Afro Otherworldly

Copyright © 2007, 2009 by Valjeanne Jeffers-Thompson

Jacket art and design by Kristopher Mosby

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions

thereof in any form.

Second Edition

Printed in the United States of America

Praise of Immortal:

piece that takes the reader on a trip that is horror, cyber-punk, and

fantasy, all rolled in one. Valjeanne Jeffers is one of those authors who

can make words drip color. I had a ball exploring her world. I was

captivated by the surreal dreamscapes Karla and Joseph ebbed in and out

of, and the utilitarian society in which they spent their waking lives.”

Edward Uzzle, author of Neters and Retro-Km, www.daathrekh.com.

ETERSathreaathrekh.com

“Ms. Jeffers has created an oddly vivid and not so far-fetched neo-Earth

in Immortal. Quick paced and well-crafted, I felt a connection with her

protagonists and a distilled hatred for her antagonists. The characters'

backstories fit together like the pieces of an intricate puzzle. From the

absence of war to the presence of the obscenely paranormal…” B.

Sharise Moore, author of Taste: an Erotic Fantasy Series,

www.blaqmermaidpress.com

daughter of Lance and Trellie Jeffers. She is a graduate of Spelman

College and is a member of the Carolina African American Writer’s

Collective. Valjeanne writes poetry (also under the pen name Valjeanne

Jeffers-Thompson). Her poems have been featured in Revelry 2006, The

Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South 2007, Drumvoices Revue 2007,

She was also semifinalist for the 2007 Rita Dove Poetry Award; and her

poetry and fiction have appeared in Pembroke Magazine 2007. Her

writing has also been published in the anthologies: Liberated Muse I:

How I Freed My Soul, Making Sense of the Madness and Future

Passage.

poetry and fiction have appeared in Pembroke Magazine 2007. Her

writing has also been published in the anthologies: Liberated Muse I:

How I Freed My Soul, Making Sense of the Madness and Future

Passage.

writing has also been published in the anthologies: Liberated Muse I:

How I Freed My Soul, Making Sense of the Madness and Future

Passage.

Other titles by Valjeanne Jeffers:

All praises to God: He who loves and blesses me each day. I wish

to thank my CAAWC family: especially Lenard D. Moore, Teresa Church

and Gina Streaty for their wonderful, constructive criticism which has

helped me to evolve as a writer. I must acknowledge my beautiful

children: Toussaint, Gabrielle, Mikail and little Valjeanne: my best friends

and most loyal fans; my mother, Trellie Lee Jeffers, for her unfailing love

and support; as well as my father, Lance Flippin Jeffers, for making me

write (even when I didn’t want to). Moreover, I’m very grateful for the

support and love of my extended www.blacksciencefictionsociety.com

family especially: B. Sharise Moore, Edward Uzzle, Milton Davis and my

fantastic cover artist Kristopher Mosby. I wish to thank Eugene

Redmond and Jonathon Livingston as well: their encouragement means

more to me than they know. Finally, I must thank Carla who befriended

me when I was nine years old and who was the inspiration for Immortal.

Carla, wherever you are, I love you.

illumination a glowing, quarter moon etched into the floor. A burst of

light split the darkness, and she moaned low in her throat.

Yet her feet moved of their own volition, inching toward the

mark…and the twisted bundle now lying in its center. A man was curled

upon the stone. He wasn’t breathing, and his limbs were tiny and

withered. But she knew he wasn’t dead.

He wasn’t human.

The daemon opened his eyes. I’ve been sleeping. But for how

long? He could feel his arms and legs, but the sensations were muted as

if they’d traveled from a great distance.

Then he remembered. He’d been imprisoned – snatched from his

body by the magic that had trapped him here. Even now sleep, like a

delicious drug, threatened to overtake him. But he fought it away.

How many centuries would pass while he slept?

A doorway appeared in his mind and just beyond it, a tattered

clump of flesh and bone…

Karla’s eyes flew open – the scream caught in her throat. It’s just

a nightmare. I’m Ok. I’m here now, at home.

if they’d traveled from a great distance.

Then he remembered. He’d been imprisoned – snatched from his

body by the magic that had trapped him here. Even now sleep, like a

delicious drug, threatened to overtake him. But he fought it away.

How many centuries would pass while he slept?

A doorway appeared in his mind and just beyond it, a tattered

clump of flesh and bone…

Karla’s eyes flew open – the scream caught in her throat. It’s just

a nightmare. I’m Ok. I’m here now, at home.

The Indigo woman turned her head to look at the bedroom

console. Six-thirty glowed on the screen. She scooted out of bed, picked

up a remote from the nightstand and turned off the alarm.

Karla walked across the wooden floor of her living area into a

kitchenette. A press of her fingers on the first sphere of a triangular pod

started coffee brewing.

She filled a cup with chicory, walked back into the living area and

pushed the second button on her remote, activating a blue panel beside

the window. Jazz music filled the apartment. Like her bedroom console

the unit kept time, transmitted holographic images and played tapes.

Using the third button, she opened the curtains. Curled upon her

futon, the Indigo woman watched as the illuminae changed Topaz’s

violet sky into a mellow shade of peach. She thought of the dreams.

For as far back as Karla could remember, she’d had them.

