Polaris (7 page)

Mr. Kessler reached into his coat pocket and retrieved a small vial of liquid.

“Drink this, and you will become invisible for five minutes,” he said, handing the vial to Aaron. “I suggest you only use it in dire circumstances, because you only have enough for one use.”

Aaron briefly examined the vial. He placed it in the side pocket of his jeans.

Mr. Kessler then reached up and removed a necklace from around his neck. It was a silver chain with one small falcon charm.

“The falcons are your weapons, just as the annihilators are Nakal’s weapons.”

“Do you mean,” Aaron interrupted, “those giant eraser thingies?”

Mr. Kessler nodded. “Yes. You may call upon the falcons by holding onto the charm and thinking about them. You may call them up to three times.”

“The falcons have already come to my rescue, and I didn’t hold any charm.”

“Perhaps someone from your team received a
free card
, which can be used to get additional weaponry.” Mr. Kessler handed the necklace to Aaron.

Aaron placed the necklace around his neck. “What is this voiding thing that happened to Parker and my mom? Can I void someone?”

“No,” Mr. Kessler answered. “These are the items your captain selected. Nakal’s team picked the void and teleport items. So at times Nakal may seem to vanish into thin air.”

Aaron fidgeted with his necklace. “Seems like he got the cool ones.”

“Perhaps,” Mr. Kessler shrugged. “But they all are useful if you use them strategically. Also, if one of annihilators is able to void you the game is automatically over and Nakal wins.”

“But how can I win the game?”

Mr. Kessler stood, cracked the door slightly, and peered out before quietly shutting it.

“The game is quite simple. It’s basically a scavenger hunt. Whoever retrieves the majority of the five artifacts wins.”

“What are the artifacts?”

“Your team will supply this information to you. Please remember to pay attention to everything.”

“Is that it?” Aaron shrugged. “How long will I have?”

“There is no time limit; however, most of the games are completed in a day,” Mr. Kessler answered.

“What is Nakal’s role?”

“He is the Initiator as well as your opponent.”

“Okay, so he will try to block me.”

Mr. Kessler nodded. “But you must remember the council members of the Legend are controlling the game board, which is your town, and the players, which are the townspeople. At times, your team may send you clues as to where your next artifact may be found. It would behoove you to pay close attention to your immediate surroundings at all times.”

“Can you give me any more information on the council members?” Aaron asked.

“The council members are made up of two groups. The first is
Aurora Borealis,
which is the team you are on. Arcturus is your team captain,” began Mr. Kessler. “
Aurora Australis
is the other team, and Sirius is the captain.

“Interesting that both team captains are named after stars,” Aaron said.

Mr. Kessler gave him an inquisitive gaze. “So, you’re familiar with the brothers?”

“Brothers?” Aaron shrugged. “Arcturus is one of the brightest stars located in the Northern Hemisphere, and Sirius is located in the Southern Hemisphere. I’ve studied our solar system with my father since I was old enough to look through a telescope. What do you mean, brothers?”

“Let me explain. In your atmosphere, they are seen as stars. But in the outer dimension, they’re immortal beings who are executives within the members of the council of The Legend. Arcturus’s team consists of Vega, Capella, Altair, and Pollux. Sirius’s team is Canopus, Rigel, Achernar, and Hadar.”

“Wow,” Aaron said. “North versus south?”

Mr. Kessler nodded. “Yes.”

“I have another question,” Aaron said. “What happens if I win?”

“Your mother and friend will be returned and your life will go on as normal.”

Aaron took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “And what if I lose?”

Mr. Kessler frowned. “If you lose, you will be voided.”

“For how long?”

“Permanently,” Mr. Kessler said.

Aaron straightened up. “That’s crazy. My parents would go to the police. They can’t just
void
me. People will come looking for me.”

“I’m afraid not.” Mr. Kessler sighed and leaned back against the wall. “You see, Aaron, if you lose, it’s not only the game but also your life.”

A siren interrupted their conversation. Mr. Kessler jumped to his feet, pulling Aaron up with him.

“What’s that mean?” Aaron asked.

Mr. Kessler slowly opened the door a crack. “The Equalizer. It monitors practically everything in this dimension. If something new is legally introduced, a scan is run, governing codes are checked, and that brings it into balance. However, if something is illegally brought into the dimension, such as yourself, it follows the same procedures and after running you against the governing codes, it sounds the alarm for the Regulators to investigate. I was hoping to have you out of here before that happened.”

“What happens if they find me?”

“Not anything nice,” Mr. Kessler said. “We must get you out of here quickly. Follow me.”

He quickly led Aaron back down the hallway. The faces in the liquid opened their eyes and watched. A piercing
Auk Auuuk
sound came from their open mouths. Mr. Kessler stopped and pointed to a small star hieroglyphic symbol located above the panel of silvery liquid.

“Every time you see this symbol, it represents an entrance or an exit.”

Aaron eyed the symbol. “But how can you tell the difference?”

“It will be the one you
want
.”

Aaron reached into his back pocket and looked at the dagger, before holding it up next to the symbol on the door. The symbol on the dagger matched the one on the door.

“Yes, that proves that Sirius is not playing by the rules.” Mr. Kessler grabbed Aaron by the arms and pulled him through the liquid panel. Aaron found himself, once again, standing on nothingness amongst the stars.

“From this point you are on your own. I will see what I can do to assist, but I may be detained soon and unable to go back and forth between dimensions. Try to maintain a low profile, and stay away from the authorities; no one will believe you,” Mr. Kessler said.

Aaron’s mind flashed back to when he saw Mr. Kessler earlier in the day. “Is that what you were trying to tell the storekeeper?”

