Little Cherine Book 04 - BPost061

I listened in amazement, while Theresa was hanging on to her every word. None of us had realised how she has matured.
“It is not the same Lucy, she would have wanted him…”







Previous: Book 04 - Post 060



2701


“Lucy is right Sharipya.” Dommi spoke with force. She softened her tone as she explained. “I am guessing, but from what you started saying, it seems that when the moment for sex arrives, the body of the female reacts to the male and accepts him with pleasure?”

“Yes.”

“Then it is still rape. Because her own body betrays her does not make it right. Who would she have chosen when she was in control of her own body? For anyone else to use the chemistry of sex to force her to want him is still raping her, whatever her reaction at that moment. Her rights of choice, as a human being have been taken away from her.”

“But what Lucy speaks of is unspeakable. Adults raping a child!!”

I decided I had to be the one to explain.. “It is far worse than you can imagine. They did not rape her because of lust. At least then we could say they were weak and gave in to their own needs without caring about the child they hurt. Sharipya, they did it for the purpose of selling photographs of themselves raping her to other adults who wish they could do the same, but are afraid of being punished. They did it for money, even making sure Theresa would have a baby long before her body was mature enough.”

He was horrified. “You tell me of this and expect me to find what Robert does acceptable!?” We could feel it; he was wishing he had cleansed our planet of such a monstrous species before Robert could have stopped him. Lucy pulled away from him with a cry.

Gently Dommi pulled Lucy away from Theresa, where she had gone to for refuge and took her back to Sharipya.

“Your thoughts and feelings were spoken to our minds and you have hurt your little sister. Are you such superior creatures in all ways, that it gives you the right to judge others because there are a few who do not deserve to live?”

Meli spoke, “The only species I have met who do not know evil are the Sparklers. Every species has those who are evil and it is wrong to judge any species by them. Most humans would die to save a child such pain.”

He cried out in anguish, distraught at seeing Lucy’s reaction to him. “But your own Robert does the same!! The one you all admire and love, the one who leads you and who holds power over my people and myself, he is of the evil ones!”

Aganthi turned to me, her eyes sad. “You handled this wrong Sam. You did not try to sell him flowers. You spoke as if to force him to accept our ways and now his mind is closed to us.”

Sharipya stood up. “There is no honour in my people being granted life again by one such as Robert. I ask that you leave them to the peace that an honourable death brought them. If you truly have repaired our world, let it be as a garden in memory of us. I too must end my life. To have been defeated by such a person has brought me dishonour.”

Damn!! How was I to hold him within his body to prevent him destroying his soul?

Before I could think of a solution his body collapsed and in a panic we all followed. He was already beginning to dissolve when Lucy shot straight into him. We all cried out for we knew, from what he had told us about his alternate, that once the process is begun it is too late to stop him. We feared we would lose Lucy too.

Solomon did not wait for explanations, it was obvious to him what was happening so he went after Lucy with a cloud of Sparklers following before we could do anything ourselves. Somehow they stabilised him, preventing his death.

*You must take her. To refuse me death with honour brings dishonour to you.*

I could not sit back and let anyone else handle it. If I was wrong I would pay for it, but I had to take the decision.

*If your death causes the death of Lucy, would your death be honourable?*

*That is why I ask you to take her.*



2702

I was terrified by the words I now spoke. *Then die a dishonourable death and kill our Lucy or live without honour so that she may live. The choice is yours. Solomon, you and the Sparklers, you must leave him. Let him choose in accordance with his own beliefs.*

He was silent a moment. When his ‘voice’ spoke again there was a deep despair. *It is nearly too late for her. She is melding, becoming one with me. I cannot stop her. You must take her now.*

*You will live if we do?*

*Yes.*

*Solomon, how do we get her out? Can you help?*

*No. Only the protector can.*

I had condemned our Lucy; by trying to save him I’d lost our little girl. How could I live now? In despair I called to Jade. *Call the protector Jade. You have to make it come.*

*I don’t know how!!* she cried back.

