Unknown Person Part 5

Unknown Person Chapter 5

         The man is crouched in a back alley with Alanna standing over him.  “What the hell was that back there?  Did you do all that?”

       “I don’t know…I think so”, says the man confused.

       “How?”, asks Alanna sternly.

       “I’m not sure.  It was like a reflex.  I just wanted them to go away or someone to help us."

       “But how did you do it?  People shouldn’t be able to do things like that."

       “I know that."

      “Well you don’t seem to know anything else."  Alanna then notices blood on the ground.  “Are you bleeding?”

       “Maybe.  I’m not sure."

       Alanna examines him and sees the bullet wounds.  “Holy shit you're shot!  They hit you.”  Alanna and the man lock eyes.  “Did you take a bullet for me?”  The man says nothing.  “We got to get you to a hospital.”

       “No!  You saw the people after me.  No hospitals.”

       “Well your shot, you need medical attention”, says Alanna.

       “I’ll be fine.  It actually doesn’t really hurt."

      “Bullshit!  I’m surprised you're still standing.  But then again you just seem full of surprises don’t ya.”

       “Sorry”, says the man.

       Alanna looks at the man for a long moment.  “Do you trust me?”

       “Haven’t had much of a choice so far."

       “Come on.  I have a friend who might be able to patch you up.  She doesn’t live too far from here”, says Alanna as she helps the man up.

Unknown Person Part 4

Unknown Person Chapter 4

          In the bedroom Alanna rummages through some things and tosses the man some sweats.  “Here put those on”, she says.  “Shouldn’t I call the police to help you or something.”

        “I think it was the government chasing me so I don’t trust the authorities right now”, says the man as he gets dressed.

       “Why is the government after you?”

       “I told you I don’t know."

       “Well I’m an artist not a super spy.  The best I can do is give you a ride into town”, says Alanna.

       “Is that safer?”

       “I don’t know but you’re not staying here so it’s either that or shacking up with the bears.”

       “Good point."

       Alanna and the man are driving in her truck into town.  “So where you want me to drop ya?”, asks Alanna.

       “I have no idea.  I just don’t know where to begin.  I want to know what happened to me and who I am but it seems so hopeless.  I’m a man without a past.  I feel…lost”, says the man frustrated.

       Alanna looks at him with sympathy.  “Look, I’m sorry I can’t help you more.”

       “Why would you believe me let alone help me”, says the man.

       “How about I drop you at a library.  Maybe a magazine or a newspaper will jog your memory."

       “It’s worth a try”, says the man looking out the window forlorn.  He then suddenly straightens up in his seat and gets a confused look on his face.  He is staring at the woman on the street sitting at a café with a friend.  The woman happens to glance in his direction and they lock eyes.  Both seem to have a flicker of recognition wash over their faces.  The man rolls down the window and yells out, “Hey!” but the truck moves on past the woman.

       At the café the friend asks the woman, “Did you know that man?”

       The woman shakes it off and snaps out of her trance.  “Uh no just one of those faces I guess.  You ready to go?”

       “Yea”, says the friend as they get up to leave.

       Back in the truck the man pleads with Alanna, “You gotta turn the truck around!”

       “What? Why?”

       “That woman.  I recognize her I think”, says the man as he grabs the wheel and starts turning the truck around in the middle of the street.

       “Get the hell off the wheel!  Are you trying to kill us?”, yells Alanna.  As they drive past the café the man jumps out of the truck.  Alanna stops the truck over and briskly walks up to the man.  “You’re a nutcase!”

        “Where is she?”, says the man looking frantically.

        “How the hell should I know?  If you don’t stop acting like a lunatic I’m leaving you here.”

        “I’m sorry.  But I swear we looked at each other and I felt like I knew her.  She could be the answer to everything!”

        “Well get back in the truck and we’ll drive around looking for her as long as you can dial it down”, says Alanna.

         Suddenly the man freezes as his gaze catches a black Cadillac parked behind Alanna with two men in suites and sunglasses watching them.  The man’s eyes grow wide.  “We gotta go”, says the man as he grabs Alanna’s arm and starts pulling her towards the truck.

         “What?! I thought we had to look for that woman?”

         “Get in and I’ll explain”, says the man as they both climb back in the truck.  “Drive.”

         “Where?”, asks Alanna.

         “Just drive anywhere!  They found me!”

         “Who the government?”

         “Drive now!"

         “Ok okay but remember I still have the knife”, says Alanna as she starts the truck.  

