Snowy Murder

Feathers ascended to the ground, scattering around as if a light covering of snow had just appeared. A dark shadow was cast over them of a tall figure, hunched over. With sharp golden orbs, the land was surveyed. Mountains, plains, hills, and trees were everywhere in site, however, they were dying. The once green dewy grass was now brown and harsh. The plains and mountains once roaming everywhere with life, were dead. The once vibrant Empire of Aero was gone, dead, nothing was to be seen alive anymore.1

Though, the sharp eyes wouldn’t give up. Their beholder was going to press on, defy the fate that was set for this race. They would live a forever lie. There, with a soft breeze feathers rustled again a bareback; scaly-green colored skin etched with a crimson liquid, dripping, falling to the ground.2

“This was all I ever knew… It’s gone, forever gone. All I will know is coming into this life of nothingness for me, I will not give up, I cannot.” Spoke a weak voice, a hand held a small area of the winged figure shoulder. Slowly becoming soaked in the liquid, which was the color of a fresh red rose.3

Soft colored wings, painted with blood, spread as if to take off, slowly fragile body lifted from the ground. Before anything happened, the body fell to the ground, landing on its knees. Before long, it collapsed; the figure fell to the ground a soft thump, the dry dirt around it going into the air, before settling around. With one last breath…4

Altai’s eyes opened quickly, scanning around with soft golden orbs. “It was only a dream…” She said in a gasping breath. Sweat matted her dark chestnut colored hair to her forehead. 5

Slowly she rose from her bed, her fragile fingers taking grip on her sheets, which covered the hayed filled mattress. Looking towards her small clock she sighed, she’d woken up late, again. Every morning for the last week this dream had been coming to her. Who was it she felt she was looking through the eyes of she knew it wasn’t herself? Turning her head back she looked to the bird like wings, which were white, her flying ability as sharp as an eagle, and yet her body was as enduring as any type of lizard, the scaly body she had making it nearly impossible to penetrate.6

Getting up quickly she dressed, the normally baggy black pants and a white tank top which was altered to fit the wings of any Aeromis creature, or the creatures of this land, humans who had been altered centuries go in labs, and who had escaped. They escaped to make an empire on another dimension; nothing was like that of Earth, where they came from. Now, they had started their own race, and it was one of the biggest in creation now. Now they all lived in a world of those with wings, and those of unbreakable skins.7

She quickly brushed her teeth, sharp and flat, used for both those of eating meat and vegetables and fruit. Spitting out water she had been swishing around her mouth she walked out into the kitchen, to see soft gray wings giving small twitches of movement as a figure stood, looking as if washing dishes in the sink.8

“Good morning, Hun.” Spoke a gentle voice, though the figure never turned to look to her daughter.9

“ ‘Morning Mom.’ Answered Altai, “Sorry that I can’t talk right now I have to rush! I’m late again!” She groaned as she grabbed a piece of toast, this area was like a new earth, except for the inhabitants. Animals were the same, except birds didn’t fly here, and there was no need for cars, everyone had wings; they could fly!10

While eating the toast, Altai rushed out, but as she left the house, images of her dream flashed in front of her eyes, death, and destruction. Everything flashed, her mother gone, her father, her friends. Everything was gone. She grabbed onto her forehead quickly, shaking her head. Repeatedly trying to get the images from her mind, but there was no use.11

“Altai…” She heard someone say, turning around quickly, her eyes opening she saw into the Caribbean-sea blue eyes of one of her best friends eyes, Tomas. “You okay? Something wrong?” He asked as he reached his hand out, resting it on her shoulder.12

As soon as he touched her, everything felt okay, a soft sensation poured through her body, and she felt safe being near him.13

“Yeah, just was thinking about some stuff. That’s it. No need to worry!” Altai said happily before she took hold of his hand, she began to pull him along with her. “So why aren’t you at school? I thought I was going to be the only one late.”14

When she asked, she saw concern in his eyes, his eyes that captivated her, made everything better. “Tomas? What’s wrong? Did something happen?” He looked to the ground, “Emperor Kasho was killed, murdered to say. Something’s on our planet that isn’t from here. They can’t find it though. What Aeromis would kill the Emperor! He’s only done good for us!” Tomas’s voice was getting more and more panicked.15

Altai’s arms wrapped around him, “You can’t be serious are you? First no school and now this you are telling me….” She was unable to believe this, was this world going to fall apart at the hands of something, and one person be left, was it really her in her dreams, did she just not want to admit to this.16

Tomas’s arms came around her now, before he pushed her back his hand taking onto hers again. “They ordered no school, no work, but for everyone to remain in their homes, they need to find the criminal.” He said as he began to lead her into her house again. “I came to tell you, my family is going crazy.”17

When he said that she began to think, ‘mom didn’t seem like anything was wrong… has she just not heard…’ Altai’s mind raced with questions as Tomas lead her into her house.18

As they reached the living room in the house, they sat down on the couch, her mother still standing in the kitchen washing dishes. Altai took the remote into her hand and put the television on and they began to watch the news, FNS,(Flying News System). 19

“It’s true…” She whispered, the images upon the news were saying exactly as Tomas as said. 20

