Clarity's Doom (Ancient Origins Book 1) Read online

  Clarity couldn’t help the smile that split her face. Everyone saw the implication. Welcome to the new world order. After the first demonstration, there were more. The bombs were detonated in controlled areas. They left hide-covered dummies in the protected caves, shut the doors, and waited until the smoke settled. The dummies were in pieces. Clarity assured them the hybrids would suffer the same fate.

  A catapult was made after they gathered the multitude of glowing rocks on the sand with sandstone. Strict watch was sent out to make certain no hybrid was watching. Their first attempt was at a woolly rhino. The beast stumbled and lay unmoving after being hit with eight of the glowing stones. It died when Doom and Edge slit its throat. As the villagers stood around watching the animal’s lifeblood drain into the ground, they were humbled. After the weapon hit a hybrid, it would need to be dispatched in the same way. The hybrids would see death approach, but their motionless bodies would be unable to tremble in fear. Some were glad.

  Each night Doom and Clarity fell into bed exhausted. Both were bruised from battle games. Their fighting done in secret, underground, away from prying eyes. The outside traps were used only on animals and watched closely. As soon as the trap worked, it was dismantled. There were times when Clarity saw Kiki or Nina. There was longing on their faces. Their gazes indicated a desire to belong. She was tempted to hand them firecrackers but knew she had to wait.

  Doom adamantly refused the wild children’s help. As the days progressed, more outsiders were found. There were no other Earth humans but Clarity determined the planet the people hailed from was exactly like hers in only some ways. These were a gentler people. They had never known war or disease, there was no need to inoculate. A society of bubble-wrapped humans where life for all was pleasant and caring. The idea gave Clarity a better understanding as to why they never questioned Doom’s actions. The humans were lambs. They knew nothing of terrorists; none had ever experienced the threat. These humans didn’t know what mass destruction was but again never experienced it. The mere idea there were no threats of possible scenarios made their culture complacent. It was as though the sinkholes selected the meek. And the weak, there were a few with deformities, not illness. Failings in their body system made them slower physically.

  A frightening thought occurred to Clarity that these people were selected for extinction. Maybe they didn’t fit in with a bubble-wrapped society. Heath seemed to have no failings except he was the last man to touch a sword. He seemed guilty when holding it. Doom’s people didn’t have much to work with in the way of an army, but Clarity vowed to turn them into soldiers.

  The only tricky area was involving other villagers’ clans. The hybrids wouldn’t allow large meetings between others. Only a few at a time for trading. Doom and Menace were always the ones to go, and they traded weapons for simple furs and other items not really needed. To return empty-handed would be suspicious. The guise of furs laden with swords and bombs was met with some resistance by others, but all were interested.

  It would take some doing, but by spring the villagers needed to be armed to the teeth. Clarity convinced Doom the best way would be during hibernation. Clarity and other humans could make the trip to nearer villagers and leave weapons and bombs. Once awake, the trading would begin in full force. There would be no suspicion, the hybrids would assume the villagers traded for humans—and they would. Clarity planned on having every human in Doom’s care trained. Then distributed to show how the weapons worked. Farther villagers could be reached and so on. By sacrifice time, they would be ready to launch their assault.

  ****

  Clarity hunkered down beside the inky black substance. Doom was decidedly skeptical. His scowl furrowed his brows.

  “This is oil,” Clarity said.

  “Black mess.”

  “If we can build the containers to hold it, we can boil it and dump it onto the hybrids. It’s nasty bad when hot and sticky.”

  “There are ponds of this,” Doom said. “But it smells different.”

  Clarity rose and stood before him. “I think you mean tar. And yeah, tar is a mess but heavier. I do have an idea for new tar pits. The hybrids I bet have scoured every inch of these forests, but they won’t suspect new holes dug filled with tar and covered over. Especially if at the bottom of the pits are sharp spears with metal tips.”

  “You’re a real badass.”

