The Tipton Chronicles: The Return

By Heather P.F. Sidwell

A heart that had been stopped, and thought dead, began to beat once more. The rythm was faint and sporadic but beating just the same. The blue eye lids twitched frantically as the rest of the body began to tremble, ever so slightly. Suddenly the brilliant blue eyes flew open but could perceive nothing. All was cold and black.
An angry growl grew in the belly of the beast until it erupted violently and with painful force.

"WHERE AM I?!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456766184

Heather P.F. Sidwell

Heather P.F. Sidwell is an amorous connoisseur of the wrtten word and published author of poetry, one youth novel, and the prequel to this book..."The Tipton Chronicles". Heather also composes music, sings, has performed before thousands, and has written many short stories and thoughts. Please, enjoy.

Book preview

Prologue

It had been eighteen months since the Horizon eased its way into Tipton’s soft dock, having returned from Earth. The perilous expedition had evolved into a far more successful venture than Avon or anyone could have begun to hope for and the breeze of a comfortable alliance between the people of Earth and the Tiptonians had begun to gain momentum… for everyone but Ex-Councilman Romlin that is.

It had been a year and a half; Captain Avon Tybriss had been promoted to Lieutenant Admiral.

Temiah, Avons gifted little sister, had fully recovered from her ordeal with dying, exhumation, and resurrection, and was now well on her way to becoming a full fledged Tip Chi Priestess.

The twins, Khol and Moorey, as Avon and Camarie had chosen to call them, were small for their age but incredibly gifted.

Yordn and Sage were head over heels as they schemed their way toward their wedding day, planning this and that and making secret purchases behind Sage’s mother’s back, who stubbornly held to the hope of convincing Sage to return to Earth, where she hoped Sage might marry a Normal, red blooded, American boy. However, Sage had made her choice a long time ago and Yordn was the only man Sage wanted.

Yordn was in his fourth year at the Academy for Medical and Scientific Sciences, having completed two years of preliminary education prior to the Earth mission.

Yordn had been an Officer in Training on that voyage and was to return home to Tipton, fill out a report, catalogue all he had learned and experienced, and thusly, continue on to graduation with a subsequent year of internship, before taking his place as Junior Medical Officer upon the Horizon.

Yordn and Sage had their future clearly planned and mapped out. Sage would graduate from the Tipton Intermediate Academy for Primary Knowledge a full year ahead of her class and was already taking courses on Social Development as well as Socio-Economic and Behavioral Disorders. Life was good and Tipton felt healthy… a good place to be… for everyone but Ex-Councilman Romlin.

Chapter One

Cambridge busied herself with the chores of the day while Cammi slept soundly on her daddy’s side of the bed. Quietly, Cambridge tiptoed into the room to sneak a peek at the raven haired beauty, snuggled deep within the luxurious bedding that Matthew usually occupied. Cambridge could just make out the ebony curls which were barely visible above the silk comforter.

The covers were so full and heavy Cambridge couldn’t tell if Cammi was breathing beneath them. A sense of mild panic took hold and warred within Cambridge.

Inside, Cambridge was sure Cammi was alright and sleeping soundly… finally… but that maternal instinct told her to check her baby… just in case. That would mean risking waking the child and while Cambridge wanted her to sleep, she also wanted to be sure she was just sleeping.

Slowly, Cambridge silently made her way to the bed.

Just as Cambridge was about to carefully lift the covers the tiny girl moved, shifting her weight from one side to the other and flinging her slight little arm out of the quilt, revealed an entire head of raven black curls. The little girl opened her big green eyes sleepily and seeing her mother peering down at her, smiled drowsily before peacefully returning to her dream of wild flowers and butterflies.

This had become a daily ritual and Cammi had come to expect her mother to enter the room, as she always did, right at the exact same time every day to feel her for evidence of life. It was actually something of a comfort to the sweet toddler and beyond that knowledge, there was very little else.