We floundered, none of us knowing what to do and all in despair.

*Perhaps I may try to help?*

It was Adam!!

*Anything, just do it.* we all cried out to him.

*You will have to trust me. You must all enter him. Try to prevent yourselves from melding with him and search for what you can find of Lucy. I will come with to help.*

*I’m coming with.* Solomon said.

We all shot into him and found ourselves caught within a blue storm that threatened to tear us apart. As we struggled to hold ourselves against the rage of energy, we found that we were melding with him. Either we were to be torn apart or all became one. Theresa cried out that she has found the core of Lucy and we all struggled to join her as she tried to wrap herself around her daughter. Jade was screaming for the protector, her voice filled with fear for us and pain.

A flash of white entered, stilling the storm of blue as it ripped us out. Jade sobbed ‘I did it, I did it’ while we all wept from the sudden release of fear.

Lucy, persistent little blighter that she is, dashed back to Sharipya calling out *You will not die, you promise you will not die?*

*I gave my word Lucy. Oh my little sister, what have you done to me?*

Adam spoke with grief, *He suffers, for he has shared too deeply with Lucy and all of you left a small part of yourselves in him.*

*It was the only way to save him Adam.*

*There is no blame Sam. Take him back to Earth with you. He needs to be strengthened, for life lies within him as a disease. Make him want to live again.*

*How? He is disgusted by us.*

*You showed him what it is to be a normal human - even then, you showed him only the ugliest facets. Show him now what it is to be a Cherinian.*

*I have been stupid. I was crazy to…*

He actually chuckled in my mind! *You have done as Robert would. You have shocked him with the worst. Now do as Robert would and show him the empathy and love that dominates all Cherinians. Let him see there is honour in being a Cherinian.*

*Adam?*



2703

*Yes Samantha?*

*You saved us. Thank you.*

Dryly he replied, *I only saved myself for you too are a part of me.*

I laughed and my loves joined me in my laughter when I answered him, *That is the Robert part of you. He never can accept a thank you or compliment.*

*I would welcome compliments. They may taste different.*

I sent him a grin. *They will not mean as much from us. You’ll have to work hard to get one from Robbie. That will taste very different.*

He left us chuckling. Sharipya meekly or without spirit followed us when I asked him to.

“Protector, can you appear for us?”

His energy form shimmered as he condensed himself and suddenly he stood before us.

“You are well?”

“I am Dominique. Jade has a very powerful voice and she helped wake me. I see the enmity is over?”

“Yes. Meli or Bernie, will you call your parents?”

Alki was ecstatic to see the protector again. The truth is, despite what he said when he thought the protector was lost forever, he has learnt to trust it and depends on it for his peace of mind. He knows how powerful Robbie has become, but he also knows that Robbie tends to get into situations where he needs help. He was quick to sense that all of us are suffering emotionally, so he took a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet with two glasses and sat down as if he is completely relaxed.

“Come my friend, sit by me. I’m going to teach you to enjoy a good whiskey while you tell us what happened to you.”

I’d noticed Jade look over at Cassie and her lips twitched while the two of them kept their minds carefully blank, so I was not as surprised as the others at what happened next.

The protector sat down, carefully lifting his trouser leg so as not to crease or stretch it, reached out for the whiskey and lifting it to Alki in salute he tossed the glassful down his throat.

“Not much to tell you grandfather. When that guy zapped me with his blue stuff, I decided I would be better off enjoying a suntan on some beach with lots of pretty girls around me.”

Alki looked as if his eyes were about to pop out of his head. Marian was quicker to understand and she stifled a giggle as she looked at us, searching out the responsible party. It did not take her long to fix her eyes on Jade and Cassie.

“So old man, tell me. You been making lots of money to keep my family comfortable and in luxury?”

“Roberto, is it you? Are you pretending to be the protector?”

We all broke up, screaming with laughter just like kids do and he stared at us trying to work it out. Marian sat on the arm of his seat and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Let them have their fun Alki mou. They need to have a good laugh. You were nearly right. Robert, but not Robert - it is Jade.”

