Kitabı oku: «The Queen of the Two Moons», sayfa 2
***
It was the sixth day of my new life. I woke up and felt that I had no more tears in me, but a dry and dark emptiness that I had to fill with some action. I had been watching Marco doing his best to deal with whatever he was going through by assisting Peter in preparing for the trip to the other world. So I pushed myself up and made breakfast for everybody to feel useful.
I had questions.
“How does Dolion make our copies, Peter?” I asked when we were having breakfast. I couldn’t call him “Dad” just yet. “How did he make Beth or…” I bit my tongue, looking at Marco.
“Me?” Marco asked.
“Sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to make sound like you’re…”
“A copy? No problem!” Marco said. “It’s kind of growing on me96.”
“I mean, don’t these people already exist because it’s a parallel universe and all that and they.. have to exist because we exist here.” I was trying to form a coherent argument to understand it.
“He chooses specific couples – the copies of which are either dead in his world or have contracted the virus and about to die – when they are about to have babies on Earth and gets their biological samples,” Peter said. “Then he grows the copies of those children in his world. He controls the progress to make sure the babies grow fast, healthy and…”
“He makes sure we all work for him,” Marco ended the sentence sadly. “Hang on,” I said. “How does he get those samples in the first place97?”
“He has some powerful connections here,” Peter said. “You know, money does wonders in both worlds.”
That was a lot to process. I still had so many questions. It felt, however, as though we were in a hurry for some reason.
“So, what’s the plan now?” I asked. “I mean, why are we going to the other world?”
“You see, Lizzy.” Peter began. “Dolion has bigger plans than dominating98 his own world.” “What do you mean?” I asked, feeling that I wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Well, he wants to rule over our world as well,” Peter said. “What? Like Voldemort or something?”
I don’t think either of them understood the reference99, though.
I’ll tell them later.
“He will make it so we won’t even know what happened,” Peter said. “His plan is to infect us with a new virus he produced, control its spreading100 and slowly eliminate people who neither follow nor suit his plan.”
“Sounds like Hitler to me,” I said. “Can we get an antidote101 and create our own vaccine?” “Well, it looks like he has some strong supporters on this side who wouldn’t allow it.”
“I see,” I said with a heavy heart. “I guess, we’re on his list of “people that Dolion doesn’t want.”
“On the contrary102,” Peter said. “He needs you. In fact, you’re probably on his list of ‘people that Dolion wants to get his hands on ASAP103.’”
Oh, wow. This is getting better and better, isn’t it?
“What would he need me for?”
“Your blood can destroy the virus he created.”
“What?! You’ll have to run that one by me again104. How is that even possible?”
“Apparently, there are people on this side with a unique type of blood that can withstand105 the attack of the virus. You happen to be one of them. I’m not.”
“But how do you guys know that I am one of them?” I asked, looking at Peter and Marco. “Beth,” Marco said. “She was one of them and she had the same unique blood as you.” “Like the same blood type?” I was confused.
“It’s more complicated than that.”
“Unfortunately, there aren’t many of your kind,” Peter chimed in. “So Dolion looks for people like you and tries to make sure they follow him… or they disappear.” Peter stood up and added, “They usually disappear.”
To say that I was overwhelmed106 with all that information would be to say nothing at all. However, it felt like it was time to go, and I stood up as well.
“We’ll jump to the other side and destroy the virus,” Peter said simply.
P.S. I am finishing this while Peter and Marco are getting ready for the jump. Peter said that the jump changes you a bit. I’m not sure what’s going to happen on the other side, but I hope my blood can do the trick. I guess we’ll have to figure this one out as well.
Chapter 3: The Dolion Project (Present Time)
Dolion
My world is dying, and I’m the one who decided to step up107 and do something about it. As far as I’m concerned, the end justifies the means108.
Lizzy
The other world feels weird. Whenever I forget I’m in a different place, the two moons in the sky remind me that I am far away from home. I, on the other hand, feel like the same old me. No change.
Marco
Losing a loved one is never easy, but, unfortunately, it happens all the time. However, getting another opportunity with the exact replica of the person you lost is something that not many people have a chance to experience in their lifetime.
Peter
Seeing my daughter after all these years is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. Even though it was devastating to learn about my wife’s demise109, I can see her every day in my daughter’s eyes. That gives me energy to carry out110 what we set out to do.
***
Dolion
In my world, it’s not easy for anyone to do anything without me not knowing about it. When I got the intel111 of the portal’s security breach112 and those three appeared in my world, I knew they were up to something113.
Lizzy
Ever since I found out about my blood being unique, I’ve been having this strange feeling that my body doesn’t belong to me anymore. Like I am a vessel114 to hold something that isn’t mine. All I have to do is to be extra careful and be ready to give back what was entrusted115 to me.