         The man looks behind him and sees the Cadillac pulling out into the street as Alanna pulls the truck out into the street.

         “They’re following us we have to lose them”, says the man.

         “Whoa friend this isn’t a spy movie."

         “I'm in danger!"

         “That's it buddy I'm…”, starts Alanna but she trails off when she sees a bunch of armored cars blocking the street in front of them.  She tries to back up but more cars pull up behind them blocking their path.  They are quickly surrounded.  

         A man in a suit gets out of one of the cars and pulls a badge out of his jacket as he strolls up to the truck.  Alanna rolls down the window as the guy flashes a badge at her.  “I’m agent Williams.  Do you know this man you're driving is a wanted fugitive?”

        Alanna turns towards the man and says, “I thought you said you were a victim?”

        “I don’t know my past but I know I’m not criminal."

        “He’s lying ma’am”, says agent Williams.  “We will need to take you both in for questioning.”

        “What?  Why me?”  

        “Then who am I?”, asks the man.

        Agent Williams looks at the man but ignores him.  “Step out of the car both of you”, says agent Williams.  Then talking into his blue tooth, “We’re bringing them out now.”

        Alanna steps out of the car and agent Williams grabs her arm and starts leading her away.  Alanna looks behind her back towards the truck.  She witnesses several men dragging the man out of the truck and handcuffing him and dragging him to a nearby armored truck.  

        The man is screaming, “Who am I?!  Why won’t you answer me?  Why can’t you tell me who or what I am?  What am I!!”  Alanna feels conflicted.  Suddenly a sonic shriek emits from the man that makes everyone duck and cover their ears.  

        Agent Williams yells, “Why aren’t the earplugs working dammit!  Somebody open fire!”

        Just then storm clouds form in the sky above them.  Torrents of rain begin pouring down accompanied by huge bolts of lightning that strike the agents and their vehicles.  Twisters of water and air form and destroy what the lightening doesn’t.  Alanna remains unaffected and the only one safe.  The man uses his tremendous strength to snap the handcuffs.  

         Then just as suddenly the storm vanishes.  The man looks around at the devastation.  He sees Alanna crouched on the ground and runs over to her and pulls her to her feet saying, “Come on let's get out of here.”  They begin to run off but some agents who survived open fire on them.  The man gets in-between the shooters and Alanna and ends up taking a bullet in the shoulder and side before they get out of sight.  

         In a nearby car Morgan watches all of this with binoculars and is smiling, “Brilliant.  Simply brilliant.”

Unknown Person Part 3

Sorry I forgot to post yesterday but here is the next installment

Unknown Person Chapter 3

       Morgan walks along a hallway to a door marked ‘Director’.  Morgan knocks on the door.  “Come in”, is the reply from the other side of the door.  Morgan opens the door and walks into the office.  A man in a suit is seated at the desk.  Another man in military fatigues is standing next to him behind the desk.  The man in the suit says, “Dr. Cromwell, please have a seat.”
       “Please call me by my first name.  I deplore the doctorate title, only got it to please my overbearing folks”, says Morgan as he sits in a chair.
        “Very well, Morgan.  This is Colonel Mulligan with special weapons R+D”, says the man in the suit.  
         Morgan seems unimpressed and says, “You haven’t found him yet, have you?  Heard he jumped over a waterfall.  Maybe he is dead.”
         The man in the suit says, “We have dredged every inch of that river and all the water ways in a 5 mile radius.  No body.  You were the one who found him and brought him to our attention.  You want to tell us how he survived?”
          Morgan shrugs, “Magic.”
          “I don’t like smart-asses son.  This is serious”, says the Colonel.  Morgan just smirks at him.
          The director then says, “After what he did to our lab and how he absorbed that energy the government wants him more than ever.”
          “Well good thing I’m a private contractor so I don’t have to give a rat’s ass about what the government wants”, says Morgan.
           “You listen here....”, bellows the Colonel before the director cuts him off.  
           “Alright, what do you want?”, says the Director.
           “New contract.  Price goes up.  I told you to let me have first crack at him but you didn’t listen.  Now his powers are activated so he’ll be tougher to catch”, says Morgan.  “Plus I want to handpick my own team.”
           “Outrageous, what gives you the right to make such demands”, says the Colonel.
           “I’m your best bet at finding him.  That’s what”, says Morgan.
           “You have a deal but find him quickly and cleanly”, says the Director.
           “Don’t I always”, says Morgan before exiting the office.

