Parker spent the next two days walking around the edge of the massive crater that used to be the heart of Broadway. Locating a range of items from wrapped meal bars to new clothing, he prepared heavily for his next shift. One acquisition in particular was a shiny new 9 mm pistol along with several clips of ammo. He thought about the mama bear and about the people he had lost. No more surprises this time...at least not without a fight.
Ultimately, the hand held weapon would be no match for anything like the Ferramortium, Parker held no illusions to the contrary. Nevertheless, the large mechanized city was only able to invade these worlds because it and the Geniel Empire were able to operate in secrecy and then attack in surprise. Parker wondered if there was a way to begin to warn the other Multiverses about the danger they found themselves in.
Parker thought about Keyword for a moment. He wondered if they existed in every Multiverse. And if they did, could they be called from across the galaxy? Could they be warned in some way that danger was coming and the humans of that reality needed their help to defend themselves from an invasion of the Geniel Empire.
"I think it's time I went back to talk to Keyword," Parker thought. "Maybe they can help me come up with a plan...wha?"
Parker spun, pistol at the ready. He pointed the barrel down an alley where he imagined the sound came from.
"Who the hell's out there? Come out, now!"
"Mew."
"A kitten?" Parker slowly put the pistol away, never taking his eyes off of the fluffy gray and white tabby animal that emerged from beneath a pile of trash. He knelt down and put his right hand out in front of him. "Come here, kitty."
"Mew."
Much to Parker's surprise, the animal seemed to show no fear and approached him happily with its little tail in the air. Parker reasoned it might be that the small kitten was hungry, or as in Parker's own situation, simply alone and appreciative of any other living company in this desolate world. Either way, neither being would spend this evening by themselves.
"So, how's it you're still alive, little guy?" Parker asked aloud and then lifted the bundle of fur next to his face. He hugged the small animal and could hear its heart beat intermingling with the drone of its continuous purring. It was such a calming sound. "Are there any more of you guys around here or are you the only one that made it?"
Parker held the cat with one hand and pushed aside the pile of garbage. He paused as he reached the bottom. "Oh no...I'm so, so sorry little one. It looks as if your mom...well, she must have gave her last...dammit, here we go again." With a frown on his face, Parker took in a slow deep breath and stood upright, returning the boxes to their original locations. Shaking his head he exited the alley holding the kitten in his arms.
"Yeah, it's just you and me...um, what do we call you, huh?" Parker held the kitten up in the air to look him over.
"Mew."
"How 'bout Broadway?"
"Meow."
"Then Broadway it is."
YOU ARE READING
Voynich Shift - Season One (COMPLETED)
Science FictionParker Raymond recently inherited his estranged grandfather's large plantation home in Savannah, Georgia. The Spanish Moss hanging from the estate's large oaks, its massive gardens, and a near endless bank account were, in the end, not what captured...
