Deadly Passion, an Epiphany (17 page)

Harry prays…

Harry stopped in his tracks when he saw the brilliant light surround the young woman. Cassie acted strangely. It was almost as if she was holding onto something as she disappeared slowly, just like Jonas had done. He shook his head. This was just too much in one evening. He felt tired and useless as he walked back to his campfire. Many of the newcomers were still talking avidly. He tried to drown out the droning of the voices, but it was hard. Georgia was constantly on his mind.

He lay on the warm sand, his hands under his head and looked up at the starless sky.
Where are you, my sweet wife? Did you go the same way as Cassie? Will she end up wherever you are now?

He lay awake for a long time. Everyone else had settled down for the night, but he couldn’t find peace. His mind was in turmoil. His heart ached so much, it felt like it would jump out of his chest. He seldom prayed anymore, his faith having taken a beating a long time ago. Now he found his way and called out to God. “God, if you can hear me, You must have created these aliens like You created us. What is the purpose of all this? I’ve never asked Your forgiveness for the murders I committed, but God, I truly do regret what I did. I’m asking Your forgiveness now, Heavenly Father. Please reunite me with my family?” he whispered softly.

Would God even hear him from this godforsaken planet? He snickered sarcastically. Suddenly he heard a soft voice, so soft he had to perk his ears to hear the words.

“Can you forgive what they did? Can you forgive yourself?”

Startled, Harry sat up and looked around. Everyone seemed asleep, huddled under their leaf blankets. “I’m losing it. I’m hearing voices,” he mumbled and lay down again. Closing his eyes, he turned on his side and pulled a leaf over his body. “Cassie, I hope you’re okay,” he mumbled before sleep finally overtook him.

Reuniting in an alien building…

Cassie felt as if she were a snowflake. Her mind was almost blank as she drifted on what felt like a soft cloud, then twirled slowly downward until her body touched something soft. The little girl she’d held was gone. She looked at her new surroundings, at the white, sterile room, the huge glass windows taking up a whole wall.

Feeling beneath her, she felt a very soft mattress. Confused, she sat up. One minute she’d been sitting beside the stream hugging a toddler, and now she was here, wherever that was.

After scrambling out of the bed she realized she now wore a very soft dress. Wonderingly, she ran her hands over the fabric and gazed down at it. It was a very light blue, the material resembling chiffon that hung in graceful folds to the floor. A darker blue ribbon was tied just under her breasts. She noticed a metal clip on the right shoulder with a number on it. It could have been a lovely negligee on Earth. But this wasn’t Earth. And how had the dress miraculously appeared on her body? Did it somehow magically slip on while she drifted like a feather through space? Her feet were bare. Exasperated, she bit her lip and walked to the window wall to gaze at a sea of lights. Towering over all the buildings was a very tall building, its top a rotating globe resembling the shape of an onion. Bright light emanated from it and she noticed it changing color several times sending out pastel beams of light.

“So this is an alien city,” she muttered. “Where are the aliens? When do I get to see one of the monsters that are playing with our lives?”

She was just about to inspect the room when a soft voice echoed through it. She looked up to see where the voice came from, but saw no speakers.

“Dinner is in ten minutes. Please follow the blue line to the dining room.”

Looking around, she saw no door, but then a panel slid open to reveal a brightly lit corridor beyond. Hesitantly, she left the room. A stream of people filed past her. Cassie noticed the lines on the floor, lit up so they were easily visible. The people were dressed in dresses and robes like hers, but in an array of different colors.

She stepped out and joined the line of people. Gazing at the floor, she followed the lines until there was only the blue line that led her into a large dining room that resembled a very fancy restaurant. She gasped at the chandeliers, the beautifully set tables and noticed that everything was in shades of white and blue. All the people filing into the dining room were dressed in blue except for attendants.

A female attendant, or hostess, whatever she was, approached her and led her to a large round table.

“This is your table and place while you’re here,” the girl spoke softly. “Please introduce yourself to your companions?”

