Fear and Aggression (27 page)

“
I might be scared too,
but I know that Steve will protect us. If anything should be
scared, it’s that alien that he’s got. He’ll torture it, and make
sure he knows everything. No, I’m not scared. We’re going to be
just fine.”

Tess smiled, and looked physically more
relaxed. Mark spoke with such confidence that she really did feel
protected. If Steve was a confident as Mark, everything was
probably just fine.

“
We’re going to pulverize
‘em, before they even know what’s hit ‘em. I’m not scared one bit!”
Johnny exclaimed, putting the finishing touches on the
discussion.

Roloff picked up Caryell much earlier than
Caryell had expected. His father had not said anything, but he
could tell that something was different. His father was often quiet
since his mother had disappeared, but the quietness was different
as they walked home. When they got far enough away, Roloff began to
speak with his son.

“
I wish to speak with you
about something that I don’t want for you to share with anyone just
yet. I think that I know where mother is.” Caryell looked up at his
father with a look of shock and surprise mingled with hope and
concern. “I walked to a hill last night. I looked over the great
city. I wanted to think and to pray. I saw a light in the sky. I’ve
seen it before. I believe that Mother is in that light. I believe
that she is alive.” Caryell looked concerned, but didn’t say
anything; he wanted to hear more. “I’ve told you before, that I
think that men drugged her and took her. We’ve traced the
footprints to that rocky clearing, and every time the footprints
disappear. We lose their tracks. But all around the rocky clearing,
there is no sign of where they came from or where they have
gone—nothing. The clearing is not that large, and they must have
come from, and gone, somewhere. But all of the footprints originate
and disappear from the clearing. There are some strange markings on
the ground, like some type of vehicle, or vessel, was
there.”

Caryell was listening as intently as he
could. Something was pricking his heart as he listened, but he
could not understand where his father was going just yet.

“
I know that this will
sound unbelievable, my son. Please listen. I believe that men have
traveled here from another world, in some sort of a craft; that
they have been here, for a little while—I saw the light in the sky
before your mother disappeared—and that they landed their craft on
that rocky clearing. They then came into the forest and shot the
deer with a drug—perhaps to carry it away. Then Mother came out and
they shot her with the drug too, and they carried her back to their
craft. Then they left and are flying around our world. I believe
that she is alive and on that craft. When I saw the light again
last night, I knew that it wasn’t a shooting star. I knew that it
was a vessel. I felt in my heart that she was there, and alive.
Caryell, I have told no one else. It is a rather unbelievable
story. I have no proof, other than what I have told you. But I
believe that it is true.”

“
Why would they come here?
Why would they take Mother with them?”

“
I cannot say.”

“
Will they bring her
back?”

“
I know no more than what
I have said. I want to travel with you to the city today. I want to
visit with your uncles—your mother’s brothers. I need to talk with
more men. They will want to know. I don’t know if I will be
believed, but I must tell them.”

“
Have you told Mr.
Olefften?”

“
No. You are the first to
know. I am concerned about telling others in our town just now.
Seryen is a true friend. I do think that he would believe me. But,
depending on how others take this story, he may be at risk of
losing the election if he were to endorse such a story. I am also
worried about a story such as this causing great fear. The people
here are good, but they could become irrational. They will need to
know, when we have more information—but not just now.”

Caryell could feel his
heart beating in his chest. He wanted, more than anything, to see
his mother. He wanted her to be alive and well. He had not given up
hope of this, but he was feeling discouraged. Now, he had a
brighter glimmer of hope, but it was mingled with an extreme
distaste. When one knows nothing, all one wants is to know
something—anything. But now he knew something, and he too felt it
to be true, but it brought more questions, and more anxiety. He
almost felt more discouraged now. As his thoughts and feelings
began to settle, his mind focused on the thought of travelers from
other worlds coming here. He knew that there were people on
countless worlds; he had been taught this his whole life. But it
had never occurred to him that they would come here.
They have their own world
, he thought.
Why would they care to
come to ours? Why would they take Mother?

“
Father, would these men
treat Mother well?”

“
That is my hope and
prayer.”

A little rage began to swell in Caryell’s
breast. The idea of these men coming and taking his mother was bad
enough. But if they mistreated her…his fists clenched. If he had
known what would have happen, and he had gotten there sooner,
perhaps he could have taught these visitors a lesson.

“
I know that this is
disturbing, my son. I wish that I knew more. But God has given us
this much. We must trust in Him, and not lose faith. It is very
hard to know where she is, and not know how to reach her. I’m sure
that she is doing what she can. She is an amazing woman. She may be
able talk with them, to convince them to let her return home.
Still, we must try to contact them. There must be a way to
communicate with them.”

Caryell could hear deep concern in his
father’s voice. He felt his father’s faith, too. He felt a little
bit of peace, and the anger subsided. “We will see her again,” he
said with assurance. “Father, I know that we will see her
again.”

“
I hope that we will soon.
We must change and get ready. I want to set off for Uncle Piori’s
soon. He is very well-connected, and I think that he will listen. I
believe that we will find more help in the city than in
Arkasia.”

As the father and son walked, the crisp
morning air began to warm. Caryell’s mind continued to wander. His
emotions wandered, too. In some ways he felt better than he had
when he had arisen this morning, but in other ways he felt worse.
The unknown seemed to offer better chances, than the reality that
he now knew. Still, he had some answers, and he did have faith. He
also felt his father’s faith, and he knew that his father was wise.
Uncle Piori was smart, too. He would have ideas.

