Asherina Chapter Two

A Walk In The Park

"Oh My God! You're here! You didn't come to the diner and I was so scared." Asherina says as she finds Dany on the park bridge.

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"I was home freaking out. I wasn't hungry." Dany says.

"Freaking out? Why?" Asherina asks.

"When you left last night you were crying." Dany says with tears in his eyes. "I made you cry. It ripped my heart out that I made you cry. In just that brief time in the coffee shop I met someone that I cared about so much that it hurt me that I hurt you. What did you do to me? Why am I falling for you, falling so hard and so fast? Is this healthy? I dreamed about you last night. You were on my mind all day long, I could hardly work from the distraction. All I want to do right now is hug you."

"Then hug me." Asherina says as they embrace.

"Shit! Just as I thought. When we hugged I couldn't tell where I ended and you began. It's like we were just one person. Girl ... I'm in love with you and it's scaring the shit out of me." Dany says looking into her eyes. "There is something I have to ask you, and you're going to think I'm crazy, but I have to know."

"What's that? You can ask me anything." Asherina says.

"Why are you always wearing dark tinted glasses? It's night time. Take them off." Dany says.

"Uhhh. My eyes are very sensitive to the light. Did you notice how white I am? I'm an albino. I didn't want to tell you because then you might not like me." Asherina says starting to cry.

"Take them off, now, or I'm leaving." Danny says.

Asherina slowly removes her glasses, tears flowing down her face. "Ok, there off. Now what?"

"Now you tell me the truth. Who are you? What are you? Those are not albino eyes. Those eyes are not even human. You're telepathic aren't you. You put these feelings into my mind to seduce me, didn't you. The love I feel for you is fake isn't it? You're ET? You're a hybrid? What the fuck are you and what do you want with me?"

Asherina sinks to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. "I just can't stop fucking things up. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." As she gets up to run away Dany grabs her and hugs her again. He gets a tissue to dry her tears.

"I can't let you go. If you wanted me, you got me. Please tell me what is going on though, or I'm going to go crazy." Dany says with tears in his eyes too.

"Ok. I'll tell you, but please don't hate me. My people were brought here, to Earth, many years ago. We were genetically modified to live in this environment. We don't know who brought us here, they just left us here to fend for ourselves. You were brought here too, about two hundred thousand years ago. You were modified too and then left to fend for yourselves. This happened dozens of times but we are two of the species that survived. Most didn't survive. You survived on the surface and we survived mostly underground. Our DNA is 99.9% the same so we are both Human, but we don't call ourselves that. So we are not ET, not anymore. We are hybrid, but so are you."

"Yes, I'm telepathic, but I didn't make you love me. That is a mortal sin to our people and I would never do that. It's psychic rape. I'm drawn to you just like you're drawn to me and I don't know why. It's driving me crazy too. When we hugged, when we felt like we were one, then it was like everything in the world was wonderful. I know you felt that too. So I don't know whats going on, I just know that I need to be with you, and that is why I was so forward, I couldn't help myself. I know you feel it too."

Danny asks "If we are different species, can we mate? Will that work? Can we get married and have kids?"

"Yes, our DNA is closer than Neanderthal, and you guys were mating with them. Many of my generation have taken Human spouses, although the older generations frown on that. The older ones want to preserve our DNA as pure, but my generation and I think it is wiser to blend our species, so we don't have to live in the shadows anymore. Our children can become one species just like your races are becoming one race. I always thought I would find a human husband but I never expected what is happening now. When I first saw you in the diner my heart skipped a beat our two. It's like I knew you already, like we were soul mates or something. I couldn't stop thinking about you, dreaming about you. So whatever is happening is happening to both of us, and I'm not doing it. It must be coming from a higher spiritual place."

Dany looks at Asherina with an adoration he didn't think he possessed. "So we are either both suffering from the same mental disease or we have a Love made in heaven. Good or bad, I can't let you go. This is a lot to take in. I'm not ready to jump in bed with you and make that blended species just yet, but I do want to move forward, slowly. The heart is a delicate organ and mine has been broken too many times, so be patient with me. It's getting chilly out here so let me hold you and we will watch the stars for awhile."