Home was a peaceful place, a place of safety and security but Cambridge had never completely shared this feeling with Cammi. Yes… Zorin was dead and all seemed well within Cambridge’s realm of normalcy so then why couldn’t she relax? What was it that kept her ever so slightly on edge?

Matthew was hard at work, hardly working, in Washington DC these days and Cambridge wished he would take their little family and relocate to the capitol. Having him gone so much of the time, in itself was a bit unnerving.

Since Cammies’ birth, the young couple had moved from their spacious apartment, into a beautiful old home… one of the first built in Sacramento. It was only a short drive from Grandma and Grandpa Thomas’s house and Cambridge found herself packing Cammi up and spending the night with her parents more and more frequently.

It wasn’t that Cambridge didn’t like the four story Victorian… she loved it but there was just too much room for two. It was as if… well… the house had stories of its own to tell… that’s all and whether the whispers in the night were real or imagined, Cambridge just did not like being there alone with Cammi so much.

Cambridge placed a slight but tender kiss on the little girl’s forehead before returning to the laundry. Once that was done it would be time to begin dinner. It was Friday night and Matthew would be coming in from Washington.

Matthew had been gone for nearly two weeks this time and Cambridge was anxious for everything to be just right… had even taken Cammi shopping earlier for new scented candles.

As the late afternoon sun timidly began to wade its way into the evening sky, Cambridge lit the candles, washed the baked potatoes, and placed them in the preheated oven before beginning the soufflé. This would give the potatoes just enough time to bake, all the way through, without burning the soufflé. Cambridge had already prepared the trifle for desert and had it chilling in the refrigerator. A fresh spinach salad, with bacon bits and poppy seed dressing, fresh baked rolls with creamy garlic butter would set this dinner off just right.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas had already agreed to take Cammi for the night so Cambridge and Matthew could spend a nice, quiet evening together. Cambridge was so overly ready for such an evening. The couple hadn’t spent more than a handful of nights together alone since their wedding night nearly two years earlier.

Cambridge carefully selected clean clothing, pajamas, toys and a special treat just for Cammi before taking the little girl to strap her into her car seat. Climbing into the front and placing the key in the ignition, Cambridge remembered she had left the candles burning inside the house.

Well, that’s not a good idea Cammi.

Cambridge turned to look at her wide eyed child as she debated whether it would be okay to leave the candles burning while she ran Cammi to her parents house or not.

They are contained in jars after all… still… I’d better run in and blow them out. The little girl mimicked her mother carefully, Bow ow. Cambridge smiled proudly at Cammi.

That’s right… blow out Cambridge enunciated the words very clearly before opening her car door.

Cammi… you wait here and be good while mommy runs in the house to blow out the candles." Fishing through her purse, Cambridge found a second set of keys and handed them to her toddler to jingle before she hurried into the house.

Chapter Two

In the cold sterility of the FBI morgue, in Washington DC, a heart that had been stopped and thought dead began to beat once more. The rhythm was faint and sporadic but beating just the same. The pale blue eye lids twitched as the rest of the body began to tremble ever so faintly. Suddenly the brilliant blue eyes flew open but could perceive nothing. All was cold and black.

Where am I? Zorin thought to himself as he tried to make his vocal cords work. It was no use. His throat was parched, his body frozen.

An indescribable agony, as if he were on fire, began to spread through Zorin’s limbs, as blood flow resumed. In his mind, he screamed from the intense pain but no sound escaped his cracked, dry lips.

How long had he been in this place? Zorin tried to remember what had happened but the trembling increased, causing his teeth to chatter uncontrollably in his head. Zorin tried to move and was sickened by the sound of his own frozen flesh as it strained and cracked. Who had done this to him? They would surely be made to pay for this crime against his person! Where was his father? Surely his father, powerful man that he was would not stand back for long and allow whom ever had done this to escape his vengeance!

As feeling returned to his limbs, Zorin moved his hands to feel solid metal sides all around him. Soon thereafter he realized he was completely naked, a large incision ran the entire length of his torso, another across his throat.

