Read an Excerpt
Sanctuary
By J.E. Murphy AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 J.E. Murphy
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4634-5294-0
Chapter One
Small cool waves lapped up onto a beach of brilliant pure white sand. Zindell sat at the edge of the water in a short tubular aluminum chair. Its' back and seat made up of alternating strips of black and yellow frayed nylon. He knew in the back of his mind that if he wished he could have brought a small Hover Chair, but he preferred forgoing anything modern or electronic when he had the chance. Besides he liked the ritual of carrying his chair and cooler with ice tea down to the waters edge. Then wiggling the chair around in the sand at the edge of the water so that he could sit with his legs outstretched, with the water lapping up onto his legs. In front of where he sat was a lagoon that looked as if a giant hand had come down to scoop out a perfect little haven for all the fish to live. If it not for the occasional glint of sunshine from over his shoulder he would almost swear that the fish were swimming in mid air the water was so clear. He could see every nook and cranny in the brightly colored corral, every tiny little sea creature. As he looked farther out over the ocean the water showed varying blue colored depths alternating with white sand bars and patches of green and yellow sea grass. A school of a dozen large fish could be seen swimming by as their dorsal fins broke the surface in a slow dance. Zindell reached slightly behind himself and picked up a large handful of sand shoulder high and let it slowly sift through his fingers. As he did so he noticed that it was not really white, that as it feel back to rest on the beach the sun showed that it was actuality crystal clears grains that sparkled every hue of the rainbow like so many cut diamonds. If he were to take some of this sand back to his friends who were glass blowers he wondered what marvelous creations they could make. What lovely vases and bowels would come from sand as pure as this. Well it was just a thought maybe, he would bring them to look for themselves and also enjoy the view. If he were asked to describe a scene from paradise this would be the place. When he was here he felt as if some unknown power sought to revitalize his very soul, he was at one with himself and everything around him. Zindell wriggled his feet around slowly in the sand so that only his toes stuck out and allowed his head to geniality lull back intend on doing no more then taking an afternoon nap in the hot sun and the cool breeze. As he slowly started to drift off into a peaceful slumber he felt a slight tugging at his foot. He causally looked down through hooded eyes to see a small two inch crab grasping his little toe, pulling with all its might as it tried to gain some kind of purchase in the shifting sand. It made Zindell chuckled to himself, did this little creature comprehend what it really had a hold of? Would the little thing be suddenly scared off or would he after seeing that he had just latched onto his biggest meal ever, go back and get a bunch of his friends to help. Zindell was thankful that he could find humor in something as in absurd as this. In fact because he often found occasion to laugh at just what every moment he was in, he continued to amuse himself contemplating the idea that if he had an antigrav belt on to neutralize his own weight the crab could simply drag him back to his little hideaway and then stuff him in. Would the little bugger parade him past all his crab friends to show off his catch of the day. Zindell laughed to himself once again and laid his head back to continue his nap, the little thing would eventually tire and go away, it really was not a bother to him.
As he slowly started to slip off to sleep again he thought he heard a voice calling, but was not sure. He thought maybe it was just the wind or he had really fell asleep. Again he heard it but this time it took form, he heard quite louder this time the word "Chaumpra", He sat up but could not see where it could have come from. He let his head fall back again and this time he heard it even louder as if someone were speaking directly in his ear "CHAUMPRA"
Zindell blinked his eyes several times and opened them up expecting to see a bright blue sky but instead he only saw the ceiling over his bed. He was quite sure of this, he knew of no other ceiling that was like his. When he had been offered a choice of what were going to be his permanent quarters, he had chosen these rooms because along with few other things the ceiling here was quite unique. Someone had spent what had to have been a very long time creating an artwork of tiny pieces of clear crystals which were set in the rock in the shape of an immense galaxy. He had once tried to count them all with a special scanner and been told by the computer screen that it was an actual representation of all the stars in his own galaxy. That the one red crystal among all the others shown was the location of his home solar system where he lived on the planet called Unity. Zindell stretched his arms and sat up realizing that he had really been dreaming the whole time.
"Chaumpra, you are awake."
Zindell looked down and saw his charge Iven standing in the doorway with his head slightly bowed.
"Iven I must have been in a deep sleep, how long have you been calling"
"Not long Chaumpra"
Chaumpra was a term used as an honorific to show respect for a parent, a teacher or an edler. Iven had been Zindell's charge since shortly after he had been brought to Sanctuary.
