The Train Heading South

By: CiceroSeesZero

I dread stepping into the train today. Last week I decided to visit my parents on the north side of the city and now I have to go back campus, south of the city. I mean, really south. Far end of the south. Worst still, my mp3 player just ran out of juice and I'm running out of patience dealing with the delays and the crowd.

My mother just had to accompany me to the train station just to make sure I reach here safely. What annoys me is that she takes so much time doing it and I don't think a short trip to the train station requires me to bring an adult, let alone my mother. Because of that whole commotion, the earlier train, which is the least crowded one for the whole day, I missed. I almost raised my voice today but I didn't. The silent treatment was far more energy-saving.

So the train came, eventually. I'll try to look at this positively. At least it's clean. Thank goodness this is the last station, so everyone that was in the train when it came had to vacate their seats. I like empty trains. However, it was a long stretch of the imagination to think that it would remain that way for long. The northern side train stations are usually the ones that are most compact with people, but the train was not full. Not yet, at least.

So I stepped inside. I immediately looked for a seat at the far corner. Why? I don't intend to sound rude but usually people are more compelled to give up their seats to the less fortunate when they are in front. It'll be a tad bit of a fuss for somebody in the far corner to give up their seat, so it'll be understandable if somebody in the far corner did not stand up and say to an old lady, "Madam, I insist that you sit. I'll be fine.." because it's just cruel to see an old lady walk to the far end of the corner in a crowded train.

I got my seat. perfect. at the far corner, right under the air-conditioning. I looked around, there was only three people on my row. a snazzy looking businessman, a cop who has just finished the graveyard shift, I reckon, and a little bairn of somebody with a tennis bag hanging from his left shoulder.

The train started to fight inertia and moved forward. I looked at the child and he was anxiously waiting for the train to stop. I knew he wished the train would go faster. He gripped his bag and looked at the train map above. He did look around and saw me glimpsing at him. I looked away.

"Next station, President's Stadium"

A sweet voice from the interkom told us where we were at.

"Coach Henry is going to be really mad. I'm late, I'm late, I'm late." The kid exclaimed.

The little boy then stood up even before the doors slid open. He was all fidgety, and the tired policeman carved a simper as he looked closely at the kid. The doors opened and the policeman turned his attention to the window. He slouched a bit and exhaled loudly as if to get attention.

The businessman was a young fellow, at worst maybe he was just reaching his early thirties. It was just seven thirty, but now he was more fidgety than the little kid. He kept looking at his expensive Pull and Bear. His briefcase was compact. Maybe he has some big meeting today. I'm puzzled as to his discomfort, it was too early in the morning for any office to be in operation. I noticed a slight tear on both his shoes.

I thought to myself, "What a pompous young man. Still busy rising up in the corporation, bought an extremely expensive watch just to impress his fellow colleagues. Not like he could really afford it. He can't even repair his shoes."

"Next station, Business Square" My thoughts were interrupted.

The businessman tapped his feet, increased the frequency as the train got nearer to the station. The train stopped and in a cool manner, the businessman exited the train. It was apparent that his cool manner was only going to deteriorate and his pace will soon pick up.

It was just me and the policeman on the steel bench-like structure. The train was filling up but strangely only a few decided to occupy the train segment I was in. I notice the policeman trying to position himself closer to me.

"Hey good morning. An undergrad eh?"

I answered truthfully. The last time I lied to a cop, it got me scolded by my father at 3am at the police station. Besides, there was nothing to lie about here.

"Err, sir, yes sir."

"Where do you go to? the course you're taking?"

He had a calming voice for an old policeman. I pretty much eased into the conversation.

"Southstar University sir.. It's my second year as a literature student"

"Wow, that's a long way to go. Both the course and the journey, I mean."

The policeman was clearly tired. he kept yawning under his hand while he talked to me. I didn't wanna intrude on his sleep but he was spirited to talk to me. So I guess I'll just entertain him until he gives up himself.

"So, sir.. fine weather we're having?"

"Quite. But I can't really enjoy it now, I just got out of a 12-hour graveyard shift lad."

"Why don't you sleep? I'll wake you up when you reach where you are going.. It wouldn't be a problem."

"I can't. I'm on duty here, railway security.. Two trips to end north and two trips to end south."

No wonder he's tired. I asked him as to why the struggle. He explained that his wife just gave birth to twins, on top of his 4 other little children and he's financially helping his younger brother for his wedding next month.

"Next station, Senses District"

I was too busy chatting with the officer until it skipped my attention that it's been three stations since the Business Square.

I saw a couple walking in with several bags, most of them are in the hands of the guy.

"Look at that. A happy couple. Branded goods in hand, a more than healthy wallet. One day they are gonna regret buying all those handbags and shoes."

