Zarin - Chapter 1

The flight panel was HUGE. Zarin couldn't stop himself from staring around it in wide-eyed fascination. There had to be a million people bustling around in the main lobby, and that wasn't even including the other hangers and hallways and everything else. People were shouting, throwing things, glaring at each other, as well as smiling and passing money back and forth. Zarin knew he shouldn't just stand there looking like a awestruck newborn, but part of him couldn't help it. It was like being shoved into an overturned beehive. He was just waiting for them all to turn on him like wasps.

The little ticket felt heavy in his hand, like it was made of something more then just paper. Where the crap was he supposed to go? There were so many different hallways and roadways to different places he wasn't entirely sure where they could all be going. Why would anyone ever need this amount of choices? This was ridiculous. And unfair. He was only trying to get to Roonib.

“Are you lost son?” someone asked. He turned toward them, biting the inside of his lip. The term ‘don’t talk to strangers’ flashed through his mind, and he almost laughed. Like any of those stupid little phrases mattered anymore. If they took him away they’d only be doing him a favor.

“How do I get to Roonib?” he asked, showing the person his ticket, “Flight seventy eight? What does that even mean?”

“You’re going to Roonib?” It was a woman. Zarin couldn't help but think that her response was ridiculously unhelpful. She was tall, her hair graying at the temples and giving her a severe look. She didn't look necessarily old, but she wasn't particularly young either. She fixed him with a look, as though trying to see into the twelve year old. Zarin put on his best smile, which probably made him look like he was about to steal her shoes.

“Yes,” when he was younger, Kaylynn had taught him to always address his elders by their proper titles. “Sir,” “Ma'am” “Mr.” or “Mrs.” it didn't matter, as long as he said them, and said them respectably. Then again, he'd always had a problem with authority. “Didn't I just say that?”

“That doesn’t exactly seem like a very good place to be now does it?” The woman questioned, “Why are you going there?”

“For the fantastic atmosphere,” Zarin said, scowling.

“Are you meeting someone there?”

“No.”

“Are you transferring to a different flight and going to a different planet, after you reach there?”

“NO! I just want to go to the criminal planet. It'll be a wonderful vacation. Where’s the hanger?” Zarin twirled his ticket impatiently, wanting nothing more than to get out of there. Actually, he wanted to go home. But that wasn't really an option either. The woman narrowed her eyes, considering him, then pointed him to the right corridor.. Zarin didn’t bother to thank her. The woman frowned as the boy marched away. She could see him shivering slightly, but didn't think it was from the cold. What was that child's story? She couldn't imagine why anyone would allow a child to go to Roonib.

A young boy walked up to her, a strut to his step. He paused and followed the woman's gaze, looking out after Zarin.

“At first glance he seems so young and innocent. And then he opens his mouth. . .” She sighed, shaking her head.

“Who is he?” The boy asked, frowning.

“I don’t know, but trust me, with looks like his and with the place he’s going, we’ll see him again.” she smiled, her slightly wrinkled face tightening. “We will definitely see him again.”

Zarin's palms felt sweaty, something he was trying fervently to ignore. Sweaty palms meant he was nervous, which he wasn't. Life was going to be just fine. He could already imagine his mother coming through the doors and rounding on him, probably yelling at him for leaving without even saying goodbye and then explaining that he actually was needed at home and they couldn't manage without him.

A pretty blond flight attendant walked up the aisle and stopped next to his chair, she smiled, “Hey, do you need any help with the seat latch?” her hand reached out to pull the buckle closed. Zarin snarled, his upper lip curling to reveal teeth.

“Leave me alone,” he growled, “I'm fine.” The woman jumped slightly, looking down at him then hurrying off. His entire body felt like it was shaking now. He pulled his knees up to his chest, trying to curl into as small a ball as physically possible. Why was she taking so long? Whenever Zarin ran away, Kaylynn would follow and bring him home. It happened every single time. Without fail. Where was she? Zarin could feel his heart pounding in his chest, he wondered if the entire shuttle could hear it. It was only ten minutes until lift off. She had better come soon if. . . she’d better hurry or the spaceship would leave.

And take him to Roonib.

