Chapter
5
ForgottenCivilizations
Evenwith all that turbulence…
Theplane’s landing went smooth.
Ihad to wait inside the plane until Mindy made contact with the Oraclein charge of this district. Supposedly, from what Mindy said rightbefore we landed, we’re on an island near the equator of the Earth.
OldHawaii, which she also stated was one of the fifty states of the OldUnited States of America, one of the nations that dwelled upon mostof the North American Content.
NowI just sit here, and wait. Twittering my fingers isn’t helping timego by any faster either and the goddamn windows are sealed with aniron clamp, so it’s not like I can stare outside and witness herreturn.
Ithink it’s been roughly thirty minutes since she left too… whatcan be taking her so long? Did she decide to take a shower? Do herhair? What the f*ck?
Footstepsapproach from the front of the plane. My heart leaps and I rise.
“Sorryfor the wait Wes!” Mindy says as she waltzes on through isle.
“No,no, it’s ok, just thought you,” I pause as soon as I see a manappear from the doorway behind Mindy.
“WelcomeWes.” The man says.
Hisblack eyes, inside the hood of his gallant white robe, give me anunimpressed-like stare.
Hemust be an Oracle… that’s the only thing that can explain hisunusual fashion. But his face isn’t veiled.
“I’dlike to welcome you to the Province of Old Hawaii. As a human andmore than likely a former citizen of the United States of America Ihope you’re aware of this place’s luxury.”
Mindyfaces him. “I’m not sure if he”—
Iclear my throat. “I do remember, yes.” I interrupt.
Mindyturns to me, surprise crossing her face.
Apart of me comprehends his statement. My past, the life that I can’tseem to remember is or was from the United States of America. But Ican’t recall the rest of the details pertaining my origin.
TheOracle nods. “Excellent. Either way we’re going to teach you aform of our History, and after that small course you’ll beintroduced to what the Heir Council wishes of you.”
“Andwhen am I going to meet the people who seem to have already writtenmy future?” I ask.
“I’mnot authorized to discuss that. I’ll do what I was told to do and Iwont do anything more than what I was asked. Understood?” His tonerose
Isquint my eyes, slump my brow, and present my arms. “Ok, let’sbegin then.”
TheOracle steps out of the plane and I steer my way through the isle ofthe plane towards Mindy who continues to stare at me.
“What?”
Shepoints at the duffle bag on the floor near the exit.
“You’rekidding me right, that’s your shit.”
Mindyrolls her eyes and stomps over to the duffle bag. “At least be agentleman Wes, didn’t you human males do anything for females?”
“Ithink I recall at least getting something in return.” I wink.
Herjaw drops. “Are you kidding me?!”
Withoutanother word she yanks the duffle bag from the floor and begins herway towards the exit. I grab her arm and pull her towards me. As Istare into her eyes I can’t help but urge to kiss her... I getclose enough to touch her nose with mine. Embrace the warmth coursingbetween the deadlocked stare, entangles me in…
“Wes,please no.” She steps away from me, her eyes shying away from mine.
“Well,since I’m feeling a little bit generous, I guess I’ll take it.”I say and then pull the strap off her shoulder and throw it overmine. “Happy?”
Herpursed lips become a smile. “It’s a learning experience. Nowfollow.”
Theplane shakes. Wind whistles outside and I feel the harrowing blowsenter through the exit. The wind brought a light sheet of water tosteer its way inside the plane.
“Watchyour step out there Wes, it’s really wet today.” Mindy muttersand ventures out.
Ipoke my head outside and see the sky overhead that’s taint is asblack as coal. The haze of rain sprinkles across the dreary ambienceand the scent of rain tickles my nose.
“Don’tthink this is vacation Wes.” I hear the Oracle say. “Get in thetransport quickly so we can get out of this monsoon.”
Ilead my sight down the stairs and see a gulf-cart type vehicle. Mindyhad already planted her rear on the back.
“Hurryup Wes, don’t get too wet.” Mindy yells.
Igroan as I begin my way down the steps. The cool drops of water touchmy skin and feel comforting. As I lay a secure balance on thepavement I stroll on over and leap on the seat next to Mindy.
“Here’syour bag.” I say and set it in between.
“SeeWes, wasn’t so hard was it?”
Iroll my eyes and shake my head.
“Wes,you didn’t tell me you knew anything about the North AmericanContinent…”
Mindywhispers.
Thislittle gulf-cart thing can sure haul some ass. I am pleasantlysurprised it doesn’t come with seatbelts… with some of its turnsmy ass almost slips off.
Ifound myself caressing the rail to my left.
Iturn to Mindy. “You didn’t ask me.”
“I’mnot a mind reader Wes.”
“TheUnited States of America is located on the North American continentok, there you go. I told you what I know.” I answer.
“That’sa pretty vague explanation Wes. What all do you recall, did yourmemory come back?”