What the hell! The croaking sound which erupted from his strangled throat was almost more than he could bear. He did not recognize the sound of his own voice and the blinding pain caused him to lose consciousness for a moment.

Dizzy and shaking violently now, Zorin began to bang on the sides of the metal drawer with all his might but to no avail. Little did he know the morgue was closed up tight for the weekend. Only new arrivals, should there be any, would bring the government medical team back before Monday and seeing as how UFO’s were a rarity once again… there wasn’t much chance of that.

Zorin could feel the old rage begin to burn deep in his gut once more… the old hate was beginning to burn bright, his limbs tingling now with the radiant heat of his fury instead of trembling and whimpering like a whipped lapper.

Flashes of memory began to attack Zorin’s fevered mind. Temiah… so young… so beautiful as she danced about with the wild things, as if she herself was a wild thing, but she had died. Her screams came up to his ears and then Zorin realized they were not her screams but his. He had killed her! Zorin had touched her… hurt her but NO! Had he really done all of that? How could it be true? Hadn’t he loved her? Why… . why would he hurt her in so intimate a way?

She will laugh at you Zorin… she will reject you, you idiot! Zorin’s hands flew to his ears as if to shut out the voices he had heard that day. NO! He heard his strangled and mutilated throat choke out. NO! She loves me!!! She already told me so!!! But there was only silence in the morgue as hot tears scorched their way unchecked down Zorin’s frozen flesh. Sobbing, Zorin laid his forearm over his eyes.

She was so young. He choked out… Too young… I panicked and ran into the forest like the coward he knew I would be!!! Rolling onto his side with some difficulty as the drawer was not wide, Zorin tried to pull himself up into the fetal position. Tried to escape the memory but even as those thoughts left him… new ones began to flood his mind.

She can’t be alive… I saw him throw her into the water wheels and yet there she is… big as life and older… old enough. Perspiration began to bead up on Zorin’s lip. This time no one will take her from me! Zorin growled. "She’s mine!" And with that Zorin closed his eyes to the pitch of his surroundings, focusing entirely on how he would escape this frozen tomb.

Chapter Three

A strange, yet familiar, sense of foreboding hit Cambridge like a ton of bricks as she quickly blew out the candles and ran back out to the car. Cambridge found her toddler waiting patiently, happily jingling the keys Cambridge had given her.

Breathing a great sigh of relief, Cambridge chastised herself for being paranoid and over protective as she climbed into the vehicle, shifted it into reverse and backed out of the driveway.

I have got to loosen up! Cambridge laughed out loud and gazed lovingly in the rearview mirror at Cammi, who happily giggled along with her mother. Cambridge knew Cammi had no idea what she was laughing about and that made Cambridge laugh even harder at the toddler. Cammi… you are so silly little girl! Cammi simply continued to jingle her keys.

The drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s was not a long one but it was just long enough that soon Cammi had fallen asleep in her car seat.

Cambridge switched on the radio and turned it down so as not to disturb her little girl as she snored softly, her adorable, ebony clad little head resting on her arms, which were now, resting on the front of the car seat.

The drive was quiet and peaceful… the scenery woodsy and pleasant as Cambridge drove along, humming and singing softly to the radio.

It wasn’t until Cambridge pulled into her parent’s driveway that it hit. Blinding panic and Cambridge knew something was dreadfully wrong before she even pulled the car to a halt. Turning around to take the keys from Cammi, (As they had the keys to her parent’s house on them) Cambridge’s heart stopped cold in her chest. She could feel her face turning red and then blue. The scenery began to look hazy… blotchy and the colors swam before everything went black entirely.

The next thing Cambridge knew, she was lying in her old room, on her old bed, surrounded with her old things. It was as if she had somehow been transported through time and space.

As Cambridge fought to regain consciousness, her mother’s sweet face slowly came into focus, a familiar, heart wrenching feeling, gnawing its way to the center of her soul. Suddenly realization dawned and Cambridge sat bolt upright on her bed.

