“Displaced” Excerpt One – ROUGH

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Chapter One

I want to say it’s a Thursday, and the middle of January. I’m not sure exactly because I haven’t seen a calendar since the end of October. The one we kept in the apartment ran out, and all of the others have been destroyed in the effort to make sure all of us poor, inferior, humans, submit to the ways of the Achlivan. We were able to draw one on our bathroom wall. It’s small, but it does the job.

It took some time, but I think I’m finally able to accurately document everything that’s happened in the past three months. For a while, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be ready. I’ve seen things I wish I could forget, and as much as I want to just go along with the way of these aliens, I can’t.

Letting go of my past life is not easy, and I’m terrified of forgetting it. Someday, the human race will be free from captivity, and when that day comes, they’ll need to know what happened and how life used to be. They’ll need to know that our species was once part of a thriving civilization.

That’s why I’m writing this.

I remember the day the Achlivans came, vividly. It was warm, which was something to cherish in late October in Minnesota. The weather there was always so temperamental, like mother nature had PMS. One day it’d be gorgeous, and the next there would be three feet of snow. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of July. That day, I want to say it was around sixty degrees. Jeans and a sweatshirt kind of weather.

Like most days before I had to open at work, I didn’t sleep the best the night before. Something about the anticipation of having to wake up with my alarm clock always messed with my ability to relax. I had the same problem during school too. Any time I had to wake up before my body actually wanted to, messed with my head. I don’t think I need to elaborate how going to bed at two in the morning on a regular basis didn’t make for waking up at a time before eleven often. It all comes with being a night owl. At school, I had the ability to schedule my classes around that. Work on the other hand left me at the mercy of my manager. Because I needed money – badly – opening was something I had to suck it up and deal with.

The store opens at ten, so it wasn’t like I had to get up at some ungodly hour in the morning or anything. Still, the morning of the attack, I was having a hard time wanting to get out of bed. I groaned several times and opted out of taking a shower just for the extra half an hour of sleep.

My alarm went off on my cellphone one last time. If I hit the snooze button and stayed in bed, I’d be on the chopping block at work. The fifty cents over minimum wage that I got an hour was almost enough for me to say screw it all and stay in bed. Unfortunately, it was still more money than I had in my bank account.

As if he could read my mind, my Chihuahua, Burrito, jumped up onto my chest and started to lick my face until I couldn’t breathe. Dog breath filled my nostrils, slobber covered my mouth and nose, and tiny paws scratched my neck and shoulders.

“Ugh, okay, I’m awake, I’m awake!” I carefully picked Burrito up and put him next to me. Then I reluctantly got out of my warm, cozy, bed. Getting dressed took all of five minutes since I threw on my jeans from the day before which were still lying on the floor, my navy Toy Tech t-shirt that I needed for work, the first pair of socks and necessary undergarments I could find in my top dresser drawer, and my amazing comfortable work shoes. All that was left to do was pull my long, dark, straight, boring, dark hair back into a ponytail.

I was halfway up the stairs when my Mom called down to me. “Chevelle, if you don’t get up here soon you’re going to be late! Breakfast is ready for you!”

“I’m right here, relax,” I said, meeting her at the top of the steps. “You cooked? Wait, of course you cooked. You’re always cooking.”

“Someone has to make sure you’re eating right. I figured you’d be thanking me so you didn’t have to eat all of that cafeteria college food.” Mom threw up her hands and shook her head. “All right honey, I can take a hint. You’re an adult now and you don’t need me to baby you.”

I gave her a big hug. “Baby me all you want. I just don’t have a lot of time to eat a big breakfast. Like you said, I’m going to be late. Besides, do the words freshmen fifteen mean anything to you?”

She laughed. “If you’ve gained fifteen pounds already, you’re hiding it well.”

