Chereads / Chosen By The System: The Avatar's Journey / Chapter 5 - What's wrong, Carlos Edward?

Chapter 5 - What's wrong, Carlos Edward?

Earth-16

Hugo had trouble sleeping that night because of the letter he read that he saw at his doorstep that was dropped there by an unknown person. He did not sleep the entire night, instead he went to a room at his house where he kept most of his invention, he started working on one of them to get his mind of it. But still what Lyra had said to him and the letter was still on his mind and he was not even feeling a little sleepy.

Morning came and he was still lying on his bed not able to sleep the entire night he then went to his daughters room. when he went to his daughters room she wrapped her hands across a pink teddy bear that was almost her size. She wore her usual night dress that was also pink. His daughter was six years old and seeing her everyday made him smile and feel like he had a good day. Close to his daughter was her mother who slept in her daughters room that night. it was because her daughter said she was scared and that she could see shadows in her room and it was as if someone was watching her. so she forced her mother to sleep by her side last night.

Hugo then went to his daughters bed and sat on it, immediately he sat on it both his daughter and wife woke up but it was clear sleep was still in there eyes. "Daddy" she said with a yawn. "Good morning Daddy" she said again when she was done yawning. "Good morning baby" Hugo replied.

"Good morning love" his wife told him and also gave him a kiss to the check. "Good morning my sunshine" he told her and that made her to smile.

Hugo looked at his daughter a little longer and this made his daughter uncomfortable and asked him "Daddy is there anything you want to tell me, the way you are staring at me is making me uncomfortable".

When she said those words, Hugo's mind was someone else. While looking at her face he was still thinking of what Lyra had told him and it was as if it was the last day he was going to see his daughter. "Babe" his wife said while touching his shoulders she was still lying on the bed and that touch made him cut off from what he was thinking.

"Is everything okay" she asked him. "Yes everything is okay, I just love looking at our daughters face". he lied.

"I just love looking at our daughters face" Hugo said as he looked at her again. "Okay now get up and take a shower so that you can prepare for school". Ivannah was the name of Hugo's daughter on Earth-16.

*******

Overall, your sentences are grammatically correct, but there are a few small things I'd suggest changing to improve the flow:

James suddenly awoke and found himself in a strange house, lying on a bed. He sat up immediately and looked to his left and right, trying to recognize his surroundings. He went to the door and opened it, and saw no one, but smelled something in the distance - food. His stomach growled, telling him that he was hungry.

He followed the smell until he reached the source. He opened the door and saw a woman in her early fifties wearing a white apron. When the door was opened, the woman said: "I told you I am almost done if you put pressure on me it won't come out perfect" she said those words without looking at the door, when she looked at the door she saw James, she was a bit startled that he had woken up so soon.

"James, am I right?" she said this while raising one eyebrow indicating if that was his name. "Yes and how do you know my name" he asked her back in a surprise tone. "My husband, brought you here when you fainted at our cornfield, you were a little hot, than an average human, please if I may ask how did you fall from the sky?" she asked James.

'Tell her you have no clue or whatsoever' That the same voice in James's head that told him his name was James said these words demanding. Immediately James heard that familiar voice in his head he just obeyed.

'Who owns this voice and why does it sound like my own voice and how did it get inside my head' He thought to himself. "Honestly speaking I have no clue" James said back to her trying to avoid eye contact which made him feel awkward.

"Please, you are our guest. Go and sit at the dining table. When I am done preparing our meal, we shall all have dinner," she told James. "Okay, but please, how can I get to the dining table?" he asked her.

"When you leave this kitchen, just go by your right," she replied.

******

Earth-16

Hugo and his family were having breakfast as usual at the dining table. Ivannah was already dressed in her school uniform.Hugo still dazed at his daughter like she was a strange human being. His wife had being looking at him for a while and was not comfortable. Ivannah did not notice because she was more focused on her food; her favorite; noodles and a fried chicken.

When they were done eating and Ivannah had left for school. His wife approached him before he could leave. "Babe are you sure there is nothing wrong because you have been staring at Ivannah for a long time".

"Nothing is wrong, I just loved looking at our daughters today, it gives me job." Hugo still lied, scared of telling his wife the Truth.

"Okay" she replied as she shrugged her shoulders. Hugo then took his brown briefcase and wore his glasses and left. His wife observed something strange because usually before Hugo would leave, he would kiss her on her cheek and tell her he was leaving and also drink a cold ice water, which meant there was something on his mind. Hugo did not notice this because he had a lot on his mind (what Lyra had said would his wife and daughter die and how can he inform the person who sent him the letter that he needed protection).

