CHAPTER 1
Something's moving in the shadows. There! It is right behind us. I push her away, out of the danger and turn around ready to face the creature from the shadows. Sword out, ready to attack. Why did I stop? It can’t be. Why isn’t my hand moving? I'm trying , but something has stopped me mid way. What? What is it? What does it want? Why m I not attacking him? Why m I not running away? It's a human. A young boy. Same eyes, same smile, but different hair. This aint right. It's not possible. It's.. It's..me!
I'm awake now looking here, looking there, not a volcano, not outside, I'm here in my bunk in the tent. the moon is out and the storm had ended. I need some water, so i get out of my bed to go get some. I get out slowly and put my shoes on. I drink some water and sit back down on my bunk. I feel sweaty and hot even though it's spine chilling cold. Itry to set my thought's straight but my closed eyes show me the picture, the picture that scares me; the picture that shows me , but It's not me even though it looks like me. Itry to go back to sleep but as usual it's impossible. I don't know why i even try. The dreams have become more frequent than before. I look outside and i know it's about to be day. I see the sun beginning to rise behind the mountains. I put on my coat and boots and move out into the open. I feel the slow wind on the back of my neck and a chill rushes through my body. I look around, in the moonlight the white snow shines with an eerie glow. I realize That's why I came here. Ilove the snow, the chills and the white beauty. The heat and the sun was just too much for me to handle. I never understood why that happened, but it did and i left it at that.
By the way, my name is James, James Ca'aul. I'm an intern with a group of Scientists here at the North pole. I just finished college, 6 months ago. I'm from Newzealand, Papatoetoe. No, I'm not a Moari. I'm actually part British and Mexican. My mum was British. After Majoring in Geographical Science and Maths For three years, Iapplied for and internship course In the scientific Institute Of Geography, Weather and Technology, America and they accpeted me. So that was it, I was off to America. My dad is succesful businessman. Trust me when i say successful, he is so successful that he is almost never home. My life went down hill after my mum died. What else would happen to a 19 year old whose mum just died and the father doesn't give a damn about him. I got into drugs, i broke several school rules and countless country laws. Yet no attention. I just gave up on him and i had better things to do anyways. I left drugs, i started studying again and my second year was better than the first.
After finishing my third year, last year, i came with my friends to america for a holiday, while i was here i saw a intership programme and i knew what i wanted to do. I went to the institute to apply and find out about the internship. they told me i'll be going to the artic with Dr. Raymond, I was thrilled. Oh man! My teacher, my inspiration, my guru was oing to take one lucky person to the artic with him. Yes, this is the famous Dr. Stephen Raymond who has written many books on the glaciers' and the northpole. He has also written many journals about his trips to the southpole and the mountains in the Himalayan Range.
It's not all fun and games. I'm studying too, trying to complete my double Major in Geography and Science. But still I'll say these 6 months have been the best. Still i miss my friends especially my best friend, Renae. Renae Kiara James. Yeah , My first name is her last. Wierd i know, but can't help it. We always tried to figure out how we became friends. We are total opposites of each other with nothing in common. We know one thing for sure, our name had a part in it. When we were younger, we always got confused about whom the teacher was calling . Even the teachers were pretty confused. So they called by my middle name, Lionel and Renae was well Renae.
She is somewhere in the Pacific right now studying Law. See total opposites of each other. I'm sure she will be successful because no one can fight with her. She is a total wild cat. Her dad is Dr. James. He is a very nice man. He loves his daughter a lot. He calls me his Eldest son, and i love him like a dad. He is a gynacologist, ah very good one. He is the one who helped my mum give birth to me. I was a complication. That's what my father said. Well anyways , i guess when you are busy with business everything new is a complication.
Too much of my precious daddy. You know something, When I was leaving Newzealand the only people who came to see me off were my friends, Dr. James and my teachers, my dad couldn't bcause he had a meeting more important than me. Whatever, I cant dwell on that, and I promised Renae I will not think about my dad but instead rty to work hard and have fun. Renae is the best i guess. No, she is awesome.
You know, watching a sunrise in the artic is one of the most beautiful sites in the world. It awes me everytime i see it. The sun rising above the mountains. It seems like it is fighting the darkness to reach and touch the sky, hug it and brighten it with the light of god. The reddish orange color is beautiful and it gets reflected in the snow. I look back and see Dr. Raymond come out of the tent in his pyjamas and hoodie.
He asked me, " James , What are you doing here?"
" Oh.. Just seeing the sights", I replied smiling at him.
His face lit up with a warm smile. He was a very kind soul and i could feel it. He came up from behind me and sat down next to me on the rock.
" Damn! it's Cold, Doesn't your bum freeze sitting on this rock like this?" Dr. Raymond asked in a shocked voice. He looked me up and down quizzically , definately trying to study me.
I smiled at him and said, " No, Guess the older you get the weaker the bum".
He looked at me curiously and replied," I'm not that old, but i guess you are abnormal"
I laughed and said, " I think you need stronger glasses doc". In the reply, I got a shove off the rock. and into the cold snow.
Dr. Raymond wasn't that older than me . We were almost the same age. He was about 24 or 25 yrs, but because of the harsh conditions he prefers to stay in , he looks older than he is . But he still looks quite young and charming, with brownish hair, black eyes, pale skin and a built body. He looks a bit like a movie star, but the glasses have quite an effect on his doctor look. Dr. Cross came out and we didn't even notice him until he asked us to come in to have breakfast.
" Stephen come in for break fast. We have to go far today." He told Dr. Raymond. " You too James. You will need the energy." He told me smiling.
" ok... im quite hungry" I said getting up.
I followed the doctors into the tent. Dr. Cross is more quite than Dr. Raymond. He is very nice and very caring. He isn't as tall and built as Dr. Raymond but he is still attractive in his way. He reminds me of my dad, but a nicer and more caring version so i'm glad for that.
mmmmh, Our breakfast in the Continental Hotel, Rice, bread, butter,tinned fish and fruit , dried bacon and fruit juice or water. That's what we have for break fast, lunch and inner everyday. Such variety!
No, I'm not complaining. I love it here but even your heart desires to eat something different once. I know I will miss this area, the food and all my time when I'm gone so I don't mind the food now.
"James we are going to look at a disturbance caused about 3km from here. You care to join us?" Dr. Raymond asked me.
My eyes brightened. I stopped midway on a bite.
“Are you serious?", I asked him.
“Don’t you believe us? Dr. Cross asked smiling.
“No... I mean yes... I mean I believe you guys but you know... its gona be important and... You wouldn't want me to disturb you there a... And...” I stumbled across what seemed like a sentence, trying to make them and myself understand what I meant.
They both laughed." Don't worry, It'll be like your first practical and plus you need some field experience and we will be glad for a fresh pair of hands," replied Dr. Raymond
“If it's like that.. Than... I guess yeah... I’d love to come." I told them, trying hard not to show the over excitement, but I know they saw it.
So that's it, off on my first adventure, but this won’t be the last.