The Solitarian: Part 1 of The Amaranth Series (4 page)

I awake before dawn and it all seems like a big dream or made for TV movie. This man has been alive longer than anything or anyone. He is vintage with a capital V. I begin to pack some of my things. I have to leave a lot of my fave winter things behind. It doesn’t matter because when I get to California I’m going to need new things anyway. I could always use a reason to go shopping, what girl doesn’t love shopping? I’m going to miss spending time with my elderly friend. But at least with him in the US, I can see him again. I am beyond nuts for attempting to aid and abet an alien, in more than one sense of the word, and one time fugitive into the country that I have to hide. At least my dad’s plane lands at a private airport in North Carolina. We are almost never searched. So if it goes south my parents have to be blameless. I hear a number of taps on my window and I realize that this is really happening.

“Good morning McKenna.” Keyan whispers as I slide the window open quietly and carefully. He climbs inside and he has a ton of things with him. He actually used the cover that I gave him to fill with things that I assume he doesn’t want to leave behind.

I carefully look him over and the clothes that I took him fits him nicely. I actually was able to braid his hair. The braid gathers at the nape of his neck and swings at his bottom. The god forsaken beard is still as wild as it was the day we met, but without the extras in it. He is clean and looks slightly together.

“Good grief. I have to hide you and all of your…things? What is all of this?” I say snapping from my thoughts about his grooming.

“There are some ‘things’ that you just can’t part with.”

“I understand.” I think quickly. I start to toss various carrying items over to him so that he can lose the sheet. My eyes follow as he loads the bags that we packed onto the bed. The mirror in the corner grabs my attention and I look a mess. My hair is pulled sloppily to the very top center of my dome. I have on the most rustic clothes that were made. My face is flushed and is as white as his, from a summer of zero sun. I haven’t slid a drop of gloss on my cracked smackers since I’ve met Keyan Van I’m as old as the earth. I’ve lost a bit of weight myself so I look like a snow scare crow. I plan to rectify that with fun and sun before I leave for school.

“I have so much there that I do not wish to leave behind.” He expresses. I am shocked from my critique of myself. I can see how his things could mean so much to him.

“Maybe I can convince my dad to come back before I leave for school. We can retrieve them then. That will give me a reason to come back and gather all of the beautiful clothes that I have to leave behind.”

“Thank you McKenna. You are an angel. I wish that I had known you long ago. We would have been great friends.” He passes me and glances at his reflection and then shies away. I see the hint of a glisten in his eyes before he hurries away from it.

“Wait…” I step in front of him and grab his scruffy hair covered face. I stare into his eyes and I see it right there plain as day, as beautiful as a jewel, his life-ring. It seems to dance. The more I stare, the more I’m drawn in. It hypnotizes me. I want to climb inside of his pool of blue heaven and lose myself there. “It is the most fascinating thing that I have ever seen.” I say as I get closer. I am literally breathing onto his face. He starts to tremble. He hasn’t been this close to anyone in decades.

“Maybe we should get going.” He pulls away from my grasp.

“It is beautiful Keyan. We will have to get you sunglasses. That will be hard to hide from a pretty lady. Especially in intimate moments.”

“Then I should stay away from pretty ladies until I am ready for exposure.” His wooly face is so covered, but his expression of uneasiness is clear.

“I agree. Now let’s get you hidden.” He helps me carry the trunk and several bags to the jeep. I open the back and we load it inside. He climbs into the trunk and fits with room to spare. He is so slim from living off of the land. I cover him with a few garments and then a fluffy blanket. I lock it and hurry back inside to get the little things that I am toting.

My parents wake and start to pack as well.

“Honey, do you need help getting your things to the car?”

“No dad. I took all of it out this morning.”

“Really? You have more than your mother and I. you’ve been shopping in town all summer. How did you get it all out?”

“Very slowly. I’ve been up since a little before dawn.”

“Oh.” He sips on a cup of coffee and sits at the table. “Did you enjoy yourself this summer darling?”

“I did. You guys are the best parents in the entire world. I will never forget this trip as long as I live.”

“It would have been better if Rylan could have come though right? I remember how upset you were when he had to stay behind.”

“I’m glad we had this time apart Mom. I wouldn’t have discovered some of the things that I discovered had he come along. I will be happy to see him when I get back.”

“You only have a few weeks before you leave for California. How will he deal with that?”

“I don’t know. Maybe we can talk about it when we see one another. Right now I’m just anxious to get back home.”

“Well say goodbye to this cabin Kenna.” My father says as he grabs his jacket and stands. I go into my room and bid a farewell to my clothes that I must leave behind for now. I hear the door opening and closing as my parents pack their things into the car.

On the way to the plane, we have to stop at a check point. My father does a lot of business here year round and is allowed through without a problem. He has several friends here which is why he decided to purchase the cabin.