Marco
The plan that was proposed by the scientists who work with Peter is simple. Use Lizzy’s blood to destroy the virus. The logistics of it… isn’t. We don’t know how much blood we need to create the destructing antidote. The thought that we will probably need all her blood leaves me in a state of hopeless despair116. I have only met her recently, but I don’t want anything to happen to her.
Peter
I know some people who can help us mix the formula that can obliterate117 the deadly force of the virus. We must find a way to deliver our potion118 to the vault where Dolion keeps it. Unfortunately, we don’t have any contacts for that, so we will have to do it the old way and break in.
***
Dolion
It’s funny how everyone thinks that the most precious things must be stored in some vault somewhere in the ground to be protected. Sometimes the best way to hide something is to keep it in plain sight119.
Lizzy
I have to say that I was very relieved that they didn’t need all my blood when they were creating the elixir. On my part, the whole process was like donating blood in hospital. A few days later, I think I saw Marco crying happily when Peter’s white-coated associates announced the completion. Men could be so sensitive sometimes. It made me feel warm inside though.
Marco
Lizzy will live! I don’t know why but I don’t really care about the rest. I feel like she and I are two pieces of a puzzle that were thrown at each other in a game we do not yet comprehend. I must do whatever it takes to keep Lizzy safe and yet it feels confusing. Am I betraying the memory of Beth by caring about Lizzy?
Peter
Everything is ready. We have our formula at last. We know where the vault is and there is a way to create a diversion that will allow us to get in. It’s not going to be easy with the security detail120 he surrounds himself with, but Dolion will never know what hit him.
***
Dolion
I hear that our guests have been busy creating some concoction121 that allegedly122 can destroy my virus. I suppose if they knew exactly where the virus was, they could do some harm. Fortunately for me, they only think they do.
Lizzy
I’m so angry that they didn’t allow me to go with them. I didn’t come all the way just to be pushed aside at the decisive123 moment. Men could be so presumptuous124 about their physical superiority125.
Marco
I’m so happy that she stayed behind. Some things should be done by men.
Peter
I had a strange feeling that there was something wrong with the fact that we could get to the vault relatively easily. Things went a bit too smoothly. Dolion’s famous security turned out be a few untrained men who did not care much about the vault. Before entering the vault, I made up126 a reason for Marco to go back and asked him to take the vials we had found in the security office back to our laboratory. I had to make sure that Lizzy would be taken care of in case this was a trap.
***
Dolion
As I thought, the prey127 went right into the trap128. Not all of them, unfortunately, but the mastermind129 of this rebellion130, that fool Peter, was eliminated by my trusted sniper as soon as he and his team entered the empty vault. Apparently, he never read Bias of Preine who once said: “Omnia mea mecum porto131.” All that is mine I carry with me. Well, in my case, it is in me.
Lizzy
I knew the mission was dangerous. I thought I was ready for anything. I was so happy to see Marco back, but I understood that it was Peter’s decision to make sure I would be safe. When the remains of Peter’s team arrived and we learned that he was dead, we knew there was only one way to stop Dolion. To stop him would mean killing him. Only this time, I’m going do it and I’ll grieve132 for my newly- found-and-lost-again father when it’s done.
Marco
I guess we are back to where we started. If it takes both of our lives to accomplish133 it, so be it. I really hope it won’t though.
***
Dolion
I don’t have much time before the virus starts affecting134 my body, making my immune system weak. I will start getting progressively sick until my whole organism goes into a coma. I hadn’t been informed about the limited time factor when I injected myself. Well, some of my scientists paid with their lives for this mistake. Meanwhile, I need to jump to the other side and finish my work.
Lizzy
We finally got some good news. There are still some people who aren’t happy with the way things are in this world. Lucky for us, some of them are in high places. We got a hint that Dolion carries the virus himself. It is in him, literally135.
Marco
We know where it is, and we need a new plan.
***
Dolion
There is one thing I must do before the other world meets its new ruler, though. I need to find that girl Lizzy and get all her blood before she can do any damage. Her kind isn’t easy to come by136 and since she was foolish enough to show up here, it would be a shame not to use this opportunity137.
Lizzy
I guess we’ll have to roll with the punches138 at this point. I know that Dolion is looking for me. If he wants me, it’s me who he’s going to get139. I’ll make sure he knows where I’m going to be. I’ll meet him and I’ll finish him.
Marco
I am not comfortable with the plan. Lizzy acting as bait140 is way too dangerous, but it seems that we have no other options.
***
Dolion
She is either very stupid or very smart. Lizzy is coming right into my hands by herself. It’ll take a second to kill her, but I am curious141 to know what she’s up to. I guess a quick chat won’t hurt.
