The Gift

The Gift

By Temeriel Smith

“One, two, three, four,” I count slowly out loud trying to drift off into a restful sleep. “Why can’t I just fall asleep for once?” Slowly I rise out of bed accepting another sleepless night. Things have been hard since the uprising happened. No one knows who threw the first punch between us humans and the Masses. But it has been none ending explosions and war here on earth. Everywhere you look there is destruction and women being snatched. I make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. I grab a glass and pour myself some water. Leaning back against the counter I sip and look out into the forest. I had to escape Texas three months ago. I was almost captured by the masses and taken to I don’t know where. All I know is that a brown wrapped box shows up outside your house and then you are gone. I had one outside my door and I ran. They took my neighbor and her daughters just moments before I got my box.

I watched from the window as they opened it and looked inside. Next thing I know three of the largest men I have ever seen came. They must be at least seven or eight feet tall, dark green skin, dark purple hair with braids flowing down their backs. White glowing eyes but some have black or gold eyes. Long fingers with purple claws for nails. Wearing brown leather pants and different colored silk-looking shirts. I stare as they knock on the door and wait patiently for it to open. They talk amongst each other and laugh. Well, I hope they are laughing because I see a lot of teeth, and oh my goodness are those fangs! I gasp and all three heads turn my way. I duck so fast I almost slam my head on the counter. There is no freaking way they heard me gasp. I mean seriously there is a solid three feet of concrete. I stand slowly peering over the counter again and I see that there are now only two of them. “Where is the third one? Where did he go?” I say out in the silence. Before I could even give it a second thought Ms. Adams opens the door and they walk in. I have my entire face pressed up against my kitchen window trying to will my eyes into the room. I hear a soft thump outside my door like a package being dropped. I ignore this sound and go back to watching. Then I freeze, it sounds like a box has been dropped at my door. Slowly I back away from the window and turn to face my door. This can’t be happening. I must be hearing things. I stare at my door, and I see a large shadow slowly rise. Thump. Thump. I jump because this cannot be happening. “I know you are in there I saw you from the window… and I can smell you.” A deep gravelly voice says, and I snap out of my trance and run out the back door. Luckily my dad prepared me for this long before he died. I dash out into the woods behind my house, and I don’t stop.

That was three months ago and every night I find myself awake staring out the window, looking into the darkness of the forest. I got away from the Masses but not everyone is so lucky. I place my glass on the counter and begin to walk back toward the stairs so I can get some rest. I stopped dead in my tracks. “What was that?” I say out into the darkness. Slowly I turn around and I see a brown box on the counter that I know for a fact wasn’t there before. My eyes dart around the room trying to find some type of explanation for this. I am really starting to regret this open floor plan and did I mention the being alone part. I look from the kitchen to the living room to the dining room. Now I am really starting to second guess this whole coming out to the wilderness by myself but who am I kidding I have no one. Looking back in the living room I am met with gold glowing eyes starring directly at me. I stop breathing. I slowly start to back away and the eyes track my movement and slowly unfolds into a huge man at least eight feet tall. I scream and run taking the stairs two at a time. I swear I can feel whatever it is getting closer and closer. As my feet connect with the top stair strong arms circle my waist and I am lifted into the air. I scream for all that I am worth. A large hand is clamped down over my mouth. “Be quiet, I am not going to harm you. I have been searching for you for three months. I am going to remove my hand from your mouth, and we are going to talk. You will not scream or cry, it will not do any good. Nod if you understand.” I nod. He walks back downstairs with me still in his grasp. Keep in mind I am not a small woman by any means. I am well over two hundred pounds, have tight corkscrew black curls, and chocolate eyes. I like to think that I am fluffy and cute. He drops me back onto my feet once we are in the kitchen right infront of the box. I’ve never been picked up before, so I am a little stunned. Carrying me did not even phase him. He takes a seat on the stool and motions for me to open the box. I look at the box and to him, my hands still at my side. “Open it, Valerie,” he said with his eyes never leaving mine. “How do you know my name? What is in the box? I don’t understand.” I stammer out. He just stares at me and pushes the box again towards me. I shake my head no. He growls and I jump stepping back away from him. He huffs out a breath, “fine I’ll answer your questions but then you will open the box.” I nod in agreeance. “I am Vork, and I am the ruler of the Masses. I know your name because you are mine. The box is a gift from the Goddess. I have dreamt of you for many moons and have waited for the day to find you and bring you this gift. Open the box.” “What do you mean a gift from the goddess and that I am yours. I belong to no one,” I almost yell this last part he just smiles and pushes the box again. I walk back toward the counter and lift open the flaps and what I see is what looks like a small galaxy. Shinning white light and beautiful tiny stars that shine like diamonds in a sea of darkness. I reach my hand in and touch it. It’s cool to the touch and the stars begin to rise over my right arm, over my shoulder until my entire body is covered. Vork just stares in amazement. He smiles at me, and I smile back. Before my lips can form a sentence the stars like lights begin to seep into my skin melting like hot lava. I begin to scream and thrash from the pain. I am wrapped in strong arms and worried gold eyes are the last thing I see before I drift off into the darkness.