"With all due respect sir, what if they really could afford it? what if they were saving specifically for those lavish accessories?"

"Nobody saves to spend like that. and you never really have enough money. We all have the responsibility for other people. You see, you only wear a pair of shoe at a time. Some people still walk around barefoot, stepping on scorpions and landmines"


My conversation got more engaging, more intense. Oddly, he doesn't like a policeman now and weirder still, his voice got more familiar, like I knew but can't really point out. I kept on thinking, and kept on talking.

A minute passed and the next station we were at, a mother of three little children came and sat in front of us. The two brothers of the same mother were lively. Maybe too lively for some taste. they were wrestling each other while the mother was holding their little sister tight in her arms, trying to distract the baby from the noise her brothers are making.

"My mother had it worst. I grew up with eight siblings, me being the fourth, I don't get as much attention as I liked but when you realise that they will always be that net when you decide to jump a cliff because all of your friends are doing it, attention is just something physical."

"Hmm.."

"I hate it when I see teenagers blaming lack of parental attention for their immoral behaviors. My mother died when I was 14. I'm doing okay."

I didn't know what to say to that. Made sense, considering what happened with me and my mother earlier today. My heart felt a bit sore, I only had three siblings and everything a teenager could wish for. Education, enough money, two living breathing ridiculously loving parents...

I looked at the mother's eyes. full of care, engulfed with fatigue. There's no panacea for the energy given up raising a child. Mainly because it's not a disease or discomfort.

"It's after you are fully grown, fully nourished, fully showered with care and love it becomes a bane for them. For most of them, at least. You forget them, you leave them."

Did he know what I was thinking? That statement was almost like a continuation of my thoughts. We both continued to converse, mostly about petty things but he was so passionate talking about our country. I'll never forget the movements of his thick eyebrows while he talks. It sort of jiggles. It's very distinctive.

The train got more crowded.

"Son, you remember the businessman just now? He's a nice person, six years practicing as a lawyer in a disgraceful firm. His watch was a gift from his company, but in turn his company made him a corporate slave, doing every task of the executives without the pay. Not worth the watch. I talked to him just now before we boarded"

"Next station, Cicero Complex"

"Okay, here's my stop. And yeah, you were supposed to exit the train six stations ago to transfer to the train heading south to Southstar."

He took his hat and took off, leaving me with the distraught feeling of stupidity. So I took a ride backwards in six stations. What a waste. Now I have accompaniment to my ideas, so I kept it myself, keeping quiet all the way back, observing people and asking myself "Why am I here today? a lot of these people make more significance to the world than I do."

I then called my mother to apologize about what happened this morning, even though she was befuddled why I was doing it.

I got down the station when it reached my destination. I looked up at a television screen they have installed as a distraction to the lateness of their trains, there was our vice president of the country making a passionate speech in front of a crowd of thousands. At the end of the speech, they were cheering awfully loudly.

Now I know why those eyebrows were familiar.

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AweSeries: Project FiSuRe: The Xinotians (Part 3)

Part two: click here

 

 By: Qay

"Ouch!" Hawwa outcried and quickly pulled her hand.

"Oh my, I'm dreadfully sorry. I forgot, the strongest of you humans have about half of the strength of our weakest Xinotian" Rukka said with a concerned look on her face.

"Xinotian, is that what you call yourselves? So, I suppose this land is called Xinotia?" Haidar interrupted.

"No, friend. This whole planet we call Xinotia. We do not differentiate Xinotians." Rukka explained.

"A planet without differentiation.. that means.. A whole planet without.. discrimination? How can that be?" Haidar with a puzzled look on his face.

Back when the Earth flourished with possible continuance of history, Haidar was one of the most outspoken and critical historian about how Earth is going to cave in under it's own pressure of ignorance. Nobody trusted him.Wars kept on going, people were still divided, and worst, it all continued to just happen, as the media took complete control of the masses.

Now there is only the present, if they cannot save it, the history of mankind would end in a bitter note.

"Discrimination? Oh yes, the disease that destroyed Earth! I never understood that. Why does such a thing exist there?" As if the look that was once on Haidar's face was transferred to Rukka.

"It's more puzzling that it does not happen here.. Look at you Rukka, you're too much stronger than me. I'm sure there are smarter people here than me or you. Don't you have any sense of superiority and inferiority? Don't you have leaders that you choose from the best amongst you?"

"We do, yes. Every civilization needs a leader. But a leader is accountable to it's followers. If there is flaw, it is not on the leader's side. Society is to blame. Society needs to change, the leaders would be changed accordingly. Here we can accept this. We choose leaders who are not hungry for power, but hungry to serve for the betterment of everyone" Rukka firmly uttered the words.

