Saphora vol. 2 Residence

By Jaz Johnson

Returning back home to Athena and the Kiran kingdom, Saphora is finally reunited with her mother, queen Vida - and the rest of the kingdom. Now she must begin her training in order to prepare herself for the approaching war. But anything and everything seems to be getting in the way. Vida is refusing to tell Saphora the story of how the war came to be, and is making it known that she does not approve of her relationship with Maverick. And she's not the only one. Dakota, her trainer, also worries for Saphora's future, and is contemplating stepping in. And then there's Ares, who is coming closer and closer to declaring the second war. Sending small fleets to test their strength, the kingdom is preparing to strike back. Who will sound the horns of war first? Will Saphora be ready in time? Will she ever know what happened to her family that caused the drift?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaz Johnson
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310223969

Jaz Johnson

Jaz Johnson, of Elmsford, New York is majoring in Visual Arts. She has developed a love for writing as well as art at a very young age, and is seeking to pursue them. With romance being her forte, she never grows tired of coming up with a new and interesting love story. She thanks her friends, family and teachers for their support and hopes to keep writing, giving them all a new story to read and tell.

Book preview

Saphora vol.2

Residence

This book is fiction. Names, characters, places, incidents, and events are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to any actual events, works, persons, dead or living, is coincidental, and is beyond the intent of the author.

No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system in any form, whether it be electronic or mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written consent of the author.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my friends and family for their unyielding support. For pointing out plot holes and telling me when I’m being stupid. You keep me levelled and focused. And to my incredible fans and supporters. As always, I would be nothing without you.

Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you continue to enjoy my stories, for there will be more to come!

Chapter 1

I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, Maverick said, walking over to Saphora with two cups of tea.

He sat down on the sofa beside her, setting the cups down on the coffee table.  Saphora shook her head, keeping it lowered as her arms moved to hug her bent legs. Her eyes were blood-shot, her face blotchy and pink.

After the fallout with Fran, Saphora had gone to the only other place that she felt at ease – Maverick’s house.  He was more than willing to invite her in, and he listened to her story until she was calm enough to stop crying. Most of it, at least. She had left out what she had remembered, as well as the details of the events that had happened before. But even though he didn’t know everything that happened, he was still doing everything he could to help.

I called her a human, she said with a scoff, as if disgusted with herself for using some sort of slur.

"Well … She is a human," he said, trying to provide some sort of acceptance for the phrase.

Not the way I said it.

"Well how bad could she have taken it? I mean, we are human," he said with a low chuckle.

And for the first time in almost two hours, Saphora looked Maverick in the eyes. It almost caught him off guard; his body tensed. She somewhat smiled, and he tensed further.

Yeah … Right, she practically mumbled.

She turned away again, and Maverick frowned. She brought her knees closer to her chest as she looked at the dull coloured walls.

I don’t know what I’m going to do, she said, her voice trembling again.

Aren’t you going to make up with Fran?

She snapped her head back in his direction, startling him.

What for? For her to throw my memories in my face and laugh at them? For her to crush the only thing I’ve ever wanted in my entire life? For her to – to lock me up like some experiment that’s gone wrong? Maverick was silent.

I’m not going back there, she nearly spat out, before turning away from him again to look at the wall. Maverick bit the inside of his lip. He could see her body trembling, and he knew that she was fighting back tears. I’ll be fine. I’ll go up to the abandoned house. I’ll keep her away from it somehow.

What?

If she wants to come after me, then she’s going to have to deal with the consequences of what she’s put me through.

Saphora, Maverick said through her anger, as he put his hand on her shoulder. Don’t do something that you’re going to regret. You can stay here with me if you want. Hydra’s already staying here. I don’t mind sleeping on the couch. I’m not going to let you go live in some old abandoned house.

Saphora’s eyes welled against her will. It was too much, and yet, everything she needed. To have gone through so much with someone, and then be able to run into another’s arms. Arms that were wide open. She was sure she didn’t deserve the amount of willing kindness Maverick continued to give. But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse it.

And after a moment of hesitation, she threw her arms around him, leaning herself into his chest with a sob. Maverick’s body immediately tensed as he fought to keep his torso from falling back into the sofa. His arms hovered in the air as he looked over at Hydra. She grinned, her arms crossing as she leaned back against one of the walls of the room. Maverick’s face flushed as his arms slowly inched around Saphora’s body. When he squeezed, she squeezed back as the tears silently fell.

