The cold wind blew through the naked trees as Sage Waters settled into a worn-out couch in his family living room, flipping through engineering manuals. The Embry Riddle Aerospace University insignia glistened on the book's cover, a reminder of where he’d spent the past semester. After his accident, which should have left him crushed and immobile, his passion for aerospace only grew stronger.
There was a loud pounding on the door, urgent and frantic. Startled, Sage got up, muscles flexing beneath his t-shirt. When he opened the door, Luca, a friend from university, stumbled in, eyes wide, hair disheveled.
“Sage,” he gasped. “They took me.”
“Took you? Who? Slow down, man.”
“The aliens! They took me!” Luca’s eyes darted around, as if afraid he was still being watched. “All my injuries, all my illnesses – gone Everything I’ve gone through in the past few years... I’m healthy.”
Sage blinked in disbelief. It was true. He remembered Luca’s difficulties. “You're saying...aliens cured you?”
Luca nodded. “But no one believes me. They think I’ve lost it.”
Sage frowned, processing. "The night of my accident, I saw something...a light in the sky. It's why I was leaning out the window before the crash. I never told anyone." He paused, heart racing. "I believe you."
“Then you’ll help me find them?” Luca’s eyes pleaded.
“Yes,” Sage said decisively. “Let's find out what they want.”
***
Sage faced a hard task convincing his parents that leaving Seattle was imperative. Luca's tale of abduction, of otherworldly healers, was a stretch for anyone to believe. But as the hours turned to days, and Sage's parents observed the bond between the two young men, it became evident that this was more than just a whim.
Each night, over dinner, Sage and Luca spoke of their plans, sharing maps and making notes on where Luca believed they needed to be. Sage’s father, who worked in public health, tried to counter their claims with science, though he was secretly hopeful and ever th dreamer, while his mother, always the pragmatist, questioned the logic of their wild quest.
But on the third night, something shifted. It was subtle — a look that passed between his parents when Luca revealed the scans comparing Luca’s health from three years before to those taken a week ago. A murmur of uncertainty. By morning, they had relented, giving Sage their cautious blessing, entwined with a promise to keep in touch.
Sage was ever the rock among his peers, a steadfast presence, an anchor. His dedication to helping his friends, be it with academic dilemmas or life-changing events, had been unshakeable. Perhaps that's what convinced his parents in the end.
With bags packed and farewells exchanged, Sage and Luca set out in Sage's red SUV, its engine purring, cutting through the frigid Seattle night. The journey was a long one, punctuated by diners at odd hours, gas stations bathed in neon, and deep conversations about the universe, destiny, and their place in it all.
Two days on the road saw them transition through a variety of landscapes. They drove through the dense, rain-soaked forests of Washington, making their way down to Oregon, with its vast coastline on one side and green mountains on the other. As they passed through northern California, the Redwood forests towered over them, nature’s skyscrapers touching the heavens. Then came the wide stretches of Nevada, its deserts and arid beauty a stark contrast to what they’d left behind. Sage noticed Luca growing increasingly contemplative as they traversed the state, the vastness of the landscape perhaps mirroring the enormity of his experience.
Finally, as the sun painted the horizon with hues of orange and pink, they crossed into Arizona. Luca perked up, his posture straightening, a spark in his eyes. As they neared Prescott, he grew increasingly animated, his memories of the alien encounter honing in like a compass pointing north. The change from the sweeping deserts to the distinct rugged beauty of Arizona was evident, and it felt like the land itself was guiding them to their destiny.
Prescott in winter was a sight to behold. The cold had crystallized the world, making every tree, every blade of grass, look like it was fashioned from glass. As Sage drove on, the forest canopy overhead seemed to part, revealing a dazzling display of stars. More than Sage ever remembered seeing before. It was as if the very universe was guiding their way, its brilliance marking their path.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
The deeper they went into the woods, the more the world seemed to recede, leaving only the two of them in this vast, silent expanse. The rhythmic crunch of tires on snow, their synchronized breathing, the hum of the SUV's engine — these became the only sounds in their world.
Suddenly, Luca signaled for Sage to stop. He pointed ahead, and there it was, a clearing bathed in an ethereal glow. Sage parked the SUV, and the two of them, with trepidation and wonder, approached on foot.