It's been 12 years since Asherina adopted her Human family. At 32 years of age she is in the final stages of puberty for her species, anxious to move on with her life including dating, marriage, and creating a family of her own. Selena and Raul love her more than anything even though Asherina is a strong willed child and can be difficult at times.

"I know honey, you're in love, love at first sight." Selena says. "But that's just hormones. True Love takes time and effort and if you don't keep working at it, then it just fades away. Isn't that right Raul?"

"Yes honey. That's absolutely right." Raul says.

"See. Your Dad agrees." Selena says.

"Yes, of course he agrees. If he wants supper." Asherina says. "Just kidding Dad. I know it's fast, and that worries me too, but I'm going to do this. We're going to see the elders tomorrow."

"Your both going? Is that wise? You know how they are about the secret places. I'm afraid you're going to piss them off even before you get to ask for their approval."

"Well, if they don't approve then we're going to get married the Human way, down at the court house."

"Oh dear. Asherina I thought you were done with this rebellious phase. What if they banish you. Then you will lose your whole family down there. Don't you want to have a real wedding? One down there with your family and one up here with us?" Selena asks.

"I don't care, Mom. I'm tired of talking about it. I've got hybrid babies to make and I can do that without getting married." Asherina says stomping out of the kitchen into the living room. Selena follows.

"Ash you stop this bull shit right now!" Selena says with a stern voice. "I know how you get when you're in one of your moods. You do stupid shit and then regret it later. At least talk to your family, talk to Mr Roberts. Spend some time letting them get accustomed to the idea of you getting married. Mixed marriages are difficult, religious differences, ethnic differences, and you two are not even the same species. You need their help, their resources. You know you can't go to a Human gynecologist. Who's going to deliver your baby. Are you just going to give birth in the bath tub? Think it through girl. Don't be an idiot."

"Girls! Lets stop this arguing." Raul says. "We all know what the problem is. She's overdosing on hormones. Here, sweetie, take my credit card. Get a room at the hotel for a week. You're already in a committed relationship. The wedding is just a formality. Start your life with the love of your life, and do so with my blessings."

"Raul! What the fuck?" Selena asks. "So you think a little sex will solve the problem?"

"It worked for us, didn't it?" Raul says with a grin.

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Asherina grabs the credit card and heads for the door. "Come on Dany. Lets get out of here before Mom changes my Dads mind."

The Underground

"Is this it? A rock outcropping along a hiking path? That's the doorway to your city? That isn't very secret is it?" Dany asks.

"It's worked for over 600 years" Mr Roberts explains. "Remember that we are telepathic. If a Human gets too curious we can make them uncurious. In all that time though only a few Humans got curious."

The group enters through an opening in the rock face hidden by vegetation. Inside is a large elevator. Dany's ears pop as they descend rapidly a thousand feet. The elevator door opens into a large cavern. Dany is stunned at the site. "Oh My God. This is fantastic. It's all lit up like sunlight. There are hanging gardens everywhere, and a river runs through it. Where do you get the electricity for all these lights? There must be a million little Hobbit houses down here."

"Yes. Where do you think Tolkien got the idea?" Mr Roberts says with a laugh. "You're not the first Human to visit one of our cities. We make the electricity with what you call zero point energy. We discovered this technology long before you Humans arrived. You would have discovered it, in fact you did, 100 millennia ago if you weren't so busy killing each other. We used to live on the surface like you do but when all your wars started we moved underground. You wiped out the Neanderthal and several other human species so we had to hide underground."

"We're going to fix that." Asherina says with a smile. "Our children will. After a dozen generations or so our species will have merged and we can all live on the surface and underground as one people."

