Chapter One: The Present

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        Ten years later.

        I run my hand along the rim of the metal cup in my hands. Tiny slivers of saliva and mixed drink brush against my fingers. I roll my fingers together feeling the liquid mash up between them. Looking up, the burnt orange clay town square shines before my eyes. I glance around taking not of the restaurants and shops that surround me. The tall, pristine Leader House sits across the square from me. It is the same color as all of the houses and grounds in Eleutheria, but it gives off an aura of importance. I shift my attention back to my drink and lift it to my mouth to take a swing from it. The alcohol burns as it trails down my throat. I move my head down and stare at the table. Tracing the clay on the small table, I memorize its ridges. As I do this, I see another person’s shadow coming to join me.

        “Lex! I’ve been looking for you!” Dilima plops down next to me. Her more human like clothes, a band T-shirt and jeans, smell of fresh air and grass. Her naturally color changing skin is concealed by a thick foundation of black normal looking skin. She must have just been visiting the human world.

        “Well, you found me.” I mumble shoving the drink out of the way. Dilima picks at her fake flesh on her arm and it starts to peel, showing her true colors. Underneath her dark human skin, her real skin shines a red purple. It only turns that color when she is excited.

        “I just wanted to tell you my ridiculous, but amazing plan!” Her chocolate brown eyes light up with happiness.

        “Go on then.” I turn so my whole body is facing her. She looks up like she is trying to organize her thoughts, her irises race back and forth in her eyes. Her black afro of curls jiggles as she tilts her head one way then the other.

        “You have to keep this a secret from everyone besides Fin and Chan.” She stares at me wide eyed and nods her heart shaped face up and down until I nod back.

        “Ok, but you’re really starting to freak me out.” I say adjusting my top which is made out of thick strands of rope braided together. It wraps around my small waist stopping at my large hips. Though it is quite fashionable in Eleutheria, it is itchy as hell.

        “Don’t be freaked out. Ok, here it is,” she takes a big breath, her large chest elevating as she does. Her skin momentarily flickers from red purple to a murky green. What she is about to say scares her a bit according to her skin color.

        “I want to show Ren Eleutheria.” She blurts out then immediately lets a sigh of relief escape her mouth. I run my hands through my messy curly blonde hair wincing every so often when I hit a knot. She scans my face looking for a reaction. I try to keep my face as flat and emotionless as possible.

        I knew it was only a matter of time until this happened. Dilima has been going out with Ren for four years and they are inseparable. Dilima practically lives in the human world because she spends so much time with Ren. She even told him about her powers as a feeler. I sigh deeply feeling the air rattle in my ribs and take another swing from my drink. This is one problem I cannot avoid.

        “I don’t know about that. You know how badly things got last time a human was down here.” She nods solemnly and turns her face away from me. She knows she doesn’t want to start a war, but last time it happened so who is to say it won’t happen again.

        “Maybe I can have him come down then see how he reacts. If he shows anything other than respect to our culture, I will ask the washer to wipe his memory.” Dilima pushes herself up from the table.

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