Return to Celio Read online

  “Maggie, are you all right?”

  I knew if I opened my mouth, I’d start crying. I shook my head, trying to compose myself. Jesus, the day was over and we were alive. What was my problem? I told myself to get over it. Trouble was, myself wasn’t listening.

  Darrios knocked again, a little louder. “Maggie, I’m coming in.”

  He peeked around the door before I could get up. Great. Now we both knew what a giant wuss I was. Darrios flung the door open further and hurried in. He kneeled down next to me, gently placing his hand on my shoulder. “Maggie, what is it? Is it your neck?”

  I shook my head, still not trusting myself not to cry. Smiling weakly, I took a deep breath. “It’s just...everything. This place, this day...it’s all been a bit much, you know? I haven’t really had a chance to sit down and actually think about it until now. I guess I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’m sorry.”

  Darrios patted my knee and chuckled. He sat down next to me and crossed his legs. “Why in the world are you sorry?”

  “For being such a wimp. I’m usually thicker-skinned than this.”

  “Maggie, you have nothing to apologize for. We’ve been walking all day with the exception of when you were kidnapped by a nutcase mutant. Realistically, you could’ve been killed on several occasions, all in one day. I think you’ve showed incredible courage and strength.”

  “Thanks. I only wish I wasn’t so emotional. I feel like such a girl.”

  Darrios laughed. “Well, that would make sense, considering.”

  I laughed too, then.

  “C’mon, I found some dried meat and a pretty decent variety of canned vegetables. Allow me to prepare you a feast.”

  I rubbed my hands together. “Oh boy, I can hardly wait.”

  Darrios stood up, extending his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me up. We returned to the kitchen. I watched as he put together our dinner. I never would have believed dried meat and mystery veggies could taste so good.

  By the time we’d finished eating I could barely keep my eyes open. Exhaustion had crept up on me and tackled me. I didn’t remember ever being that tired. My eyelids fluttered.

  “Maggie, why don’t you go and lie down? I’ll clean up,” Darrios offered.

  I forced my eyes open. “No, no. You fixed dinner. I’ll clean up.”

  I stood and gathered our plates. I placed them in the sink and rinsed them off. Darrios came up behind me, grabbing a towel. He began drying the dishes after I washed them. I peeked at him out of the corner of my eye thinking what an incredibly handsome man he’d be if he’d just shave and do something with his hair.

  Despite all the craziness of the day, I found myself enjoying those few moments standing there in the kitchen doing dishes with Darrios.

  We finished up and turned in for the night. I climbed into the bed and pulled the covers over me. I wanted to ask Darrios if he’d keep me warm again, but I didn’t have the nerve. Luckily, he did.

  “I’m not getting frisky or anything, but I think we’ll both be warmer if we sleep close.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  He climbed into bed and pulled me to him in the spoons position. I closed my eyes feeling warm and safe and protected.

  ****

  We left for the entrance to Inland early the next morning, making it back without any problems or drama, thankfully. Just before arriving at our destination, a thought occurred to me. “Darrios, after that...thing, Podredo, took me, how did you find me?”

  “The plickens helped me. They know everything that happens around here. You just don’t see them very often because they keep themselves scarce for safety reasons.”

  “What’s a plicken?”

  “They’re smaller creatures; they look kind of like a cross between a rabbit and a monkey, but closer in size to a monkey. They are the eyes and ears around here. I knew they would have seen what happened to you. As soon as I noticed the entrance door open, I knew something was wrong. I yelled for you, but got no answer. I found Burgess and he told me you never came through, so I went looking for a couple of plickens.”

  “They...told you?”

  “They can’t really talk, but they can communicate, mostly with gestures. It took a few minutes, but it wasn’t hard to figure out what happened. They led me to the house where that animal was keeping you.”

  “Why did you find me? Why take the trouble?”

  Darrios stopped. He looked at me thoughtfully, but hesitated before answering. “I didn’t want you to die, Maggie. I couldn’t stand the thought.”

  Blushing, I broke eye contact, relieved to see the entrance to Inland. We reached the door like before, except, luckily, this time without the viocomen. Darrios called to Burgess and he opened the door.