"Come on in and pull up a couple of pillows while I put something on"
Iven grabbed a couple of the many fluffy pillows that Zindell had made and placed in a corner of the living room. Sometimes when he had guests he found it more relaxing to lounge on the floor. A small black laquer bamboo table sat in the center of the room so that people could sit and talk while they ate. If the need presented itself he had more traditional couches on the other side of the room which he used very rarely.
Zindell quickly put on his favorite black silk robe. An old girl friend from long ago had made it for him. She had stitched beautiful scenes of multicolored dragons that flew through pastel blue and white clouds.
Zindell sat down on the other side from Iven and said "Good Morning"
"Good morning Chaumpra, I'm glad you are back."
"I am glad also little buddy, this time I was gone for some time. Sometimes things can take quite longer than we would like, But to do my job properly I must stay and see things through to their conclusion."
"You were gone over six spans."
A span is a ten day week. Some people might think that this was too long a week. Here at Sanctuary it was not, Some people worked three days then took off two, then worked three more, then off two. Some worked six, then took off four, whatever their schedules were they also seemed to mesh with everyone else. People who lived and worked here were all very casual and laid back. Someone was always willing to change what ever arrangement that had if the need presented itself.
"Sorry Iven I had not realized that it had been that long. Our negotiations this time were very critical and some of the participants were not very cooperative."
Zindell main position was as a Negotiator 1st class. This was the title that he was commonly known by. When worlds did not honor an agreement he then doubled as a Mediator 1st class. Last but not least, even fewer knew he worked as an Elite. Only the people who worked with him directly knew of his true profession as of late. Zindell did not think that he was truly misleading the boy because in all instances he was a negotiator no matter what face he had on that day.
"Chaumpra I did not mean to complain, sometimes when you are away, I miss you."
"That is alright for you to tell me how you feel, I am flattered by your devotion. I always miss you when I am away too long."
While they had been talking Zindell realized that Iven had not quite been holding his face up to look directly at him which was unlike him.
"Iven what is bothering you besides my absence, you have not looked me in the eyes since you came in."
Iven slowly lifted his head, Zindell had not noticed in the low light of the living room that he had a small bruise under one eye.
"What happened?"
When Zindell said this Iven automatically dropped his head again. Even though Zindell did not mean to sound so gruff, he told Iven "SIT UP, LOOK AT ME!"
"Chaumpra I do not wish you to be mad at me."
"Iven I could never be mad at you. But I am a little disappointed that you feel you need to hide a problem from me. I love you very much and I value your friendship and your company. It is very important that you trust me. What ever you do I will always be there for you. I may not say it enough but you are the a very important part of my life. I want you to know and believe that."
"I'm sorry"
"Don't be sorry, tell me what happened so that we can talk and I can help and advise you."
"Some of the other boys were teasing me again and started a fight with me and I injured two of the boys."
"First let me ask are they o.k.?"
"Yes"
"Second did you do every thing you could possibly could to avoid the fight?"
"Yes, I even tried to run away, But they cornered me and starting throwing punches."
"Then don't be sorry for the poor decisions of others, If they gave you no other choice but to defend yourself then they have to be responsible for the outcome. More importantly what where they saying to you that has hurt your feelings this much?"
"They said I am here because My mom and dad did not want me. They said that I was stupid and ugly and no one would ever want me."
"Well you know that is not true, I want you. And the reason you are here is the same as a lot of other boys here, they have lost their parents somehow. In your case your parents were killed in a very bad accident. I knew friends of your mom and dad. They loved you very much. I know that sometimes when someone loses a love one, it seems like they deserted us but that is not true. If your parents would have had a choice they would still be alive and you would be with them right now."
"Then why do they say these things?"
"I'm not allowed to tell you who, but a lot of the boys are here because their parents did not want them or their parents abused them in someway so they were taken away from their parents to protect them."
Zindell knew from his own experience as an orphan how he had felt when he first came here. How he had felt for many years after he had decided to stay at Sanctuary.
"Iven you must understand that sometimes people do not feel good about themselves, so they are mean to other people. That does not make it right, but is one of the reasons. Sometimes when they meet someone like you who is smart and well liked they are jealous. Because they do not feel that they can improve their lives, they try to pull you down into the misery that they are feeling. To be honest, because I am well known here and I am your adopted parent they are also jealous of that. This might be hard to understand, in spite of the way you are treated, you must still strive to treat them in a kind manner or you will become mean and bitter just like them. They see your kindness as a weakness. Don't let them change you, stay as you are and you will win this battle they have started with you."