“But I can see her there…”

“No, I meant it is Jade who asked the protector to tease you.”

He looked at Jade, his eyes reproachful. “You would do that to your pappou?”



2704


Cassie was gasping by now from laughter. “Pappou, she would do that to her own mother - oops! Forgot, she doesn’t have a mother.”

“I do!”

“I meant a real one silly, not an adopted one.”

“I do!”

“Who?”

“Robert of course! He is my mother and father.”

Cassie imagined Robbie giving birth to Jade from his anus and she cracked up again, making us also laugh. Jade was laughing just as much as any one of us. Marian whispered in the ear of Alki and they both laughed.

“Roberto will enjoy that one!”

That wiped the laughter from Jade and Cassie. Their faces turned to him, beseeching. “Don’t tell him pappou, please?”

“Why not?” He laughed. “I’ve heard Roberto tell you Jade that you are a pain in the arse…now I know what he meant.” That set off everyone again while Sharipya sat woodenly watching us. As soon as I could I walked over to him.

“You are feeling wounded?”

He did not respond, his eyes mostly on Lucy. I took his hand in mine and his eyes turned to me. I crouched so as to look at him in the eyes.

“I’m sorry, we did not mean to hurt you. If we are laughing now it is because we were really scared. We are also very happy to have the protector back.”

“It did not fear the blue in me.”

“Protector?”

“He is right Samantha. The first time I was caught by surprise, but he cannot hurt me with it again, I’ve analysed the energy he uses.”

I turned back to Sharipya. “You see? You have made him stronger for us. Since the blue sheet of death is an energy of your soul, it is possible we’ll come across other species that have the same energy and they may try to use it to fight us. Thank you.”

We now had to explain to Alki and Marian what had happened. After they had recovered, Alki turned to Sharipya.

“I am a man who tends to believe his eyes. My mind knows you are an alien, but I see you as a man. If I had remembered in time, I would have warned you from before. Samantha has learnt from Roberto and he likes to break down barriers by turning the truth into a lie. Once he has shocked you, he then tells you a lie that is actually the truth. It is difficult to understand, but I have seen it work so I will not criticise.

They should not have told you about the sexual part of their relationship before letting you hear their story. There is no evil in Roberto and he would rather die a thousand deaths than hurt one of the girls. Let them tell you their story and you will understand.”

“Pappou, I had to do it this way. If we had given him the storytelling first, the sex would have blinded him so that the rest of the story would have lost all meaning. Now he will be able to listen properly and try to understand.”

“When will you do the storytelling? I think there will be a number of us who want to hear it again, you should let them know.”

“We thought we would do it tomorrow night. Maybe by then Robbie and Cher will be back.”



2705


“Robert will be angry when he returns. He asked me to look after you and I nearly killed all of you. Perhaps he will reward me by letting me die.”

Nicole stood before him, her legs apart, in an aggressive stance. “Robbie said you played chess with him and beat him. How can you be so good at chess and also so stupid?”

“Nicole!!”

Marian said, “It is alright Dommi, he is not angry with her. Let him answer her.”

“I had forgotten about the chess. I did beat him! Tell me little Nicole, how is it he lost at chess and yet was able to outsmart me?”

“Because he listens to his heart.”

“I don’t understand. How can emotions make you invincible?”

The protector replied for us. “Without emotions he would have no powers and I would not exist. It is his unique way of feeling that created me. Let me see if I can help you understand. That table with the vase. It is attractive and costs a lot of money. If I decided to break it to pieces just to spite you because you like it, you may resist me, fight to save the table, but it would not be with your whole heart. If I threaten to harm or kill Lucy, you will fight me with everything you have in you.” Sharipya nodded. “The difference in feeling, in intensity, that is what is crucial. If we were to compare the way all humans respond to danger or threat to a loved one, we would be talking about the table when compared to how Robert feels. As great as the difference within you between the table and Lucy being threatened, that is how much stronger his feelings are for every human, not only his family. So great was his need to protect that he forced a part of himself to become the protector and healer. He is not an especially clever man, but his need to protect brings out a gift in him; because of it he usually does the right thing and is able to outwit others who are much more intelligent than him. If you had fought him, not to kill and destroy, but to take over his position as leader, you would have outsmarted him - if your intentions were to lead wisely. If you secretly intended to become leader so as to destroy his Cherinians, he would have won.”

