Worlds Collide

.23

Worlds collide

“Come here Auttie you smell so good.”

“Atif stop it already.”

Autumn tried to break free from Atif’s clutches as she sniffed Autumn like a wild dog. The two sisters started rough housing with each other all the while giggling. A complete one-eighty from the moment the group witnessed mere hours ago.

“Can you guys contain yourselves for one moment, this is a religious building.”

Haiden stepped between the two a little annoyed by their lack of awareness. To them this was a vacation, an adventure as Atif called it. To her it was different, the next forty-eight hours had major implications. Implications she too didn’t know the full extent of. Autumn and Atif were silent, Haiden walked past. They looked at one another and settled down.

“Can you contain yourself for a moment?”

Atif playfully mocked Haiden, and Autumn snorted through her nose, covering her mouth to contain her laughter. Soon Ki approached the two sisters, as the last one to ascend from the church basement. He sported a navy-blue jumpsuit with a matching bucket hat.

“Play nice you two.”

Ki laughed, shoving both forward, so the three of them could catch up to Haiden and Locke.

“I still don’t get why you guys had us take a nap in the middle of the day.”

Atif curiously asked Locke, wanting an explanation for having to sleep during the day.

“Yeah, what’s up with all this light where is it coming from?”

Autumn wondered while looking around at the light shining through the stain glass windows of the church. Ki chuckled, brushing his ponytail off his shoulder and folding his hands behind his back.

“Don’t worry you’re going to find out soon enough. But I must say you ladies dress up nice.”

He complimented their attire, outfits thrown together from the assortment of garments the Den had available.

“Thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.”

Atif tugged on her jean jacket, the soft feathers that lined the collar brushed against her cheeks as she did so. She wore short cut jeans and black spandex tights underneath. Autumn sported a more athletic attire, wearing a white shirt with one shoulder exposed. Revealing the black strap of her bra. Like Atif she had black tights and a pair of simple sneakers.

“Makes me wonder what Locke was thinking throwing whatever, that is, together.”

The three of them Busted out laughing when Autumn pointed out Locke’s outfit. A faded floral shirt and white tank top, cargo shorts that had to be held up by rope. A pair of boots one size too big, that flopped off his feet with every step. But the accessory that took the cake was the cowboy hat he had strung around his neck and resting on his back. Even Haiden couldn’t help herself and started to chuckle, glancing over at Locke. It didn’t bother him in the slightest, he enjoyed the comradery even if it was at his own expense.

Locke stopped by the main entrance of the church. A front for the tunnel hidden in the basement, a secret entrance to the Den. He waited for them to catch up before he opened the door. Haiden turned around and watched as the others approached. Locke Looked around at the party, His spirits were high, but he wanted to go over the rules with the others.

“It is time to have some fun guys, it has been a long journey, and we all deserve this. As Haiden explained, the militias will not be active till tomorrow and knowing Kezonto and Shima they are resting up in preparation for the assassination. But there are some rules we all should abide by.”

Haiden’s ears perked up and her eyebrow rose at the mentioning of assassination. Slowly his eyes looked at each one of them. Creating a moment of silence before he spoke again.

“We are here illegally, no passports, no nothing. So, avoid getting involved with the police or military. Tell nobody and I mean nobody the real reason you are here, use your imagination if you have too. The Sect was good enough to give us a generous amount of credit, let us use it responsibly. Lastly, do not for any reason other than your life being in danger do you use essence, and with that being said”

Locke looked around at everyone once again, and one after another they nodded. Locke mirrored their gesture, nodding himself, and reaching back to grab his hat. Placing it upon his crown, he dragged his thumb and ring finger across the brim. Pulling it down over his eyes and concealing his facial features.

“I’m a Busaya boy now.”

Everyone in attendance broke out into, disrupting the chants of the monks occupying the main floor of the church. But they did not stop chanting, but all of them smiled. Locke turned the knobs to the gigantic double doors, allowing a flood of light to blind everyone. Haiden shielded her eyes with her hand. Ki simply lowered the brim to his hat like his brother before him.Atif and Autumn just smiled at each other, embracing the unknown.

***

“Answer me when I talk to you.”

She was still, but her heart was racing as she kept her eyes on the platoon on the ground below. She was no longer listening; she could not focus.

“You been gone for months; Mom has been worried sick about you!”

“Shishi come back with us.”

She bit her lower lip and tried to stop herself from crying. Still watching the soldiers, this time to see if they could hear her younger siblings.

“Answer the damn question Landy, what are you two doing here.”

She was stern, it was all she could do to keep her voice from cracking. She kept her back to them, waiting for Landy to speak.

“Out with it, already.”

“We came with Mom to help protect the Den, what are you doing here? Where is Kezonto?”

“Go back and don’t think about following me. You got the drop on me once; it won’t happen again Landy.”

“But Shima.”