Hovering just above the ground was the craft. It wasn’t like the sleek ships Sage had seen in his aerospace textbooks. This was something different. Organic. It seemed to breathe, its surface pulsating in colors Sage couldn't even begin to name. It was as if the craft was woven from the very fabric of the universe, a tapestry of light and shadow, color and void.
The sheer marvel of it held them rooted to the spot, both young men realizing that they stood on the threshold of something much bigger than themselves. This was not just about Luca's healing or their shared adventure. This was about humanity's place in the cosmos, and the wonders that lay beyond their understanding.
From the craft emerged beings, tall and slender with an ethereal glow, their features that reminded Sage of both a redwood tree and iceberg. The center of their bodies appeared to be gaseous, with muliple solid appendages emanating from the center and what looked like a possible head in the palace a human would expect to see a head.
Luca stepped forward, Sage right beside him. "Why did you bring me back?” Luca asked. “And why did you heal me?”
One of the beings, perhaps their leader, answered, "We've been watching your kind, seeing the potential for growth and evolution. Humanity's drive to heal, to innovate, to explore...it's fascinating."
"So, you healed me to study us?" Luca's voice was both awed and accusing.
"Not just study. To understand," the being replied. "Your nature is dual, capable of both creation and destruction. We wished to understand the balance."
Sage spoke up, "And my accident? Why did I survive?"
The being glanced at him, "Some events are mere coincidences, while others are orchestrated. Yours was the former, but it led you here. A human with your drive, combined with Luca's experiences, might just teach us something we've yet to understand about your kind."
The night grew colder, but the presence of the aliens warmed the clearing. They spent hours conversing, learning from one another. The beings were from a place where time and distance had a different meaning. They had watched civilizations rise and fall, stars born and die. Yet, humanity, with all its flaws, intrigued them. The nature of humans, so unique, so contradictory, was a mystery they hoped to unravel.
The leader of the beings, its ethereal form fluctuating like a dance of shadow and light, extended its appendage towards Sage and Luca. "Humanity," it began, its voice resonating with a blend of gravitas and curiosity, "stands on the precipice of greatness. You, young ones, have shown courage and understanding. We invite you to journey with us, to traverse the expanse of the cosmos, to see what we see, and perhaps bring this knowledge back to your own."
Luca exchanged a glance with Sage, eyes wide with wonder and trepidation. The weight of the proposition pressing upon them. "Can we... can we say our goodbyes first?" Sage's voice was barely a whisper, choked with emotion.
The being nodded, an almost human gesture. "It is understood. Your bonds are strong, and they deserve acknowledgment."
***
The reunion at the Waters' residence was one of tears, laughter, and reminiscence. Sage's parents, Jason and Liberty, though startled by the tale their son spun, didn't dismiss it outright. They had always known that their son, with his insatiable curiosity and drive, was destined for extraordinary things. But this was beyond their wildest imaginations.
India, with her bright brown eyes and a depth of understanding that many often overlooked due to her autism, clung to Sage. She seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation innately, her sensitive nature attuned to the undercurrents of emotion in the room.
That night, Sage sat down with his Papa. Jason, with his silvering hair and lines etched into his face, took a deep breath. "You've always been my adventurer," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "From the moment you took your first step, I knew you'd walk paths few dared tread."
Sage nodded, tears glistening. "Papa, this is bigger than anything I've ever faced. But I feel... I feel it's where I need to be."
Jason gripped his son's shoulder, his gaze unwavering. "Then you go, and you discover, and you remember us. Remember the love, the lessons, and the moments. Also, you should really warn these guys about how many vehicles you’ve gone through."
Liberty, ever the pillar of strength, held her son close, whispering stories of his childhood into his ear, grounding him with memories of simpler times. "You carry our love with you, Sage. Every star you see, remember it's a reflection of our love for you. No more curfews, come home whenever you can."
India approached last, her fingers delicately tracing patterns on Sage's hand—patterns they had created together in their childhood. "Stars," she whispered, "you're going to the stars." And then she pinched him.
Sage laughed, nodded, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'll find the brightest one, Indy, and I'll name it after you."
As Sage and Luca made their way to the waiting craft, the vastness of the universe loomed before them. The mysteries of the cosmos, the allure of the unknown, beckoned. But the ties of family, the warmth of their home, and the bittersweet pang of farewell, anchored them, reminding them of their humanity amidst the boundless expanse.