  Clarity smiled. “That’s the general idea of war.” She frowned then. “You say you’ve come across their offspring. When we saw the little ones, I wasn’t expecting the way they interacted with DaV-nin. You say they kill the females, but we saw one.”

  “No doubt she was his and spared.”

  “Still, we have to wonder what we are going to do with the little ones. They look like dinosaurs and humanoid. Neanderthals were different, they looked different, but I wouldn’t want to kill a child of theirs. Or someone helpless.”

  “All hybrids I’ve seen are grown males except the three young ones, the young ones I came across who were wild like animals, and the young ones with DaV-nin. Plus the dead females. I don’t know how to tell the good from bad if there are any.”

  “You said you have a big sleep. You hibernate for six weeks?”

  “Yes. We store massive amounts of food. During the deepest part of winter we all go into a single room and sleep together. The hybrids might do the same. We need to find Kiki and see what else she knows. Maybe we could trade her something small in return. In our history, there is no mention of any hybrid attacking during the sleeping time. And we are the most vulnerable then.”

  “Have you ever tried not to sleep?”

  “Yes. There were a few, but the experience ages them. In six weeks, if we do not sleep, we will age decades. Normally our hearts give out. The few who stayed awake were exhausted, fighting their bodies’ needs. They died shortly after. To age so fast in so little time isn’t good for anyone. Why, what are you thinking?”

  “Humans don’t hibernate.”

  “I know. It’s why they watch the children. We were lucky to find out before human children came that they don’t hibernate. If locked in a room with us, they would be dead by the time we awoke. I don’t want to imagine a young one pulling on my arms for food or comfort and not understanding why I ignore their needs. It would be a cruel way to die. I’m grateful you came, Clarity. I’m grateful to you for so many things.”

  With Doom, she never needed to question his motives when he spoke from the heart. He only ever spoke from the heart. An endearing quality. She lifted her hand to cup his face.

  “I’m happy to be here with you. Win or lose.”

  A smile split his face. “Even if we lose, I win. One year of life with you is better than a hundred years without you.”

  “You realize when you say things like that my insides look like that puddle of oil, right?”

  He wrapped her in his arms. Her chin rested on his chest as she gazed up at him. “That oil is dark, I can see dark. You are light. I feel light; it warms my heart and heats my insides. If you mean I make you feel like a puddle of goo, I’ll take that as a compliment. I only hope you experience even half of what I do when we touch. My insides melt into vibrant life. There is peace in your arms. I knew I was broken when we met, but I never thought it possible you would fix me. How stupid am I when I didn’t think there was a word to replace another in my heart. Love, Clarity. The word ‘love’ can fix the word ‘broken’.”

  She couldn’t help but smile when he lowered to taste her lips; she kissed him hard. The jungle forest was no place for a tryst. They parted, but her insides were warm with want. After a few deep breaths, she became all business.

  “We can mold bigger baskets with the strong leather, heat it up, and use smaller baskets, too, for single drops. Near the village, we need to make sure the area is protected. You have children in your village; their safety is paramount. And I noticed something about Flight. He has a mark for an inoculation. When was he found?”

  “I found him
the same day as you.”

  “I wonder if he came through a sinkhole on my planet near my home. I’ve heard him talk of guns.”

  “There were children in the beginning when the sinkholes opened who behaved as the boy. They spoke of guns and knives.”

  “All sacrificed?”

  Doom nodded; his expression sad. “Not as children, and only after we had no choice. After a time, the children who came through the sinkholes were meeker, gentler.”

  “I can’t help but think there’s another force screwing with us, our worlds.” The idea grew and nagged.

  “I’ve thought of that. What if you weren’t meant to be here? What if whatever wanted you still wants you?”

  Clarity grinned at him. “Why do you think I carry the mace and the taser?”

  “Badass for sure.”

  They stood and continued on. Before long, Kiki came into view. Clarity knew she was following them. The young girl was too curious. It appeared Doom was also expecting her. He removed a bomb from his satchel. Clarity gripped his arm.

