The lost stone

Sci-fi/ Space saga book - Chapter 1.

The chirping sound of the morning birds came on arousing Alice from sleep. She had always felt like the birds came to announce the arrival of a new day to her. She rose from her bed with a weak groan escaping her lips. While wiping her tired eyes with her hands, she struggled off her bedcover and yawned. Tear droplets escaped her eyes as she bounced off her bed and traipsed across the wooden floor to the window side. It was her favorite spot. Watching the birds tweet as they did their little hops on the tree located beside her windows was so much pleasure to her. The screeching sounds of car tyres on the street were not enough to catch her attention, they seem to have held her spellbound. The moment lasted on till her mother’s voice came breaking into her quiet moments.

“Alice! Alice!,” Emily yelled as she walked down the corridor leading to Alice’s room. Alice frowned in anger as she heard the pounding sounds on the floor signifying that her mum was drawing closer. She wondered what her mother wants with her. The last few days without her mother had been pleasant. She didn’t have to deal with her mother’s problems.

She must have walked in late last night when I was fast asleep, Alice thought. She sauntered towards the door as soon as she heard her knocking.

“Alice, why are you still in your nightdress, have you forgotten about your graduation ceremony? It is 9:00 AM already. I thought you should be dressed,” Emily said as soon as her daughter opened the door.

“Oh that, I have forgotten, and besides I am not going,” Alice replied nonchalantly.

“And why is that?” Emily asked, staring at her daughter who seems to be uninterested in the conversation.

“Mum, you won’t be coming right? So tell me, am I supposed to go all by myself?” Alice asked irritated by her mother’s question. “If you want me to attend the ceremony, then you have to come along,” Alice added.

Emily sighed not wanting to get into a quarrel. “Is that what all this is all about?” Emily asked. “I won’t be able to make it, I have got a long busy day ahead,” Emily added while leaning on the door frame.

Alice turned back and walked to her bed. She had no more to say to her mother who seems uncaring and selfish to her. The twanging sound of a phone behind her brought her to an abrupt stop. She recognized the familiar sound; it was her mother’s phone. She soon heard a twitching sound as her mother picked up the call. A deep voice came through almost immediately. She found the voice familiar, probably one of those men she had seen with her mum. She couldn’t place a finger on it.

“Mum, who was that?” Alice asked as soon as her mum hung the call. “Um never mind, I will be off to work now. See you later,” Emily replied evading the question while walking towards the front door.

The slamming sound of the door brought her to the realization that her mum had just left. Her response didn‘t surprise her. She has always been that way- selfish and uncaring. And besides, the voice over the phone sounded so familiar. Alice lowered herself to her bed to give it a thorough thought.

I soon recall where I had first heard the voice. It belongs to a man I saw my mother openly flirting with at a party she forced me to attend. That was one of the few occasions I caught my mother with a man. Strange calls from anonymous callers, late nights, and “coming home all drunk” were other attitudes I didn’t like about her. Sometimes I would wonder, is she really my mother?

I got bold on few occasions and I had openly confronted her. She would just regard me with a wave of hands and walk off drunkenly to her room. I recall how sweet my family was before my parent divorced. Till now, I can’t fathom the reason for the divorce but as much as I could remember, my mother’s unruly behaviour kindled off few months after the divorce and it has worsened ever since. That was about 6 years ago.

Vrrh, Alice’s phone rang out jerking her from her thoughts. She stood up from her bed while reaching out to her phone which she placed on her makeup table. A glimpse at the screen lit up her dull face with a smile. Her best friend was calling her. Alice paused suddenly contemplating on picking the call. She knew that Mary was calling to remind her of the ceremony she had decided not to attend. After a brief hesitation, she picked it.

“Congratulations girl, how are you doing this morning?” Mary screamed.

“I am doing fine,” Alice responded in a cranky tone.

“What wrong with you, Alice? Your voice doesn’t sound nice, I hope you are coming for the graduation ceremony?” Mary asked.

“I won’t be coming,” Alice replied. “Why not?” Mary inquired further.

“Um, my mum is not coming, and I have-,” she hesitated. “huh, I have nobody to come with me, you can go, you have Ellis,” Alice sighed feeling relieved while stroking a small comb on her table.

