ALISTER (Tales of evolution)

A life forever changed

In a mystical world of magic, a mysterious young woman Clad in a black robe, her face hidden beneath the hood, ran swiftly through the dark woods, holding a male infant wrapped in an orange scarf. “Don’t worry little one, you will soon be out of harm’s way”. The dark woods were shrouded in an eerie silence, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves beneath the mysterious woman’s feet.

She ran as fast as she could, as three unidentified creatures were in pursuit. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Her head, mouth and arms, leaked a dark blue substance which was her blood, telling a story of her struggle and inhumanity she experienced .

She hid behind a tree to catch her breath, her heart racing in fear and pain as she held the infant tightly. The tree’s bark was rough and uneven against her back, and the leaves above her rustled ominously as if telling her it was too late.

Behind the tree she hid, were three huge green goblins with swords looking around and sniffing the air trying to pin point the woman’s location. “Where are you Elara ? Give up the child and Lord Ghalia might just let you live.”

“Hiding from us is a waste of time, I can still sense your manna, meaning you’re close by, it’s just a matter of time ” another goblin said moving closer to the woman’s location.

The woman raises her head, her gorgeous blue eyes lit up in the moonlight like a priceless gems. “I’m sorry little one, I’m afraid can’t keep my promise of being there with you, but I will keep you safe” she said, her voice filled with tears and sadness.

She takes out a little glowing rainbow orb and placed it on the infants chest as it sunk in and settled in his heart. “There, that should suppress your manna for a while so they can’t find you.

“Alister my dear, please stay strong for me, I promise you, your time will one day come and I’m sorry I won’t be there to see it “she said her eyes filled with despere as a tear rolled down her face.

She took out a dagger which emitted an otherworldly blue ora, she moved it horizontally, tearing the very fabric of space to create an infant sized portal, in tears, she placed the infant in before it closed.

“Huh!!, stay safe Alister, I have faith that when the time is right, you will return to me” she said in relief looking into the sky with a smile on her face.

Then, she let out a painful growl, a thick blue substance gushed out, quickly filling the ground. Looking down, a sword from behind had punctured the tree all the way out of her stomach, her face folded from the pain as she coughed out blood.

“Where is he!!?, what have you done with him!!?” The goblins yelled, surrounding her.

A smirk escaped her lips. “Forget it, you’ll never find him, not in this lifetime.” She said in confidence and spat on the goblins face.

Infuriated by her action, the goblin behind the tree pulled out the sword, and in pain she fell to her knees, her stomach bleeding excessively. “Why don’t I just finish you off here and now” a goblin said, holding her jaw and placing a dagger on her neck, opening a little cut.

“Enough!!” A deep masculine voice commanded.

Dark eerie silhouettes formed a man. He had a tall frame, light skin and black hair. His eyes were bright red and his pupils were cat like, his fingernails were long and sharp, as was his Fang’s, indicating his inhumanity. His presence was commanding, with an otherworldly ora.

“Do not finish her off, not yet, I still have further use for her” he commanded, his face gleaming with a twisted smile, and murderous intent that made her skin crawl.

The woman, holding her stomach to prevent excessive blood lost look into the man’s eyes with fury “You are sick, Ghalia!!”.

The scenery then shifts to a familiar environment, a realm of mortals popularly known as Earth.

Night enveloped the open road, a velvety blackness punctuated only by the faint moonlight filtering through the canopy above the winding road.

A black car hurtled down the road at high speed, its headlights casting an eerie glow on the surrounding foliage.

Inside, a man could be seen driving, his focus unwavering, his eyes locked on the road ahead. The woman beside him sat tense, her hands clasped together.

“Look out!” she shrieked, her voice shattering the silence.

The man’s gaze snapped forward. A tiny, vulnerable form stood helpless in the center of the road.

With a jolt, the man slammed on the brakes. The car’s tires squealed, protesting the sudden stop.The woman’s breath caught as they narrowly missed the child.

But momentum propelled them forward.

The car crashed into a tree, metal crumpling, glass shattering.

The night air was heavy with silence.

The woman’s ragged breathing filled the car. “What… What was that I saw on the road?” she stammered.

The man’s face was ashen. “We have to check,” he whispered.

Surprisingly, they saw that it wasn’t an object but an infant.

As they checked the baby for injuries, relief washed over the couple.

“Thank goodness he’s unharmed,” Emily whispered, cradling the baby in her arms.

Ryan smiled, gently stroking the baby’s soft hair. “We should take him to the hospital, just to be sure,” he suggested.

At the hospital, doctors confirmed the baby’s health.

“But there’s something strange,” a nurse said quietly. “No one’s reported a missing baby.”

Ryan and Emily exchanged concerned glances.

“Looks like we have a mystery on our hands,” Ryan said.

Days passed, and despite efforts to locate the baby’s parents, no one came forward.

Social services became involved, and Ryan and Emily learned the baby might end up in foster care.

Emily’s heart sank.

“We can’t let that happen,” she urged Ryan. “We have to adopt him.”

Ryan’s face softened.” I’ve been thinking the same,” he admitted.

Together, they began the adoption process.

Weeks turned into months, and the couple grew more attached to the baby.

“We need to name him,” Emily said one evening.

In agreement, Ryan lifted his head, trying to come up with a name. Then strangely, he heard a deep masculine voice in his head called out “Alister!”

Ryan smiled. “How about Alister?” he suggested.

Emily’s eyes sparkled. “Its perfect.”

Finally, the adoption was finalized. Ryan, Emily, and Alister became a family known as the Johnson’s.

As they left the courthouse, Ryan lifted Alister onto his shoulders.“Welcome to the team , little one,” Emily whispered, smiling.

Ryan wrapped his arm around Emily. “Welcome to our family, Alister,” he said.

Alister giggled, his chubby fists clinging to Ryan’s hair.

NINETEEN YEARS LATER .........

The open green field, once vibrant and full of life, was now shrouded in sorrow. White plastic chairs, meticulously arranged, stood like sentinels, awaiting the mourners. Dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening to unleash a torrent of rain, mirroring the grief that gripped the hearts of those gathered.

A group of people, clad in somber black attire, stood before each chair, their faces etched with sorrow. Two portraits on a white table drew the eye, a poignant reminder of the lives lost. Mr. Ryan Johnson and Mrs. Emily Johnson, the names etched beneath the images, their smiling faces now forever frozen in time.

A young man, Alister, stood before the table, his eyes red-rimmed from tears. His tall, lean frame was draped in a crisp black suit, his light skin and raven-black hair a stark contrast to the ocean-blue eyes that now seemed dull and lifeless

A burly, bearded man approached Alister, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Come on, Alister, let’s go,” he urged, his voice low and soothing.

Alister’s voice cracked as he spoke, “I can’t believe they’re really gone.” The bearded man gently coaxed him away, leaving the mourners behind.

The funeral marked the beginning of Alister’s downward spiral. His foster parents, the only family he had ever known, had left behind a vast fortune, rendering him financially independent. Yet, their loss plunged him into the heart of darkness.