Crista's Journey to the Otherworld Is written to entertain but the thought that it grapples with bullies and their victim's life was intentional yet unintentional. Hopefully this carries the message that bullying is never okay. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -1 Corinthians 13:7 “We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are.” -Anaïs Nin Copyright by Victoria Otazo, Marmar Zakher ISBN: 978-0-359-06690-2 Chapter 1 "Ouch,” reacted Crista as she was pushed to the hard concrete floor. Connie smirks, "Serves you right, you white trash." "Why? What have I done to any of you that you should treat me like this?!" With blue eyes that seemed to Crista colder than ice, "Because you exist...Now, girls." At her order, Connie's group started to repeatedly kick Crista while in fetal position. All the while, Crista thought, I won't cry. I won’t give them that satisfaction. After who knows how long this had been going on, an angry voice shouted, "Hey! What the hell do you idiots think you're doing?!" Gina. Annoyed, Connie said, "You Again? Really, Gina, do you have to save your girlfriend each and every time?” Gina said, "Ha! You wish I swung that way," before pulling out her cellphone and saying, "If you and your lackeys don't get out of here before I count to zero, I'm calling 9-1-1 on your asses." Before Gina even got to three, they were gone. "Seriously Crista why didn't you get up and fight back? I always have your back but this is getting old. I hate those stupid bitches. They have nothing better to do with their time but to ridicule you and you just take it." Gina exasperated with the most annoyed look on her face as they walked back to Crista's house. "I hate my life Gina! And you're not making me feel any better I want to cry." Crista softly sobs. "I'm sorry, sweetie, I just want you to stick up for yourself." "I know, I just get scared when I see Connie and her clique c-c-cause I know what's gonna happen next." "I seriously wanted to punch Connie's face, she's lucky she scrammed. That stupid bitch is an idiot." "Thanks Gina." "Look don't mention it. Bullying is a problem that needs to go away. And it won't. You know why? Because there is such a thing called jealousy. She's jealous of you." "Yeah right? What is she jealous of?" "That you're a sweet girl and she's the devil incarnate." Crista laughs. "Okay, sweetheart. If your parents find out, call me okay. I have to go home now. This has got to stop I'm ditching class because of you sweetie not to mention, risking my hide from my mom." At this, Crista laughed, "Yeah, your mom has got nothing on Connie when she's in a rage." "Don't you know it, but what are friends for?" "I'm so sorry." "Ok, call me, love." "Okay bye." Crista takes her key and opens the door as softly as a feather falling to the floor. Her parents were so busy arguing that they didn't even notice. "Ana, now listen, honey. I told you cook the butter on the pan first. Then add the simmer. Then add the shrimps. Did you do what I said? Now it tastes like shit, honey?! What'd you do?" "Listen to me, Dan; I cook for you each and every day. And this is the thanks I get? The hell is with you! I'm through I'm absolutely through. Next time I cook for you it’s going to taste like double shit. And you're going to beg me to cook like I always do. I'm a great cook. You must have eaten a mushroom. I'm sorry Dan you cook or you behave." Crista shuts her door quietly. "Oh God, my parents are crazy. I'm glad they didn't see me. " After murmuring that, Crista jumped on her bed and thought about how pitiful her life was. She had no friends except for Gina, but even she knew how pathetic she was. Ever since day one of high school, she had been targeted by Connie and her cronies and could never fight back. And now, even though she wasn't that bad of a student, it would be a miracle if she ever graduated from high school and went to college with how truant she was. That reminded her that she would have to delete the messages the school would send her parents about her ditching school, again. Crista shuddered at the reminder of what had happened the last time she got caught ditching school before thinking, It’s not even my fault that I don't attend school. If anything its that Connie girl and her clique’s fault so my parents shouldn't even blame me, but nooooo, if I ditch school suddenly, the whole world is going to collapse. In the midst of her thoughts, Crista felt her eyes get heavy and allowed the bliss of sleep to claim her with the thought, At least I'm safe in my dreams. Crista woke up groggy and tired of her life but she dragged her feet to school yet again. It was time for lunch and Gina was running late to see her at the cafeteria. Oh God. Gina is running late again. Stupid teachers make you stay until