Panic flashed through him like fire. He could feel it twist his stomach and burn through his insides. Roonib. The criminal planet. The planet where someone went when they wanted to escape the Emperor's laws. The planet that thrived off murder and theft and scams. It would be amazing, finally being somewhere he would really belong. They sold slaves under the table and beat children on the streets, just because they could. There was no law in Roonib. No prisons, or at least so he'd heard. He would fit right in, it would be amazing. Zarin tried to calm his breathing, tried to make his heart stop pounding, but it wasn't working. He had heard that the sky rained acid and there were no trees or vegetation on the entire planet. It was just mindless city, sprawled throughout everywhere. All powerful and all consuming. How was he supposed to survive. . . No! He would always survive.

The engine began to hum, making the seats vibrate and sending a tingling up Zarin's spine. Wher was she?! Why wasn't she coming for him? Surely his own mother wasn't going to let him. . . Wasn't going to. . . The image of Kaylynn's disappointed face looked back at him from his mind's eye. Her green eyes were the exact same shade as Kelly's, they would fill with tears when they looked at him, her face was as blank as a stone.

“Stop it!” He tried to keep himself from screaming, but only barely managed to keep his voice down. He needed to get out. This was a mistake. This wasn't supposed to happen this way. He needed to go. . .home?

His heart was still pounding, so he dug his fingers into his hair, trying to pierce the scalp. I'm fine, he thought, breathing deeply, I'm fine. Calm down, breathe, calm. He hadn't felt this panicked since the police had arrested him. The cell had been horrible; small, damp, and confining. No matter how hard he tried, he wasn't able to get out. When the police had caught him while robbing the jewelry store, he hadn't been prepared, hadn't listened to his instincts enough to escape them. He’d been robbing from jewelry stores for six months, trying to get something nice for the girl down the road. Katie had wanted a ring from this particular store. The store that had gotten him caught. She had been reaping the spoils from Zarin’s excursions continuously since he'd decided he was in love with her. It was surprising to him that the love and infatuation that had filled him during the past six months had vanished the moment the police’s flashlight had shined into his eyes and the cuffs had been snapped on his wrists.

The cuffs had been bad. They rubbed his wrists, binding and confining him. His hands were always free roamers, picking up random objects and sticking them in his pockets or even just moving them to a different locations. The cuffs had prevented all of that. He hadn't been able to get them off, and the panic had nearly sent him into a frenzy. But when they had thrown him into that cell. . . Zarin closed his eyes, his breathing beginning to calm, as he rested his sweaty forehead against his knees. He wasn't in the cell now. He wasn't bound, he could get away. But he didn't want to. He wanted to go to Roonib, it was where thieves like him lived. It was where he was supposed to be.

“Are you sitting all by yourself?” someone asked. It was a young woman. Probably in her twenties. Zarin didn't bother looking up to assess anything more than that. His gaze remained on his lap.

“Yes.” What did she want?

“Can I sit here?”

“No?”

“Oh, sorry.” she moved on. What was that about? Did he look that incapable? But he was capable, and he’d prove it to them. He’d prove it to all of them that Zarin Clyde. . .

Clyde?

“Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts, we’re about to take off and everyone must remain seated and buckled in until we’ve cleared the atmosphere, thank you.” the pilots voice clicked off the intercom. Everyone in the seats around Zarin began to buckle their seat belts. With a slightly quivering stomach, Zarin clicked the belt around his waist. The craft began to shutter harder, the engines really gaining power. Where was Kaylynn? Was she really not coming?

“Mom?” he whispered. Surely she would come. She had to come. She wouldn’t just leave him here. Would she?

The roar of the shuttle reached its peak. The large space bird began lifting itself up from the ground and heading toward the sky. The weight of the world crashed onto Zarin’s small shoulders, forcing him back in his seat. Gravity pushed down on him and for a moment he thought the weight would tear his lips down below his teeth.

It went faster and faster, picking up speed as it went higher. He sneaked a small peek out the window to his side and saw the ground rapidly getting further and further away. Planes were taking off from the airport next to the flight station, they looked tiny in comparison with the large space birds taking off next door.

Zarin shifted his gaze from the ground to the sky. The faint blue of early morning was rapidly changing to deep black. An eternal night sky was stretching out before him, the stars glittering in greeting.

And to his surprise, he liked it.

