Entanglement

By Sue Binder

Lindsay and Amber Kellen yearn to escape from the secluded life imposed by their domineering father, Jonas Kellen, a brilliant scientist. Since their birth they have resided on Earth A-2, an alternative dimension where they have been “called” to cleanse infected words—their father’s words. When they were 4 and 6, their mother died under unexplained circumstances. Their efforts at attending real schools, finding friendships and outside interests are all thwarted by their father who has trained them to work on the Kellen Project since babyhood. As both women begin to question the validity of their work, they are torn between leaving the program and caring for their father who is descending into alcoholism and madness. Their choices are limited when Amber’s love, Malik, is killed in the destruction of his planet and Lindsay is lost during a quantum jump. Suddenly, Amber is thrust into a strong leadership role, as she seeks to locate her sister, while carrying hatred toward her father whom she blames for Malik’s death. Meantime, Lindsay faces death in a fierce blizzard, uncertain why her family can’t seem to locate her with their sophisticated scientific devices. Although she is rescued by a darkly mysterious man, Ronan, she soon learns that he is bent on avenging the death of his father and wife. She is stuck in a primitive world with an old woman and child and is unable to control the situation. In spite of her reservations, she finds herself attracted to the complicated man. Amber finds no help from her uncle, Trevor, her aunt, or cousin in locating her sister. Jonas blames Trevor for the loss of LIndsay and Trevor makes plans to leave the program. Amber has no other resources to rely on, except the Super Computer Kellen. Is he friend or foe? Is he capable of understanding and aligning with human emotions? After all, he was programmed as an image of their father. As her father unravels even further, Amber learns she is pregnant. She must flee the home and program for the safety of herself and her child, even if that means deserting her sister. But will her father let her leave or will he hold her hostage to his own entangled delusions?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sue Binder
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005957971

Sue Binder

I have written most of my life. While still a pre-schooler, I once got in trouble for scribbling in the back of a book. I continued writing throughout school, working on high school and college newspapers, and eventually getting a BA in journalism and creative writing. I have worked as a newspaper writer and editor, as well as a variety of other jobs, such as a substitute teacher, college instructor, and even an Avon saleslady. Currently I hold two master degrees and am a Licensed Professional Counseler and Licensed Addictions Counselor, and have worked in a private prison. Currently I work for a community health clinic as a Behavioral Health Therapist. I love to read, favorites being Tony Hillerman, Henning Mankill and Patrick Taylor, as well as Steve Barry. I love music, current favorites being Celtic Thunder and Josh Groban. My pride and joy are my four children and five grandchildren. I reside in Southeast Colorado, where I continue to write. My current burning desire is a trip to Ireland. Special thank you to my sister, Sandy, for encouraging me to follow her path to Smashwords.

Book preview

Other Publications by Author

Dumpsters: Short Stories also available as an e-book.

Bodies in Beds: Why Business Should Stay Out of Prison

Hands Down: A Domestic Violence Treatment Manual

Hands Down: A Domestic Violence Instructor’s Manual

E-Books

Romances:

Dad’s Double Storm

Summer Harvest

Mr. Living History

Short Stories:

Dumpsters

Passing Lane

Detour

Construction Zone

Meltdown

Other:

I’ll Never Make Parole (humor)

Special Effects (poetry)

Dedication

For my sisters, Sandy and Bonnie

Sandy, I appreciate you keeping me inspired to write and sharing your faith.

Bonnie, I appreciate your example of family, home, and love.

And in Memory of

William Lewis Noonie Grissom

Who left this world far to soon but left us with fun, silly, and sad memories.

Will always miss you, brother.

Cast of Characters

Lindsay—Oldest daughter raised by her father as a scientist since her mother died. She longs to escape from the family project.

Amber—Lindsay’s sister. Usually passive, she relies on her sister’s guidance. She blames her father for the death of her boyfriend.

Malik Vertuzzi—Amber’s love, killed when planet was destroyed.