Otherworldly, exquisite and always with an unsettling clarity so

different from the normal phantasms she read about. When I eat, I wake

And her dream lover left her limp with satisfaction, even after she

awoke, sure he was still beside her.

At night Karla wrote them down, pouring all of her fears and

desires into the notebooks. She spent hours in the library, reading stories

of reincarnation and demonic possession, searching for answers. She’d

found them too – dozens of them. But none could satisfy the yearning

that burned inside her.

Every time she closed her eyes to sleep they beckoned, calling to

her. Mornings, she awoke like a swimmer who’d been underwater for too

long, grasping for the fabric of reality – moaning with pleasure or

trembling with exhilaration.

“What time is it?”

The top left knob of her console blinked. “The time is 7:00

am,” a pert, female voice replied.

and hurried back into the bedroom to dress.

Tehotep watched the tall, slender woman thumb through her

closet. He wasn’t invisible, only dim. As long as he stayed in the shadows,

she couldn’t see him. But noise couldn’t be cloaked by magic.

The Indigo woman tossed a red knit, shirt and jeans on the bed,

slipped off her pajamas and walked into the bathroom. As she stepped

into the shower, the nozzle automatically clicked on, spraying her body

with water. He followed, standing just beyond the doorway …

Karla finished bathing, and Tehotep quickly moved back into the

shadows – all the while devouring her with his eyes. Her skin, dewy with

moisture, looked like melting chocolate her nipples, blackberries.

She toweled off her full breasts and long legs and he licked his

lips imagining the things he would do with her – to her – the endless

perversions he’d force her to submit to. Things she’d come to enjoy,

when she tried to please him.

The young woman walked into the bedroom. He watched her

pull up her panties, hook her bra, slip her arms into the straps. Image

after image flooded his mind. Tehotep felt himself harden; a soft groan

escaped his lips…

perversions he’d force her to submit to. Things she’d come to enjoy,

when she tried to please him.

The young woman walked into the bedroom. He watched her

pull up her panties, hook her bra, slip her arms into the straps. Image

after image flooded his mind. Tehotep felt himself harden; a soft groan

escaped his lips…

Karla froze then stared into the corner facing her bed. It’s only a

bunch of dirty clothes, you’re hearing things!

In that instant he appeared: an Indigo man with full lips, slanting

onyx eyes and a shaven head. Voluminous garments hung from his

muscular frame. Their eyes locked, and she gasped in recognition. The

dark man smiled, nodded his head…

And vanished.

Karla gazed at the pile of laundry – all that remained of him –

and wondered if she’d lost her mind. With trembling hands she finished

dressing her thoughts scurrying about like rats in a maze. It’s him! I

didn’t imagine it! He was here, but that’s impossible –!

There was a knock at the door and she jumped. Get it together

girl, that’s the twins.

She walked into the living room, picked up her remote and

pointed it at the entrance. It slid open and the eight-year-old twins,

Carlos Jr. and Ashley, small and brown like their mother, ran

inside.

Ashley’s shoulder length braids were tied off with ribbons.

“Good morning Karla,” they sang in unison, hugging her.

“Good morning love bugs. What do you want for breakfast?”

“Waffles,” said Ashley.

Carlos Jr. flapped his hand at his sister. “You always want

waffles.

Make mine French toast.”

When Karla and the twins’ mother had first become friends,

Tatiana and Carlos were both working nights, and she’d offered

to make breakfast for their children during the week. That was two years

ago.

Now Tatiana worked as a beautician, although her mate still

worked evening shifts at the metal emporium. But fixing meals for the

twins had become a habit Karla didn’t want to break. She was crazy

about them, and Topaz’s food prices were next to nothing.

“Coming right up.” The dark woman took milk and breakfast

pellets from her cold box, and slid the nuggets into a diamond shaped

oven. In twenty seconds, they expanded with heat.

waffles.

Make mine French toast.”

When Karla and the twins’ mother had first become friends,

Tatiana and Carlos were both working nights, and she’d offered

to make breakfast for their children during the week. That was two years

ago.

Now Tatiana worked as a beautician, although her mate still

worked evening shifts at the metal emporium. But fixing meals for the

twins had become a habit Karla didn’t want to break. She was crazy

about them, and Topaz’s food prices were next to nothing.

“Coming right up.” The dark woman took milk and breakfast

pellets from her cold box, and slid the nuggets into a diamond shaped

oven. In twenty seconds, they expanded with heat.

outside the kitchenette.

Karla served them, walked into the living area and took a cipher

from the box on the coffee table. She lit it and puffed nervously; with the

other hand combing her fingers through her short,

wavy hair.

“Smoking is stinky,” Ashley pronounced her mouth full of

waffles.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” How did he get in my

apartment? Piss on that! How did he get out?

“Mommy’s mad at Daddy ‘cause he ain’t been home in two

days!” Carlos Jr. announced, snapping her back to the present.

“Hasn’t, not ain’t and your mother probably wants to tell me

about it herself,” Karla scolded gently.

“Yeah,” piped Ashley, “don’t tell family business.” There was a

knock at the door, she opened it and Tatiana strolled in: an Indigo

woman with her hair coiled into tiny braids.

“Hey girl.” Tatiana greeted her.

“Hey yourself, want some coffee?”

“Definitely,” the petite woman flopped on the couch, “Kids

hurry up; the transport unit will be here in minute.”

After the twins left for school, the women sat on Karla’s futon

drinking coffee.