Recap of Unknown Person week of July 1st

This weeks recap of Unknown Person

Unknown Person Chapter 1

        At a top secret government facility an unconscious man in a hospital gown is being wheeled along a corridor.  He is strapped to a gurney.  The man starts to wake up.  He is struggling against the straps.  “Let me out of here!  You can’t do this to me!”, he yells.  The armed guards wheeling the gurney and walking alongside him ignore his cries.  They wheel the man into a room with a lot of fancy technology.  The guards transfer the man from the gurney to a table and secure him to it despite his resistance.     

       A mixture of military personnel and scientist watch the proceedings from a special room behind a thick pane of glass.  Into this room marches Morgan Cromwell clearly aggravated and dressed in a special ops uniform.  “What is the meaning of this?  I thought I was going to get first crack at him”, says Morgan.  

        One of the people in the room dressed in a military uniform turns half towards Morgan and says, “Ah Dr. Morgan Cromwell it’s an honor to finally meet you.  I find your work very interesting.”

       “Skip the flattery.  I thought we had a deal."

       “We appreciate you bringing him in but if your initial reports are correct we want to move quickly.  It’s a dangerous world out there and we can’t afford to waste any time on your arcane dalliances and ancient superstitions."

        A scientist in the room states, “We are ready to begin the probing.”

       “Commence immediately.”

       “You can’t.  You have no idea what you’re dealing with here”, says Morgan.

       “Which is precisely what we intend to find out."  
       Switches are flipped and the scientist begin tapping the electronic console in front of them. The man on the table begins screaming as he is bombarded with electromagnetic rays.

        “Amazing.  His body almost appears to be absorbing the electro magnetic energy somehow”, says one of the scientists.  

       “Increase intensity."

       “I wouldn’t do that if I were you”, says Morgan.

       “Fortunately, you’re not.”  
       Morgan quietly leaves the room while they increase the output of energy. 

       As the man is bombarded by more energy his screams change to a high pitch screeching.  It deafens everyone until it turns into a burst of pure sonic energy destroying the room and throwing everyone against a wall.  The man strains against the straps and to his surprise manages to break them.  He runs out of the wrecked room and down a corridor.  He comes to guards who are rushing towards him.  He sees a grate beneath him and strains to pry it off.  He then jumps down it just as the guards reach the grate.  One of them radios and says, “He went in the sewer system.”

       The man climbs out of a sewage drain and runs along the river it empties out into.  His hospital gown blows in the night breeze.  Helicopters patrol the area of the facility as alarms blare and search lights scan.  The man runs along the river trying to get away from his pursuers.  The current of the river is picking up in intensity.  Finally the man reaches the edge of the river before it falls into a waterfall.  He looks back at a helicopter closing in on him.  Suddenly the river seems to surge and a wave knocks the man over the waterfall into a torrent of water.  

Unknown Person Chapter 2

       His hospital gown swept away in the currents of the water the man now finds himself completely naked running aimlessly through a thick forest.  The morning sun in his face causes him to squint as he searches for anyone to help him or any structure where he can take refuge.  He finally comes upon a cabin with a truck parked outside.  The man runs over to the truck but it is empty.  He checks for keys but sees none.  He then runs to the cabin and looks inside the windows but sees nobody.  He tries the door and it’s unlocked.  He hesitates before opening the door.  He searches the cabin and finds a bedroom with art supplies strewn all over.  He rummages through a dresser and tries to put on a t-shirt he found but it’s clearly too small for him.  Behind him at the doorway Alanna, a middle aged petite woman, appears and drops the paint brush she is holding and screams.  The man whips around as Alanna runs away. 

       Alanna runs into the kitchen and grabs a butcher knife and her phone.  

The man runs in and yells, “Stop!”

Alanna extends the butcher knife and says, “Stay away from me!”

“I’m not gonna hurt you”, says the man.

“Oh yea.  Give me one good reason I shouldn’t call 911."

“Because people are after me."

“All the more reason to call buddy”, says Alanna who turns towards the phone.

“They’re trying to hurt me!  Please I need your help.   Please!”

Alanna looks into the man’s scared face.  “Who are you and what are you doing in my friends’ cabin?”, asks Alanna.

“I don’t know."

“That’s not a good answer”, says Alanna who turns back to the phone.

“It’s the truth”, says the man.  Alanna turns back to him and he continues, “I woke up in some demolished laboratory at some place in the woods.  I have no memories before that."