********

Dr. Lupin speaking.

Doctor, Fran sobbed into the phone.

Lupin straightened in his seat. He waved his hand at Officer Roland, signaling him to come over to get a listen of the conversation. They had seen the news. And they knew it was only a matter of time.

Fran? What is it? Are you alright?

You have to do it, she breathed.

Do what, Fran?

Saphora, she – At the zoo …

Yes … I saw the news. Are you alright?

"You were right, Doctor. She tried to get into the exhibit! With that … that … monster! You have to help her. Please," she sobbed, wiping her eyes. Lupin gestured for Roland to get Johnson.

Yes, okay, Fran. Don’t worry. We’re going to help her. We’ll be there soon, Lupin assured.

She’s not here.

Not there? Where did she go?

I don’t know.

How long ago did she leave?

Almost two hours ago, she said, her lungs hiccupping.

Okay, Fran. Calm down. Do you have any idea where she could have gone? Lupin asked, as Roland reentered the room with Johnson.

No … I don’t – Wait –

Yes?

She … There’s this boy named M-Maverick, I think. It’s the only place I can think of, but … I don’t know where he lives, she cried, losing the hope of finding Saphora as quickly as it had arrived.

Is there anything you can tell me about him? What he looks like? What car he drives?

A … black Camaro. He was driving a black Camaro when he brought her home. But I didn’t see him, she said, trying to steady her breathing.

That’s okay, Fran, he assured, writing the notes down and passing them to Johnson. She took up the piece of paper. Roland looked over it as well, and spoke up.

We just towed a black Camaro the other day from around the area of the accident. I think the owner’s name started with an M, too, he noted.

Go get me the information on it, she ordered. He nodded, beginning to walk out of the room. And a picture! she shouted after him.

That’s great, Fran. You’ve given enough information. I will call you when we find his address, okay? Try to get some rest. Would you like us to send someone over there to stay with you? he offered.

No. Just … Please find her.

We’re going to do our absolute best, he said, before hanging up the phone. He sighed, looking up at Johnson.

Hopefully this black Camaro is our Maverick’s Camaro, Johnson said. You sure that’s the only place she thinks she could be?

She would have told me any other possibility. She’s genuinely scared for her. I’m sure she’d give us any information we asked for.

"Any information? Johnson repeated. Lupin raised a brow, silently answering with a question of his own. And if we asked her about Saphora’s … origins?"

"Well, while I doubt she knows anything of her actual origins … There is a possibility that she could further confirm that her origins are not of Earth."

Even so. Information like that would be valuable to the agents.

True. But she’s too shaken up right now. We’ll wait a few days, once we’ve put Saphora in the institution and given her some time to calm down.

Seeing the temper on her, that could be a while, she said as Roland came back into the room holding a handful of papers. Coming to a stop beside Johnson, he dropped the papers on the desk in front of them both, a picture of Maverick and his black Camaro on the cover page.

That our guy? Roland asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Looks like it, Johnson answered. Lupin’s eyes narrowed as he took a closer look at the photo. He recognized him. He tapped the photo, shaking his head.

"This is the man that I had to greet in the lobby. He was acting like a drug addict."

Looks like we’ve got ourselves an accomplice, Johnson said. That should be enough to contain him. Get his address and prepare some backup. We storm them tomorrow.

The night had seemed to settle down once Saphora reached Maverick. Her tears had put her to sleep in Maverick’s arms, and he was only too happy to be able to comfort her. For as long as she needed, he gave her reassuring words of comfort and security.

After Saphora had fallen asleep, Hydra had a conversation with Maverick about what was to come. They had also seen the news. Maverick understood that they would be preparing to leave soon, and that it was vital for Saphora to reconnect with Arol as soon as possible. Once she did, they would be heading back to Athena.

A groan left Saphora’s lips as she rolled over in Maverick’s bed. Her arm stretched out to the side, her palm flattening out. Her eyes closed tighter as her body tensed in the stretch. Her mind shook into consciousness as her body eased, her eyes slowly opening. They blinked, adjusting to the natural light flooding into the room. Once open, they rested on the smothered face of Maverick, which her hand was resting on. Blinking again, her eyes widened, and he smiled.

Morning, he greeted cheerfully.

There was a pause in Saphora’s judgment, followed by a delayed, but piercing scream.

Hydra came rushing in moments later, only to find Maverick buried under his blanket and one of his pillows. She stood a few steps in from the doorway, looking back and forth from Saphora, who was guarding herself with the other pillow, and Maverick, who was trying to find his way out from under the blanket.