Mindyhas this sort-of worried pitch to her voice… not just worry, atouch of fear too. But why would she fear my knowledge?
“Mindy,I’ve had a couple of dreams about my past ok. One of them had meplanted in Birmingham, Alabama, one of the fifty states of the OldStates.”
“Didyou tell the other Oracle about it?”
“YesI did.”
“Couldyou two quit the chatter please?” Says the Oracle sitting behindus. “Mindy you mind your business. If he did or didn’t inform usisn’t your prerogative, your priority is guidance.”
“I’msorry Oracle.” Mindy whispers.
Sheglances at me and sighs. Her eyebrows slump and then grimaces.
“Myname is Christopher Fitzgerald. You can call me Chris for short.”Chris says.
Mindygasps. “O-Oracle I wasn’t aware you can give your name out!”
“Sweetheart,it’s Chris, I don’t care about that fancy title. I’m a humanjust like you”—
“Waita second, your kind considers themselves human like my kind ofhuman?” I say and turn towards Chris.
Hestares at me, his stance proper and upright, left foot plopped overhis right knee, and arms crossed over his chest.
“Whatelse would we be?”
“B-But”—
“Butnothing. We’re made of flesh and blood as you so we’re nodifferent. We were engineered in the exact same manner… however,we’re more refined.”
Isneer. “Ok, more refined, so what the f*ck does that mean?”
Mindygroans, “Wes the language!” Mindy lightly smacks my arm.
Ilock my jaw.
Christakes a deep breath. “Let him speak the way he desires Mindy, I’mnot one to place boundaries, and he’s a rare occurrence. Understandthat it’s the way his kind was raised; vulgar words apparentlymeasured the size of his cock. Your humanity doesn’t see things inthe light we do. You can’t straighten a bent tree. But we canrefine it.”
What?
Mindycovers her mouth and gasps again. “Oracle!”
“Mindy,saying those words without a sense of anger isn’t a sin dear.Relax.”
Refined,refined, that’s all they’re explaining about the differencesbetween them and I. Doesn’t make sense to me. It doesn’t help mecomprehend a thing.
Andthe vulgar language, I don’t know why I say them, they just flowout of my lips—like—like Ronald in my dreams, and Andrew, they…
Mindyclutches my shoulder. “Don’t worry Wes, we’ll explain thingshere shortly.”
“Bepatient, there isn’t any reason to advance your knowledge, it’llall come in due time.” Chris says.
Theride across the deserted streets of Old Hawaii…
Boomsmy conscious with nostalgia. My stomach knots itself and I find myheart and soul aching in that same manner it hit me when I caughtsight of the Cafeteria.
Ican’t begrudge the feeling, I am finding more ways to accept thisfeeling, because in a way it’s a part of my heritage, my long, lostpast that will never return to me. But I hope that my memory willreturn soon… but how will I find Mindy, this Oracle, when myconscious chooses to pull the plug and allow my past to catapultback.
Ipeer at Mindy, her face gazing at the old remnants of my old pastlike a slide show. The city streets, vacant, the old restaurants, andvast skyscrapers nearing the dreary heavens… in a way, it gives mea sense of closure, knowing that my kind took the time to grow andimmerse themselves in all of this surrounding us. These now desertedremnants are from the former rulers of the Earth... and it's a damngood privilege knowing that.
Thevehicle slows down and turns into a large parking lot of: TheHawaiian Inn Resort, in big fancy letters plastered on a gargantuansign sprung by a pole.
“Didyou bring your entire cosmetic set or something?”
Isay as I adjust the strap on the duffle bag that digs deeper anddeeper into my shoulder.
Mindysmacks me in the arm. “Uh no!”
Itake a glance at her with a smirk in my face and see her cheeks lushand red.
“Pincheda nerve I see!”
“Justshut up! Ugh.” She groans, slaps her hands on her hips, and shakesher head.
Therain simmers down to a light haze as we make our way across theparking lot towards Christopher that stands stiff before a set ofdouble doors.
“We’lltake you to your quarters where you’re to rest until furthernotice. Our caterers will bring you new attire, food, and all yournecessities.” Chris takes a step towards me. “This isn’t avacation.”
Iscoff. “I know… you told me that already.”
“Excellent.More than likely the Heir Council will not come debrief untiltomorrow around noon. This should give you some time to rest andlearn basic information pertaining my race.”
Irub my face. “Look just get me inside a room, I think some restwill be fine for now.”
“Ok,we’ll take you to your room.” He pulls his sleeve up and glaresat his wristwatch. “It’s one-thirty PM, at around five we’llcommence the study and dinner.”
~
Couldit really be true, could the world as we know it be coming to an end?
Oris it some demeanor that just happens to be wrought by the media?
Ididn’t know, but what I knew was, right now, I’m one man amidst asilent storm.
