New World

{ Dedicated to all Space Engineers, NASA, and Space scientists for their great contribution to technology, the world wouldn’t be as it is without your work over the years. }

“Koko!”

The spacecraft blacked out and shook furiously again when the thing outside landed on the windshield. Everything was afloat in the air; microgravity was taking place in the spaceship. We had only just taken off. Reaching the range of space travel, one of the insects from the planet managed to follow after us. Captain of the ship was nowhere to be found. Bryson said there’d be no delays but, unbeknown to the both of us, I realized why Keke had been crying out in the direction behind us. But I guess my mind wasn’t willing to accept what she knew was out there. What I knew was out there. That monster, why was it always so obsessed with me. The deep regret in my stomach piled into loads of paperwork you’d have stacked on your desk from your boss the next morning.

It rocked again. This time with more force, my body lashed against the side of the spacecraft. Biting down hard on my lips; I let out a choked cough, a splatter of blood crept out between my lips. A shadow slid against the clear shield of the craft. It had huge butterfly wings and a cylinder body type but by the neck and head, a small slit curved into a walking man sign’s head from the warning lights on the streets.

Thereafter I confirmed what I saw as the insect crawled a little and its left-wing hung out. What spooked me and made my insides churn and skin crawl was the disgusting eyeball on the wing. It was him. The man from that day, it was always him. Stalking me ever since we met. I should be happy; maybe he was saving me from anything out of the planet’s barrier. Knowing better than that I quickly dismissed said thoughts, ‘Bullshit’ I thought.

Only wanted me for himself, why fucking lie about things like that. Why go insane over stupid childish fantasies of him being my hero in reality. Men; tsk - they’ll never be my hero.

*****

3 months ago

“Ugh! Koko, can’t you see anything up there?” I asked looking over the landscape map while chewing on a pencil. The directions I pinpointed on every location we recently stopped by didn’t seem to match up. That wrenched old hag knew what she was doing, gave me the wrong directions, even after I received so many accurate statements about her giving out info. I was nowhere near the place I was headed to. Miles away from there to be exact. Most of the folks in the last town who got their directions from her many times before suggested her to me.

This on my part was a decision wrongly made, and I shouldn’t have entrusted it to others because I was too lazy to do my part and find the world map. A map with all of the continents detailed and drawn out perfectly for navigation. My map was half of that, it was like the missing half of the gigantic landscape paper was willfully torn out by someone. Who knows it could have been almost anything rather than anyone.

My gaze landed on the massive centipede crawling some feet away. Yuck. The insect was the size of a bus. And I meant every detailing word I said. A bus.

“Koko!” I yelled this time more furious, this monkey liked nothing more but to test my patience whenever she’s angry.

The head of the squirrel monkey peeked under the leaves of the banana tree. Pacified in her mouth; was half of the fruit the other still waiting to be peeled and fully eaten. Koko then jumped off and hopped over to me, finally resting herself on the map.

She took one bite chewing slowly, mouth moved in a full circle. Poked out in a kissy face manner then sucked itself as though trying to eat off her lips.

“Koko, what’d you see? Are we anywhere familiar, can you recognize this area?” I continued to press on as the female mammal just focused on the meal she handpicked whilst in the trees above.

Grabbing the banana from my companion I held it by my mouth in a threatening manner to her. Koko knew what this action meant and was aware of the result if she didn’t put aside her emotions quickly. That tasty curved boomerang edible would no longer exist. Any other fruit or banana wouldn’t suffice her stomach as this one did. It was more her size and filled her empty stomach.

Indeed she’d throw a heavy tantrum after this to her beloved owner, how dare she threaten to eat a rare finding in this entire universe such as that.

Immediately the squirrel monkey wasted no time in turning her focus on the map. Her tail scooped the pencil and scribbled the area in which they were. After this Koko seemed to trace lines over the map and finally stopped at the destination where they were headed.

“Ooo ooo ooo, ah ah!” she said eyes never leaving the hand securely holding her snack.

I leaned watching where her scribbles were made and smiled. My best friend in the whole world was always good at directions, she’s been everywhere before we met. Mostly; I treasured that about her. Koko got her snack back and we rolled the “8 x 8” inch map and tied it with a thick rope.

