The Fall of Zephyr Read online

  “It’s not a problem, really. But this account number you’ve written down… do you want me to just withdraw the first deposit out of it? You didn’t specify.”

  Onyx tilts his head to the side, once again trying to decipher such esoteric Earth terms.

  “Please take the entire amount due out of that account.”

  “The entire amount?”

  “The entire amount.”

  “All payments, right now?”

  “Yes.”

  Robert smiles politely, but appears confused.

  “Well, I suppose you weren’t joking about there not being a budget. Okay, then. If you’ll just sign here, I will have that wired as soon as possible so you can move in.”

  “Move in? Where? We are here now.”

  “Well, I can’t let you claim residency until the payment is processed. That could take 1-3 business days.”

  “But we need a place to stay, I just bought this pod for that specific purpose!”

  Robert shakes his head.

  “Condo policy, I’m sorry if that is an inconvenience. Do you have a cell phone number you can leave with me? We’ll call you when it’s all set.”

  Onyx mentally adds ‘get a cellphone’ onto his list of Earth things to acquire to help move the process of assimilation along faster.

  “Oh, that’s okay. I will come back here and check every day.”

  Robert slowly nods, obviously finding this to be a very unusual transaction, to say the least.

  “All right, if that’s easiest for you. We’ll be in touch.”

  Onyx nods as Luna rejoins him from the bedroom.

  “Onyx, what’s going on?”

  “Luna, we have to leave.”

  “Why? I thought this was ours now.”

  “It is, just not quite yet. We have to go.”

  Luna is visually disappointed, but allows Onyx to gently tug her out of her silent reverie and focus instead on where they would stay for the next night or two.

  CHAPTER 6

  Getting off the bus proves itself to be a lot easier than getting on. Seth makes his way out the door, completely oblivious to the strange stares from the other passengers. Regardless, he remains focused on his task: finding Luna and ending her life, since it was never supposed to begin in the first place. He clutches his latest clue - the sticky note from the convenience store manager. Of course she didn’t give it to him purposely, but she dropped it right in front of him - and he couldn’t believe his luck.

  Seth ponders these thoughts and steels himself to make the kill as he walks into the main entrance of the hospital. The clean, sterile entryway seems to darken as his presence enters the space. His deep violet irises cut into the room like daggers, and he unnerves the stout, balding man who is stationed at the information desk.

  “Hello, are you looking for someone?” He adjusts his strategically-placed toupée on his overly-shiny head and meets Seth’s intense gaze. He falters a bit under the weight of his stare, subconsciously feeling the intensity of an assassin from another realm.

  “Yes, I am looking for a girl named Luna. She has long, dark hair. She should be here.” The man at the desk blinks slowly, waiting for more information. When it becomes clear that there is none to be had, he shakes his head.

  “Last name? Date of admission?”

  Seth intensifies his stare, and hopes that he can get what he needs through intimidation. Clearly, it is working as the front-desk worker begins to shift nervously in his seat.

  “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to either leave, or provide me with the information needed.”

  “I’ve already told you - her name is Luna, she has long, dark, hair, and she should be here.”

  “There’s nothing I can do with that information. I need at least a last name.”

  “Luna is the only name she’s ever had.”

  The man wastes no time rolling his eyes this time, and remains silent until Seth swiftly climbs onto the counter and poises the dagger intended for Luna at his throat.

  “SECURITY! NOW!”

  He presses a panic button, and Seth doesn’t stick around long enough to find out what that means. He runs out the front door where he came and leaves without a trace. Meanwhile, the front desk hospital employee leans back in his chair, trying to steady his rapid breathing. The heavy footsteps of security quickly make their way over to the information desk, much to the curiosity and whispering of nearby patients and their families.

  “There was… a young man… who held me at knifepoint asking for information about some girl.”

  “Description?” The hospital security officer holds a pen poised ready over a notepad.

  “Well, he had dark black hair, these striking bright purple eyes like I’ve never seen before. Must be some of those freaky contacts or something.”

  The officer nods calmly. “Any particular wardrobe?”

  “Um, oh yes - he was wearing this strange, almost rubbery-looking powder-blue spandex type thing. Must be something straight out of the vintage disco era.”

  ✷✷✷

  Evander is happily situated in his favorite place in the Upperworld - the digital filing room. In the midst of such a chaotic upheaval on the horizon, he takes comfort in the solace of the digital files and various screens, which keep track of every being both on Earth and in the Upperworld. While performing yet another routine check, he is interrupted by a slight beeping at the secured door. He leans over to press a small green button under his desk, opening the door. In walks Griffin, one of Evander’s closest friends that he has had in his almost two-hundred Earth years of existence.

  “Hello, Griffin. What can I do for you?” Evander pauses his filing for a moment to give his friend his full attention.

  “Oh, nothing specifically. I just came by to drop off some recent additions to the system - I have the information copied to these sorter chips - is that the format you require?”

  Evander nods in confirmation. “Yes, that’s perfect. Thanks Griffin.” Assuming that is the end of the conversation, he turns back to his desk, but Griffin stays there, nervously fiddling with a stylus on the desk.