What happened? she asked.

"He scared me," Saphora insisted.

"I said good morning!" Maverick argued, pushing the blanket away from his face.

"With your face in my hand?"

"Your hand was on my face!"

Hydra groaned, rolling her eyes and turning to walk out of the room.

Vida help me, she sighed.

            Sorry … For throwing your stuff at you, Saphora mumbled, sitting on the sofa in Maverick’s living room.

It’s fine. Thinking about it, that probably was a weird way to wake up, he laughed.

You think?

Sorry about that. I just … I came in to check on you.

Well … Thanks for checking … And letting me stay here. I really –

Hey, hey, it’s no problem. Really. I’m happy that you’re staying over. I want you to, he said, smiling as he turned his head to look at her. She let herself smile, leaning forward a bit more into her knees.

Hydra, putting on Maverick’s baseball cap after pinning up her hair, walked to the front door, holding his sunglasses.

I’ll be back shortly. I’m going to go speak to Arol, she announced, unlocking the door. Saphora snapped her head in her direction and moved to stand up.

Arol? I want to go, she said stepping forward. Maverick stood up behind her, his hand gently tugging at her shirt.

I don’t think that’s such a good idea, he warned sheepishly.

He’s right, Hydra agreed.

Why not? she asked, frowning. I’ve already remembered him. I won’t black out again. I want to see him, she argued.

And you will. Just not now. I do not think the humans want you there.

What? Why?

Maverick, she said, as she put the sunglasses on. Maverick nodded as she left, and closed the door behind her. Saphora grimaced and stepped forward, causing Maverick to tug on her a little harder.

Hey?! Saphora called out after Hydra.

Saphora, wait, it’s okay, Maverick stressed, moving to stand in front of her.

Why won’t you let me see him?

You need to look at something. We recorded it yesterday, Maverick said, sitting Saphora down and getting the remote for the television.

********

            How many we got? Johnson asked, looking around at the group of officers that were surrounding her. Roland popped his gum, looking around at the group as well.

"Everyone’s here. We got some people from section 15, section 4, and section 8, 42, and 23. I think we’ve even got some volunteers here. Bunch of rookies that wanna see the dragon girl," Roland scoffed. Johnson crossed her arms, obviously not so amused with the fact.

Listen up! she called out to the group. "Anyone who is not here by request, go home! If I see you in the field, not only will you be fired, but you will have the pleasure of getting discharge papers from me, personally! Is that understood?" she shouted.

And almost instantly, about fifteen people left from the crowd, going back to their stations, while one stepped forward. Both Johnson and Roland turned their attention in their direction, to see Glover with his arm in a sling.

Glover, Roland asked, more than greeted.

If it’s all right with you, I’d like to tag along, he said with a slight smile, which seemed to fade a little too quickly. Johnson hesitated, glancing down at his injured arm.

Are you sure?

Yes, he answered firmly.

Well, as long as you don’t mind Roland calling shot gun.

Roland smiled, chewing his gum to the side. Glover smirked, looking over at his partner and giving a nod.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to be away from the wheel this time around.

Johnson grinned, before looking around at the ready crowd.

Alright people! Get ready for one hell of a take down.

********

Looking around the area of the zoo, Hydra kept a low profile. Trying to act like the people around her, she looked around with expressions of amusement at the animals behind the glass of the exhibits. Reaching Arol’s exhibit, security had the area partially surrounded, and were constantly keeping a watch on the seemingly depressed dragon.

Hydra frowned, walking off to the side and away from security’s view. She stood behind an unmanned sales cart, full of balloons, t-shirts, toys, and snacks. Looking around at the passing people to make sure she was not being looked at, she put her foot against the side of the cart, and with a sharp thrust, sent the cart flying across the floor away from Arol’s exhibit. Aiding it by spreading ice along the floor beneath it. It went crashing against the wall on the other side of the room.

Alarmed, the majority of security rushed over to inspect the cart, leaving a large enough section of his exhibit unattended. Rushing over, she made her way to the thick glass of the exhibit. And as she did, Arol’s attention was captured. Hydra held up her hand to calm his reaction, as his head slowly rose to greet her. He pressed his snout into the glass, around the area where her hand was, and exhaled, fogging it up.

Hey there, big guy, Hydra greeted with a grin. Arol cooed against the glass, blinking. Hydra nodded. "Yes, she’s all