Haidar inquisited about how Xinotians with different languages, tone of skin, lifestyles, are seen in other Xinotia's eyes. Rukka answered, "Simple. We see each other as each other, and each of us is one of everyone. We do not use our differences to compete, but to complete."

Rukka went on to explain to everyone that gathered there that the Earthlings were friendly visitors that are in desperate need of help to find sustainable resources for their dying planet. Before she could finish her explanation, she was pulled to the crowd by one of the golden ager.

Rukka went back to be in the company of Commander Ayokunle and gave them three rules to follow.

"First, You are the visitors. We prefer not to harm you but please, we beg, no destruction of any part of Xinotia, no matter how insignificant you think your act may be." Rukka then nodded her head down.

The whole team nodded in agreement.

"Second, we will assist you as long as we are capable to, provide sustenance and intelligence assistance for you and also everyone in your voyage, but you must not hide your agendas."

Commander Ayokunle looked Rukka straight in the eyes, without a blink. the others seemed to be in vague acceptance of the term.

"Thirdly, do not sow any seeds of Earth's diseases. We are most concerned of violence, intolerance, and hatred."

All of them pretended to not know a thing about Earth's diseases.

The whole team was invited to stay at Rukka's home. Commander Ayokunle refused to welcome the handed hospitality as he was not convinced they were purely friendly creatures. He told Rukka that he had a duty to take care of the people inside the space transporter, by any means necessary. He was not ready to expose other Earthlings inside the space transporter to the Xinotians.

"Commander, I will take the risk and stay with them, there is still a lot of studying to do here with the plants. I believe they would not do us no harm" Hawwa outspoke.

"Yes, Commander, allow me to accompany her." Said Chee Ping from the left side of Haidar.

"Fine, as you both wish. Make sure to be in full access communication with me at all times. I couldn't care less where you will be. If I summon you, Make sure you are there to answer." Commander Ayokunle said with a very commanding tone.

The crowd had dissipated after the explanation by Rukka as Rukka said that she would find a team that would assist the Earthlings in their endeavour.

Still with his gun on his hand, Commander Ayokunle and Haidar walked back to the massive space transporter slowly.

"I want all our weapons to be in full functionality within two hours. We gotta have some form of protection from these creatures.... just in case." Captain Ayokunle spoke to Haidar in a quieted down emphasis.

(End of Part 3)

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DeathClock

By: BoredStroke

I was walking along one day after work to get to the train station and suddenly a man whom I suspect was creeping just behind me pushed me hard to the side of the road. I was stunned and fell hard to the ground. I retaliated towards gravity but I couldn't see the man rush away fleeing the scene.

My attention towards the man was not held for long, after my head cleared, a sedan packed with people in front where I was suppose to be walking entered my eyesight and left. I figured it was less than a second. i was gasping, people in every direction looked on. I felt uneasy.

"Did you see the man who pushed me just now?" I asked an old lady who was walking unusually alone.

"Son, I can't even see myself properly in the mirrors nowadays.." I felt sorry for her, but I was too focused on the man to show it.

I just wanted to thank the man. maybe he tried to mug me but changed his mind as he saw the car so he just pushed me instead. I know it's a bit farfetched theory but that's the best I've got for now. Just when I was about to thank the old lady, i noticed something glowing above her head. I tilted my head and I was taken aback. it was numbers! five digits of numbers, continuing to count down and keeps on counting down.

 The old lady walked away, I was stunned so not even a wave good bye came from me. Then the busy street got more and more infested by people. I was in the middle of a sea of humans, disoriented as everyone had countdowns above their heads. Some counted down faster than others, some even have different coulours, a range from a soothing glowing white to an eyesore burning red.

What do these countdowns mean? I think insanity was creeping around near me, waiting to get in. Maybe this is a bad dream, but it couldn't be. I felt pain when the guy pushed me earlier. I tried not to think about all of this and held my head down and keep on walking towards the train station.

I was a long journey, but only I cared. When I was paying for my train ticket, I was the numbers on the tellers. It was a hectic day at the train station, as always. but she was always smiling, I couldn't tell if it's just customer policy or she's just plain happy all the time. She had this calming presence and her countdown was this silvery glow and it was going slow.

Strangely, I felt calmer after buying the ticket. I saw more and more countdowns above the heads of everyone. I know I can't keep my head down forever so I just took deep breaths and tried to calm down.

I boarded the train and just my luck, there were no seats left, as always. Taking the train at the station at the place where it intersects between three other train routes and right in the middle of the end and the beginning has it's downsides. Actually, the only thing it has is downsides. Congestion of people, the crowd, the delays, the stench, practically everything bad about a train station bundled into a neat little crammed package.