“Breaking news; Emperor Kasho has been murdered, the identity of this criminal is yet to be known, but it has been guessed and rumored that is it by some other race other than that of us, the Aeromis…” The news continued on about the situation, and Tomas just kept his hand hold upon hers.21

“Isn’t it sad, he’s finally gone.” Said a sarcastic voice of a gentle woman.22

“Mom! What are you saying, he was our Emperor, he ruled over us like no other ever had. Everyone always said that!” Altai yelled at her mother.23

“Well, I just never liked what he did for us…. I’m glad he’s gone.”24

“Mrs. Nebula… Are you serious? He was the man that did everything for us, he created this land as it is today and you are saying you wanted him dead?” Tomas asked, as politely as he could, though with the situation it was hard.25

She just flashed a small smile, then turned around and left, before she did though, Altai thought she saw something on her shirt, specks of red, looking as if painted there, not but any Aeromistic claws.26

“What is up with my mom? This isn’t like her…” Altai said softly to Tomas before she turned to him, her was deep into the news, as if he didn’t want to speak and be rude. She just sighed and went back to watching.27

Hours passed as they did this. Her mother had gone out, and come back a few times. After the third hour, Tomas stood up and smiled down to Altai, I see you in school… If we are back in there tomorrow. If not I guess you can come over or I’ll come and get you. Sleep well, and just remember I wont let anything happen to you if this kill keeps up.” Just before he left, the news had said that one of the members of the Emperors companionship had been killed as well, someone that was considered like a first mate.28

“God…Yet another death. What is happening here? Our whole planet is dying before us..” Tomas said, and with him saying that, images came to Altai’s mind again, she thought about that. ‘Our planet is dying before us… My dream it did die before me… everything did, everyone. No, it can’t be coming true!’ She said to herself, though not orally. Looking up to Tomas she gave a smile, then nodded her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow…” 29

She watched him as he walked out, getting up she ran to her mother who was now scrubbing a rough sponge over her shirt she had been wearing earlier that day, “Mom… what are you doing?” Altai asked as she walked into the laundry room of their house.30

She moved over to the washer, opening it up, she had started a wash the day before and she knew how mad her mother would get if she didn’t take it out, but she had forgotten. “I took it out earlier, hunny. Its folded and over on the dryer.” Her mother said, a bright smile on her face. Now this definitely wasn’t like her mother.31

Opening the washer she looked in, it was etched with a dry crimson color, and that was definitely not a special at the store they bought this at. “Mom…. What’s in here?” 32

Looking over to her mother, she noticed a wide grin upon her lips. “Oh, well I had to wash some clothing today, and I guess some stuff just got stuck in there, remind me to clean that later, now I’m doing some work on one of your shirts, did you spill something on any of them?”33

Altai just shook her head, a bit confused now. She slowly started to walk from the laundry room, her eyes caught something upon the ironing board, which her mother was using to scrub the shirt on. A glistening object sat there, covered in the same dry crimson liquid that she saw on her mothers shirt, the washer, and…34

Altai ran from the room, into the kitchen, looking at the sink, it was covered in a liquid other than water as well, etched with it in some places, what was her mother cleaning earlier, it definitely wasn’t dishes!35

Altai ran to the phone, picking it up and quickly pressing numbers upon the holder. She dialed Tomas’s number, “I know who’s the killer! I know who killed the empire!” She whispered in a quiet yet urgent voice.36

Tomas had a bet of confusion in his voice, but all Altai could think, was thank Aerie that he was the one who picked up, “What? Who? What are you thinking Altai? Are you just tired.. Did you have a dream?”37

Altai shook her head frantically she knew he couldn’t see it but she couldn’t help it. “No no no no! I know how did it! I have clues; I have a lead. I know it!” She stopped speaking. Was she going to turn her mother in?38

“Tomas…. come over…. Please I need to talk to you in private. I don’t know who could listen over the phone.” Altai hung up, with out listening for an answer39

She hoped the dreams she had been having weren’t telling her she was going to be the last person upon his earth alive, she turned around to see her mother standing their in front of her now.40

“Who was that?” Her mother asked sweetly, asking nicer than normal, a bright smile still on her face.41

“Oh…. Uh…It was Tomas, I had to tell him something urgently.” She said, nodding her head before she began to walk away from her mother.42

As she went to pass her mother, she felt a hold upon her shoulder. “I know what you’ve been doing every night hunny.”43

Confusion ran through Altai’s mind, what had she been doing?44

“And I know what you’ve been doing, Mother…And you can’t get away with it..”45

“What are you talking about, I’ve done nothing wrong…. But you on the other hand… the things that can happen to you..”46

“What are you talking about?” Altai just shook her head a bit, trying to pull from her mothers grip.47

“You can’t hide it from me… You killed him. You did it, I know you have had the visions, you are the one, and you are going to destroy this world…. You are going to destroy everyone. Just like your great grandmother destroyed all over earth. It is in your bloodline, and the time has come.” Her mother said happily, a bright smile on her face.48

“No. You are lying…that’s not true…” With that her mother took a small pin and stabbed her daughter in the neck, and quickly Altai fell into her mothers arm, falling into a deep sleep. Then a knock came…49