Soon Earth had disappeared behind him. The small blue green planet dwindling until it was smaller and smaller and then gone. Kaylynn didn’t come. Kelly didn’t wave at him from the mountain. But a whole universe stretched out before him. A new chance. New people. And with new people came loose pockets.

After all, Zarin was, first and foremost, a thief. And he wouldn’t stop thieving. Not for anything. Not for anyone. Nobody could stop him and he liked it that way. He could do this. He would do this, and prove to the universe that he didn’t need his family. He didn’t need his parents. He didn’t need Kelly. He didn't need anyone.

Zarin put his head on his knees so no one around would be able to see, and began to cry.

Zarin: prologue

This is the prologue to my novel. I've been working on it and want to know what people think. I'm hoping to get this one published as an actual book someday. A lot of people have read this, but a lot haven't as well. So enjoy! Tell me what you think.

The rain poured. Drops fell on the soggy ground, soaking through the blades of grass and forcing the dirt into mud. Large, black clouds covered the sky, rolling and turning in anguish. A fork of lightning broke through the blackness, illuminating one, small figure. She was sitting on the side of a mountain, staring down at the tiny house nestled against the cliff's edge.

The house was lonely looking, the darkness pressing against it on all sides. The light from the windows reached outward into the night, but were quickly swallowed up, leaving only shadows. If nothing else, it looked warm and dry, but the girl didn’t make a move towards it. Her chin rested on her knees, her arms wrapped tightly around her bare legs for warmth. The rain clung to her hair and clothing, sending little rivers down her skin. She was shivering, though she was trying desperately not to. The mud should have helped to stop the cold, at least a little.

Kelly Clyde didn't want to go home. She didn't want to go to that little house, to see her mother and father. She was only eight, but she felt as though she'd aged a lot in the past few hours. If she had a remote to control time, she would rewind it and change everything. She would have stopped him from leaving. She would have stopped them from fighting. She would have done. . . something.

But it was to late now. He was gone forever.

***

“Kelly, move!” Kaylynn ordered. Kelly jumped out of the doorway, making room for the older woman.

“What’s happening Mom?” She whispered, “Is. . .?”

“I don’t know,” Kaylynn answered, biting her lip. Kelly didn’t want to move from the front door, but knew her father would be home soon. And the last time she had seen him, he hadn’t looked too happy. But then, he wouldn’t be. As if Zarin hadn’t disobeyed him enough.

The door smashed open, making Kelly squeak and hide behind her mother. A large imposing figure stood there, drenched from the rain. He wore a large dark beard that covered over half his face. His eyes a steely gray. Derek Clyde was an intimidating sight on the best of circumstances, with his large leather boots, pants and jacket. But now he had an expression of pure rage lighting his heavy set features, his hand holding the scruff of a young boy. A boy with a devilish smirk and his fathers eyes. Zarin grinned at his little sister as his father threw him into the room. Like a cat, he twisted around and caught himself before he could fall. A little absentmindedly, he rubbed the back of his neck where Derek had been holding him.

“What do you have to say for yourself, boy?” Derek growled, “After everything we’ve told you, after everything you’ve done. . .”

“I’d tell you I’m starving.” Zarin pipped in, smirking, “Prison food sucks.”

“Zarin!” Kaylynn warned. The boy threw a sidelong glance at his mother, it was a look full of the boy's usual confidence and arrogance. Kelly wanted to smack it of his face.

“We told you to stop your pick pocketing!” Derek screamed, his face cracking and eyes bulging out of his head. Three huge steps brought him right in front of his son. As fast as Zarin was, he still didn’t see the blow coming until it was too late. Derek’s slap snapped the boy’s head back and sent him flying. He crashed to the ground on his back, stunned. For a moment he didn’t move, then he jumped to his feet, swaying, but trying not to show it. His gray eyes blazed, the devilish mouth ground into a hard line.

“It wasn’t just a pick pocketing,” he told them, “I full on robbed a jewelry store. Not for the first time either. I’ve stolen things a million times and you’ve never known about it. Of course, if you weren’t so stupid you’d let me steal stuff and we wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore! Or anything! You’re just too stupid to think that maybe bending the rules a little isn’t such a bad thing!”

“You’re not bending them boy! You’re breaking them and enjoying it!” Derek yelled, his face was purple and his eyes looked every bit as angry as the boy's. Zarin laughed, the sound only sounding slightly forced. Kelly silently pleaded that Derek wouldn't hit him again.