“Incoming!” the waitress alerted me but I paid no attention as the scenario of the western 90′s bar overwhelmed my eyes. From the bullet holed wooden entry doors to the back where the busy bar was stocked to the roof with alcohol to mess with your brains and happy pills to make your day. I crashed into the waitress who managed to balance the hit holding up a huge pillar filled with iced refreshing water.

“Be more careful hun, I could’ve ruined that little outfit you have on!” she squeaked as the water that slipped away from the container almost splashed on my new blouse.

I gave her a small smile for that reassuring sentence, at least she was nice and also right. This blouse was too costly to get soaked three hours within buy it. Oh no no, this blouse had to be worn at special events, like cheap weddings or warm parties.

Everyone in the saloon area was either distracted by the deck of cards in their hands, playing pool, or having a drink and something to eat. The many catcalls being thrown at prostitutes or innocent ladies walking in and out between the round tables were countless. Even as I passed by; I myself had to ignore and continue to the bar hoping none of the creeps tried to grab me.

Passing near the grand dark piano, the pianist sent a wink at me and went back to trailing his fingers over the keys like a puppet master playing with its puppet. A melodic song tuned the ears of everyone around and the lady who sat elegantly above the piano had her legs crossed, the glowing sparkle of the ruby red dress shined like a star. A hand tube condenser microphone sent out sound waves to the small wall speakers and her angelic voice was then output.

“We’re going home

If we make it or we don’t, we won’t be alone”

She sung as her right hand freely move about capturing the audience allowing their focus to remain on her.

“When I see your light shine, I know I’m home”

Finally making it to the bar, I seated on one of the polished stools. Taking the pack off my back and resting it on the counter, I nervously opened it. Koko was asleep; her body curled into a ball snoozing on top of the white hand towel she used as a blanket. I didn’t want to disturb her, the journey here was indeed exhausting but I couldn’t rest until I got what I came for.

A plump figure stood in front of me wiping the outside of the glass with a cloth. When it was time to dry the interior of the glass; or so I thought, he spat in it and went back to cleaning it.

“What can I get you?” He politely said trying to hide emotion from his face and replaced it with a cold stare.

“Um water would be fine,” I replied, my voice a little jumpy since I hadn’t noticed him till then.

His expression told cold but at the same time amused by what I had said.

“Water huh? You come here often kid?” I met his light blue eyes and shrugged not giving a complete answer.

“Just warming up before the big shots y’know?” I chuckled slightly while clearing my throat. He briefly nodded before getting another glass and pouring it with water, then slide the glass to me. My slender fingers grasped the cup and stared at the cool liquid slowly moving inside. On the side of the glass, a few droplets slid down and round over my fingers.

Everyone around me was comfortable and no one was physically trying to bash the other’s skull to the ground. This bar was different, definitely more on the quiet side. Probably had a strict owner someone who wasn’t going to tolerate nor entertain nonsense. I wondered if they were the ones I’d have to talk to. Guess I’d have to find out.

“How’s your day then?” the bartender questioned mixing another drink.

“If you’re waiting all your life, you won’t ever go

Sipping the water, I casually glanced at the person seating not too far from me by a candle-lit table. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

When I see your light shine, I know I’m home”

He grazed those blue pupils over my body frame and calculated something in his head before serving the customer their drink. They mumbled incoherent words and moved to the saloon area not wanting to cause trouble.

“I see.” That was all he could say after, my generic response. As I was about to answer him, he then intervened with another question. His friendliness was much appreciated but I disliked the amount of discomfort I got from the normality of questions being asked.

“Where you from?”

The winning question I was never able to answer ever since I left the one abode I thought was my home. I had to change the subject but seeing the man in front of me that was going to be a big oof- no a complete flop. Bartenders live for a good story from their customers. Knowing your buyer’s background story sometimes lets them know what drink they’d be capable of handling or what they’d need to get over the past. Really a kind gesture on their part.

I don’t know what gave it away but he reassured me before asking where I was heading to instead.