She finally turned around feeling she was in control of her emotions. She looked at her younger siblings; they had grown some since the last time she saw them. Landy was growing inpatient and Shisa was starting to cry herself.

“You never saw me you got that.”

“You can either come back with us on your own accord Shima, or we will bring you back by force.”

Shisa wiped her tears and started to get serious after hearing Landy stand up to their older sister.

“Don’t get cute Landy, you are not taking anyone back.”

She walked closer to her siblings, keeping her eyes on them, watching their every move.

“I got your back Landy.”

Shisa got into a defensive stance as Shima closed the gap between them. Landy reached into his hip pouch grabbing hold of a large sized rubber pellet. He whipped it at Shima with a furious velocity and watched Shima catch it with ease. Shima’s arm barely budged as it absorbed the force of Landy’s projectile. She threw her shoulder back and twisted her hips. Launching the rubber pellet at Landy catching the young warrior dead in the center of his chest. Landy collapsed to the ground, trying to catch his breath. Shima stopped her advance and allowed Shisa to charge at her. She switched her stance and raised her hands, effortlessly redirecting Shisa’s strikes.

Landy was struggling to breathe, but he knew he would be fine. Pushing through the pain, gasping for air, he slowly started to rise from the ground. He rushed back into the quarrel just as Shima skillfully grabbed hold of Shisa’s wrist. With a firm grasp, Shima yanked her little sister closer. Once close enough Shima landed a clothesline that took Sher little sister off her feet. Shisa flipped once before planting on the roof face first.

Leaning back Shima dodged Landy’s haymaker, grabbing a handful of his hair and driving her knee into his stomach. He started to break out into a coughing fit and eventually started to vomit. Shima turned her back to them and walked away. Standing on the edge of the roof she looked down to the streets below. She sucked her teeth, frustrated she lost sight of the Platoon. She looked back at Shisa and Landy one last time making sure she quelled their curiosity. She made her escape clearing the gap between the buildings and running across the rooftops in search of her target.

“I’ll be home soon you little brats.”

Her face flooded with tears as she ran off, but she did not bother wiping them away. Instead, she fought through it and put the mission first. She came to a stop on the corner of a roof, just outside the barricaded city block. She took note of her location, the smell of the water, the sound of crashing waves. She looked out at the bay watching the sphere of light rising higher in the sky. She was at the bayfront, a more elegant section of Busaya. Where luxury shops and eateries littered the Strip circling the bay.

She made her way down to street level blending back into the mass of people going about everyday life. Shima wanted to stay focused on her objective, but the images of her siblings were torturing her. She needed a moment to recollect herself, so she wandered down to the water. Sitting down on a bench with a scenic view of the bay, she buried her face in her hands.

***

“How could this happen; I was just with them?”

Autumn stared at the kiosk, stranded, and lost. Keeping calm, she fumbled with the directory looking for the Applegrove route and what train to take. She had gotten distracted, she was curious, and it got better of her. Being left behind and missing her train with the others.

“You are here.”

She examined the name next to the pulsating icon.

“Northern Garden? Atif did say that she wanted to see the water.”

She had a moment to herself as she observed the various stops along the Applegrove route.

“Guess I’ll go with the flow; I’ll just meet everyone at the meet up time.”

It was expected that something like this would happen. So, Locke was sure to have a plan just in case. They were going to meet up in Central Orchard at five, Locke had a farmer’s market he wanted to check out. Suggesting for the party to gather there should they get separated. But for it to happen so fast, Autumn found it a little embarrassing. She did not beat herself up over it and instead decided to hop on the next train that came into the station. The gust of wind from the train rushed through Autumn’s neatly braided hair as it grinded to a stop. Groups of citizens exited the train once the doors opened. She stepped to the side allowing space for the people, soon boarding the train herself. She found a spot close to the train map, wanting to study it.

Autumn grabbed hold of the railing as her body shifted with the motion of the train accelerating. Seeing all this craziness, the tall building, cars, and trains. It all reminded her of the ruins back on Artemis Island. Getting a taste of what it might have been like living back then before the impact. Running her finger along the train map, she pinpointed the stop she wanted to get off.

“I wonder what the others are getting up too. Hope Atif isn’t causing too much trouble without me.”

She thought to herself while the train emerged from the darkness of the station tunnel. She looked through the windows of the cabin, taking in the sights of the city as the train glided along its rails. A voice came over the intercom, announcing the next station and the estimated arrival time. Autumn rode the train for three stops before getting off. She followed the signage around the station and found her way to the exit. Stepping out of Bayview station into the hustle and Bustle of the Bayview district. The neighboring district to Bayfront, and home of the city’s best street food. The various smells from the stalls were making her mouth water. She looked around at the various things around her, curious about the lifestyle she had wandered into.

“Hello, how are you.”

“Nice day, be well.”

Autumn was dishing out introductions and saying hi to everyone. She didn’t know any better it was just in her nature. Her nature changed when she came upon a group of peacekeepers. She attempted to blend in, not drawing attention to herself as she passed by them.