“Alice, you know that is not true, you have someone, you’ve got me. What are we best friends for? I want you to dress up now. You can’t afford to miss the ceremony. It is once in a lifetime. You will be disappointing me if you don’t come, you don’t want that right?” Mary said trying to sound hurt.

“Alright, I will come, you always have your way every time. You are such an emotional blackmailer,” Alice joked.

“Yes, that what I am, promise me you will come,” Mary probed again. “Yes, I promise,” Alice replied.

“I am expecting you. See you at the ceremony. Bye,” Mary said and hung the call.

The phone slapped against the wooden surface has she dropped it on her table after the line went dead. She dawdled away from her makeup table towards her wardrobe. On opening her wardrobe to reveal her clothes, it creaked betraying the silence that seems to have engulfed her. She let her eyes roam over her clothes and slowly her gaze came to settle on the bag package that contained the dress for the ceremony. The dress did not excite her. She had left it untouched since the time of its delivery. That was about weeks ago. She had always imagined, if only she could rid herself of these rich clothes just to have her family back, she would.

She stripped off her nightdress and put on her bathing robe. She trotted off to the bathroom located opposite her wardrobe. She left the bathroom to dress up after washing herself.

While taking a last look at her reflection in the mirror, a knock sounded on her door. “Good morning Ma’am, your breakfast is ready,” Rose said from the other side of the door. “Okay, I will be there in a jiffy,” Alice replied.

She stepped out of her room and walked down the corridor leading to the dining room. The food was almost tasteless in her mouth, her appetite was down that morning. She ate only to keep hunger pangs at bay. She stepped out of her home after she was done eating. It pleased her to see the driver already standing by the car. They got in and drove off immediately.

“Ma’am! Ma’am! We have arrived,” the driver yelled.

“Why are you shouting so loud?” Alice retorted angrily.

“Sorry Ma‘am, we are at your school and I have been calling your attention for a while now, you seem lost in thoughts,” he explained.

“It’s okay,” Alice replied feeling embarrassed. She felt like they left home only whiles ago. The journey felt so fast to her. It was not his fault she had a bad morning, it was just a pity he was the one she let out her frustration on. She stepped out of the car and walked on without sparing a glance at the driver.

The beautiful decor of the venue with its brimming crowd didn’t worry her a bit, they were the least on her mind. She started out on a leisure stroll with the aim of finding Mary whom she feels might be lurking around waiting or searching for her. After a while of strolling without Mary anywhere in sight, she stood stuck to a spot. Mary will find me here, she concluded in her thoughts. No sooner had she been standing than she heard someone yell her name from behind.

“Who was that?” Alice whispered staring searchingly around her. She turned back and her eyes caught someone, just the person she was looking for was right there walking towards her. The person was none other than her best friend: Mary.

A smile broke out on Alice’s face as the memories of their lives together came flooding her mind. She recalled how she first met Mary.....

I was in my eighth grade when we first met. She was my first true friend. The friends I had before I met her had always ridicule me each time I shared my private life with them. After a lot of broken friendships, I kept to myself when it seems no one was ready to accept me for who I am. Mary was the only one who cared about being friends with her. Though I was surprised and defensive at first, I softened up when I discovered she was different, she didn’t ridicule me after I shared my family story even though I found it embarrassing. Over the course of our friendship, I got to know a lot about her. She also got on the bad side of life too. She lost her parents at the tender age of seven. With her one-year-old brother, they had no one to cater for them except an orphanage that later adopted them. Mary later got admission into a high school on scholarship, which was the school we are now both graduating from. Few years after, she moved out of the orphanage with her brother into an apartment while working as a waitress in a restaurant to cater for themselves.

Though I have tried offering her money, she had always turned it down giving one reason on the other. Life had been unfair on both of us. Mary has no parents, and I have parents like I don’t have one. My mother is so lackadaisical and father is not within reach. Our friendship has waxed stronger over the years. Though I don’t have my parents to provide me with the care I yearn for, I have Mary.

“Hi Alice, you look lost like you were thinking. I was waving the whole time, you were not waving back,” Mary said hugging Alice.

“Oh sorry, I was lost in thought. Reminiscing over our years of friendship.”

“Oh that, what do you think of me?” asked Mary.

“ I think of you as the wonder girl who saved me from the pit of loneliness.”

“That’s such a compliment, Alice. And I will be making a grave mistake if I don’t compliment your looks, you look great in your gown.”