Lizzy
On the day when the formula was ready, my father told me that while it disintegrates142 the virus almost instantly143, my blood does the same trick in a matter of a couple of hours, but, in its pure form, it might even kill the carrier along the way. Because of some mutation, which apparently affected only some women, there is an element in my plasma that dissolves any types of pathogens as if it was acid, unlike in average people’s blood where white cells do the job of attacking invaders such as bacteria and viruses. When he told me that, I realized that I could not remember the last time I was sick. Like ever.
Had I been protected from the viruses all my life? Then, he explained to me that it would take a few drops to initiate144 the process.
So, I’m a deadly weapon145 now. Never thought that I’d be able to say that about myself.
Marco
The meeting has been set up. It breaks my heart that I won’t be able to be with her.
***
Dolion
I’ll get what I want very soon. I’ll have two days before the jump. It will be enough to make the antidote for myself and for all the necessary people on the other side.
Lizzy
I may never see Marco again. I’ve decided that tonight we will spend the night together and will become one. An inseparable146 union of two souls from different worlds that will live for eternity147 on a spiritual level even after their physical shapes cease148 to exist. I’m ready.
Marco
The night was confusing, magical, and painful. It seemed to last forever but ended too soon. We belong to each other now.
***
She entered the place that their contact had given them and saw him sitting alone at a table near a window. He was a broad-shouldered, heavyset, middle-aged man in dark clothes with a massive gold watch on his left wrist. The sunrays through the window made the top of his balding sweaty head shine like a silver coffee pot. She smiled when that comparison occurred to her.
He felt confident enough not to have his bodyguards with him inside. They were waiting for his signal in a van outside, ready to transport the blood from this soon-to-be-leaving-this-world young woman.
She came to his table and sat down.
“I don’t think it was a smart move but say what you have to and let’s do the inevitable149,” he said. “All I need is one kiss,” she said, hardly opening her mouth.
“What?” he asked.
She sprang up150, grabbed his head, and pulled it to her face. “What the…?” he began, trying to push her away.
She pressed her lips to his mouth. He groaned151 with pain and a tiny stream of blood trickled152 down his chin. He started to gasp153 for air and tried to spit out154 the blood, but she was holding him tightly.
At last, he could get away from her. He frantically155 wiped his mouth and spit. “You cut me!” he shrieked.
She spit something out on the floor and smiled, licking her lips with her bleeding tongue.
***
Dolion
It’s not over yet. It’ll be over when I say it is. She may have ruined the virus, but she didn’t eliminate my plan. I’ll find the way. I wish I had killed her before she opened her foul mouth. I just need some rest. I’m tired.
Lizzy
Marco’s idea of hiding a tiny razor in my mouth was brilliant. I couldn’t carry any weapons because I could have been searched on the way. Besides, I am no Lara Croft156 and wouldn’t know how to use them anyway. It took me awhile to learn how to handle the razor, and I was still afraid that I would cut my tongue in half before making an incision157 or, worse, I would swallow that steel thing accidentally.
Marco
I still can’t believe she made it out alive and safe. Blood is an amazing substance. It keeps us alive, transports oxygen, carries antibodies that fight infections, and it can also destroy you.
***
Lizzy
We’ve just heard that Dolion succumbed158 to the aftereffects of our intense159 “rendezvous.” My blood did the trick160 after all. We won’t rest on our laurels161 just yet though. We have a few more things to do. Dolion’s minions162 are still out there.
Marco
We didn’t really expect that to happen that soon, but somehow Lizzy’s blood was more powerful than we thought. She is special.
***
It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was shining, and the sky was clear. “I’m ready,” Lizzy said, taking Marco’s hand.
“Me too,” he said, and smiled.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?” she asked. “Leaving this world for another?” he asked.
“Yeah, that,” she said smiling.
“Just clarifying, in case you meant something else,” he said and winked at her. “You’re such a smarty-pants163!” She gently164 hit him on the shoulder.
“I don’t know what that means but it sounds a bit aggressive,” he said laughing.
“So many things you still need to learn,” she said. “I’m serious though. It’s a big step.” He hugged her.
“It doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I’m with you,” he said and kissed her on the lips. She smiled.
They both looked at the green flash appearing in front of them. He squeezed165 her hand and they both took a step.
Part 2: The Perfect Match
Prologue
He was sitting on the stone floor in the Hall of Prayer with his mind focused on the future and the worlds that he was going to create. He was about thirty-five, his head was shaved, and he was wearing a black kimono beneath black robes held shut in the front with a sash166. It was quite chilly for August, but his body did not feel the cool wind that was coming through the open windows of the ancient167 pagoda nor the coldness of the old stones he was sitting on. He could feel that soon he would be able to project his power to the real world around him. The monks in the temple knew better than168 to disturb him during his meditations. For the past five years, his power had been constantly enhancing169, and the monks could feel that too.