Hugo arrived at his office, wearing his usual white lab coat, which covered most of his body. It was a requirement for all scientists on Earth-16 to dress that way. Scientists were also given special respect, as through their inventions, humans had been able to eliminate many of the predators that threatened the food chain.

Hugo went for a work outside, feeling the cold breeze that kissed his face. Hugo was not even smiling it was clear on his face that he was thinking a lot. He then breathed in and out and went back into his office. He had meet some of the scientist who were with him at the lab yesterday, he asked if they had any update on Nicolas whereabout.

Hugo went to his office and locked the door behind him and when he went to his chair to sit, he saw something that was not there before appearing on his screen: REMEMBER IF YOU WANT OUR PROTECTION INFORM US, WE WOULD BE IN TOUCH.

'How can I inform this people' he thought to himself. I really need protection. A knock was heard on his door. "Hugo Theodore, we know you are inside this room, Open up, we have a message for you from the eight council member." Immediately Hugo heard his name and the name of the eight council member he was now uncomfortable and he pretending like he was not inside.

Then the banging of the door increased and he finally opened it. "Yes, may I help you". he said those words stuttering. The man in front of Hugo was huge and very muscular with a broad chest and wide arms, his biceps looked like they could tear his shirt. "Lyra the eight council member has sent me to inform you that you have been given another 24 hours to do what she told you to do, unless bear the consequences."

The man then left Hugo's room without giving Hugo the chance to reply. the man slammed the door behind him so hard that it almost broke the door. Hugo swallowed his saliva, he was out of words how could he protect his wife and children. This made him almost mad. He then left his office and headed straight to the lab to see if there was anything he could do.

When he went to the lab it was still the same as yesterday, things were scattered around which meant even the cleaners were scared to clean that particular lab scared that the dark blue oval shape might appear again. Hugo then sighed and left the room and as he closed the door, the same dark oval teleporter appeared again, but this time it did not drag anything into it, only this time it turned white and then turned red and then later black rapidly and then, Two deteroits had come through the teleporter and were smiling: "Free food everywhere". They said to themselves in their language that could not be understood by humans while licking their rough lips.

*******

James was sitting at the dinning table still thinking of the only memory he could remember, it was the memory he had while feeling that pain at his head, the memory of a lady with short reddish hair that told him: "I love you so much, that is why I have to do this". He was wondering who was this woman, he could remember her face but not her name. The other memories were blur and the more he tried his best to remember them the more pain he felt in his head, so it was her enough he left everything as it was because he himself was trying his best to maximize please and minimize pain. If he did not try to think about the memory he would feel no pain but if he tried to think about the memory; the pain would begin. so it was best to leave it this way.

James was wearing a black T-shirt with a pair of pants that were given to him by the farmer. The door was opened and in came the farmers wife. She was still wearing her white apron, she carried the foods and then dropped them on the dinning table and left.

She went out to call her husband who was still at the cornfield. it was around 9pm. when she saw her husband he was deep in thought. The Farmer folded his arms. his wife then came and tapped him on his shoulder: what are you thinking, I called your name three times and you did not reply it seems like you are deep in thought" she said.

The farmer looked at her and said: "sorry, I was just thinking how we could clear our debts".

James could hear everything they were saying clearly, it was as if he had super hearing.

"let's go and eat first, you would not like to keep our guest waiting would you". she told her husband. "Alright let's go" he replied and gave her kiss to the cheek.

When they came in they sat at the dinning table the three of them, the farmer his wife and James Theodore.

James Theodore was facing the man with his chair. "You may feel comfortable we don't bite" the farmer said these words to James. He said this because James was looking at them with a funny look like they were going to attack him any moment from now.

"Please can you take me back home" James said. "If you tell us the way to your house I will take you there first thing tomorrow morning" the farmer replied.

"so where are you from" the farmers wife added. she was no longer wearing her apron.

James was now eating his food pretending not to hear her and besides he was also very hungry.

'why does he look familiar like I have seen him from somewhere' she thought to herself.

"Please James have we meet before". she asked him. James then stopped eating for a moment and paused and then looked at her and nodded his head left and right indicating No. "Do I look familiar to you?" James asked back.

