Free Polaris by Beth Bowland

shine.
    Dear One stretched his arms and body from left to right before finally letting out a yawn as a shimmer of light reflected from his large diamond bracelet. Aaron thought he could easily star on the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.
    “Ah,” he sighed. “This feels much better. How are you enjoying yourself thus far, Aaron?” Dear One smiled.
    Aaron opened his mouth, but the words would not come out.
    “Oh, my,” Zion proclaimed. “Dear One, I do believe we’ve stunned the poor boy.”
    Dear One laughed and gently shook Aaron. “Would you like some water?”
    Aaron nodded.
    Zion retrieved a glass of water and gently placed it in Aaron’s hand. Her hands were warm and soft like his mother’s.
    Aaron sipped the water slowly, his mind frantically searching for some sort of answer to all that he was experiencing.
    “Better?” Dear One asked.
    “Yes,” Aaron replied. “How do you know about the game?”
    Zion ushered Aaron to the couch. “Have a seat, and we’ll try to explain.”
    Aaron sat on the plush leather couch and inhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself for what he was about to hear.
    Zion sat next to Aaron on the couch as Dear One pulled up a chair, placing it directly in front of Aaron.
    Zion took Aaron’s hand in hers and smiled.
    “I’m sure that you know by now that you’re part of a large competitive game ensemble of sorts.” Zion waited for Aaron to acknowledge what she’d said.
    Aaron nodded slowly. “A scavenger hunt.”
    Zion continued. “Yes, and it’s a rather simple game, but at times the rules can be a bit challenging. And depending on whose go it is, they could simply change midway through.”
    “I don’t feel like I’m being told everything ,” Aaron said. “It just doesn’t make a lot of sense. Nakal told me if he wins, I would just end up in the nothingness and he’d get my family.” He took a sip of the water. “Just like that poof ; I’m gone and he can be part of my family.”
    Dear One nodded. “Ah, yes. Our dear, mean, spiteful, bitter Nakal. You’ve got your hands full with that one.”
    Zion patted Aaron’s hand. “Nakal is a sneaky one for sure.”
    “How am I supposed to keep up with all of this?” Aaron asked.
    “That’s where we come in,” Dear One said. “Our home is now your safe house. Meaning, it’s your resting place or just a place to come when you need to get your bearings. But from what we’ve been hearing, you’re doing quite well thus far.”
    “Yes,” Zion began. “And I’d say this is a good time for you to eat something.” She got up and headed toward the kitchen. I’ll let Dear One answer the rest of your questions.”
    Aaron watched as Zion went into the kitchen and gathered cooking utensils from the cabinets and drawers.
    Dear One rose to his feet. “Let me show you around.”
    “Thanks.” Aaron placed his glass on the coaster on the highly polished end table before joining Dear One.
    “We can start down this hallway.” Dear One motioned. “Feel free to fire off any questions you may have.” After a pause, he chuckled. “Now, can’t say that three times fast, can ya?”
    “Is Dear One your real name?”
    “No, it’s not. Zion just prefers that to my given name.”
    “What is your real name?” Aaron asked.
    Dear One smiled. “D-model-1-version-1”
    Aaron stopped walking. “Are you a robot or something?” Then he immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that you’re not real.”
    Dear One winked at Aaron. “Oh, I’m real all right. It’s just where we’re from our naming system is different than yours here on Earth. Feel free to call me D1, if that makes you more comfortable. Dear One does sound like a term of endearment.”
    “Yeah, I think I like that much better. And … ” Aaron began slowly. “Where are you from?”
    “Polaris,” D1 answered. “Some of you refer to it as the North Star.”
    “Really? How’d you get here? Were you on that meteorite that