Mr. Kessler sighed. “Yes, but not in a way to try and get help. It’s hard to explain my role in all of this, and I won’t have the time to try. Remember, your town is essentially the playing board and the people are all pawns in this game. They’re able to be manipulated at any time, by either side. However, there are times when you will be able to differentiate which side is controlling the person—by their eyes.” He paused for a moment to look into Aaron’s eyes. “Anything out of the ordinary is usually being controlled by Sirius and his team. Trust no one from this point forward—including me.”

“I’m all alone?”

Mr. Kessler nodded. “But before you go, I will tell you this. You may be able to locate one of the objects near the main library.”

Aaron touched his necklace, closed his eyes, and walked back through the darkness.

Aaron found himself standing next to the meteorite once again. The snow was beginning to melt, and the sun was shining. The weather was changing rapidly. After surveying his surroundings, and hearing no unusual thumps, Aaron headed back to the main road and the truck. His mind raced with thoughts about what he was dealing with. It all seemed so fantastical but real at the same time. He had been there, in another dimension. It had been real. But how was that possible?

A game? He wished Parker was there with him to figure it all out, but Mr. Kessler had said Parker was
out-of-play
. Aaron thought back on some of the games he’d played. If a player was out of play, he could return at some point, depending on the rules of the game. But when someone was out of play, where were they held? And what about his mother? He knew at some point he’d have to go back inside the meteor.

Aaron neared the truck and noticed the tire had been mysteriously repaired and the truck now faced in the opposite direction, heading back to town. He climbed into the driver’s seat.
Just like driving a tractor?
Well, he’d driven a tractor a few times with Parker while helping him with his farm work. Parker’s father taught Aaron how to drive a tractor, just as he had taught Parker. He took a deep breath as he buckled his seat belt and started the truck.

He maneuvered the truck back down the main road. The only sound was from the old tires against the wet and slushy ground. As he scanned the area, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. But his heart raced with nervousness as he felt anxiety take a seat next to him.

As Aaron maneuvered the truck slowly through the town square, he watched as the townspeople moved around normally. The snow had just about melted, and the sun glistened against the wet road and the melting icicles.

He pulled into the library parking lot and took a deep breath before climbing out of the truck. The quickly warming temperatures made him remove his jacket and leave it inside the truck. He patted his rear pocket, making sure he still had the dagger, then closed the truck’s door.

Making his way up the long sidewalk to the front of the library, he thoroughly scanned the area. Although he’d been to the library numerous times, he’d never noticed the intricate architectural details on the outside of it. Gargoyles sat atop each pillar, seemingly standing guard, keeping track of everyone who entered. Not wanting to take any chances, he looked directly at the gargoyles’ eyes.

As he entered the library, he noticed the librarians checking out books, cheerfully recommending books, and pointing others in the right direction on where to find books. Aaron was jolted from his thoughts by a passing librarian.

“Excuse me, young man,” the librarian said. She was dressed in a blue skirt, white blouse, and flats. She smiled, and Aaron could tell that she had a cheery disposition. “I think this is what you’re looking for.” She handed him a large hardback book.

Aaron started to tell her that he had
not
been looking for it, but she continued walking around the floor-to-ceiling bookcase. Aaron followed her, but when he reached the other side of the bookcase, she was nowhere to be found.

Aaron placed the book on a nearby table away from everyone and took a seat. He studied the front cover; it was bound in leather, and on the front of it was the exact same symbol that was on the dagger and on the ship’s panel. He opened the book where a satin ribbon marked a page. There were no words, only an image of a constellation that Aaron recognized immediately—Orion the Hunter. As he studied the image, he realized a portion was missing—the left foot. He sat and thought for a few moments back to what his father had taught him, and what he’d learned at the planetarium.

“Rigel,” Aaron whispered aloud. “Sirius’s team member, Rigel, is located on Orion’s left foot.” He closed the book and pondered his findings. “So, I’m looking for a foot?” He pushed himself away from the table and began looking around the library.

Returning to the spot where he’d met the mysterious librarian, he slowly retraced his steps and spotted a woman restocking books. Aaron thought that perhaps she could tell him where the other librarian could be found.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” Aaron said.

The woman turned around. “Yes, how may I assist you, Aaron?” she said as she turned around.

“How did you know my name?” Aaron asked.

The woman smiled, and her eyes glowed amber.

Aaron turned away, hurried around to the other side of the bookcase, and then quickly made his way past two more. He stopped and leaned against the wood casing and took a deep breath.

“Aaron,” the woman called out. “Wait. Let me help you.”

The sound of the woman’s heels, clacking against the tiled floor, came closer. Aaron glanced up and down the aisle, contemplating which way to run, when something caught his eye a few feet away. He recognized the symbol engraved in the wood divider above the bookcase.

Every time you see this symbol, it represents an entrance or an exit. It will be the one you want,
Mr. Kessler had said. Aaron stood in front of the bookcase, took a deep breath, and stepped through. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in what appeared to be the basement of the library.

The large dimly lit room held stacks of boxes and shelves stuffed with books. A muggy, heavy stench filled the air. The floor was made up of cobblestone. Aaron looked around for anything that might look related to Orion. He moved boxes out of the way, making sure not to overlook anything.

As he searched, Aaron wondered what the others in the town of Bixie could be experiencing. Surely, this council of the Legend couldn’t overtake the minds of an entire town, or could they?His eyes went back to the cobblestone floor, and he realized that they formed a pattern. From both sides of the large room, they came together and pointed to a rear wall. He followed the path.