Jonas—Lindsay’s father, inventor of the Kellen project, once held the title of Chief Executive Science Coordinator Earth-1 before he was discredited.

Heather—Lindsay and Amber’s mother, died when the girls were 6 and 4.

Trevor—Jonas’ brother and scientist who feels manipulated and trapped by both his wife and brother.

Chandra—Trevor’s wife, who married for prestige, but avoids the Kellen project.

Michala—Trevor’s daughter, a rebellious woman, now engaged to a prominent attorney.

Jesse Johannsen—Michala’s fiancée with aspirations for high political office.

Ronan—A former friar who violated his vows, bent on revenging his father and wife.

Kiera—Ronan’s four-year-old daughter.

Louisa—Ronan’s mother who cares for Kiera and resents Lindsay.

Marissa—Kiera’s mother, murdered when Kiera was an infant.

Nila—Marissa’s mother. Works as spy for Kahl.

Kaiser Kahl—notorious, evil ruler, Ronan’s sworn enemy.

Harry Jensen—Local farmer, sides with Ronan, opposed to Kahl.

John—Soldier who aids Lindsay.

Dictionary

Anchors: Tracers that can be attached to another person or device to retrieve them from a planet or zone. Used primarily in emergencies to rescue family members.

Crystal: The device that collects strands of consciousness containing history, science, geology, biology, environment and all essential elements of a civilization and includes knowledge both from past or current data.

Kellen: A quantum computer, contains the collaborative consciousness of the project.

Kellen Chamber: Located on Cedar Street, contains Kellen and the crystals.

Strands: The elements of consciousness that contain the components of a civilization. These are collected through filters and placed within the crystals which are then integrated into Kellen.

Zones: Dimensions. The number of planets within each zone may vary, based upon the loss due to meteorites, human destruction or other system defects.

Settings

• Earth is the initial Zone, known as A-1. Home of the Kellen brothers where the project was created.

• Home Base is located on Earth 2 or A-2, where the Kellen men fled after their positions and lives were threatened. Lindsay and Amber were born on A-2.

• B-1-Stable Earth where the Kellen men met their wives. Trevor’s daughter Makala was born there.

• C-2 Malik’s home zone, C being the Zone designation, and 2 being the planet within the Earth system.

• D-12 A stable planet within D zone, where Makala and her fiancée reside.

Prologue

Two flaxen heads of hair, both blue-eyed, the girls could have easily passed for twins. Yet there were two years between them, the oldest being six, while her sister was only four. On a lazy afternoon, they sprawled upon the thick powder blue carpet of their bedroom, their attention locked on the ivory and lilac doll house. Their small hands deftly fingered tiny plastic figures as they placed them strategically in the miniature rooms, Whooping and hollering, they eagerly divided the tiny furnishings.

Would you like to do the kitchen? asked the younger girl. I’ll work on the living room.

Okay. I’ll put mom in the kitchen, making supper.

I’ll put the TV on this wall, so the father can view the screen.

Well, that’s where he always is, staring at the screen when he’s home or at the monitor in the Chamber.

The two girls broke into laughter.

I think we can make some cushions and things. Mom will let us use some of her yarn when she gets home.

I’ll put the girls on their beds. See, I made two books yesterday for them to read, Lindsay held the miniature tomes between her fingers.

You and your books. She beamed at her sister, the tiny gash at the edge of Amber’s right eye almost unnoticeable.

Lindsay winced, recalling how her sister had fallen against the sharp rock in the backyard. Her quick legs had reached Amber before the two-year-old lost her eye. Still, father had screamed at her, blaming her for not watching her sister more closely.

You love books, too. You can read almost as good as I can, Lindsay reminded her sister.

You taught me how to sound the letters out.

I think supper’s almost ready. Lindsay pointed to the mother figure, standing over the stove with a tiny pan on the appliance.

I remember when we first got the doll house, Amber spoke.

