ABC Shorts: Birth Day…
[Note from Steve: A.B., author of a YA sci-fi mystery series, has been busy working on a new trilogy. He almost has the first book done. I convinced him to take a break and dash off a short story for our readers. This story, like most of his, has an interesting young adult as main character. Enjoy.]
Birth Day
Copyright 2020, A.B. Carolan
He awoke and knew he was surrounded by liquid…wet and slimy stuff that somehow made him feel secure. He was surrounded by walls. He reached out and touched the smooth wall in front of him. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he realized there was something beyond the wall. Desperation gripped him. I need to get out!
He pushed on that front wall. It gave a little. The other three had hoses and other things hanging from them, so he knew that front one was the wall to attack. He wriggled his legs and sensed the strength in them. He avoided the confusion of hoses and apparatus and leaned against the back wall. He brought his knees to his chest and then kicked with both legs. The water splashed out, carrying him, and he landed on something solid.
He struggled to breathe. He gulped, but there wasn’t any oxygenated water to fill his gills. But then they shut down and his lungs took over. It was a strange and new sensation. Water was a friend, but so was the air.
He looked up and behind him and saw the top of the tall tank that had held him captive. There was a sign that said “Epsilon 27.” He marveled at that. Words. Well, one word and one number, so numbers too. He could read words and numbers! Even more marvelous: He knew they were words and numbers. His life up to that time had been pure, passive existence. Air, words, and numbers! A new world!
He didn’t know what the word or number meant at first. But then memories that had been dormant flooded into his conscious mind. I am Epsilon 27! And my job is to join my fellows and go after those who have turned Earth into a steamy water world! Those thoughts built his resolve.
We’re coming for you!
***
Comments are always welcome!
“Esther Brookstone Art Detective.” While you’re sitting on the edge of your recliner eagerly waiting for me to announce Death on the Danube, #3 in this series, don’t forget there’s a lot of entertaining reading to be found in the first two books, Rembrandt’s Angel and Son of Thunder, very different stories tied together by Esther’s obsession with finding the truth. In the first book, the Scotland Yard inspector obsesses with recovering a painting stolen by the Nazis; in the second, she obsesses with finding the tomb of St. John the Divine. Her paramour, Interpol agent Bastiann van Coevorden, struggles to keep her on an even keel. Available wherever quality books are sold, including at the publisher Penmore Press.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