“Thanks, Mary. You look great too. Where is Ellis?” Alice questioned.

“My brother should be around somewhere amidst the crowd. He will catch up with us soon.”

Elias stood far away gazing at his sister and her friend. He couldn’t help but stare long and hard at Alice. She was such a beauty. Though he is only 14 years, he couldn’t deny his feelings for his sister’s friend who was 5 years older than he his.

“Mary, look over there. There is Ellis, “ Alice said breaking the conversation on sighting Ellis standing amidst the crowd.

“Come on, get over here, Ellis,” Mary yelled gesturing with her hands. “You know what Mary, you have a loud voice. I felt like my ears will get busted,” Alice said closing her ears with her palm.

“Oh Miss, should I yell again,” Mary joked putting her hands on the side of her lips pretending to scream. “I think it will be best if you put in for a yelling contest, you will surely be the winner,” Alice joked back.

“Hello Alice,” Ellis said amidst breathes after running the distance to catch up with them. “You look awesome,” he complimented.

“Thanks, Ellis,” Alice replied blushing. “Let me take pictures of you two with my camera,” Ellis offered. “That sounds good. Come on, Mary. Let’s pose,” Alice said. Alice and Mary posed together while he took a few shots.

“Come on guys, the ceremony is about starting let’s get settled,” Mary said after the picture shots. The two girls walked over to the canopy set aside for graduating students while Ellis sat amidst the congregation.

Alice wasn’t finding the ceremony interesting. If not for Mary she would have stayed home, she thought. The event rolled by slowly and it was soon time for awarding the outgoing students. Graduating students stepped up the podium with their parents to collect their awards. The scene with my mum in the morning flashed through my mind, this made me feel jealous. If only she came, Alice thought.

“Alice Daley!” she heard her name boom from the microphone. Her eyes bulged in shock, she least expected that. Unlike everyone else, no one applauded her except Mary who mounted the podium along with her to receive her award. She regained her lost confidence, Mary was enough to bring it back. Mary is one in thousands, I couldn’t have wished for a better friend, Alice thought. Soon, the ceremony ended.

“Alice, how do you feel about the ceremony?” Mary asked Alice while they stroll on through the dispersing crowd. “Um, I felt good about it and besides I have you right beside me, you made it memorable. I was shivering so much that I thought I will not make to the podium, thanks for coming along.”

“Hold it right there, what are we friends for,” Mary said startling Alice. Mary soon spotted Ellis among the congregation. She waved him over. He beamed with a smile when he saw Mary waving at him.

“Congratulations ladies!” Ellis said beaming with a smile on reaching them.

“Thanks, Ellis,” Mary and Alice chorused.

They chatted on as they approached the gate. “Mary, I should be on my way home, my driver is here. Thanks for spending your time to chat with me,” Alice said with a hint of reluctance in her voice.

“Oh Alice, it was such a pleasure getting to communicate and chat with you again. I hope we will meet soon. Done with high school doesn’t mean done with friendship right?” Mary asked.

“Of course, I will call you, later in the week or in the evening. Bye friends,” Alice said hugging both Mary and Ellis. She entered the car, and the driver drove off while she kept waving back at Mary and Ellis.

“Oh, what a happy day!” Mary exclaimed, when the car was out of sight. “I guess we should just go home and celebrate. I won’t be going to work, I am on leave today,” she added.

“Really! That means I will spend the rest of today with you. Today is a great day!” Ellis exclaimed. Mary and Ellis held hands as they took the road to their apartment which was not far away from school.

“Rose!” Alice yelled entering her home. “Yes, ma’am,” she responded rushing into the living room. “Is lunch ready? I am famished,” Alice said looking tired. “Yes, I will dish out your food right away,” Rose responded. “Okay, hurry with that,” Alice responded while walking towards her room.

Having changed her dress, she came back to the dining room for lunch. The food tasted much better. Her little hang out with Mary has help improve her appetite and mood. She was soon done eating. She returned to her room after calling Rose to clear off the dishes. Alice slept off almost immediately after laying on her bed, she felt exhausted.

Grrrh, the vibrating sound of her phone woke her up late in the evening. She yawned tiredly while moving her hands over her bed in search for her phone. She pulled out the phone from under the pillow where she must have flung it after she arrived earlier. She recognized that sound, it was her message notification ringtone.

