Norslata: A New Home

By Lee M. Lewis

Seventeen-year-old Casey Rollinss whole life changes in just one night when a detective comes to her home to tell her of her parents death.
The year is 2405, and the government is very strict about children living with a proper guardian until they are eighteen. Their solution is to send Casey to her aunt, whom she did not know she had, that lives on the planet Norslata, which she did not know existed, as Earths liaison.
Norslata is a beautiful planeta lot like Earthbut Casey is surprised to learn that life there is like a throwback to the old colonial days of Earth: the style of dress, no electricity, running water, or any other modern conveniences that Casey as grown up with on Earth. As Casey and her aunt travel by carriage to the City of Arles, she learns that living on the planet are six different intelligent species: the Awsorthians, Kvalens, Imathians, Ruthians, Timates, and the Griffons.
As Casey comes to terms with the loss of her parents, she finds a new life on Norslata with family, friends, and love. She develops the gift of dream sharing and must be adopted into the Kvalen race to be taught to control it. Then she has to travel to the top of the Arana Mountains to save Sheetala Tahki, a Griffon, whom she has never met in person.
In the end, Casey agrees to return to the Griffon city, Ayo, with Sheetala and learn all that she can from the Griffon people. She realizes that she has come to love the planet Norslata and all that it holds and wishes to learn all that she can about it; all in hope that one day she may become her aunts replacement as liaison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496951984

Lee M. Lewis

Lee M. Lewis lives in a small town in Missouri, USA. She enjoys spending time outside when not on the computer creating another book. She hopes that all who purchase this novel finds it as enjoyable as she had while creating it.

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© 2014 Lee M. Lewis. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/21/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-5247-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-5198-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Glossary

Dedication

To Etta for putting up with all those hours I was on the computer. To my sons Stephen and Casey, I finally did it and to my father Gerald Louis Baker (August 11, 1929- May 8, 1991) thank you for opening the world of books to me when I was a child

Chapter One

Casey woke as the speaker box buzzed one more time above her head. Why didn’t Mother or Father answer the dang thing? They should have been home by now. The box buzzed again and she reached up and hit the button. Yes.

Miss Casey Rollins? questioned a male voice.

Yes, who is this?

Detective Allen Bates ma’am if you could buzz me in.

Detective? she questioned waking up more.

Yes, Miss Rollins if you could please buzz me in, he said again.

Of course, said Casey and hit the button that would open the gate at the end of the drive. Casey got up throwing on the jeans and the t-shirt she had taken off earlier. She looked at the clock that was by her bed, it was three in the morning. Casey was confused. Why were the police here and why hadn’t one of her parents answered the call? She left her room and went down stairs were the detective was knocking. One moment please.

Casey got to the door and opened it to the detective. He was an older man probably in his mid-forties, short black hair, needed a shave and brown eyes. He was average height and was wearing an off the rack blue suit.

Miss Casey Rollins? he asked, flashing his badge.

Yes.

May I come in?

Casey stepped back some and let him come on in the house. What can I do for you Detective?

Miss, maybe you should sit down, said Allen. The poor kid couldn’t be more then eighteen, nineteen years old. She was around five ten or eleven, maybe one hundred and twenty pounds, if even that much. She had long sandy blond hair that she kept moving out of her face, which was slender with a small nose and deep blue eyes.

Casey woke more when she saw something flash in his eyes. I don’t think so. What’s going on?

Please Miss, if you could just have a seat, he said. Allen took her by the elbow, walked her over to a bench that was just inside the door and sat her down. Are your parents Sara and Jonathan Rollins?

Yes, answered Casey. I don’t know why they didn’t answer your call, they should be upstairs.

Did you parents go out this evening Miss Rollins?

A fund raiser, she said and looked at him. Did something happen, were they in a wreck or something?

I’m sorry Miss Rollins but your parents runner went off an embankment and down into a ravine, he said as he knelt down in front of her. It caught fire, there were no survivors.

No, said Casey as shock started to set in. She rose up from the bench, ran up the stairs to her parents’ room. He had to be mistaken, not her parents, her father was the best driver ever. She opened the bedroom door, went in, and saw that there wasn’t anyone in the bed. It had to be a mistake. It just had to be.

Allen waited as the young woman came back down stairs. I’m sorry, is there anyone I can call for you?

Casey sat down on the next to last step. No, my parents were only children and both sets of grandparents are gone.