Truth was, I’d gained five pounds, and it all went to my hips. For the time being, I didn’t look all too different but I could feel the changes in my body every time I had to put on my jeans in the morning. The typical five minute struggle gradually increased every day. Once I hit ten minutes, I was going to have to invest in a new, larger, pair. Pants should not be such a chore to get on. Would my mother have understood this? Over time, but not until I lost control over my weight gain and it became painfully obvious it was there. I didn’t want to go there and, like most American teenage girls, I believed I already needed to lose ten pounds as it was just to feel good about myself.

Ignoring her comment, I took a cold toaster pastry from out of the box and rushed to grab my purse and hoodie from school. “I’ll be back for dinner! Love you!” I called out before I headed out the door. Those were the last words I spoke to my mother.

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The Achlivan Cycle: Invasion – Chapter Four

FOUR- Chevelle

 

I made sure to not let go of the little girl, Lara is her name, because I vowed to never leave her. We don’t know what happened to her parents or any of the adults. It felt like the least I could do. She’s so young and as silly as it sounds, it gave me a purpose, a goal, which was something I needed to keep moving forward. Otherwise I may have shut down, and that is not an option. With the Achlivan’s you always have to stay ahead of the game. The very least, never fall behind.

 

The guy in the bowler hat from the store stood next to us. We’d been pulled away from the rest of our group. It was not just the three of us and one of the aliens. We’d been divided into male/female pairings for the most part, outside of a few groups of three or four that added a child or two into the mix.  He was the other half of my pair, and Lara was our kid, like a happy little family. He stood strong and I could tell he was on edge with the way he twitched at every small sound. It was almost like he wanted to protect us though because he maintained a close proximity. With Wicken not around, it was good to have someone else I could sort of rely on.

 

Wicken. I wish things could have been different for him. I still don’t understand why he wasn’t chosen. I needed him then. Maybe if I had fought harder like I had with Lara things would have been different. The other guy seemed okay though, safe, sane. I’d noticed him from afar with some of the kids earlier. He didn’t ignore them like a lot of the other young adults. That had to say something right?

 

The aliens wouldn’t talk to us. Sometimes a few words would be spoken in another language as we passed by one. Beyond that though, our leader was silent and it was scary. For all I knew, I was going to be slaughtered for some kind of weird feast, or forced into some other messed up situation. My imagination was going everywhere, especially since I was paired with a guy I’d never met before. Why else would they make male or female groups? Create mock ups of families?

 

They brought us to a ship where the airport was. Instead of airplanes there were several space crafts in various shapes and sizes. We were taken to an enormous one that kind of reminded me of a cruise ship in a way. It was six stories tall, about three cruise ships in length and width. Just huge. The guy with us stopped for a moment to stare before being nudged by the alien to keep moving forward. It took me a moment to realize this was all real.

 

We were led aboard and taken to an elevator. Going up a number of floors, I stepped out into a luxurious hallway. Plush, maroon, carpet graced the floors. There were trees decorating the hall, and twinkling lights creating a romantic atmosphere. A number of the aliens were staring at us. They sat at tables, looking as though they were dining in a restaurant. Humans were serving and busing tables. We’re going to be slaves.

 

We walked through a pair of glass doors, and it was as though we had stepped outside again. Above us was a moonlit sky and stars. It was day time so this had to be artificial, though it looked real enough. They twinkled and moved. Outside of this restaurant it felt like a fake street. Only instead of pavement was more carpet. Street lamps lit the way though, wrapped in more twinkling lights, and nearby was a fake river flowing by, ending in a waterfall. When I glanced down at it, I noticed it fall into a new floor. Though I couldn’t make out any more details beyond that. This made me feel a little nervous, but thankfully the walls were high on this fake street. Much higher than I was tall since I’m guessing they were designed to keep the aliens safe more so than the humans. The only reason I knew there was even water to begin with was because I could hear it and on occasion see it through a small decorative hole in the wall.

 

The three of us were taken down a quieter hallway. In English I saw the words “upper staff only” which confirmed my suspicions. We passed by a number of rooms, and then shoved into a door. It locked behind us.