Me, too. I knew dad would be mad at her. He doesn’t like toys.

No, we’re supposed to study things. But I love our doll house. I remember when we saw it in the mall.

Lindsay remembered how Amber had been the first to spot it and started the beg. She, being the oldest, had outgrown doll houses, at least she thought so. Still, she joined her sister in the chime. Mother had smiled that sweet turned-up smile, but with a trace of uncertainty. Toys were not on the grocery list. But in the end mother could not resist the enchanting two-story Victorian doll house with its lilac trim and deep purple door. Nor could she resist the pleas of her daughters.

Both girls understood why mother hesitated. They knew their father would not like the doll house. He would insist that they should be studying, not playing. He would rave and rant at mother, and she’d have to justify the expense, maybe figure out a way to make it like schoolwork. That’s why they usually kept the doll house in the closet, away from anyone who might enter, except mother. She loved the doll house, too, and spent many hours arranging furniture and making up stories with the girls.

Engaged in their play, they had lost track of time. Their lessons lay forgotten on their matching oak desks in the corner of the room.

I think the baby’s hungry. It’s taking mom too long to fix her bottle.

Maybe dad could do it. He’s not helpless.

Dad would say that’s woman’s job.

Yeah, but we can make him feed the baby. We can do anything we want.

Amber smiled, as she lifted the baby and placed it beside the father figure.

Abruptly, the bedroom door flew opened, and the two girls leaped up, guilty. Their father stood in the doorway, glowering at them. Lindsay’s hands immediately clenched. She shifted her body protectively to one side almost covering her sister.

You are supposed to be studying. Where are your books? Where did you get this thing, this abomination? He pointed at the dollhouse, his breathing heavy, labored. Lindsay, you are supposed to be teaching your sister to read and learn her numbers, not wasting time. This is your mother’s fault. She coddles you. But that will never happen again. Never! He kicked the doll house with his foot, sending it flying across the room.

Amber began to whimper, and Lindsay squeezed her sister’s shoulder. Don’t be scared, she whispered.

Her father turned to her, his eyes burning. You stop that. You’re acting just like your mother. Always making excuses, giving you girls a pass. No discipline, that’s what she had. No discipline and it has been her undoing.

He paced the floor, his eyes darting back and forth around the room, as if judging the placement of every object. This doll house and this preoccupation with toys will stop. Now! You will gather all the pieces and throw them in the trash. If I find one piece left you will be sorry.

What that meant Lindsay wasn’t sure. She didn’t remember that he had ever struck them, but his words sometimes pierced her spirit. She wanted mother to come home. Mother could usually soothe father’s anger. Maybe she’d be home soon. For now, Lindsay could only nod, but inside she seethed with anger. It wasn’t fair. They hadn’t done anything wrong.

As if anticipating her thoughts, he spoke firmly. I am your father, and you will obey me. And you should know, right now, before someone else tells you, your mother is not coming back. She is gone.

Lindsay jerked. What was he saying? Their mother was gone? She felt confused, hot. Her hands began to shake. She pulled her sister closer. She searched for her voice, but words didn’t come.

Her father continued. There was an accident where your mother was working. She will not be coming back.

I don’t understand, Lindsay dared to speak, but swallowed the words in the dryness of her throat.

It’s simple enough. Your mother was killed. She is dead. Your Aunt Chandra will be in charge now. If needed, I will hire someone because I will have even more work now.

He turned his back on them. Pick up the damned doll house now. He slammed the door as he exited the room.

The vibrating noise left the girls trembling in its stead. Amber’s whine turned to a sob, as she struggled with words. What happened to her? Where’s mama?

Father said she died.

Maybe she went to heaven like in my book.

Remember Papa has told us there’s no such thing as heaven.

Where is she then?

