouth. I smirked.âHey, how is your ankle?â I enquired in my sleep tight voice and my eyes involuntarily hunted for Ethan around the room. He was leaning on one of the walls, looking at me with a smile playing on his lips.âIt's fineâI got up, rinsed my mouth with some water and joined them.âDo you think, if we stay here, someone will find us eventually? âcause, they had all those traps for the animals and all soâŠâ she said still munching.âNo, Maggie, this place is too old and that rope, which caught your ankle, was too old too. We canât hope for someone to just show up and help us get out of hereâ he said taking a bite out of the peach. Maggie fell silent after that. Our heads snapped to the door, in response to the scratching sound downstairs. I peeped out of the window. It was
The sea view in front of us was breathtaking. The sky and the sea were perfectly discerned by a clear cut line. He sat down on the shore overlooking the dazzling view, and patted the spot beside him. My anxiety hasnât deserted me yet. I let out a deep breath and sat alongside him. My nervousness steadily spiked. He looked at my face seeking my permission. I nodded not trusting my voice. He looked at the horizon and begun after a long pause.âOne thing those, fictional movies are right about is, âyou are not aloneâ, do you think it is just the Terrans? I mean the humans who evolved victories in such a vast universe? The only species out there? Seriously, what are the odds? There are thousands of other planets out there, and among them, hundreds of planets has species very close to humans. They could be so identical, that they have the same genetic code except for a pair of extra chromosomes, that gives them few benefits or advantage over the othersâ he said and glan
I started awake. Hands were clasped around my arms and legs, making it impossible for me to move. I fought against the strong hands that were clamping me down. I screamed at the top of my lungs. Suddenly a hand clamped my mouth shut, momentarily disarming me. I could hardly breathe. I blinked wildly trying to decipher the figures in front of me. There were four of them, one holding my arms, one clasping my legs, and the other was clamping my mouth shut. The last one climbed on top of me and sat right over my stomach, pinning me down. I was hopelessly immobilized. Their skin was jet black, their eyes and teeth, a perfect contrast against their skin. They were touching me with brutal roughness. The one on top of me showed my shirt up to my neck and squeezed my breasts hard. My hands fisted and teeth clenched in pain. Their hands were all over me. What are they!? They are going to ruin me. I thrashed against the hands that held me. They were so strong. There
I have been bombarding him with too many questions. And he has been answering each and every question patiently with my favorite dimple smile adorning his face, as always.âWhat happens once you take a human to your planet?ââOnce the Jo-Haanians take humans to Jo-Haan, they get married, and after theyâŠâdid he just blush? He cleared his throat. âAfter their blood mingles, the humans get certain powers tooâ he said. So thatâs the reason for the flush.âImpossible!â I said wide-eyed.âThe environmental circumstances plays a great role in it, our scientists explains it wellââWhat do people do with all those powers?â I asked memorizing the way his cheeks colored up minutes ago.âPeople select their jobs according to their powers, Ana. They are categorized according to it, like some people have minor powers like the ability to change their hairstyle as they wish, the ability to run for miles at a stretch...These powers cannot be of much
I have been pacing in this cave for ten minutes now, unable to make the move âcause of the shadows that lurks at the mouth of the cave. This cave almost looks like a room, with a floor bed, wooden chair and a table with even few books stacked up. The place was decently lit up. I wonder how they got hold of these things in the middle of the forest. I canât get the image of Ethan bleeding in front of me, from my mind. What could have happened to him? Itâs been an hour, is he even still alive? My eyes stung, I quickly disposed the thought. He will be alright. He will be. I chanted. Iâm wasting my time. I have to escape. What if Ethan could not heal, such a blow? He was bleeding too much⊠I squeezed my eyes shut. Think Ana! Think. My eyes flashed open to the sound of sneakers screeching on the cave floor. I whirled around to find the same tall man looking at me. For the first time, I really see him. He was about six feet tall, with a funky hair, everything about him was sharp. His
âI watched you read and hang out with just your closest friends and your family. I was so happy that you were not in any kind of relationship. I was about to introduce myselfâŠthatâs when he joined the collegeâ he spit the words in disgust. âYou have no idea, how elated I was to see your irritation with him. But that asshole was interested in you and started following you! I decided that I shouldnât waste anymore time, but to my great surprise, you, yourself was planning to visit me, so I waited. I was so happy that we were finally going to meet, but then that fucking bus got punctured in the wrong place, at the wrong time. And of course, you! You ended up thinking that, that was the perfect time to show your loyalty to your friend! Do you have any idea how worried I was?" He said shaking his head in disbelief. "Though I like that very nature of you so much, I hate it equally âcause you do it to the extent of disregarding your own life!" He stated disapprovingly. I was holding my bre