  Darrios helped me in, hopped through, pulled the door shut, and latched it. “Now, where is that tor—oh, here it is,” he said to himself, running his hands up and down the wall.

  He struck a match, lit the torch mounted on the wall, and suddenly warm, soothing firelight bathed the walls of the tunnel.

  He turned to me, grinning. I hadn’t said a word. I don’t think I’d even taken a breath. Being back down here brought back the recent memory of my emotional meltdown when I thought Darrios wasn’t coming back.

  Darrios took a step toward me. “Maggie, are you all right? What is it? You’re as white as a sheet.”

  Despite my efforts to fight them, the tears began streaming down my face again. At least my body wasn’t racked with sobs as well.

  “I’m sorry, but I thought the viocomen got you. I was so frightened,” I sputtered.

  Darrios held me, gently patting my back. “Ssshhh, Maggie, it’s okay. Trust me...It’ll take a lot more than a viocomen to get me. I told you I’d be back. I’m fine, I promise.”

  I regained my composure, stepped away from Darrios, and cleared my throat.

  He smiled at me. “It’s okay. It’s a lot to swallow.”

  I nodded, afraid I might start crying again. My eyes adjusted to the light and I realized we were standing on a wooden platform suspended above the ground. A ladder led to a smaller platform and then another to the ground.

  Darrios climbed down, calling for me to follow.

  Cautiously taking hold of the ladder, I climbed down into the pit. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he grabbed my hand and we were running again. I stopped. “Wait, please,” I panted.

  “Maggie, we’re almost there. One more gate and we’re in. Is it your neck? I could carry you,” Darrios suggested.

  “No...You are not going to carry me. I just need to catch my breath. I’m okay.”

  My neck felt like it was on fire, but I didn’t see the point of whining about it. Turning a corner, we came upon what I thought was a child, until I got closer and heard him speak.

  The man was no more than three feet tall.

  “Code?” the man demanded.

  “Seventeen, clear water,” Darrios replied.

  The man grinned broadly. Darrios broke into a run and rushed him. “Burgess!” he shouted.

  The two men pushed each other, wrestling around a little, and then embraced.

  “Darrios, it’s good to see you. I was worried the way you left before. I thought one of those damned moltergs got you.”

  “Shit, Burgess, that’ll be the day. One of them getting me is about as likely as one of them getting to Inland.”

  “Who is your lovely friend?” Burgess asked, nodding toward me.

  Darrios smiled warmly at me. “This is Maggie. Maggie, this is my friend, Burgess.”

  Burgess extended his hand. I shook it. He motioned for us to follow, then he led us through the door. As soon as we passed through the entrance, it was obvious we’d entered yet another world.

  I gasped as I looked down at Inland. We had come through a door leading from a dark, damp underground tunnel to the bright and airy outdoors on the side of a mountain. I could see for miles. The sun shined brightly and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

&n
bsp; A lush, abundant carpet of emerald-green grass welcomed us and the flowers, that seemed to be everywhere, emitted a fragrance that wafted through the air like a soft breeze.

  Tall trees stood strong and stoic, with bushy tops of varying shades of green. I’d never seen anyplace so beautiful. In the distance, snow-capped mountains loomed majestically, overlooking the land, with rolling hills decorating their bases.

  Crystal clear streams flowed freely with cool, clean water emptying into a sparkling, azure lake. The pristine white beaches beckoned me to run barefoot in their soft powdery sand. The sight took my breath away.

  I didn’t want to leave this place. Standing there, taking in all of that beauty from one single spot amazed me. I would have been content to stay awhile.

  We said goodbye to Burgess, Darrios promising him they would get together soon, and we started on our way. I couldn’t stop staring down upon Inland. My eyes swept over every feature several times. I couldn’t get enough.

  We made our way down the side of the mountain by way of a narrow walking trail that had been worn into the earth. We headed toward town with Darrios leading the way.

  An old-fashioned, but well-maintained cobblestone road cut through town, accenting the perfectly kept houses of coordinating colors with well-manicured lawns complimenting both sides of the street.