"Oh what a childish philosophy." Mr Roberts says. "You will have to learn the hard way how difficult that transformation will be. Xenophobia exists not only in Human culture but in ours as well. The terms hybrid and half breed will once again be the pejoratives they were in the past. But there is no stopping this new generation. Soon they will be the elders and make the rules. Hopefully they will have matured by then."

"I take it this is going to be a tough sell, our getting married and making hybrid children." Dany says.

"No. I've already spoken to them." Mr Roberts says. "They are wise and mature. They understand the inevitability of what this young generation is trying to accomplish and will support you in that effort. You will get your marriage license and a grand celebration if you choose. Expect an 'I Told You So' in about 20 or 30 years as your children suffer the difficulties of this merging you are seeking. With so may hybrids on the surface our secret places will eventually be exposed and it could be the end of us all. We all pray that God is on your side in this endeavor."

"Asherina? If what he says is true we could be causing the genocide of your people. Are you sure you want to do this?" Dany asks.

"Our secret places will be discovered eventually no matter what." Asherina says. "If there are a billion or so hybrids already merged in the top world then we have a chance to avoid genocide. We will already have become one people."

"And so the debate goes." Mr Roberts. "Ok, lets get you guys married and you can create this future for all of us, hopefully without bloodshed."

"While we are down here I need to see the doctor." Asherina says. "I think we already have a little hybrid on the way."

Mr Roberts frowns. "Asherina! You can never wait for anything. Patience in not your virtue. I'll make the appointment. Have you told your Human mother?

"Oh God No! I'm not ready for that lecture. But my Human Dad said we could. So we did. A lot."

Tying The Knot

"Why is this dress so tight. We had it fitted when we ordered it." Selena says helping Asherina get into her wedding dress. "Wait! Asherina!?! Are you showing???"

"Maybe. Just a little." Asherina says staring at the floor.

"Damn it girl! You can't be just a little bit pregnant. Why didn't you tell me?" Selena asks in a frustrated voice.

"Mom. I'm sorry. I thought you would be mad at me." Asherina say, tearing up a little.

"No. I'm not mad. I just wasn't expecting this so soon. We could have had the dress resized. We just planned two weddings in two different worlds, and now we need baby showers in two different worlds too. I'm just frustrated. It's so much so fast." Selena says hugging Asherina and comforting her.

"I'm sorry Mom. Will you help me pick out names?" Asherina asks.

"Of course, sweetheart. But you gotta make plans for the baby, financially. You can't stay in Dany's tiny apartment. You're gonna need more money. You have a practitioners license. You gotta use that instead of that stupid waitress job." Selena goes on and on with her worries.

"I know Mom. I know all this stuff. I'll get it handled. I promise. I've got this. Stop freaking out." Asherina lectures her Mom.

"Ok. We both need to calm down. It's almost time. The music will start soon. Go get ready. Your Dad is waiting." Selena says.

We Made A Miracle

"Just look at her, Ash. She's so gorgeous. Look. We made a miracle." Dany says staring at the baby in the cradle.

"Her eyes. So small and dark. She will blend in easily." Asherina says.

"She has my Dads eyes." Dany says. "His family is from Mexico. I keep thinking of his experience living in a border town near the Mexican border. My grand father is from Mexico and my grand Mother is from Ireland. Both of them were immigrants to the US. They experienced first had the problems when two worlds collide. This little baby will experience that times 10. I'm scared for her."

"It won't be so bad. There are thousands of families just like us around the world. She won't be the only one." Asherina says.

"How do you know of these thousands of other families. Do you communicate on the dark web or something." Dany Asks.

"No. We are experts in hiding in plain sight. Remember?" Asherina says. "Look here, this readers group on social media. See all these ebooks for sale? We publish our stories as fiction, short stories about little Hobbit people living underground. The government thinks they are just silly stories. We share our experiences, what works, what doesn't. The characters are real and the stories are mostly real."

