THE SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

My fingers flew furiously across the keyboard as the plot of my latest novel poured through me and onto the screen.

I adjusted my headphones, trying to drown out the sounds of my sister binge-watching her favorite reality television show. Personally, I prefer shows like, X-Files, Star Trek—the original and Next Generation—and The 4400. Shows that make you wonder if we really are alone in the universe. That’s probably why I enjoy writing fiction; I live in the real world on a daily basis and, frankly, reality bites. I need an escape from it and writing creates that exit door for me.

I lifted my favorite mug to my lips for a tantalizing sip of my favorite brew. I nearly whimpered when I found my coffee cup was empty. I got up to fix another pot and there wasn’t a ground to be had. That meant it was time to head out to the store—who can concentrate with caffeine depravation?

“Drink a Pepsi if you need caffeine,” my sister graciously offered as an alternative, her eyes never leaving the television screen.

Ugh. I needed coffee not carbonation!

Grudgingly, I saved my work and shut down my computer. It was a daunting task since I was “in the zone” and didn’t want to walk away just yet.

Alas, my addiction to that energizing elixir won out; my book would have to wait a bit longer.

Tossing my purse over my shoulder, I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door, thoughts of what antics my characters might get up to while I was away, danced in my head.

That’s when I nearly tripped over it. It was no bigger than the old cigar box I’d seen in my grandparents’ house when I was a kid. Wrapped in brown paper and tilted against the side of the porch railing, my curiosity had me glancing up and down the street, wondering who could have left it here.

Better yet how was it still sitting on my porch since, for the past several months, things tended to disappear after whatever delivery acronym dropped it off.

I bent down and picked it up. It had to weigh at least ten pounds or more, I thought, as I gripped it with both hands.

“Hmm,” I murmured, seeing nothing written on it but my name. Not even my full name, just Kate. No return name or address for me to send a thank you note.

Curious. Did I have a secret admirer? Perhaps a friend or neighbor realized they’d missed my birthday last month and left this here to atone for their oversight.

I gave it a little shake, nearly dropping it. If that sucker landed on my sandal clad foot, it would surely have broken a bone.

Sitting down on the stoop, I picked at the tape holding the paper in place. Anticipation made my fingers work faster as my mind imagined what kind of goodies could be inside this unexpected present.

At last, the paper crumpled and tossed aside, I’d succeeded in unveiling my gift.

I had to squint my eyes against the bright sun that reflected off the silvery metal box. A large Omega symbol was stamped on the lid and I ran my fingertip over it. I felt a zing of electricity shoot up my arm. I jerked my hand away and burped out a self-deprecating chuckle as I glanced around to see if anyone was watching.

My curiosity was overpowering my common sense and I wasn’t about to let a little static electricity keep me from seeing what was in the box. I slowly lifted the lid and peeked inside.

What looked like a tiny blue dot flew out of the box and hung in midair. Letting the lid close, I jumped to my feet and gasped in shock as the little spot pulsed and grew into a swirling vortex.

I had to fight to keep my feet planted firmly on my own porch. My fingers gripped the metal box, refusing to relinquish their hold on it as if it held the answers to questions my mind refused to ask.

Then, in a blinding flash, everything went bright white as I was pulled into those twirling lights.

When I finally regained my senses, and gazed at my surroundings, I realized . . .

I wasn’t in Georgia any longer.

The box was a portal to another world. One I’d obviously been invited to visit.

Dare I take a chance and explore?

Glancing at my toes—I could use a pedicure. I dragged my thoughts back to more important matters. Like the fact that I stood on pink grass that tickled my bare toes. Somehow, I’d lost my sandals.

“This is not going to work,” I said aloud, breaking the eerie silence that surrounded me.

I heard a quiet popping sound coming from behind me causing my heart to jolt in my chest.

What on earth, or wherever the heck I was, had I gotten myself in to?

As I spun around to see who or what had come up behind me, I released my grip on the silver Omega box, letting it drop with a muted thump. There, sitting in a neat pile atop a large bolder was what could only be described as teal colored material. It had a silky sheen to it and when I reached out my hand to touch the fabric it was as soft as butter. I couldn’t help the moan of admiration that slipped from my throat as I grabbed it up and shook it out.

The folds slid gracefully into a . . . jumpsuit? An all in one garment that looked as if it had been tailored to fit my body. Moving of their own accord, my hands pulled at the zipper of my jeans. I shimmied until they slid down my legs as I simultaneously jerked the pale blue tee shirt I wore over my head.

What was I doing? I was stripping down in the middle of an open field where anyone could see me!

