Year 3, Meonik Time
In a streak of long blond hair, tan skin, and firm muscles, I tumble from my perch on the tree branch where I usually feel more comfortable sleeping. I hardly have a chance to shriek as sharp wood and dew-drenched green leaves scrape over my bare flesh and bright artificial sunlight temporarily blinds me. Not even close to being panicked, I twist my body and prepare for the impact with the ground. As soon as my feet touch the dirt, I loosen my knees and squat low before rising again.
Ignoring my minor injuries and curling my toes in the damp earth, I cross my arms and close my eyes, and sure enough, I hear the faint tinkle of laughter, a sound that almost seamlessly blends with the breeze that overlays the sound of birds in the distance.
"Theos!" I call softly. "You imp!"
Theos is one of the disembodied beings who cares for me, and of the three, he is the practical joker. I never cease to be amazed by what he's going to pull on me next. When I'm in my designated rooms, I recognize him by his pine scent, but outside, I have difficulty detecting him.
"What, Hannah?" he singsongs, his voice swirling about my head.
Hannah is the name my caretakers gave me when they found me three years ago. They say I appeared in their dimension quite suddenly in the wake of a mystical banishment spell, and since I was prohibited from returning to my previous plane of existence, they adopted me. I have no memory of anything except the kindnesses of the three ethereal, invisible beings. They have created me a mini-habitat so that I might survive in their dimension. I have no idea what exists outside of here although sometimes I wonder. . . .
"Hannah!" a second, higher-pitched voice shouts from afar.
"Good morning to you, too, Thalia."
Thalia is the practical one of the three. She's constantly organizing the other two, and we often joke together that the "boys" aren't sensible enough to find their way out of a cardboard box with a map.
"Have you heard from Thayne this morning?" She sounds closer now and extremely irritated. When she's angry, she smells of cinnamon.
"Nope." I shake my head.
Thayne is a dreamer and occasionally wanders off somewhere in my habitat to ponder life. Many a time, I've searched him out for advice or quiet discussion. His voice is deep and rich and strangely soothes me when I'm upset. Thayne's disappearances annoy Thalia but make Theos laugh.
"Well, he's in charge of food preparation for our picnic today, and he hasn't done a thing yet."
"Why can't you get the food? You just push a button or two. Or I can do it." As far as I can tell, the beings don't eat food, but I require nourishment.
"Well, Thayne told me last night that he had this new recipe he wanted to try out on you," Thalia growls.
"Oh, really? I love when he does that." I begin heading through the small forest they built me toward my living quarters, picking my way deftly through the thick brush and trees. "I'm going to get dressed in something less. . . " I glare in the direction I last heard Theos, ". . . torn. Then, I'll look for Thayne with you."
Thalia huffs. "All right."
"See you in a bit, Hannah," Theos whispers in my ear. He always likes to be close to me.
"No peeking, Theos," I warn the mischievous spirit.
"Who, me?"
"Yes, you."
* * *
Year 3, Meonik time, twenty minutes and a shower later
The reflective surface hanging on the wall in my bedchamber reveals the entire extent of my body. I somehow know that I am short with a petite frame, freshly-washed waist-length blond hair, and eyes as green as the leaves on the trees. I've exchanged my light ivory sleeping jumper for a bright red, short-sleeved shirt with a scoop collar, long red pants with wide bottoms, and soft red moccasins.
Sweeping my hair up on top of my head with a clip, I vaguely question who I was in the other dimension. What had I done to be banished? What was my name? What had my life been like? Did I have a family?
Biting my bottom lip, I cock my head. Satisfied with my appearance, I push the questions to the back of my mind and leave my living quarters to search for Thayne in the beings' living space.
Thalia arranged a small sitting room with brown, cushioned chairs and carpet, homemade board games, and a refreshment bar for my comfort just inside the entrance to their indoor area. Pictures of me in various poses and areas of the habitat line the plain white walls. Apparently, the beings care greatly for me, and a smile touches my lips at the thought. The habitat control room is located to the right, and a door to the beings' private quarters is to the left.
"Thayne?"
The control room is more brilliantly lit than the living room and starker in form. Several computer panels blink and hum underneath the large window that overlooks the forest. Thayne doesn't respond, and if he's really not present, I don't expect a practical joke as with Theos.
"Okay, you're not here," I mutter as I re-enter the living room.
Stopping short, my eyes widen. The entrance to the private quarters stands partially open. The door has never been ajar, and I have never asked for a tour. Surely, they won't mind if I take a peek in my hunt for Thayne.
Touching the door tentatively as if I'm afraid to be caught. Heart pounding, I slide the door just far enough to squeeze into the next room.