The reply sounded rude but actually James was just curious to know who he was. Just imagine you woke up one day and you cannot remember your name or where you are from or your loved ones. The only thing that you can feel is a voice in your head telling you what to do.

"It was just a simple question there is no need to get angry". the farmers wife said back confused of his reply.

'His face looks familiar, I can bet that I have seen him somewhere before but where, why can't I remember.' she thought to herself while eating.

A telephone rang it was as the telephone was nearby because James could hear it so clearly.

Unknown to James he had super hearing. The telephone ringing was at the kitchen which was a little far from the dinning.

"I would go and get that" the farmer wife said looking at James and her husband. "don't worry let me get it, you can keep on eating" the farmer said while holding his wife by the forearm with his left hand.

"okay" she said while shrugging her shoulders. The farmer then picked the telephone but not before turning his head left and right to check if someone was there. He closed the door behind him before answering the phone.

"Hi, have you done what we asked you to do". said a man from the other side of the telephone who had a very deep voice.

"I would do it just give me a little more time please" the farmer said this whispering in a way so that only the man at the other end of the telephone could hear him.

But little did they know that James could hear everything and that was because he had super hearing. the Farmers wife was busy eating her food she could not hear what her husband was saying because he was whispering, but James could hear it all.

The farmer was holding the telephone with his left hand and shaking a little bit. "But you know what will happen if you don't perform your own part of the bargain." the man with the deep voice said with a threatening tone.

"Y...e...yes...sir..rr...r" the farmer replied back stuttering and this time he was now shaking heavily and his heart was pumping blood so fast. Adrenaline rush could be felt through out his entire body.

The deep voiced unknown man had ended the call but not before sighing. The farmer dropped the telephone still shaking significantly. He breathed in and out trying to calm himself.

James who could hear everything including the rate the man's heart was beating was confused why the man was so scared and what bargain had the farmer not done.

His wife had just left the dinning table worried about her husband. When she meet him at the kitchen he was no longer shaking because he had been able to calm himself down.

"Are you no longer hungry" she asked him. He did not answer her because he was just looking at the window. Their kitchen had one window. They were actually poor people. He was lost in thought 'how can I do this, how can I save my son.' he thought to himself. Rain at started Falling and it could be seen from the window.

She again tapped her husband by the shoulder: "Babe I have been calling you, what is wrong?. She asked him a little worried. The farmer who was a little startled as he saw his wife just behind him wondered how deep he was in thought that he did not notice when she entered the kitchen.

"I was just thinking of how I would pay Miller's school fees this academic session." He lied and then gave her a hug so that she would not feel that worried. she then hugged him back and smiled a little, she knew he was lying but she knew he would tell her when it was right.

James who heard everything was confused about why the farmer had to like because it was as if the phone caller threatened him and why did he leave that part to his wife.

They had stopped hugging each other. "who called you" still asked worried a little. "it was one of my clients, I have to deliver some milk to him tomorrow very early in the morning". He lied.

James who could still hear everything was wondering why on Earth the man had to lie to his wife.

The three of them had just finished eating at the dinning table quietly nobody asked James any question and he did not also ask them any question.

After eating James was told by the farmer to go and sleep at a particular room. The room was a little dark, the light bulbs were not working and the bed was a little rough. It was the best they could do for James because they were actually poor. James still told them: "thank you" because he was happy he could find somewhere to lay his head for the night.

Meanwhile the farmer and his wife were lying on there bed. Their room had light and it was cold outside and also inside their room. it was still raining heavily outside and it could be seen through the two small window in their room. The farmer was the first to lye down on the bed and his wife had just finishing bathing, she looked at her husband before she entered the bed; her husband was still deep in thought.

"Carlos Edward" she said looking at his from her right side. Carlos the farmer knew that whenever she called him like this it was serious business. "Martha Edward" he replied back to her calling her own name. After calling back her name he looked at her and then looked at the ceiling.

"What is wrong I know something is up you just don't feel like telling me, you know you can tell me anything Right". Martha told her husband.

"There is nothing wrong" he said back to her not even looking at her. his eyes were still situated at the ceiling.

"you are not a good lier, please tell me what is wrong I won't be able to sleep if you don't tell me what's on your mind, is it about the strange man at our house that according to you fell from the heavens". she said at her husband trying to make him laugh a little.

"I just told you that there is nothing wrong, now would you let me sleep you woman and again I know what I saw and the man fell from the heavens, Go to sleep!!!" he shouted at her without giving her a chance to reply and he then turned his face the other way round so that his back was facing her.

