Stranger in a Familiar Place

By Barakah Smith

Memory, touch, and emotions are essential to one's humanity, Elias wakes up in a strange place with none of them. Lost and confused, he must rely on the help of a massive talking polar bear named Malakh to navigate the dangerous world of Saile and restore his missing pieces before it's too late. As they journey through the unforgiving landscape, Elias and Malakh face a series of painful challenges that test the limits of their friendship and their will to survive. But as they uncover the dark secrets of Saile, they begin to realize that their quest for restoration is much more complicated than they ever could have imagined. With the darkness closing in around them, Malakh must confront a betrayal from his past and come to terms with the consequences of his actions in order to keep Elias safe. And as they struggle to find a way home, they must ultimately decide their own fate and the fate of Saile itself. Full of heart-pounding action, stunning revelations, and unexpected twists, this gripping tale of self-discovery and redemption will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645315667

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Stranger in a Familiar Place

Barakah Smith

Copyright © 2019 Barakah Smith

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2019

ISBN 978-1-64531-564-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64531-566-7 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

To my loving parents who encouraged me to imagine worlds and to Mrs. Jude Sexton (Momma Sexton) for waiting so patiently for this book. Much love to you all.

Chapter 1

Elias had always gone through life as he was told he should: school, sports, friends—they were all part of his life as a whole. Yet there was something that was missing from all of it—fundamental and yet so simple that he had hardly stopped to think about it. He had a life, friends, and family, and yet he had never wanted to live his life. The realization made his blood grow cold, and his limbs felt heavy as if they were being pinned down by some unknown force. He looked at his killer and felt that for the first time, he wanted to live…

*****

Pain, wrenching pain tore open Elias's eyes, and a scream escaped his lips as he felt fire leap throughout his being. His head ached as if it were splitting apart agonizingly slow, and he felt the blood in his head pound mercilessly against his forehead. Another cry escaped his lips, and he screwed his eyes shut and bit into his lips, drawing blood. Why? Why does it hurt? he thought as he lay there wondering what had happened to him. Then suddenly, the pain was no more. His body slowly relaxed, and he let himself sink into pure relief. Then a new sensation hit him: it was cold, deathly cold. He flung his eyes open, and suddenly, the world came crashing into him. The wind whipped angrily at his body and bombarded him with snow and ice. It took Elias a moment to realize that he was actually halfway buried in the snow, which explained not only the cold but also why his limbs ached and were numb. He pulled himself slowly upright, mentally checking himself for injuries. He touched his lips where he had bitten them and found that the blood had already congealed due to the cold. He began to shiver violently as his mind was beginning to register the cold. He looked around bewildered. Wasn't I walking home? The snow-covered woods was anything but home, and on top of that, there was nothing that even resembled civilization. Where am I? And how do I get home?

As if in rebuttal to his thoughts, the wind howled angrily and batted him with snow and ice that stung his cheeks till they were bright red and sore. He decided that sitting in the snow was not a good thing and proceeded to stand. His legs ached and refused to work at first, but he soon made himself to stand. He looked around. The woods were dark, and he could barely see more than five feet in front of him because of the snow. So he just chose a direction and began walking, hoping that the direction he chose would lead him to a warmer place. As he walked, he began to sense something out there beyond his vision. Something was coming toward him as if…as if…he were food. The sudden awareness made him halt in his tracks and cast cautious gazes out to the unknown. Though he couldn't see it, he could feel it getting closer and with it a dark malice and hate. Black and vengeful, the unknown presence seemed as if it would swallow everything in its path into a dark nightmarish void. More than anything, the thing that scared Elias the most was when he realized that he was the target of it all. He didn't think, and he didn't wait; he just ran. His breath pumped out of his mouth like exhaust from a barreling train, and each breath stung his lungs as he inhaled the frigid air. The thing was getting closer, and the hate from it pressed against his body making it even more painful to continue running. He looked behind him, but he could see nothing but snow, and yet he knew it was just seconds behind him.

His legs gave way, and he fell. He quickly twisted himself to face the oncoming attacker. His heart raced, and despite the cold, he was wet with sweat. Panic struck as he began to see the outline of something huge, and from it was coming the overwhelming dominance of a predator. Elias's eyes grew wider as the thing grew impossibly bigger in form along with its hate and its need for blood, his blood. Elias did not know why he did it; he wasn't even sure if he thought someone would hear him. Nevertheless, he threw back his head and screamed with all he had, somebody save me!