Nowhere, I guess. Just gone. Lindsay felt tears coming herself. She was trying so hard to be brave for her little sister. They had been good girls. Their mother had taught them to obey her and their father, even when it was hard. They usually picked up their toys and did their homework. Amber was learning her numbers. What had they done wrong that her mother was gone? Why did mother have to work? Did father make her work? Lindsay didn’t know what mother did. She just left early in the morning using the Chamber platform when father came for her. Maybe it was like her friend Tara’s mother who commuted to work on a ferry across the river.

Without further thought, she followed her father’s act, aimed her foot at the remaining parts of the doll house and kicked it across the room before she burst into tears.

I want my Mama, Amber cried.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just got mad, her sister apologized. Let’s get in bed. I bet your Callie needs a hug.

Amber ran to the bed and leaped up, grabbing the doll and hugged it to her chest, fresh tears raining onto the doll’s dress.

Lindsay joined her and found her Tuffy, clutching the stuffed dog to her chest as well. We’re going to be fine, she assured her sister. I’ll always be here for you.

The door sprang open. A girl with waist-length night-black hair stepped through. A foot-taller than the others, she marched right up to the beds, her hands on her hips, and stood between the girls. I just heard about your mother. Too bad. She should have been more careful. From what my mother tells me, the work is dangerous. Someone probably killed her. I don’t even know if your father can get her body back.

Amber began to sob harder, her small body racked in heaves. Lindsay moved across to her sister’s bed and cradled her. She turned to the older girl. Michala, get out of our room. She stood up and faced her cousin. You get your butt out of our room and don’t you ever come in here again!

Or what?

I’ll wait until you are sound asleep, and I’ll creep into your room and cut your hair off! No, I will shave your stupid head!

A knock and the door opened for the third time. Michala, go to your room. Wearing a green mini-skirt with a matching blouse, the black-haired woman sauntered into the room. I’m so sorry about your mother. I’ll try to do the best I can, but I think your father will have to send you to live with your grandparents.

Is my mom in heaven? Amber asked her aunt Chandra.

No, Amber. Heaven is a fantasy made up for little girls, just like Santa Claus. You are big girls now. Your mom is gone. Just gone. You better get used to it.

The woman glanced at her watch, flicked her shoulder-length tresses to one side and then turned and slammed the door behind her.

Chapter 1

Get your ass out of that bed!

Lindsay stood over her sister’s bed, her shoulders thrown back, her eyes boring into Amber’s face. She reached down and yanked the covers back. Get up! Now!

Go away, leave me, Amber rolled back over in the bed.

Not going to happen. I will stand over you for the rest of your life, if I have to. You are NOT going to starve yourself. I know why you are doing this. You are too much of a coward to blow your brains out or jump off a bridge. You’ve always been the hesitant one. But I refuse to stand by and allow you to die. Do you know that I haven’t been able to sleep since you got back, tossing and turning, horrific nightmares, just scared to death that you will die, and I’ll be stuck here with father forever. Lindsay stopped, exhausted by her own words.

Amber sat up. So that’s what you are really worried about. Being stuck with Father, having to work on his stupid quantum project, having to jump from zone to zone, forever stuck in dimensional space.

No. No. I didn’t mean it like that. What I meant was that I’m sick of this, of you feeling sorry for yourself. I won’t allow it, you hear me! If I have to insert an IV to nourish you, I will. Look, sis… She deposited herself on Amber’s bed. You and I have talked many times over the years about leaving, escaping from this life. After everything that’s happened, we have to finalize those plans. We have to get serious. But we can’t do that, not if you are determined to lay here, day after day, getting progressively weaker.

We’ll never, never escape. He would find a way and pull us back from any zone.

No, I won’t let that happen. Look at yourself, Amber. You are getting weaker each day, eating like a little bird. You get up and go to the bathroom and back to bed. Sip your soup, only when I make you. It’s been almost two months since Malik died. I don’t think he would want this for you. I think he would want you to go on.

Amber suddenly sat up in her bed, stared at her sister. What did you say?

What, what do you mean?

