The Demon Rolmar (10 page)
Authors: A. Griffin
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H
ailey took a deep breath of crisp, cool air. She could taste the saltiness that the wind carried. The sand was frigid, and a cold mist was blowing. The children walked with some difficulty through the deep, white dunes.
“Rolmar, why have we come here?” Hailey asked.
“This is a good place for you to say your good-byes to this world.”
“Oh,” Hailey said.
Nat turned to look at the ocean. “The sea is so magnificent,” he said. There was remorse in his voice.
Hailey stopped to look as well. “I guess we’ll never see it again,” she said.
“Probably not, but you will see many beautiful parts of the universe,” Rolmar said. For a time they all watched the cold waves buffet the shore.
Hailey picked up a handful of sand. “I think I’ll miss the sea most of all.”
“Me too,” Nat chimed in. “Tell us more about yourself, Rolmar. We know so little about you. Can you feel emotions?” he asked.
“Before I came to Earth, I felt mainly indifference. I also felt fascination, awe, and hatred.”
“Do you feel love?” the boy ventured.
“That emotion is foreign to me.”
“But if you wanted to, you could try, couldn’t you?”
Rolmar thought of how to explain how fundamentally different Pentarians are from humans.
I respond to hate and my own whims. These children are creatures that cannot thrive without love.
“One of your sea creatures might try to live on land, but nothing good would come of it.”
“Oh,” Nat sounded disappointed.
“What I mean is that just as a fish is incapable of living on land, I am incapable of this emotion you call love.” But the demon didn’t truly believe his own words. Being with these children had softened him in some way. When he first saw them he felt pity, something entirely new. In time, Rolmar suspected that he might feel love for these creatures as well.
“Does it bother you to stay in your current human form?” Hailey asked.
“Yes, it’s very different from my true form. I can feel the degradation of this body—the continuous cycle of cells being born and dying, the ebb and flow of this vessel. No matter how slight the degradation of this body may be—it is always with me—and its constant presence never ceases to sicken me to my very core.”
“Then why stay in that body?” Nat asked.
“It’s for your benefit alone. I thought this human form would be less menacing than my true form.”
“Oh, I see,” Hailey said.
They continued to walk for a while until the children became tired. Hailey and Nat sat down together on the cold sand.
Nat shivered. “This sand is cold. I wish that I had a blanket to sit on,” he said. Rolmar conjured up a soft blanket with gray and white stripes on it for the children.
“Here, take this blanket. I’m sure you’ll find it more accommodating than the sand,” he said.
“Thank you, Rolmar.” Hailey said. She was truly grateful for the blanket, which was slightly warm.
“I wish I could make things appear out of thin air,” Nat said.
“After some practice I’m sure you will be able to make anything you want. Are you ready to say good-bye to this place?” the demon asked.
“Not just yet,” Hailey answered.
“Then perhaps you’d like a preview of some of the places we might visit.”
“OK, let’s see.” Nat said. He was excited. Rolmar sat down and conjured his golden sphere. Look closely but do not touch the sphere. The children peered into its depths.
“What are we looking for?” Hailey asked.
“Look at the center of the sphere for a small, gray planet,” Rolmar said.
“Oh, I can see it now!” Nat said. The view became closer and closer until they could see the surface of the planet.
“Do people live on this planet?” Hailey asked.
“No, they don’t,” Rolmar replied. “This is your planet, Nat.”
“I don’t understand,” Nat said.
“Your thoughts are connected to this planet,” Rolmar explained. “It appears desolate because that’s how you feel.”
“I guess I feel pretty lonesome sometimes,” Nat said.
“Not everyone in the world has their own planet, but you two do.” The children looked at each other and began to laugh.
“Why us?” Hailey asked.
“Because you have the potential for greatness.”
“I can’t believe it,” Hailey said. “My very own planet.”
“Yes. And what’s more, one day you’ll go there,” Rolmar added.
“Really? That’s a dream come true,” Nat said. Nat looked at Rolmar. “Can I change my planet just by thinking different thoughts?”
“Yes, you can. Try it.”
Nat began to think of some things that made him happy: ice cream, candy, and Hailey’s friendship.
“Now look into the sphere again,” the demon said.
Nat looked into the sphere and was surprised to see that the sun had risen, and grass now decorated the diminutive planet. “I can’t believe I did this. It’s amazing!” he said. He began to jump up and down on the blanket. Hailey joined him.
After a few minutes, Hailey said, “I’d like to see my planet.”
The children looked into the sphere again, and this time a large, red planet came into view. Nat and Hailey held hands as they viewed the planet. The surface was strange—not quite solid, not quite liquid—it was almost gelatinous.
“Rolmar, I’d like the ground to be solid,” Hailey said.
“All you have to do is picture it being solid in your mind,” the demon replied.
