Diffracted

By Skailyr Alexander

When a young Jaeger, Ariyaal, wakes up in a human body, flooded with emotions and memories that are not her own, she embarks on a journey to find a way back to her realm to return the balance. Much to her dismay she enlists the help of Rylee's boyfriend a humorous young man who has an ignorant approach to the dangers that lie ahead. As they both travel to different lands to reach High Priestess for help, Ariyaal begins to discover the catastrophe around her is more than a simple mistake and a more sinister plot is at work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skailyr Alexander
• Release date: Oct 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005464912

Skailyr Alexander

Ever since I was young, I had a wild imagination. As I grew older I used my imagination to write and tell stories that friends and teachers enjoyed reading and listening to. Eventually as an adult I began working abroad and when ever I was free I would day dream of finally putting my stories out into the world for everyone to enjoy. Finally in the year 2021 I made my dream a reality.

Book preview

Chapter 1.

I stared back into the mirror, the clothes I was wearing were the same, my denim shorts, a black tank top and climbing shoes. But the way I felt was off, I looked like me, but did not feel like it.

You took quite a fall this time. Alex said as he walked into the room.

Yeah, I feel it. I responded confused.

I’m glad you're ok, I know you love climbing and all that I just wish you would be more careful, you had me worried this time around. He said concerned reaching out to hug me. I allowed him to without pushing him away. I knew who he was to me, my better half. I remember how we met and how long we had been dating for. The problem was these were things that I should not have known. Worse, I had a strange feeling in my chest, even though this had not happened before I knew I had to keep it to myself, till I could figure out what was going on and where I was. All these thoughts were going through my head as I was held in a hug from Alex with no reciprocation from myself. When I looked at him after he had let go that feeling in my chest was stronger than ever, it confused me, but I tried my best to ignore it.

I need to get home. I said to him. I was already dressed and ready to leave the hospital, they handed me my discharge papers for signing. Alex was looking over my shoulder as I placed my signature at the bottom of the page. Once I handed them back to the nurse, he looked at me confused.

When did you change your signature? He quizzed. I did not realise our signatures would be different and anyway I had no idea which one this body used.

It’s the same one I always use. I said to him brushing it off. At which point I stood up ready to leave.

I will drop you off at home. He said.

Great. I responded. I picked up the remainder of my stuff and we made our way out, when we got to his car, I placed my stuff on the passenger’s side behind the driver’s seat. When I shut the door, he moved closer to me. He strangely began to pout in my face, which I found offensive as I felt it was an intrusion of my personal space. I think he wanted to kiss me; I ducked to avoid his lips and made my way to the front seat on the other side of the car.

Are you alright, Rylee? He asked, confused, I felt he was starting to get wind that something was amiss.

Totally fine, thanks Alex. I said quickly. I just want to get home and shower. I added. The journey home was quiet, I was doing research of all the information and memories this body provided me (In my head). It was the human equivalent of thinking; however, it was more detailed, I could see everything she read or 10 years ago even if it were in passing, I too could scan the features of someone with her peripheral vision, but she couldn’t. The only thing I did not realise is my facial expressions were going crazy, I was jumping from confused to frowning too disgusted at a strange speed.

Alex was staring at me, Rylee are you sure you’re, ok? He quizzed again.

Yeah, I am fine, why do you ask. I responded.

You keep making faces. He said.

Oh, I was just exercising my face; the fall has my facial muscles feeling weak. I responded.

Um okkkaaayyyyeee, not weird at all. He said under his breath. I ignored and continued with my research, attaining all the necessary stuff, like the accident, the people she was close to, (including the one she referred to as babe) and what she did for a living. It was strange, most of the information I went through was hers, the rest did not belong to her or to this realm, something was wrong. When I arrived at home, I said goodbye to Alex and tried to leave.

Don't forget about Amanda's party tonight. He said.

Who the heck is Amanda? I yelled back.

Ahhhhhhh your best friend since forever. He shouted back. I will pick you up at 7pm. he added. I frowned, I really needed to get used to this facial expression thing. Where I come from, we do not have that. If I cannot find the answers inwardly, I need help. I had to figure out who to find in this realm that could help me. Luckily, some of my own knowledge was resilient and remained. My options were a gatekeeper, drifters, or realm dwellers. I had a few hours to calm down and find a solution before 7 pm arrived.

Chapter 2.

I sat down on Rylee's bed and thought of what to do. Thus far my conclusions were that realm dwellers were not an option. Their job was to move between realms and not interfere with what was happening in them, they were only allowed to carry information from one place to another. They would have known what was going on. The other option was the gatekeepers, as vicious and unreasonable as they were known to be. The odds of them allowing me to speak my part was slim, they usually attack on sight. I don’t think I stood a chance, and I didn’t want to create problems there. They are large built black clouds of smoke, at times translucent, with soulless eyes. This structure worked to their advantage, they hid very easily and only showed themselves when one got too close to the gate, they were guarding. Now I was left with drifters. These were miserable creatures, destined to float around aimlessly as a result, they became creatures of opportunity. Anything they could do to bring themselves out of a senseless existence they would. This human body had limited me, I was unable to communicate with other realms, see the realm drifters or summon any help. I used the internet to find out how much information was available about alternate realities and realms. Here the humans were so far behind, and their information was still theoretical, their idea of the realms was different places on their planet. So instead of thinking of the future I needed to change my focus to the past. There must be some information written about these beings, Earth could not have gone through millennia without encountering such. Surely, after I searched Realm Mythology, there in front of my eyes a few were displayed, but only nine, there were far more than that. I clicked on the images and saw all the weird creatures the realms have. Attached to one of the images was a human called a psychic who is able to see things that most cannot. I took notes and the address of where this person could be found. Just then there was a knock on the door. It was Alex.

Babe, it’s me, I got you something for you to eat. He said.

For the love of all things sacred, why won’t this boy leave me the hell alone, he is a nuisance. I said feeling strange again. I quickly opened the door and let him in, ignoring him and returning to my research. You said 7pm, I still have time. I snapped.

Ah yeah, just brought you some food. He replied slowly. Just then a light bulb turned on in my head, he can take me to the psychic. It’s still early; I can convince him to take me to the party shortly after. I smiled and responded with, Thank you for the food, Alex, but we need to go here urgently, we can go to Amandos party after.

Amanda. He said taking the paper from me. I remained silent waiting for a response. This is an hour across town there and an hour back, we will be late. He responded confused. Please, I really need to go; I promise I will explain later. I made big eyes at him because apparently that worked.

Fine. He said hesitantly.

I ran over to the closet and grabbed the first dress I could find, it was short, a little too short, and I put it back and pulled out another. It was the same, maybe even shorter. I wonder why she dresses like a gardening tool. I whispered to myself. I then just grabbed a pair of jeans and sneakers. We left the apartment in a dash. Soon we arrived at a grimy looking area, the buildings were old and dilapidated, and this is where the map led us. As soon as the car stopped, I got out.

Alex grabbed my hand from his seat before I could leave, Babe, get back in the car. He said plainly. Either you come with me, or you stay here. I responded shortly. He took a deep sigh and got out of the car locking it and making his way to my side. We walked further down the block passing more old buildings.

"The body