CHAPTER 1: Home

Kanuna slowly stepped out into the expressway where many transportation machines called Xtrams transported several creatures of every shape and size across the space colony. There was a constant atmosphere of hustle and bustle about the area. Loud noises and chatter were always heard throughout the station which made Kanuna feel even more lonely. She had no real friends in school or on the whole colony. Kanuna hauled her heavy school bag onto the Xtram and sat down by the outer window where she could look straight out into deep space. She always felt a little comfort whenever she gazed at the stars. She almost considered them to be her family.

The ride was long and quiet as the Xtram sped across the tracks toward the southern district. The only person Kanuna really knew in the whole colony was Captain Kapteeni whom she called her father even though she knew that he adopted her when she was left on the colony as an infant by mistake. Kanuna lived with the her adopted father in the southern district where the general upkeep showed signs of negligence and many shady characters seemed to gather deeper inside the run down neighborhood. The Xtram screeched to a halt as it arrived at the rickety southern station.

Kanuna picked up her bag which seemed to be getting heavier each time, and walked out into the station. It was much quieter than the noisy east station where the school district stood. It was nearly abandoned save for a few common dark strangers who always seemed to be in the same place every day when Kanuna would come home from school. Kanuna paid little mind to them though, and focused on trudging through the lonely station into the housing district which was even more like a ghost town.

Kanuna passed through the rusty old gate and up through the dark hallway with only a few flickering lights the break the ominous feeling of the whole building. Finally, she reached door number 1224 and swiped the same pass card through the scanner. In other districts, a bright and cheerful computer voice would greet the occupant by name, but in the southern district, a klaxonical sound much like the school's bell, echoed throughout the dark hallway, then the door would open with loud clunks and bangs releasing steam into the hall as the heavy door finally opened. Kanuna was used to it though and waited patiently while the door made its noisy routine. Then she hauled her bag one last time into what she called, "Home sweet home."

The small apartment like home consisted of four rooms. A general living room where a bookshelf, a lamp, a sofa and a television set hoping to provide some comfort to whoever cared to use them. There was a small kitchenette with a sink full of dirty dishes and a refrigerator which was usually empty. And finally, two bedrooms, one for Kanuna and one for Captain Kapteeni. Kanuna spent most of what time she wasn't in school in her room either doing homework, or lazing about thinking to herself.

She dropped her bag off over next to the kitchenette and sighed as her burden was lifted. Then she slumped her way toward the vomit colored sofa that sat in the middle of the living room and plopped down. She stared over at a small clock that hung on the wall intently listening to the soft ticking sound that seemed to fill the otherwise silent room. The captain was usually at work whenever Kanuna returned home and usually never returned until the evening. Kanuna closed her eyes as her routinely daytime slumber took effect.

Kanuna slept so much for two reasons: One reason was because she never felt like there was anything better to do. The other was because she longed for the relief from reality that her dreams brought.

"We must do something..."

Kanuna opened her eyes as she heard a deep voice and found herself in class again, but something was very different. The lights were almost blindingly bright and several unidentifiable figures sat in the chairs that were normally occupied by the other students.

"We must act quickly!" Another anxious voice declared. Kanuna strained to make out the figures that filled the classroom, but she could only see different sized shapes.

"No, she is still too young. She needs more time." A much more soothing voice stated from the front desk.

"How much more time before it is too late? We can not wait much longer!" The anxious voice shouted as its small figure pounded on the desk next to Kanuna. The figure with the calm voice stood up and said, "You can not rush true perfection. We shall wait until she is ready." The large figure and the small figure sat silently until a much taller figure stood up and spoke with a rather dark tone.

"Yes. She is still far too young. She shall never fulfill the prophecy at this rate." The classroom was filled with an uproar of mixed remarks until the calm figure called out.

"Silence! All of you! There is no need to be so hasty. We shall wait for the girl to mature." The tall figure tried to speak out, but was cut off by the now not-so calm voice. "That is final."

Kanuna sat silently in her chair as the meeting was adjourned until the room was empty. Then as she started to get up, she was caught by someone. Kanuna turned around quickly to see her captor who appeared as a dark cloud with two piercing red eyes which seemed to gaze right into her soul. Kanuna screamed as the strange creature screeched and pulled her closer. She tried to struggle but was interrupted by a familiar voice calling her name.

"Kanuna…"

Then the lights seemed to grow brighter until Kanuna was enveloped in light and the voice grew louder.

"Kanuna, Kanuna dear, please wake up." Kanuna awoke to see the kind, blue-gray eyes of Captain Kapteeni. She was back in their quaint, little home. It was just a dream.