We drive onto the runway where we park several feet away from the plane. When my mom and dad leave to talk to security I hurry and unlock the trunk.

“Come Keyan. This our chance to get you onto that plane.” He hops out and hurries to the plane. We run and I unlatch the door. When we’re board, I open up a luggage ben under a bench. It sits across from a fully dressed table and reclining chairs. He slides inside without issue. I make sure that he is comfortable and toss in a few snacks for him to munch on before I leave him.

I run back to the jeep and they are unloading our bags. Why did you pack so light McKenna?”

“What do you mean dad?”

“This trunk is practically empty.” He lifts one side into the air and rocks it.

“Oh darn…I must have forgot to pack my things in there. Maybe you could come back before I go and grab some things for me?”

“Of course. I have to return for a meeting in a couple of weeks. You can even tag along if you like.”

“Thanks dad. You are the greatest. But let me warn you…I left a ton of things behind. I even found some really old things in this cave.” I smile so that I can work it in.

“Good, maybe you found something worth a fortune. Matter of fact tell me where the cave is and I’ll send someone out there to retrieve it and your things now. I could have it all in a few days.”

“I don’t want some stranger going through my things or stealing something from my discovery.”

“I have trusted colleagues that is there. That way you can focus on preparing yourself for California.”

“I guess. But please make sure they are not some greedy thieves rummaging through that stuff. I’m very anxious to get it and go through it myself.”

“You have my word darling. I have the perfect person. He will retrieve your things and the things that you found and deliver them personally.”

“I know what is there dad. I had weeks to go through it. I was just afraid to tell you that I was spending my days in a cave.”

“And all alone. That is very dangerous Kenna. You could have been hurt.”

“But I’m not.” We step onto the plane, take our seats, and prepare for takeoff.

I rock my head from side to side trying to wake myself up. My dad calls out for me to buckle in. I sigh because that is the best sleep that I have had in weeks. Spending days with Keyan has drained me and I didn’t even realize it. I strap myself in as I spot my dad’s private airport in the distance. I glance over at the bench, praying that the long ride hasn’t scared the shit out of him. I brace myself as we land. I really missed this place, the warm climate, the beautiful beach, my friends, and my loving boyfriend. I missed him the most. After I buckle myself in the plane starts to descend. It all happens so fast. The screech of the wheels tapping the ground is extremely loud. I wonder if Keyan is afraid. I couldn’t imagine fear taking him though. He has lived inside of the cave for several years. I guess I can ask after we land.

The plane starts to slow down as it skates down the runway. When the landing is complete I hear the sound of seatbelts clicking. My parents hurry to the exit and asks for the bags to be delivered to the house. I stand and wait for the plane to completely empty. My father calls out to me from outside and I wonder how I will get Keyan out. I think quickly. I open the bench to see if he is alright. He waves.

“I’m going to see if I can get you out right now. The port is always deserted but I have to check for anyone that could have been waiting for us to return.” He nods. I close the lid and hurry out to meet them. As I walk down the stairs of the plane my dad is getting inside of his Jag.

“Come on McKenna. I need to get home. I have several things to do tomorrow.”

“Okay. I have to use the restroom. I’ll meet you in the front.” I wave for him to drive around and he looks at me in bewilderment, but he obliges. I hurry back onto the plane and release him from his final day underground. No more hiding for him.

“Thank you McKenna. Are we in the United States?”

“Yes we are. This is my dad’s private airport.” He follows behind me slowly and I carefully lead him from the plane. I walk into the building and there is no one in sight. I find a room that is used for storage.

“Stay in here and I’ll be back to get you in my car.”

“Your automobile?”

“Yesss…” I say slowly. Before I close the door, I ask him to lay low. He agrees to stay hidden until I return. That is something that he is quite used to. So I hurry to the front of the building and my dad is patiently waiting.

“McKenna, what is going on with you? You are behaving strangely.”

“I’m sorry dad. We can go now I want to go and see my friends anyway.” I slam the door and he speeds out onto the road and toward our home.

Our property is exactly twenty minutes from our private airport. The estate is well lit as we approach. The land the surrounds the huge Mediterranean themed home is all owned by my dad. The cool vanilla color reminds me that I’m back. I can see inside of the windows as we coast into the drive way. The garage door opens and spot my baby. My brand new fuchsia 2013 Challenger that I received as a graduation present. Dad says that he will ship it as soon as I get to the dorm. I jump from the car immediately. My dad is coursing with curiosity.

“Can’t you wait until you get your things Kenna? You could at least wash the jetlag from your skin.”

“I’ll be back dad.”

“Come darling…Rylan will be there in the morning.” I ignore their plea and snatch my keys from the hook. I jump in and inhale the new car smell. The engine roars as I rev it. I take off and my folks ponder on my urgency. I hurry back to free my friend. I go inside and retrieve Keyan. We go to my car and I spot our luggage being hauled away.