Who could have sent a message? And besides, I am not expecting any, she thought while navigating to the message box. A glance at the message caught her sight making her jerk to a sitting position. It was a congratulatory message from her Dad.

“He still cares about me,” Alice whispered as tears trickled down her cheek. It has being years I heard from him last, She thought again. She still found it hard to believe the message was from her dad. She dialled the number after a while of staring at the message. She longed to hear dad’s voice again. The automated messaging voice was the last thing she wanted to hear at that moment. She hoped that the call goes through but unfortunately, luck was not on her side. She dropped her phone in defeat. After a while, she wiped off her tears. She had to get over it to survive.

“I think I should go on a trip with Mary, I should be able to get over these feelings and have fun,” she reasoned out.

She picked up her phone again and dialled Mary’s phone number. After some time of getting no response, she cut the call and re-dialed. Just when she was about giving up on getting a response, Mary picked the call.

“Where the hell have you dumped your phone that took you so much time to pick my call and what noise is that?” Alice yelled in an anger disguised tone.

“Oh sorry Alice, my brother and I have been partying since we returned from the ceremony and the music blaring from my stereo must have drowned the phone’s ringing sound,” Mary responded.

“Umm, that is it then, it seems I am cut out of the enjoyment there but can we three organize a vacation trip where we can celebrate our graduation, just the three of us, you, me, and Ellis. What do you say?”

“Hum, that is a nice idea, but when will that be?” Mary inquired.

“I think we should take the rest of the week off for our trip.”

“That will be difficult, I only took a day off my job and that was today. I am not sure my employer will concede to that,” Mary said.

“Please Mary, do this for me, just a few days. If you want me to come over to plead on your behalf with your employer, fine,” Alice persisted.

“Okay, don’t worry, I will make space and we go on the trip, happy now?” Mary said giving in. “Yes, you are the best, best, friend ever. My regards to Ellis. Bye, see you tomorrow,” Alice said and hung the call.

Alice chose an ocean cruise for the trip. It will take me far away from home and I can be able to forget about my family during the trip, she thought. She wanted to feel free while spending the best moment of her life with her best friend. She picked her phone once again. She had to call her mum.

Emily walked out of her boyfriend’s home after kissing him bye. She felt her phone ring out from her handbag. She dug in and she soon found it, but the line was dead. A stare at the screen took her by a surprise.

“Oh no, 10 missed calls! Who could have been calling?” She said talking to no one in particular. After a short time lapse, the call came in again. It surprised her to see her daughter’s name displayed on the screen. Alice rarely called me, Emily thought. She picked it after a few more rings.

“Hello mum, where have you dumped your phone, I have been calling for a while now,” Alice said.

“Oh sorry, I am just coming out of a meeting,” Emily lied. “So what do you want? Any problem?” she asked with a hint of impatient in her voice.

“No, I need to borrow your yacht, I will be going on a cruise trip with my friend. What did you say?” Alice asked.

“Oh, you can have it. And besides, I won’t be coming home for the next few days, I have important things I need to attend to.”

“It is okay”, Alice said. Like you were ever at home, it has always been one trip on another, Alice thought.

“You know you don’t have to tell me you won’t be around, you were hardly at home,” Alice said and ended the call without waiting for her mum’s response. She knew her mum was just making up excuses to be with her sweethearts. She waved the thoughts of her mum aside.

“I have joyous days ahead of me, I won’t let her ruin it,” Alice said.

Alice jumped around in the room waving her hands happily in the air. After few minutes, she got exhausted and leapt on her bed. She had never felt so happy like that before. She could see herself on the yacht having fun with Mary and Ellis.

“The trip is going to be damn fantastic,” she concluded with a big smile spread on her face.

......................................................

The next morning wasn’t a bore to her, she was happy waking up to see a new day. The joy from the night before still burns in her heart. The trip was the first thing she thought of as she climbed out of her bed. She was soon standing at her favorite spot watching the birds again.

“Good morning, birds,” Alice said like she was expecting a response from them. They are beautiful creatures, she thought. She soon hurried back to her bed. She needed to call Mary.

Grrh, Mary’s phone rang off signifying a call. Arrh, Mary groaned tiredly rising slowly from her bed. She slept late last night because of the party. She reached out to her phone placed under the pillow. She picked it on seeing her friend’s name displayed on the screen.