  “This is a weapon of great magnitude,” Doom said. “It has the ability to rip through many hybrids especially in an enclosed area.”

  Kiki licked her lips and tried not to appear too excited, and failed miserably. “What do you want for it?”

  “Information.”

  “About the hybrids?”

  “Anything you know that can help.”

  “I can do better than that; I can get you into their lair.”

  “There’s a condition.” Clarity stepped forward. “That bomb is dangerous; you need to keep it from the little ones. It’s also for the enemy. Doom isn’t your enemy.”

  “No, he’s not my enemy.”

  “What happened to Nick’s brother, Chaz?” Kiki’s eyes widened as Doom spoke. “Yes, I know his name and remember him. It was beyond my control. You have lived here; you know what the hybrids are like.”

  “We choose to fight.” Kiki’s features turned into a snarl of anger.

  “The hybrids don’t waste their time with you, you’re children. You’re ignored and found an amusement. Until you’re older, then you’ll have to really watch. They hunted my people into the ground. Day after endless day we ran and hid. Do you think a threat from Nick scares me?” Doom was doing some snarling of his own. “What would you do to protect your family, how far would you go? Look at me and these marks long and hard before you judge and say I don’t care.”

  Kiki gazed at the tattoos. She moved forward to study them further. She lifted her hand to trace her finger over the face of a young woman.

  “I saw her.” Her voice was an awed whisper. “She was young, only a few years older than Nick, maybe his brother’s age when he was sacrificed. She ran but it was no use. I tried to call to her, to help, but a hybrid came after me. I was grabbed. I thought I was a goner for sure, but he released me. I swear the monster laughed in my face. God, I was scared to death. I was so helpless.”

  “So was I.”

  Doom’s features were heavy with his guilt and remorse.

  “But you’re a grown man,” Kiki insisted.

  “I was taught to run and hide, not to fight. I can hunt, I can kill, but I know how to think. For every one of the hybrids killed, ten of us, or more were slaughtered. When you face the little dinosaurs in groups do you fight or hide?”

  “Hide.”

  “There are times you know you’re outnumbered and you need to retreat.”

  “Doom is right,” Clarity said. “But no more retreating once we’re ready. With your help, we can be ready sooner.”

  Kiki nodded. She led them through the thick foliage toward where Clarity and Doom had seen DaV-nin with the younger hybrids. She skirted past the cave openings, rising higher on the mountain. Near the back of the mountain where it sloped straight up there was a small cave. Kiki pulled foliage from the opening and waved them in.

  “There’s just enough light to take us from cave to cave. But in places there is darkness, so we have to be careful,” Kiki said.

  Clarity pulled out her flashlight and turning a corner she clicked it on. The walls were a solid grey, depressing.

  “I haven’t seen a flashlight in years,” Kiki said, excitement in her tone. “When we first got here Luke howled for his nightlight. Nick found him a glowing rock but for it to work it needed heat so my brother kept it clutched to his chest every night.”

  “You must miss your family,” Clarity said.

  “My mom mostly. Dad worked all the time. They’re gone. I wish I had my mother. I have so many questions about becoming a woman. Same with Nina, she’s close. We talk but I don’t know—much.”

  Kiki glanced at Doom and went beet red in the soft glow of light. She straightened her shoulders and slipped around another bend. She reached to click the flashlight off.

  “We have to be careful. No noise or light.”

  Clarity could see why when she peeked around the corner. An adult hybrid was alone in the cave with a young male hybrid. They sat on furs. The young male was younger than she thought when she caught his profile in a torch light. Doom stiffened. The young hybrid’s features were softer, almost sweet. The brow ridges and dinosaur features would harden as he aged, but for now, he looked half-human. From the way Doom was shaking it was apparent he recognized the child.

  “Hers,” Kiki whispered and Clarity turned to see the girl trace a tattoo on Doom’s chest. He immediately gripped her fingers and squeezed his eyes closed. Doom grabbed them both and dragged them from the cave and into the light. His breathing was rapid, ragged.

