Chapter 4

(Chapter song ‘Land Of Confusion by Disturbed)

KITA It’s a horrible feeling being lost. You don’t know so many things. The only thing you do know is that no one around you knows who you are. You can’t tell them because if they did know, you would be sure to find yourself in danger. It is best to hide your true self until you can find someone to trust.

So far these…Enforcers…have been nice and understanding, but as far as they are aware, I fell out of a tree for some reason. I’m not sure I can trust them.

I sit in what they call a jumpsuit. It’s uncomfortable and a bit big, but my human body is covered, so I will accept it.

The room I’m in is busy with Enforcers at desks and walking around. Sitting in a chair, I inspect the empty desk beside me. My Enforcer has gone off somewhere, leaving me to study the world I just fell into.

I look on the wall and see pictures of men and women. They look horrid. I lean closer to study the words. My eyes adjust to the letters.

‘Wanted: Assault and battery.’

“Intriguing.” I say. I move on and see a picture of what looks like the inside of a school.

‘Phoenix U needs you. Better your life today.'

“Hmm…” I press my lips together as I read further.

Most of these posters have something I don’t.

Identity. Descriptions and stories of who they are.

I’m going to need one. From what I have seen and understood from beyond the veil, these people need to know who you are.

Falling down the back of the desk, is a computer cord. I grab it and close my blue eye. My fingers gently roll the cord and my eye fills with digital lightning. My mind goes into the electronic world. I search the necessary doors that will hold my story.

In my mind, I input who I believe I am. For me, a simple traveler’s story will suffice. I study rules and instructions of the lands and make sure everything is complete.

Once done, I quietly let go of the cord and make sure no one around me saw what I had done. Innocently, I fold my hands in my lap and sit tall.

It’s not long before my Enforcer walks around me and sits down. I study his movements closely. “Ok. Kita Tsume. I’m sorry for the wait. I can’t seem to find you in the system.”

I lean to him. “Check again.” I encourage with a smile.

He looks at me strangely. “I’ve already checked.”

“Check again.” I insist.

“Alright.” He smiles and types on his computer. “Uh…Oh. Here it is.” He leans to me. “My coffee must not be strong enough.”

This makes me giggle.

He smiles and reads his screen. “Alright, Miss. Tsume. Age 20. 5 foot 3. 110 lbs. Black hair and brown eyes.”

He turns his head to me and smiles. I smile back.

“You are here on a student visa from Tokyo, Japan.”

“Yes. Student visa. A legal document.” I say in a serious tone.

“Yes, it is. It’s valid so, that’s good. You are enrolled in Phoenix University. What are you taking?” He asks.

I think for a minute. “Biology.”

He grins. “I took biology. Great program.”

“It is?” I ask.

“Yep, but I’m became an Enforcer instead.” He looks over my file.

“Why?” I ask.

He leans close. “The girls. They love a man in uniform.” He chuckles.

I chuckle with him as he leans back.

“Ok. Well. If you have I.D., I can get you back to campus…” He says.

My smile fades. “Oh. I don’t have it.”

“You lost it?” He arches a brow.

I blink as I think. “Yes, I lost it.” I look down at myself. “I lost everything.”

“What happened?” He tilts his head as he turns his chair.

“I’m not sure. I think I was attacked.” I inform.

“Do you have a description of the person who attacked you?” He readies his fingers on the keyboard.

“Only that he was dark.” I blink at him.

“No height or weight? Tattoos?” He asks.

I shake my head.

“Are you hurt?” He looks me over.

“No. I’m fine.” I answer.

“Hm…It’s not much to go on, but I’ll have the park investigated. Maybe we can find something.” He reassures.

“Ok.” I agree.

“You’re safe now. If you remember anything else, you call me. My name is Chuck.” He offers.

“Hello, Chuck.” I nod my head to him.

He chuckles. “Hello, Kita.”

He types on his computer. “Ok. So, I have put the stops on your credentials and new ones will be issued in a week at the Security Unit.” He turns and hits his desk lightly.

“Thank you, Chuck.” I slightly bow my head.

“My pleasure, Miss.”

“Please. My name is Kita.” I smile.

“Kita.” He stands. “Let’s get you home. You live on campus?”

“Yes. Room 3D.” I inform.

“Right.” He motions to the aisle. “After you.”

I get up and escorts me to his car.

The great thing about being a steward for the forest, is the knowledge of the outside worlds, the spirits provided. I’ve kept up with their customs beyond the veils, from their minds and memories that I absorb as my power. It’s going to be very helpful as I navigate this place.

He drives into a parking lot of an impressive building. It’s tall, white and the sun reflects the glass making it shine.

I smile as I look around. The people here feel important. I believe I’m in the right place to find the trespasser.

The Enforcer comes around to collect me and walks me into the lobby.

People are walking back and forth, doing or going to various jobs. It’s exciting to feel them as they pass.

“Chuck?”

We turn to a nice looking man in a white coat.

“Hey, Declan. How the hell are ya?” They shake hands.

“You know how it is here. When you’re the smartest gut in the place, everyone comes to you for the answers." Declan crosses his arms with a smirk.