 

For a minute none of us moved. The room was completely dark, and for all I knew we were shoved into a closet. I reached out to find a light switch and flipped it. Turns out we were in an apartment. It was actually pretty nice. A modern kitchen was to our right with fancy tiling and an overhead light with glass  flower shaped casing around the bulbs. The same maroon carpet in the hallways was on the floor. A black leather sofa was around twenty feet in front of us sitting in front of a large flat screen black TV. There were shelves filled with books, DVDs, and video games? And to the slight left was a glass door leading outside to a glassed in balcony. We could see the artificial night sky clearly and it was beautiful. To our left was a dining table with a small chandelier hanging above it and a hallway that I could only assume led to other rooms.

 

My male companion took off his hat. The first thing I notice is his thick dark hair. I looked into his olive eyes, get a good look at his face, and the connection is instantly made. Timber Hudson, movie star, is in the room with me. Don’t freak out. Don’t say anything. But my cheeks go hot because he is so hot. My friends from home would die. Then again, maybe they already had. Hey, fangirling beat having a meltdown right? The little things kept us going. I’ve always been more of an optimist.

 

“What’s your name?” He asked.

 

“Chevelle.”

 

“Like the band.”

 

“Something like that.”

 

“I’m Timber,” Duh, but it’s nice how he wanted to be polite. Or maybe he didn’t get that I recognized him. Either way it didn’t matter.

 

“What’s your name?” He asked the girl, leaning down a little and giving her the most amazing and beautiful smile.

 

“Lara,” she whispered.

 

“Are you guys hungry?” He walked into the kitchen and started to search the cupboards. The next thing I know, he’s getting a pot on the stove and a box of mac and cheese ready.

 

My mind wasn’t focused on food, but I nodded anyway. If it’s poisoned, those aliens are sicker than I thought. Our only options were give up or keep living. He made the choice easier for us. Timber dove right into taking care of us.

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The Achlivan Cycle: Invasion – Chapter Three

THREE- Wicken

 

 

Everything is a blur from that day. The only thing I remember fully is that I ate Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast and Chevelle wore her dangling earrings to work today. I also remember her kindness to the girl left in our store when the invasion hit, but that was how she’d always been. Big heart. We sit on the West side of the mall, right by the center of the division so we can stay as close together as possible. We’re leaning on one another, back to back but not talking. I personally didn’t have anything to say. Everything would be all right? That would be a lie. So instead I hugged my knees and waited.

“Stand.” One of the…things…said in the bizarre thought speech they used. We did as we were told because I don’t quite yet want to get killed. I’m too curious too which probably sounds weird but I’ve always had a morbid curiosity. I can’t help but want to know what’s going to happen next. Giving up didn’t feel like an option for me anyway. Who would take care of Chevelle? She was too busy looking after the kid.

“Good, now follow the red light.” A spotlight appeared and started to lead us all out of the doors. Things were going to get crazy. I could tell.

“Stay close,” I whisper to Chevelle and grab her hand. She holds hands with the kid too, and together we walk outside into the cool October air. We’re marched through the parking ramp, a long stream of us heading across the lot and the street to the Ikea. Off in the distance I see a huge air craft where the airport was. And I mean huge. Airplanes are big, but this thing could hold five of them easily.

We’re separated then. Reluctantly my fingers pull away from hers and I watch her taken away and put into a line with the other girls. I’m put into my own line with a bunch of boys. It’s uncomfortably quiet. An alien starts walking between the two lines. Occasionally they’d stop and point at someone, who would then be shoved forward, inspected, and then taken away.

They’re auctioning us off. I swallowed. Maybe I’d luck out and not get picked. Then again, maybe I wanted to be picked because what happened to everyone who wasn’t wanted? Or what if those who were wanted were taken away to be eaten? Too many ‘what ifs’ started to float through my mind. I watched in horror as Chevelle was shoved forward on the girls side. They tried to separate her from the girl, but she stood her ground. That stupid, beautiful girl. Why didn’t I tell her how I felt earlier?

