The Secret of the Stars

Chapter Four

Taryn

I returned to my body just as my dad got suspicious. "Taryn? Are you...okay?" My dad's eyes were full of concern. "Yeah...fine. Just...tired..." But my dad didn't buy it. "I noticed the faraway look in your eyes..." He stated. "I know what happened." "You do? 'Cause I seriously need someone to solve all these puzzles for me. Please, I didn't hear any of your explanation. Again?" My dad sighed. "It's really not my place to tell you..." "But you told me before!" I stamped my foot, almost throwing a two-year-old tantrum. "Please? You have to! You owe me that much. Just explain!" "Fine!" After a while, he sat down in defeat, and I knew I had won.

"It all started when the universe did. Many forces brought together many elements, all of which were combined to become the very fabric of space and time." He paused, making the story more dramatic. "First came the galaxies. In them, suns, moons, and planets. The galaxies were all different, each having their own significance to life. Lastly came the stars. They, being the most numerous, were the most difficult to create. Five of the most important stars decided to rebel-to malfunction. That, my dear, is where you come in. Five stars, five children. Five heroes to every world, every galaxy. You, Taryn, are one of them. As much as I wish I was, I am not really your father. Your true father and mother died when the explosion ended." He stated sadly. I stared at him in disbelief. "But... I'm not a star! I'm human!" "No, you are not a star, but you are special. Stars are not living. They are simply just power, waiting to be used. That is their whole purpose, Taryn. Then they die out, power attracted to the nearest life form. They leave this universe, maybe moving on to the next, but they always leave a mark. Do you follow?" "Wait... If you are not my dad, then who are you?" "I am your protector, called by the sun itself to watch and look over you. Anyways, being star offspring, you are Immortal. Not all are. You are very lucky your star decided to rebel later than the others. You are one of the only people who escaped the explosion. You are legendary. No other Immortal has been discovered by our sources-except one. "

He was cut off by a knock at the door. "I'll get it, protector dude." Soaking in the information I just learned, was difficult enough. Now I didn't even know what to call the man I had grown up calling father. "No. You stay here. I...I'm not expecting company." I could hear a tint of panic in his voice. "You know what? How about you just wait in your room." His tone made it clear it was an order, not a request. I stomped upstairs quickly, then hid behind the banister. I could hear the door open, and out of my peripheral vision, saw a man who looked a lot like my dad-er...protector. I didn't know if they were long lost twin brothers, or if this was some crazy horror film where the bad guy disguises himself like the good guy and then kills him. I could hear my 'dad' gasp as he looked the other guy over. "Lois! what are you doing here!" Apparently, these two had met before. "I'm here on official business. Can I come in?" My dad, after a moment of standing there stunned, let him in. "Sure, sure. I didn't expect to see you this soon." He sat on the couch, and motioned for the man called Lois to do the same. "What's wrong, Lois?" Dad asked. "It's Rani. She's still missing. We've looked everywhere, but it's like she's fallen off the face of the Earth!" Lois seemed very panicked. I sat there wondering if what I had heard was correct. Rani? Wasn't that... the captive girl I saw? I thought to myself, still confused.

"I can help." I blurted, unable to hide any longer. "I don't know if we are talking about the same one, but I know a Rani. I've seen her, but not in person." Lois looked at me then dad. "Is this the one you told me about?" He asked. "The time one, yes." The time one? Okay that's a low blow. I got just the slightest bit offended, but I didn't know how to feel, seeing as I didn't know what this meant. "The time one?" I asked, letting my feelings take over. "What's a time one?" My dad looked to Lois in despair, but nothing could help him now. "Alright well, now since it's in the open, I guess there's no hiding it now. Taryn, you've noticed your life getting weirder, having turned 16?" He looked at me, waiting for an answer. "I've been getting nightmares." I admitted. "About what?" Again, he waited for my answer. "Well, it would feel like I would wake up, but I know I'm not awake. It takes place at the beginning of the universe, and I am surrounded by flames." I was beginning to feel uneasy, because Lois' eyes were searching me up and down. "Taryn, those aren't dreams. You were awake. You actually did visit the making of the universe. You, Taryn Song, have the power to travel through time."