  “How?” He started to cry out then lowered his voice. It wasn’t enough; Clarity could tell he was devastated.

  Further he dragged them into the foliage to escape detection. Clarity’s mind was racing. The boy had human features and Kiki was right he was the spitting image of the young woman tattooed on Doom’s chest. When Doom finally stopped he pulled Clarity close.

  “How?” he raged. “They can’t mate.”

  “We don’t know what their offspring look like when born, or hatched. How big they are. Human bones won’t support the dinosaur weight or height,” Clarity said.

  “I’ve seen both live births and eggs,” Kiki said.

  Doom dropped Clarity’s arms and spun on Kiki. “When?”

  “After the harvest. I think the offspring are born in the safety of the cave soon after the harvest. I don’t know. They’re taken to a nest where they’re watched. I stay away. I only happened to see the young after this harvest.” She seemed thoughtful, then scared. “I think Nick knows. He won’t say what he knows, only to stay away from the beasts.”

  “Will he tell us, me?” Clarity asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe. I can ask, but then he’ll know I’ve been helping you. He might be mad.”

  “Risk it,” Doom said.

  Chapter Twelve

  Clarity could see the tension on Doom as he paced the fur. Clenching and unclenching his fists he stopped stared into space then paced again.

  “We’ll figure out what they’re doing,” Clarity said.

  “I don’t know if I want to know.” Doom’s whisper was racked with desolation. He spun to face her and pointed at the young woman tattooed on his chest. “That hybrid’s face is hers. How can that be?”

  “I don’t know. Our human structure is smaller than yours. Maybe it’s a mix of human, Neanderthal, and dinosaur. I don’t understand either. Our bone mass is no good if yours wasn’t. All I can think of is there must be a hybrid—hybrid.”

  “A hybrid mix?”

  “Maybe not all of the males born are mixing with humans in some way. They can’t have sex, it would be impossible.”

  “I need to find out what Nick knows.”

  Clarity went to him. She ran her finger down his cheek. “I can go…” But he stopped her words.

  “I did this.”

  “The hybrids did this. Deep down, I think Nick knows this. He saw you lead his brother from the s
afety of the village but that’s all. The hybrids are the killers. You had no choice, but you do now. The other humans here aren’t like me. I know war and terrorists. I’ve seen fear, but my fear can be fought. You didn’t know how.”

  “I need to learn better. I need you to make me into a weapon.” His hands on her shoulders tightened and she winced.

  Pain assaulted her being. Everything she loved about him could change. She knew the dangers when bringing new technology into a struggling environment would have disastrous repercussions. But to change a gentle giant into a killer…

  “I will teach you to become skilled.”

  Perhaps he saw the sadness in her gaze, or the way her shoulders now slumped, Doom lifted a hand and caressed her cheek with tenderness.

  “I will learn to be skilled. I’m sorry for my words. You don’t make love to a bomb, or a sword, an axe or any weapon. You love a man. Skills are far better.”

  Clarity smiled and kissed his palm. “You have skills all right.”

  “Do you have any coats left?”

  “I think I can find one or a few.”

  Doom placed his hands on her ass to pull her against his growing erection. He hardened under her and his length grew to press higher on her belly.

  “You have the perfect cock.”

  Doom gave her a mischievous gaze. “Are there imperfect cocks? Cocks that don’t urinate? Come? Grow?”

  “Let’s just say you function with perfection.”

  “I’m a well-oiled machine.”

  Clarity burst out laughing. “How do you know what a machine is?”

  “I hear humans talk. They think you’re a drill sergeant.”

  “Do they? What else do they say?”

  Clarity went to her purse and opened a small square. She snapped the rubber in her hands. Doom grinned and backed up until he flopped onto the bed.

  “Heath thinks you’re hot. Menace is fascinated by you, and Edge, well he’d like to spank your pretty ass.”

  “I’d like to taser his.”