Chapter 2

Xenon was Earth-like. It was suitable for Earth based life. The air breathable as Florauna needed oxygen for their own nutrients and plant survival. The sky was a large swirling azure and olive color. It had six narrow rings made most of rock that orbited the planet. A sun in their galaxy was the planet's primary source of heat and light. Most of the inhabitants fed through photosynthesis. It was almost two times bigger than that of Earth with a 6000 mile radius. 49% of the planet was water while the land made up the 51%. Most of the land is either grassy or wooded. When we arrived, we landed in a wooden forest area. It was night there just like it was on Earth.

"Bryan...Harvey...allow me to be the first to welcome you to Xenon." Rosie said softly.

We looked around. Harvey laughed.

"Oh my God! This is so freaking great man! I've always wanted to get away and see outerspace...but it's not that much different than Earth but still...oh my damn."

"Yeah...I've been other places, but Xenon has to be the most beautiful."

"Really?" Rosie prompted.

"Yeah."

She blushed at me. Then Harvey hit me on the back and wrapped his arm around my neck.

"So...what do we do first man?"

"Well...I thought we could set up a temporary home...I don't know how long will be here...chart the area, put together our supplies and go scout the Lunai...we need to know what we're up against..."

"And if they catch and kill us?"

"We can worry about that later...our main objective is to find and get rid of their leader. See these things aren't too bright...they rely on a subordinate to make judgement calls. Get rid of the leader the rest will leave."

Rosie shook her head.

"His name is Margalos. He killed my mother..."

"Well don't worry Rosie, we'll avenge your mother...bring all the other Lunai to the side of justice...and find a new place for them to sleep for the next 2000 years."

She smiled at me.

"Keep in mind though...these things can and will kill us if they get the chance...we can't let that happen..."

"I'm here for you man."

"I know Harvey."

"Me too." Rosie replied and hugged me. I hesitated but hugged her back. Later we set up camp and a fire. Rosie and Harvey slept as I made the first watch. We would start taking turns during night hours. Juju in his dog form sat next to me.

"Mom and Dad are gonna kill us Juju...well maybe not you...but I'm dead for sure...no, I'm lower than dead...I'm buried and the earth has ruined my flesh...was it a mistake to come here...risk my life? And Harvey's and Rosie's? It seemed like a good plan before I left my room. It's all easier said then done. I don't know, what do you think?"

Juju whined and put his head on my lap.

"Yeah...me too...okay here..."

I took out a piece of bologna from a lunchbox I had in my backpack. I then put mustard on one side of it.

"Heads is the mustard side. Heads we charge to our death and I eat it...tails we bail and go home., and I eat it."

I flipped it and Juju ate it.

"Juju! Well...I guess you want to stay...Alright...but I have to say, now that I'm here...I'm scared Juju...I haven't been this scared since that hayride on Halloween when I was five.

I pulled my knees and held my head.

"It pains me now to think about it...every vision I've ever had stays with me...and I can feel the pain contained in each one."

The moment I said that, my pain actually grew worse. It was strange. There was a flash and I saw Margolas's face. I grunted and fell over on my side. Juju barked.

"I know you can hear me little one...I speak directly to you in your native tongue." I heard a voice in my head say. It was low and gruff. He sounded as if he had trouble speaking. He would snarl and gather spit between sentences as if he was chocking on his own blood. It was demanding and sent a chill up my spine.

"I have the power to read and control minds and I will get yours...I sensed your mind when you entered here...I know not where you are but I will find you...using you..."

"No! Ahhhh! Get out of my head!"

Harvey and Rosie were awakened before by Juju and had been standing over me. Harvey got on his knees and touched my shoulder.

"Bry?! What's happening?!"

"He's in my head!"

Rosie gasped.

"Did you say you had mind powers Bryan?!"

Harvey stood up.

"Yeah he does! Duh! What do you think he's been talking to you about?!"

"I thought it was just telekinesis! I'm sorry!"

"Why?! Whose in his head?!"

"Margalos...he has the same powers Bryan has...only...he can sense when other people have that power."

"You're telling us this now?!"

"It didn't occur to me before..."

Juju kept barking. At this rate with Harvey and Rosie fighting we would be found out. I tried to think back to when my grandma tried to penetrate my mind and I had to resist her.

"Trying to resist me?"

I gasped.

"You won't be able to...You may try for a while...but pretty soon your mental prowess will be exhausted from creating all of those mental barriers...that you'll allow me in willingly...I'll be back child...I'll be back."

I grunted loudly as I felt his presence leave my mind. I had to create a mind barrier between my mind and his. He was right though I didn't know how long I could block him out like that, but I had to try.

"Bryan...you okay?" Harvey said and helped me to my feet.

"Yeah...yeah I'm fine..he's gone...I'm blocking him out with my mind."

I rubbed my head.

"Bryan?" Rosie replied timidly and touched my chest.

"I'm fine Rosie...just a headace...and another obstacle to overcome...we'll be fine."

"And you? I don't think you've ever used your mind barriers for a long period of time before." Harvey added with a worried look on his face.

"Guys...I'll be fine."