***

She deviated from her course of action, she needed to. Running into Landy and Shisa was something she never expected, and it was taking its toll still. She was beginning to question everything that she was doing. She was battling with herself, her feelings, her commitments. She wandered around aimlessly until she came upon the patrol unit once again. Shima quickly snapped to attention, focusing on the squad of soldiers. She started to follow them, listening in on their conversations. Tailing them as the advanced through the Bayview district. They stopped for a moment, talking amongst one another and surveying their surroundings. Ducking into a small flower shop Shima took cover, obscuring her appearance in the various vegetation on display. A smile creased across her face as she felt that tranquillizing essence once again. That essence from Keyon, she didn’t expect him to find her so quickly. He had to have already finished his task. She thought to herself, still focusing on the squad of soldiers outside.

“Think you can get the drop on me huh, what did you learn?”

Shima asked, still focused on the group of peacekeepers outside the shop.

“You talking to me?”

Autumn was bewildered, looking at Shima as she put down the potted plant she was examining. Shima turned her head, getting a good look at Autumn. It wasn’t Keyon, but a young lady, who happened to be admiring plants. Shima grew tense for a moment, and her face turned red. Her sensory has never failed her before. She knew she felt his essence, yet here, in front of her stood Autumn. The scars that ran across Autumn’s left eye quickly caught her attention.

“Oh, no sorry I thought you were someone else.”

Shima apologized, switching her temperament, playing off the fact her own sensory was playing tricks on her.

“What is your name?”

Autumn looked at Shima bewildered, she didn’t know how to respond. Should she give her a fake name? Autumn just went with the natural flow of things.

“I’m Autumn, nice to meet you.”

“My name is Shima, sorry, I thought you were my friend trying to sneak up on me”

“Nope just me, nice to meet you Shima”

Autumn cracked a smile focusing her attention on various potted plants on the shelves. Shima couldn’t take her eyes off Autumn; there was no mistaking it. her tranquilizing essence, the way it vibrated and made her feel light. It was his, it was Keyon’s essence. The emotions that were swirling within her eased up in Autumn’s presents. Autumn slowly looked in Shima’s direction, making eye contact with her in the process. Shima stopped staring and smiled at Autumn. Who smiled back at Shima and started to move away from the plants on display. Before Autumn could reach the exit, Shima grabbed hold on her hand. Preventing her from leaving, what was she going to say? She had to think of an excuse fast as Autumn stopped her advance toward the exit and turned around.

“Wait, Autumn I’m sorry but do you know anything these plants?” Autumn looked a little confused as to why Shima would ask her when she could ask one of the workers. Autumn didn’t what to be rude and Shima seemed like a nice person, so she helped her out.

“Yeah, I know about a couple of them.”

Autumn grinned grabbing hold of Shima’s hand, allowing her to guide her back to the display of flowers. She didn’t care too much about the flowers; she just needed to buy time. So, she could wrap her head around this enigma. No one had the same essence signature let alone identical vibrations. Shima bounced around many ideas in her head, listening to Autumn as she went over the various plants in front of them.

“These ones are called Aurora’s kiss, they are my favorite, they are hard to grow domestically, but very bountiful in the wild. Something to do with the soil, I think. I’m surprised they have any in a place like this.”

Shima grabbed hold of the plant’s pot, bringing it closer to her. It was a beautiful plant to say the least. Elaborate colors and a subtle pattern she could see why it was Autumn’s favorite.

“I think this will make a great gift.”

Shima walked over toward the counter with the plant. Paying the clerk, when a cold sweat ran down her spine and she started to feel her heart beating out of her chest. Quickly she started shielding herself with her essence, aware of what was happening. She paid attention to the clerk in front of her who was sweating and having a hard time breathing.

“Essence corruption? Now this is just getting weird”

Shima turned around, getting a good look at the other people in the shop. Their demeanors were altered by the sudden rush of essence corruption. Shima wasn’t immune from its crippling effects either. Increase her essence output just to not get paralyzed by it. Autumn stood at the entrance of the flower shop watching a procession of caged beasts being paraded down the street in front of the shop. Citizens moved aside as New Aurora forces escorted the Beasts to their destination. Shima witnessed it too walking closer toward Autumn, the source of the essence corruption. She placed her hand on Autumn’s bare shoulder, flowing her essence into her to settle her down. At first it wasn’t having any effect, but slowly Shima noticed the effects of the corruption fading in the citizens around her. Shima grabbed her plant off the counter and grabbed hold of Autumn’s hand leading her out of the shop. She snapped out of her trance, while Shima pulled her around the corner to a side street with a lot less foot traffic.

“Where did that come from Autumn? You can use essence?”

Shima tried to ease Autumn’s tension by giving up the fact she knew what essence was.
Autumn looked up shocked that this random stranger, not only knew about essence but seemingly had an idea as to what she was experiencing with these newfound trances of hers.