"See this book right here." Asherina says pointing at the screen. "I wrote that. It's our story, so far. We have to make up some stuff to make it look like fiction, magic and stuff like that. There are a few true believers out there who think it's all real and some of them wander through the woods looking for our door. We just direct them to a different door that leads to an empty cavern."

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"So when is the big reveal. When are you guys going to come out. When is the blending going to be complete." Dany asks.

"I guess it would take 10 to 20 generations if everything stays the same. Nothing stays the same, though, and now I have to tell you something that has to remain top secret. We don't have that much time."

"Really?" Dany asks with a laugh. "Are you some secret agent of some off world power?"

Dark Thoughts

"No honey. I'm serious." Asherina explains in a serious voice. "Earths Sun is unstable. It's a giant dynamo of twisted electro magnetic forces. Every so often the magnetic forces get all twisted up and the Sun shuts down, it goes dark. Tremendous forces develop within it and then there is an explosive outburst, a micro nova explosion. The entire corona, the Suns atmosphere is blown off into space. Sometimes it's a little nova and other times it's a big one. The big ones are Extinction Level Events."

"The surface of all the planets are cooked. My people are safe underground, but little of the surface life survives unless they seek shelter underground or in caves. The plants come back quickly because they have stored many trillions of seeds in the ground. The ocean creatures are safe. Animal life comes back slowly and many species are wiped out completely."

"So why are we still here? Why haven't all the surface people gone extinct?"

"You're here because of us. We have about 10 thousand cities around the world but we also have many empty ones prepared for such an event. The last time the Sun went Nova we moved as many of the surface people as we could underground where they waited for the surface to repair itself. Some of your indigenous populations still remember that. So you wanted to know when is the big reveal? If we have to move large numbers of the top side people underground, along with a lot of the surface animals, that will necessitate the big reveal, and it will probably be well before the 10 to 20 generations of our hybrids."

"Ok. Why does that have to be top secret? When the Sun starts to go dark can't you just guide the surface people underground?" Dany Asks.

"There are a number of problems." Asherina explains. "One big problems is that there are orders of magnitude more surface dwellers now than before. There isn't room for all of them. Just imagine if they were all fighting for limited space underground."

"Another problem we had last time is the timing. It isn't that accurate. We moved in many surface populations but it was 20 years before the Sun exploded. They stopped believing us and moved back to the surface. Your archaeologist are puzzled why some populations survived past cataclysms and others disappeared all together. That is why. Many left the underground and were cooked on the surface.

"So if there isn't enough room underground for everyone, who decides who get to live and who will perish?" Dany asks. "This is all very dark information. I think I'm going to be sick."

"We all make a list. You are on my list, obviously, as are my adopted parents and their immediate family. Since we are married you get to make a list too." Asherina explains.

"So when is the Sun going to explode. Your best guess." Dany wants to know.

"It could be next week, or in 200 years." Asherina explains. "We don't know for sure. It's like watching a piece of pop corn and predicting when it's going to pop. It could be right now, or a minute from now, or not pop at all."

"Well, I'm going with 200 years or not pop at all." Dany says with a serious frown. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but I can't deal with this kind of information. There is no way I can make a list. I can't decide who lives and who dies. If this happens in our lifetime I would rather just stay on the surface, and whatever happens is what happens. Hopefully the stories I hear about the mother ships is true and they will beam us up."

Asherina hugs Dany with tears in her eyes. "I know honey. Only crazy people want to play God. I understand completely. If this happens in our lifetime though, I'm dragging your stupid ass underground. There is no way I'm letting you get cooked. I hope the mother ships come too."

"Ok. Lets put these dark thoughts away for now and just enjoy this beautiful being we created. Let me know when you are ready to create another one." Dany says.

"I think we should wait at least two or three years between babies. That way there isn't the burden of having tiny ones at the same time." Asherina says.

"Three Years!?!" Dany says with a shocked look.

"Oh stop it! Silly. Haven't you ever heard of protection? I don't expect you to be a priest." Asherina says laughing.

The End (for now).

You can read Chapter One here:
Young Asherina finds a home