Cassie sat on the chair that seemed to float. She saw no legs underneath it and neither was it suspended from the ceiling. Glancing at the other people seated at the table she noticed one empty chair. Feeling rather overwhelmed and puzzled, she remained quiet, even though the others introduced themselves. So far, everything was far out, space age, but she’d seen no aliens lurking about. Someone walked up to the empty chair. Cassie looked up at the tall man whose light blue tunic stood out against his ebony skin. It couldn’t be. But it was. It was Jonas. “Jonas?” she said softly and gazed into his eyes. She read the same puzzlement in them as she felt.

“Cassie? Is that really you? How and when did you get here? You were still on the beach when—“

“Right after you, apparently. Harry told me you’d disappeared and I was totally upset so I went to the stream and poured my heart out. The little girl came to me and next the bright light. And here I am.”

“I wish we could sit together,” Jonas said.

“I’ll swap seats with him,” her neighbor told her and promptly stood.

“Is that allowed?”

“Oh, yes. Frequently people find each other here and ask to be seated next to each other. My name is Yvonne. I’ve been here for a while. Not sure how long. There is no time here.”

“I’m Cassie. Thank you so much.”

Jonas quickly walked around the table and sat next to her. He kissed her on the cheek and grabbing her hand, held it tight. “I was afraid I’d never see you again,” he said softly.

“I wonder where we are now? I haven’t seen any aliens,” Cassie said.

“Wherever we are, it beats that beach. I feel almost guilty. All the others are still there and here we are dining in luxury.”

“Yes. I wonder what kind of food we’ll get.”

“We won’t have to wonder for long. Here comes the first course.”

The girls that ladled soup into their dishes hardly resembled waitresses. They were dressed in blue, but a shade darker. Cassie had no idea what kind of soup it was, but its aroma teased her. She tasted a bit. It tasted like creamed chicken soup. After they finished their soup, the main course was served. Again, she had no idea what she was eating, but it was heavenly, especially after being constrained to fish, nuts and fruit for so long.

They didn’t talk while they ate. When Cassie finished her dinner, she gazed around the huge room at all the tables and suddenly spotted Georgia. “Jonas, there’s Georgia.”

“My God, you’re right.”

Dessert tasted like chocolate mousse. After she finished her tea, Cassie wondered what would come next. She didn’t have to wonder for long. People started to leave. “Where do we go now,” she asked Yvonne.

“Just follow everyone. There’s a concert tonight.”

“Really?” She whispered, “Jonas, hold my hand and don’t leave my sight.”

“I want to talk to Georgia,” Jonas said. “Let’s wait until she gets closer.”

When Georgia approached they stood and quickly fell in just in front of her.

“Cassie? Jonas? You’re here? Oh, my stars. I’m so happy to see you!”

Cassie saw the happy tears on Georgia’s face. “Georgia, and I’m happy to see you. Have you learned anything about this place? Where are we? What’s the name of this planet?” she asked.

“This is the realm of transition. I don’t know the name of the place or planet, but only that we’re waiting here to return to our loved ones.”

“You mean we get to go home?”

“Seems that way. I’ve got no idea how or when. I’ve only picked up bits of gossip since I’ve been here.”

“Georgia, Harry arrived on the beach not long after you disappeared.”

“He did? He really did?”

Again, tears streamed down Georgia’s face. Cassie hugged her briefly while they walked and followed the people in front of them. “Yes.”

“How is he? Where has he been?”

“He ended up in some hellish mine.”

“A mine?”

“Yes, and it was horrible from what he told us.”

“I’m so thankful that my Harry is okay,” Georgia said, tears still soaking her face.

“What’s with all the different colors? Look at the corridor on the other side. Those people are all dressed in yellow. And further along, green,” Cassie said.

“I was told they’re different levels. White is the highest level. They don’t get to go back to Earth.”

“How long do we have to stay here until we are allowed to go back? Do you know?” Jonas asked.

“That I don’t know. No one seems to know. Some people have been here a long time. Apparently we have to wait until our loved ones are here, too.”

“Lord. Well, it beats where we were, but I feel awful living in such futuristic luxury while the ones we left behind are still on that beach,” Cassie said.

“This is the theatre,” Georgia said.

They followed Georgia and sat waiting. People around them whispered softly. “What kind of concert is it?” she asked Georgia.