  “Something else you need, Griffin?”

  “No. Well, I suppose, maybe?”

  Evander turns back around. “Okay, what’s going on?”

  Griffon opens his mouth to say something, but then he closes it as he smiles, pulling something out of his pocket. “Well, I have this sort of personal project I’ve been working on, and I was wondering if you could help me with it?”

  “Oh, sure, I suppose I could look at it in my spare time. What are you working on?”

  Griffin shrugs. “Well, it’s really theoretical, but I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of time travel.”

  “That is certainly a lofty endeavor.”

  “Indeed, but I figure - we arrange the lives of humanoids all the time. And time keeps chugging on, regardless of what we do, for the most part. So, if we could control time, we could revolutionize the way the Sorting Room, and Upperworld, works as a whole. It could change everything.

  Evander nods, and tries not to crush the young sorter’s dreams, but he also feels the need to be realistic, if nothing else. “I applaud your inventive nature and creative mind, Griffin, but I just doubt this is something that is going to lead anywhere. We can work on it for fun, sure. But I guess I am just trying to say… don’t get your hopes up. Okay?”

  Griffin nods sadly, and puts the blueprints back into his pocket as Evander places his hand on his shoulder.

  “Anyway, was there something else you needed to talk to me about? I’m sure you didn’t walk all the way over hear to daydream about time machines with me, did you?”

  Evander can sense the subtle stutter in his voice - a characteristic sign that something uncomfortable or scary is being tossed around in his head besides just excitement about time travel.

  “This is going to sound weird - you’ll probably think I’m losing my mind.”

  Evander
fights the urge to disclose the crazy things he has had to deal with as of late. Swallowing that temptation, he manages to remain calm and focused.

  “I’m sure you must have a good reason. What is it?”

  Griffin nonchalantly walks back over to the door and closes it, until it clicks into place and the green light turns red again.

  “Have you recently noticed that lately… Zephyr seems… weaker?”

  The color drains slightly from Evander’s face as he carefully nods, but doesn’t speak too loudly for fear of the cameras stationed in the filing room for security purposes. He carefully gets up out of his chair and walks over to Griffin until he is nearly pressed up against him. As his lips get closer to his ear, he whispers only a few things to him.

  “I cannot answer that here. There are cameras. Come to my pod after your shift. And bring anyone who has similar questions.” Then he backs away, smiles for the cameras’ sake, and nods at Griffin to drive the point home. Griffin nods curtly and makes his way back out the door he came in. Once he leaves, Evander feels a small smile of relief creeping over his face.

  If others are noticing a change too, we might just have a chance to avoid perpetual damnation after all.

  CHAPTER 7

  Onyx gently tugs Luna away from their new home as she looks back longingly, still not fully grasping the concept of having to wait before enjoying it.

  “Onyx, I really do not understand why we cannot stay.” He nods understandingly, but keeps on walking with her toward the bus stop. There isn’t a destination in mind at the moment, but he settles Luna’s frayed nerves on the bench near their new home.

  “It’s just… their policy. We’ll check back every day, okay? It’ll be fine.”

  “But where do we go for now? We can’t stay out in the open, can we? What if… he finds me?” Luna’s eyes fill with tears as she buries her face in Onyx’s strong embrace. He doesn’t need a further explanation - he knows right away who she meant.

  “Well first of all, he’ll have to go through me first, meaning he’s not going to get to you. Ever. And that is a promise to you, Luna. Do you trust me?”

  Luna nods slowly, but her eyes drift slowly to the slight buzzing in her pocket. She knows that the buzzing is also accompanied by a blinking light, but for some reason, she has an insatiable desire to hide it from Onyx. She’s worried, of course. But it’s not something she wants to upset him about - there’s already enough going on.

  “Shush, it’s okay, you’re okay.” He rubs her back slowly as she cries.

  “I know, it’s just… been a lot.”

  “It sure has. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Onyx? my stomach hurts.”

  “You’re probably hungry - I am too. Let’s go find food. Come on.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Onyx smiles. “There are some establishments on this street that serve food. Just follow me.”

  Luna returns his smile, and tries to distract herself from the concerning buzzing in her pocket.

  ✷✷✷

  “Jade! I invited all my friends to come to the meeting as well.”

  Jade turns around at the very bubbly voice of Brielle standing next to her.

  “Oh, that’s wonderful to hear!” Jade smiles but looks around to the left and to the right before continuing to speak.

  “You must remember to be careful though - there are cameras and ears everywhere. Did you tell them the importance of the secrecy?”

  Brielle nods. “I think so - or, at least I meant to.” Jade’s eyes widen.

  “Make sure. This is of utmost importance.”

  She nods emphatically, but there is a bit of color missing from her face as she shifts her gaze slightly from Jade’s penetrating stare to the area slightly behind her, maybe a hundred feet away. Jade follows her eyes and notices a very obvious group of interested sorters congregating in the middle of the Sorting Room where anyone could notice them.