"O.K., But sometimes it is hard."
"I know, I felt the same way at one time. Use this as the start of a lesson, the things that we work hardest to achieve are the things we will ultimately value the most. Hang on to your good nature no matter what anyone says or does to you. I feel that this is partly my fault because I have been away too much. I will see what I can do to change that."
"They also said that the reason I had to work in the kitchen was because I was being punished."
"No this is untrue also. I will tell you the real reason you have been in the kitchen for so long. One, the cook says from the very first day you have done a good job, that is something you should take pride in." Zindell raised one finger so that Iven would not interrupt. "Please do not take offense but you were not in very good shape, you where starting to get fat and pudgy like a lot of the others boys. I knew the hard work would be good for you." Zindell pulled a photo album from under the table they sat at. He pulled out a photo of Iven of about three years ago and placed it on the table between them. "This is what you looked like a short time ago. Look at your self now you have grown strong and alert. Hard work gives a person a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, you know that you have not sat around idle. Plus it is away of giving back something to the people who are taking care of you. Iven I spent four years in the kitchen and after a short while I realized I liked it. I also got to be good friends with Soochie the cook.
"I like Soochie too. He is always singing and laughing."
"Plus!" Zindell said "Soochie is a very wise man, you can learn a lot from him beside just cooking."
Iven raised his eye brows and tilted his head.
"Oh you think he's there because he is not smart, No he is there because he likes it, so that is where he has stayed for the last forty five years."
"When you are not here, I do not always feel I have someone to talk to."
"There is plenty of people besides myself who are here to help. You have a counselor to talk to if you have the need. As I said Cook Soochie is very wise, he likes you very much and I know he would consider it a great compliment if you were to ask him sometimes for his advice. Try one time and you will see how fast he will drop what ever he is doing to help. Another good source of counsel is Sen Sei Toshi. Iven why do you frown?"
"I do not think Sen Sei Toshi likes me very much. The other day he was very angry with me and told me that I was not good enough for his classes."
When Iven said this Zindell knew that there had to be some kind of misunderstanding on Ivens' part. He had known Toshi all his life and never had heard him say a negative word to anyone.
"Iven how about we have some breakfast together and then we can spend some time talking some more."
Iven automatically perked up at the tought of catching up on lost time. "Sure that would please me very much."
"O.K. go down to he kitchen and get some of our favorite foods and bring them back here, we will eat on the balcony. Your time so I have a chance to shower, and don't go racing through all the halls in a hurry to get back. I will call Cook Soochie and tell him you are on the way."
Iven took off for the kitchen and as soon as Zindell heard him turn the corner he went straight to his computer. He placed palm on top of his desk to activate the system. It would only respond to his hand and voice. "Sari, Zindell Negotiator 1st activate computer." Sari had been his mother name.
A screen rose up from a seamless walnut top so he could view a printed record as he spoke. The computer responded "It is nice to have you back." All the computer systems had a high order active A.I. that were meant to be interactive. This system had a smooth feminine voice that Zindell had installed himself. It made him feel more at ease, he had not always had a taste for anything electronic. When he had first been given this desk as his work station he had went into town and enlisted the help of a young lady whose voice he had found appealing. He also knew at the time that her family was in need of financial help. He knew that the father was a bit too proud to accept a hand out so he approached the father and explained that he had a need for a human voice for his system. What he did not tell the father was that he could have had her speak a few short lines into a recorder, which would have been more than adequate enough to program the system. Instead, because knew that they needed a large sum of money to pay for his wife's medical expenses and would not take her to the free clinic at Sanctuary, he told the father that he needed the daughter to read form a book every day for about six months to get as many words as possible.
"Sari it is nice to be back."
"How can I assist you today."
"Ring kitchen seven for me"
The screen came on and a voice came from the desk. "Kitchen seven how can I help you."
"Cook Soochie I was hoping to speak to you directly."
"Zin welcome back, I had heard from other in your team at breakfast this morning, that you had come back late last night."
"It has been too long since we have had the occasion to talk. I would like to ask a favor, Inven and me need to have breakfast in my room so we can talk."
"That's no problem, everyone has meals in their rooms."
"That is not the favor, Iven is on his way down to collect some food. Would you delay him a little so that I can take care of a few things before he returns. Load him up a little with some extras so that he will have to use a Servo to carry everything back. If I know Iven, he will fly back here as soon as possible."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Sanctuary by J.E. Murphy Copyright © 2011 by J.E. Murphy. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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