Chapter 65

(A/N: This chapter contains dark themes/subject matter that may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive readers.)

Day 289 - First Day of Spring

Today was Rory's birthday. This was a bittersweet event for me as this was my last-born with Colby.

Rory's new trait was: Perceptive. His Lifetime Wish was to be a Grand Explorer. I knew that he would not be staying with me for much longer.

The rest of the family was still enjoying birthday cake when Rory finished his piece of cake and excused himself to attend his Space Training Class.

I made sure that Morwenna sat down with the triplets and started her schoolwork with them. I had Marty gardening in the same room to keep an eye on her while I went to paint.

I had just completed my painting when I felt the first stirrings of new life. I was expecting again.

Immediately after that moment, a very serious Rory walked up with Kenzo.

"Mom, I'm leaving Oasis Landing today. I'm joining a small group that will be searching for the Well Source."

"Rory, can't you wait one more day? Tomorrow is Morwenna's birthday."

"I wish I could wait," Rory announced with regret, "but the group leaves in just a couple of hours. Kenzo will take me to meet up with them."

I wanted to argue or beg him to stay longer, but I knew I'd be asking too much. He was eager to head out. What could I do other than give him my blessing and a lingering hug good-bye?

And then he was leaving. My heart ached as I worried about the dangers he faced.

I distracted myself by starting another painting.

I painted until it was time to head over to Bennett's party. It was another command performance for the city's Artist.

To my great surprise, Bennett lived in a run-down home at the edge of the Wastelands.

I was further surprised to find only two other guests at the party. One was the biological father of the triplets. I felt awkward about that. Did he know of the triplets existence? And the other guest was my nemesis, Celene Bannister.

Celene was as charming as ever.

I left Celene and Orpheus on the porch and went inside to look for Bennett.

Bennett was welcoming and asked if I'd paint a portrait for him in addition to the other painting he requested. I wondered how a man living in this shabby home could afford my services, but agreed to his request. When he slipped into the next room, I went to follow him to ask an additional question only to discover he had went to bed!

With the host in bed and two party guests I wanted to avoid, I decided I had fulfilled my obligations. It was time to leave and head home.

I spent a bit a time with the kids before shooing them up to bed, then I worked on painting before heading there myself.

Day 290

Another birthday, this time it was Miss Too Cool for School.

Morwenna's newest trait was: Loser. Well, wasn't that icing on the cake.

"Moooom, it's my birthday, I should have the day off from schoolwork! I want to learn how to use a hoverboard! I want to explore the town. I'm always stuck here at home!", Morwenna whined in a grating voice.

"Morwenna, you are so far behind in your schoolwork that the triplets are about to catch up to you. It is too dangerous to be running out and about. You will stay home and get your work done," I firmly announced. She, of course, sulked in response. After breakfast I sent all of the kids to work on their homeschool while I set out to complete both paintings for Bennett Obi.

I completed Bennett's first painting and went straight into his portrait. I wanted them both finished and delivered before I went into labor. Plus I had other art to complete for the council as well prior to giving birth.

I went to check on the kids and found Morwenna missing.

"Where's Morwenna?"

Hope volunteered, "She left right after breakfast, Mom."

I was ticked off and tried phoning her to demand that she return home immediately.

She didn't answer her phone.

I left a voice message and tried texting her as well.

I wanted to head into town, locate her and drag her home, but I could not afford an attention drawing confrontation. I tried to go on with my day while alternating between worrying and seething with anger.

I was waiting for her the moment she arrived back home.

"Where have you been?!? How dare you leave the house after I told you not to! And you've been drinking! I can smell it on your breath! You are going to be grounded so long, you'll have gray hair before you leave the house again!"

"I hate being trapped in this house! I never get to go anywhere or meet anybody! No wonder all your kids leave as soon as they're old enough! You keep us all in a prison! You leave the house and meet people! You run out and get knocked up by some stranger! Well, I'm not going to be like you or them! I'm going to fall in love and get married! I'm going to have a real life! And I already met him!" Morwenna shouted furiously.