“That doesn’t sound like real life.  That sounds like the start to some summer blockbuster."

“I…I don’t know what to say to that but it’s what happenend to me.  Now the people at the lab are chasing me and I don’t know why or even who they are”, says the man.

“Can’t you at least put some clothes on?”

The man looks down at himself and says, “Sorry.  I woke up with only a hospital gown on but lost it when I went over the waterfall.”

“You went over a waterfall and survived?”

“I'm not sure how."

“You sure don’t know a lot of things."

“I’m trying to figure things out but right now I’m as confused as you are.  You have to believe me.  I came in here looking for clothes and a mode of transportation.”

“Alright I need to at least get you some clothes.  No offense but I can’t keep looking at this while we figure things out."  She walks away still holding the knife and adds, “Keeping the knife though just to be safe.”

“Understood”, says the man as he follows her.

Unknown Person Part 2

Unknown Person Chapter 2

       His hospital gown swept away in the currents of the water the man now finds himself completely naked running aimlessly through a thick forest.  The morning sun in his face causes him to squint as he searches for anyone to help him or any structure where he can take refuge.  He finally comes upon a cabin with a truck parked outside.  The man runs over to the truck but it is empty.  He checks for keys but sees none.  He then runs to the cabin and looks inside the windows but sees nobody.  He tries the door and it’s unlocked.  He hesitates before opening the door.  He searches the cabin and finds a bedroom with art supplies strewn all over.  He rummages through a dresser and tries to put on a t-shirt he found but it’s clearly too small for him.  Behind him at the doorway Alanna, a middle aged petite woman, appears and drops the paint brush she is holding and screams.  The man whips around as Alanna runs away. 
       Alanna runs into the kitchen and grabs a butcher knife and her phone.  

The man runs in and yells, “Stop!”

Alanna extends the butcher knife and says, “Stay away from me!”

“I’m not gonna hurt you”, says the man.

“Oh yea.  Give me one good reason I shouldn’t call 911."

“Because people are after me."

“All the more reason to call buddy”, says Alanna who turns towards the phone.

“They’re trying to hurt me!  Please I need your help.   Please!”

Alanna looks into the man’s scared face.  “Who are you and what are you doing in my friends’ cabin?”, asks Alanna.

“I don’t know."

“That’s not a good answer”, says Alanna who turns back to the phone.

“It’s the truth”, says the man.  Alanna turns back to him and he continues, “I woke up in some demolished laboratory at some place in the woods.  I have no memories before that."

“That doesn’t sound like real life.  That sounds like the start to some summer blockbuster."

“I…I don’t know what to say to that but it’s what happenend to me.  Now the people at the lab are chasing me and I don’t know why or even who they are”, says the man.

“Can’t you at least put some clothes on?”

The man looks down at himself and says, “Sorry.  I woke up with only a hospital gown on but lost it when I went over the waterfall.”

“You went over a waterfall and survived?”

“I'm not sure how."

“You sure don’t know a lot of things."

“I’m trying to figure things out but right now I’m as confused as you are.  You have to believe me.  I came in here looking for clothes and a mode of transportation.”

“Alright I need to at least get you some clothes.  No offense but I can’t keep looking at this while we figure things out."  She walks away still holding the knife and adds, “Keeping the knife though just to be safe.”

“Understood”, says the man as he follows her.

Unknown Person Part 1

Unknown Person Chapter 1

        At a top secret government facility an unconscious man in a hospital gown is being wheeled along a corridor.  He is strapped to a gurney.  The man starts to wake up.  He is struggling against the straps.  “Let me out of here!  You can’t do this to me!”, he yells.  The armed guards wheeling the gurney and walking alongside him ignore his cries.  They wheel the man into a room with a lot of fancy technology.  The guards transfer the man from the gurney to a table and secure him to it despite his resistance.     

       A mixture of military personnel and scientist watch the proceedings from a special room behind a thick pane of glass.  Into this room marches Morgan Cromwell clearly aggravated and dressed in a special ops uniform.  “What is the meaning of this?  I thought I was going to get first crack at him”, says Morgan.  

        One of the people in the room dressed in a military uniform turns half towards Morgan and says, “Ah Dr. Morgan Cromwell it’s an honor to finally meet you.  I find your work very interesting.”

       “Skip the flattery.  I thought we had a deal."

       “We appreciate you bringing him in but if your initial reports are correct we want to move quickly.  It’s a dangerous world out there and we can’t afford to waste any time on your arcane dalliances and ancient superstitions."