A friend of the family maybe, said Allen really feeling bad now.

Michael, he’s daddy’s business partner.

His last name, Miss Rollins? he asked taking his pad out of his pocket.

Watts, she answered and looked up at him. Are you sure it was their runner?

I’m afraid so Miss Rollins, said Allen. Let me just make that call for you.

Some time later Michael and his wife Elizabeth were there. Elizabeth took one look at Casey and immediately went over to her. Casey, she said softly sitting down beside her and wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

Casey looked at Elizabeth. He says Mother and Father were in an accident, she said as she started to sob.

Elizabeth pulled Casey to her and looked to her husband. Call the doctor Michael.

Of course, he said giving the detective a look, like what the hell, were you thinking.

I’m going to take Casey to her room, said Elizabeth. She got Casey up on her feet, turned around and they went up the stairs.

Casey let Elizabeth walk her up the stairs, into her room sat her on her bed. She looked at her. He’s wrong, couldn’t he be wrong?

We’re going to find out dear, said Elizabeth and held Casey to her as she cried.

The detective hadn’t been wrong. It had been her parent’s runner with her parents inside. They had to use dental records to identify them. After crying that first night, Casey just shut down and let Michael handle the funeral arrangements and everything else. She kept thinking how her mother and she were supposed to go look at colleges this week. She had just graduated and had wanted to go on to college to get a degree. Her mother had thought it was great and had been as excited as Casey had been about the whole thing.

Casey knew everyone was wondering what to do with her now. She wasn’t eighteen yet and wouldn’t be until the fall. Michael contacted her father’s attorney and she found out there was an aunt, her father’s half-sister from his father’s second marriage. There seemed to be some sort of trouble contacting her, but they are working on it.

Casey, right now, was dressing in the black dress that Elizabeth had gone out and got her for the funeral. Black was never a good color on her thought Casey as she put the dress on. There was a knock on her door and then Elizabeth was coming into her room.

Almost ready dear? she asked walking up to Casey. She looked at Casey and knew she wasn’t really with them. She felt terrible herself. Sara had been her closest friend. All four of them had gone to the fund raising banquet and Sara and she had made plans for golf later on in the week. It had been such an unavoidable accident. A bear had run out in front of the runner and from what the police could tell Jonathan had swerved his runner to avoid it. When he did, the runner couldn’t compensate for the fast movement and they went over into the ravine. Elizabeth knew her two best friends had suffered as they died.

I think so. She didn’t wear make-up or anything like that. She wasn’t into those sorts of things. She slipped her black heels on and looked at Elizabeth. I’m ready.

Okay dear, said Elizabeth and walked Casey out of her room and down the stairs. She looked at her husband who nodded his head. They left the house and got into the runner that the funeral home had sent them.

Casey didn’t see much as they drove away from her home and to the cemetery. She knew that the decision was to have a gravesite funeral but in all honesty, she just couldn’t seem to think of anything.

Elizabeth looked at her husband. You sure she should come to this? she asked softly.

Yes, said Michael and looked at young Casey. The vibrant young woman that he knew was gone and in her place was a hallow person. It was a shock for all of them but Casey had been so close to her parents that she just wasn’t doing well.

Have they heard from the aunt? questioned Elizabeth.

Not yet, but from what I understand it’s being handled.

Casey listened as they talked but she just didn’t care. She didn’t care if she went to the funeral or not. She sure didn’t care if they got a hold of an aunt she had never meet. Hell, she hadn’t even known the woman existed until just the other day. All she wanted to do was go back to sleep and not wake up to answer the intercom.

It was a lovely service, said Elizabeth.

They were back at her home. Casey knew people would be showing up soon to pay their respects. She knew Elizabeth was expecting her to say something. The flowers were pretty.

Yes they were, she replied and then the doorbell rang. People started coming in and Elizabeth looked at Casey. Will you be okay in here dear?

Yes. She just wanted everyone to leave her alone. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?

Casey couldn’t handle the I’m sorry for your loss, your parents were wonderful people, statements any more and left the living room. She found her way to her fathers study and went inside, closed the door and looked around. Tears came to her eyes as she went over to her father’s desk and looked at the picture of the two of them taken at graduation. She picked the picture up and hugged it to her. Why? Why her parents? Why not someone else’s? That was wrong, she knew, but why did it have to be her parents? Someone knocked on the study door and then Michael and a man Casey didn’t recognize was coming in.