“But then, how could he…how could he…”

“Have sex with children? I do not know how sex is with your species. There might be a very important difference and I need to first learn about you before I can answer intelligently. With your species, are your young ones born with the ability to feel pleasure if their sexual parts are fondled?”

“To some degree. Same as having the face stroked.”

“With those of this world it is the same, but slightly stronger. Not enough to make every child want to have sex though. What happened with Robert, it was because of Cherine. You need to hear about her, understand her special needs that were born out of her gift, before you can understand Robert. Wouldn’t you prefer to wait a day and hear it correctly from the storytelling? I can assure you, you will understand it better then.”

“I will wait.”

“In that case, perhaps pappou could continue to teach me about drinking whiskey. I must admit it tastes awful - how can you drink it?”

“Will you stop calling me pappou!”

“I’m sorry Mr Georgiades, I did not mean to offend you. I saw that some brevity was needed by the girls and tried to…”

“Christe kai Panagia! Forget it!” He immediately regretted his outburst. “Another whiskey?”

“No thank you.” The protector shivered. “Even I cannot see any purpose to imposing on one’s self such cruelty. If you had a good bottle of red wine I must admit I could enjoy a glass.”

“I suppose you drink it because it is good for the heart?”

“I don’t have a heart Mr Georgiades.”



2706


That shook him. “Not even in the body you are using now?”

“What body? It is only an illusion.”

“Where did the whiskey go then?” Em-e asked, fascinated.

“Is that meant literally? Somewhere in outer space.”

Tina came to him and stared into his eyes. “You are lying - mother, he has a soul!”

Tina may play at being a gypsy, a self-defence mechanism because of her looks, but she is not fanciful. If she senses a soul then this is a revelation Robbie will be very interested in. I was really missing him and Cherine. Too much has been happening and I am still suffering from a sort of delayed reaction to my offering to sacrifice Lucy.

“Could I try some of this whiskey you’ve been talking about?” Alki poured out a glass and I began to imagine scenarios where he finds us disgusting again because we drink such potent alcoholic drinks and I began to shiver and cry. Actually, before I could cry Dommi and the girls were already holding me. They had been sensing how close I was to breaking down for a while. It was only later that I realised the whole show by the protector and the girls had been staged for my benefit. Sobbing I refused when they tried to make me go to our bedroom. I had to stay and watch over Sharipya.

Suddenly two arms from behind lifted me and Alki carried me back to his seat. He sat and holding me on his lap he held me tightly. I cannot say what a comfort it was having his strong hairy arms around me. I buried my face against his chest.

“This has got to stop Dominique! How can you allow Roberto to place such a burden on her. To moro (the baby) is still a child!” I felt he was being unfair to Dommi, but it felt so lovely having someone upset and ready to fight for me for a change, that I was almost willing to let him. Dommi burst into tears.

“It is not my fault Alki. The whole world has gone crazy!! Aliens and spaceships and going back in time and people and things trying to kill us and babies being born that can talk and…she took over Alki!! What was I supposed to do?” she wailed.

“I’m sorry koukla mou. I know it has not been easy. But you can see it also? It is not right that Roberto allows her to bear so much responsibility. “

I mumbled from within his shirt and he pulled my face up. “What did you say kori?”

“It’s not her fault, or Robbie’s. I did what I had to, nobody made me.”

“Perhaps, but they should not have allowed you. Once the years are gone, then you will play like a child?”

