Finding Truth, Chapter 2 Continues
Yousuf’s journey continues as he heads towards the mountain to meet with the mysterious, Truth. This week he meets two new characters and learn more about the powerful device he used to destroy the triangle drones.
New entry is below. To read the full series, click here.
I take a gulp of water staring at the two drones in the dessert sky ahead of me. They saved my life, destroying those triangle drones. Well, along with this silver cylinder that I used to pinpoint their lightning strikes. The cylinder is clipped to my waist now—I think I’m going to need it.
Thankfully, after taking out those triangle drones, my drones quickly changed back into its round shape. Flying ahead of me now, we’re following the path on the map that Truth left me.
First stop, “reclamation.” Don’t know what that is supposed to mean but, sure, why not?
What was that? Something just touched me. Footprints appear to my right and out in front of me. “Who’s there?” I shout, with my cylinder in hand. “I’ve got a weapon!” I wave the silver cylinder at the air.
“He’s here!” a voice shouts. But I don’t see anything.
Another set of footprints appear and stop at the other ones. “I told you he’d come!”
“Listen,” I say, “come out or I’ll use this!” I point my device where I think they are.
“He’s got an arc!”
“Oh no!” Suddenly, they appear sprawled out on the ground.
They were dusty with layers of over sized clothes. Except for their pants, that were much too short. Both had curly hair, one black and one sandy brown.
“This thing?” I said, clipping the device back to my belt. “I’m not going to hurt you.” They grab my outstretched hands and pull themselves up, standing just below my waist. “What are you?”
The black haired one looked up at me and shook his head. “What are we? Ha! Why we’re the owners of this planet.”
“The owners!” the other said. He turned to his friend. “Jupe, those humans always forget that, don’t they? Showing up here and messing everything up!”
“Look, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Okay? I’m Yousuf. It’s nice to meet you, Jupe,” I say to the black haired one.
Jupe said, “Oh, he’s all right, Benny. Besides we can use his help these days.”
“I guess so,” Benny said. “But we’ll be watching you.” He nods and squints his eyes.
I nod back. “How did you disappear like that?”
“We only just met,” Jupe said. “After we get to know ya, maybe we’ll tell one day. Maybe.” Benny and Jupe wink at one another.
“How about,” Benny said, “you tell us where you got that arc?” He points to the cylinder device on my waist.”
“It was given to me. A gift I guess.”
Benny shakes his head. “No one just gives the ARC device to someone. Its got to be earned.”
“ARC?” I ask.
“That’s what the humans called them,” Jupe said. “Stood for something I think.”
Benny cleared his throat. “Artificial Reality Connector. ARC.” Benny smiled.
“No one likes a show off,” Jupe said, his arms crossed.
“Well,” I said, “it saved my life. Helped my drones attack some other drones.” I point to the drones hovering ahead. “I’m not sure how it works, to be honest.”
“What?” Benny said. He and Jupe slowly back away from me. “Be careful, Yousuf. Only well trained humans wield an ARC.”
I walk toward the drones. “You boys coming?” Benny and Jupe run to catch up.