“Nothing,the f*cking line is dead.” Ronald said.
Ronleaned against the car door with his head slumped over, and for thefirst time, his gun out of his hands and on top of the car.
“Here,try your parents.” Ron turned and slid the phone over the top ofthe car.
Icaught it and stare at the phone, the signal got stuck on Searching…
“Ron,I think the signal is dead, look,” I walked over to Ronald andhanded him the phone.
“Sonof a bitch! F*ck!” He dropped the phone and made his way towardsthe Gas Station Lounge.
“I-I’msorry”—
“Kid,you don’t have to apologize for anything. There isn’t anything tobe sorry about, it’s not your fault.” He points at the skytowards the cruiser still positioned in the same spot. “That thingright there doesn’t look like anything we’ve or NASA could build,that’s foreign. F*cking extraterrestrial.”
Ididn’t want to look at that thing anymore. I hurried over, pickedup the phone, and stuffed it in my pocket. I glanced back and saw Ronthrough the glass sitting on a booth.
Isighed. I pulled the phone from my pocket and stared at the crackedblack screen. I pressed the button and saw the veining streaks oftree-branching cracks glow like liquid blood over the surface. Irubbed on the rigid screen until my eyes caught sight of the signalstrength: three bars!
“Threebars…” I whispered with my jaw dropped.
ImmediatelyI unlocked the screen and pressed Phone Icon, and then pressed theDial Icon. I entered my parents phone number and then held my breath.
Ring,Ring, screechy buzz… “W-We’re sorry, but the Stamps Residenceis currently on Vacation in Jacksonville, Florida, please contact viamobile phone. Thank you.”
Mydad’s voice echoed in my head. My heart sunk and I pulled the phoneaway from my ear.
They’rein Jacksonville, Florida on vacation… why didn’t they tell me, ordid they? Heck I can’t remember the last time I spoke to them sinceI left New York about a month ago.
Idialed another number, a number that sprung to mind, and I hope thatit works.
Ring,Ring, Ring… short pause, click: “Hello, hello?”
“D-DAD!”My heart kicked up a notch as it pounded against my chest.
“Ohmy god Wesley, you’re alive, you’re ok!” He said.
“Whereare you—where’s mom at?”
“Amyand I are over in Naples, Florida Wes, I don’t know if you havetransportation, but—but everything Wes, everything, all forms oftravel are blocked. Heck it’s hard enough to get information, we’rein the dark, all we know is that we’re to remain in our hotel roomuntil further notice.”
Hisvoice was calm… too calm. I couldn’t put my finger on it, buthe’s never been one to remain relaxed in a time like this.
“Whotold you to remain in the hotel?”
Apause occurred. “T-The National Guard and US Army Troops… Westhey’ve been activated due to a National crisis. They saidsomething about waiting on Escort Vessels that will take us to MobileBay, Alabama.”
“Dadis everything ok?”
“Ofcourse, w-why”—screech, screech, and then a smooth buzz.
Ipulled the phone away and noticed signal strength was gone. This timenot a Searching, but no bars followed by a flashing ERROR. I've neverseen a phone do this before.
Iran forward to take a better look at the cruiser overhead. Smallervessels that looked like little freckles, shot out of the ship inevery direction.
Oneof the black blobs streaked near our location and collided less thana mile behind us. The ground vibrated and a harrowing wave of forcepushed me forward.
“W-WESWHAT THE F*ck WAS THAT?!” Ronald bellowed as he ran towards me.
Ifaced him. “Something that thing ejected just landed near us.”
“HolyF*ck!” Ronald yelled, his arms caressing his head, and eyes drawntowards the cruiser. “Kid you better click that safety off thistime.”
Ipulled the handgun from the back of my pants. I cocked it and clickedthe safety off. I glared into his eyes.
“I’mready.”
Iexamined the sky overhead again to notice many more lines of blackexhaust streaking all throughout the horizon. I couldn’t comprehendthis phenomenon, my mind wasn’t ready to understand what had justhappened… but my heart remained at a steady beat, and my bodystayed at ease.
Ihurried over towards the car and opened the door. Ronald finally cametowards me, grabbed his rifle, and opened the passenger door.
“Goddamnthat Andrew is taking his time.” He muttered.
“Well,where is he? Doesn’t he have the gas canisters?”
Ronaldnodded. “F*ck it. I’ll be right back, I’ll go grab them”—
“Wait,wait, what’s wrong with him anyways?”
Ronaldhesitated and then smirked. “Uh he’s having an upset stomach, Itold him not to eat that shit.”
“Thetacos?”
“Yeah.Anyways, I’ll go grab the canisters, he should be fine here in aminute.” Ronald said.
Heran back inside and about twenty seconds later rushes back out withall three canisters.
Ronaldunscrewed the tops; I shoved the nozzle inside the canister, andbegan fueling them.
***