“Lysteria, looking for something that can help me out” I answered truthfully, “I heard the owner here might know how to get there.”

“Ah I’m sorry to break it to you but going to Lysteria is a pretty fucked up journey”

“What’s in Lysteria for a girl like you hmm?” he proceeded to ask furthermore.

Undoubtfully I knew he didn’t need to be acknowledged of what I’ll be doing there; if I ever get there that is.

“Just Lysteria.” He cocked an eyebrow up at me. His face showed a lot of interest towards me and what I was saying.

Minutes passed by and finally one of the members from the table I looked at earlier tapped my shoulders. The masked figure stood 29 centimeters tall from me; our height was at least 30 centimeters the size of a ruler and that was it. No taller and no less short than 27 centimeters. Rare findings of our height were 31 and 25, other than that almost everyone was literally the same height. Their shoulder-length dirty blond wavy hair hung unevenly cut by the neckline of the white turtle neck they wore covered over with a black jacket.

“Miss, I’d like to talk to you for a moment if you don’t mind?” his voice was soft and gentle. He let out a hand for me to take; which I almost did....almost. Luckily Koko was now awoken and saw what was going on. It was when my hand leisurely reached out to take him, I felt a stinging sensation on my skin. Koko’s paw whacked mines from the strangers before they got to hold it.

“Back off monkey.” he then growled facing Koko who just smirked showing white teeth. Sleepy eyes, freshened and on alert, like always the squirrel monkey ran up the man’s arm and pulled the hat shadowing his face. Koko pulled at said person’s hair trying to turn them bald in a matter of seconds. Most looked on in amusement and just stared at the commotion going on at the bar. Bumping into a few tables he was able to pry the animal off his face that fumed a hot pepper red. Before he left our eyes met and all I knew was the image of someone I was trying to forget came to the back of my mind again.

“Your friend?” Another masculine voice erupted from beside me. When looked at him the late forty-year-old guy held Koko by the tail and handed a small biscuit to her. She didn’t seem to mind the old fellow though.

“Yes,” I sighed feeling embarrassed at all the attention being given to me.

“My apologies for what my client just did, he’s- not used to mammals attacking him” The elderly man dryly spoke towards me.

“I’m the owner of this bar, is there any-”

“Yes, yes! I’ve been meaning to speak with you” I excitedly whispered for him to hear only.

“Ah yes of course” he gritted between clenched teeth and walked upstairs away from the customers now piling themselves to the bar.

The large office desk was in the center of the pallet walled room with carpeted bear fur covering the entire room. To the left, a large wet bar was fully attended to by a young lady. Seating in the brown leather cushioned chairs in front of the long desk stacked with multiple items including; a small nambe anvil wine basket holding bottles of exquisite wine, a small fruit basket like the one on the marble counter by the wet bar wear the female wiped down with a wet rag before quickly leaving when the manager dismissed her.

He went to the rack and pulled out a bottle as I looked around trying to relax and unnerve myself in the seat.

“White spirit Vodkat, a 90′s classic. Would you like a taste?” he offered already pouring the liquid into a glass on the desk. I hesitated at first since I wasn’t an alcoholic and sometimes threw up after a swing or two.

“What’s a girl like you doing here?” the man abruptly said when I just swished the drink around in the glass not taking a sip. His eyes matched the bartenders but were a shade darker. The black dye in his hair made him look young for his age even with the few streaks of visible grey and wrinkles or bags under his eyes. The fair skin fellow had light thin pink lips that stayed in a straight line.

“Who sent you to me? Where did you come from?”

There it goes again, the same question being asked but by a different user. Why were they all so curious to find out about my past. There were so many reasons why I didn’t answer them. I never could after what happened the last time. Betrayal. Straight fucking betrayal by someone I actually fell in love with within the place I used to call home. I couldn’t go back to that dreadful past and I never will. Even the present was just as bad...recently ever since my fiancee cheated on me a week before our wedding day, everything flopped and crashed. Tears threatened to escape from my eyes when the man sat beside me on the table and watched intently waiting for my answer.

“I come from far away” Was all I quickly said to his second question then focused to on the first one again.

