Wayward Child

Unwelcome

After returning to the base, Cora and Noah spoke with the General about what they had learned. He nodded his head and told them he needed to update his superiors about what they had learned. Cora found that her little excursion had a side effect: exhaustion. Noah took her back to their room so she could rest. The fact that she was tired didn't surprise him. She had shown extraordinary skill. He sat on the bed next to her, not wanting to leave. He watched her sleep, his heart aching. She was so strong. After a moment, he noticed a tear. He held her hand letting her know he was there. A knock on the door interrupted the quiet and Noah hurried to answer it. The General stood there with a smile. "We found the location." Noah nodded and followed the General outside closing the door as quietly as he could behind him.

Cora gasped as she tried to hold back tears. Her poor baby was being held by monsters. And she had know idea why. What possible reason could they have for taking her son? She had heard him crying for her. Cora allowed herself to cry. Her body shook as she sobbed silently. She hoped that Noah didn't sense it. She needed to be able to deal with some things on her own. Cora opened her eyes suddenly. She felt a familiar sensation. One that she had not felt in a long time. With the disclosure, there was no reason this should be happening. The feeling of panic rushed through her. Her heart began pounding out of control. She could sense that someone was in the room, but she didn't see anyone. "I'm not going to hurt you." She heard a voice say in her mind. Cora was confused. "You should be used to this form of communication considering your history." "Who are you?" Cora managed in barely a whisper. "A friend." The voice said simply. Cora felt the panic ease some and watched a figure come into view at the end of her bed. He looked like a human male and yet his face was oddly distorted. If she tried to focus on him, she found that she began to feel sick. She closed her eyes. "I am here to let you know that your son is safe. For now." Cora opened her eyes again. This time she saw a familiar figure. He was Reptilian. Cora started to move for the door. The Reptilian raised his scaly hand and Cora froze unable to move. She could almost see a smirk. "We have no interest in you personally." He says simply. "We are only interested in the Prince." Cora had a look of genuine confusion. The Reptilian was surprised. Did she not know? "I will give you the time and place soon. Bring him to us and your child will be returned to you." Cora could only glare at him. "Tell the Prince of our meeting and your child will suffer in ways you can never imagine." Cora said nothing. In the next second he was gone, and Cora woke to Noah opening the door his hands full as he carried in their dinner. Had she slept that long? Noah smiled at her as he set the tray down on the table. "Do you feel better?" He asked. Cora nodded. Was it simply a bad dream? Cora pulled back the covers and climbed out of bed. She suddenly felt very nervous and worse, Noah noticed. "Are you sure you're alright?" She could sense his concern and took a deep breath trying to push the nervousness aside. "I'm fine. I'm just still a little overwhelmed after what happened. Have you heard from the General?" Noah nodded as he took a bite of his meal. "He said they are going to try and triangulate the actual location. The shield is going to be bothersome." Cora sighed. She had such a strong urge to tell Noah about her strange dream. "Tell him." She heard a voice say. "No harm will be allowed to come to your son. You have no idea the power you possess." "Noah." Cora said in a whisper. Noah looked at her. Confused as first as to why she was whispering. When he looked where she was looking, he froze. A woman stood next to their bed. She looked eerily familiar. A second later another woman appeared next to her. Noah jumped to his feet, but the first woman raised a hand to calm him. "Don't be afraid." She told him simply. "It has been such a long time since I have had to assume this form." She was dressed in a long gown. Her white hair flowing freely and reaching the floor. Noah couldn't move as she moved towards him. She reached out and gently touched his cheek. "You have grown up so handsome, child. Much like your father." Noah felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. The woman smiled and turned to face Cora. "And you dear." Cora felt as though she needed to bow. The woman demanded respect just by her very presence. The woman leaned in and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "My son has found the other half of his soul." Cora blushed and looked at Noah. He was still in shock. The woman took her hand and Noah's and held them in hers. It hit Cora then. Prince. Noah was royalty. The woman smiled at Noah. "I will explain my presence here."