“Oh Alice, it is barely dawn. Your call woke me up,” Mary complained in a husky voice.

“Hello young lady, it is 9:00 AM already, didn’t you sleep early last night? You must have partied late into the night,” Alice responded in a playful tone.

“Oh yes I did and I guess, you must be calling to remind me of the trip. I have asked to be on leave from my employer, he granted it. Thank your stars that he is such a nice man,” Mary joked.

“You don’t mean it, Mary. I am so thankful to your employer. This trip is impossible without you,” Alice responded.

“No obstacles means a possible trip. I will send over my driver soon to pick up the both of you. Call me when you are prepared, okay?”

“Okay,” Mary responded and ended the call.

Alice dropped her phone and went about preparing for the trip. She was set for the trip within an hour period. “Whew,” she sighed in satisfaction.

Her phone screen lightened up as it buzzed on the bed. She knew it was Mary calling. She picked it without confirming who it was. She was right, it was Mary.

Hello Alice, we are done. You can send your driver,” Mary said.

“Okay, I am sending him now, see you soon,” Alice said and hung the call. She rang up the driver almost immediately. She described the route to Mary’s home to him. After she was sure he had gotten the description, she bade him off. She was ready herself so she waited till their arrival while sitting on a sofa in the living room. She soon got lost in her thoughts.

The screeching sound of the car jerked her from her short reverie. She stood up and stared outside through the window waiting for the passengers to come out. She wondered what was keeping them in the car. On sighting Mary, she ran out and gave her a bear hug. She felt so good seeing her again.

“Huh Alice, you are squeezing my neck so tight, you are going to choke me,” Mary said amidst coughs.

“You know, it felt like it has been weeks since I saw you last. It is so good to have you so close again, bestie,” Alice replied while loosening her grip on Mary’s neck.

She left Mary and turned towards Ellis who was smiling sheepishly. She went forward and hugged him too. She saw Ellis’ cheeks go red. He was blushing. That was cute, she thought. She was somewhat confused about how she viewed him, she couldn’t say if she still saw him as Mary’s younger brother or something more than that. She had always had a kind of feeling she couldn’t explain each time he was around. He was handsome but still, he is the brother to her 20-year-old bestie.

She broke her grip on Ellis pushing him back lightly. “I haven’t told you where we are going for the trip, have I?” Alice asked Mary turned towards her. “No, you haven’t,” Mary replied.

“Okay, we will be going on a cruise across the ocean in my mother’s yacht and-,” she paused looking at both Mary and Ellis to see if she had their attention. “-and we might stop by at an island if we get to see one. What do you guys think?” she asked completing her statement.

“I think it’s a good idea, it will be fun. Mary, it will be full of adventures,” Ellis replied happily.

“Yeah, I think it’s a good idea, let’s go for it and besides I have never been on a yacht before let alone go on a cruise. This is a great chance for me, I will not let this pass, I am in for it,” Mary said smiling.

“Okay let’s do it guys,” Alice said stretching her hands forward.

One, two, three... Hurrah!” they screamed while merging their hands in unison.

“So guys, let’s go in for breakfast, then we can load in my traveling bag in the car thereafter,” Alice said enjoying the conversation. “Okay!” Mary and Ellis chorused.

The trio stepped up the short stairs entering Alice’s home.

“Whoaw, your home is beautiful,“ Ellis commented. “Yeah, it is beautiful but boring,“ Alice replied with an expressionless face.

They had a delicious meal of fried chicken and vegetables after which they left for Alice’s room to pack out her baggages. Within an hour, they were set for the journey and were now sitting in the car.

Alice gave a last look at home. It has always seems like a cage to her. She couldn’t help get worried every time she had to return home each day after school. Though the trip was only going to last few days, she would enjoy every bit. She smiled as the driver drove out of the compound, she couldn’t contain her joy.

“Alice, I hope nothing is wrong? You’ve been smiling for a while now,” Mary said nudging her.

“Oh no, no, I was just thinking,” Alice replied.

“Um guys, I brought my camera. it is a good way to make the trip more memorable,” Ellis said removing his camera from his backpack.

