Read R.E.M.: The Hidden World Online
Authors: Corrie Fischer
I
nside the mall, Emily reached for the pair of shades she hoped would ensure her freedom. A buzzing alarm immediately went off and every citizen rushed into various stores immediately. Those surrounding her in the sunglasses store quickly formed a line from the back, every one interlocking their arms with the next person. They appeared much like a human broom. Unfortunately, in this case, Emily was the speckle of dust to be swept out. They essentially forced her movement out of the shop. Then, as though on cue, bars slowly came down across every store front. The corridors leading down the center of the mall were now empty. Silence filled them as the alarm ceased. Every eye was turned toward her. Emily felt much like a fish in a bowl.
Oh God….what now?....
Her pounding heart screamed that she should run; yet her feet remained motionless in place, waiting. Then, she heard it. First, there was a loud electronic motor kicking on, followed by what Emily could only assume was a massive door lifting. She desperately wanted to believe it was a possible route of escape, but her instinct told her otherwise.
The next sound was daunting. It was a screeching roar, echoing with the sound of a million hollow screams. The noise created a mental image in Emily’s mind. She pictured a pit of still living bodies all crying out at once in agony and pain. It was the most horrific noise to ever cross her ears. As it did, a shock of terror rushed from her mind, through her spine, down to her feet. Looking behind her to the source, she needed no more reason to run. In that moment, Emily knew what she caught in a glimpse would remain with her the rest of her life, however short of a time span that may be.
It was a massive creature that stood at least ten feet tall on all fours. Its skin was composed of an almost leathery rotting flesh. The color of its hide varied wildly. Within the spilt second of her viewing, Emily identified why. Stitches covered its entire form. The monster did not have one solid layer of skin. Instead it was composed of patches…what appeared to be sown together sections…of human flesh. With her heart pounding faster still, Emily’s eyes dared to venture toward the creature’s head. In its hideous skull rested five blank, blackened pits with a set of nostril slits placed in between. Stringy, long black tentacles flowed from the back of it like hair. Despite all its other horrors, the being’s mouth was the most dominant feature by far. It was crowded with hundreds of razor sharp, ridged teeth that filled every section. Drool flowed from the top to the bottom of the creature’s mouth as it released its roar.
“The ramp!” The voice was not that of Emily’s own, nor could it possibly be one of the horrible bystanders, watching as though prepared to enjoy the show. Instead this voice was soft, familiar somehow, as though from a distant memory.
The ramp narrows at the top…
Emily knew by her glance the creature could not possibly cross the ramp at its peak. It was her only hope. Seemingly growing impatient, the creature ran toward her at an incredible pace. Emily did not pause. Her feet took off before her mind could even fully process the plan. She moved at a pace beyond comprehension, and before she knew it she was passing the third floor. The creature was gaining on her, snarls leaving its mouth intermittently. It breathed loudly inward as though seeking every scent. Continuing to rush onward, Emily dared to look back for an instant. The creature was moving hastily but its movements were clumsy, as it plopped from one side of the ramp to the other in a zigzag pattern. It was as though the creature was the one influenced by alcohol. Emily had almost forgotten the substance was still coursing through her veins. The adrenaline far surpassed it.
It’s blind!...
The thought occurred at the perfect moment. Emily reached the sixth floor and the creature was less than five feet behind her. Remembering a perfume store on this level, she took the turn and rushed toward it.
As she approached the shop, Emily immediately leaned against the gate, trying to subdue her heavy breathing. The two participants in the store watched eagerly from their barred safety. It was the first look of anything other than a blank expression Emily saw on any of the citizens’ faces. Their eyes sparkled as they watched her, seemingly waiting for the beast to approach. They were excited. The thought made Emily sick to her stomach.
Why had Ethan and Lucy consistently shown expression though…
The thought hardly seemed relevant at this moment. The creature slowed. Evidently her plan was working to some degree. It stopped in place completely and sniffed hard. Its massive toothy mouth swung in the air as its nostrils absorbed all they could. Emily remained motionless, her last bit of hope fading fast. The thing moved slowly toward her till it was less than five feet in front of her.
I’m not ready to die…
Emily was filled with terror, her heart with hopelessness. She prayed for a miracle, lost as to any other action to take. The creature let out another massive roar. This time Emily was face to face with its toothy growl. Her instincts betrayed her, as her mouth let out a small eek. The small sound was all that the creature needed. Emily jumped out of the way just as its jaws rammed into the gate. She rushed toward the end of the corridor. She quickly realized she was trapped in a corner.
The creature seemed to know she was pinned. It took its time with the approach, dragging out every second. There was no escape now. This was it.
“God help me.” Emily could barely even whisper the words. The thing was less than three feet from her, breathing heavily. It seemed to be absorbing power from her fear and now stood on two legs, even more massive than before.
“God?” The question was followed by a series of laughter. It was the voice of Lucy. She had apparently been making her way up the ramp some time now. The creature reared back, as though ready to make his final move. Emily cowered in fear and braced for the end. “Cease!” Lucy’s word was clearly a command the creature must obey. It hesitantly reared down with a light growl, resting its toothy head all the way onto the mall’s floor.