“Carlos hasn’t been home in two days.”

“Your son already told me.” Karla eyed her friend with concern.

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You said the next time he pulled this shit, you were gonna put

him out.”

Tatiana stared into her cup. “When he comes back, I’ll talk to

him –really talk to him,” she mumbled. “He‘s got to get it together, or

find someplace else to stay.”

“Yeah, you said that last time too.”

“Karla he’s a good man and he loves me, he’s just got issues! His

daddy used to beat him up. Carlos gets depressed when he thinks about

it so he smokes rush. He doesn’t do it every day – ”

The dark woman gritted her teeth. “Ti, I don’t wanna hear that

“Mommy’s mad at Daddy ‘cause he ain’t been home in two

days!” Carlos Jr. announced, snapping her back to the present.

“Hasn’t, not ain’t and your mother probably wants to tell me

about it herself,” Karla scolded gently.

“Yeah,” piped Ashley, “don’t tell family business.” There was a

knock at the door, she opened it and Tatiana strolled in: an Indigo

woman with her hair coiled into tiny braids.

“Hey girl.” Tatiana greeted her.

“Hey yourself, want some coffee?”

“Definitely,” the petite woman flopped on the couch, “Kids

hurry up; the transport unit will be here in minute.”

After the twins left for school, the women sat on Karla’s futon

drinking coffee.

“Carlos hasn’t been home in two days.”

“Your son already told me.” Karla eyed her friend with concern.

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You said the next time he pulled this shit, you were gonna put

him out.”

Tatiana stared into her cup. “When he comes back, I’ll talk to

him –really talk to him,” she mumbled. “He‘s got to get it together, or

find someplace else to stay.”

“Yeah, you said that last time too.”

“Karla he’s a good man and he loves me, he’s just got issues! His

daddy used to beat him up. Carlos gets depressed when he thinks about

it so he smokes rush. He doesn’t do it every day – ”

The dark woman gritted her teeth. “Ti, I don’t wanna hear that

“Hasn’t, not ain’t and your mother probably wants to tell me

about it herself,” Karla scolded gently.

“Yeah,” piped Ashley, “don’t tell family business.” There was a

knock at the door, she opened it and Tatiana strolled in: an Indigo

woman with her hair coiled into tiny braids.

“Hey girl.” Tatiana greeted her.

“Hey yourself, want some coffee?”

“Definitely,” the petite woman flopped on the couch, “Kids

hurry up; the transport unit will be here in minute.”

After the twins left for school, the women sat on Karla’s futon

drinking coffee.

“Carlos hasn’t been home in two days.”

“Your son already told me.” Karla eyed her friend with concern.

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You said the next time he pulled this shit, you were gonna put

him out.”

Tatiana stared into her cup. “When he comes back, I’ll talk to

him –really talk to him,” she mumbled. “He‘s got to get it together, or

find someplace else to stay.”

“Yeah, you said that last time too.”

“Karla he’s a good man and he loves me, he’s just got issues! His

daddy used to beat him up. Carlos gets depressed when he thinks about

it so he smokes rush. He doesn’t do it every day – ”

The dark woman gritted her teeth. “Ti, I don’t wanna hear that

knock at the door, she opened it and Tatiana strolled in: an Indigo

woman with her hair coiled into tiny braids.

“Hey girl.” Tatiana greeted her.

“Hey yourself, want some coffee?”

“Definitely,” the petite woman flopped on the couch, “Kids

hurry up; the transport unit will be here in minute.”

After the twins left for school, the women sat on Karla’s futon

drinking coffee.

“Carlos hasn’t been home in two days.”

“Your son already told me.” Karla eyed her friend with concern.

“So what are you gonna do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You said the next time he pulled this shit, you were gonna put

him out.”

Tatiana stared into her cup. “When he comes back, I’ll talk to

him –really talk to him,” she mumbled. “He‘s got to get it together, or

find someplace else to stay.”

“Yeah, you said that last time too.”

“Karla he’s a good man and he loves me, he’s just got issues! His

daddy used to beat him up. Carlos gets depressed when he thinks about

it so he smokes rush. He doesn’t do it every day – ”

The dark woman gritted her teeth. “Ti, I don’t wanna hear that

find someplace else to stay.”

“Yeah, you said that last time too.”

“Karla he’s a good man and he loves me, he’s just got issues! His

daddy used to beat him up. Carlos gets depressed when he thinks about

it so he smokes rush. He doesn’t do it every day – ”

The dark woman gritted her teeth. “Ti, I don’t wanna hear that

he’d check into a clinic!”

Tatiana’s small, oval face narrowed with anger. “I’m not one of

your residents so don’t preach to me, Ok? It’s my life and my man!”

“I’m not trying to preach,” Karla said softly. She touched her

friend’s hand. “It’s just that you deserve better – better than him. You

need a man that’s gonna be there for you all the time. Not somebody

who keeps giving you love, and taking it back.”

“Look, I know what you’re saying, up here,” Tatiana tapped the

side of her head with her fingertip, “but relationships aren’t simple,

they’re tangled like vines. You don’t make up your mind to leave

someone you love just like that.” She snapped her fingers for emphasis.

“You ever been in love?”

“Uh-huh, I have.”

“Really, with who? I mean, I’ve never seen you with anybody for

more than a few months.”

