Polaris by Beth Bowland Page B

animals teeter-tottered on their stiff legs behind him. Aaron stopped at the entrance to gauge how far away his pursuers were and saw them galloping a little more smoothly on legs that did not seem as stiff.
    Aaron continued to run out of the amusement park and through an open field, thinking if he could locate the pond, he could find his way back out. He turned and found the animals gaining on him, so he continued to run across the field looking for a place to hide. He spotted a house in the distance and ran toward it.
    His chest felt as if it would collapse inward from his heavy breathing. His foot caught against a rock, causing him to stumble. He could hear hooves and large paws steady on his trail. Aaron quickly got up and continued to run toward the house. He approached a small picket fence, but he did not stop to find the gate. Instead, he dove headfirst over the top and went into a roll before staggering back onto his feet.
    The house was old and rundown, and boards covered several of the windows. The dilapidated front steps sank in the middle. The railing lay on its side on the ground. A small light turned on inside, and the front door swung open by itself.
    Aaron ran straight in, not hesitating to see who had opened the door, but slamming it shut behind him once he was safely inside. He could hear the tigers and other animals from the carousel clawing the front door, and their noses sniffing for him beneath the door. Aaron stood with his back against the door for a few moments as his eyes adjusted to his surroundings. Someone was there inside the house with him and moved into another room as he watched the glow of the light fade from the adjacent dining room and into another room. There was a thud and then a shuffling sound. Aaron slowly made his way into the dining room before stopping. Whoever it was carried some sort of lantern.
    “Hello?” Aaron called out. “I’m sorry for coming into your house, but I was being chased by some … um … wild … well, I was being chased.”
    He listened for some type of response. None was given, only the glow coming from the next room. Moving forward slowly, he paused between each step to listen. He eased around the corner, feeling along the wall for a light switch. His fingers found a small round knob, which he pressed, and the room lit up. Directly in front of him sat Mr. Kessler in a tattered leather armchair, holding a lantern.
    Mr. Kessler smiled. “Well, you’re a lot tougher than I thought you to be,” he said as he turned off the lantern and placed it on the floor. He laid his cane across his lap and leaned back.
    Aaron looked at the man’s eyes; they were normal. He swallowed and leaned back against the wall, keeping his gaze on Mr. Kessler, but unsure of what to say.
    “Nakal is determined to win this game and will do anything to accomplish that,” Mr. Kessler said.
    “Why, is he so determined to have my family?”
    “Perhaps the closeness of your family reminds him of his real family,” Mr. Kessler answered.
    “But his real family abandoned him. That doesn’t sound like they were very close.”
    Mr. Kessler remained quiet for a moment before answering. “That was just a story he’d made up.” He gestured for Aaron to have a seat.
    Aaron shook his head. “I’d rather stand.”
    “As you wish,” Mr. Kessler said. “Well, here is a little information about Nakal that the council members don’t think I know.”
    Aaron eased near the couch and sat on the arm of the chair, keeping his body turned toward the entryway in case he needed to run.
    Mr. Kessler leaned forward. “Did Nakal tell you where he was from?”
    Aaron shook his head. “Not really. When he first arrived he mentioned he was from a small town south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.”
    “Nakal is from a town called Roswell, or well, perhaps I should say he landed in the town of Roswell when he was thirteen years old.”
    Aaron’s eyes widened. ”Landed? As in a spaceship?”
    Mr.