It was a long day. A failed presentation, a low sales, a crowded train and being pushed to the side of the road. Curses. At least I'm going home to my Playstation 3 and my newly bought 40-inch LCD television. The anticipation is absolutely murder. I bit my lips and thought of happier things.

I couldn't keep my thought for long as the countdowns were an utter distraction. Then I saw this man with a plaid shirt and skinny jeans. He was as pale as ever. thin as a stick, eyes red as blood. He looks a bit distressed. Staring out the window, just hoping that the next stop is his stop. He was shaking all over and hugging his body, caressing himself on the shoulders, only he did not enjoy doing it.

I admit, it is cold. But he was the only one doing that gesture. Maybe he has taken drugs, I'm not sure. I noticed the countdown on his head was fast, fast as in filling up gas kind of fast. It just kept going and going. A sound from on top of the train ringed, the doors pushed against each other and opened themselves. He pushed through everyone, even those who need not pushing. He ran out those exits carrying a small black plastic bag.

My thoughts drifted away in bashing zombies on my television. What a wonderful thought. I closed my eyes and the next thing I know I was at the train station a few blocks away from my home sweet home. As I left the train, I noticed there were several empty seats and there only a few people standing, how long did I drift away? All of a sudden I was alone.

People still had countdowns on their heads. The security ouside my apartment is quite old, yet his countdown was slow. The receptionist too. I climbed the stairs to my apartment as the elevator was not appearing as soon as I would like it to be.

I sighed. The day was not magnificent. I sat on my beanie in front of the telly and quickly turned it on. The news was on. I can't quite remember tuning to it as my last station, I hate watching the news. Maybe this channel was playing The Simpsons when I turned it off.

"Earlier tonight, a drug addict was shot dead by police officers minutes after he attempted to rob convenience store at a train station" The anchorwoman said.

The screen on the television flashes the images of the crime scene. I know that place! It was the train station the shivering man got off! My God, does news travel too fast these days. I closed my eyes to try to make sense of all this. I took short breaths and gripped the remote.

I panicked. I didn't know what to think. That guy's countdown was really near to zero when I last saw him. Could it be? Is this death's clock I'm seeing? I quickly rushed to the huge mirror I installed in the bedroom. I couldn't see my own death clock.

What am I supposed to do with this deathly vision? I can't exactly go around and save everyone who's gonna die. Impractical. Furthermore, it's stupid. I looked outside my window and saw some people who just wouldn't sleep. Some of them are going to live a long life, one girl's going to die about tomorrow. It seems like nobody cares. But then again, not everyone get to see everyone else's death clock.

I'm lucky I'm living alone. I'll go nuts trying to explain seeing death clocks when I see anyone I'm living with has it. It's better for me to just get some sleep. I skipped mutilating zombies tonight. I have too many zombies walking around in real life as it seems.

The alarm went off, I can't remember dreaming anything. That's odd. Is it as though I slept a few minutes ago and just woke up. I feel reenergised for another day.

With the routines out of the way, I walked to the train station. Today, the sun was shining, everyone I see is smiling at me. They still had death clocks on their heads. I wanted to tell them that they're going to live longer or that they're dying soon. then I thought, what's the point?

I bought tickets and waited for the train. Something feels funny. I feel tingly inside. Maybe it's just jitters, I have a big presentation today. It's definitely the moment of  make-or-break of my young career.The train came surprisingly early, earlier than the estimated arrival date. What a good day this is going to be.

I was in front of the line when the train arrived. The doors opened and I entered swiftly carrying my backpack. There's a seat for me, right in the corner where I like it. I just sat there and I felt the train going oddly faster than usual. An upgrade? Can this day get any better?

I smiled. I looked ahead and what I saw saw spooked me out.  The death clock of this one teenage girl was going faster and faster, non-stop. from 8 digits I saw it decline to 7, 6, 5... I looked at another young girl holding her mommy's hand. Full of life. I could see it from her smile. Her death clock was behaving the same way.

Then I realised, everyone's death clock is insanely ticking away. The young, the the old, the rich, the poor. All of them. I dropped my backpack and frantically looking for a way out. I ran from end to end, everyone was just staring weirdly at me. Their clocks kept on rushing to zero. There was nothing I could do, it was a speeding train. I'm better off dying fast than scraping my way out of ruins. I stopped right in the middle and screamed...

"We're all gonna die!"

The last noise I heard was just a loud screeching metal sound. I almost went deaf, not that it mattered anyway.

Headline for the next day: "A train derailed and crashed in the subway yesterday, killing 126 people and rising. Rescuers are still looking for remains of burned victims."

(Writer's note: Never mind what he could've done for the world if he had the chance to. What would you do if you saw death clocks hanging deathly above everyone's head?) 

