Star Gods, стр. 8
“My brothers and I are family and work together. That’s how our dad taught us. It’s the Star God way, and you know it.”
His eyes flash an angry silver, but I don’t back down. I keep my eyes riveted with his.
“Zeke, this situation is delicate and must be handled appropriately or the girl will die.”
“But you can’t tell me who she is or who’s after her.”
His stature changes and he hesitates. “No.”
“You don’t know,” I state in surprise.
He grimaces, shaking his head. “No. They are able to tap into my messages to you and kept me from revealing who they are. They are very strong, so strong I could not prevent you from getting hurt. You must be cautious in dealing with them, Zeke.”
“And yet you want me to deal with them, alone.”
“It’s the only way.”
“If they’re that strong, why do you think I can save her?”
“You have the ability to travel, Zeke, an ability that no other half-descendent possesses.”
“My dad can travel.”
He shifts uncomfortably and pulls on his collar again. “Yes, but he is a full descendent. The ability to travel is born to only those on planet. No half-descendent has ever been born with it.”
This just keeps getting better and better. “Really? I’m the only one?”
“Yes.”
“How many half-descendants are there, besides my brothers and me?”
“A few.”
“Why are they trying to kill the girl?”
His eyes sparkle with humor and I see a hint of a smile. “You don’t give up easily, I give you credit for that.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”
His expression turns serious. “You must be cautious, Zeke. Once you discover who these beings are, you may find the reason your parents are missing.”
I jump to my feet. “Wait, you really don’t know where they are?”
“No, Zeke. That’s not what we do.”
“I don’t understand. They were called to Planet Eos for a meeting and never came home.”
“They’re not with us, Zeke. None of us called them.”
“Are they alive?”
The Star God looks sympathetically at me. I see the mixture of emotions in his eyes and I nearly lose it. “I’m sorry Zeke, we don’t know.”
My eyes well up. They can’t be gone; they just can’t be.
“I know this is hard for you,” he says. “But I need your help. This girl must be saved.”
I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “I understand.”
“I wish I could tell you more.” He drags a hand through his overly tidy hair, looking very human-like. “This girl isn’t supposed to exist. You must find her, discover the truth, and protect her with everything you and your brothers have. Then, and only then, will all be revealed.” He disappears; leaving behind a residual silver glow that floats then vanishes too.
What the hell does that mean? Now what am I supposed to do?
3
Thursday, April 14, 2039
I clink my spoon on the side of my cereal bowl, flipping between my drawings of my conversation with the Star God. Where others take notes—I draw; it makes more sense to me than the blah, blah, blah of words. I flip to the drawing of the red door, I don’t know where it is, but if it were gray, it would resemble the doors in the Small Business Mall where our family garage and the Appleton Bakery are located. Could it be that easy? It’s definitely a good place to start.
Tyce is at school and Ashe at the garage. I pick up the note Ashe left for me of what I should be doing versus what I shouldn’t, and I chuckle. It amazes me he thinks I will follow his instructions, and I toss it to the end of the table. My eyes shift to my drawing of the girl. Is it because her eyes are violet like mine that she seems familiar, or something else? I’m certain I’ve never met her.
I check the time and do a timeline in my head as I spoon in more cereal. If I go soon I could be back before either of my brothers know I’ve even left. I can do this. I don’t even need an excuse. I can go and stop at the garage explaining to Ashe I’m bored.
I can make this work.
I wash, dry, and put away my dishes, then grab my jacket and keys from the hooks by the door, locking the door behind me. I toss on my sunglasses and jog across the street to take the walking path around our neighbors and to the street beyond where the Small Business Mall sits.
In 2020, the completion of a bus hub in what used to be Metro 94 increased foot traffic in this area. Some residents freaked, moved out, and left enough empty space for someone’s genius plan to make a mall for small businesses expanding it over a two-mile radius.
The buildings are in three sections of large rectangles forming a U shape, with alleys running in the center of each and a large parking lot in the center. I’m only interested in the alleys where the backdoor to each of the businesses are located with doors currently painted a steel gray. What if someone moves into one of the vacant stores and decides to paint theirs red?
That could happen, right?
I hunch my shoulders when a car slowly drives through and parks behind From Scratch Café. Marta must be late for work as she zips from her car and inside without giving me a glance. Since we know most of the storeowners, and even though I plan on stopping in at the garage, it would really suck if someone calls Ashe to tell him I’m walking around thinking I’m skipping school. He’d drop everything and come and grab me, then give me the riot act ruining my chances of hopefully finding where this girl will be.
I stuff my hands into my jacket pockets ignoring the sudden tiredness I feel. I round the corner, kicking at some debris in my path, as the scent of bread permeates the air