Casey, Michael said softly and walked over to her. He looked at her, wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. It’s okay.

Why? Why them?

I don’t know, said Michael. Casey, this gentleman is from the State Department. Your aunt was finally contacted and arrangements are being made for you to go live with her.

Casey looked up at him. Do I have to leave?

I’m afraid so Casey. I talked to the lawyers and there isn’t any way around it. She’s your father’s only living relative and will be your guardian until you’re eighteen.

I don’t even know this woman, Uncle Michael, said Casey and started to sob again.

Michael held Casey close and looked at the man. Do we really have to do this now?

It is of the utmost importance that we get all the arrangements made as soon as possible, the State Department man answered.

Hell man, she just buried her parents today, said Michael angrily.

I realize that Mister Watts, but we have to get things moving quickly, he said and looked at the young woman as she sobbed on Mr. Watts shoulder. Tomorrow, we need her ready by then.

I understand. Come on Casey let’s go find Elizabeth.

Elizabeth moved some of Casey’s hair and looked down at her. They had given her a sedative so she could go to sleep. She heard a noise and looked over at her husband. Will it get easier for her?

Michael came over and wrapped an arm around her. Eventually, come down stairs with me. The state department guy wants to talk to us.

Okay, said Elizabeth. She bent down and pulled Casey’s blankets up over her shoulders and they left the room.

Thank you for speaking with me, the State Department man said when they came in the room.

Of course Mr.…

Simon Douglas, I have a lot of questions and a lot has to happen and fast. Of course, Miss Rollins is Mr. and Mrs. Rollins only child?

Yes, said Michael.

Very good, from what we gathered, they own this home, a home in the south (what used to be old Florida) and the two of them had many stocks, IRA’s, and own fifty percent of your shipping company.

Yes, so what?

Miss Rollin’s affairs will have to be settled before she leaves, Simon told them. We have a copy of the Rollins’ will and everything is to go to their daughter. Selling of the homes will take place. The stocks and IRA’s can remain open until she is old enough to sell them if she wishes. The fifty percent share of the business is to go to her also but my superiors wish to know if you want to buy her out?

Michael looked at his wife and then back at the man. Listen, I’m not cheating that young woman out of anything. Jonathan and I own the biggest shipping company on Earth. We have shipments that go out to Mars, Alpha One and the Moon. There is no way in hell I’m cheating her or her future children.

Of course not Mr. Watts, that is your choice. We have prepared documents that her aunt has signed. Stating that you will deposit Casey’s share of the company’s profits into a certain savings account, which she can draw from whenever she wishes. Along with the sale of the homes and the accruing interest on the stocks and IRA’s, the young woman will be comfortable for a number of years, Mr. Douglas said as he pulled the papers out of his briefcase.

What if Casey doesn’t want to sell her home? asked Elizabeth How can this woman do that to her?

It’s for the best, any personal items (furniture or what else) she wishes to keep is okay, said Mr. Douglas as he handed Mr. Watts the documents he needed to sign.

Michael took the papers and quickly scanned through them. It read what Mr. Douglas had just told them.

If you could just sign on the bottom line sir, he said and offered a pen.

Michael looked at him. She’s not leaving ‘til tomorrow. Tomorrow is when I will sign these, after my lawyer has looked them over.

Simon sighed and put the pen back in his coat pocket. Of course, you will find it’s all legal and binding.

I won’t doubt that but I’m going to make sure the government and this sister of Jonathan’s doesn’t cheat that young woman.

Of course, have her packed and ready to go by eleven o’clock tomorrow morning.

Michael nodded his head. You can see yourself out, he told him and they watched him leave.

Can they really do this? asked Elizabeth taking the papers from her husband and glancing at them.

I’m afraid so. Jonathan never thought, well you know, he always figured if something happened to him, Sara would be around, answered Michael. He went over to the desk, picked up the phone and called his attorney. I want them reading this now and not later.

Elizabeth nodded, I’m going to stay here. She’ll have to pack and we have to decide what should go into storage.

Samuel, Michael, the government official has just handed me a bunch of papers that they want me to sign…of course I know that, why do you think I’m calling you…yes, give me twenty minutes. He hung up the phone. He’s going to meet me at his office.

Elizabeth handed him the papers. Make sure he reads the fine print.