The grave misconception people have about writing is that people think it's to discover what happens to the persona in the story but in reality, writing helps us to, most importantly, discover ourselves and the people around us. But remember, we all die eventually. Play nice.

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AweSeries: The List: Testosterone Ticks (Part 3)

By: Epictas

"Sinclair? Where were you from?" I tried to make a quick conversation while making it transparent that we both needed to be in class.

"I just went out for some Pepsi." Sinclair said, "You're not the only one with connections to the prefects board."

Well, he got me there. I forgot he was an ex-prefect. He was doing a good job actually. I heard he was stripped of the responsibility because of a little mishap involving unfair maths paper grading and some unfortunate smashing of car windows and punctured tyres. It was never proven Sinclair did all that, but it's what everyone seem to think, Even the questioning police officers.

We were probably the last ones walking down the lonely corridors of the ground floor. There are no classes down here so everyone's upstairs, except for us both, the janitor and gardener, and a few prefects finishing up their reports. It's a very lazy day.

I really got to some talking with Sinclair in our slow walk to class. We have English class if I'm not mistaken and Mr. Adrian rarely comes to class early. He rarely comes to class at all. Perhaps the busiest teacher in Xypher, or the laziest. So my pace got slower and slower


Class was only on the second floor, so we reached there eventually, dismally.

I thought right. No Mr. Adrian in sight. It was too quite for an all-boys class with no supervision. It's almost awkward. I mean, there are people making noises but it's not near the minimum capacity of what this class can produce. Disappointing.

So I sat there on my desk, next to Killa. I wouldn't want to disturb him, he was doing some physics homework I 'accidentally' left at home. I opened my sketch book and started to visualize my thoughts onto a page. I drew nothing.

It wasn't even 5 minutes since I got comfortable placing my butt on the chair until somebody shouted "Hey that's a mistake of your own doing!" right smack in front of the class.

"Total bullshit! If you didn't enter the picture, I'd still be with her!" The other end shouted. Quite close to me in fact.

Everybody else was quite. I think they know this was coming.

"If you taken a bit better care of her, you wouldn't even be shouting right now!"

"Fine I won't..." I think only the people at the back of the class heard that.

He went running directly to the guy in front of the class, accompanied by a hard kick on the gut.

"Damn. They're at it again." Killa spoke. He dropped his thick black pen on his paper that's filled with ink. "Well let's hope they kill each other this time. I can't keep on reporting and reporting every time they fight. It's killing my fingers!"

So much of a prefect Killa is. But he has a point. Robin and Richeal had a story that goes until a year back, If I can recall correctly, Robin and his then-girlfriend were madly in love until Richeal came along. As much as Robin like to believe, Richeal never got together with Robin's ex. they were pretty close though, I saw them last week. Wait, that wasn't as complicated as I thought. So that's the whole story. Now let's get back to the brawl.

Richeal stood up holding his stomach and looked as angry as ever. crunched the bones in his left hand to make a fist and he charged with fierce fury. With quickness, he tried to swing his fisted hand and missed. Robin elbowed Richeal on the shoulder and once again he fell.

"Why do people always forget that I have a black belt in Karate??" remarks Robin.

Richeal was relentless. Holding his left shoulder, he intends to bring pain to the guy who took away his girl. I mean, who wouldn't? It's his own misdoings he decided to bring it physically.

Out of desperation, Richeal drove his good shoulder into the stomach of Robin. I think he wasn't expecting that. both of them fell to the ground hard, but much of the pain was on Robin's side. Robin grabbed Richeal's shirt by the collars and punched him right on the cheek, near the ears. I felt that one from the back end of the class.

I guess sometimes rage overcomes skills. Richeal drove his thigh directly onto Robin's right ribs. Robin did try to stop it, but he was pushed to a wall and there's very little he can do. Everyone in class knows better than to be the one who breaks up these two monsters. I knew Killa could, but he's just waiting for somebody to be considerably injured so nobody is going to have any fighting spirit left so he wouldn't have to write so many reports in the future.

I saw Robin headbutting Richeal, he did it with pleasure. I saw a smile on his face, I saw some of the people in class starting to take sides.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Sinclair grabbing a chair just next to where he sits and threw it in the middle of the fight. It crashed hard, the legs of the chair just barely missing Richeal's face.

"Shut up both of you! Cammy and I are together!" Sinclair stood up and shouted. He was filled with bravado, maybe because he took up Aikido for 7 years now.

That was a brief fight, even for my school's standards.

(End of part 3)

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AweSeries: Project FiSuRe: Finding a Familiar Voice (Part 2)

Part one: click here

By: Qay

"Well troops, get ready." Commander Ayokunle said, only loud enough for his team to hear.