“It worked, it worked! Look Nat!” Hailey said, and started jumping up and down. What was once gelatinous now appeared solid.
“Can we make more changes?” Nat asked.
“All in good time,” Rolmar replied. “But for now it’s best to say good-bye.” The children looked around them and then touched the sand. Nat ran in the waves and splashed a bit. Hailey joined him. When they returned to the blanket, the corners of Rolmar’s mouth were tugging at a smile.
“It’s time to go now,” Rolmar said.
“OK, we’re ready,” they said.
“I’m glad. We have business to attend to,” Rolmar said—this time, with a full smile.
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J
ust as Rolmar and the children were about to leave the beach, Rolmar stopped.
“Something’s wrong,” the demon said.
“What is it?” Nat said.
“I think I should go see a friend.”
Nat took Rolmar’s hand. “Hailey, it’s time to go,” Nat said. Hailey rushed to the other side of Rolmar and took his hand. Rolmar created a portal that would take them to Linda’s house. They walked through and were transported in a matter of seconds to Linda’s front lawn.
They walked up to the front door and knocked. Linda came to the door promptly and opened it.
“Is anything wrong, Linda?” Rolmar asked. He was still in the form of a teenage boy.
“Is that you, Rolmar? It must be. You have the same eyes as Ian,” she said. “Please come in. There’s something important that we have to talk about.”
“Yes, of course Linda. But is your pendant broken?”
“Yes it is. I’m sorry about that.” Linda led them through the house and to the dining room table. Rolmar instructed the children to sit down.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Rolmar asked, looking at Linda.
“Rolmar, we would like to request an audience with you. We wish to make our case for the fate of the Earth,” Linda said. She looked a little nervous.
Rolmar paused and thought for a moment. “How did you learn about this Pentarian tradition?”
Itakir appeared and said, “It was I who told them about it.”
Rolmar was incensed. “This will only prolong the inevitable,” he said.
Itakir replied, “This is a good planet and I think that it deserves a fair hearing.”
Instinctually, Rolmar wanted to say no to the lesser demon, but then he looked at all the faces in the room. He noticed a look of longing in all their eyes.
I think this feeling of pity will be the end of me.
“I will grant you the audience that you seek. But it is highly unlikely that you will convince me,” he said.
Adam and his friends looked a little tense. Being in the presence of Rolmar had a way of doing that to a person, even though he appeared to be no more than a teenager at this point.
Adam didn’t feel quite ready but he stood anyway. “With your permission, I will speak now,” he said. Rolmar nodded.
“The Earth is our home and the home of billions. Have you no care for the lives of the innocent? How can you obliterate humanity? We have come so far in the short time that we have been here. Mankind has given birth to numerous innovations. Computers, electricity, the Internet, and countless other inventions have revolutionized the way we live. Humans are advancing as we speak and inventing new things all the time. We have evolved from being basically cave dwellers to the masters of this planet. We do suffer from prejudice and make war upon each other, but weren’t your people once like us? Weren’t they guilty of the same atrocities in their early stages? We are young compared with your civilization; we need time to fix the problems that are endemic to the human race. Give us this chance.” Adam sat down and felt somewhat satisfied with what he had said.
Then Linda stood up and started to cry. “Rolmar, I know that you’re better than this. When you were Ian, I sensed something in you. Something that I don’t think you care to admit.”
Rolmar’s face remained stern. He couldn’t imagine that a mortal could have any insight into his being.
“Rolmar, you’re a compassionate being despite what you think about yourself” she said. “That day when I ran from the house in tears, you followed me and did your best to console me. You offered to erase my memories and you chose to spare me from the destruction of this world. If you are truly the emotionless demon that you claim to be, you never would have committed those acts of compassion. Rolmar—”
“I believe that you have said quite enough.” Rolmar said. He sat quietly for a time and rubbed his chin. He looked from one face to another and finally said, “You will have my decision in the morning.”
The children and Rolmar began to fade until they disappeared entirely. Adam looked around at everyone in the room. “Do you think we got through to him?” he asked.
Zelia shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“You can all stay here tonight if you want,” Linda said. “There’s no sense in being apart at a time like this.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” John said.
“You’re welcome,” Linda replied.
They all camped out in the dining room in sleeping bags. Linda made sure each person was comfortable and gave everyone pillows. “There, that should do it,” she said as she fluffed a pillow for Adam.
Adam was truly grateful. “Thank you so much. Although, I don’t think I’ll be sleeping much tonight.”
“Join the club,” Linda replied. “Goodnight everyone,” Linda said before turning out the lights in the dining room.
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R
olmar and the children sat in a field as the sun began to set. Hailey wouldn’t speak to Rolmar, and Nat was pensive.
Rolmar turned to Hailey. “You’ve never been this way before. Why won’t you speak to me?” he asked.
