Chapter 20 Children of the Moon

Chapter 20

Children of the Moon

  Cruising around Camelot’s residential district Kian found himself sliding into a deep comforting sense of normalcy, the star flecked black sky notwithstanding. To his right a bare chested man in stringy denim cuts was mowing his grass. On his left, a young mother casually dressed in pink capris’ white short -sleeved shell and penny loafers was pushing a baby carriage down the sidewalk. It was all perfectly normal, except for the being on the moon part, of course.

  He no idea what day it was, but it sure felt like Saturday, his favorite day of the week. Up ahead a shiny new wood paneled station wagon was coming his way. The driver, a red headed man in his mid –twenties sporting a dingy T- shirt and red goatee, was craning his neck in his direction. Just as he was about to pass by, he honked his horn and waved for Kian to stop.

  Kian smiled and eased up to him until their open side windows were facing each other.

  “Hey there stranger,” the red haired man said, through a big toothy grin, “is that your truck?”

  Kian smiled back, “ah yeah.”

 “No buddy I mean that sound, the rumbling is that coming from that.” He pointed his index finger at the trucks’ faded hood. What cha’ got in there? Don’t sound like no sun baby I’ve ever heard?”

  “Sun baby?”

  “You know, solar dynamo. They just hum. But your’s, its angry man and I like it.”

  “Oh, thanks, my names’ Ki, ah James, James, James East, by the way,” Kian said, relieved he remembered his other name. “Hope it’s not too loud for the neighborhood.”

  “Kent Blake, welcome to Camelot, and don’t change that truck, well ya might wanna wash it, just don’t wash away that rumble, it’s really past. If the fogies don’t like it, they can cover their ears. ”

  “Past? Past what,” Kian asked just before he realized the word ‘past’ must mean good or cool or something like that.

  “You know retro, preburn-good really good. Never heard that sound coming from a truck or anything else, but it just sounds right, right outta yesterday, you must be from down there. I hear things are kinda outta sync that far below.”

  Kian assumed that was another good thing and started to tell him he had just arrived from the Technocrats tunnel kingdom then caught himself.

  “Yeah, I was mud hog, part of a southern Luna pole water reclamation outfit. There was a cave in and…”

   “Nuff said, you guys are stone. I’d give you my hat, but its back at my nest.”

  “Ah nest, I just moved into mine. Company set me up real good.” Kian was starting to like this guy, the feeling was obviously mutual. “Well, I got a pot of fresh brewed coffee I need to get back to, hey why don’t you follow back to my, ah nest, and have a cup?”

  “Well that sound’s great but I’m on way to work, gotta fill in on the He3 harvester, just lost a man.”

  “Oh oooh, I heard, you be careful Kent.”

 “Hey thanks, but there is no careful out there, just luck and time. When your time comes, that’s just it.” Kent smiled drooped, “When I get back I’ll look for that truck and take you up on that coffee.”

  “Sounds good.” Kian replied.

  “Not as good as you’re your truck, see ya later Mud hog.” With that, he waved goodbye and sped away.

  Kian nodded and wondered if he would see his new friend again, knowing their meeting was no chance encounter…

   Kia eyes widened with anticipation as the ball of light grew larger until it revealed Alexander standing in the mouth of the cave. A strange metal rod was in his hand. Bright yellow light shone from the end he was holding up.  

  “My fingers stumbled across this hanging from a spike in the wall. It lit up the minute I touched it, but it’s cool and makes no flame, very strange!”

  “It’s some sort of flashlight. They used them on Kian’s home world, but this one is a bit different.”

  “Then it’s safe to use. I was not sure.” Water was still dripping from Alexander’s face but that did not keep him from blushing.

  Kia smiled at him, bemused by his sudden awkwardness. Then realized her wet blouse was suddenly revealing just how chilled she really was. Folding her arms across her chest as casually as she could she followed Alexander into the cave, as he turned and walked away a bit quicker than he intended.

   “I must keep you safe until Kian returns,” he suddenly declared as they made their way through the darkness.

  Kia was not sure if he was speaking to her or to his self. She answered anyway. “I’m not sure he is Alex. His body exploded above the sky. His parts fell like rain.”

  “What!” Alexander had never heard this. “My poor Kia. Why have you not told us?”

  “That too was my fault. I could not bear to speak the words because I could not bear to hear them.”

  “None of this is your fault. Your, our, makers caused this. We will bring them down. They will pay!”

    His defiant words vibrated through every cell of her body making him all the more attractive. She was just about to tell him that when blinding white light filled the tunnel. They had reached their destination, a place of revelation. It was old, abandoned and waiting…

    Learning Kian was still alive would have been more than enough to lift the girl’s spirits but the prospect of seeing him, living with him spurred them through every class. They eagerly embraced their new reality trusting Maria would keep her word. A scant two months later she did.

   “Now remember girls,” Maria said as they walked down the long hallway that led to the E lift tunnels, “You will call him James, or Jim if he prefers. You should tell him who you are, but only in private. If either of you tell anyone other than James that you come from Chimera and were once fairytale creatures you will be yanked right back here and neither of you will ever see him or each other again! Is that understood?”

  “Yes ma’am” they said in unison.

 “Thank you so much for teaching us how to live in the real world.” Penny said as she traded smiles with Kress, “Maybe one day our other family can join us here.”

 “Well, that’s a possibility Penny, and very much up to the two of you. Show us you can make the transition from fantasy to reality and your families future could well be as bright as yours.”

  The girls nodded at one another, eager to please and hanging on every promise Maria made.

  A short time later, they boarded the E car bound for Camelot. After a few rest stops, the car came to rest by a large panel door marked Camelot residential district parking lot B. They soon found themselves sliding into the backseat of ‘real’ car, a long black 1972 Lincoln Continental.

   Their hearts swelled with joy as they watched the welcome sight of trees grass, houses and people slide by.

  A few turns here and there and suddenly, they were pulling onto a U shaped driveway behind Kian’s old truck.

  Maria thanked the driver instructed him to wait, then got out and opened the back door.

“Just follow me,” she said as she marched right up to Kian’s front door and knocked.

 A few moments later, the door opened and no one recognized anyone.

  “James East,” Maria stated, “by edict of the Company I now relinquish custody of these young ladies. By order of the Company, you are now their sole custodian. You will properly provide for them until further notice. Is that understood sir?”

 Kian mouthed silent words. He’d been expecting some explanation for the ‘girls rooms’ but not this abruptly. “Ah okay, but I don’t know these girls.”

  “Yes you do. Girls say hello to your godfather James.” Maria entered his home as if it were hers, fairly pushing her way past Kian with girls in tow.

  She did not leave until she ‘gave’ them their cover story; the girls were sisters and the only surviving members Kian’s best friend Ted Mackie's family. After dying in the cave in, Kian learned that Ted had granted him next of kin status, that their presence in his home was his dead friend’s dying wish.

 With that bit of business behind her, she left as abruptly as she had arrived, leaving them staring at each other trying to find words that fit their bizarre situation. Then after a few more awkward moments, the girls rushed to Kian fell in his arms and told him who they were.

  They wept together for a good long while. “I am going to fix this,” Kian finally said as they slowly slid away from each other, “I promise.”

  They said nothing. His promise was not the first promise they had received that night.