“With – ” a brown face appeared in her mind’s eye. Loved.

Cherished. But Karla had never met him – not while she was awake. She

looked sheepish. “It’s been a while.”

The Indigo woman furrowed her brow. “So long ago you don’t

remember his name? Then you weren’t in love.”

Karla avoided Tatiana’s searching eyes. “I don’t wanna talk about

him,” she fumbled for the words to stop her friend’s questions, “it’s too

painful.”

“Oh, it’s like that huh? I understand…Karla, he took my ID

card.”

“You ever been in love?”

“Uh-huh, I have.”

“Really, with who? I mean, I’ve never seen you with anybody for

more than a few months.”

“With – ” a brown face appeared in her mind’s eye. Loved.

Cherished. But Karla had never met him – not while she was awake. She

looked sheepish. “It’s been a while.”

The Indigo woman furrowed her brow. “So long ago you don’t

remember his name? Then you weren’t in love.”

Karla avoided Tatiana’s searching eyes. “I don’t wanna talk about

him,” she fumbled for the words to stop her friend’s questions, “it’s too

painful.”

“Oh, it’s like that huh? I understand…Karla, he took my ID

card.”

Karla avoided Tatiana’s searching eyes. “I don’t wanna talk about

him,” she fumbled for the words to stop her friend’s questions, “it’s too

painful.”

“Oh, it’s like that huh? I understand…Karla, he took my ID

card.”

card.”

The petite woman shrugged. “I’ll figure something out.” She set

her cup on the table. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“You need some credits?”

“Probably…I’ll let you know. You better get going.”

Karla activated the door lock then watched Tatiana slowly climb

the steps to her flat. How could Carlos do this to her again?

The elderly woman held the curtain back from her window. She

was short with large eyes, a wide nose and full lips a shade lighter than

her ebony skin. Her thick salt and pepper hair was twisted into two

braids atop her head. Her calico spotted cat, Nutmeg, rubbed against her

legs, meowing plaintively, but she ignored him.

Opal watched the tall, Indigo woman descend the stairs and cross

the street. Once Karla was out of sight, she opened the door, walked

down the hallway to the back exit and followed the brick path into her

garden.

There was a pecan and cherry tree, a profusion of roses, lilacs and

daises, and the bees were having their breakfast. The garden square was

hemmed in by apartment buildings and faced a tool shed.

She continued down the end of the path to the shed. This time

Nutmeg didn’t follow and he’d ceased to beg for attention. Instead, he

sat solemnly on his haunches and watched her pick up a can of oil, and a

rag from beside the doorway.

Opal oiled the door hinges and wiped away the excess. She

squirted more oil on the cloth and rubbed it into the door.

Anyone observing this ritual would see an elderly woman

polishing a tool shed. If they looked more closely, they’d notice her

whispering to herself and think she was senile. And that was just fine

with her.

The old woman stepped back: admiring her handiwork. She

strolled up the little path, and took a seat in one of the cushioned lawn

chairs beneath her trees. Nutmeg stopped harassing the bees, bounded

over and wound himself around her legs.

Opal reached down and stroked his back. The illuminae was

beautiful today. Perhaps she’d linger a bit and enjoy it.

bewitching me! With dawning terror, Joie realized he might never

leave the forest.

“The city does not exist here, in your time. But your future self

knows it well, and it is to him that I speak. You must journey to find

your heart’s desire, Joseph to find the one you long for.”

Now the enchantress‘s brows drew together in anger. Her

voice doubled in volume echoing through the woods. “I’ve visited you

before! Why have you ignored my commands? When you awake,

remember my words and hark unto them! Go to Topaz, we will speak

again at that time.”

She turned and disappeared into the forest.

Centuries before the Time of Legend, Sorre’s Copper citizens had

been warriors and hunters. Now its inhabitants grew vegetables, and

herded sheep and goats; for Sorre was the chief supplier of crops and

animal proteins for the New World.

Joseph had lived here his entire life. His parents had taught him

to grow corn, beans and peas. He’d leaned to listen to the wind to predict

the weather, to put his ear to the soil to hear its heartbeat.

And he learned that all creatures have a soul, no less worthy of

respect than his own. These were the gifts Mata, his mother, and Lowe,

his father, had given him.

His grandfather had shared these values too and other gifts as

well – tales of long dead warriors and bloody battles; of evil magicians

and shape shifters; and of a war between good and evil that never really

ended.

Joseph stood on his porch for a moment, enjoying the illuminae’s

first light. Then jumped down, and crossed the street to his grandfather’s

cabin.

As he mounted the steps, an elderly man opened the door and

stepped out, his lined face breaking into a smile when he saw Joseph.

Ripple had an aquiline nose and coffee colored skin. Thick black

hair laced with gray was spread over his shoulders, and he wore a flannel

shirt, jeans and boots.

“Good morning, Joe.”

“Good morning, Grandfather.”

The old man sat in one of the two wooden chairs, and took a

pipe from the table beside him. “I knew you’d come to see me this

morning.”

Joseph sat down next to him. “How?”

“Because it’s almost time for you to make your journey.”

The young man slapped his thigh. “Damn, you’re amazing! How

do you always know what I’m thinking?”

Ripple chuckled. “An elder’s intuition. She came to see you

again?”

“Last night.”

“So what are you waiting for? Go to Topaz, find your destiny.”