Cammi!!! Tears were streaming down her cheeks, Mr. Thomas bursting into the room, pale and confused.

Mrs. Thomas smoothed Cambridge’s hair and forced her to lie back down. Wringing the cold cloth she held in her hand out in the basin, sitting on the side table, Mrs. Thomas quietly and calmly placed it on Cambridge’s forehead.

Cambridge could tell Mrs. Thomas was trying with all her might to restrain herself and when she finally spoke, she was cautious in choosing just the right words.

Cambridge… tell us what’s happened. It wasn’t a request or a question… it was a statement… a command but Cambridge had no idea what had happened. One second Cammi had been asleep in the back seat and the next she was gone!

Cambridge tried to remember and frantically researched every move she had made in her mind. Had she stopped to get gas? Had she stopped at a store? Had she taken Cammi in the house with her and forgotten? Had she ever taken Cammi out to the car at all? Could it be that her baby was, even now, at home crying and wondering where her mother was? Was someone hurting her? Cambridge broke down without saying a word and sobbed.

Where is my baby mom? Someone has taken my baby!

Mrs. Thomas, sitting by Cambridge’s side, Mr. Thomas standing by the bed, both of them staring wordlessly at their hysterical daughter. Without looking away from Cambridge, Mrs. Thomas sucked in a deep breath…

Call Matthew.

Mr. Thomas, wide eyed and stunned, silently waltzed from the room. Within moments, the local police had arrived on the scene and Matthew was not far behind. Cambridge had not stopped crying and was now rocking to and fro, arms folded in front of her and she, tremulously making mumble jumble, trying to make sense in her head as to what might have happened.

Matthew stormed into the house taking the stairs by threes until he exploded into Cambridge’s old room. Without hesitation of any kind or question, Matthew took Cambridge in his arms and held her tight.

For a moment, Cambridge relaxed into her husband’s arms then suddenly, without provocation, Cambridge shoved Matthew away from her. Matthew stood from the bed, shock and surprise on his handsome features, his eyes questioning. The look of hatred on Cambridge’s face hid absolutely nothing as she stood, too quietly from the bed.

You left us… ALONE!!! You were gone and so… now is our baby!!! Matthew just stood, mouth clamped shut, not knowing what to say to his hysterically distraught wife. Quietly and calmly, Matthew tried to reason with Cambridge but Cambridge would have none of it.

This is not my fault Cambridge… you’re upset… you don’t know what you’re saying. This is nobody’s fault… we just need to focus now on getting Cammi back… that’s all. Cambridge looked at her hands, her trembling fingers, as she absentmindedly toyed with them.

You’re wrong Matthew. I know exactly what I’m saying. You’ve been gone too much. I was so worried about making things nice for you tonight… for us. I knew something was wrong but I was too worried about finally having you home again and now she’s gone and nothing you say or do is ever going to bring her back to me.

Cambridge’s chin was quivering violently now, tears streaming down her trembling cheeks. Matthew tried to comfort her… tried to take her in his arms but she recoiled back from him as if he were a venomous snake intent on biting her. When she spoke… it was Cambridge who hissed.

Don’t you dare touch me! Matthew dropped his hands to his sides… he could do nothing but stare at her before walking away. At the door Matthew turned back to Cambridge.

You might think you hate me right now Cambridge but this is NOT my fault… I will get our baby back and you too if possible but this is not my fault. With that Matthew walked quietly from the room.

A moment or two later, another agent came through the door and it was like an instant repeat of two years earlier. The agent had the chair from the hall table and he sat it down, next to the bed, where Cambridge had allowed herself to collapse once more.

Is it alright if I sit here next to you Mrs. Turner? Cambridge cast him an irritated look of loathing which clearly expressed how pathetic she obviously thought he was.

I just need to ask you a few questions… if it isn’t too much trouble. Cambridge thought all government agents caused too much trouble but as they were there to help, Cambridge let out an exasperated sigh of resignation and reluctantly nodded her head.