the entire minute or even more. I'll just get her food so we can eat together. "Hi, Mrs. Lopez" "Hello! How are you? Do you know you look so pretty?" What Mrs. Lopez didn't know, the old cafeteria cook, was that Crista could see the pity in her eyes. "Can I get served for two trays? My friend is running late. She's still in class." "Yes anything for you. What would you like?" "She likes pizza. I'll get the lasagna. I also need two cans of coke." "Okay here you go. Anything else?" "Yeah we'll just get the salads on the side. I'll have Italian, she likes Balsamic." "Okay, sweetie. Enjoy!" Crista spots a table and walks carefully so she does not drop the food. Connie walks briskly and slams down the trays from Crista's hands. "Oops! Sorry I didn't see you. You're just so much of a midge that I thought I was walking through air." Feeling her eyes moisten, Crista drops her trays on a random table and races to the bathroom before they can see her tears. Peeking out from the stalls to make sure that no one was there, Crista crept out of the bathroom stall so that she could wash the stains of her tears from her face. As she was splashing the tap water on her face a voice asked, "Are you alright?" The girl's hair was dyed a deep blue and her contacts made her eyes look a brilliant gold. Her skin was a golden olive tone and she was dressed in a black sweater and cargo pants. Normally, Crista avoided these types, but something in her eyes made her want to tell her the truth. So Crista bluntly said, "I was bullied." Taken aback the girl said, "I see. Well, you want to know a cool trick?" "What?” The girl clasped her hands together and when they opened, an Ace of Spades appeared and landed on the deck effortlessly that she hid through her sleeve. “Amazing how on earth did you do that?!" The girl smiled and said, "A secret. But do you feel better, now?" Crista nodded and realized that she did. Witnessing something so incredibly odd had made her forget her troubles if only for a few moments. The girl then handed her a necklace with a teardrop pendant made out some unrecognizable stone. "What's this for? Oh you shouldn’t.” "As thanks for enjoying my trick. Hold on to this while facing the stars and say, 'I wish upon a star and my dreams will come true' and you will find that life is not as hard as you believe it to be." Crista looked up from the charm and looked around and scoffed, "As if-hey where'd you go?" The girl with charm disappeared. ********** "Oh my god! Gina I just met this weird girl in the bathroom!" "What are you hallucinating now? Dammit girl I'm going to file a report with the school principal over these bullies and you’re coming with me! I can't take this anymore. I'm so concerned for you. I'm tired of this bullshit!" "Seriously Gina a girl just randomly gave me a charm necklace and disappeared before my eyes." "What?! How does she looks like?" "She had gold eyes probably because of her contacts and she was pretty." "Okay that doesn't tell me anything. Maybe you were hallucinating. Sweetie let's go home. I'm walking you again." "Fine. I wish you could believe me." "I'm trying to sweetie. But I can't right now. You have to be in my shoes. Poor thing. I just hate that girl. On Monday we are going to file a report with the school principal." "Okay but I'm scared." "Why?" "Because what if I get in trouble?" "Oh dear god, you're not going to get in trouble." "Okay fine. I'll do it." When Crista entered her home, she sighed in relief at finding it empty and then went to delete the phone messages that the school left from her absence yesterday. When that was done and taken care of, she went upstairs to take a nap. When Crista awoke she opened her bedroom window to the night sky and thought about the misery that was her life. Amidst her thoughts, she remembered the pendant that graced her neck and the words of the girl. If asked later on, Crista wouldn't have been able to answer, but in the moment of self-pity, she wanted something different to happen so while tightly gripping the teardrop pendant she said that corny phrase, "I wish upon a star that my dreams will come true," and in her sleep state her world began to turn into a vortex of many colors. Little did she know, she landed on another planet. Chapter 2 Blood. No matter how many times Grakevah had seen this, it was always the same. He had to remember to himself that in eight years time, he would be joining his father on the council of the great Raeynova and no matter how they seemed now, these people were filth and were undeserving of whatever mercy he wished to give them. After all, it was this same spy that was a follower of that cruel god who wishes for the destruction of Raevo and his people. As he looked at his men, no his father's men, removing the spy's nails one by one