Elbows resting on his knees, Joseph rubbed his hands together.

“Just like that huh?”

“Why not?”

“You don’t think its crazy for me to move halfway across the

New World, because of a dream?”

“I think you’d be crazy not to. I’d have left the first night she

visited me. Besides you were never meant to be a farmer. You hate it.”

The Copper youth laughed. “Yeah, I do hate farming. But what

about you, with all your stories of blood and magic. How can you settle

for,” he waved his hand, “this?”

“I’m an old man. I enjoy the illuminae setting in the evenings, the

fresh air; the peace and quiet. That is enough for me,” Ripple winked,

“that, and the frisky widow next door.”

For a while they sat in silence.

At length Joseph said: “I’ve got some credits saved. I guess I

could take my paintings – see if I can find a buyer. You’ll hold my land in

trust until I return?”

Ripple puffed serenely on his pipe. “Sure, I’ll take care of it but

you won’t come back…not as a farmer.”

Karla boarded the trolley and took a side seat. Leaning her head

against a crooked arm, she gazed absently out at the city. Citizens riding

bicycles, and a few on horse back passed the trolley. Auto taxies idled in

front of wooden houses, and black garbed enforcers were making their

morning patrols.

Topaz, like all New World cities, was a hodgepodge of the very

old and the very new.

Four hundred years ago, before the Time of Legend, war and

crime had almost destroyed the planet.

The Book of Records told stories of citizens hiding under their

beds, as taser fire shattered their windows – stories of gang wars, of

entire city blocks destroyed by explosions – of a world dying of the

toxins that filled its water and air.

But in the year of our One 3075, war, crime and pollution didn’t

exist.

Contamination of the environment was illegal. Recycling was

mandated by planet law. Weapons had been outlawed and purged from

New World Tundra. Only a few remained on display in museums.

Prisons had become behavioral clinics where inmates were taught

the life skills they needed to be mainstreamed back into society.

It was illegal to have homeless living within one’s borders, and

cities were punished with heavy fines if they didn’t house them in private

living quarters.

Junkies were the exception to this rule, since so many of them

lived in dormitories; and they were locked out if they missed curfew.

It was forbidden for a citizen to be unemployed if he could work.

Tundra law dictated that every able-bodied man and woman must be

given a job, and it was forbidden to pay a citizen less than she needed to

buy both necessities, and a few luxuries.

Racism and sexism were also relics that the New World had

discarded during the Time of Legend, when everyone had been fighting

to survive the holocaust. Then, they were luxuries the planet couldn’t

afford.

Now, like the chemical waste that had once poisoned Tundra,

they’d been forgotten.

But rush and placid were legal. If you were an addict you simply

went to a nightspot flashed your ID card and, if you had credits for the

went to a nightspot flashed your ID card and, if you had credits for the

month, got high. If your card was empty, you went to a dormitory and

did the same thing. Just not in luxury.

In fact, Tundra politicians – at their citizens’ request – had

bankrolled illicit drugs. They seemed to say: “If you want to kill yourself,

feel free to do so at the planet’s expense.”

Yet, these same politicians rolled out the red carpet for any junkie

who wanted to kick. Thus, plush clinics like CLEAN (“Clean living

experiences and no chemical dependency”) where Karla worked, were

not uncommon.

She pulled the bell for her stop, got off and began her morning

walk through Diamond Alley to CLEAN. Diamond Alley, an erstwhile

factory district, had been turned over to the small business community.

In the Alley, it wasn’t unusual to find a family living above their

boutique or diner. Zoning laws banned nightspots and liquor stores, but

wine was sold in restaurants.

Smiling, Karla watched the children playing kickball and soccer;

at the folks busy laying out rugs and dresses for sale, and dusting the

sidewalks. It was all so boisterous and chaotic. But the timeless Alley

never failed to make her feel loved – part of the ever spinning rotund of

humanity.

It was a serene, grounded feeling and perfect for chasing away

shadows.

She stopped at her favorite restaurant, The Dragon, and stood

under the awning to order. The owner’s son, Josh, greeted her with a

smile. He was wiry, Amber and, in Karla’s opinion, delicious.

“Hey sexy, green tea right?”

She returned his smile. “Please.” Green tea was her morning

ritual – that and flirting with Josh.

He drew tea from the liquids machine and handed her the cup.

Blushing, Karla gave him her plastic ID card.

Josh inserted it into the flat register’s slot. “There you go.” He

handed the card back to her then brushed his fingertips across her hand.

“You gonna think about me today?”

“All day, lover.”

“Alright baby. You have yourself one fine day.”

“Bye Josh,” Karla strolled on grinning to herself. He was a sweet

guy, and only a few years younger than she. I might go out with him one

day. Just for the hell of it.

CLEAN was ensconced in the six-story warehouse at the end of

the block. Another warehouse across the street had been converted into

an apartment building. But the largest one by far was next door, curving

under the awning to order. The owner’s son, Josh, greeted her with a

smile. He was wiry, Amber and, in Karla’s opinion, delicious.

“Hey sexy, green tea right?”

She returned his smile. “Please.” Green tea was her morning

ritual – that and flirting with Josh.

He drew tea from the liquids machine and handed her the cup.

Blushing, Karla gave him her plastic ID card.

Josh inserted it into the flat register’s slot. “There you go.” He

handed the card back to her then brushed his fingertips across her hand.