I pulled my face down and rubbed my cheek against his shirt, smelling his body odour. It was so masculine and comforting! I realised I miss my Robbie very much. I have not lain in his arms for many days now and I need to feel loved by him. The little ones did not understand properly and thought I was responding to Alki as a man and they were scandalised. Dommi spoke to them in their minds and they relaxed. I giggled at their misunderstanding and thought, if I did not have my Robbie, I would have been very wise to love someone like Alki. That thought made Dommi stare at me with a frown for a moment.

Sharipya had given up, deciding he cannot understand us and that it may be safer to sit quietly without speaking. The girls felt my wish for someone to explain to him so that he will not feel bad. Luckily Aganthi took over.

“Please, you must not feel responsible. What happened was good. She needed to cry and be comforted. Sharipya, our Samantha is a child, half the age of a female ready to mate.” I giggled at that statement. “Since she was born, Roberto saw within her a strength and ability to lead. When he finds he has too much to do, he lets her. Recently she has had to make too many decisions that would be difficult even for an adult. She cannot relax because she fears that something we say or do will be misunderstood by you and you will want to leave or die.”

“Why do you care Samantha?”



2707


I wished he hadn’t asked. It meant my moment of being held and comforted was over. I rubbed my face one last time against Alki, reached up and kissed his cheek before replying, “Because you are precious.”

“What!?”

I sat up properly. “Robert will be bringing back to life many worlds. He does not want them to know that he did so. It would be nice, us, his family, feel, if at least one or two worlds know. We are proud of him and want to see others appreciate him also. You are only one of two of those worlds who will know.”

“Why would he not want them to know?”

Sol answered, “When he saved us, the Sparklers and the Anadir, we made the mistake of letting him see that we wanted to venerate him as a god. To stop us he tried to kill himself. He hid himself within his mind, first destroying all that made him the person he is. The girls had to enter his mind and coax what was left of him out. When he returned, he was but a small infant in knowledge and the girls had to mend his mind.”

“He fears being venerated? I do not understand.”

I answered. “It is not the being venerated he fears; that he just dislikes. What he fears is that being treated as a god may make him begin to think of himself as a god. He would then lose what is human in him and he could then become a curse for all Cherinians. He believes that if we give him that power over us, it may corrupt him.”

“I need to think. Samantha, you have my word, no misunderstanding will make me leave. I will wait for the storytelling for now I see there is much to learn.”

I nodded. “Even those of us that tell the story find that we learn by each telling. I think you will find there was great honour in being befriended by Robert.”

“I have been suspicious of that. He treated me as a friend even while I tried to kill him and that is not normal.”

Alki laughed. “You will hear that we all take pride in the fact that he is not normal. We call him crazy and consider it a blessing that he is.”

Dommi sensed us. “Pappou, I think we better have an early night. It has been a traumatic day and we are all exhausted.”

“Dommi, have any of you eaten?”

“We are all too tired to eat Marian.”

“It would be better you eat. See, even your protector agrees. You will sleep better after a good meal. Come, let’s go to the taverna.”

We did perk up and when the youngest began to giggle and play, we were all grateful to Alki and Marian for insisting. That night only Sharipya slept alone, the rest of us slept in groups, holding on to each other for comfort.

Chapter One Hundred Forty Three

I suggested to Sam that I first write of our anniversary before she continue with her writing, as my future will soon impinge upon her present. As a matter of course, I read through the chapter I had not seen and felt shocked and angry with myself. I am grateful to Alki for speaking out, but also glad that Sam was honest enough to write about it.

I do fear that something may happen to me and I do not want Cherine to bear the responsibility on her own and so I have leaned on Sam. I’d thought I’d been doing it in such a way that she would enjoy the challenge. I’ve been blind and Alki is right. She must be a child and play carefree and innocent of adult worries. Sam baby, you made it too easy for me to forget and rely on you. Consider yourself on holiday from now until I tell you otherwise…well, after you’ve communicated and done as I will ask. I better stop hinting about the future and write in the correct time order.

* * * * *



2708


This has been a strange and at times painful but poignant anniversary. Not only because of what we did or where we went. Having my Cherine as a child, sharing new experiences and watching her mind blossom again, it was bittersweet and too fast gone.