  At the end of the road, next to a sweet shop, was a general store and a couple of other buildings. I took it all in as if it were a dream.

  The only thing missing was technology...of any kind. I didn’t see one vehicle, no streetlights, not a single telephone, and no neon anything. How strange, but wonderful at the same time.

  “C’mon,” Darrios urged, “I want Jezbah to take a look at your neck.”

  I asked him who Jezbah was. He told me he was the doctor, or the closest thing to one. I nodded.

  “When I first came here, Bernie introduced me to Jezbah’s sister. I had a bit of a bad attitude back then. She made it her mission to straighten me out. She was like a mother to me...more than my own mother ever was, kind of like your aunt, I guess. ”

  “Sounds like you were lucky to have her.”

  “I wouldn’t have made it without her.”

  “I’d love to meet her,” I said sincerely.

  Darrios frowned. “I wish you could, but she died awhile back.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  “No, it’s okay. She was old. It was her time to go. She didn’t suffer. She just didn’t wake up one morning. I was lucky to have known her. She brought Jezbah and me together. I like to think having me around made her happy. She always said it did. Bernie says certain people just need each other. You know, kind of like some things are just meant to be.”

  I wondered what Bernie would say about Darrios and me. We walked to the end of the street to the building next to the general store. Darrios went in. I followed. He hollered for Jezbah.

  A portly, balding gentleman, who, I thought, looked exactly like a doctor should look, came waddling into the room, smiling, wearing his glasses low on his nose.

  “Darrios, my boy, so good to see you again! You mustn’t wait so long between visits.”

  “Been busy, Jez. Things are really hopping out in the rim,” Darrios replied.

  Jezbah shook Darrios’ hand and then pulled him into an embrace. After hugging Jezbah, Darrios stepped away, gesturing toward me. “Jez, this is Maggie. We had a bit of a run in with a viocomen just before coming in. It got her pretty good with its claws. Can you take a look?”

  I smiled and said hello as Jezbah took my hand, smiling warmly at me. “It’s lovely to meet you, my dear. Now, let’s have a look. Where is the damage?”

  Darrios gently pulled my hair aside and pointed. Jezbah looked, carefully examining the wound. He asked me if it burned. I nodded.

  “The viocomen have a type of venom in their claws. The burning sensation helps to further weaken their prey. You’re a lucky young woman. If this had been any deeper, you’d have probably lost consciousness. Things could have turned out considerably differently.”

  “Fucking filthy viocomen,” Darrios spat.

  Ignoring Darrios’ outburst, Jezbah said, “It should go away in a couple of hours, but these wounds are often slow to heal. Let me clean it up and bandage it for you.”

  He clipped my hair up and got to, he and Darrios chit-chatting all the while. I found him to be very thorough, but gentle as well.

  “Thank you,” I said. “But I’m afraid I didn’t come here prepared. I don’t have any way to pay you.”

  Jezbah looked at Darrios and laughed a full belly-laugh. I looked back at him, puzzled.

  “Oh, my dear, don’t worry about it. We do things for each other around here. We take care of our own. It all works out in the end.”

  I was really beginning to like this place.

  Darrios said goodbye, promised not to stay away so long, and we left. I let my eyes wander as we walked a little way down the street. Wispy little clouds dotted the clear, blue sky. I inhaled deeply, wondering how the air smelled of fresh-cut grass when lawn mowers probably didn’t exist here. Darrios took my hand, guiding me down a side street. The sign said Rosewood Lane.

  “My house is just up ahead,” he said, surprising me again.

  “If you have a house here, why in the world don’t you live in it?” I inquired. “It’s so beautiful here...how can you possibly prefer the Outer Rim to this?”

  “It’s like I told you before. I wouldn’t want to live here alone. Besides, I’m not needed here. I’m needed out there.” He motioned with his head back toward the mountain where we’d come in. “This place is where I get away to. It’s like my vacation spot. I inherited the house from Jezbah’s sister, as a matter of fact. He wasn’t kidding when he said we take care of each other.”