"Excuse me! Exactly who is this person?" I was going from furious to alarmed in twenty seconds.

"His name is Jeffrey Bannister. He is handsome, fun and I love him!"

My breath caught in my chest, of all people she had to meet and become enamored with! "What is his mother's name, Morwenna?"

"His parents are Jamie and Celene Bannister. He lives with them, his sisters and grandparents. They are an important family here. You know, a real family! Not just a mom popping out kids, like you!"

Morwenna's words cut me to the quick. She was too young to remember that I had tried to create a 'real family' as she put it. And did she think I sprang out of a cabbage patch? I didn't tell my children any more than they needed to know, but they knew my parents had died when I was barely a young adult. I wished I could make her understand, but dared not confide too much lest it place us all in grave danger. "Morwenna, you know that we do not fit in here. You know that red hair and lavender eyes are taboo. You cannot risk your siblings safety for this boy! If you get too close to him, our secrets will be out. This relationship cannot continue. Go to bed and we will discuss this more later."

Morwenna sulked off to bed and I fretted all the way to mine. I couldn't blame my daughter for chaffing at the restrictions she lived with. Despite the sudden moves and lack of a daily presence of a fatherly figure in most their lives, prior to living in Oasis Landing my other children had relatively normal lives. They went to festivals, beaches, parks and made friends. None of them had lived isolated from others or had to hide their physical characteristics. None of them had grown up fearing for their lives or hiding in basements. This was a horrible way to live and I was choosing to bring more little ones into this world. What had I been thinking? I would not be visiting the hospital for insemination again. As soon as the little one in my womb was old enough, I would be approaching Jerry and Kenzo for help. Seeking Sanctuary sounded like a risky, long shot, but the alternative of living here was worse.

Day 291

I was up early before any of the kids. I intended to deliver Bennet's paintings and return home before my household awakened.

Upon arriving back home, I whipped up a fresh fruit salad from the fruits Marty had harvested, then called all the kids to breakfast.

I didn't want another confrontation with Morwenna and I hesitated to confide anything to her that she might dangerously share with the Bannister boy. Instead I had an idea about keeping her close and away from him.

"Morwenna, I know you'd like a future where you are a part of society. I was thinking we could skip your schoolwork today and I can teach you how to make jewelry in my art studio. If you learn this craft well, you could even sell your items and make money."

Morwenna was thrilled at the idea.

I guided her and watched closely, making sure she didn't burn herself or set my studio on fire. To both mine and her delight, she picked up the skill quickly and had a talent in creating jewelry.

And that was our morning with the triplets tackling their schoolwork, Marty gardening and tending to the house, and Morwenna working in the studio with me. It was actually all very pleasant.

My back ached and my breath grew short as I worked. Before too long, I slipped out of the studio to sit in the chair just outside it's door. Shortly after that the labor pangs began.

I waddled to the nursery as quick as possible to continue my labor.

After hours of gripping labor, I gave birth to twin boys. The first born I named Darius; His traits were: Clumsy and Virtuoso.

And the second-born I named Genesis. His traits were: Clumsy and Brave.

After I cleaned the twins, fed them and tucked them into their cribs I went down to check on the kids. I was startled to hear a strange male voice in my home.

Morwenna was in the pool with a young man that could only be Jeffrey. I was stunned that she invited him into our home. Then I heard the triplets heading my way.

The triplets were on their way to swim and there was Cedric with his eyes uncovered. I stopped them and brusquely ordered them into the kitchen. They tried to object, but I permitted no argument.

With a calmness in my voice that did not reveal the fear and anger within me, I called Morwenna and her friend from the pool.

I politely introduced myself to Jeffrey Bannister before casually asking him to leave explaining that I felt under the weather and that it was nearly meal time for our family.

There was something in the way that Jeffrey looked at me that set me on edge, but he said his good-byes and left.

Jeffrey had barely hit the end of the driveway when Morwenna lit into me.