When we left the house I took her to the beach in Dar. It was all new to her and she loved the tropical look of it. Even the air she breathed, she said, tastes different. She loved dashing into the warm water, the novel tastes of the food she ate (she had never eaten lobster) and, contrary to before, she even enjoyed the taste of coconut milk.

I asked her what she would like to do.

“The others showed me memories of other worlds where there are other Roberts and Cherines. Could I meet them Robert?” I felt my heart speed up with excitement. I’d only intended enjoying this one night and most of the next day with my little Cherine. Now I would have many days or even weeks.

“Shall we go first to the one we call baby Cherine, even though she is not a baby anymore?”

Baby Cherine is indeed not a baby anymore. When we arrived she looked like a sixteen year old. A pity, I felt; having a younger Cherine would have been what my baby needed. We were kissed and then she disappeared to the bedroom. She had picked up my thought I presume, for she soon returned as a five year old. (I’ll call all other Cherines Cher and Roberts Rob, so as to keep it simple.)

“Where is Robert?”

“He is at a meeting with Alki. We are hoping he can introduce him to some people who might buy his paintings.”

I took a look at the house with new eyes and saw what I had missed before. There were no luxuries and even some of what we think of as necessities they do not have. I could have kicked myself.

“Pappou did not offer to help you?” Cherine asked.

“Rob is too proud to accept help. Just because Alki is a Cherinian does not mean we should sponge off him.” She grinned at her. “That is what he says!”

“That sounds like me.” I said quickly to forestall Cherine. “We might have a thing or two we can do about it.”

“No. Please Robert, he will be upset. He says he is already in your debt and it worries him that he can’t do anything in return for you.”

“What are you talking about! You’ve both helped me out so many times. What about your last adventure with Noname killing him for what I did, that was nothing? Is he so similar to me that he cannot take, only give?”

My Cherine, uncharacteristically kept silent. To her, I suppose, I was still a little bit of a stranger so she was not comfortable with bullying me yet. I’ll see to it that she is before our trip ends.

I found that the group of Cherinians have not grown much on this world. Rob lacks confidence and is afraid of exposing his Cherine to unknown dangers. As for Cher, she is happy with them being just the two of them. I decided it is not up to me to push them. If anything goes wrong on this world we can easily rescue them and find another world for them. They are bound to realise some day what they are missing by not having an extended family.

Rob returned and he looked far more boyish and vibrant than I do.

“She spilled the beans I see. Well, things just might be looking up for us baby.” He hugged her and spun her around, his eyes alight with love. “Alki persuaded the owner of a gallery to do a show for me.”



2709


“Why don’t you tell us over supper? With our time difference it is late for us and we’re starving.”

As we ate he told us that he has about forty paintings ready.

“Why haven’t you tried the internet?”

“I’m not much good with computers.”

“I’ll teach you tomorrow. Cherine and I are on an anniversary trip. Our fifteenth year.”

“Then you better look after her. Not the time to sit at a computer.”

“She can keep your Cherine company. I think they’ll enjoy talking about us. I only mentioned it to explain why we are staying at a hotel tonight.” My Cherine was not being her usual self. She should have been (pretending perhaps) ignoring me and chatting away with little Cher, but instead both of them were sitting listening to us.

I asked my Cherine, “Would you like to stay at the hotel on the beach in Dar?”

“Better not Robert. They had a riot there recently and now there has also been an outbreak of Cholera. I know you will not get ill, but the atmosphere will not be right for the two of you. Us Roberts always have difficulty in getting service, but now it will be impossible.”

“Is Dimitri still living there?”

“I haven’t met him, our Dimitri that is.”

“Didn’t you like ours?” I was worried, he not only is old, but also frail.

“Of course. He’s a really nice chap.”

“Then we better go save yours. If he becomes ill, at his age he would not last through such an experience. You don’t have to link to him now if you are not ready.”

We arrived by the door of his home. I saw an extra vehicle and knew Eddie was there. I knocked on the door, my face split by a huge grin.

“Ndio (yes)?”