“Oh yes, that is thoughtful of you,” Alice said. She wondered how that had slipped her mind. She wanted to pick one along too. Thanks to Ellis, he has made up for her forgetfulness.

After an hour drive, they arrived at the port. It was an awesome sight with a fleet of ships sprawling across the ocean surface. They got out of the car when it came to a final halt. Within a few minutes, they had their bags offloaded from the boot and were now rolling it towards the harbour. She could spot her mother’s yacht among the other vessels floating on the water. She wasted no time in calling the attention of her friends towards the yacht.

“Oh my gosh, the boat looks great, I can’t wait to get on it,” Mary gushed.

They soon got to the dock. The crew were standing on the yacht stern ready to welcome them onboard.

“Welcome Miss Daley, we have been expecting you,” the captain said stretching out his hands for a handshake with Alice which she received.

“It’s my pleasure to be here once again and this time, I came with my friends. I hope we enjoy a good ride.”

“Of course, Miss Daley,” he replied.

Welcome onboard,” the captain said while handshaking both Mary and Ellis.

After securing their bags in the cabin below, Alice took Ellis and Mary on a tour around the yacht.

“Oh God! I am so exhausted,” Mary said and exhaled as they climbed up the stairs leading to the deck after the tour.

“Get up lazy girl, don’t sit yet, we still got a lot to explore. That was just a bit of it, come on,” Alice said pulling Mary who sat on a chair immediately they got to the deck.

“Alice give me a few minutes, let me get back my strength, I will join you soon,” Mary said.

“Okay, just five minutes,” Alice said while walking away towards the handrails to join Ellis who seem lost in the ocean’s beauty.

“Alice look!” Ellis screamed pointing at the dolphins he saw underneath the water.

They look so cute,” Alice said.

Wow! did you see that?” She screamed on seeing the dolphins leap out of the water.

“Yes I did,” Ellis responded smiling.

They saw more flips and soon she got bored of the dolphins. She walked back and joined Mary on the chair.

“Mary, you know, yesterday evening just before I called to tell you about the trip, my father sent me a message.”

“Really! That means he still cares about you. Can I see it?” Mary requested. Alice removed her phone from her pocket and handed it over to Mary. She read it and smiled.

“He must be proud of you. How have you been coping with your mother lately, any change in her attitude?”, Mary questioned.

“Not really, she is still the same. Late nights, strange numbers, lover boys, and all that. I don’t give a damn any longer whether or not she cares about me,” Alice said and sighed.

“Alice, don’t talk that way, she is still your mother. You can never tell what must have gone wrong between her and your father, maybe she is acting that way because of him. I am sure deep down she still lov-“

“Oh! Mary, spare me that. Don’t tell me a mother who abandons her daughter at home loves her. She has never and I don’t think she ever will,” Alice said cutting off Mary.

“Alice don’t think that way,” she advised.

“Mary can we have a change of topic, please,” Alice said getting sick of the conversation. “Okay as you wish,” Mary said complying. She knew her friend could be short-tempered.

“Where is Ellis?” Alice asked. “I saw him earlier taking pictures not far away from us. He might have gone to the other part of the boat, probably taking pictures,” Mary said.

“So where are we sailing to Miss?” Mary asked jokingly. “Oh that. We are going to the very heart of the ocean, how would you love that? It will be so fantastic right?” Alice asked.

“On a more serious note, do you have anywhere in mind or I think you mentioned some time ago about stopping by at an island,” Mary enquired getting serious.

“Oh yes, I remembered saying that. It is a good idea,” Alice responded. The girls turned towards the stairs when they heard footsteps. Ellis soon showed up.

“Hi guys, you didn’t invite me into your conversation, what is the next thing to do?” Ellis asked.

“Both Mary and I agreed to stop by at an island and we can practice some swimming and diving skills at the shore, I know how to do snorkelling,” Alice said fondling with her toes. “That is great!”, Ellis said smiling.

“Um guys, we have been sailing for a while now and it still looks empty. Ocean waters, that is how much I can see now, no island in sight yet,” Mary said getting impatient.

“Let’s exercise patience, we should spot one soon,” Alice said while rocking Mary. “We have gotten far away from the port. An island should come in view any moment from now”, she added.

“Let me get my binoculars from my bag, that should help us,” Ellis said rushing down the stairs leading to the rooms below. He soon appeared with one.