“You gonna think about me today?”

“All day, lover.”

“Alright baby. You have yourself one fine day.”

“Bye Josh,” Karla strolled on grinning to herself. He was a sweet

guy, and only a few years younger than she. I might go out with him one

day. Just for the hell of it.

CLEAN was ensconced in the six-story warehouse at the end of

the block. Another warehouse across the street had been converted into

an apartment building. But the largest one by far was next door, curving

“Bye Josh,” Karla strolled on grinning to herself. He was a sweet

guy, and only a few years younger than she. I might go out with him one

day. Just for the hell of it.

CLEAN was ensconced in the six-story warehouse at the end of

the block. Another warehouse across the street had been converted into

an apartment building. But the largest one by far was next door, curving

CLEAN was ensconced in the six-story warehouse at the end of

the block. Another warehouse across the street had been converted into

an apartment building. But the largest one by far was next door, curving

around in stark, rectangular splendor to face Topaz Bay.

Karla inserted her card into a metal box beside the door. After

ten seconds, a male voice greeted her: “Karla 11582, entry granted.”

The door slid open.

“Morning Zane, morning Telo,” Karla hailed the female

enforcers guarding the door.

As she walked through the gathering room, a volley of “Hellos”

pelted her from residents lounging on couches and armchairs, watching

the net.

“Morning, Karla.”

“Hey, Karla.”

She waved at them. “Hey guys.”

Matt, dressed in a collar shirt and jeans, stood holding his office

door open for her, his console having told him of her arrival. He was a

slender, Fuchsia man barely as tall as she.

Matt’s rumpled blond hair always made him look like he’d just

jumped out of bed. That, and his boyish smile, made him look younger

than his thirty-five years.

Karla stepped inside the cubicle. “Good morning.”

“Morning pet, want some chicory?”

“No, thank you.”

Matt perched on the edge of his desk, and scowled playfully at

her. “You could bring me an Amber breakfast once in a while. I can

smell it all over you.”

Karla settled in the chair on his right. “What you smell is green

tea. Besides, you know I’d bring you one, if you asked nicely.”

He laughed, then broke off eyeing her critically. ”You alright

love? You look a little peaked.”

The Indigo woman dropped her eyes. “I had trouble getting to

sleep last night.”

“Seems like that’s been happening a lot lately.”

Insomnia was the excuse Karla always gave Matt when she’d had

one of her more exhausting dreams. Right then and there she decided

she’d used it one time too many.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

“You sure? Because from where I’m sitting you don’t look it.”

“What’d I just say?” Karla retorted peevishly. She bit her lip,

instantly regretting the harsh words.

Matt studied her with tender, green eyes. “Karla, I’m your friend.

I’m not trying to pry but if you need help, all you have to do is ask.”

mean to snap at you.” It was so hard to meet his eyes, and harder still to

lie.

“I’m just grouchy,” she grinned tentatively, “from lack of sleep I

guess.”

“It’s Ok love,” Matt returned her smile. “I’m not made out of

glass. I just wanna make sure you’re alright.”

“I am, I promise.”

“Fair enough.”

In that instant, Karla wanted to bare her soul to him. But she

couldn’t. Not this time. After five years, they had moved beyond

the circle of healer and addict. He was her “angel,” as she jokingly called

him from time to time; and there was always an intensity behind her

humor.

Five years ago, when Karla had first stumbled into CLEAN she

was almost dead – worst, she’d wanted to die. Matt had nursed more

than her body back to life; he’d nursed her spirit, helping her to

rediscover her will to live.

Once she was sober, he’d convinced her to train as a caretaker. In

another lifetime they might have been lovers; and she’d seriously

considered it. He was intelligent, attractive, and already a good friend.

But with Matt it would never be a casual affair. There was already

too much history between them. That was the problem.

Sometimes Karla told herself she was crazy for not giving him

the opening she knew he was waiting for – crazy for waiting for a man

she never saw until she fell asleep.

Matt might be an angel and this might be paradise. But even in

utopia, you couldn’t practice therapy if you were insane.

Karla rose. “I’m going to get some breakfast.”

Matt jumped down. “Wait a tick…we had a new guy come in this

morning.” He walked behind his desk and pulled a disc from the top

drawer.

“Rush or placid?”

“He’s been a rush addict since he was 14. I want you to take a

look at his tape, afterwards pass it along to Hung Wai.”

She took the proffered disc. “I’ll watch it while I eat.”

“Good girl. With any luck we’ll be able to resume living sessions

this afternoon.”

Karla paused, hand on the doorknob. “Matt?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.”

“You’re quite welcome. What are you thanking me for?”

“For always being there, for caring about me.”

“I do care. If you change your mind later and want to talk…”

The blond man shrugged.

“I know you’ll be here.” Sorry I had to lie to you old friend.

She walked across the hall to the breakfast bar, where Su Ling

was setting plates of food on the counter. Another resident, Victor, was

cooking. Karla picked up a plate of tofu sausages and eggs, and crossed

the room to her office.

During intake, addicts told a potential house why they wanted to

get off drugs. After all of the caretakers had viewed the disc, the residents

watched it and the house voted on whether to accept the applicant.

If the majority voted against him, well that was that. But if an

addict was rejected by three clinics in a row, the Topaz Council stepped

in and placed him wherever there was an empty bed – and without a

vote.