        A scientist in the room states, “We are ready to begin the probing.”

       “Commence immediately.”

       “You can’t.  You have no idea what you’re dealing with here”, says Morgan.

       “Which is precisely what we intend to find out."  
       Switches are flipped and the scientist begin tapping the electronic console in front of them. The man on the table begins screaming as he is bombarded with electromagnetic rays.

        “Amazing.  His body almost appears to be absorbing the electro magnetic energy somehow”, says one of the scientists.  

       “Increase intensity."

       “I wouldn’t do that if I were you”, says Morgan.

       “Fortunately, you’re not.”  
       Morgan quietly leaves the room while they increase the output of energy. 

       As the man is bombarded by more energy his screams change to a high pitch screeching.  It deafens everyone until it turns into a burst of pure sonic energy destroying the room and throwing everyone against a wall.  The man strains against the straps and to his surprise manages to break them.  He runs out of the wrecked room and down a corridor.  He comes to guards who are rushing towards him.  He sees a grate beneath him and strains to pry it off.  He then jumps down it just as the guards reach the grate.  One of them radios and says, “He went in the sewer system.”

       The man climbs out of a sewage drain and runs along the river it empties out into.  His hospital gown blows in the night breeze.  Helicopters patrol the area of the facility as alarms blare and search lights scan.  The man runs along the river trying to get away from his pursuers.  The current of the river is picking up in intensity.  Finally the man reaches the edge of the river before it falls into a waterfall.  He looks back at a helicopter closing in on him.  Suddenly the river seems to surge and a wave knocks the man over the waterfall into a torrent of water.  

Sorry about the delay

Sorry I know I was going to post the first chapter of Unknown Person today.  But I had a personal crisis to deal with today.  I got some bad health news about one of my dogs.  Those that read the earlier postings on this blog about animals and nature will know how much of an important part of my life my two dogs Molly and Buddy are.  They have been with me through some very trying times and great upheaval(sometimes they were the only ones physically with me).  They have opened up so many doors for me and I probably wouldn't have gotten back into writing if it wasn't for them.  That's why I dedicated Wolf's Howl to them.  They aren't just pets they are my best friends and guides through life.

I will start posting Unknown Person tomorrow but today is all about Molly and Buddy.  Thanks for your understanding.

Goodbye Kharon, Hello Unknown Person

So that's it for the Kharon saga.  Please let me know your thoughts if you would like to share.  Always interested in feedback.  I hope you enjoyed the adventures of the Kharon crew.  Here is the link to where the story started if you wanted to read it again.

https://human1nature.blogspot.com/2019/01/kharon-getting-back-to-storytelling.html

Also here are links to my other stories I've posted on this blog in case you wanted to check them out

https://human1nature.blogspot.com/2017/03/prinooween-chapter-1.html

https://human1nature.blogspot.com/2017/07/myths-of-humanity-chapter-1.html

Kharon got me over a rough stretch where I wasn't feeling very creative so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  But I will be starting a brand new story tomorrow called Unknown Person.  Hope you enjoy it :)

Recap Week of June 24th

Here is this weeks Kharon recap.  Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend :)

Kharon Chapter 84

        The crew is now back on the Kharon. Kiarah once more is piloting on the bridge of the ship.  She is alone when Luke walks in to join her.  He stands next to her looking at the view monitors.  

        “Where’s that map of yours?”, asks Kiarah.  “I want to recheck our orientation.  I am unsure how far off course that island took us.”

        Luke does not take his gaze off the view monitors.  “I lost the map.”

        “Without it I can’t orient the ship properly.  Even if The Gardens existed it would be impossible to find now.”

        “So we’ll just keep sailing till we find another place to call home.”

        “What do you mean by the use of ‘we’?”

        Luke turns to look at Kiarah.  “You’re not fooling anyone.  Whether you like it or not, you’ve found a new tribe.”

        “That is preposterous.  I’m just ferrying you idiots around and trying to keep my ship in one piece.”

         Luke turns and walks out of the bridge.  “Don’t worry there’s worse company to keep.”

Kharon Chapter 85

        Emma is laying in her bed when a knock is heard at the door.  “Come in”, she calls out as Sparky perks up next to her.

       Jacob enters the room and sits on the edge of the bed taking Emma by surprise.  “Jacob!  What do you need?”

       “I need to talk to you...about us.”

        “I thought you were a hustler.  Don’t they play their cards close to the vest?”

        “That’s just it you make me think I can be happy without money or power for the first time in my life.”