* * *
Year 3, Meonik time, thirty seconds later
The world on the other side of the door is nothing like anything I imagined. The ceiling is at least six stories high. Everything is a smooth, silver color, and only the configuration of light and shadows defines the boundaries of floor, ceiling, and walls. I barely see a slight distortion in light in the distance, indicative of another door.
"Thayne? Are you here?" My words echo around the room, and suddenly I feel very alone.
Drawn to the door on the opposite side, I half-run, half-walk toward it, senses on hyper-alert and heart racing. My need to know what's in the next room is so overwhelming that I forget to be nervous about being caught. After all, I haven't been invited into their private area, and they allow me the retreat of my quarters. However, the beings have told me so little of themselves, and after three years, my curiosity is uniquely piqued.
Upon reaching my goal, I pause, running my fingers over the silver surface of the door. If the door had been shut, I wouldn't have noticed its existence. A small prayer that I must know from my childhood in the other dimension passes easily through my thoughts, and I take a deep breath before slipping through the gap.
For some reason, I am not shocked by what I view in the more brightly lit, white room. The ceiling is lower than in the previous area, and in contrast, the new room is filled with hundreds of tables of various types of technology that are completely foreign to me.
I pause in the doorway, listening carefully for rustles and distinguishing scents that indicate the presence of Thalia, Thayne, or Theos. After I'm certain that I'm alone, I venture further into the maze of equipment, being attentive to various liquids that seemed to be churning on their own and the blinking lights on several of the applications.
Just when I'm prepared to turn around and retreat back to the familiar habitat, my eyes catch the presence of a tall object over the edge of another piece of equipment. Circling the platform, I try to glimpse the object more fully. I have to pick my way through two more rows of technology before the source of my intrigue is directly in front of me.
The object is cylindrical and tall with the top not quite touching the ceiling. The tube is wider than the trunk of any tree I've ever seen, and I couldn't possibly put my arms completely around the diameter. The material from which the object is constructed is clear, and I can view bubbles in the semi-translucent blue liquid that fills the hollow inside of the structure.
Touching the cylinder with fingers splayed, I find the liquid is emitting a warm energy like the pulsing beat of my heart. I press my other hand to the surface as well and peer to the core of the cylinder. My chest constricts at what I view.
A shape. . . a shape that looks like me. . . only larger. . . is suspended at the center of the fluid.
Terrified, I draw a sharp breath as strange thoughts dart through my mind, sending me to my knees.
*** "No matter where we end up, we'll be together, love."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm absolutely sure." ***
Shaking with every fiber of my being, I manage to somehow pull myself to a swaying upright position. As if I'm not controlling my own actions, I numbly turn to the platform behind me and pick up the largest piece of equipment I can carry. Sparks fly around me as I rip the piece from its station.
With all my strength, I heave the amputated object at the cylinder, smashing the material as if it is as fragile as papier-mâché. Strange smelling, thick liquid deluges my nose and mouth, causing me to choke violently. The body from the center of the cylinder slams into me so that I land hard on my back.
As the liquid spreads evenly over the floor, I push myself up, rolling the body over. Wiping thick goop out of my eyes, I blink furiously. As my vision clears, I spit the slimy liquid out of my mouth and cough hard and long.
When I am sufficiently recovered, I scan over the naked body before me. My fingers automatically trail over the warm flesh, not embarrassed by the nudity. When I reach his left arm, I slow, pushing my fingers into the smooth scar tissue.
Thoughts. . . memories. . . infiltrate my mind again, but this time, I'm better prepared and therefore not as overcome.
*** The first injury I note is in his left forearm. The bone is broken clean through the skin. . . a compound fracture that's bleeding profusely, sending the sharp smell of copper to my nose and soaking the torn fibers of his clothing.
I rip the cloth up to his shoulder, pulling the strips away and flinging them to the side. Numbly, I push the bone back into the original nest of muscles and tendons. ***
Breathing heavily, I force myself to continue up his arm to his face. Gracefully-carved cheekbones are the strongest feature on his face, but his eyes aren't open, so I don't know how intense they are. Light-colored curls fall over his forehead, and I sweep them away.
Then, I realize that he's not breathing. I place my hand over his heart.
Nothing.
Then, horrible retching coughs possess his entire body, and liquid spews out of his mouth and nose, re-drenching me. His eyes blink rapidly, and I gently but quickly wipe the fluid off his face.
His eyes open without warning, and I find myself staring into the bluest depths I've ever known.
*** "I love you, Buffy. ***
"Spike?"
* * * TBC. . . Who are Theos, Thayne, and Thalia? What are Buffy and Spike doing here? What will they do now? Stay tuned!
Thanks bunches to all the lovely reviewers! I'm so glad you're reading this one, too! I promise I'll do my best to make it even more exciting or just as exciting as the last read!
Author's Note: I forgot to put this on the first piece, but like "Confronting the Sun," this story is loosely based on a partially (again about one chapter) written novel that I planned in high school but never completed!