“A blind man, he said to meet with a Leonet from Giantelle; that is if you’re the Leonet I’m looking for.”

He seemed to consider what I said for a moment before rubbing his stubbly chin in deep thought.

“Yes I’m Leonet.” he briefly said taking a swing of the Vodkat drink. “You came from my hometown, false directions from any guides recently?” he surprisingly asked me.

I nodded telling him my encounter with the strange woman and how we had to pass many stops to reach here and when I met the blind man sitting on a soapbox by the tree looking at the weirdly shaped mountain.

“Ah, so he still watches the ‘child eater’ sleep hmm? Interesting.”

“Child eater?” I stuttered.

He nodded moving away from the table, standing behind the desk in front of long glass french windows with cream curtains hanging like sheets.

“You need directions to Lysteria, right?” “I’ll get you a ferry there... it’s on the house.”

That last sentence creeped me out when he glanced back to observe me for the last time. What does he mean by on the house? I didn’t like the sound of it either like he wasn’t even trying to offer his regards and give me a ride to Lysteria but to somewhere else. My heartbeat climbed out of my chest; ‘rape, murder’. It strongly had something to do with the two.

“No need for any rides, I just want directions.” I slowly pointed out obviously hinting at the nervousness in my tone of voice.

Just as I was about to get up, Koko suddenly acted out and slammed into the fruit basket, and stayed on the floor for a while. I rushed to her side checking her pulse, she overdid it with the sweets again and needed some water. My eyes randomly searched the room and I spotted the untouched alcohol and quickly grabbed it.

I went over the many outcomes of what would happen if she drank the liquid. Finally concluding to just let her suck on the ice I parted her lips open then slipped in the ice cube.

I knew she tasted the bitter taste when her face suddenly twitched a little as she sucked on the cool solid. Before any other strange things decided to happen, I thought it best to out of this place as fast I possibly can.

Maybe right as Cihuation neared the door the man suddenly lashed out grabbing her from the back, and they fell to the ground. She was barely able to get out of his grasp, how was he so strong you might ask? Is something she’d have to later learn and find out. Koko wasn’t in the condition to fight every time she tried moving her body only fell to the carpeted floors and stayed there for a while before she tried again. Did the little taste of alcohol really affect her body so fast? Nothing was making sense to the monkey about the scene in her view. Her new owner and close friend was now being choked or possibly put to sleep by the man.

His hands grew big wrapping around my throat and every time it seemed or looked as though I was getting out of Leonet’s grasp he firmly secured his legs around my waist keeping me on his chest. My screams were deafened; I myself couldn’t hear the frog croak seeping from my mouth. I wasn’t able to make out his form but from what I felt, he got larger in size, and his skin looked darker from the quick glance I took. Troll green flesh, obsidian long nails, and bushy thick hair covered the back of his palm.

“There’s a place that I

Wanna run with you”

The song was still playing, I realized how the song was meant to drown you out of your worries, help you to forget what was troubling you. Mostly for those who were in search of a home. In search of a place to be with someone.

Leonet put me over his shoulders and all I knew was that he grew the size of a building inside a small room. My mind puzzled over the many theories as to why the bar hadn’t clasped and gave way, leaving behind the aftermath. Aimlessly my legs kicked back and forth at the beast lifting my body with only one arm securely holding me down. I puffed out a heavy breath, his frame seemed to be made of steel; no matter how hard I tried the man just wouldn’t budge. We entered another room, and what I saw almost made me throw up. The smell of dirty socks lingered under my nostrils. The darkroom was lit by green fire, the walls were cobblestone and the rocky floor had no smooth surface nor edges. He adjusted me on his shoulders and walked on the side of the room. I made out bodies hanging like ornaments from the ceiling; some with their flesh skinned off, others had lungs to kidney pulled right out of them. I almost threw up at the sight of seeing how their bodies were sliced open like a cake.

“WE’RE YOU TAKING ME!” I yelled. Koko was still upstairs in the room, while my unlucky fortune got me here. A low grunt emitted from his mouth. I was placed on the ground and tied to a pole in the room. I looked around at where I was. Another giant was in the room, a skinny-toned one to be exact.