As the road purrs beneath the brand spanking new tires. I glance over at my passenger. He watches like a puppy as we pass businesses and homes. At first he doesn’t speak. I know that he is probably overwhelmed by the change. I dare not mention it first. So I wait in silence for him to reveal it all to me. I pull into the garage of my home and Keyan’s eyes are still glued to the window. I hop out and hurry around to let him out. I decide that we should enter from the pool doors so that my parents don’t run into us. We quietly head up to my room. I’m glad that our rooms sit on opposite sides of the enormous estate. We enter my room and boy have I missed my grand sized frilly bed. The white and yellow bedding is a constant of mine. Everything inside of my boudoir are always these colors. He enters and I can tell that he is overwhelmed.

“Are you alright Keyan?” he doesn’t answer right away. He slowly sits down on the edge of my chaise. I wait for his answer and sit as well. When my bottom hits the cushion I immediately feel sleep attempting to over throw me.

“I cannot believe how much things has changed. I feel like I am not on the planet Earth.” He grabs his chest and breathes slowly.

“It’s okay Keyan, you’ll adapt.” I stand and grab bedding from the closet. I open the white door that sits incognito along the back wall. I flip the light on and scurry to make the twin bed that sits stripped in the corner. He stands and walks into the room. “This was my play room when I was little. I turned it into a guest room for my friends. It is a way that I can have privacy when my friends are over. Not even the maid comes in here. So get some sleep and we will get started on you first thing in the morning.”

“Get started on me?” He says in confusion.

“I’m going to help make you blend in. I can’t wait…I love a good makeover.”

“Make over?”

I huff and decide not to take this conversation any further.

“Go to sleep Keyan. We can talk about everything in the morning.” He nods and walks over to the bed. He looks it over and uneasiness is written all over his face. “I know that this is not what you are used to…”

“I’ll be fine. Goodnight McKenna. Thank you for everything that you have sacrificed for me.” He says to me as he tosses the cover into the air. My eyes water as I think of the lonely life that this man has lived. My heart bleeds for him.

“I would do it again and again. I want you to find love Keyan. I hope that you can find a suitable woman to marry and except you.”

“I appreciate that.” He removes his shirt and his braid flops back onto his skin. His beard hangs so that it hides portions of his white washed chest. I watch as he slips beneath the sheets. His head hits the pillow and his eyes close. I watch as sleep takes him quickly. It is truly unnatural.

I close the door behind me so that no one enters my old playroom door. I decide to take a tour through my house. As I walk through my incredibly large home I think of how blessed I am. I live in this wonderful mansion with people who come in and wait on me, while Keyan has been living in the wild in order to stay alive. As I walk I kick my feet against the floor. I take turn after turn with no immediate destination. Soon I spot my dad’s office and I think about the people who have hunted my new friend. I want to search the net and see if there are any rumors about them still in existence. I enter my father’s office and sit down at his desk. I power up his computer and click on the internet icon. I type in The Order of the Falcon and several things pop up. I read through the different sites with information on the society. None of them speak of a human species called Amaranthine. My eyes grow tired as I scan site after site until I come across a supernatural blog. It is run by someone named Phoenix. The person explains how they are a part of a race that is threatened to become extinct. He says that there are no pure people left in the race. They say that The Order is different than it was when they were reborn. The person says that their mate was taken and experimented on by this faction of The Order. They plead with anyone who has an idea of what he speaks of to contact them. I copy his email address on a sticky note and shut the computer down.

I wonder as I head back to my room. The quietness of the house is unsettling. I think about Phoenix and what it is that they are referring to. I don’t know if they will respond to me being that it is a secret organization. I reach my room and peek in on Keyan. He opens one eye when I shove at the door. I smile and he closes his eyes again. I shut it, lock it, and then change into my cream satin pajama pants and a yellow night top. I slide under the fluffy spread and close my eyes. Soon I feel myself falling into a dream.~

Slowly I move toward the funny shaped building. Life as I know it is far behind me. I lift my hand and stretch it out far in front of me. I wiggle me fingers and I spot a bright shiny diamond as grand as one of the sparkling rocks from my hike. Someone reaches out and takes my hand. I look up and it’s Keyan. He takes hold and we walk into his parents’ jewelry shop. His mother has a dazzling white smile and Keyan’s seducing blue eyes. She greets me with the warmest embrace. I watch as Keyan’s dad engrave a pendant. It is gold and has diamonds around the face. It is the oddest piece of jewelry that I’ve ever seen. He finishes his task and lifts the pendant into the air and it is dangling from a chain. Keyan releases my hand and takes it into his. He asks me to lift my hair and I oblige. He places it around my neck and I feel the coolness of the metal. I lift it and before I can read the engraving I am shook from my dream.~