“Zarin stop it!” Kelly yelled, Zarin looked directly at her for the first time and smiled. It wasn’t a smirk, but an honest smile, like they were sharing a secret. Kelly knew Zarin better then any other person in the world. He was an obnoxious show off and smart mouth, but she knew that he didn’t want his father to hate him, he just wasn’t willing to let go of some of his ‘hobbies.’

“Sorry Dad, but I am who I am, and I’m not going to change.” Kelly put her head in her hands, Zarin’s tone of voice was infuriating. But it was true, he would never change. He was too pig-headed.

“Is that so, boy?” Everything went silent. Zarin shifted his feet uneasily, for once seeming to use his head to think for a second. Nobody moved, Kaylynn didn't even seem to be breathing.

“Yeah, Dad.” Zarin finally said. He stood up as tall as his twelve year old body could hold itself. “Yeah it is. I'm a thief. And a blasted good one.” Kelly swallowed, trying to work some moisture into her mouth.

“Zarin. . . ? Please. . .” Her brother didn't even look at her.

“Well then,” Derek spoke very softly, but he might as well have been shouting. “You’ve left me with no other option, boy. Get out.” Zarin blew out a breath, his face going from arrogant to confused.

“What?”

“Get. Out.” Derek breathed again. He reached out and grabbed the boy by the collar of his shirt flinging him around and shoving him toward the door. Zarin flew through the air like he was nothing but luggage. He stumbled, banging his shoulder against the wall and almost falling. His eyes were huge, smart-mouth working silently.

“Derek. . .” Kaylynn started but her husband cut her off.

“No, this is it, I’m sick of it. I’m sick of his attitude, I’m sick of his habits and to be frank, I’m sick of him. Twelve years this boy has lived under my roof, and twelve years was too many. Get out Zarin. And don’t come back.”

“You can’t do that!” Zarin finally managed to yell.

“I’ll do what I please! This is my house!” Derek yelled back. He thrust his hand into his pocket, pulling out a handful of bills. “Take the money and get. Go to Roonib, where they'll appreciate your stupidity.”

“Derek!” Kaylynn plead, reaching out to grab her husband's arm, but he pushed her away. “You. . .”

“No, Kaylynn.” He moved his glare from Zarin to his wife. Kelly could have sworn there was a bit of moisture hiding behind that gaze, “I'm done with him. He's no longer my son.” He thrust the money toward Zarin, who snatched it out of his hands. Zarin's lips were peeled back, he almost seemed like a cornered animal, snarling.

“FINE!” he said, “I don’t want to be here anyway. I hate you all! You’re all just a stupid bunch of morons with no brains!” The boy bolted for the door, throwing it open and running out into the rain. Kelly tried to follow but her father grabbed her arm.

“I don’t want you to catch a cold, Kaylynn,” He told her, using her full name which made Kelly jump slightly. She stared at him, hesitant, then yanked her arm free and ran through the doorway after her brother. Zarin hadn’t gotten far. He was staring down the road toward town. The rain had already soaked through his black hair, already sending trails of water down the back of his shirt.

They didn't look anything alike. Where Zarin had a tall frame and broad shoulders, Kelly was short and thin as a reed. Zarin had gray eyes and midnight hair, while Kelly had emerald eyes and was platinum blond. But he was her brother. Her best friend. And now he looked all alone.

“Zarin?” Kelly whispered, taking his hand.

“I didn't mean it.” he said.

“I know you didn't.”

“I don't really hate them.”

“I know.”

“No, Kelly, you don't!” He pulled his hand away from hers, “You don't get it. I’m only twelve,” he took a deep breath, “I can’t do this.”

“He wasn’t serious,” Something was blocking her throat, and the night seemed a lot warmer, “Come back, he’ll forgive you, you'll see! Just don’t steal anymore!” She reached out to take his hand again but he jerked away.

“No,” he said, his face hardening in a look all too familiar, “I won’t stop. I can’t.”

“Yes you can!” She wanted to beat him, wanted to bang her fists against him until he listened. Until he really listened! “You just don’t want to!” Kelly could feel the tears threatening to overflow. A sob wrenched itself from her chest. Everything was wrong, it was all falling apart! “Don’t leave Zarin, please!”