"How could you?" Morwenna screeched. "You embarrassed me!

"Morwenna! When you are an adult and have left home, your actions will only affect you! But your little brother was almost exposed a few minutes ago. You have no right to risk your younger siblings because you're being a rebellious little bitch!" I had crossed the line, but I was beyond furious that she cared for no one but herself.

"I hate you! I hate living here! I am sick of living like this! You can't tell me what to do!"

With that she stormed up to her room. I stormed up after her to make sure she didn't sneak out of the house. For once I was grateful for the multistory house we lived in. At least I didn't have to worry about her sneaking out the window. What was I going to do with this child? I had no choice but to call for help.

"Sean, it's me... ummm... Dragon Lord," I was so upset I could barely think of a code word.

"Morwenna is out of control and she is placing all of us in danger. As soon as the babies are old enough, I'd like to relocate to where Shannon and Seamus went to," I announced cautious about revealing to much on the phone. "Until then I need Morwenna to stay with you."

"Right after the twins' birthday celebration tomorrow morning, I will be bringing Morwenna to you. I don't care if you need to keep her locked up for all of our protection. She won't listen to me and I don't know what else to do with her."

I asked Marty to stand outside Morwenna's bedroom all night and make sure she didn't try to sneak out. With a heavy heart I prepared dinner for the family. Everyone ate in subdued silence. Even the triplets felt the tension.

I went into the girls' bedroom and offered to bring Morwenna dinner. She wouldn't even look at me and insisted she didn't have an appetite. I left some fruit for her in case she changed her mind.

I left Marty standing guard and took care of the twins.

I didn't know how I would be able to sleep tonight. Before I even tried, I stood at the window hating the sight before me. I couldn't blame Morwenna for feeling trapped. I felt that way too.

Day 292

First thing in the morning, I tried to set aside the heaviness in my heart to celebrate birthdays.

First up was Darius. The little man had his father's hair color, but my eye color. He would spend his toddler years hiding his beautiful eyes behind glasses, but hopefully we could leave here and his childhood might be different.

And then it was Genesis' turn. He had his father's hair and eye color. Just like Shannon and Hope, he would not have to hide what he looked like in order to avoid persecution.

I took the twins upstairs to get them settled.

I went downstairs to fetch Morwenna, it was time for me to take her to the Wastelands where Sean, Pru and Jerry lived. Maybe once she saw the half-Duthalorian children she'd be able to grasp the gravity of our lives. I was dismayed to walk downstairs and find her talking to Jeffrey.

I was disturbed, but even more so when I realized he wasn't alone.

Morwenna wheeled around and started snarling at me, "You're not going to send me away somewhere! I'm moving out right now to live with the Bannisters!"

"No, you are not!"

"You can't stop me! Or I will tell everything!"

I was about ready to slap my daughter into the middle of next week.

I stepped forward planning to order the Bannisters to leave my house. I was so furious that I was willing to let Morwenna go with them in order to protect her younger siblings. The moment they left I'd be scooping up the kids with Marty and heading for Sean's. We'd have to figure out how to retrieve Morwenna later. But as I stepped forward I saw something that made by blood run cold.

Armed police were walking up the driveway. I was so distracted that I almost missed what Jeffrey shouted at Morwenna.

"You're not coming with us! You're gonna be locked away with your freak show of a family! My mom will be The Artist and this will be our house!"

"Mr. Obi had the paintings that your mom gave him tested. Alien DNA! You're an alien! You all are!"

Morwenna cried out desperately, "No! We are not alien freaks! We just look a little different. I love you Jeffrey! Don't you love me?"

"Stay away from me, Morwenna! Don't touch me!"

With that a very delighted Celene and her angry son walked away. Mowenna turned to me with panic and tears in her voice. "Mommy," she wailed.

I didn't have time to process or deal with my daughter's emotional meltdown at the moment. Marty walked up behind the armed men, drawing attention of one of them.

The armed man shouted at Marty, "One more step and I'll fire!"

Marty took a step.