from his hands and feet, he thought, Remember, he deserves this . This is for all the harm and destruction that has been wrought on the great people of Raeynova, those favored by the god Raevo. While standing calmly and staring down the spy, Grakevah said, "This would be easier if you would just give us the names of those you are working with. If you do, your pain will end and I will assure you a quick death." "You bloody alloy-hugger! There isn't a drop of loyalty in any one of you Raevo cultists! I will never give up my allies!" Grakevah sighed, knowing that today, he would have to personally see to the prisoner or he wouldn't talk. Whenever he met one of these types, they were either the first to confess under the first hour or the stubborn types. Unfortunately for him, some of his soul would be ripped away as he personally saw to this one. Knowing that it wouldn't be good if Grakevah lost his composure in front of his father's men, he picked up a scalpel and began the painstaking work of slowly butchering the spy until he confessed an hour and a half later. ******** Grakevah briskly exited the interrogation room and headed toward his toilet room. He began to puke excessively. The fuel discharge was quickly discarded by Grakevah so no one would notice. Grakevah's racing thoughts got on his nerves quickly. How can he keep up with this vile, sadistic lifestyle in a world where he just viciously interrogated a poor soul taking orders for the sake of his god? His tendencies towards a peaceful life never let up. No matter what he did. Whether it be travel to an outside planet or write away his heart's thoughts it evaded him on a cyclical basis. The only thing that comforted him from time to time was his dear friend Magisdru. Whenever he would see Magisdru he would regain his memories of when he played with his mother, Meanomarsha, when he was growing up. Now that his mother is out of sight but only within a time travel's reach, Magisdru is his mentor and only friend. "Magisdru, I need your help," Grakevah said in worried manner. "Yes Grakevah what can I do for you now? You seem very perplexed, did your father order you to enslave a Raeyvo or execute the required ritual tasks again?" Magisdru always noticed the pensive worried look on his face and knew he hated his father and his life on Raeynova. "No it's not that. I'm just tired of following my father's orders around every single living existence of my being! You know I just want my own taste of freedom." Grakevah began to tear up. "I understand you would like to view your world in a whole new light Grakevah but unless you do something about it, it makes no sense to deprecate yourself over it. Fight for your right to live the life you want. If it were up to me, I would leave in a heartbeat. I don't have anywhere to go. At least you know the secret ins and outs of the time travel machine. If you unhooked it someplace else they might find you but that's the risk you'd take. Do you understand what I mean?" "Yes I do understand. But you don't get it. I am trapped here too. All I have is my mother and I don't know. She's hard to see on a more cyclical basis because of father. If he didn't order me around and look for me every millispacial, I would easily live my existence on another world." "Sounds like you need a mate. I'm running out of time myself." Magisdru said with a smirk on his face almost sensing Grakevah is better off than himself. "You just gave me an idea." Grakevah's eyes beamed open. "I am going to go to and fro with the galactic intention to look for my soulmate. She may be in another kingdom. I can go to [uranus] for more information. I know they have a computer or many that can give you the locale and physical details and the rest of a matching atomic energetic mate." "Well that sounds like a plan. Just make sure your father doesn't find out. If he knows he's going to smother you like a creature stuck in a time capsule." Magisdru didn't know what to expect from Grakevah. He always he saw him with another perplexed, inhibited, and passive aggressive look on his face of the doom gloom he always experienced. But this time he finally thought the energy around Grakevah was going to change for the better. And he hoped his father wouldn't know. ********* Grakevah walked through Kamosrom, the capital of Raeynova. As he walked, men saluted him and people he had helped waved to him. He knew that most of the country did not enjoy the prosperity of the capital, but he liked to think that was he was strong enough to at least protect those residing in Kamosrom. Every time his eyes looked into the Kalapen towers and citizens of the capital, his resolve was strengthened. Grakevah would do whatever was necessary to protect them, even if it cost him his own soul. From the corner of his