“Is Eddie there with you?”

They came to the door. They both looked at me and then the others and we could see the puzzlement on their faces. It surprised me that Eddie did not know who we are. In every world till now he has been aware of us and had been keeping an eye on us. It is obvious that he senses power and is curious - without showing any alarm though.

“Eddie, I need to talk to you alone. My name is Robert Teller.”

He stepped outside and followed me to one side of the house. I could feel him probing my mind - he was trying to, but without success, and this was puzzling him.

“How is Hettie?”

“How do you know of her?”

“Do you know what alternate worlds are? Good. I come from such a world. You can meet my alternate back there later. Eddie, I will open my mind to you. Please allow me to guide you through my memories.”

Carefully he came in, on the lookout for a trap. I let him see how we had been and then the attack by Doris. When he saw the result and the friendship that grew between us he was fascinated. Something though was upsetting him and he left my mind earlier than I expected. He collapsed onto a makeshift short wall, his face white. “In this world my wife is dead. You could bring her back for me?”

“Perhaps. You’ll have to trust me and let me see your memories. We came here because we were worried about Dimitri. I do not want him getting sick and dying. Are you here to protect him?”



2710


“We are both keeping out of the city. This area is still relatively safe.” He shook his head. “I still can’t believe it! I never even sensed your alternates!”

“They do tend to keep to themselves. In my world we were trying to expand which I suppose brought us to the attention of your wife. I hope you know enough about us now to handle Dimitri. Please explain to him and we will return tomorrow.”

“I sense that something has happened to him.”

“Yes, we sent our healers into him. He will stay healthy for a while. I’m sorry, I have to leave now.”

Rob and the two Cherines were surprised when I told them we were leaving. While the two men watched, we jumped back home. Cherine giggled at the memory of their faces when they saw Cher and Rob disappear.

I took Cherine to the hotel at Kefalari. Not the kind of environment for a child alone with a man she is not comfortable with yet, but it was getting late. She sat on the bed and stared at me.

“Are you feeling a little weird? I’m your Robert and yet also not?”

“A little. Most of you is still the same, but you talk more like an adult now.”

I chuckled. “I can imagine. Fifteen years my love, for me that is. Years that have taught us a lot. You adjusted very well to the shock of meeting aliens.”

“It was more frightening finding out we go to the void.”

“Where exactly do your memories end my love? Is it after Dommi moved in with us?”

“No. The last I can remember is you massaging me because I got sunburnt in the garden.”

“Jesus!” I sat down in shock. I’d not realised how far back she had been taken. No wonder she was so withdrawn. She was totally out of her depth. I tried to imagine myself in her position and found I could not. The shock would have been too much for me.

“How do you feel about all that happened? The girls did give you back your memories?”

“Yes. They don’t feel real.” She sat with her chin cupped in her hands. “I don’t know how I feel. I think I only wanted us to be together, I did not expect all this to happen. I don’t feel like a mummy.”

“You sure don’t look like one.” I teased.

“Robert. I like them, but I don’t love them.”

“That is understandable. As long as you love me.”

She nodded her head up and down. “I think I did from when I first saw you.”

“This is going to be difficult. You will soon have all your memories back, but in the meantime you are an eight year old and too much has changed for you to be comfortable. I’m not sure how to handle it.”

“Did you really die because I…I wanted to…”

“Make love? Yes. I think I’m going to have the same problem again. Cherine, it is not your body this time. I’m scared of spoiling that perfect childish mind and the dreams you have.”

“Can you change yourself to look like you did…”

“I’m sorry. I should have thought of that. Would you like to watch?” I changed to fit the image she has of me. There was a sense of wonder in her, though all she has seen the last few days have robbed it of the fine edge it should have had.

“Would you mind if I lie down next to you and hold you in my arms? Let’s first get used to being together love.”

“I bet you don’t love me anymore. You miss your Cherine who is bigger and more clever.”



Next [Book 04] - Post 062



I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.




Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)

9th November, 2019


  • posted on Steemit: 9th November, 2019




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