The yacht sailed along on the water at its slow pace. They could hear the splashing sound of the ocean water as it slaps on the hull of the yacht.

“Alice! Mary! Guys, you won’t believe this, I have found an island!” Ellis screamed breaking the silence while pointing towards the direction he spotted the island with his binoculars which was now hanging down his neck. “Where is it?” Alice asked.

“Just look ahead of you,” Ellis replied. Mary and Alice stood up searching for the island. “Ellis I can’t see anything,” Alice said again anxiously.

“Hey, Alice I can see the island now, look,” Mary said while staring through the binoculars she had collected from Ellis. “Let me have that,” Alice said gesturing towards Mary to hand over the binoculars. “Oh yes, I can see it now, it looks so small,” she affirmed while staring through the binoculars.

“It’s time to get in our swimming suits,” Alice said happily. They rushed down the stairs into the cabin. They soon came out strapped in their swimming wears. They let out a boat into ocean.

“Hurrah! Let’s get in,” Ellis said. They climbed into the boat and headed towards the island. Within a few minutes, they were metres away from the yacht.

They soon arrived at the shore. “Oh my God, I have seen nothing like this before in my entire life,” Ellis said looking amazed while staring at the island.

“It looks like a volcanic mountain, quiet and deserted,” Mary said with an expressionless face.

“Come on guys, let’s play on the beach before we delve into the deserted island. I have my snorkel here with me, let me teach you how to swim using snorkel,” Alice said. She stepped out of the boat with a snorkel in her mouth. She plunged into the water almost immediately. She soon surfaced after some time.

“It feels great down here, come on, guys. Join me,” Alice said removing the snorkel from her mouth.

“I can’t do that, I will just stay in the boat. You and Ellis can swim together,” Mary said.

“Come on bestie, it is not so hard to swim and besides if you can’t swim, we can just engage in a water fight. It will be lots of fun,” Alice said trying to sound convincing.

“Come on,” Alice said stretching her hands for Mary to take it when she seems hesitant. “Look at that, I told you it is easy,” Alice said pointing at Ellis who was now swimming.

“Just this once, okay?” Mary said.

“Okay”, Alice replied. They were soon throwing water at each other after a short lapse of time. “It is truly fun, today is the best day ever,” Mary yelled giggling.

Mary soon left the water to the shore after she felt she had had enough fun. She sat down and waved at Alice who was gesturing to her to join them again in the water. She watched on as they both played on in awe.

She soon stood up from her sitting position, she felt like strolling. She smiled as she eyed the entire horizon. The waves splashing sound caught her attention again. What causes waves in oceans? she thought. It was pleasing to her but she still wanted to know why. She imagined how dull the ocean would have been without waves. She took her eyes off the waters and let it roam towards the sky. She was about tearing her sight away when it caught something in the sky.

She fixed her gaze with an intent on the object. It looks a little like a star at first but on a closer look, she noticed the object got closer and bigger. This got her startled at once. She ran back to the boat where she had earlier left Alice and Ellis. “Guys! Guys!, you’ve got to see something,” Mary yelled on sighting them.

Alice got startled immediately she saw Mary running towards them. She had never seen Mary run like that before. She knew at once something was wrong. She and Ellis soon abandoned what they were doing and stared anxiously at Mary waiting for the news she had for them.

“Guys, look towards the sky, I think I saw something that looks like a spaceship,” Mary yelled. They turned instinctively towards the direction Mary was pointing at.

“Oh my God, look at those big structures. They are so much in the sky,” Alice said.

“Let’s get out of the water,” Ellis said pulling Alice’s hands. They ran out of the water joining Mary on the shore. The trio stood on the shore looking on at the ships, they were curious about what would happen next. Soon, they heard a large sound accompanied by a great water splash. They froze in fear.

“Oh My God! Did those objects just let down a bomb? I think it is a bad idea waiting around. Let’s flee into the island before we get our heads blown off,” Alice said jerking backwards. Ellis and Mary joined her as they fled into the island.

The shattering sound of iron caught Alice’s attention. She looked over her shoulder to see what it was. The sight wasn’t pleasing.

“Our yacht! The crew! How are we going to get out of this island,” Alice screamed, running back towards the boat that brought them to the island. Mary and Ellis soon caught up with her.

