RIPE & DRAGGERS

CHAPTER 23

Bobby is standing in the middle of the green grass field in front of the old white house. The waist high grass dances to the breeze, and his hand are playing along the swift wind as it sways the grass across his palms. She could hear a few chuckles as she slowly walk to him. He's quite in a good mood and she doesn't want to ruin it.

The breeze is colder now, she thought; and it feels like winter is on the horizon. The bright sun now covered with thick clouds make her eyes accustomed to the colorless surroundings of the coming winter season. She hugged her sweater tighter around her as she feels the stronger breeze upon nearing him.

When reaching a few steps from his back she called his name. Softly she called for him to turn around and face her. He can hear her voice as he slightly turn to his right when suddenly the breeze became colder and she could feel her mouth emitting fog into the air.

Bobby slowly turned around to face her and she could see a hint of a smile on his cheek. But something is wrong, she thought.

Its Bobby in front of her but at the same time it is not him. Something is wrong.

When she saw his eyes, she knew now what troubles her.

Its not him.

His eyes are all black.

Its like staring into a black hole, and it sent chills to her spine.

Suddenly, the man with black eyes grabbed her arm and she could hear several girls cry out in fear. In unison they cry and screamed in dread and she panicked to get loose from his grip.

Kai woke up breathing heavily.

"Fuck..." she said, murmuring to herself; realizing it was all a nightmare.

She clutched her arms, rubbing at each side to warm herself. The mess hall is colder than usual. And very quiet too.

She felt no movement in the ships bearing and no humming from the engines. The Vegas is landed, she thought; hence the temp-controller turned off as well.

Walking through the small corridors of the Vegas confirmed her suspicion and she headed to the landing exit. Upon stepping down from the ramp she immediately saw her brother and Rodrick in a small camp set-up several paces away to the left. They are seated in front a small fire, drinking what smells like coffee. While the big white jauro-bear playfully wrestles a small man that looked like a Rikish; a few step to the right.

The Rikish looking dude noticed her and momentarily stopped but eventually continued to wrestle the bear's large neck down to the floor.

Kai walked slowly towards Rodrick's small camp and upon exiting the Vegas' ramp area she noticed that the whole place around her is made of glass. The floor she's walking on is made of hard semi-opaque glass, while the vertical structures of the loading dock are made of translucent glass. As she walks slowly further, she noticed how the whole structure looks like an abundance of glass material, and as she gazed upon the vastness of the 'green ornament', thru the large balcony on her right; it's surely a breathtaking sight to realize that the whole Quant planet is made of glass.

From space, the 'green ornament' looks like a state of the art metal ball of a planet. But here now, it gave her the impression of an advanced technology made entirely of glass or crystals; in green, brown, purple and other colors to soothe your eyes.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Rodrick said.

Kai nodded in response without looking at him because she can't take her eyes off at the beautiful sight just yet.