“Open your eyes, Valerie.” Slowly I open my eyes and I see that I am on a beach with white sand and purple water. “Where am I” “You are on Prima Nine. Vork’s homeworld.” A beautiful woman in a flowing gold dress, skin the same color of the masses with pure white eyes answers me. “Who are you and why did you bring me here,” I ask. “I brought you here to let you know that you are safe and to go with Vork. He will not harm you. None of the Masses will. Your paths have been aligned long before the first star twinkled in the sky. There is a war coming like none other and you will need each other.” “How can I trust what you say. I don’t know you!” “Trust yourself, you know this to be true you feel it now.” She says as she begins to fade away. “What has happened to her? Why was she in pain? You said she would not be harmed and now she won’t wake up!” I hear Vork’s deep voice as I begin to slowly wake. I look around and I see that I am still in the cabin. “Vork,” I try to say but my throat feels like I have been gargling gravel. He turns and gold eyes land on me and I am completely lost in those eyes. He moved so fast to my side that it seemed to be a blur. He touches my head and I just stare at him. My eyes looking from his eyes to his lushes’ light green lips to his strong jawline covered in a dark purple beard that surprisingly works for him. I look down to his gold short sleeve shirt that reveals muscular arms covered in shimmering red marks that seem to dance across his arms like they are alive. His hand squeezes mine and I look over to our hands and see his purple claws resting against my skin. He clears his throat, and my eyes rise back up to his face. He smiles and I see he has a set of two fangs at the top and bottom. I meet his eyes and lick my lips. His eyes immediately go there. “Water, I want some water, please” A green hand stretches in front of my face, and for the first time I notice that there are four green men in my room wearing maroon and white shirts. They aren’t paying us any attention. I take the water from the strange man. He smiles and I return his smile before he walks away. I take a few sips. “I thought you would never wake up. I have been so worried, I thought I may lose you when I’ve only just found you.” Vork says squeezing my hand a little tighter. I move to put the water down and the same man appears again taking the glass. “Who are you?” I ask. He looks at Vork for permission, he nods. “I am Blade, that is Moan, Jax, and Furor.” Pointing from left to right. Each one bowing their head to me. I smile and wave. “Why do they bow to me?” “You are their queen.” “What are you talking about, I am only a human woman,” I say removing my hand from his and he frowns taking my hand back. “You are mine and you are their queen. End of discussion.” I just look at him as his eyes flash red. I whimper as his claws extend and dig into my skin. Blade appears and grabs his shoulder; he blinks a few times retracting his claws. He frowns smelling my blood in the air. He looks down at our hands and jump back. All eyes turn to me as I hold my hand to my chest. Vork growls something to the men and they leave. He reaches for my hand, and I let him. He licks my cuts, and they seal immediately. My hand warms and tingle. He removes my hand from his lips, and I see white light shining from under my skin. “What was that?” I ask looking over my hand. “Your gift from the goddess. You are now a part of the masses.” He stands reaching out his hand to me. “Are you ready my queen?” “Yes!”