Was that a bow? Holy shit….how powerful is this woman?
“God will not help you here, my dear, only I can do that.” She smiled brilliantly but something about her was different.
Her eyes…
Where lovely blue eyes once rested, a now brown red glow filled them. Ethan and the two other men approaching behind Lucy seemed to have the same condition. “Now, I am going to give you a choice. Renounce this so called god of yours and bow down to me or….well, you do not want to see that option.” Lucy smiled, obviously thrilled by the predicament she trapped Emily in.
A million thoughts rushed through Emily’s head. Words of her overly religious father echoed in her mind. She always hated his blind dedication and adoration of strict guidelines. Somehow, though, she maintained her own version of beliefs. She saw God in a different way than her father; as a loving, kind being. She viewed Him as one who accepted all and who could be seen in many different lights and known by many differing names, not tied by one specific set of religious rules. If this were true though, why would He have not shown Himself now to save her? On the other hand, all she knew of Lucy thus far was cruelty and evil. Her eyes were drawn to the citizens standing behind those bars. The imagery was a perfect representation of what would await her if she pledged allegiance to Lucy, a prison.
“Well? I’m waiting…” Lucy was apparently not the patient type.
Emily lifted herself from the crouched position, stood up straight, and gathered every bit of might remaining within her. “No.” She knew the end was probably about to come. The realization utterly horrified her; but she would rather die than live as those behind the bars.
The creature lifted its head slightly as though it comprehended the entire conversation. It seemed eager for a command to pounce. Lucy’s smile faded. “Very well then…” The beast stood on all fours, ready for its instructions. Emily bowed her head and closed her eyes, ready for the pain. “Cease! I did not command you to move!” This was directed toward the creature. It followed her orders appropriately and resumed its humbled position. “I have something different in mind for you….perhaps I can change your mind after all…” Lucy smiled once again and waved her arm towards the men behind her.
As she did so, they approached Emily, each grabbing an arm. Lucy led the way out of the mall, as the men followed. Ethan walked directly behind Emily and she could sense his hatred reeking like a foul stench.
Miria silently led the way to a nearby hut. Renee followed with knots in her stomach. The
irritating pants now seemed completely irrelevant. They were almost comfortable even. Renee considered voicing this twisted fact in an attempt to get the latest update sooner. However, something about the expression on Miria’s face caused her to pause. The woman’s eyes stared blankly ahead as they walked. Vibes of intense thought and concern seemed to be circulating around her in nearly visible waves.
“Here we are.” Miria sounded much like a robot making the statement. Her mind was not here; it was clearly somewhere else. As she pushed away the large leaves blocking the hut’s entrance, a light airy voice rang out from inside.
“Oh Miria, how nice to….” The woman cut her words short as she caught the look on Miria’s face. Renee followed into the hut, finally seeing the form that matched the mysterious voice. “Oh, well hello there, what is your name? Mine is April.” The woman was older, clearly in her mid fifties or so. Her curly white hair and gentle features shined through the gloomy tension. She smiled brightly at Renee.
“I’m Renee…..Miria brought me here to…um…get some girl’s pants.” The words felt awkward as she said them, but Renee was here for a purpose. She knew the faster she got this over with, the sooner she could find out what was going on. Renee grabbed the edges of her currently oversized pants and fanned them out to demonstrate the issue.
Miria was standing beside Renee the entire time but seemed a world away. When the young girl spoke, Miria finally seemed to draw herself back to the current moment, looking April directly in the eyes. “Oh yes, I am so sorry April. Would you mind helping the girl find an appropriate size?”
“Why, of course, it would be my pleasure. Why don’t you take the chance to get some fresh air yourself?” April smiled gently. She could clearly tell Miria’s mind was overwhelmed.
“Yes, that is a wonderful idea.” Miria turned toward Renee with a weak smile of her own. “April will help get you some fresh clothes and I’ll be waiting for you just outside, okay?” Renee nodded her acknowledgement and, with that, Miria slipped out through the giant leaves.
April walked to a section of the hut where a small table rested. It was just now Renee noticed the clothing along the hut’s back wall. There were box-like shelves there, very similar to the cubicles she employed at school. Within each compartment, clothes were neatly folded and stacked. Renee noticed small numbers written above each section, and assumed the clothing was organized based on size. “Oh, where did I put that?” April seemed to be talking to herself as she shuffled through items on the table. At last, she produced a small rope with black tic marks lined along its surface. “Ok, my dear, do you mind lifting your arms so I can measure your waist?” Renee complied accordingly, wishing the process would go quickly. It seemed finding the tool was the most time consuming issue. The woman had Renee measured in a matter of seconds and was already handing her a new set of pants. “I’ll go in the back room so you can change in here. You have a wonderful day, my dear.” April then pushed aside a section of bamboo in the wall and crossed into another room.
Wow I didn’t even know that was there…oh well…no time for lollygagging…
With that intent, Renee changed the pants in a matter of seconds.
“Oh, and you can leave the boy’s pants on that table…” April’s voice rang out from the other room. Renee followed her instructions, and then rushed out of the hut.