  He turned, heading up the walk of the most adorable cottage I’d ever seen. It was made of slate rock, a light gray color, with a deep maroon door and shutters, and a dark gray roof. Both front windows held large flower boxes, bursting with blooms.

  Neatly trimmed rose bushes, also top-heavy with blooms, grew up against the house under each of the two big windows. I loved it immediately.

  “What is it?” Darrios asked. He was looking at me with a half-smile on his face.

  “It’s fantastic...it’s perfect,” I gushed.

  He chuckled. “And you haven’t even seen the inside.”

  ****

  Darrios opened the door, which I noticed hadn’t been locked. He motioned for me to go in. I walked in and he followed.

  “Oh, Darrios,” I whispered as I looked around.

  The polished hardwood floors shined so much I could almost see my reflection in them. The knotty pine walls, as well as the floor, both had a natural finish. I felt safe and comfortable as soon as I stepped into the room.

  A fieldstone fireplace stood in the corner and a large bookcase, overloaded with books, leaned against the wall. An overstuffed couch and two matching chairs surrounded a thick, fluffy, forest-green rug on the floor.

  The furniture was cream colored with splashes of dark green and burgundy. An old grandfather clock stood against the other wall. The room just oozed with cozy.

  On the other side of the room was the kitchen area. It had no table, just a counter with three stools and an old wood stove for cooking. A sink with a hand pump and an old-fashioned ice box, the kind that actually needed ice, sat next to the sink. Cupboards and a full pantry lined the wall.

  I couldn’t imagine owning this place and not spending every minute here...alone or not. I looked at Darrios. He was smiling, watching me as I looked around. Taking my hand again, he led me down a short hallway to the washroom, with a tub. Yes! And the tub had a shower. Big band music played in my head at the sight.

  Darrios explained that he'd installed a vat on a platform out back that collected rainwater. Water could also be pumped into it if necessary. It was heated by the sun and used for showering or bathing. I nodded, impressed, not to m
ention very grateful.

  I followed him out and into the next room...the bedroom. A queen-sized bed stood under a large window and next to it, a matching dresser butted up against the wall. A small closet was next to the dresser.

  I ran my hand over the quilt on the bed, the incredibly puffy and soft fabric a delight to my fingertips. I was sure it had been handmade. Four full, poofy feather pillows rested at the head of the bed.

  “You can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch,” Darrios said.

  “But I thought...what about Avascon?” I asked.

  Darrios gave me a sideways look. “Um, okay...but I was hoping to get cleaned up first...maybe have some decent food...”

  “I’m sorry,” I told him. “I know I’m being pushy. I’ll slow down.”

  He shrugged and turned around. I followed him back to the kitchen.

  “Why don’t you go and freshen up?” he suggested. “I’m going to go down to the general store and get us something for dinner. I’ll try to find something clean for you to wear, too. I’ll get dinner ready and we can eat. I’ll clean up, and then we’ll worry about getting you to Avascon.”

  I agreed, relieved.

  The shower could only be described as heavenly. The pressure wasn’t great, but the bar of homemade soap I found smelled delightfully lavender-ish. It lathered up enormous, rich, frothy bubbles all over my body.

  The warm, fresh water flowed over me, washing away all the dirt, dust, and horror I’d experienced since I arrived in Celio. This was exactly what I needed. All of the demons from the last thirty or so hours ran down the drain along with the grime. I felt like a new woman when I was through.

  I dried off and wrapped up in a big, thirsty towel. I wrung out my hair and ran a comb through it. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I smiled, thinking how squeaky clean I felt.

  Darrios knocked on the door, softly calling my name.

  I opened the door. He stared for only a second before quickly averting his eyes. Stammering something about finding me some clothes, he shoved a bag into my hands and hurried back down the hall.

  ****

  I pulled the jeans and button down blouse out of the bag, which also contained a pair of brand new underwear, still in the package, but unfortunately, no bra. Oh well. I was certainly in no position to be picky. I glanced at the filthy bra I’d been wearing, encrusted with dirt and blood, not to mention perspiration from the last two days. I quickly decided there was no way I could put it back on my body. I’d just have to go without...fabulous.