In a streak of long blond hair, tan skin, and firm muscles, I tumble from my perch on the tree branch where I usually feel more comfortable sleeping. I hardly have a chance to shriek as sharp wood and dew-drenched green leaves scrape over my bare flesh and bright artificial sunlight temporarily blinds me. Not even close to being panicked, I twist my body and prepare for the impact with the ground. As soon as my feet touch the dirt, I loosen my knees and squat low before rising again.
Ignoring my minor injuries and curling my toes in the damp earth, I cross my arms and close my eyes, and sure enough, I hear the faint tinkle of laughter, a sound that almost seamlessly blends with the breeze that overlays the sound of birds in the distance.
"Theos!" I call softly. "You imp!"
Theos is one of the disembodied beings who cares for me, and of the three, he is the practical joker. I never cease to be amazed by what he's going to pull on me next. When I'm in my designated rooms, I recognize him by his pine scent, but outside, I have difficulty detecting him.
"What, Hannah?" he singsongs, his voice swirling about my head.
Hannah is the name my caretakers gave me when they found me three years ago. They say I appeared in their dimension quite suddenly in the wake of a mystical banishment spell, and since I was prohibited from returning to my previous plane of existence, they adopted me. I have no memory of anything except the kindnesses of the three ethereal, invisible beings. They have created me a mini-habitat so that I might survive in their dimension. I have no idea what exists outside of here although sometimes I wonder. . . .
"Hannah!" a second, higher-pitched voice shouts from afar.
"Good morning to you, too, Thalia."
Thalia is the practical one of the three. She's constantly organizing the other two, and we often joke together that the "boys" aren't sensible enough to find their way out of a cardboard box with a map.
"Have you heard from Thayne this morning?" She sounds closer now and extremely irritated. When she's angry, she smells of cinnamon.
"Nope." I shake my head.
Thayne is a dreamer and occasionally wanders off somewhere in my habitat to ponder life. Many a time, I've searched him out for advice or quiet discussion. His voice is deep and rich and strangely soothes me when I'm upset. Thayne's disappearances annoy Thalia but make Theos laugh.
"Well, he's in charge of food preparation for our picnic today, and he hasn't done a thing yet."
"Why can't you get the food? You just push a button or two. Or I can do it." As far as I can tell, the beings don't eat food, but I require nourishment.
"Well, Thayne told me last night that he had this new recipe he wanted to try out on you," Thalia growls.
"Oh, really? I love when he does that." I begin heading through the small forest they built me toward my living quarters, picking my way deftly through the thick brush and trees. "I'm going to get dressed in something less. . . " I glare in the direction I last heard Theos, ". . . torn. Then, I'll look for Thayne with you."
Thalia huffs. "All right."
"See you in a bit, Hannah," Theos whispers in my ear. He always likes to be close to me.
"No peeking, Theos," I warn the mischievous spirit.
"Who, me?"
"Yes, you."
* * *
Year 3, Meonik time, twenty minutes and a shower later
The reflective surface hanging on the wall in my bedchamber reveals the entire extent of my body. I somehow know that I am short with a petite frame, freshly-washed waist-length blond hair, and eyes as green as the leaves on the trees. I've exchanged my light ivory sleeping jumper for a bright red, short-sleeved shirt with a scoop collar, long red pants with wide bottoms, and soft red moccasins.
Sweeping my hair up on top of my head with a clip, I vaguely question who I was in the other dimension. What had I done to be banished? What was my name? What had my life been like? Did I have a family?
Biting my bottom lip, I cock my head. Satisfied with my appearance, I push the questions to the back of my mind and leave my living quarters to search for Thayne in the beings' living space.
Thalia arranged a small sitting room with brown, cushioned chairs and carpet, homemade board games, and a refreshment bar for my comfort just inside the entrance to their indoor area. Pictures of me in various poses and areas of the habitat line the plain white walls. Apparently, the beings care greatly for me, and a smile touches my lips at the thought. The habitat control room is located to the right, and a door to the beings' private quarters is to the left.
"Thayne?"
The control room is more brilliantly lit than the living room and starker in form. Several computer panels blink and hum underneath the large window that overlooks the forest. Thayne doesn't respond, and if he's really not present, I don't expect a practical joke as with Theos.
"Okay, you're not here," I mutter as I re-enter the living room.
Stopping short, my eyes widen. The entrance to the private quarters stands partially open. The door has never been ajar, and I have never asked for a tour. Surely, they won't mind if I take a peek in my hunt for Thayne.
Touching the door tentatively as if I'm afraid to be caught. Heart pounding, I slide the door just far enough to squeeze into the next room.
* * *
Year 3, Meonik time, thirty seconds later
The world on the other side of the door is nothing like anything I imagined. The ceiling is at least six stories high. Everything is a smooth, silver color, and only the configuration of light and shadows defines the boundaries of floor, ceiling, and walls. I barely see a slight distortion in light in the distance, indicative of another door.