        “I’m screwed up and I…”

        “Didn’t you tell Luke you wanted to be happy?”

        Emma turns away from Jacob.  “I’ll hurt you.  Trust me.”

        “Maybe…maybe not.  But I think maybe it's worth a try.”

        Emma turns back to Jacob.  Her eyes are welling up with tears.  “I didn’t think this would happen.”

        “Look if you want me to leave just say the word and I won’t bring it up again I promise.  But I just had to tell you how I felt.”

        Emma and Jacob gaze into each other’s eyes and they slowly lean in and kiss.

        Luke stands at the bow of the Kharon looking up at the hazy night sky.  Simone walks up beside him.  The two stare out at the darkness together in silence.  

        “I’m sure we’ll be back on course in several cycles”, says Simone.

        “No, we won’t.  I lost the map.”

        Simone turns to Luke surprised.  “How?”

        “It fell out when I was saving the others on that ice island.  We’ll dock at the next island so you can get off.”

        “Why would I want off this ship?”

        “Aren’t you only here to see if The Gardens exists?”

        “Originally.”

        Luke turns to Simone for the first time and is struck by the intensity in her eyes.  Simone kisses Luke.

        “Why did you do that?”, asks Luke.

        “Because I know you.  You’re me.  And maybe we both should start practicing some self love.”  

        They gaze at each other for a moment and then Simone leans in to kiss Luke again.  This time Luke pulls her in close.  

Kharon Chapter 86

        Several cycles later Jacob and Emma are lying on the deck in each others arms napping.  Sparky is curled up close by but suddenly becomes alert and starts buzzing with electricity.  This rouses Emma who sits up and squints towards the horizon. “Look.  We’re coming up to another island.”

        Jacob sits up as well and rolls his eyes.  “Great.  Here comes another life threatening adventure.”

       Jacob, Emma and Sparky stroll onto the bridge where Luke is piloting.  Next to him Simone is furrowing her brow as she pours over maps.  “I don’t see it on any of these.”

       Kiarah walks onto the bridge and says, “My Quarsian tactics have failed to discern what island this is.”

        “Wait.  A mysterious unidentified island.  You don’t think it’s…?”, asks Emma.

        “I don’t know…I’ve never seen an island this green”, says Simone as she hunches over the telescopic view screen.

        “We should dock and check it out”, says Emma.

        “An unidentified island could be dangerous.  We should just keep on moving”, says Luke.

        “If it’s a threat then we’ll just destroy it like every other island we came across”, Emma retorts.

        “I certainly have nothing to fear”, says Kiarah proudly,

        Luke looks at Jacob who just shrugs.  He then looks at Simone who nods.

        Luke steers the Kharon towards the mysterious land mass.  “First sign of trouble we get fuck outta here.”

Kharon Chapter 87

        The Kharon is docked in what seems like a lush tropical beach.  The group walks cautiously further through the greenery towards the interior of the island.  The greenery opens up to reveal rolling hills with meadows and forests.  Large waterfalls flank a pristine river.  Over the waterfalls immaculate marble structures are built almost integrated into the beautiful scenery.  A group of smiling people are walking towards them.

         An older gentleman at the front of the group shouts out, “Welcome newcomers.”

        “Who are you?  What is the name of this place?”, asks Luke.

        The older gentleman spreads his arms wide and says, “This place is known by many names and I am Marshall head of the welcoming committee.  Come let us show you around.”

        “Is this The Gardens?”, asks Emma.

        “That is one of the names we are known by.”

        The jaws of the crew drop.  “I can’t believe it!  We found The Gardens”, says Jacob in a state of shock.

        “One never finds this place.  One instead must make themselves able to see it.”

        “What does that mean?”, asks Luke.

        “Who cares”, says Simone.  “You were right all along.  You found what you were looking for.”

        Luke looks around him and then at Emma and smiles.  “Yeah.  I guess I did.”

        Kiarah turns her head and sees a Quarsian paddling a small raft along the river towards them.  Kiarah’s eyes bulge.  Her knees buckle.

        “Is that a Quarsian?”, asks Jacob.

        “I thought Kiarah was the last one?”, asks Emma.

        “Guess there are some things she is wrong about”, says Luke.

        “HAMAK!!”, exclaims Kiarah as she runs to the other Quarsian.  Hamak opens his arms and Kiarah jumps into them.  They hold each other as the rest of the Kharon crew can't help but smile at the touching scene.

The End