âWhere are they?â I wondered aloud, rasping in a breathe. We have been running through the small dwellings of the tribal people, the small hut like structures were built with wood, bamboo and thatch, they were carelessly covered by a rugged bamboo door. They had hand lamps and snares. How did they get hold of all these?âThey have gathered near the waterfallsâ he said and suddenly stopped to pick something up from the ground, before I could ask what it was he started to run again, clutching one of my wrist. The light from the tribalâs lamp did not reach this part of the forest. It was pitch black ahead. The moonlight could hardly penetrate the cluster of trees to reach the ground.âDo you thiâŠthink we must run byâŠtheâŠthe river bank?â I asked in between my wheeze.âThatâll be the way, they would choose to look for usâ he stopped on his tracks and pulled me to a halt, his hand never loosened its grip on mine. I unwind my hands from his and placed them on my knees and panted f
Ethanâs memories were little hazy and I wouldnt have recognized liam cause he had never been in his true form. In Ethanâs memories Kaden was just learning about his powers...his power to change into anyone, a clone that looked exactly like the original person. He must have mastered his gifts now and thatâs why I couldt get a clear picture of him in Shindae or Felixâs mind. My mind was swimming with possibilities and questions. âThat makes you my cousinâ he grinned at me. âWhy did you do it?â he understood what I was asking. âBecause I was such a fool, those aliens came to me with a brilliant idea for the improvement of resources in Johaan. And I like a fool believed them and led them straight into my fatherâs chambers under my authority and they wanted to loot our royal coffers. When people resisted they killed them all and looted it. Everyone believed that it was my idea and outcasted me. Though my mother stood up for me I donât think she tried to locate me on Earth. âShe did!â I
I jerked my eyes open with an inaudible gasp my body relaxed as soon as I realized I was in Ethanâs arms. Ethan opened a single eye lazily and studied me. He closed his eye and pulled me closer, a smile playing in his lips. I grinned hugging him back. I just want to stay like this all day. I sighed content. Ethanâs chuckle resonated in my chest. âOh you should see what I want to do all dayâ he murmured nipping my ear. I gasped when I caught his thoughts of undressing me and kissing each and every inch of my body. I playfully, bit his neck. âOuchâ I exclaimed as he bit my ear lightly. I leaned back smiling. He slowly leaned in, his eyes roaming on my lips. His screen blared to life, he groaned, cursing under his breathe and leaning back. I couldnât help the disappointment that spread through me. He leaned towards me again., âWe just have thirty minutes before the meetingâ he murmured flicking my nose with his finger tip âDon't poutâ he whispered and kissed me lightly on my lips befor
Gentle hands were gripping my left hand in between them. My eyes fell open on my mom seated to my left looking anxious. âMomâ I croaked smiling. I slowly sat up and found Ethan standing in the corner looking lost. I sighed. I keep hurting him. âHow are you feeling?â mom asked cupping my cheek. âIâm fine mom, it just nicked meâ I said patronizingly and touched the place where I got shot there was only smooth skin, the Johaanâs gifted doctors does a wonderful job. âIf Gale has hesitated a moment you...you wouldn'tâ âMom, I planed it al wellâ I said biting my lip and sparing a glance at Ethan. âPlanned?â she was surprised. âAs soon as Felix left the room in a hurry when he found out about her gifts. She had visions of him working against Johaan. She worked with Flint to make sure she wasnât jumping into conclusions. She asked him to meet her and knew that Felix will try to run away as soon as he was aware of his schemes. She knew that the first person, Felix would go to is me, so
I blinked my eyes open to find Ethan staring at my face. He grinned as soon as he found my eyes open. I couldnât help but smile back at my personal sunshine. I tapped on his dimples with my finger tips. He grinned wider I looked down at my body. I was wearing one of his T-shirts that Ethan hunted down down at midnight as I started to shake with cold.âHow are you?â he asked softly tucking my hair back. I know what exactly he means, he knew its my first. âBetter than goodâ I replied honestly and kissed the tip of his nose. He smiled wickedly and brought his mouth down on mine. I gasped as sudden pain shot through my lower spine. My skin started to burn as if the very blood that runs through my views is on fire.âEthan!â I cried out digging my nails into his shoulder as blinding pain clouded my vision.âAna, Iâm going to get help!â he exclaimed moving away.âNo!â I shouted. âStay!â I gasped out. I blinked against the darkness clouding at the edges of my vision. âAh!â I screamed. The pa