There were three steps in his process of achieving Control, where the power of his thought could make things move and bend170 other people’s ability to think and overpower171 their emotions. Before getting to Control, however, there were Calmness and Detachment172. He was in the process of getting calm when a bright lightning of a sharp emotion pierced173 through his mind. He saw the image of his father. He frowned174 at this unexpected occurrence175 and opened his eyes.
“He’s dead,” he whispered.
He sat in silence for another minute. His face relaxed and a smile appeared. “At last.”
Chapter 1: Back to Business (Present Time)
“Look at the moon,” Lizzy said, pointing to the bright big blueish176 circle in the sky. “It looks lonely,” Marco said.
They were sitting outside a country cottage that used to belong to Lizzy’s late mother. There was no way for her to go back to the apartment she had shared with her dead boyfriend. The police were still looking for her in connection with the dead body that her neighbors started to smell and called the authorities to investigate. Her cousin Anastasia, her closest friend and next of kin177, put away some of her stuff in storage after the police had cleared the crime scene. When Lizzy reached out to Anastasia, it took a lot of effort to convince her cousin that she was fine and not brainwashed by some cult. She explained to her that there was a reason she could not contact the police just yet. Lizzy also could not reveal178 why she was absent for more than two months and tried not to see any other friends to avoid interrogation179. Everything had to be done discreetly180. The less people knew she was back the better. Anastasia arranged for them to move into the cottage only after the police searched the place.
“It’s not lonely, it has the Earth,” she said and put her head on Marco’s shoulder. “Tonight, it’s called a blue moon.”
It was a bit cold outside, and they were wrapped in a quilt181 that Lizzy’s mother had bought in some mountain village in Thailand where she went with her father, Peter, before they got married.
“Is it always blue here?” he asked.
“It’s not blue at all. It’s just a name for the second full moon in a month, I think.” “How many full moons do you usually get?”
“I think there are twelve, but occasionally you get a thirteenth. That’s a blue moon.”
“I don’t think our moons get to be called anything. They’re just moons. Boring. I like your blue moon, even though it still looks lonely to me.”
“Tell me more about your world,” she said, getting cozier by his side.
“I need to learn more about yours to know the differences better, don’t I?” “True.”
“Will we have time to do that?” “I hope we will.”
She kissed him on the lips and stood up.
“We have a long day tomorrow,” she said, offering him her hand and pulling him to his feet.
***
The next day they were supposed to meet with their contact person – Peter’s acquaintance182 – who had promised to introduce them to a group called the Committee. The group was secretly working on eliminating the threat that was coming from the late Dolion’s supporters. There were three ladies – the group’s leaders – who held high positions in the medical research industry in three different countries, the US, Russia, and China. They knew about Lizzy’s role in eradicating183 Dolion and about the unique qualities of her blood. They were eager184 to meet her. The man – whom they were meeting – had called the cottage landline two days ago and introduced himself as Aaron. Marco was the one who talked to him and agreed on the details for the meeting.
Lizzy woke up early and watched Marco sleeping for a few minutes before jumping in the shower and starting breakfast. He walked in the kitchen, still slumberous185, while she was making eggs, and hugged her from behind.
“Good morning,” he said and kissed her on the neck. “Hi, sleepyhead186.”
“How’d you sleep?”
She had not been sleeping well ever since she was violently introduced to the other world. She did not want to bother Marco with her insomnia187 and never woke him up. She could fall asleep for a brief time, but that didn’t bring much relaxation. She would wake up and silently lie in bed, trying not to think about the dead people she knew or was about to get to know – Mark, Peter, and Beth. Despite the horrendous images of what she had witnessed or what her imagination had created in those nightmares, there was one more thing that bothered her. After they came back, among the flashbacks of the past two months, she started to see a person who stood at a distance looking at her. He was present in almost all her dreams. The image was not clear, just a male silhouette wearing a long coat.
“Ok, let’s eat and be on our way188. What time are we meeting the man?” Lizzy asked. “Ten a.m. sharp, so we still have some time.”
She placed the pan with the eggs on a wooden cutting board that was already on the kitchen table, next to a watermelon they had bought at the farmer’s market the day before.
“Could you get the forks, please?” she asked Marco. “I’ll cut Mr. Watermelon here.” “No plates?”
“Let’s just eat from the pan. It’s faster that way and no need to wash dishes.” “Practical.”
She sliced the fruit in half, took one half and sliced it again into two equal parts. Then she took one of the quarters and cut it quickly into five triangles. After that she put each of the triangles on its side and cut the red flesh out, tossing the green rinds in the waste basket. The pulp triangles were also cut into cubes. She used her knife to scoop up the cubes and throw them into a large blue china bowl. She did the same with the other quarter, the entire process took two minutes.
“Where did you learn how to do that?” Marco asked, watching her cutting method in fascination189.
Lizzy smiled. “My mother learned that somewhere in Asia and always cut fruit that way. I guess I picked it up from her.”
“It’s fast,” Marco said and sat down at the table ready to eat.