eye, he spotted his father's snake of a servant, Xplorion, but continued his wanderings. He never liked him, not even as a boy and always wondered why his strong father placed such trust in so obvious a coward. Spotting his friend, his father's rat of an agent was soon forgotten. ******** As Xplorion walked, he entered Bezzlomatis' estate easily as the guards had known him as one of their own cold blooded agents. Walking through the seemingly complicated estate, he came upon a large door made out of kalapen, a type of hardened mineral only found on Raeynova that most buildings were made out of. Bezzlomatis fierce voice deadpanned,"Enter." Bezzlomatis was the most cunning, crafty, and intelligent of all council members at Raeynova. Standing 6 foot 4 he was a towering figure, intimidating especially with his dark features staring at you with the coldest black eyes ever seen on the planet doomed with destruction. At the sound of Bezzlomatis' darkened and hoarse voice there was an authority that made all that heard him bow down in obedience. "What have you found Xplorion that might be of interest to my knowledge?" Bezzlomatis knew the answer before he was given the answer but asked out of his testy nature. "My Lord, I know that there is an astral user that is being intercepted by our atomic sensories machinery located heavily inside the quarantine room." Xplorion knew at this point Bezzlomatis was more cold than letting on. "And why would he choose the quarantine room and not any other?" Bezzlomatis grew tired and would ask no more questions. "Because, my Lord, this astral user needs to be safe from the knowledge of his very own father finding out which is yourself, my Lord." Xplorion said timidly hoping he could scram as soon as he was ordered to. "Leave Xplorion and summon Grakevah in your place." Bezzlomatis penetrated the atom with which he could sense his son's betrayal and could not help but grow angry. "As you wish, my Lord." Xplorion walked briskly towards Grakevah's headquarters with the guards that escorted him to and fro. As Xplorion and the guards walked the halls briskly, they sensed the atomic worry handled by the others in interaction with their's and tried best to keep the matter a secret. And no one dare penetrate into the matter lest Xplorion find out and relay it back to Bezzlomatis. As they walked and entered a transport to Grakevah's headquarters a sense of jarred energy rushed toward Xplorion and his guards. Xplorion buzzed his name through the electrical recording apparatus which beamed his voice and translated it into his red name across the top of the room's door with his message: "Candidate Grakevah, I have a message from Bezzlomatis. It is Xplorion." Grakevah's message beamed back to Xplorion.. "Do tell and do not enter yet, I am taking care of business." Sensing Grakevah's irritation, Xplorion called with a more stern voice, "I have word from your father Bezzlomatis that you must enter into his chamber at once. The guards are with me." Grakevah exited his room with a look of extreme displeasure at Xplorion before he was escorted back to his father's secret chamber. As they walked, Grakevah wondered just what truth that snake had twisted to get him into trouble. He thought, No matter, I'm sure it's nothing I can talk my way out of. After no more than four minutes, the guards waited outside and Grakevah entered his father's office. "Yes father you summoned me. What is going on? Why did you summon me like this?" "How dare you visit Abdomhan without my knowledge. If you persist I will punish you. Sneaky son aren't you. Going into to the quarantine without anyone's knowledge and staking your hide out. I assure you it will happen if you persist." With a calm he did not feel, Grakevah said, "I assure you, Father. I have no idea as to what you are talking about. Although it is true that I intend to go to my mother's planet, it is not for the reason that you believe." "You lie!" fixing his momentary show of emotion, Bezzlomatis, took a deep breathe to calm himself before saying, "I know you love your mother Meanomarsha but she is no longer living within our confines. It is wise for you to stop your secret activity." Bezzlomatis turned around trying to hide his thought from his son over his mother. He was inwardly jealous that his mother loved his son over him but was too proud to show it. "Father, will you at least hear me out?" Without facing his son, Bezzlomatis said, "Five minutes." Smiling at his victory, Grakevah said, "As you are aware, it is only a few more years until I go through the ceremony and take my place alongside you on the council." "Yes. Go on." "As you are also aware, it is customary for most council members to be mated by the time they take a seat and currently the only unmated member would be