I woke up with a start coughing up dust. âAna! You are okay. Clam down!â Ethan was siting on the bed on which I was lying on. He was covered in dust from head to tow, there was a cut in his chin and his arm was bleeding. I sat up slowly. As I tenderly touched his chin to examine his wound realization dawned on me. âYou followed me!â I bellowed. âWhat happened?â âShe is fine, Ana and he is tooâ he added reading my mind. âI'm sorry Ethanâ I murmured. He lifted my chin up and looked me in my eyes. âI did the same when it was youâ he acquiesced. He tucked my hair behind my ear. âEthan things are going to get hard, isn't it?â I whispered softly. He nodded. âIâll be back after the meetingâ he muttered apologetically and left. I dontt know how much burden he must be carrying on those shoulders. Gale entered the room with a knock. After a quick examination with his eyes, he said in a low voice, âWe have to leave within five minutesâ I got up and strode towards him. âIâm sorryâ I cr
It has been ten minutes since I returned to my room. I was lying face up on the bed provided for me, staring at the ceiling, we have been talking for almost five hours, she wanted to know so much about me, and when I mentioned Clare the questions were endless. And when I asked about her she said there was very little that happened to her. Though I wanted to stay forever with my head on her lap feeling her fingers softly combing through my hair I had to leave before dawn broke, Gale wouldnât compromise on that. I left with a promise that I will soon return. But when I left the building there were almost eight guards trailing behind me and Gale. Ethan, must have sent them. There was a knock on the door and a moment after Ethan stepped inside the room his face dreadful. I sat up waiting for his wrath, but it never came.âYou could have told meâ he said at last his voice desolate. âI dint want to disturb youâ I said. Of course I dint. I chanced upon a news, to my way to the room t
I opened my eyes to find Ethan seated before me, his eyes intent on my face. I sat up straight, closing my eyes as my mind collected itself.âHeyâ I mumbled unintelligibly as I looked back at him.âHeyâ he replied his face betraying no emotion.âWhat is it?â âAnaâŠâ âItâs okâ I said too quickly before he apologizes for something that is not clearly his fault.âI heard myâŠmom is being transported to a nearby buildingâ I mumbled getting out of the bed. He stood up.âYes, at midnightââI want to see herââOf course, as soon as we secure everything, within two daysâŠââTwo daysâ I mumbled to myself as I made my way to the dressing room.âAna, whatâs wrong?ââHow can the Cante help the revolts here Ethan?â He blinked at my sudden question.âYesterday night there have been sudden surge in appraisals and revolts, not just here but also in few other planets who have been little reluctant to let us make the final decisions, we donât know what triggered this sudden reactionâŠwe can only hope t
Ethan and I were fully dressed to have breakfast with the other royal members of Jo-Haan. Right outside my room, I found Gale, he looked couple of years younger than my father. My eyes lit up as he smiled down at me. Without sparing a second thought I hugged him. He has been a constant silent presence in my life since I met Ethan. I guess he was appointed by Ethan to âensure my safetyâ. âItâs good to see you Galeâ I said earnestly as I stepped back. He was completely taken back, he quickly schooled his features and smiled down at me. âItâs good to see you too, MâŠAnaâ he completed with a smile when I narrowed my eyes. âSirâ he said and with a curt nod at Ethan. âGaleâ Ethan said with a slight dip of his chin. We briskly made our way through the corridors without being interrupted by anyone. As soon as we entered the room everyone rose. The long dining table was adorned with plates and glasses and candles giving it a vintage look. There were almost twenty chairs on either side of the
Today Dad and Clare are coming to Jo-Haan. Iâm so anxious, standing on the space ship paddock waiting for the door to slide open. There have been so many riots recentlyâŠthe door slid open jerking me from my anxiety. There they were standing like two frozen figures on top of the steps. As soon as they saw me they rushed towards me. I could see Clareâs tears as she was almost in my handâs reach. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open as she was about to say something everything around me froze. My eyes scanned her to find what has triggered the horror in her eyes. Then I noticed the two punctures right where her heart should be. I blinked. My dad who was just few feet behind her fell to the ground as Clare fell right before my eyes. The scream that escaped my lips shattered everything around me. I gasped. I gasped like a fish out of water tank and still couldnât get enough air. Iâm sure I will die I will die soon cause I deserve it. I should die for risking their lives. I dese