Soon they were on their way to the city. It
would be a long journey. They arrived in the early evening. Aunt
Kaytil was watering flowers in the front yard. Caryell broke away
and began to run, while shouting, “Aunt Kaytil.” She turned, and
though surprised, greeted Caryell warmly. Kaytil had never been
much for affection, but she had hugged Caryell more over the past
few weeks, then since he was a baby. She felt the need that this
young man was experiencing—now without his mother’s warmth.

Kaytil looked up at Roloff and asked, “Is
there any news?”

“
Perhaps; may we come in
and talk with you and Piori?”

“
Yes, yes, please. You do
look warm, Roloff. Come in and sit down, I’ll get Piori and get you
both something to eat and drink.”

Roloff was exhausted in every way;
physically, mentally, and emotionally. He was starving and
sleep-deprived, as well. For his part, Caryell was just starving.
Kaytil told Piori of their arrival, and let him know that she was
getting them some food.

“
Piori will be in soon,”
Kaytil announced to her guests when she came back. “He is finishing
a letter. Eat and rest; he will be in shortly.” She brought in some
sandwiches and drinks. The Paladors scarfed it down, and rested.
Soon Piori joined them.

“
Don’t rise; I know that
you are exhausted. Do you bring any news about Aspiria?”

“
I’m afraid that what I
have to say is extraordinary, and incredible. I have very little
proof. But, I know it in my heart to be true. I have shared this
with no one but Caryell.”

Piori joined his wife on the couch, and they
both sat with their bodies at full attention. Piori loved Roloff.
Roloff had taken care of his family, when it was Piori’s duty.
Roloff commanded his deepest respect and admiration. Roloff related
all to Piori and Kaytil that he had told to Caryell. He felt
uncomfortable doing so, as he had so little proof. The tracks to
and from the clearing, and the unusual light in the sky he had seen
with his own eyes, were his evidences. Everything else was a
deduction and an impression. He had been under so much stress and
anxiety. Minds do play tricks on those who have gone through so
much. Caryell was the first he told; and Caryell believed. But
Piori was a very wise man and an adult. This story, however much he
believed it, would be hard for anyone to believe. He needed more
proof.

Piori and Kaytil listened and then sat back
on the couch. Piori looked at the ceiling for a while as Kaytil
looked at him, and then back at the Paladors. Piori looked at
Roloff and leaned his chin on his hand while his elbow rested on
his lap.

“
I’ve seen the tracks as
you speak of them. We’ve searched all over the area, and there was
no evidence of the tracks going anywhere other than in and out of
the woods near your home. I did see the unusual tracks on the
ground in the rocky area. This could explain all of this. When did
you see this light, again?”

“
I first saw it just a few
days before her disappearance. We were overlooking the city on a
hill. We both thought it to be a shooting star, though it was
unusual. It was memorable because Aspiria and I were engaged on
that hill, and we had seen a shooting star on the night of our
engagement. Last night is when I saw it again. I was on that hill
alone, and it was exactly the same as several weeks before. It was
no shooting star. I felt her, Piori. I know that I am under stress
and anxiety. But I felt her there. I know that this story is
unbelievable, but I hope that you believe me.”

Piori sat back again. Kaytil continued to
look at him. “If you have seen it twice, then others may have seen
it too. We need to get more eye-witnesses. Was there any lighting
near the hill?”

“
Just the distant lights
of the city.”

“
I fear that the city
lights have made it harder to see stars, shooting or otherwise.
Though there are many people here, we may be less likely to notice
such a phenomenon. If it has been seen on other occasions, it will
give us confirmation. We may also track when it is likely to occur
again. We need more information.”

“
Do you believe me then,
Piori?”

“
I’m not sure that I want
to believe that this is true, Roloff. I would be happier with other
news of her whereabouts. For one, even if we confirm that this
light is orbiting our world, it will be hard to prove its origin or
that Aspiria is there. For another, if this is true, I am worried
about us getting her back. If these men came here and have tried to
keep themselves hidden, what can their motives be? What are they
doing with my sister? It is very troubling to me, Roloff. I think
that I would prefer other news. Still, if she is alive and,
hopefully, well, then that is a great relief to me. I trust your
feelings—your instincts, my friend. I do not think that this is the
fantasy of a frantic mind. It is logical, and it accounts for all
that we do know, notwithstanding its incredible nature. I can’t say
that I want it to be true. But, I believe it is worth pursuing. I
fear that you may be right.”

“
Why would men from
another world come here?” asked Kaytil. “We do not have anything
here that they wouldn’t have on their own world. All of the worlds
have enough; what could they possibly want here?” She was
exceedingly troubled by this report. She loved Aspiria deeply, and
had not for one moment thought that she was gone for good. She
believed, with every part of her, that Aspiria would be fine and
home soon. This report caused a dark cloud to come over her for the
first time. It bothered her that Aspiria could be off of the
world—orbiting above it. The idea of being taken was bad enough—but
taken off the planet, by those from another world—she shuddered.
Sometimes men did things to women that were unthinkable. She had
heard of these occasions. Could these men be honest in heart, if
they took her and tried to conceal themselves? They must be wicked
men. A sick feeling grew in the pit of her stomach. Wicked men,
traveling from their world to ours, and then taking a woman—a wife
and a mother—this was devastating to her.

“
They may contact us,”
began Piori. “In the meantime, we must find a way to contact them.
I’m concerned about sharing this entire story with too many people,
before we have more information, and more proof. But, I think it
wise to find out what is known about this light. You are a reliable
witness, Roloff. I can get my colleagues in science and research to
help with the discovery, and in understanding the orbit. Some work
has been done in considering orbiting objects, though I know
little. Still, we may be able to calculate when and where it will
be, if we get more sightings. Kaytil, would you fetch my brothers?
I think that they should be informed tonight. We all want to know
anything that can be known.”