"Sir! We are not here to destroy! Look at what violence caused us to be! For God's sake, we're in another planet trying to find resources. Remember, we're the aliens here. Not them." Haidar shouted. He was quite far behind as he got out of the space transporter last.

Commander Ayokunle disregarded the reminder "I don't believe in God anymore."

He was keen to not let anything bad happen to his team, even if it's only an imaginary threat. He stepped back a bit, assessed his surroundings. As the inhabitants of the planet were coming closer and closer, the clear pulsation of the veins on the side of his head pulsated faster and faster and the grip of his hand on the gun got tighter and tighter.

Haidar knew he had to stop Commander Ayokunle. He quickly grabbed the already cocked gun and pulled it towards him. There was a brief struggle to control the gun between the two them. Amidst that, the gun was accidentally fired. A huge flock of bird flew away exiting a gigantic tree. Thankfully the bullet reached for the skies, but Haidar's left hand suffered serious burns. He shouted in pain, a sound louder than the gun. The inhabitants walked faster towards them.

"Oh, you really did it this time Haidar!" Commander Ayokunle scolded Haidar who was holding his hand in tremendous pain.

Haidar kneeled. When he finally had the instinct to look up, there he saw six inhabitants looking down on him. One of them poked his wound and felt his blood. Haidar remained in silence. He was too afraid to say anything, let alone release the pain he's bearing right then. The inhabitants gently laid him to the ground. Haidar was surprised as to the softness of the grass he was lying upon. It was as if he was floating, along with his pain. One of the inhabitants, slightly shorter in height, came running back to them with three types of leaves and a piece of root.

Commander Ayokunle and the rest of the team just stood there, at the right side of the crowd that is building up surrounding Haidar. Some intrigued, some cautious. Regardless, they were at the procedure with great interest.

The inhabitant pressed one leaf on Haidar's burns and rubbed it with the root. It is seen that the roots were excreting some form of oil and it mixed with liquid from the leaf. Haidar felt an instant cooling effect from the procedure. Seeing that Haidar calmed down and less sweating, the inhabitant took away the leaf and pressed another leaf on the burned area of his hand. This leaf felt more coarse than the first one, some of its protruding structure pierced into Haidar's hand.

Haidar screamed in agony.

Commander Ayokunle was putting one foot nearer to Haidar before being stopped by Hawwa. "Commander, patience.. look, the reddish colour on his burn marks are fading. Amazing. I've never seen anything like this!"

Hawwa is a prominent botanist from Earth, one of the leading scientists in studying a newly discovered field of plant telekinesis. She believes that plants, like other living things, interact with humans in a higher form of communication. She even believed that plants were warning humans of the impending doom they are experiencing now. She restructured the classification of what's left of the plants on Earth and discovered over 50 new plants species, most of them were on the brink of extinction. Her experiments were hindered and eventually stopped by the lack of specimens. Now, she's in charge of assessing the natural growth of a planet for human sustainability in Project FiSuRe.

Lastly, one of the inhabitants crushed the last piece of leaf and it a thick and slimy liquid. The slime was blue and only the slime was taken to be rubbed on Haidar's hand. In a quick manner, the slime hardened and you could see the tissues around the burn areas are starting to sort of fold inwards. At this time, Haidar felt a minty sensation on his skin, no more burning pain and agony. The inhabitants took several steps back to give some room for Haidar to recuperate and have some fresh air. Not long after that, Haidar succumbed to deep slumber.

The inhabitants communicated among themselves. The humans knew they were talking about them. Nothing the inhabitants spoke about is clear to any of the space explorers. They did not speak in tones, it's more like a heavily scratched disc being played backwards. Strange, they had tongues but it looks like they're not using them.

The inhabitants gathered among a few paces left to the space explorers. Some of them looked like they had ideas on what to do with the visitors. Some of their expression seemed to turn menacing, with the antennas on their heads erect. A few of them took charge of the situation by stepping forward in front of the gatherers and calmed the situation down. The discussion continued among them, as well as with the humans.

While the inhabitants are trying to figure out a way to approach the humans, the humans are trying to figure out a way to run away from them.

"They bleed! Humans from planet Sector 17-VXR512-1246!" A voice from the crowd shouted.

Each one of the space explorers were in complete shock. Amidst the enigmatic multitudinous exchange of speech, emerged one perfect sentence of English.

A female inhabitant came running towards in a child-like conduct towards Commander Ayokunle.

"Hello, my name is Rukka. I studied you in interplanetary studies and did my thesis on your species! Fascinating. I knew you were going to be visiting us soon! My educator didn't believe me; He said your species were too primitive to do that. This is how you greet, yes?" Rukka extended her right hand to Commander Ayokunle. Commander Ayokunle looked on as if he had been electrocuted. Hawwa qickly rushed to the front to accept the handshake.

