The Cellar

THE CELLAR

Debra Scotts laid on the couch and jumped up from a restless sleep to the sound of knocking on the sliding doors.

“Computer, set lights in the room to thirty percent,” she said.

The lights in the room faded up. The room looked cozy with hard wood flooring. The mini kitchen with a wine bar took center stage. Off to the left and down the hall were two ensuite bedrooms, and to the right of the kitchen was a large storage area. Opposite the couch was the sliding patio door that led to the outdoor living and in-ground pool area. Each wall held residence to a painting of pastel colored cubes, spheres, and triangles.

Debra shifted her body on the couch. “What time is it?”

“1:32 P.M. The Sun sets at 7:59 P.M. The winds are gently blowing South-East. Jupiter will be visible in the Northern sky, and the new Moon will be in the West.”

“Thanks.”

“Your publicist is outside on the patio,” said the computer.

Debra placed her feet on the floor. “Lock the doors, and don’t let her know I’m here.”

“Too late. You gave her the access code to the house.”

“I did that?” Debra asked.

“Yes, last week.”

Debra slowly rocked side to side on the couch. “Fine, lower the glass tint to fifty percent.”

The darkness of the patio glass door lightened up, and shadows appeared in the room. Standing outside with one hand resting on her hip and the other hand holding her leather tote, was May Jackson.

“Are you going to let me in?” May asked.

Jackson always wore casual business suits, colorful bow ties, and high top sneakers. On this day, her bow tie was Egyptian blue, the sneakers and tote had a soft gray tone, and her suit was a light olive green.

Debra sat back on the couch. “Computer, open the patio doors twenty-five percent.”

The patio door slowly opened one quarter way.

Jackson stepped into the room. “You need to get out more.”

“When I’m good and ready.”

Jackson placed her tote on the glass table. “You hired me to handle your relocation, and here you are hiding in this damn cellar.”

“I was taking a nap! And this is not a cellar. It’s the lower level of my house.” Debra sat up. “Computer, close the door.”

The patio doors closed behind Jackson.

“I was going to put food away, and I got really tired.”

“Putting food away? You have a maid. Oh, what’s her name? Rosetta.” said Jackson.

Rosetta always looked like she stepped off a runway from a fashion show. Her lips were full, her brown eyes were slightly curved, and her wavy jet black hair fell evenly on her shoulders. She drove a gas car with standard transmission. It was rare to hear a gas fueled car.

“Debra,” said the computer.

Jackson placed both hands on her hips. “You programmed the computer to interrupt you when you’re talking?”

“Yah.”

Jackson crossed her hands over her chest. “Rude.”

Debra shrugged her shoulders. “Go ahead computer. What’s going on?”

“My main system is being overridden. I’m not able to maintain security features.”

“What does that mean?” Debra asked.

Jackson pulled out her mobile phone. “It means I’m calling the cops.”

Then, there was the sound of glass shattering on the marble floor upstairs.

“You can’t go down there!” said Rosetta.

“What was that?” asked Debra.

“It’s Rosetta!” said Jackson.

“Ms. Rosetta’s blood pressure is accelerating,” said the computer.

Debra got up from the couch. “Who’s she talking to?”

“That person does not live here! You’re trespassing on private property! I’m calling the cops!” said Rosetta.

Jackson pushed Debra “Go hide.”

“What for?”

Jackson sucked her teeth. “Your maid and the house computer are alerting you that something is wrong.”

“You’re over reacting.” Debra moved to the wall and tapped on the corner. A hidden panel opened up to a nook area. She walked in, and the panel closed behind her.

“You can’t go down there!” said Rosetta.

Jackson turned around and looked at the staircase. A young woman in her early twenties was rushing down the stairs and into the room with a two-year-old in her arms.

The young woman stopped and looked at Jackson. “Where is Debra Scotts? We hear she’s leaving. She has to stay and help.”

Jackson stepped back. “Holy shit. Who else knows you’re here?”

The young woman exhaled. “You mean did anyone see my baby?”

Rosetta walked down the stairs wearing a floral dress and square heel shoes.

“I’m so sorry.” Rosetta walked further into the room. “The young woman hacked into the computer system and walked in! Shall I call the cops?” she asked.

“I’m not looking for trouble,” said the young woman dressed in jeans, a shirt, and running shoes.

“No cops,” said Jackson.

“I know she’s in here.” The young woman moved the child to her other arm. “She’s gotta help us.”

“First, you need to hand over the device you used to hack into the system,” said Jackson.

“I’m not handing over my son,” said the young woman.

The baby boy looked at Jackson and blinked his eyes three times.

“Systems are operating normally,” said the computer.

Jackson took another step back. “Did he do that?”

The baby’s head was very large, round, and hairless. Its eyes were navy blue and the size of crab apples. His ears were small. The rest of the baby’s body was proportionate to a two-year-old human child.

“He did that?” asked Rosetta.

“Yes, my son did that,” said the young woman.

Rosetta kissed her rosary. “Do you need some water?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Rosetta turned to the mini fridge, opened it, and handed a bottle of water to the women.

Jackson shifted her stance. “Please have a seat.”

“I’ll stand, thank you.” The boy held on to his mother while she placed the bottled water in her backpack.

“You don’t understand the gravity of the situation. We need help, Debra’s help!” she said.

“How did you know we would be in this part of the house?” asked Jackson.

“I didn’t, but my son did,” said the young woman.

Then, the wall panel opened up and Debra moved her way out from the space she was hiding. “These children are telepathic and clairvoyant,” she said.

“Can he tell me if my date will show up on time tomorrow night?” asked Jackson.

The young woman took a step closer, “I appreciate your humor but I don’t have time for it.”

“Is it true?” asked Debra, “Are their hands cold as ice?”

The young woman pulled the child close to her chest. “I’m not here to have my child examined.”

“How old is he?” asked Debra.

“Why are you so afraid of us? Fear is an unattractive quality to harbor,” said the young woman.

“We’re not afraid,” said Jackson.

“He’s two,” said the young woman.

Debra stepped closer to the mother and child. “I’m not able to help you, but I can give you the name of another civil attorney.”

The young woman took a step closer to Debra. “It must be nice to not worry about the basic necessities like shelter, security, and water.”

“I’m not able…”

The young woman took another step closer. “The slang name on the streets for kids like mine is ‘gargantuan’ because of their large heads and eyes. They forget that he and others like him are half human too.”

“A tornado warning was just issued for this area,” said the computer.

“Why is it that bad weather hits when these kids are around?” Jackson asked.

“It’s not the kids,” said the young woman. “It’s something else.”

“It’s a good thing we’re in the cellar,” said Rosetta.

THE END