Karla slid the disc into her consoles bottom panel. A caramel

colored man with thick lips, long, kinky hair and hazel eyes appeared on

the screen facing her desk. His voice sounded early twenties, but he

looked much older.

“My name is Silver 55168 and I’m a junkie,” he began. “I’m tired

of sleeping outside when I miss curfew, tired of living in dormitories. I

did things I’m ashamed of…hurt people,” his voice broke.

After a long moment, the youth wiped his eyes and went on:

“There’s got to be more to life than this…getting high and later, looking

for the next fix.”

“My parents were rush junkies. It’s all I ever knew. I wanna do

whatever it takes – I’ll do anything – I just want a chance.”

Karla sat staring at the now blank screen. She knew what it was

like to have addicts for parents. Her folks had both abused placid, the

drug preferred by older users for its lazy, floating high. While rush hit

addicts with sensual jolts, placid caressed them with feathery touches.

But placid was just as addictive as rush, and just as lethal.

Repeated use caused mood swings, loss of appetite and eventually, death.

When she was ten, her mother Arlene had been killed in a knife

fight with another junkie. Her father Charles, burdened with a little girl to

raise, had alternately loved, beaten and abandoned her – often leaving

Karla alone for weeks at a time.

She remembered the mood swings, the bruises when he couldn’t

“shoot up,” and showing up for dinner at the homes of her playmates.

Any wonder she’d escaped the notice of the enforcers.

But she also remembered Charles and Arlene as kind, though

emotionally unstable, parents. After Arlene was killed, Charles was all the

family she had left and she didn’t want to be fostered to another family.

So she’d hid her hunger and Charles’s abuse from the peacemakers.

By the time Karla was 15 she was a rush junkie. At sixteen, she

ran away from home, joining other young addicts who became her

family. She stumbled home every now and again to check on her father.

Charles had barely noticed.

It was during one of Karla’s infrequent visits that she found him:

dead from an overdose. She was 21 years old. Her father’s death was the

final blow that led her to CLEAN, and to Matt.

Silver was applying for bed number 75, and if she had anything to

with it, he would be sleeping in it tonight. She popped the disc out,

walked to the cubicle next door and knocked at the stall.

Hung Wai, a tall, Amber man, with his black hair plaited to his

waist, appeared at the door.

“Good morning, Hung Wai.”

“Morning, Karla.”

“I brought the new applicant’s tape.” She handed him the disc.

“Would you give it to Maria when you’re finished?”

“Certainly.”

“Thanks.” She hesitated, wanting to say more.

Hung Wai’s long face creased with irritation. “Was there

something else?”

“No, I guess not. I’ll see you at the meeting.

“The caretakers’ offices are on the ground floor.” Karla pointed

to each of the four cubicles, two on both sides of the shuttered kitchen.

Silver’s application had been accepted with only one dissenting

vote. Hung Wai said he didn’t trust him. Now, Karla was giving Silver a

tour of his new home.

She gestured to the flat screen mounted to a post in the center of

the room. “On this console you can listen to music or watch net shows.

If it’s after 11:00 o’clock, just keep the volume settings low.” The youth

trudged alongside her, dragging a green knapsack.

Karla pointed to the bag. “Is that your stuff?”

Silver grinned, his teeth were surprising white and even. “Yeah...”

“Little bit, but I’m Ok.”

She returned his smile. “We don’t have far to go.”

They boarded the elevator and got off on the sixth floor.

“Seventy-five residents share floors two through six. Every floor with

living quarters has a pool table and a weight room, and there’s a library

on the third floor.”

“CLEAN doesn’t have an in-house medical staff, but if you have

an emergency we’ve got a 24 hour hotline that can be accessed using

any console; and a panic button on every floor.” Karla pointed to the red

button next to the elevator.

“Or you can tell one of our enforcers. They’re here round the

clock.” She waved at the two golden-skinned Telphranes flanking the left

wall and they nodded their bald heads in greeting.

“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” Karla walked him to his

cubicle: one among the fifteen, rectangular stalls that lined the floor;

followed him inside and settled in one of the two armchairs, while he sat

on the bed.

She grinned, “Believe it or not, I’m almost finished. Breakfast is

served between 9:00 and 10:00; lunch between 12:00 and 1:00.

Meditation is at 10:30, and living sessions are from 2:30 to 4:30. Matt’s

been assigned as your personal caretaker. During your first week, he’s

available to you 24 hours a day.”

“The house rules are posted on every floor, but I’ll go over them

because you can be evicted for breaking just one. No drugs allowed

unless they’re prescribed. No visits to a resident’s cubicle unless you’re

invited – this one’s really important because we’ve got male and female

residents living here. You’re adults, we don’t care what you do, so long as

it’s consensual and it’s not group sex. No rapes or orgies allowed.”

“No physical violence allowed either. If you’ve got a problem

with one of your housemates, see your caretaker.”

“That’s it,” Karla stood, “any questions?”

Silver shook his head. “Naw, I’m cool.”

“So you think you’re gonna like it here?”

He smiled shyly. “I think I’m gonna love it.”

Karla leaned down and hugged him. “Welcome to the family.”

Tehotep sprawled on the cushioned divan, one leg thrown over

Karla leaned down and hugged him. “Welcome to the family.”

