Blood on the Stars by Leah Jensen (distant reading .txt) 📖

Introduction: Left on a Doorstep

The rain poured down on the streets of Manhattan, on a cold February night in the year 2154. Very few people were seen wandering about, even in vehicles. It was one of those crazy rainy nights where no one even dared to go outside, no matter what means of transportation, no matter how far you had to go. However, one figure was determined to get to wherever she had to go. A young woman with long red hair was racing against the rain, holding something close to her chest. She looked faint and exhausted from travel, like she would give in at any moment.

Her destination was a laboratory on the other side of Manhattan. A man named Jonathan X. Lucas was sitting in his den, reading a book on physiology and drinking a cup of coffee. He was a young man, in his late twenties, yet there were hints of silver in his well-trimmed blond hair. Jonathan closed his book and set it down on the coffee table, and began pacing back and forth around his library. He only did this when he was nervous. Tonight, he was doing it because his wife, Sheila, had neglected to call him from the hospital that evening. The two had just become parents to a baby girl, whom Jonathan had not seen yet.
The loud sound of the buzzer rang loudly and startled Jonathan. He stopped pacing immediately and went to the door to open it. His friend, Brin, was at the door first, and was talking to someone. Jonathan barely heard the voice of his wife speaking to Brin.

“What do you mean you’re going to leave the girl here?” Brin said. “We’re so busy with our research and I highly doubt that Jonathan can wedge ‘family time’ in his schedule!”

“I’m dying, Brin. I need Johnny to take care of her when I go.” Jonathan’s heart stopped when his wife spoke. Why would she leave a hospital just to bring his daughter to him? Has she gone insane? Was she really dying? “Just take the girl and give her to Johnny, and tell him that I love him-“

A soft thump was heard outside. Jonathan raced to the front of the door and saw his wife laying unconscious on the pavement. He reached for his pager and called 911. This can’t be happening! I can’t be losing my wife! Not now, not now!

His thoughts raced through his mind like the lightning flashing outside. The ambulance arrived in three minutes, but they were too late. Shelia’s skin was cold as ice and there was no pulse or heartbeat.
“Did you see her leave the hospital?” Jonathan asked them. A nurse said that they let her go that evening, but forgot to call. “She must have had heart failure, caused by stress.” Brin said mournfully. “Come inside. I want you to see the girl.”

Hesitantly, Jonathan went back into the apartment, where the baby was laying asleep on the sofa. He picked the little girl up and examined her. Her hair was fiery red, just like her mother’s, and had pale skin, like her father. Jonathan cradled the child and held her close to him. “I’m sorry, Emory. I’m so sorry that you had to lose your mother tonight. I promise that you won’t lose me. I promise, Emory.”


Chapter One: Remembered Day

Nineteen years had passed since the day Emory Lucas was left at her father's doorstep. She was now waking up for the day, as the sun left puddles of light on her face. Emory made her bed and put her slippers on, humming a soft tune to herself as she did so.

Emory Lucas resembled both of her parents in different ways. She had her mothers long, fiery red hair and the same slender body shape, and her eyes, skin tone, and face shape resembled her father. She had the same sea-green eyes, pale skin, and pointed chin. Everyone working with her father in the facility would compliment about how much Emory resembled her mother. It made Emory sad sometimes, listening to talk about the mother she never met.

She went downstairs to the kitchen, where her father was already awake, looking at the newspaper and drinking his morning tea. He lifted his glance up to his daughter, and smiled.

"Good morning, Emory." he said warmly.

"Morning, Dad." Emory replied.


Stay tuned for more.

Publication Date: 05-31-2011

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