“Helda sent us a gift brother.” Leonet laughed poking my skin with a stick he found; seating on the rock chair.

“Helllll- da.” the slim one dragged out in a way like he wasn’t fully capable of speaking English.

Leonet held the stick closer to himself and sharpened it with a knife real quick before calmly poking at the flames under the cauldron. The lid sat near his huge leg. Two females, I hadn’t seen where; trying to come out of the cauldron. Both whites had their long hair wet from whatever liquid filled the pot. They called out to me but I couldn’t help them in any way nor did I ever think I would even if I could.

“Helllllda” he dragged again, slowly getting up walking to the girls. His head was bald, little yellow strands greased on one side in the center of his head. Those wide alien pupils on his face dumbfoundedly stared at anything he saw. He rests both hands on the steaming pot and gawked at the females now screaming and fighting over each other to get on the other side where he wouldn’t reach them.

“Food. Food.” The giant was wounded at the reaction the girls gave. So his perplexed look made his little brain twitch and form an incorrect answer to why they reacted like that and so he got angry, grabbing one of them by their legs hanging her over the boiling water as the other held on to the mouth of the pot when it shook sideways almost making her fall out along with the water.

“Why food scared. Food no be scared of Helllllda” he spoke in caveman language to the woman clutching her body staring at him with teary eyes.

“Helllllda good to Leon. She gives him you. Food.” he finished dragging out ‘food’ his eyes filled with happiness and pleasure. Mouth drooling like a dog’s, Leon breathed heavily playing with the female as she cried out more streams from her eyes, lips trembling non-stop.

Leon hung the white girl’s corpse over his mouth and released, dropping her down his throat. Her last breath is the most petrifying ear-piercing scream made that I ever had to hear. Leon burped with satisfaction and sat back down holding his potbelly.

“Leon, I got you a new pet. The monkey awaits upstairs, don’t kill it this time.” Leonet cursed getting up and stoked towards me.

“Watch over this one while I go manage the bar.”

With that, he left immediately and I accompanied Leon who paid no mind to me. It was quite a while before I noticed a small queer shadow on the wall. The tail that came with it gave away the culprit sneaking their way past the ledge where I came in from with Leonet. Koko was no expert at getting away from her captive, so I was surprised to see my fellow friend go out of her way to rescue her heroine. Koko successfully managed to sneak up to me and was almost close to getting me free, when the giant poke at Koko’s small frame from behind. I jumped a little startled by how quiet he had been.

“Monk- monk-” The giant stuttered struggling to say the words. He tried again and failed. Koko had something with her and climbed up the giant’s arm holding it by his nose. He sniffed the paper she had and instantly said the place I had been looking for fluently without any interruptions between letters.

“Monk- monk look for Lysteria?”

Koko nodded and pointed at me, then held my bag up by his nose and he gradually sniffed once again getting the message. I stared in shock as Koko talked to the giant with ease. Leon came over to me and shrunk to size while untying me from the pole. Koko climbed onto my shoulders and gave me my bag and the paper which the giant sniffed out.

“Leon help Monk and pretty girl escape. Leon nice, Leon no bad.” He said picking me up in his hand and politely made sure he wasn’t squishing me between those large fingers of his.

There was a hole in the cave room. Big enough for a human to fit and squeeze through. Leon placed me in there gently and relayed the rest of the information as to where and how to find Lysteria easily.

“Moth man looking for pretty girl. Leon no like moth man, Leon help pretty girl escape and find home.” He finished in his caveman language pressing a finger on my stomach as a goodbye gesture. I was about to leave when my body moved on its own and I placed a kiss on the beast’s cheek assuring that he didn’t have to continue on like this and I was greatly appreciated that he helped us out.

Koko and I stepped out of the hole and landed on the dead green grass outside of Giantelle territory.

“Moth man, hmmm could it be who I think it is,” I questioned walking, looking down at the paper with specific directions to Lysteria.

Little did Cihuation know, someone was following her closely; very closely. The man stood behind a pear tree hidden from sight and smirked showing beautiful white teeth.

“I finally found you....little woman" he ended vanishing out of sight.