  “Oh no, they can’t speak about that here… please excuse me, Brielle.” Jade wastes no time in marching over to the group of excited dissenters. She clears her throat expectantly until they cease whispering and turn their attention to her.

  “I appreciate your interest in a relatively new… endeavor that has been offered. But I need you to focus on your work.” She adds in a breathy whisper: “And do not tell a soul about what has been planned.” She makes eye contact with each and every one of the excited chatterers, and then leaves them to continue patrolling the Sorting Room. Taking a deep breath cannot fully calm her nerves, as what they want to accomplish is nothing short of revolutionary. With revolution, there is always an extreme amount of danger that comes with it. But of course, that means there is also the potential for great reward.

  “Jade?”

  She turns around once more to see the ever-present Brielle smiling ear-to-ear.

  “I’m really, really looking forward to this.”

  Jade smiles. “I am too, Brielle. But you must not get distracted. Back to work - I’ll see you in two Earth hours.”

  She nods, and heads back to the tagging station where an orb is awaiting the chance to live a meaningful life on Earth. As Jade watches Brielle continue working, she cannot help but think of some of the big changes coming first to the Upperworld, and subsequently humanity as a whole. They still will need to find a replacement after the deed is done - but who will that be? Jade can feel her breathing intensify again at that nerve-wracking thought. But she has faith that the sorters who are stepping up will think of something. After all, sorters are able to do what they do because of their keen sense of feeling, and knowing on a gut instinct what to do. Surely that will translate easily into a revolutionary setting. At least, she hopes that with all of her being.

  CHAPTER 8

  Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot. Pale blue boots pound the concrete, ruthlessly crushing pebbles as the afternoon sun continues its descent into evening and night. Seth continues running at full speed out of the hospital to avoid getting caught by the burly security guards that he was sure would follow him, had he not escaped as quickly as he did.

  He finally gets far enough away that he feels he can safely stop to catch his breath. Crouching down next to a dumpster, Seth calms himself down enough to relax and plot his next move, since the hospital seemed to be a dead end. When nothing comes to mind, he sees his wrist glow slightly in the evening light, which reminds him that his embedded tracking device is still working, at least for now. He knows that it will be expelled from his body very soon, since Earth forms cannot support the Upperworld technology for long.

  I wonder if this can lead me to Luna… He haphazardly pokes at his wrist, hoping that some random combination of algorithms would lead him to find her. To his utter surprise, it appears that his embedded device was tracking Luna this entire time, and he was just too distracted to notice it.

  I can’t believe I wasted all this time ignoring the fact that I had this device doing the work for me! Hopefully it stays put for at least a little longer. Although, it’s interesting it can even detect hers at all - wouldn’t hers have been expelled ages ago? Regardless, I can now use my device to find her.

  A sly grin oozes across his pale lips, and he begins to walk in the direction that the device in his wrist instructed him to go. He presses the center of his wrist and listens for the audible directions.

  LUNA LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 3520 YARDS FROM CURRENT LOCATION.

  The words flash across his wrist and are also audibly said by an automated voice. A young couple wearing skinny jeans and sneakers walking by him stare curiously after hearing the automated declaration.

  “It’s just my communication device.”

  They seem to be satisfied with that explanation and walk away chattering excitedly amongst themselves, while Seth continues his mission to find Luna. He feels the comforting weight of his dagger in one pocket, and his magnetized rock in the other. One is his method of choice, while the other is
his ticket home. Neither more important than the other, he feels a sense of equilibrium in his utility and importance as he continues moving down the street at a rapid pace.

  ✷✷✷

  Evander finishes his digital filing, and slowly clicks off the main screen he was working on. After stashing his personal supplies in a locked office cabinet, he walks out the door. Pausing for the retinal scanner, he waits for the satisfied beep and then begins the short walk to his pod in preparation for the first of what he hoped would be many secret meetings.

  Arriving at his pod, Evander opens the door and quickly shuts it, as he prepares to bring up the informational documentation he found about the importance of their uprising. To his dismay, he has recently been seeing documented statistics that show very plainly that the Sorting Room is failing to operate as productively as it had in eons past. Shaking his head, he manages to stay focused long enough to continue his prep work. After setting up his small 3D holograph projector, he places a pitcher of water and some simple refreshments on his little kitchen table. And then, he waits. The Earth-time clocks on his wall show all the different time zones, but he was always more interested in the North American Eastern timezone. For reasons unbeknownst to him, that was chosen as the standard for Upperworld proceedings.

  He exhales slowly as he tries his best to center himself at this crossroads of the Sorting Room, and human existence as a whole. This is the beginning of the end, in many ways. But he is determined to go down fighting, and just maybe, he’ll live to see a better tomorrow.

  “Evander? Am I too early?”

  He is snapped out of his thoughts with a voice audible from his door monitor. He looks through the digital safety lens that he installed himself, and recognizes the small smile on Brielle’s petite face. He opens the door quickly and ushers her in.

  “Oh no, my dear. You are right on time. Hopefully the others will be here momentarily.”