“We never know. It’s a surprise each time. The impersonators are usually very good.”

“What happens after the concert?”

“They serve an evening snack and drinks and then we go back to our rooms.”

A hush fell and the royal blue curtains slowly lifted. A white piano stood on the podium and band instruments. From nowhere a drum roll sounded. Jonas grasped her hand and squeezed it. Cassie sighed. Right now, all she wanted and needed were his arms around her. She had little interest in watching a concert.

A woman in white walked onto the podium and took her place behind the piano followed by several men who took their places in the area where the band instruments stood. The theatre was very quiet. Another curtain opened and down a set of glittering steps a woman descended, long dark hair to her waist, a beautiful glittering white gown, she made quite an entrance.

Slowly she walked to the piano and leaned on it while gazing at the audience. She was beautiful and looked vaguely familiar. The pianist began to play, the band joined in, and a very familiar song vibrated through the theatre, the woman’s voice rich and powerful.

“Seriously? I’ll be damned. I’d swear that’s Judy Garland and she’s singing a song from Alice in Wonderland.

“Boy, their impersonators are good,” Georgia said. “Judy Garland, of all people.”

“The aliens seem to have extraordinary powers. Maybe they recreated these people, clones or even robots, to make us feel more comfortable,” Cassie whispered.

“Sssh,” came from behind them, and the people in front of them looked around angrily, a finger to their lips.

The performance was fantastic. Cassie forgot everything else and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. She was almost sorry when it was over and reality returned. They stood and joined the queue leaving the theatre.

“Have you seen any of the others that disappeared, Georgia? Are they here?”

“No, I haven’t. But I did meet a girl called Izzy. She was at the club. She sits at my table. This is my room. I hope I’ll see you at breakfast,” Georgia said, smiling whimsically.

Cassie and Jonas followed the blue line, their arms around each other. Cassie noticed the numbers on the seemingly smooth walls. She had no idea where her room was, until suddenly the pin on her shoulder buzzed. She looked at the wall and the number on it matched the number on the pin. “Jonas, come with me,” she whispered.

As they stepped onto the blue line leading to the wall, a panel slid open. As soon as Jonas stepped through the door behind her, a voice sounded.

“Guest one zero five one four, proceed to your quarters.”

“I wonder what’ll happen if I don’t,” Jonas muttered.

He continued into the room. The voice repeated the command and the door stayed open. “I’ll be damned if I’ll be ordered around like that. Come here, babe, let me hold you,” he said and held his arms out to her.

Cassie eagerly leaned into his embrace and urged him toward the bed. They fell onto it, their bodies completely entwined, their lips in a searing kiss.

“Guest one zero five one four, proceed to your quarters. You are in violation of code five.”

Cassie ignored the voice, the open door, and tore at Jonas’ tunic. His cock was pulsing. She ached to have him within her, to make love with him on this wonderful soft bed. There were no guards, no one to punish them, so why should Jonas leave her room?

Taking his cock in her hand she moved the skin back and forth slowly, then ran her fingers up and down the silken skin, the protruding veins, played with the weeping hole at the tip of his cock. She cupped his balls and squeezed them softly, while her finger teased the area between sack and shaft.

Jonas catapulted off her and landed on the floor. “What the fucking hell?” he shouted.

“Jonas, honey, what is it? What happened?” Cassie sat up and looked bewildered at Jonas lying on the floor.

“A shock. It felt like I was electrocuted.”

Cassie fingered the pin attached to her gown near her shoulder. “Could it be the pin? Take your tunic off, hon.”

Jonas took his tunic off and climbed back on the bed with her, disregarding the still opened panel door. Cassie could hardly wait to have him join her again, especially since he was now completely naked. “People can see us,” she whispered. “The door is open.”

“I’d hardly call it a door and I don’t give a damn. I’ve longed to hold you in my arms like this for such a long time. I love you, ba—“

He got cut off abruptly as he catapulted off the bed again. “Okay, this is crazy. It can’t be the pin.”

The lights dimmed, indicating it was time to go to bed. Cassie could see Jonas’ body vaguely in the light that came through the window wall. Horrified, she watched as he stood and tried to approach her bed, and couldn’t.