Okay… let’s just start with this morning and work up to the point where you realized Camarie was missing. It wasn’t very often that someone used Cammi’s given name and the sound of it set off an explosion of emotions. How Cambridge wished Camarie was there and not on Tipton. All of this bore striking similarities to the events of two years ago. How first, Camarie was taken from Cambridge, mysteriously, in the night, and she had been blamed, and now the exact same thing was happening all over again. Cambridge felt sick… in every way.

I did not kidnap my baby. Cambridge uttered these words under her breath so softly the agent almost hadn’t heard her.

Pardon me Mrs. Turner? No ma’am, no one thinks you did ma’am. Cambridge was numb, her head foggy. Suddenly all Cambridge wanted was her husband. Turning on the agent, Cambridge bellowed out.

Get my husband right now! Matthew!!! If I have to come find you I swear!!! Startled, the man stumbled toward the door. He was pale and a little shaken at this highly unusual, not to mention completely unexpected, outburst.

Within seconds, Matthew was once again standing in the doorway, looking at Cambridge then looking at the floor. Taking a deep breath and looking up from his clean, white Nike’s, without moving his head, Matthew pursed his lips and considered Cambridge carefully before speaking.

So… . what happened? Cambridge lost all courage and slumped down onto the bedside. Shaking, trembling and sobbing as she toyed with her thumbs.

She was right there Matthew… in her car seat asleep. We had been laughing, she was playing with my keys and then she was gone! Matthew was immediately at her side, holding her protectively. Looking down at her he realized, she was so young… too young to have endured all she had been put through and now this. Hadn’t she suffered enough? Cambridge… did you stop anywhere, anywhere at all, for any reason? Cambridge shook her head, still sobbing.

Nope… I spent all day working on dinner for tonight, doing laundry… the usual stuff. I had filled the car with gas earlier, when I took Cammi shopping with me, and even then I had the gas attendant fill the tank for me so I wouldn’t have to get out!

Matthew looked pitifully at Cambridge… there was just no stemming the flow and now Matthew was having a difficult time keeping himself composed. This wasn’t just some nameless face… a case number he could distance himself from… though he was trying. This was his child… his wife… his family.

Matthew felt the hot tears sting his eyes and fought to maintain control but Cambridge caught the quiver in his voice as he spoke and looked into his reddening eyes. Cambridge… from the time you placed Cammi in the car until you pulled into mom and dad’s driveway… you didn’t stop anywhere?

As Matthew’s shoulders began to give way, it was clear to Cambridge that he was not his strongest self right at that moment. Cambridge threw her arms around her husband, shaking her head as she did.

I didn’t stop anywhere Matthew… not anywhere. She just disappeared. She was there one minute and gone the next. Matthew and Cambridge sat on the bed, trembling and crying until suddenly, Matthew jumped up. Startled, Cambridge wiped at the tears in her eyes so as to see Matthew more clearly.

What is it Matthew? Cambridge hiccupped and wiped at her cheeks again but Matthew just shook his head as if he were having a private argument with himself, mumbling something about, This can’t be… it isn’t possible and so on. Cambridge stood and walked over to him.

What do you suspect Matthew? But Matthew put her away from him as if she were complicating his thinking processes.

Without another word, Matthew stalked from the room to the hall phone, Cambridge following close on his heels, waiting patiently while Matthew didn’t.

Pacing up and down the hall, as he waited for someone to answer the phone, Matthew was anxious and irritated with whoever finally picked up.

Yes… I’m not interested in what you were doing! This is Agent Matthew Turner and I need some answers! Patch me through to the morgue! Cambridge couldn’t help but admire her husband as he forcefully pushed his way around FBI headquarters.

Yea… I know it’s full of dead people but hopefully there’s at least one warm body there somewhere… . I don’t care if it’s the weekend or not!!! Bloody well get someone over there and then have them call me here… . At my in-laws!!! 555-0915! With that Matthew slammed the receiver back into its cradle.

Cambridge couldn’t do anything but watch Matthew, as he continued to pace up and down the hall, clearly waiting for the return call. Placing a calming hand on Matthew’s shoulder, Cambridge spoke in hushed tones.

