Page 56 of Orange Lake
Coone started to thaw by then, his hold not punishing. I feel like I’ll have bruises from his hold, than the marks from the cat.
“Sacred animals have been recorded since the beginning of our time. You really should have passed through our immigration so they can download our planet’s history. Then again, my mates will not have this much fun in decades!” He looked absolutely gleeful.
“Historians told us that the hiscats migrated to this planet on the early years of our planet. What makes them sacred is that they are the last species that survived that has a female specie.”
“Huh?”
“The plague that killed all our females, it affected all the manasties and animals on this planet. Similar to our females, our forefathers harvested some of the female eggs of the animals but the priority is with our females. Some animals were imported from other planets. Not many survived but thankfully the ones we eat,” he smiled and showed his teeth and fangs. “The animals we eat were able to mate with other species. All animals are crossbreeds. Except the hiscat.”
“But why are you guys afraid of them?”
“There are many theories,” we entered a nondescript building, only two floors high. It has the feel of an old antique shop. The shopkeeper looked old. Older than the old man I met earlier. I hope he and his wards are okay. I just remembered, I was not able to thank him by trying to save me. Coone, Jigen and Roo prevented me from walking away from them.
The shopkeeper barely looked at us. He is busy looking at his tablet, the red screen lighting his blue, green and gray stripes.
We entered a door and I screamed again.
Coone was laughing as we hurtle down a free fall again. This time, he let go of my arm.
Thump.
Similar to my experience earlier, we landed on something invisible. There are no rocky walls but bright steel and modern lights. It felt like I landed inside a space ship.
I heard footsteps and there are so many armed men that sprouted in front of us. Jigen looked at me as if I’ve gone crazy. Maybe I have.
I planted my hand on the wall to keep me upright. My body feels like its swaying like after I swam in the ocean. I can hear Coone snickering at the back. Glad to know he’s back to his usual spirit.
“Sir,” one of the men greeted. “We heard a scream.”
Kudos to him, he wasn’t looking at me. But the others were.
“Settle down Rin,” Jigen used his right hand to stop him from advancing.
“Sir.” The newcomer stopped and so did the others with him. There are so many manasties in this place. All were silent but I can loudly hear Coone. Giggling. Argh.
I took the lull to take in my surroundings. Unlikeabove, this place is all smooth and shiny. The overhead lights are bright to mimic the day sky. Coone took pity on me and took my arm as the others led the way out of what could only be an elevator. I will try to remember this spot in case I need to get out of here.
Chapter 16
DOWN THE LAKE SHE GOES
Brynn
My ears are ringing.
Zirc is down. Barely alive. Only Roqs is keeping him alive.
Those crystals can save lives. That’s why we keep them here.
Jigen. Jigen said that when he debriefed us on what happened earlier that day. The attack was swift. Everyone was accounted for minus Zirc’s arm.
My heart is pounding. I can barely hear them. My thoughts and senses zeroed in on the pink crystal in one of the mini lakes that I can see. Judging by the depth, it should only be less than 20 feet. Yet, the manasties, even Coone’s kind, cannot go for it.
I looked up and saw them arguing. Even Coone and Roo are focused on the meeting happening only a few feet away. Looking back at the water, surely, I can dive and get it.
My ears are tinging. Like I heard a bomb. Blocking out everything, I took off my shoes, took a running start, breathed and dived, like I am in a diving competition. I can see the bottom of this lake, much deeper but the water is very clear.
Water rushed around me and good thing I do not need any goggles. I can see clearly and my dive was probably forceful, I had to bounce on a nearby rock formation. Good thing it wasn’t too jagged.