Chuck laughs. “Yeah, right.” He slaps his arm.

“Hey, you up for a campaign this weekend. I built a doozy this time.” Declan smirks.

“Uh, yeah, ok. Terry isn’t DM is he. I won’t if he’s DM.” Chuck warns.

“No. Terry been kidnapped by orcs so, he’s out for at least three rolls.” Declan informs.

“Good. Ok, see you then.” He waves goodbye and walks down the hall.

“Someone is captured by orcs? That sounds horrible.” I say with concern.

He shakes his head. “No. It’s not real. We just say that when someone is being a dick and kicked out of the game.”

“A game?” I ask.

“Yeah. D&D. You play?” He opens a door for me and ushers me through.

“No. I apologize.” I say as we turn down a hall.

“It’s OK. It’s fun. Maybe I can teach you sometime.” He smiles.

“I'd like that.”

“Great.” He leads me to a counter with a woman behind it. “Hey, Shirley.”

“Chuck. How’s Patsy?” The nice blonde woman asks.

“She’s good. Driving me up the wall.” Chuck laughs.

“Patsy?” I ask.

Chuck leans to me. “My parrot.”

“Parrot.” I confirm.

“Yeah. They’re lots of fun, but demanding as hell.” He turns back to the woman. “Miss. Tsume has lost her student access. We’ve ordered new ones, but she’ll need a temporary one.”

“Sure thing. Name?” Shirley asks.

“Kita Tsume.” I supply.

She types on her computer and produces a card with a piece of paper. “Here is your card and your new access to your class schedule. Is there anything else?”

Chuck looks at me.

“No. This is sufficient. Thank you.” I nod to her.

“You’re welcome.” She says.

“I'll walk you to the resident elevators.” Chuck offers.

“Thank you.” I smile.

We leave the office and walk down the hall to elevators label ‘Student Residence’. We stop and wait.

“This is where I leave you. You need anything, call me, ok?” He says.

I watch students walk around. “Thank you, Chuck.” I walk up, go on my toes, kiss his cheek and step back.

He smiles and rubs his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

The elevator opens and I walk onto it. Turning around, I wave at Chuck who seems stuck where he is. The doors close and I push 3.

Once in the hall, I look for the room I chose.

I find a door with ‘3D' on it. There’s a square, electronic pad on it. Raising the card to it, the pad lights green and the door opens.

I walk into a singular room. There’s one bed, a dresser and a desk with a tablet on it. Posters of Phoenix University campus' are on the walls.

“This is sufficient.” I mumble as I close the door and walk to the drawers. They’re empty. I look at my jump suit. “This is not.” I turn to the tablet.

Turning it on, I sit in the chair. I gently place my hand on the screen and close my eyes. I’m transported into the electronic world underneath reality.

After discovering an area called ‘online shopping’ I order clothing suitable for my position here. I then search for anything that might indicate the identity of the trespasser.

There are many. Many that have crossed the veil and yet rejoined the living. I will need further research of these people and this place. There has to be a certain circumstance that would allow the trespasser to break the cosmic rules.

My concentration is broken by a searing pain ignites on my forearm.

“Ugh.” I wince as I remove my hand from the tablet and rip my sleeve off of my other forearm.

The burning travels from my hand, up my arm and my veins glow gold. “What?” I pant as my arm trembles.

The gold light fills my arm then spins around. It shrinks to a area in the middle and burns like fire. I grit my teeth and whine as I double over.

“Stop….Please….” I cry as I lean on my legs.

My eyes watch my skin burn and an image starts to appear. Slowly, the black ink body of a fox grows from the outside to its center. It stands in almost tribal pride.

My brows stitch up and I huff breathes as a tail grows behind it. Then another and another.

The pain recedes as the last tail is formed and the image is complete.

I stare at it then an overwhelming power pushes me back in the chair with my arms out and my hand thrown back.

The tails glow and their light travels up my arm to my eyes. They glow as the meaning of this is told to me.

Fire, ice, Teleportation, flight, invisibility, strength, telekinesis, telepathy and portal control. Each tail tells of its skill.

I can barely breathe and my voice squeaks like I’m choking as images of these skills play in my mind to teach. The veil provides the skills I will need for this world and I must use them to repair the breaches that threaten it. To find the traveler.

It warns my thoughts to use wisely and quickly. It tells me the traveler is delicate. He must not be forced. He must understand clearly. He must proceed on his own. I cannot interfere, only guide.

One last message scares me. The traveler must understand by this world’s blue moon or the gatekeeper cannot return.

Images of powers disappearing one by one with the portal closing as the last. A warning rises. An image of me crossing the portal alone. My hand touches the veil and it explodes destroying both worlds.

The explosion hits my mind with such a force, it throws me into reality and knocks my chair over as I scream and hit the floor.

Sweat beads my brow as my nails grip the floor. My head hurts and I feel weak. My body is shaking as I try to get up.

I flop back down on my stomach and my eyes close.

‘The traveler.’ My mind echoes as the reality disappears into darkness.