As she exited, now dressed in properly fitting attire, she saw Miria standing outside waiting for her. “Now you must feel much better in that outfit.” Miria’s mood had clearly shifted and she seemed to be trying to keep things as light as possible.
“I am. I must admit my curiosity is raging though…can we please talk now?” Renee tried to be as polite as possible with the question.
“Of course my dear, I am certain you want answers. Walk with me.” Miria led them out towards the dock. “Do you remember when the fireballs came down and I explained there was no catch to Neveah, simply an enemy?” Renee nodded her acknowledgment, eager to get to the real kicker. “Well, there is a city not far from here that is much unlike Neveah. Its citizens thrive on greed. They feed off of fear and hate. The majority of them are simply misguided souls, though their leader…..Well, let’s just say she is the definition of evil. She rules the city of Luthania in the cruelest fashion.” Miria paused after this, as though anticipating a question from Renee.
“Please do not misunderstand me, that is horrible…but I don’t understand how this is related to Neveah?” Renee felt rude even asking such a question, but it seemed like necessary information.
“Well, she has been after our city for centuries now. She desires nothing more than to see The Protector forced to bow before her and accept her evil ways. This leads me to the first difficult news….She has once again declared war against Neveah. We must go into battle at first light.” A strange look of deep sorrow crossed Miria’s face. Renee would have expected anger or at the very least determination, but instead Miria seemed truly saddened by this news.
“So citizens of Neveah actually fight....and wait….that is the
first
difficult news?” Renee lifted a questioning brow...
and how can such a lovely peaceful city possibly go into battle?
Thus far, the conversation with Miria seemed to be raising more questions instead of providing answers.
A genuine half smile lifted on Miria’s face. “Yes, despite how it may appear, we are quite fierce warriors when necessary. Please do not misunderstand me. We would prefer to solve an issue without violence whenever possible. There are simply some times that leave us no option but to take guard and fight for what we believe in, to fight for what we love.” Here Miria again paused and the half smile vanished from her face. She and Renee just arrived at the dock’s end and she now stopped in place. Turning toward Renee, she looked her directly in the eyes before continuing. “The other news is more direct towards you, Renee. There is a reason you could not understand Ellhion. This is difficult for me to say….but…you are not a citizen of Neveah, not yet at least….”
Anxiety and fear coursed through Renee. She could not possibly understand how Sam was already a citizen and she was not. In the brief time she spent in this place, she felt more happiness than in her entire life combined. “Well what must I do? I will do anything, whatever it takes to become one, simply give me the instructions and I will follow.” Desperation sounded in Renee’s voice. Somehow she knew the answer before Miria even spoke a response.
“Oh my dear….I am afraid it is not that simple….you still have far too much to accomplish back home. Eventually, when the time is right, you just may return.” Miria gently placed her hand on Renee’s shoulder in an obvious attempt to comfort her. Renee shrugged her off and turned away, towards the edge of the dock. She did her best to contain the tears from forming in her eyes.
I cannot go back…..this is so unfair….why….just when I have finally found joy…
A single tear dripped down her small, youthful check.
“What about Sam? Will he go back with me?” The watery liquid still rested in Renee’s eyes, on the verge of a full waterfall.
“No, my dear, it is his time to stay.” The words seemed to hurt Miria as much as Renee. Renee lost control and the tears began to pour down her face.
“When? How long…till I must…go back?” The words came out through gurgling sobs.
“I do not know….it is not up to me to decide, my dear….may I please hug you again?”
Miria’s request was one of truest concern. Renee nodded as she wiped away the tears from her eyes. As Miria embraced her, Renee once again felt the peace that surpassed her comprehension. Its comfort seemed to dry the remaining tears and allowed Renee to think in a more composed fashion.
“Well….the battle tomorrow…I would like to help.”
“That is not necessary. There are plenty of soldiers here who can fight….and I myself shall stand amongst them.” Miria stood with confident resolution at these words.
“Please? Provided I am allowed to remain in Neveah for at least another day….I want to battle alongside you. These lands, you, and Sam have all brought me more joy in life than anything else….that is something worth fighting for.” Renee spoke the words with a definitive purpose, even if she was oblivious to what she was opting for.
“Very well….my dear, so it shall be…” Miria’s words ceased here and for a long time they both stood in silence. Renee’s attention was drawn to the night sky resting above the watery surface. Stars seemed to crowd the sky, each shining its own level of light. The scene was truly lovely.
“When I do return….I want you to know, I’ll never forget you.” Renee looked Miria directly in the eyes now, a daughterly love expressed in her own.
“Nor shall I ever forget you…..for now, though, we must both get some rest. Follow me and I will show you to your sleeping chambers.” Miria finally smiled once again as she led Renee back away from the dock. Arriving in front of Miria’s own hut, she led the girl inside once again. A second bed with fresh linens seemed to be calling Renee’s name as she approached it. She plopped onto it without the slightest hesitation.
“Goodnight Miria.”
“Goodnight Renee.”
A thought flashed through Renee’s mind. “Oh wait….before the battle, can you translate a message to Little Guy….I mean, Winston, for me?”
“I see you have learned his true name.” A smiled flashed across Miria’s face. “Of course, my dear….for now, rest.”