Until Forever (1st draft)

Part the Fifteenth

The Treeless Expanse seemed endless. Geneva vomited once because of the rough, jostling ride, but her captors showed no concern. They didn't even slow the nerve-wracking speed of their pace as she gagged and heaved.

Her head was pounding again, her limbs were numb from the tight restraints, her nostrils were clogged with the dust of the prairie, and her heart ached as she worried about the plight of her determined protector. Is this what he had meant? Was he going to die today, whipped to a bloody pulp by these monsters?

At last something came into view. Was it a mirage? Her vision was obscured by dust and the constant bouncing of her head. It was like those annoying producers that use a shaky cam for an entire movie. The closer they got she saw that it was a giant circle of boulders. The pair of tall creatures easily bounded up and over the boulders, which were arranged to create a barrier. Beyond them there was a vast trench, which the creatures traversed via a rattling wooden bridge that was lowered for them. Once across the bridge they came to yet another barrier, this one formed from a tall row of plant stalks, each one about the thickness of Geneva's arm, all standing at an equal height of probably 12 feet. One of the creatures slung Geneva over its shoulder, then leaped the barrier in a single bound. When they landed Geneva thought she was going to vomit again, but she didn't. The creature let her roll off his shoulder and collapse awkwardly onto the ground.

She was too sore to even move, but incredibly relieved that the high-speed, bouncy ride was over. From her vantage point on the ground she could see that there was a small city of single-story structures within the protective barriers. A crowd of the tall creatures began to gather near her. Excited conversations broke out in the unintelligible language. One of her kidnappers grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her up, then removed the restraints from her wrists and ankles. The renewed blood flood brought tingles to her limbs, then stinging cramps. She closed her eyes for a few moments, hoping to settle the spinning dizziness that kept her feeling nauseated. When she opened them again, her brain seemed to have stabilized.

The tall creatures were even taller than she realized up close. The males were probably 7' tall, the females slightly shorter, while the young appeared to be about the same height as her. Geneva was scared in their midst. It wasn't just because they towered over her, it was also because of her violent introduction to them. As the crowd chattered loudly to each other her anxiety became greater, and any movement on their part caused her to flinch.

Then Geneva realized that most of them were smiling. Beneath their bulging, wide-set eyes, most of the lipless mouths appeared to be smiling. She even thought she heard the sound of chuckling. The youngest of the creatures danced and hopped with excitement. Were they mocking her? Were they looking forward to eating her?

One of the males came up from behind her and effortlessly lifted her to her feet, nudging her forward with hands on her back. He wasn't rough or forceful, but it was clear that he was in a hurry. He shouted and the crowd parted, creating a narrow passage to one of the buildings. As she passed them the creatures reached out for her and she ducked and winced, but they weren't trying to strike her as she feared. Each one touched one of its fingers to its forehead, then reached out and touched the same finger to her forehead. The hands on her back kept her moving as the strange gestures continued. Finally she reached the building, the tall door swung open, and she was gently pushed inside.

The room was small, constructed of mud and grass, and it had no ceiling. There was nothing but bright sky and a pair of crossbeams above the tall walls. Four hammock-like seats hung from the crossbeams, slowly tilting in the breeze. One of the hanging seats was occupied by the only other being in the room. It sat forward and Geneva realized it was one of the young creatures.

"Greetings," it said to her in English. The voice was clearly feminine.

"Uh...hello," Geneva answered.

"Would you like to sit?" the young creature asked, gesturing to the hanging seats. "You must be tired and sore from the journey. That is not the most desirable way to travel."

"That's for sure," Geneva replied. She thought about a seat for a moment, they certainly looked comfortable, but she was still too guarded. She wanted to remain ready to flee, even though she knew she could never outrun these long-legged creatures.

"My name is Wee Therry," the young creature offered. "I am sister to Wee Larmin and Wee Pirn."

"You all have the same name?" was all that Geneva could think to say. The creature giggled.

"All offspring bear the same title until we come of age."

"Yeah well, that's fascinating and all, but I'm more concerned about why you kidnapped me," Geneva dared to say. She was feeling a little braver now that there weren't any of the giant adults around.

"Kidnapped?" asked Wee Therry. "We have brought you here to live with us. We are celebrating your arrival among the Swithe, Geneva Maxwell!"

"You know my name too?"

"Of course we know who you are," Wee Therry answered with another giggle. "We don't get many outside spirits."

"You took me by force!" Geneva argued. "You attacked my friend!"

"Your guide knew of our request to bring you here, but he denied us. We had no choice in the use of force."

"Did they..." Geneva couldn't find the words. She wanted to know the answer to her next question, but she didn't want to ask. "Did they kill him?"

"Of course not!" Wee Therry exclaimed, shocked that her guest would think that. "Our gatherers do not use weapons of death. We never seek to kill."

"Well your weapons are still brutal!" Geneva stressed with tears welling in her eyes. "Steekbunk must be seriously injured!"

"We did not wish to harm him, but as I said he denied our request. We have brought you here to live among us. Your life will be quite satisfying!"

"Excuse me, but what if I don't want to live here? You don't get to decide that for me!"

Wee Therry became so quiet that Geneva could hear her bulging eyes blinking. She couldn't tell if the young creature was unhappy with her answer, or searching for the proper response.

"It will begin soon. Absolute terror. Endless destruction. Death beyond measure. The Swithe seek to survive, and your destiny will ensure that we do. We will protect you and provide you with a satisfying life until it begins. And then you will protect us."

"Me?" Now Geneva chuckled, but it wasn't born from humor, it was exasperation at a preposterous notion. "Are you serious? How could I protect you?"

"It is your destiny, outside spirit."

"Oh stop with the 'destiny' crap! I'm sick of hearing that!" Geneva's anger was igniting again, kindled by fear, exhaustion, and the pain of too many lingering injuries. She was yelling now. "I'm a useless, weak, human teenager from boring old Boston! I can't protect you from monsters or Monkey Hawks or poison sap juice or any of the other ridiculously dangerous things in this ridiculously insane place!"

The door burst open and two of the 7-foot males entered, obviously alerted by Geneva's shouting. Her temper quickly cooled and she sunk towards a wall.

"We are safe," Wee Therry assured the looming creatures. She turned to her guest and smiled widely. Her bulging, frog-like eyes glistened. "Geneva Maxwell has expressed her deep gratitude for being welcomed by the Swithe. Prepare the celebratory banquet!"