“Alice don’t get so emotional about this, the ships are closing up on us. Let save our heads first before the boats,” Mary pleaded. After much pleading, they dragged her back as they took cover in the island. The bombardment heightened further, they soon saw clouds of smoke rising into the atmosphere.

After running a few metres, they felt tired and waited a while to catch their breath. “Oh, this is the case of a vacation gone bad,” Mary said.

“I think the adventures are just starting,” Ellis added humorously. They laughed at his joke forgetting about their predicament while the laughter lasted. The next bomb blast startled them again. They started off running again.

“I couldn’t have thought such an ill-luck will come our way like this,” Mary whispered as they ran further into the island. Alice and Ellis were running ahead of her.

“Arrh,” Alice screamed. “I sprained my ankles. I hit my leg against a stone. I can’t walk,” Alice ranted on in pain. Ellis ran back and together with Mary, they lifted her up and placed her hands on their shoulders. They continued on their journey but slowly.

Suddenly, they felt a blue light brighten up the environs. They paused in their tracks to see where the light was coming from. To their amazement, it was from the mountain.

“It seems we are on a mysterious island,” Alice voiced out.

“Watchout! guys,” Ellis screamed pointing at a bomb that seems to be coming their way. They quickened their movement trying to get far away from that spot as much as possible.

“Wait a minute,” Mary said halting them. “Did you guys notice anything? The bomb didn‘t make a sound, or could it have been directed somewhere else?,” Mary asked while staring at Alice trying to see if they got her point.

“Yeah, I didn’t hear a sound too, what could have prevented it?“ Ellis asked looking puzzled. “Hey guys, look at that,” Alice said pointing upwards. It’s a protective shield, the bombs can’t penetrate,” Alice said feeling relieved.

“Oh dear,” Ellis said breaking the silence that have now enveloped them as they stared on at the shield. “We can rest a bit now. We are safe from them,” he said again as he lowered himself to the ground.

“Mary where are you going?” Alice questioned on seeing her running back the direction they came.

“I want to see the damages the ship have done on the outside. I want to know if it is still safe out there,” she explained.

“Let’s go together,” Alice suggested. They soon got to the edge of the island where the shield bar the island from the outside world. “Oh my God!” they exclaimed at the sight of the ruins left behind by the raiding ships.

“Oh God! there are hundreds of them in the sky, what will happen to our world?” Ellis asked in fear.

“We don’t know yet,” Mary answered.

“It is safer we stay on this island. The outside world is far more dangerous,” Alice said.

“Wait a minute, guys, don’t you think these battleships have a mission they want to carry out in our world?” Mary asked.

“That could be true, but do you think they will just leave after getting what they want? And besides, their aim might be more than that. Probably to make a permanent habitat of our planet,” Alice responded.

“Guys, I think there something else that need our attention,” Ellis said drawing the attention of Mary and Alice.

“ We don’t know where these strange ships came from or what they want but we have to get them out of our planet,” Ellis said.

Huh! How are we supposed to that? We are just three and we got no weapon, fighting skills or battlement, how are we supposed to bring down hundreds of huge looking battleships? Alice asked looking puzzled.

“I have an idea but I am not sure if it will work,” Ellis said staring at them waiting for a permission to go on.

“Spit it out,” Mary said nudging him.

“Okay. Think about it guys, if the island could protect itself, then possibly we might find something to use in defeating the spaceships on this island.”

“Wait, I don’t get you,” Alice said looking confused.

“I mean we can search around, probably climb up the mountain where the blue light shone from. We might find something,” he explained.

“I don’t think this idea will work, how can a small island destroy hundreds of battleships,” Mary said laughing.

“I think we should give Ellis’ idea a chance. It is not like we have a choice in this. We can never tell, it might be a great discovery for us,” Alice explained.

“Don’t feel so big young man,” Mary said eyeing Ellis who was now smiling jubilantly.

“Are you both in for the mission?” Alice asked staring at both Ellis and Mary.

“Yes, I’m in,” Mary said.

“I’m in too,” Ellis said smiling.

“There is no much we can do now, it is night already. We will start out on our mission tomorrow, agreed?” Alice said.

“Agreed,” Mary and Ellis chorused.

The trio turned towards the outside world once again. Though their fear had dispersed off, they didn’t feel good about their helpless state. The world they’ve always known now seems to be fading out slowly from their sight.