Most definitely, he took the papers, gave her a kiss and left.

Casey woke and groaned. Another nightmare, the same one she’d been having since the detective woke her up. She was in the runner with her parents, the bear ran out in front of them, father tried to avoid the animal and then they were flying off the cliff. She sat up, threw her legs over the edge of her mattress and looked to the window. It was still daylight, which meant it wasn’t that late. She was still in the black dress she had worn to the funeral. She got up, went over to her closet, took out a pair of jeans, then went over to her dresser, pulled out a t-shirt and changed.

Out in the hall Casey noticed it was quiet, everyone must have left by now. She looked to her parents room, then turned and went down the hall and then down stairs. As she walked down, Elizabeth showed up at the bottom.

I thought I heard you moving around, said Elizabeth as Casey came down the stairs. Would you like some soup or a sandwich?

No thank you. Is everyone gone?

Yes, sit down with me dear.

Casey let Elizabeth guide her through the house and into the kitchen, where she had her sit down at the bar.

You should really try to eat something Casey.

I’m just not hungry.

I understand. Do you remember that guy from the State Department?

Yes.

Our hands are tied on this dear. If you were eighteen already, they wouldn’t be but you aren’t and so they are. You have to go live with your aunt and this home and the one at the beach is to be sold. They wanted Michael to buy you out on the business but he told them what they could do with that idea. Therefore, an account has been set up that you can draw from whenever you wish. You know Michael will keep the business going.

I know. Casey looked around the kitchen and spotted the old teapot her mother owned. It was an antique. There were only three others still in existence. It was china, you put your hot water and your tea in it and let the tea seep slowly and to the strength to which you liked the beverage. Does everything have to be sold, what can I take with me?

That’s why I’m here, that and we didn’t want you to wake up to an empty house. No, not everything has to sell but they aren’t giving us much time, Casey. I know you don’t want to, but we need to decide what you want to take with you and what you want to go into storage. Then get you packed.

When do I have to be ready by?

Eleven o’clock tomorrow morning.

Then we best get busy, said Casey getting up from the barstool.

The next twenty-four hours were a blur. Casey was now getting out of the runner that they sent for her. She ended up having three suitcases and three crates with just small items that Elizabeth didn’t think anyone would object to her bringing with her.

Come with me, please, said Mr. Douglas

Casey nodded her head and followed him up to the building they had come to. It was strange cause when they had picked her up this morning they had taken her to the airport where she had boarded a private plane and had flown for a good three hours. Once the plane had landed, they had got into another runner and rode another four hours. As they came up to the building, she noticed all the military people.

They entered and went into a room where there were all kinds of military personal, some machinery, and a huge glowing blue wall. She followed Mr. Douglas over to where the wall was the military personal where coming into the room with her things. They walked up to the wall carrying or pushing her belongings and then disappeared through it. Casey looked at Mr. Douglas who tried to give her a smile. Casey watched as the people took all her things through the wall, then a little while later they came back through.

Your turn Miss Rollins, said Simon. Just walk up to the wall and step through.

Casey looked at him as if he was crazy. Are you serious?

Of course, it’s quite safe.

Have you ever done it before?

Well no.

Then how do you know it’s safe? she asked. One of the military cleared their throat and she looked over at the woman.

It’s a piece of cake. Feels funny but it won’t hurt really.

Casey looked at the woman a second longer and walked up to the wall. She lifted her hand and felt the heat and electricity it was generating.

Just go on now, said Simon.

Anger welled up in Casey. The man could just wait a moment. She swallowed and let her fingers touch the wall. Well, it was warm and felt like little needles touching you. It wasn’t as if she had a choice, she knew that, but she didn’t like it.

After you enter, just keep walking, your aunt is waiting for you on the other side.

Casey swallowed again and then stepped into the wall. That felt strange she thought then she heard a voice.

Casey, just walk forward dear.

Casey started walking and it seemed like she walked forever and then she was coming out on the other side. Standing there was a woman in her late thirties or early forties. She had short black hair, was tall, slender and had her own fathers deep blue eyes.

Casey?

Yes, said Casey. She looked at what the woman was wearing, a silk blue shirt with a blue leather vest, loose brown wool pants and brown knee high leather boots. The articles of clothing weren’t strange. They were from back, far back in old Earth history.

"I’m your Aunt Cate. I’m sorry