“I have to Kelly," he said, looking away, blinking his own eyes rather quickly. "I'm not wanted here."

"He didn't mean it Zarin! He was just mad! Wait and see, he'll come out and tell you not to go! I know he will!"

"It's too late, Kelly." The tears finally overflowed and spilled down her cheeks. She brought her hands to wipe them way, but only ended up crying harder. Zarin reached out and hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry Kelly," he whispered.

"How will you live Zarin?" she cried, "What will you do? What will you eat? Where will you sleep?!" Zarin stayed silent until she was almost done crying. then he gently tilted her head up, forcing her to look at him.

"Kaylynn," he said, calling her by her full name for the first time, causing her to swallow nervously, "do you remember yesterday, when you wanted me to go looking for the newborn glarenine in the mountains?” she nodded, “I want you to go and find them. I want you to take one of the pups and raise it, just like we always said we would one day. And when you worry about me, or wonder if I'm okay, or if I'm even alive, I want you to take care of the pup. It'll be like a good luck charm." He smiled, and even in the darkness she could tell that it was one sided and crooked. She nodded, her eyes still red.

"What. . .will I name it?" she hiccuped.

"Well. . . if it's a girl, name her. . . Jinx."

"Jinx?"

"Yes, because all girls are Jinx's." he teased, forcing a small giggle from her.

"And if it's a boy?"

"If it's a boy. . . Call him Link. Because that's what he'll be, a link between you and me." He smiled and ruffled her hair. She forced herself to smile, but let it drop off her face when Zarin's back was turned. He straightened his shoulders and began to walk, the rain shrouding his figure until there was nothing but pouring moisture. Mud squashed beneath her bare toes, her hair fell down her face in ringlets. She watched him grow smaller and smaller, until his smudge completely vanished. She didn't move from that spot for a long time. She ignored her father's call. Ignored her mother’s pleading voice.. She just stood there, wondering if she would ever see her brother come back.

But he wouldn’t. He would never come back.

“Kelly?” Derek called, the sound of his large boots hitting the mud reached her before he did. He placed a large hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently, “I promise Kelly, it had to happen. I’m sorry.” For a moment, it appeared as though tears threatened Derek as well. Kelly felt her shoulders begin to shake. Felt the horror of what had happened break over her, crushing her.

“No you're not,” she whispered, jerking away from his grip, “You’re not sorry, you won’t ever be sorry, and I’ll never, ever forgive you!” She turned and ran, the mountain was only feet from her, and she scrambled up it like a mountain goat.

Derek watched his daughter flee. He didn’t go after her. Instead he stared down the road his son had taken. “I’m sorry Zarin,” he whispered, “but you’ll learn. Maybe the world can force you to learn.”

Kelly dug her fingers into the loosening dirt of the mountain, pulling herself up further and further. She would find the glarenine. She would find the little creatures of light and raise one of the pups. She would take care of it and if she took care of it then maybe the gods would take care of Zarin.

It didn’t take long to find the little cubby hole in the rock she had spotted the day earlier. She dug at it, ignoring the father glarenine coming out to protect its family. He wasn’t a real protector, he just did whatever he wanted. No matter what the consequences of it was. It didn’t matter, it didn’t matter that it hurt people or made her fingers bleed or her heart cry out in pain. That stupid little father glarenine had no idea what it was doing. Had no idea that her family. . . that her family. . .

Tears clogged her vision again, choking her. She pulled her hands away from the hole. The male glarenine bared its sharp teeth at her before scrambling back into its den. Glarenine’s were like little foxes with burning blood and glowing skin. They weren’t native to Earth. They had been shipped here a long time ago, and now were as common as rats. Kelly turned away. Curling into a ball at the top of the mountain.

There was no other sound beyond the pouring of the rain. The mud coated Kelly's arms and legs, soaking her through. The clouds churned, rumbling overhead, and lightning split the heavens like the hand of god. Kelly didn't move, barely seemed to breathe, as she looked down the mountainside to the little house that barely stood out against the night. She never wanted to go back there again. She didn't want to return to her parents, didn't want to see their faces. Not when he wasn't there anymore. Not now that her family was broken.

Because he was gone now. He was gone forever.