What is it you suspect Matthew? Matthew stopped short, staring at Cambridge as if he couldn’t believe she hadn’t already thought of it herself, his features softening after a moment.

Doesn’t this seem just a little bit too familiar? Too similar to another disappearance we are both well acquainted with? Cambridge calmly nodded her head confirming to Matthew what he already knew. Cambridge had been thinking the exact same thing. Somehow Zorin was connected to their baby’s disappearance.

But he’s dead Matthew… . he’s been dead for nearly two years. Dead, autopsied, researched, cut up, mutilated. How much more dead can the guy possibly be to be dead? Matthew shook his head, determined it was Zorin somehow.

I know that jerk is connected to this Cambridge… I don’t know how cuz you’re right… he’s pretty dead but we know very little about Tiptonians, what they’re capable of, and I just have a feeling something’s wrong and it’s got something to do with Zorin. Cambridge tried to identify with her feelings about this and was surprised to find she could not dispute Matthew’s claims. He was right… something was up, she could feel it.

How it had happened was an absolute mystery but Cambridge knew Matthew was right… Zorin was once again up to no good.

Chapter Four

The nightmares were relentless as Camarie tossed and turned in her sleep. They were keeping her awake and though she was unable to recall the details, Camarie was sure they had something to do with Cambridge.

Avon was in bed beside Camarie, his head supported on his hand, perched on his elbow, as he gazed down at her, tossing and turning, moaning and twisting until her eyes fluttered open, to find him staring down at her, as he so often seemed to these days.

Another nightmare I’m assuming love? Camarie let out a long sigh, clearly confused. Avon pulled her closer to him so she could rest on his chest.

You know… it’s a strange thing… you’re dreaming… you’re worried and I can see it all over you but I cannot for the life of me read what’s going on in your head and believe me… I’ve tried. It’s very strange. There was nothing to be said and so Camarie remained silent. The twins would wake up soon enough and then there would be no more silence until nap time at noon.

Avon found a great sense of relief in knowing he had a few days off. The dark circles under Camarie’s eyes were getting worse, she had lost weight and Avon was worried about her.

Not wanting to burst the bubble, Avon remained still, with Camarie on his chest, a few minutes longer before extricating himself from her.

You stay in bed sweetheart, I will be bringing you breakfast this morning. Camarie stretched clear out until she groaned. Her spine popped in a couple of places and Avon raised a questioning eyebrow in her direction.

That’s right Avon… your wife is falling apart… one piece at a time. Avon smirked at her before smiling as if to say, I don’t think so but I’ll humor you just the same.

It wasn’t long at all before Avon returned strolling into the bedroom with a tray full of food. Camarie loved cooking… loved being a wife and all that that entailed but Avon really was a superb chef. It was nice whenever he decided to work some of his culinary magic on her.

Camarie had just eaten the last bite of toast and was still sipping her juice when there was a knock at the door. This time it was Camarie’s turn to raise an eyebrow at Avon.

Who do you suppose that might be at this time of the morning? Avon shrugged his shoulders before leaving Camarie alone with her juice to answer the door.

Avon was gone a good deal longer than Camarie had anticipated and was frowning intently upon returning.

What? Camarie didn’t like the look in his eyes… something was really wrong.

Trouble darling. Avon was being evasive… that wasn’t like him. We’ve got real trouble. Camarie’s stomach was doing flip flops and the delicious breakfast she had just wolfed down was threatening to bounce back.

Fairly certain she didn’t want to know, but knowing she could not hide from it forever, Camarie set the tray aside, sat up strait against the back of the four poster and folded her hands in her lap… waiting patiently for Avon to continue.

It’s Sage… . she’s… . very sorry to tell you that… . she will be watching the twins for us today! Camarie shrieked with mock rage and threw a pillow at her laughing husband only to hear yet another knock at the door. Exasperated slightly Avon cast Camarie a questioning glance to which she shrugged