And then my Marty was nothing but a pile of rubble. There were flames everywhere and even the neighbors came running as one of the armed men put the fire out.

The triplets had ran outside drawn by the explosion and flames. The armed men ordered the bystanders to leave. I could see my gossipy neighbor texting away. No doubt the entire town would know what was happening in short order.

One of the men escorted us up to the nursery to get the twins. Tears streamed down Morwenna's face and she murmured over and over, "I'm so sorry, Mommy, I'm so sorry." I was too distraught to comfort her at the moment and perhaps too angry with her as well. All seven of us were herded into a black van and driven away.

We arrived at the prison and was escorted inside.

We were escorted to our new living quarters, divested of our eye-hiding glasses and head covering and locked in.

With the twins tucked into the available swings, a very brokenhearted Morwenna turned to me.

"Mom, please don't hate me, even if I deserve it. I am so, so, so sorry," she sobbed. "I thought Jeffrey loved me. I thought I could have a fun life with him and be happy."

Conscious of the cameras watching and most likely listening, I tried to choose my words carefully.

"Morwenna, I am extremely disappointed in you, but you are my daughter and I love you. You have just learned a very valuable lesson in actions and consequences, not only consequences for you but the others around you paying the price. That being said, I'm sure this was inevitable anyway. Jeffrey's mother had it in for me the moment I was appointed the Artist position she wanted. I don't know what will happen next, but we will face this as a united family."

The triplets had slipped into the room subdued and frightened, but before I could reassure them one of our jailors came for me to meet with The General.

The General was unfriendly and impassionate. I had barely sat down across from him when he shoved pictures across the table to me asking, "Do you recognize these?"

My heart sank as I looked at the pictures.

I was speechless. He wouldn't even look at me as he intoned, "Charlotte Storey came under surveillance hundreds of years ago, when the remains of a spaceship was found in Sunset Valley. The DNA has been compared, you are the same woman. The last thing we need is an immortal alien trying to populate the earth with her spawn."

I tried to find my voice but could barely choke out, "I am not immortal."

The General leaned back in his chair and eyeballed me before speaking again flatly, "The scientist will be here tomorrow to sample blood from your children. If Hope and Genesis prove to be without any alien DNA, then they will be placed in the orphanage or their biological fathers. The rest of you will be handed over to the Duthalorians when they return."

With that he rose out of his chair and walked out of the room.

I felt numb with horror. I was escorted back to our cell block. When I entered the sparse living area, I found the triplets quietly watching the ancient TV.

I stood there watching them for about fifteen minutes remembering that elderly soldier I had spoken to so many years ago. He described being in World War II as a teen and seeing the Japanese mothers throwing their children off the cliffs* rather than have them captured by the American troops. Those mothers thought they were saving their children from torture and worse because that was what they had been told would happen. For a brief moment I understood that sort of desperation. I could face the Duthalorians, but my children... oh my precious children! I couldn't bear to think of what the Duthalorians would do to them. My heart felt shattered, my breath came in short gasps and I felt lightheaded. But those women had been misinformed or lied to. I recall hearing about one woman that had went catatonic once she realized she had slaughtered her own child unnecessarily.  Somehow, some way I had to cling to the hope that my children would make it. Or else my mind would slip into an abyss that I might never return from.

I found Morwenna in with the twins, still sobbing with fear and shame. A bowl of fruit had been delivered in lieu of a dinner. Everyone ate quietly before I insisted they go to bed and try to sleep.

To my relief they all managed to doze off, even Morwenna. I also lay down but tossed and turned fitfully while praying for a miracle.

*A/N: My father was a seventeen year old boy when he joined the Navy during WWII. As a teen he witnessed many deaths, much pain and the horror of the mothers throwing their children and babies off the cliffs before attempting to jump themselves. Around one thousand people died in this manner at the "Suicide/Banzai" Cliffs.

And I realize this is a disturbing and dark chapter. I promise if you keep reading, Chapter 66 will end on a brighter note :)