The Unwritten Sin

Part 32

Wilder looked at the others, and followed the being out of the room. The hallway curved to the right, and was bright white and clinically clean. The creature hovered a few inches above the ground, gliding forward instead of walking. Wilder felt no evil intent, but he was anxious as he walked behind them. 

The creature did not offer any explanation as to where they were going, and Wilder didn't bother to ask any questions. In his mind, he was looking at every possible exit, any dimple in the shiny metal of the corridor that might be an easy way out.

The creature stopped and let Wilder walk past them. A door slid open in the passageway, and Wilder saw an open room. This one was lit in a kindlier yellowish light, and had one giant viewing screen in the far wall.

Without speaking, Wilder heard the being's voice in his head.

"You are a specimen," it said. "Your group was all taken as specimens. We meant you no harm, but there are many on this planet who wish harm to us. Please enter. You will be briefed."

Wilder shook his head in disbelief. The creature blinked all four of it's huge black eyes.

Wilder stepped into the room, and immediately heard a gasp. 

"Wilder!" James came rushing towards him, wearing his long black robe emblazoned with a golden cross. He held a book in his hands, and wrapped his arms around the young man. He had tears in his eyes when he pulled away. 

The creature who had escorted Wilder took a step backwards, and the door slid closed behind it.

James held Wilder's face in his hands, pausing, breathlessly. His eyes flickered back and forth as he tried to make out Wilder's feelings. He leaned in, the tiniest amount, and Wilder leaned into him, and the two kissed for a few seconds, devouring his breath.

"Okay," Wilder said, shaking himself. "I....I missed you. But I have no idea what's going on at all! And they are keeping everyone else in this holding chamber down the way. What are we doing here, James?"

James paused. "I feel I may have lied to you, Wilder," he said. "I was going to the Great Hall to find a book that I had left there many years ago. I always thought we might have this opportunity. And it finally came. There....there have been a great many lies told on this planet, Wilder." He held up a copy of the Holy Book. "I am trying to learn their language. They aren't able to communicate with everyone. Only the second Breaches. That's why they took all of us."

He tapped the book thoughtfully. "Somehow I need to be able to translate their language, or help them make a speech to the Abel's Ascendants on the surface. Because right now, we are on the verge of a great planetary catastrophe." 

James tapped the viewscreen, and the picture of the outside world turned into an overview of earth itself. He could see dozens of ships, all the same, stationed around the world, sitting ominously over every major city. 

James used his wrist to flick away scene after scene of the earthly news channels. All around the globe were scenes of destruction and chaos as reporters tried to explain what was happening.

"They are firing on the ships," James said. "For now, they aren't responding, necessarily. But knowing the people of this planet, that won't last long."

James leaned against the panel, and said, "They said they would bring you in to help with the communication, but I am not sure what that means."

Just as he spoke, the door slid open, and two of the creatures entered. They handed Wilder an empty book, with a large and unrecognizable symbol on the cover. James hurried to his side, and said, "Thank you for this opportunity. We are grateful." He bowed to the creature, who bowed in return.