"Thayne? Are you here?" My words echo around the room, and suddenly I feel very alone.
Drawn to the door on the opposite side, I half-run, half-walk toward it, senses on hyper-alert and heart racing. My need to know what's in the next room is so overwhelming that I forget to be nervous about being caught. After all, I haven't been invited into their private area, and they allow me the retreat of my quarters. However, the beings have told me so little of themselves, and after three years, my curiosity is uniquely piqued.
Upon reaching my goal, I pause, running my fingers over the silver surface of the door. If the door had been shut, I wouldn't have noticed its existence. A small prayer that I must know from my childhood in the other dimension passes easily through my thoughts, and I take a deep breath before slipping through the gap.
For some reason, I am not shocked by what I view in the more brightly lit, white room. The ceiling is lower than in the previous area, and in contrast, the new room is filled with hundreds of tables of various types of technology that are completely foreign to me.
I pause in the doorway, listening carefully for rustles and distinguishing scents that indicate the presence of Thalia, Thayne, or Theos. After I'm certain that I'm alone, I venture further into the maze of equipment, being attentive to various liquids that seemed to be churning on their own and the blinking lights on several of the applications.
Just when I'm prepared to turn around and retreat back to the familiar habitat, my eyes catch the presence of a tall object over the edge of another piece of equipment. Circling the platform, I try to glimpse the object more fully. I have to pick my way through two more rows of technology before the source of my intrigue is directly in front of me.
The object is cylindrical and tall with the top not quite touching the ceiling. The tube is wider than the trunk of any tree I've ever seen, and I couldn't possibly put my arms completely around the diameter. The material from which the object is constructed is clear, and I can view bubbles in the semi-translucent blue liquid that fills the hollow inside of the structure.
Touching the cylinder with fingers splayed, I find the liquid is emitting a warm energy like the pulsing beat of my heart. I press my other hand to the surface as well and peer to the core of the cylinder. My chest constricts at what I view.
A shape. . . a shape that looks like me. . . only larger. . . is suspended at the center of the fluid.
Terrified, I draw a sharp breath as strange thoughts dart through my mind, sending me to my knees.
*** "No matter where we end up, we'll be together, love."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm absolutely sure." ***
Shaking with every fiber of my being, I manage to somehow pull myself to a swaying upright position. As if I'm not controlling my own actions, I numbly turn to the platform behind me and pick up the largest piece of equipment I can carry. Sparks fly around me as I rip the piece from its station.
With all my strength, I heave the amputated object at the cylinder, smashing the material as if it is as fragile as papier-mâché. Strange smelling, thick liquid deluges my nose and mouth, causing me to choke violently. The body from the center of the cylinder slams into me so that I land hard on my back.
As the liquid spreads evenly over the floor, I push myself up, rolling the body over. Wiping thick goop out of my eyes, I blink furiously. As my vision clears, I spit the slimy liquid out of my mouth and cough hard and long.
When I am sufficiently recovered, I scan over the naked body before me. My fingers automatically trail over the warm flesh, not embarrassed by the nudity. When I reach his left arm, I slow, pushing my fingers into the smooth scar tissue.
Thoughts. . . memories. . . infiltrate my mind again, but this time, I'm better prepared and therefore not as overcome.
*** The first injury I note is in his left forearm. The bone is broken clean through the skin. . . a compound fracture that's bleeding profusely, sending the sharp smell of copper to my nose and soaking the torn fibers of his clothing.
I rip the cloth up to his shoulder, pulling the strips away and flinging them to the side. Numbly, I push the bone back into the original nest of muscles and tendons. ***
Breathing heavily, I force myself to continue up his arm to his face. Gracefully-carved cheekbones are the strongest feature on his face, but his eyes aren't open, so I don't know how intense they are. Light-colored curls fall over his forehead, and I sweep them away.
Then, I realize that he's not breathing. I place my hand over his heart.
Nothing.
Then, horrible retching coughs possess his entire body, and liquid spews out of his mouth and nose, re-drenching me. His eyes blink rapidly, and I gently but quickly wipe the fluid off his face.
His eyes open without warning, and I find myself staring into the bluest depths I've ever known.
*** "I love you, Buffy. ***
"Spike?"
* * * TBC. . . Who are Theos, Thayne, and Thalia? What are Buffy and Spike doing here? What will they do now? Stay tuned!
Thanks bunches to all the lovely reviewers! I'm so glad you're reading this one, too! I promise I'll do my best to make it even more exciting or just as exciting as the last read!
Author's Note: I forgot to put this on the first piece, but like "Confronting the Sun," this story is loosely based on a partially (again about one chapter) written novel that I planned in high school but never completed!