“She was a dog.”
Katie stared at Koran. “What?”
“My mom was a dog,” Koran repeated. “Not like what you’re thinking, like the four-legged creatures on Earth. I mean, her ancestors were more like wolves, but not quite. But there is a race of humans on this planet that evolved from dogs. Usually, they stay together, but my mom found my dad. So, technically, I’m half dog.”
Tyson made a noise that Katie took to be a choked cough. She looked at him but he didn’t return it.
What Koran said had stunned Katie, but mainly because she thought she had seen it all or at least heard it all. She then realized that there was probably still so much to learn and that it was going to be harder now, with Cyrus dead. She knew then that she had to find her father.
“Do you have a tail?” Katie asked, curiosity getting the better of her. She didn’t mean it offensively but was genuinely curious.
Koran chuckled. “No, I don’t. Luckily for me and my sister, and the rest of us, the tails were lost as we evolved.”
“Oh,” Katie said. She didn’t know what else to say. For a while, the only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the rustle of leaves from the slight breeze that flowed through the tall grass. Shortly afterward, Koran let the fire die and they all fell asleep on their crudely made beds of grass. She was happy the grass was soft because back on Earth it made her feel itchy. She looked up to the stars; she was used to the stunning night sky, but it still gave her that feeling of awe at the breathtaking beauty, and she knew she would never get over it.
She glanced over at Tyson, remembering when they had both seen the Narque night sky for the first time, but his back was to her. Katie figured that he was already sleeping.
Katie felt herself gliding over the sea; she could feel the crisp cool air that tasted just slightly of salt, and her hair blew behind her in the wind. She opened her eyes and looked below her. She could see small schools of fish swimming beneath in the clear ocean. The coral reef was large and beautiful. She looked ahead of her; the horizon stood far, never seeming to get closer, no matter how fast she flew. Then she heard thumping, like the sound of footsteps; they were heavy, yet muffled. She felt something pull her back. She looked behind and saw nothing but when she looked down, she was no longer staring at the sea. The crystal clear water that was the ocean had turned brown and solid.
Katie opened her eyes fully. Immediately she knew something was wrong. Grass was in her mouth and her hair was tangled in loose leaves and thin sticks. She tried to stand up but when she did, she felt a blow to the back of her head and fell face-first into the dirt.
She looked back and stood up quickly. Tantor was there readying another punch. Katie ducked out of the way. She took quick steps back. Tantor stared at her, his eyes cold and frenzied. He was breathing heavily. His blond hair was matted in sweat, grime, and blood. He picked up a thick branch from the ground.
Katie was about to ask what he was doing when he charged at her and swung the branch. Katie ducked but one of the loose twigs caught her hair and pulled her head to the side. She kept her balance but was sure some hair had been ripped out.
“You, it’s all you,” he seethed, taking small but forceful steps towards her. “Everything is your fault; it’s you they want, anyway.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked. In response, Tantor swung the branch again. She ducked lower this time, avoiding any protruding sticks. Tantor opened his mouth wide as if to yell but made no sound. Saliva dripped out of his mouth.
Before Katie could properly think, Tantor ran at her and tackled her to the ground. He was heavy and Katie flailed and screamed, trying to shove him off. She didn’t know if anyone could hear her, or how far he had taken her before she woke up. Tantor had her pinned to the ground, his face locked in a set rage, a little less than a foot from hers. He pulled her hair and put his hand around her neck.
Katie struggled to scream as she attempted to breathe. Tantor drooled on her face. Katie tried to pull his hand off of her but his grip was too tight.
She then felt his weight fly of her. Katie scrambled to her feet and saw that Tantor was now in close combat with Koran. She wiped his saliva from her face.
“Stop!” Tantor screamed. Koran stared at him, breathing heavily. “I heard things. In my head.” He jabbed his finger to his right temple twice. “They’re saying things. She has to die.” Tantor stuttered with nearly every word he spoke. Then he pointed at Katie, and his voice was deep and clear, unlike his normal tone. “She is dangerous. I must kill her.”
In that split second, Tantor lunged after Katie. Katie moved out of the way and before he could come at her again, Koran blocked his way. Tantor threw a punch at Koran but Koran was too fast. Koran ducked and hit Tantor in the stomach. Tantor yelled, more saliva pouring from his mouth. He took a few slow, tromping steps at Koran. Koran backed away slowly, still breathing heavily. Tantor threw himself at Koran.
Koran wasn’t ready for it and was knocked to the ground. Tantor had