From the mighty grip of Rukka, Hawwa felt and literally heard the bones in her fingers cracking and crushing.

(End of part two)

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How I ended up here

By: Qay

I looked at his beady little round eyes accompanied by silence in the air. I felt nothing was more important at that very moment, and so I stared and I stared. I cannot stand those eyes looking back directly at me. I had to retaliate, so I stared on. Seconds passed, pushed away by minutes. I took a deep breath when suddenly...

"Zera, put your little brother down and help me with the dishes!" A piercing voice echoed in my head from end to end.

"But mom! I'm in a staring contest with him!" I sighed.

"Again?! Just come to the kitchen Zera.." Mum's voice got lower.

"You might win this round, and the previous one and the one before that, but I'll get my revenge..."

I left him with a last stare and a quick kiss on the cheeks. Okay, maybe it was three. I'll have my revenge. That was a death kiss. wait, kisses. So I went to the kitchen, leaving Amin in his crib. My hands are a bit tired, my legs are a bit weak but I put on my glasses and swiftly but gently walk to the kitchen to help mum.

Left, right, left, right. My foot leading on each other to the kitchen. As soon as I stepped on the last tile on borderline between the dining room and the kitchen...

"Surprise! Happy Birthday Zera!!" Mum, Dad, and Fifah screamed.

Oh that's so typical of my mum. Getting me into a staring contest in the middle of the day with Amin to distract me so they could throw a mini surprise party. Oh how I love them. Moist Almond Caramel chocolate cake! I love them even more now.

"After you eat, I'm going to take you to to that place to pick out that something you really wanted to have.." Said my dad with a really confident tone.

That was awkward. My dad rarely knows what I want. For my birthday, especially. He always ends up giving me pity money after he gets me either a piece of clothing I already have, a full set of DVDs of last year's Scrubs, or Liverpool merchandises. I hate Liverpool. Well at least, he tried. I usually spend about almost half of the pity birthday money on his birthday anyway so it's like I pity him pitying me.

So I replied to my dad jokingly, "Really dad? Is it a Liverpool cap?? I think that would match the jersey you gave me last year..."

"Zera, be nice to your dad. He can't screw up this time. I supervised him" I was elated. Mum always knows what to get me, even when it's not my birthday.

To cut things short, I'll skip the messy cake eating (and throwing) session between my family members.

We got in the car and I got to sit in the middle this time where the air conditioning is the most concentrated and Fifah has to take care of Amin just because it's my birthday today.

So dad took the car to the city. the sights and sounds are very much familiar so I didn't bother much on the details of the road. I was more into the surprise gift, though there was sudden stop where my dad had to hit the emergency brakes, I brushed it aside, didn't even look outside. I continued to slouch and yawn in the car, backed up, looking at the blocked sky. The gift, is it so filled with grandeur that it can't be given to me at home? or is it too big? too delicate? Is it a cat? Wait, no. I'm allergic to cats. Maybe a hamster? hmmm...

I hate being at the back seat. I've had my driving license for two years now and not once have I ever driven a car with my dad in it. He insists I just watch and learn. I learned how to bottle up my feelings. But all of that changed after 5 minutes..

Dad parked at an automobile dealership. I was euphorically surprised. Really a car? No way! I've been asking for one since the day I touched my license. Dad looked at me and his famous half-smile was smack carved on his face.

A car! Maybe? Couldn't be. dad wouldn't buy me a new car. Impossible. wierd, we walked pass the entrance. There goes my chances of owning that awfully cute pink compact car. I hope for nothing now. It's bad enough having my heart broken on my birthday. It was my fault anyway, I hoped too much. I mean, a car? really? I kept quite and just followed dad. Nobody expects anything now, but I do suspect Fifah knows something that I don't.

Out of the blue, dad disclosed, "You're getting a car, Zera. But no way I'm getting you a brand new one" he smiled, adding half to the half smile earlier.

"The parking at the new car place is free, oh you know your dad.." my mum added.

So I rushed inside and screamed "Thank you! you both are the best parents in the world! This world, the underworld, even in Mars!"

They expressed their joy with me with laughter. Dad shouted "Any car below 25 thousand dear!"

I fell instantly in love with this too-good-for-reality pink compact car with light green stripes on the side. I knew that car is the reason I got a license. It was more than a calling. I dare say it's destiny. I was touching the car all over, feeling the seats, pushing all the buttons on the radio, turning the steering left to right and back, imagining my friends at the backseat spilling coke..


"Aww.. 26!" I exhaled. One thousand separates me from the car.

"No worries dear, I think it would be okay, We'll let your mother talk to the dealer. speaking of which..." My dad saw the dealer approaching us with some set of keys.

