-James Dunbar
New York, New York
August 2, 2003
“Mommy, what’s that man doing?” A child points at James and Amelia, but he is quickly snatched up by his mother and carried down the street. James is indeed getting some odd looks from passerby, but for the moment they were more interested in giving him wide berth.
“James? Where are you? Why can’t I see you?” James could hear that Amelia’s voice was trembling, and a moment later, she started to cry. “I’m scared…”
Aside from Amelia’s voice, James could still hear the conversation in the background. Even while straining to hear, he could just barely make out the words.
“Yes, she was brought in a few weeks ago. Poor thing has been in a coma ever since.” This was a female’s voice, and James recognized it to be that of one of the nurses at the hospital. “Well…. It looks like everything is in order. But still, I’d like for you to wait until after we’ve contacted the brother. Just to make sure he knows what he agreed to.”
“As you can see, he signed the consent form. I am afraid we really cannot delay any longer…” The man sounded impatient.
-Mai Hoshiko
Aug. 2, 2003
Tokyo, Japan
There is no answer from the train as Black Star approaches and calls out. She waits a few moments, but it becomes clear that whomever had hijacked the train was not willing to talk. However, one of the passengers, an elderly gentleman leans over to an open window, and calls out to her. “Please, please help up. He’s in here, somewhere.” Then, the gentleman turns to look at something in the train, before moving away from the window.
At last, another voice spoke up. This time it was that of a young man, though Black Star could not see whom it belonged to. “Sure, come on in. Can’t give you any assurances that you’ll be coming back out, though.”
-Watching Cloud Rice
Madison, Wisconsin
August 2, 2003
Mr. Rice opens his mouth to say something, thinks better of it, and closes his mouth again. At last, he says, “Well, that is great, dear. What will you be studying?”
It appeared Mr. Hansen had taken an interest in what Cloud was saying. “Really, a college in Ireland? I’ve heard good things about a few of them. Tell me, which one will you be attending?”
-Max Helmdig
Aynor, South Carolina
Aug. 2, 2003
Rinea takes the pad and paper into her hands and begins to draw. As she did so, she answered his other question. “The ice? No, it is not the way we usually travel. It was something my father had been working on, to help escape the Affinity’s scanners.
At last, the drawing was complete, and she showed it to him. It was clear that she was not an artist, but Max was able to get a general idea of what it looked like. The creature looked very similar to the stereotypical alien: bipedal, with two long, spindly arms, a head that seemed too big for its body. Its only facial features were large, black eyes, and a thin, lip-less mouth. “This is what they look like, but they can take the form of any person they’ve met before.”