“You know why. It’s because of what you plan to do.”
“Hmm. You didn’t seem upset before.”
“I’ve been thinking,” Hailey sighed. “It’s just wrong.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Destruction on this scale is wrong.”
“What if I told you that it was for a greater good? I’ve seen many civilizations rise and fall. More often than not, they fall because of their belligerent nature. War is usually the end result. I lost a friend in the Pentarian wars. I have not forgotten him and the friendship we had. We Pentarians strive to eliminate hostility in the universe by destroying warlike peoples.”
“But killing is still wrong, even if in some far-off future it results in some measure of good. Although Earth is plagued by wars now, that doesn’t mean this won’t change. You decided to spare us, but what about everyone else on Earth?”
“But that’s different. You two are very special to me.”
“Do you think everyone else on Earth is worthless? Aren’t there others on Earth who also have their own planets? Will those planets be destroyed if those people die?”
“Yes, they will. Hmm…I’ll consider what you’ve said. But for now it’s time for us to rest,” he said. Rolmar made a grove of trees and two hammocks appear.
“Nat, it’s time to rest,” Hailey said. She walked over to Nat, who was pulling grass up in his small fists. Silent tears fell from his eyes. “Didn’t I tell you that I’d take care of you?” she asked. He nodded vigorously. Nat wiped his eyes as Hailey helped him to his feet. He hugged her tightly and then went over to a hammock. Hailey patted him on the head before going over to her own hammock. Rolmar conjured up a small cube that sat next to the hammocks. Then he dematerialized his body and went into the cube. After some restlessness, the two children drifted off to sleep.
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T
he next morning everyone in Linda’s house woke early. They tried to busy themselves as they prepared for Rolmar’s decision.
Adam, Zelia, and John were in the kitchen trying to find something to serve for breakfast. Zelia found a box of oatmeal in the closet. “John, can you find us some bowls?” she asked.
“Sure thing, Zel.”
Zelia made the oatmeal in the microwave and then brought it over to the table. She began scooping it into the three bowls. “Come sit down, guys,” she said. After finishing their meals they sat for an hour in silence. Each person was lost in his or her own thoughts.
Linda sat on the living room couch sipping a cup of tea. Itakir sat by her side. They spoke to each other in hushed tones.
After what seemed like hours, a knock came at the door. Adam bolted up from his seat and saw Linda rushing toward the door with Itakir right behind her. They seemed to move in slow motion. This was the final act, and Adam started to shake. Zelia placed a hand on his shoulder. Linda rested on the door for a minute and tried to gather her strength. Finally, she drew up some courage and pulled the door open. Before her stood Nat and Hailey; they were smiling. Hailey held a single white rose in her hand. She motioned for Linda to take the flower. Linda couldn’t help smiling, and after a moment she began to laugh. The others rushed to the door to see what was going on. They all heaved a sigh of relief when they saw the beaming faces of the children.
Nat began waving his arms. “The Earth is saved!” he cheered.
Linda’s eyes filled with tears.
Thank you
, she thought. She directed the thought to Rolmar.
Rolmar wasn’t present, but he said in mindspeech:
You should thank these children and yourself, Linda. These children taught me many things about life, but you taught me one of the most valuable lessons of all: compassion
.
Rolmar directed his thoughts at Zelia, Adam, and John.
I apologize for disrupting your lives. You can live freely once again
. They didn’t know what to say, but a great weight had been lifted from them.
Itakir began jumping up and down. After a moment he asked,
Can I stay here on the Earth?
You may
, Rolmar thought.
It’s time for us to go, children,
Rolmar thought. Linda asked if she could come too.
I would be honored,
Rolmar thought.
But what about Grant?
I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’ll find someone else
.
What will you tell the council?
Nat thought.
I’m not sure yet. What my people have been doing is wrong. I know that now, thanks to you and Hailey. I must put a stop to it.
Can we go now?
Hailey thought.
I mean, to another planet
?
Yes
. Rolmar made a portal appear outside. Linda and the children went through after waving good-bye to the others.
Adam had a last-minute thought.
Rolmar, will you bring back to life the people who were killed at the amusement park?
Yes, I will. They will have no memory of the incident.
Adam was grateful
. Thank you.
Itakir and the three humans were left sitting at Linda’s doorstep, perplexed and a little dazed.
“Was all of this real?” Zelia asked, looking at Adam and John. “How were we able to speak to Rolmar telepathically?”
“I think he has left you three with the gift of telepathy,” Itakir said.
“That’s amazing,” John said.
“Use your gift wisely,” Itakir said.
Adam was pensive. “Now that I think about it, I’m almost glad this whole thing happened. I don’t think there has ever been a time in my life when I have been so grateful for being alive on this planet. All that matters is that the Earth is safe now.”