"Care for a test drive missy?" Out of nowhere, he said.

Care for a test drive? Oh what could be better? I grabbed the car keys from his hand and started the engine. I looked at dad and he gave me a thumbs up. Mum looked a bit concerned but I knew by the look of her eyes that she wanted me to drive. Fifah looked like she wanted to go along in the car but I told her I'm not ready to bring Amin for an unsupervised ride.

Fifah is going to get her license next year anyway so I didn't think much of it. Was too busy being estatic.

So I drove out of the used car shop and let my parents handle the documentation. I know the road of this like the back of my hand, and I literally often look at the back of my hands. I play the drums. With ease I cornered and sped. I looked everyone with a smile, even that old bum in the corner of that coffee shop I always hang around at.

I think I sped up too much unconciously. I forgot there was a sharp corner quite near to the used car dealership, I skidded a bit, lost total control of the car and crashed into a construction site on the side of the road. The very place where my dad suddenly stopped on the way just now! It was horrible! I didn't get to press the brakes on time, dust and tools were flying around. dust engulfed the new and almost bought car. I heard screams. Mostly curse words related.

A full 10 meters before the car fully stopped. fortunately the car was small, or it would've knocked more steel for sure. My foot was still on the brake pad when the car stopped completely, but my mind was unconcious. I think my head hit the windshield pretty hard. That was the last thing I remember. A good thing really, because I saw blood but didn't feel that much pain.

Unfortunately, I did hit someone. She was the site surveyor by the name Gina. Lucky for me and her, I only brushed her left leg with the side of the car's bumper. she fell pretty hard. A concussion, but no funeral.

"Well, that's how I broke my arm and that's how Gina got here I guess. I should've paid more attention  to the road on the way to get the car, I really didn't see the construction site! Now my dad won't trust me with anything. How bout you? How did you end up in the hospital huh?" I said to, Syida, my room mate at the hospital..

"Well, I burned my left leg and my right arm trying to save orphans from a burning orphanage. But your story is much more interesting."

"You talk too much Zera.." Gina added.

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What hurts the most

 By: xsmiles

The chime of the bell rang as I walked into the warm diner.

“Hey there jack! Haven’t seen you in a while. The usual I assume?”

I nodded at him, smiling half-heartedly, making my way to take a seat at the far end of the diner- away from people, away from crowds. I stared outside the glass panels and watched as people rush to find shelter away from the heavy rain.

“Here you go. A cup of steaming Long Black with a little bit of soy milk on the side. Anything else I can getcha?” Rwanda asked in her southern accent.

“I’m good. Thanks” I said politely.

“Well alright sugar. Just let me know if you need anything” she said and left to attend to other customers.

I took a sip of the hot coffee and turned my attention to a young couple dancing in the rain outside the diner. They looked so free and… happy.

“Puppy love”

I turned to see Rwanda smiling dreamily at the sight. “Reminds you a lot about the ol’ days don’t it hon? You’d be darn lucky to have that kinda memory to remember about or someone to share it with when you’re as old as me” she smiled warmly at me again. Just then, the young couple burst through the door wet and shivering, but laughing wildly to themselves.

“Now ya’ll come on it! My goodness, ya’ll must be freezing!” Rwanda chuckled, going over to welcome the two teenagers.

“Yeah… Pretty lucky” I muttered and took another sip of my coffee.

“Ryan? That you?”

I looked up to see Craig and his wife. Great. I smiled at them.

“How’ve you been pal? You okay? Pretty great game last week wasn’t it?” he asked with that wide grin on his face.

“I didn’t catch the game…” I said, throwing a fake smile.

“Are you kidding me? Ry! It was the biggest Lakers game of the season! And you’re telling me you missed it cause you were moping around the house for some gi-“

“Honey, I’m pretty sure Ryan was busy last night” his wife interrupted him, pulling him by the arm. “Let’s not waste anymore of his time. Come on baby”

“Baby, we’re having a man to man talk here!”

I looked up to see Tanya throwing violent glares at Craig, daring him to say no to her. I caught her eyes and saw the sympathy dwelling inside them.

Craig sighed in defeat and patted my shoulder before turning to leave with his wife. “Take it easy, buddy” he said.

I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to clear my thoughts as I hear them walk out the diner. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. This place has left a lot of memories for me… and her. I don’t need to tell you what happened. I don’t think I need to tell anybody what happened. I just knew I had the perfect plan. I pulled out a small little box out of my pocket and grasped it. It’s been months now…

What hurts the most out of all this is being so close and having so much to say without having the chance to say it. I took one last breath and exited the diner discreetly, bearing in mind this will be the last time I step foot in here, leaving my still warm cup of coffee and the tiny box beside it.

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