“We stay together,” she said and stared up at the alien. Girl had guts because I’d probably pee myself. The creature inspected her and the girl then nodded. A couple of guys my age were picked out next, including dweebo from the store. Once they all passed, they were taken away.

I wanted to run after her, save her from whatever fate she had, or at the very least join her. My legs were shaking. I could do it if I ran now. Then I felt a sharp jab in my back. Reluctantly I stepped forward. The alien grabbed my arms, feeling them as well as my torso, my legs, my everything. It nodded, and I watched as a few other strong looking guys were pulled forward as well. Chains were placed on my wrists and then I was dragged in-between the lines as if I were something to display. This wasn’t like what they were doing to the others, but the other guys chosen with me were getting a similar parading.

They knocked me onto my knees with one swift movement. I fell with a grunt.

“You’ve been chosen for Purpose. Obey and this will be the least of your worries.”

I nodded so it knew I understood and was pulled up by an ear to my feet again. For the most part, I’m a pretty tough guy, so I could handle the abuse, but I began to worry even more about Chevelle and the girl. But would I ever find them again?

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The Achlivan Cycle: Invasion – Chapter Two

TWO – TIMBER

Twelve-fifty-seven. That’s what my watch read. I had to be down stairs for make up and other various preparations at one-thirty. I’d just gotten done doing a round of interviews which started at about six that morning. This was the life I was used to during those days. Go, go, go, non-stop. Being famous always kept you busy. By the time you read this, I don’t know what the world will be like for you. Fame might mean something completely different.

Getting breaks was always fun when I was in a new place. They never lasted long, but I got to do a little bit of sight seeing in areas I would probably otherwise never go. I mean, Minnesota? Not exactly my idea of a dream vacation spot, let me tell you. Back then I’d seen the whole world. I’d stepped foot on every continent except for Antarctica. I had to be careful here because getting recognized would mean getting mauled. Thankfully, when I’m not all dolled up, I pass as someone who’s normal. I’m trying to think of how to describe this, because I realize it might not mean much to you now to say that. When I was famous, celebrities went to a lot of effort to appear as beautiful people. In some ways, this hasn’t changed since I am the prestigious pet of Duke Lotus. But it was different.

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The Achlivan Cycle One: Invasion – Chapter One

ONE- CHEVELLE

I want to say it’s a Thursday, and the middle of June. I’m not sure exactly because I haven’t seen a calendar since the end of January. The one we kept in the apartment ran out, and all of the others have been destroyed in the effort to make sure all of us poor, inferior, humans, submit to the ways of the Achlivan. We were able to draw one on our bathroom wall. It’s small, but it does the job.

It took some time, but I think I’m finally able to accurately document everything that’s happened in the past eight months. For a while, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be ready. I’ve seen things I wish I could forget, and as much as I want to just go along with the way of these aliens, I can’t.

I can’t let go of the past life I used to live so easily, and I’m terrified of forgetting it. Someday, the human race will be free from captivity, and when that day comes, they’ll need to know what happened and how life used to be. They’ll need to know that our species was once part of a thriving civilization.

That’s why I’m writing this.

I remember the day vividly. It was warm, which was something to cherish in late October in Minnesota. The weather there was always so temperamental, like mother nature had PMS. One day it’d be gorgeous, and the next there would be three feet of snow. It didn’t matter if it was the middle of July. That day, I want to say it was around sixty degrees. Jeans and a sweatshirt kind of weather.

Like most eighteen-year-olds who were home for break from college, I spent my free time working. My first quarter for college was under my belt, and I was completely broke. That morning, I woke up to Chihuahua kisses roughly an hour before I had to get to my job. Bless that dog, because otherwise I probably would have slept in, and being at work may have saved my life.

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