Tehotep sprawled on the cushioned divan, one leg thrown over

the couch arm, Red and black hued carpets were scattered over the

hardwood floors.

Black marble columns supported the ceilings. The warehouse was

lit by oil burning lamps and scented candles, the walls, decorated with

paintings of mortals coupling with daemons.

He eyed the six addicts lounging about the room: four sucking

greedily on rush pipes, two others making love in the corner.

For weeks, he’d been luring them here. They preferred his house

to the dormitories – and even the nightspots. There were no rules here,

no credits to worry about. They only had to remember that his

commands were law.

Now they numbered 60. Soon, he would have hundreds.

For a moment, he gazed feverishly at the two slaves and was

sorely tempted to join them. No, it’s time for the ceremony.

Tehotep rose from the chair and spread his arms. Come to

me…In moments, he was surrounded by his acolytes

Surviving for weeks on a diet of little more than drugs, his slaves

were emaciated. He wondered if they would all survive the

transmogrification.

“Take off your clothing and go to the basement.” They glanced at

each another fearfully. He’d threatened to kill them if they ever went into

the basement. Now he was ordering them to break his own edict?

“Obey me now.” His voice would brook no refusal. They

disrobed and in twos and threes began to board the elevator.

When they’d all reached the ground floor, Tehotep appeared in

the center of the room. The acolytes jumped then stared at him fearfully.

Yet another sorcerer’s trick to prove he wasn’t human.

But once they got a good look at the room, they were ready to

bolt.

The cellar was bereft of furniture or windows and lit by four

candles, one in each corner of the room. A huge, half circle had been

etched into the floor and painted with a crimson substance that glowed

eerily in the dim light. Those standing near the door started to back away,

mumbling under their breath.

“If you try to leave, I will kill you where you stand!” His voice

held them immobile.

“You!” He called a thin, trembling woman to him, and directed

her to mold her body to the design.

He ordered a second slave to lie beneath her, so that his

fingertips touched her toes. One by one, at his command, they fitted

Surviving for weeks on a diet of little more than drugs, his slaves

were emaciated. He wondered if they would all survive the

transmogrification.

“Take off your clothing and go to the basement.” They glanced at

each another fearfully. He’d threatened to kill them if they ever went into

the basement. Now he was ordering them to break his own edict?

“Obey me now.” His voice would brook no refusal. They

disrobed and in twos and threes began to board the elevator.

When they’d all reached the ground floor, Tehotep appeared in

the center of the room. The acolytes jumped then stared at him fearfully.

Yet another sorcerer’s trick to prove he wasn’t human.

But once they got a good look at the room, they were ready to

bolt.

The cellar was bereft of furniture or windows and lit by four

candles, one in each corner of the room. A huge, half circle had been

etched into the floor and painted with a crimson substance that glowed

eerily in the dim light. Those standing near the door started to back away,

mumbling under their breath.

“If you try to leave, I will kill you where you stand!” His voice

held them immobile.

“You!” He called a thin, trembling woman to him, and directed

her to mold her body to the design.

He ordered a second slave to lie beneath her, so that his

fingertips touched her toes. One by one, at his command, they fitted

the basement. Now he was ordering them to break his own edict?

“Obey me now.” His voice would brook no refusal. They

disrobed and in twos and threes began to board the elevator.

When they’d all reached the ground floor, Tehotep appeared in

the center of the room. The acolytes jumped then stared at him fearfully.

Yet another sorcerer’s trick to prove he wasn’t human.

But once they got a good look at the room, they were ready to

bolt.

The cellar was bereft of furniture or windows and lit by four

candles, one in each corner of the room. A huge, half circle had been

etched into the floor and painted with a crimson substance that glowed

eerily in the dim light. Those standing near the door started to back away,

mumbling under their breath.

“If you try to leave, I will kill you where you stand!” His voice

held them immobile.

“You!” He called a thin, trembling woman to him, and directed

her to mold her body to the design.

He ordered a second slave to lie beneath her, so that his

fingertips touched her toes. One by one, at his command, they fitted

disrobed and in twos and threes began to board the elevator.

When they’d all reached the ground floor, Tehotep appeared in

the center of the room. The acolytes jumped then stared at him fearfully.

Yet another sorcerer’s trick to prove he wasn’t human.

But once they got a good look at the room, they were ready to

bolt.

The cellar was bereft of furniture or windows and lit by four

candles, one in each corner of the room. A huge, half circle had been

etched into the floor and painted with a crimson substance that glowed

eerily in the dim light. Those standing near the door started to back away,

mumbling under their breath.

“If you try to leave, I will kill you where you stand!” His voice

held them immobile.

“You!” He called a thin, trembling woman to him, and directed

her to mold her body to the design.

He ordered a second slave to lie beneath her, so that his

fingertips touched her toes. One by one, at his command, they fitted

their bodies to the diagram.

Tehotep stepped inside the fractured circle, raised his hands and

began to chant: “Transformai edivai, transformai edivai…That which is

whole, let it be broken, that which is pure, let it be defiled…”

Ghostly shadows appeared along the walls, their voices merging

with his. The chant grew to a roar.

His acolytes began to scream…

whole, let it be broken, that which is pure, let it be defiled…”

Ghostly shadows appeared along the walls, their voices merging

with his. The chant grew to a roar.

His acolytes began to scream…