Return to Nimara

Bruno sat as still as a statue. His arms had remained extended, expecting to continue to shred through the wrapping paper that had been before him just seconds ago. With a vacant expression he stared transfixed at the empty space before him. Breathing heavily, he felt the quick and steady thump of his heart and the stabbing pain at his temples. Slowly, he lowered his arms and closed his gaping mouth. He scanned the room around him and saw that what replaced his comfortable, if not cluttered, sitting room was an empty space. He could not tell how spacious the room was due to the fact that everything was cream. No matter how hard he tried, he could not define where the floor ended and the walls began. The silence was eerie. He could hear his own breathing and nothing else. Then, it occurred to him that he could smell a strong odour that was clinical, like a dentist’s room. A sudden thought caused his heart to beat faster and his eyes opened wide. An unsteady smile appeared on to his face at the idea that circled around in his head. ‘It can’t be…’ Bruno whispered. The excitement bubbled clearly in his voice. ‘After all this time, surely…’ He continued to wrestle with his own mind. Bruno knew full well that this could not be the underground hide-out that he had first been taken to even though the surroundings were very similar. He bowed his head at the terrible memories that haunted him since that horrific day. He could clearly hear the painful cries of those who failed to reach the door before the pit. He could see the look of panic as the metal door slid down, creating a barrier between the survivors and the victims. Worse of all he could not erase the image of Grandad, buried beneath the rubble that fell from the ceiling. He could still see his gentle, frail hand visible, showing off the wedding ring that glistened in the light. Was it possible to be in Nimara considering it had taken three days by spaceship to get there? Confused but hopeful, Bruno continued to look around the room. Bruno shot up from where he was sitting and raced towards where he thought the wall should end. Cautiously he slowed down and let his hands guide him until he touched the wall. It was warm and smooth with a texture that he could only recognise as belonging to the aliens. The material was definitely out of this world. Automatically, he removed his shoes and socks and let his bare feet brush against the floor. This too was warm and smooth, just like the walls. His smile extended into an almighty grin and his cheeks flushed ferociously. ‘Well?’ he shouted out, ‘Where are you?’ He could not prevent himself from letting out a short chuckle and shook his head in bewilderment. ‘I’m back!’ he cried out. A door swished open and an alien hovered gently into the room. Slowly he advanced towards Bruno and when he was within reaching distance he settled his feet to the floor and looked up at Bruno and smiled broadly.