Between the lines of the closest star

The air is acrid with smoke, as he regains consciousness. Daniel is laying on the ground. Not concrete, it is somewhere softer. More woodsy from the smell of it. He opens his eyes and takes a small look around.

He is laying on the ground in some woods. Also it’s still dark. He wonders how long he was out. Moving is easy enough, but he’s careful with his head. It feels like he took a pretty good blow. In fact, he has a knot rising painfully there.

He sits up and looks around. And he is nowhere he recognizes. Furthermore, the woods are quiet. Almost too quiet. How had he gotten here? The last thing he remembered was running. Almost immediately he remembers, and jumps up.

Between the Lines

He has to get to his parents. He steps quickly in one direction. Then turns, and moves quickly the other way. He is surrounded by woods on all sides. Moreover, he senses he is further away than, down the street from his home.

With this in mind, he gazes upward to seek his bearings by the stars. However, there is a thick tree canopy above, blocking the view of the heavens. He is momentarily stymied and feels perplexed. What the hell was going on here!?

“You’re okay.” Daniel looks around in confusion. He’s not alone. At least there’s that. Before today he would have thought himself crazy for responding. However, nothing was safe anymore. After today’s revelations he knew anything was possible.

“Thank you, but I would feel better if I could see you.” Daniel pauses here, waiting.

A moment later, just a few feet away, a form appears. As his eyes adjust, Daniel recognizes his neighbor, and one of his parents’ friends, Samantha. He feels stunned, yet relieved at the sight of a familiar face.

“Hello Daniel.” Samantha smiles a small worried smile, and begins talking quickly. “Your parents are prisoners now. Furthermore, they called me this morning to let me know they told you about our… special circumstances.”

“You mean that we’re aliens!?” Daniel almost shouts. He can’t help it, his fear and confusion have boiled over. Now he feels incredulous too. “What else is there? That we are in some kind of interstellar conflict too!?”

Samantha looks solemnly, at Daniel and then glances around nervously. Then, she hands him some water and a smart phone. After which, she hurriedly continues:

The closest star

“We will be leaving in just a few minutes. This is all very confusing I’m sure, however, there are forces at play here that are beyond you and me Daniel. For now, we must flee. Your parents asked me to help in case things went sideways.” She looks at Daniel closely, “What do you think? We really should get moving. Are you feeling better?”

Daniel nods and asks his worst worry, “What about my parents? What will happen to them? Shouldn’t we be saving them from…” he pauses here, not sure how to continue. Additionally, it seems there are more pressing matters, as Samantha prompts him to move quickly. Therefore, he follows her deeper into the woods.

Between the lines of the closest star – previous story