I didn’t seem to care. All I wanted was to don that beautiful teal—eek, my favorite color—jumpsuit.

Once I was dressed I slid my palms down the sides of my body like a lover. Okay, it’s been a long time since I’d had a lover but that’s not the point. The material was form fitting and seemed to erase the muffin top and tummy that my jeans accentuated. I briefly wished I could see myself but then I felt something crawl across the top of my left foot.

Looking down I watched in horrified amazement as what looked like a very large dragonfly trailed across my toes. Screeching like a scared kid, I kicked out my foot and then vaulted onto the boulder. I searched for the critter but it had apparently taken flight at my not so friendly gesture.

I slowly climbed down from the boulder and, to my delighted surprise, I found a pair of thick-soled boots in the same shade as my new duds. I quickly stuck my hand inside, praying there were no icky things waiting to feast on my toes, before slipping my feet into them.

It was like walking on a cloud!

Okay. Now what? I’ve accepted the invitation, dressed in the uniform provided and here I stood. Alone. In a wide field of swaying pink and lavender grass that smelled faintly of honeysuckle and jasmine.

It was very pleasant.

“Welcome to Elysian Prime,” a deep, masculine voice intoned from my right. “We have been expecting you.”

Once I’d caught my breath at the unexpected company, I couldn’t help smiling any more than I could keep my heart from thumping against my ribs like a schoolgirl spotting her latest crush.

The man was beautiful. There were no other words to describe him. He topped out at a little over six feet tall, broad shoulders, narrow hips and long, well-toned legs. The burgundy fabric hugging his body looked as if it had been painted on, highlighting bulging biceps and a mouth-watering sixpack. Jet black hair curled down over his forehead, caressing thick straight brows that emphasized cobalt irises.

“Welcome, Kate,” he said again as he reached my side. “Come, let me show you my home.”

I took his hand and let him lead me across the cotton candy grass as he told me of the history of Elysian Prime.

For weeks I took in the wonders of this amazing planet. The pristine capital city where music and art abounded, children played freely after spending their days in school. The food was like ambrosia and each new experience left me missing home less and less.

Knowing myself as well as I did, I knew I’d probably offended more than one Elysian resident with my human euphemisms and clumsiness. I’d accidently spilled wine down the back of one senator’s wife’s favorite dress at a gala held in my honor.

That was, by far, the least of my faux pas since my arrival. I’d inadvertently set off a rocket when Jax proudly showed me around their Space Exploration Control Center, nearly causing an interstellar incident that would have sent the peace-loving planet into all out war with a volatile race called the Antiseans.

I’d been on Elysian Prime for over a month now and the governing council had asked me to meet with them. I had a feeling I knew what they would tell me. It was time for me to go home.

So, there I stood, facing the seven members of the planet’s High Council.

“Kathryn Marie Applegate,” Head Commander Starza addressed me pleasantly. “It has been our honor to have you as a guest.”

“The honor was mine, Your Grace,” I said, giving a slight curtsey.

I never really knew how to greet them, even after all these weeks. “There’s no need to be so formal, Kate,” he said with a wink.

“I assume your escort, Commander Jax, has been a gracious host,” Starza inquired and, giving Jax a sidewise glance and a shy smile, I nodded. “Wonderful. Now, we must get down to the real reason you were brought to Elysian Prime.”

My head popped up and my heart launched itself into my throat. “Real reason?”

“I do apologize for the deception, Kate, but it was quite necessary.” Starza glanced to the woman to his right and then to the man at his left. “We on the High Council have searched several worlds to find the female who has been prophesied as the one who would save our people.”

“I—I don’t—what?” I couldn’t seem to form a single coherent thought in my head, let alone speak a declarative sentence.

“It is time for you to return to your home world and prepare yourself. Our planet is under attack and you, Kathryn Applegate, are our only hope of survival. Peace and the God’s be with you. You will return when it is time for your destiny to begin.”

The seven members of the council rose to their feet, each nodding their goodbyes before exiting. I turned to Jax, his sad eyes staring into mine as he spoke. “I’m sorry. It’s time for you to go.”

Before I could ask if I would see him again, I found myself standing on my front porch once more. Nothing seemed to have changed for the month I was gone. Even the crumpled paper from where I’d unwrapped the silver box lay where I’d tossed it.

I turned, heartbroken and confused, and walked back into my home. I didn’t know what to expect. Was it still even my house?

“That was fast. Where’s the coffee?” my sister asked as soon as I stepped through the door.

“What?”

“You said you were going to get coffee about two minutes ago. Did you forget something?”

“No. But I think I found my destiny.”