"We go on. That’s what he sang. We go on. Amber’s sobs broke through her pain. He said, We never die. But he knew he was going to die, even when I thought there might be hope."

Lindsay hugged her tighter. "He gave you a reason to live. Don’t let him down, little sister. Right now, I want you to eat, to watch a movie, to read a book. Start embracing life again with a routine. I know you’re weak now after weeks of weeping and sleeping. But I refuse to tolerate anymore. Malik was right. We go on."

I hate Father!. I hate him! He could have saved Malik, but he refused. He killed him! We need to leave this, this terrible place. We need to escape.

Yes, we do, and I know you’re upset now. You saw the final destruction of an entire planet. I can understand how that has devastated you. I will talk with Father, point out to him how we both need to get on with our lives. With the right incentive, perhaps we can enlist his help. Then we can start making serious plans to leave, to live our own lives. But right now, you need to get up and take a shower. God, you smell terrible. A smile crinkled her mouth.

Amber smiled back, a tentative one, but full of hope. Lindsay had always been the strong one, the one who protected her from conflict, took the lead against their father. In spite of her pain, she knew her sister would not fail her now.

Lindsay was angry, hostile, raging as she confronted her father that afternoon. I just want to stop. I don’t want to jump anymore. And I don’t care about the project. I never did! She was tromping back and forth across the room, her Nikes emphasizing each word. You really don’t get it? Amber and I have wanted to stop since we were kids and absolutely when we reached out teens. We spent hours together planning how wonderful it would be to just stay in one place, go to school, get a job, maybe find a boyfriend, and now… Her voice trailed off at her own words as she considered her sister’s pain.

So, this explosion is about your sister’s situation?

Situation? Is that all you think this is? She is miserable right now. And all of this could be avoided. You had the ability to alter the ‘situation,’ as you call it, but you didn’t.

You know why. You know there are things beyond our ability, things we have no right to meddle with.

Really, you could have fooled me. All I see is that we are sticking our noses in places where we shouldn’t. There was a way to make Amber’s life more pleasant, more content, and you refused to do a damn thing about it! Lindsay felt her hands shaking. She couldn’t recall ever being so rebellious and angry toward her father. But, damn it all, this was her little sister.

In good conscience I could not alter the outcome on C-2. We do not interfere with time outcomes, only with the strands of creation. I feel badly for her loss, but…

Well, you retrieved the strands you needed before C-2 collapsed and Malik along with it. Just tell me the truth, Dad. Did you destroy that man? She plopped herself down on the divan and buried her head into the palms of her hands.

Jonas Kellen shook his head. C-2 was doomed and all with it.

Don’t give me that. Just answer the question.

It’s okay, Lindsay. The voice rose from the hallway filtering into the family room. I appreciate your caring, but it’s too late. What’s happened is done. I have made a decision, though, one which will affect everyone—at least temporarily. Amber moved slowly across the room and slipped onto the divan next to her sister.

Lindsay noted the dark circles, the red eyes with the scar etched even deeper, the drawn face, and the tangled blonde tresses. Even though her father had provided Amber with sleep medication, she looked exhausted. Lindsay slipped her right hand over her sister’s hand with a gentle squeeze. She knew how difficult it was for Amber to assert herself.

I’m going to take a break from jumping. I’m not sure how long. I just need some time to think, to get past this situation…

Lindsay winced at the word. Apparently Amber had been listening for some time. And deliberately used the situation word. In the same moment, Lindsay felt guilt creep over her. Her ranting and yelling at their father had probably alarmed her sister. Maybe I was wrong to push her to get up and move about, but I was so scared that she might kill herself, Lindsay reasoned.

I know this will short-change the team, but I can remain here and track your progress, monitor Kellen and perhaps do some studying. As you both know, I’ve wanted to go to school, and this would give me a chance.

Jonas Kellen frowned. He circled the bar and opened the refrigerator, grabbing a pitcher of his home brew. He retrieved a frosted mug and poured the liquid before setting the cold brew back into the refrigerator. He plopped back onto the bar stool.

