CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Dad rushed inside and contacted Prince Evalh. As it turns out, the Yeerks had given up, retreated. No one was sure why. For the most part, the Yeerks had the upper hand. But I wasn't complaining. The Andalite world was safe, for now...
That night, we threw a jungar. A party, basically. A large fire was made in the plains. Andalites trotted about, dancing, laughing, playing. Today was an Andalite victory. Prince Jake Berenson and Prince Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthill had returned home. The Yeerks had fallen back. Safety was restored...
But I knew things weren't over. Something still wasn't right.
I sat on the grass, staring into the flames as Aliana trotted over. I had been so caught up in the battle that I had almost forgotten about her. Reflecting, I realized that I had changed. I felt like an entirely different person than the one Aliana knew, the one she remembered. Maybe that would be a good thing.. I wasn't sure..
((It is good to see you, Tom.))
"You too, Aliana. I missed you."
((As did I.))
"How did the competition go?"
Her eyes smiled. ((I received second place. I am to compete again in three seasons.))
"That's great," I smiled up at her. For awhile, that's all we did, stare into each other's eyes...
"Aliana. The morning I left... I could've sworn I heard your thought-speak. Like you were trying to warn me about a trap."
She seemed puzzled. ((I do not know, Tom. It must not have been me. My thought-speak certainly cannot penetrate the planet's atmosphere.)) She said the last part with a hint of amusement in her voice. Great, now she really thought I was a dork...
"Never mind..." I tried to brush it off. But I knew I had heard something. I wasn't crazy...
Was I?
Dad and Marco approached the fire. They were standing behind me, a little off in the distance. But not too far away.. I could faintly hear their conversation.
"Jake, I'm telling you.. It was Beth."
"No way, Marco. Can you really remember what Beth looked like? That was years ago."
"I'm telling you, man. That was her. The zits? The braces? Come on."
"But if The One looked like Beth, that would mean..."
"Exactly, amigo. This 'One' guy has The Ellimist."
to be continued...