Martha was shocked because it was as if her husband was a change man. To Martha's perspective Carlos started behaving strange since one week ago. Carlos would wake up at the middle of the night and start walking around the house in the parlour thinking, she noticed this and Carlos had no idea she did. it was clear that he had a lot on his mind. But what bothered her the most was the strange calls that called him. He would be talking to someone at the middle of the night with the telephone and then he would start to whisper so that no one could hear what he was saying and after the call he would become sad instantly.

James Theodore could not sleep at his own room he was trying to sleep but could not. He stood up and worked around the room for a minute and went back to bed begging his body to sleep. The real reason why he could not sleep was because of the memory he had.

Those words of the girl with red hair made him think who she was, he then thought of something 'maybe she is the girl that gave me that pen' the pen he was thinking of was the pen that was tucked into his white lab coat the day he woke up. While thinking of that he just remembered something that the pen was no longer with him, that the pen was with Isabella patrick at least that is what he believes, she told him at the hospital that they were with the pen and they would give it to him immediately they find out he is okay.

'If that pen is the only trace I have to my past I cannot lose it' he thought to himself. He then told himself that he would get the pain early that morning and so he slept off.

*******

Earth-16

Some Deteroits had just entered Earth-16 through the teleporter. There were two of them, each with two long, hard spikes on their backs. They were both rather unattractive in appearance, standing at around 9 feet tall (though some Deteroits of their species were even taller, reaching heights of around 24 feet or more, resembling Giants in comparison to humans). They possessed broad chests and tails similar to those of other Deteroits, although one of them had small spikes at the end of their tail, while the other had none. Both tails were thick and had the weight of an average bicycle.

These Deteroits were exceptionally strong, even by Deteroit standards. The two spikes on their backs signified their superior strength when compared to Deteroits with only one spike. The number and size of these spikes indicated their higher social status among their kind.

Both of their skins were brown, but the Deteroit with the skinny tail and fewer spikes had small, dark marks on his chest and deltoids area. This was because their blood was black, and this particular Deteroit had encountered more life-and-death situations than the other. These marks appeared as though they were sewn into their skin.

The two Deteroits had just arrived as Hugo closed the door. It was the same lab where the previous incident had occurred, where the teleporter had appeared.

They glanced at each other and exclaimed, 'Free food everywhere!' while licking their lips. The room was still in disarray. They then approached the door, eyeing it with confusion. This was not something they had encountered on their planet.

The Deteroit with the small spikes at the end of his tail licked the door with his purple tongue and turned to the other, saying, 'I'm not sure this tastes like the food they were talking about.' These two Deteroits had unlawfully left their planet through the teleporter without permission.

After discovering a new food source – human flesh, the Deteroits made plans to come to Earth on a set date to hunt and consume most of its human population. Despite their generally low IQ, a few Deteroits possessed exceptional intelligence. They considered all other species unworthy of coexistence in the universe and resolved to eliminate them.

One day, they concluded that every species, except their own, should be exterminated. They had a history of consuming other species, but not all of them were appetizing. Unfortunately for humans, they were regarded as the most delectable beings a Deteroit had ever tasted. The scent of human flesh intoxicated them, and human blood had a sweet fragrance that enticed their senses.

Paradoxically, the Deteroits were responsible for their planet's downfall, yet they viewed other species as impure and believed that their actions served the greater good by creating a world untainted by foreign beings. To achieve this purity, they felt compelled to eradicate any species not physiologically connected to their own. While their actions were morally reprehensible, the Deteroits perceived themselves as saviors of their kind.

They were responsible for the extinction of several species. While most of them were ignorant, some had exceptional intellects that led to the creation of machines designed to eradicate species they couldn't conquer.

The peculiar door they encountered was unlike those on their home planet, which only required a gentle push. Despite their best efforts to push it open, the door resisted their attempts. Frustration led them to resort to punching the door, which, in turn, seemed to grow more resilient with each strike.

Their relentless assault on the iron door attracted the attention of passers-by, primarily consisting of scientists and janitors. They observed from a distance, filled with apprehension about what might transpire and promptly alerted the troops.

The military presence was nearby, as the facility was primarily a military establishment, with a strong emphasis on scientific endeavors. Scientists developed the weaponry employed by the majority of armed forces.