I’m not sure how we will manage, he spoke, as he took a swig of the liquor. Chandra and Michala are both off base, taking a vacation on D-12, after we completed sanitization there. I only have Trevor to help with gatherings. He took another swig. But what’s this about schooling? You girls have been home schooled since you were practically babies. What more would you want to study? You have all the skills you need for the project.

Amber shrugged. I’m not sure. I think I’d like to know more about Earth history for one thing. Maybe study some psychology or anthropology. Maybe religion. I don’t know. Just explore and get some direction… Her voice trailed off.

Lindsay squeezed her sister’s hand again, encouraging her. Amber had always been the shy one, fearful of talking back to her father. Still, she was managing better today with only brief hesitations. Perhaps it was her loss that propelled her forward as never before.

Just what good would any of that do you? Her father took another swig and stood, again crossing behind the bar, readying himself for another mug. You have all the education you need for our work. The more we’ve expanded, the closer we’ve come to completion. I need all the help I can get. I can’t afford to lose anyone at this time. He sloped the remainder of the pitcher into his mug. He’d have to stir up another batch, his own recipe. He’d gathered his own micro-brewing equipment after his wife died, when there was no one around to nag at his occasional enjoyment.

Lindsay felt her sister cringe. They both knew that their father had taken to drinking more and more over the years, almost continually, and relying on them more frequently to do the critical work. He had never gotten out of control or been physically abusive with them. But the alcohol often made him grumpy and irritable. Both women had learned to ignore his rude remarks at such times. Yet, the drinking also seemed to relax him and he slept soundly, almost as if the alcohol put him in a stupor and provided them with quieter, less intense moments. As much as they loved him, their concern for his drinking grew and the way that it appeared to affect his project decisions.

Once more Lindsay felt her anger rise to the surface. Anger for her sister’s loss and the continual non-ending journey demanded voice. She stood and crossed toward her father. The problem is that it never ends. It never ends! You know that. Because the expanse is forever. Zone A, Zone B, Zone C, on and on. Worlds without end! Our work is useless, useless!

Her father stomped to the front of the bar. His eyes flashed with rage. He dropped the mug in his hand and it crashed to the floor, shattering and splashing liquid over the tile.

Amber jumped at the sound and then dropped her eyes to her lap, shivering.

Jonas Kellen ranted on. Wrong! You are so wrong! How can you even think that? You have been with me all these years. You have seen the work that we have done, our accomplishments. You know how we have been able to gather strands from deteriorating worlds, preserving their history within adjacent worlds. How we have been able to splice strands and, thus, implement stronger values and codes within worlds. And how we have managed to keep the destructive strands from filtering into adjacent worlds. He stood over Lindsay, glaring.

Lindsay had never seen her father so angry. Granted, he’d been drinking. She took a deep breath. Retreating was critical at this moment. She needed to defuse the situation. What you are saying has truth, father. I’m tired and I’m worried about Amber. I think we all need a break. As a family, we spend too much time together and that creates tension. I’m grateful that Trevor’s family has taken a break. But he will be back soon and with my help, we’ll be able to complete the next cleansing. Don’t you think it would be a good thing for Amber to take a small break at this time?

Her father dropped his head. Sometimes I feel like you both question my work. Perhaps you think I am an obsessed, compulsive old man. And maybe I am. But I was called to this project and must continue the work. In the end, it will pay off. You’ll see.

Lindsay doubted that. She doubted it more with each passing year. She felt like a prisoner, locked into a machine known as Kellen, forever trapped by her own father, by the strands of consciousness that defined all existence. Perhaps she wasn’t real. Perhaps her father had created her and Amber from some strands that he’d pick up on some deteriorating zone. The thought brought a shiver to her spine.

As her father stomped from the room, Lindsay knew all they had to do was pack their bags and walk out the door. She also realized they had no credentials, armed with home school only. How would they find work? They had no credit cards,