Magisdru." At his father's nod, Grakevah continued, "My wish was to discreetly visit Abdomhan with the intention of searching for a loyal mate." Bezzlomatis made certain that Grakevah would choose a loyal mate for Raeynova if he should attain council status. His father said, "Make do that she is an allegiant to Raeynova's will and force in this kingdom." Grakevah replied, "Of course, father." His father then turned to him and said, "I see. Very well, but the next time, even if your intention is to be discreet, please do inform me." Before he turned to leave, Grakevah acquiesced, "Yes, father." Rushing back to his room, Grakevah knew he needed to speak with Magisdru. He wondered how that snake had found out and for a moment thought his friend betrayed him, but quickly dismissed the thought. Chapter 3 Colors. That's all Crista could see. First blue. Then purple. Now red. She couldn't keep track of them all, but in the back of her mind was a strange sensation. She tried to grasp it and vaguely, it came to her. She thought, I'm falling. In this indescribable wonderland of colors, her brown eyes widened, and she screamed, "Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!! OMG, what happened? Where am I going?!!" Crista was falling in mid-air in what appeared to be an another realm. The colors. So many colors were changing before her eyes rapidly. She could see blue, green, red, violet, and all of the colors imaginable including colors she never dreamed of. But Crista couldn't make certain what she felt or where she was going. "Oh nooooo! What's going on?!!!" Clash!!! Crista landed on a sea creature with pods and slumped on his malleable back as he slept. There was nothing but fear that suddenly came over her face. The pods were a glowy kind of silver color with a texture her eyes had never seen on Earth. "What is this?! I have never seen this in my entire life! Am I dreaming or is this some freakish dream I'm having? I gotta get out of here!! Ahhwh!!" The moving creature in the lagoon looked so colorful and dreamy but she was in sheer panic over its silver ponds that interconnected by what seemed like air. It formed a face, a body, and limbs. "Tákam mecuirbarat peeneeladhee ar amadroimee?! Eknoisaimaspa!" Crista thought, I can't understand a word they're saying!! Out loud, she yelled, "What the hell?! You don't speak English?!" The creature then started arguing with something that Crista couldn't see in the water with that strange lyrical language of theirs before a strange bluish mist lifted from the pale blue water. As the nanobots that would allow them to communicate entered her body through her pores, Crista was filled with unimaginable pain. At first it wa just like tiny pokes, but then it felt like each one of her pores were being jammed in with a million tiny bullets. With what little thought she could muster, Crista imagined that this pain was equivalent to having her period and childbirth at the same time. As Crista opened her mouth to scream, the pain had vanished as quickly as it had come. As for the Zenghoolin creature, it could feel her malleating his ponds and with his grouchy voice could not be perturbed in his lagoon. This was the most terrifying creature of the pond due to his high temper. If perturbed, he could strike at any moment. Feeling that enough was enough, the Zenghoolin tossed her off and Crista's body clashed into the lake as the Zenghoolin prayed to the gods that she would drown. "Oughhhhh, oughhhh," Crista fighting for air managed to swim in these deep waters but Zenghoolin pushed her into the deep not knowing what her intentions were when she landed on him. Cánotia, the feminine fish-baby with her little human-like body covered in blue sea fins and scales and an olive-complexion of her humanoid skin, saw upon swimming in the distance for pleasure with her sea fish parents in sight, a girl in the distance gasping for breath from a pond creature.. Cánotia rushed to her sea father, Muiheer, who like his daughter had humanoid skin and blue fins and scales, rushed to the girl's side along with Arateed, his mate, who swam as fast as she could alongside him. "What do you think you're doing to this young lady, let go of her, Zenghoolin!" Muiheer untangles the pods out of Crista's arms so she is not drowning and Areetad his female mate swims with them to help her to safety at the shore of the unusually large pond. It was an unfamiliar territory like anyone had ever dreamed of on Earth but one thing’s for sure, Crista literally rushed where angels fear to tread. And she didn't know how she did it. She just did it. When she got to land and the shock wore off, her eyes darting everywhere and then in a moment of epiphany she thought, Oh, I get it. I'm Dreaming. With that one thought, everything began to become clear