On Earth-16, not all humans possessed extraordinary powers. Out of every one thousand individuals, only one to three were endowed with significant abilities. This rarity was due to mutations that bestowed these powers. They stemmed from the work of a scientist named Frederick, who had passed away centuries ago. Frederick had discovered a way to significantly alter human cellular structures, enabling them to manifest these powers. His pills were sold at exorbitant prices, making them accessible only to the wealthiest members of society, including the king, his family, and the fifteen council members. At the time, the family representing the fifteen council members was still intact, and the fourteen council members had not yet resigned. These events occurred many centuries ago, during a time when mankind faced numerous threats. Most individuals became wealthy by engaging in the risky business of mining gold, which, due to its scarcity and the danger associated with obtaining it, commanded high prices. A single Tyrannosaurus rex would not readily engage in combat against hordes of humans due to the stress and the potential for severe injury or death.

Although humans still used relatively primitive weapons during that time, such as swords, which were commonly employed, they could only defeat their adversaries through sheer numbers. Strength in numbers was their advantage. When some humans became mutated, it was primarily those who could afford the transformation, including Frederick's family. Humans gained an upper hand against their predators. Each person's mutation was unique.

Humans managed to eliminate the majority of their predators, and this reduced the frequency of attacks on humans. The predators deemed such attacks risky and less rewarding, as there were other prey available. They only targeted humans when they were at their most vulnerable.

The inhabitants of Earth-16 united and appointed fifteen families to constitute the fifteen-member council, as previously explained. They also crowned a king and constructed cities. The discovery of superhuman abilities significantly aided them in their struggles.

The military had just arrived and observed the metallic door shaking. It seemed that the force applied to the door was so immense that the door ultimately fractured in two.

The people inside the room were startled by the door's destruction. Scientists quickly fled the scene, uncertain about what might emerge after the previous day's events. They hurried away, not even looking back at the army soldiers.

There were approximately 36 military personnel present, stemming from the previous day's incident. The military had been cautious about the laboratory since the teleporter event the day before.

Subsequently, no scientists had entered the lab, leaving it solely to the military personnel for investigation.

Hugo was in his office when he heard screams and commotion. He wondered, 'What's going on now?' as he rushed out of his office. He left his nearly empty coffee cup on his desk, among some articles he had been working on, and exited the room.

Hugo had discarded his lab coat and was dressed in a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and a round coat. As he encountered the frantic scientists, he inquired, 'What's happening?' with concern. Gathering his courage, he proceeded towards the lab.

The aliens emerged from the lab and advanced towards the army. Upon sighting the extraterrestrial beings, fear gripped most of the soldiers, and some considered fleeing. However, with no one else willing to accompany them, they mustered their courage.

The army was unprepared for this confrontation because they were dressed like typical soldiers, lacking helmets and armed only with rifles. Some were not even dressed appropriately for combat.

When some scientists urgently summoned them, the soldiers were initially hesitant. However, upon learning that it was related to the lab, they promptly headed to the scene.

As the aliens emerged from the lab and saw humans, the undeniable sweet scent of human flesh caught their attention. They were eager to taste human meat for themselves.

Lieutenant Lucas issued a warning: 'Surrender, and no harm will befall you; if you resist, we will not hold back.'

But even before the words left Lucas's mouth, his head was severed. How did it happen so quickly?

The process occurred at a speed that baffled humanity. The aliens had the ability to retract and expand their limbs and sharpen any part of their bodies. The alien without spikes on its tail had swiftly transformed its arm into a razor-sharp blade, severing Lucas's head. The soldiers were so stunned that they didn't register what had occurred until his head was already separated from his body.

The soldiers were left in shock as if time had been suspended, and they only realized the loss of Lucas's head when they saw blood spewing from the severed neck, confirming his demise. His lifeless eyes remained open.

They began to fire their bullets. The bullets were more advanced than those found on other Earth's in other dimension of the multiverse. The bullet was heavy and had a force strong enough to break the hardest of things known to humanity, but it had no effect on the aliens. It seemed as if the aliens were impervious to what was going on since they didn't shake or budge an inch, but instead smiled.

The one with the small spikes on the end of his tail bent over to sniff the lovely smell of flesh and blood from Lucas's body, unconcerned by the gunshots.

He checked the blood of Lucas by dipping his finger into Lucas's fallen head.

As soon as he tasted the blood, a broad smile spread across his face, making it evident that the human blood had given him a nice feeling.

Then he turned to face his colleague and said, "They were right, this is the sweetest drink you have ever tasted."