Instantly, the huge form vanished taking with it its murderous intent. Did I scare it? Elias thought to himself unable to believe that he had actually frightened something so monstrous. He stared at the place where it had disappeared wondering if moving would cause the thing to come back for him.

Hello there! a voice called from beyond the wall of snow and ice.

Elias relaxed fractionally. Had someone heard him? I'm over here! he called out hoping he was louder than the wind. He made the movement to stand but froze midmovement as he began to see an outline of something big walking toward him. Fear gripped him again, and he wondered if the thing had come for him anyway. Though something was strange, there was no hate or malice emanating from the thing moving toward him.

Hello, Elias. Elias knew what was left of the color in his face had drained away. Standing before him, whiter than the snow, was a very huge and massive polar bear. You were calling for help?

I-I-I… He stuttered although whether it was from fear or the cold, he didn't know.

The white bear grunted, Obviously that is a yes. I would not have come if you hadn't asked. Although I might have chased it away anyhow. He growled softly. "I don't like that thing in my woods."

Who are you? Elias couldn't help himself; the fact that someone had heard him and the fact that his rescuer was a polar bear piqued his curiosity.

Me? I am known by many names, boy, but you may call me Malakh. The great bear pawed the earth and stepped closer to Elias who unconsciously proceeded to take steps backward. Oh come now, if I were going to eat you, I would have done so by now. Malakh shook his hulking frame sending a shower of snow flying from his back.

Now get on my back. We must get you warmed up before you catch your death of cold. He saw Elias's uncertainty and growled. Get on my back, or I will carry you in my mouth. The bear opened his mouth wide, revealing the large sharp canines that hung beautifully against the black of his mouth. With no more need for prompting, Elias walked toward the bear who lay flat on his stomach to allow better access. Even then, it took Malakh using his huge head to gently push the near frozen boy onto his back.

Hold on tight, Malakh said as he rose to his feet, and with a powerful leap, he began running. Elias was amazed that the bear could move so fast, and even more amazing was the fact that the bear had known his name. He was pretty sure he had never met any talking bears, much less polar bears before. Then all at once it hit him: the bear's fur was warm, and he pressed his body against the bear. The warmth from Malakh flooded into him, and he suddenly found himself slowly closing his eyes.

Fear not, Elias, you will be safe. Malakh's voice was warm, calm, and confident; and Elias found it soothed him. He did not need a second prompting. He shut his eyes and slept.

It was some time before he could feel the rhythmic rise and fall of Malakh's chest. The big bear had found a warm cave and had curled around him to keep him warm. He roamed the cave with his eyes and noticed a small pool of water near the corner of the cave that was fed by a small trickle of water that dripped from a crack in the wall. Seeing the water made him realize just how dry his throat had become, and he swallowed to rid the feeling but only ended up coughing violently.

You sure are noisy when you wake up, Malakh said as he yawned slowly. Of course, considering the alternative, that's a good thing.

He ignored the bear's remarks and got up slowly and crawled on his hands and knees until he reached the small pool. He cupped his hands and proceeded to dip his hands in the water but stopped when he realized he couldn't feel anything. It wasn't a numbness; even that has a particular feel to it, but there was no feeling of wet. He looked at his hands and saw the water trickle down the middle of his palms, but he could feel nothing. If he hadn't been looking at it, he wouldn't have known if he had even touched the water. As he looked at the water, he also noticed that loss of sensation was not only in his hands but throughout his entire body. Small things like the flicker of his eyelids, the gentle beating of his heart, or even his own skin brushing against his clothes, he couldn't feel anything. His first thought was to panic, and yet there was no such emotion. In fact, he was void of all emotion—just an irritating dullness that seemed to be centered where he knew his heart should be but could not feel. He turned slowly to look at Malakh who seemed to be watching him as if he was waiting for something bad to happen.

Are you all right, Elias? Malakh inquired, the bear's black eyes trained on him.

Elias looked down at his hands again. I don't know.

Silence ensued between them for long moment. All the while, Malakh waited patiently for the boy to collect himself.

I want to go home, Elias said finally.

The great bear stretched and settled himself more comfortably before answering, I would take you home, but I can't. The way has been lost.

What do you mean lost? My home shouldn't be far from here, and the snow seems to have calmed a bit.

Do you even know where you are, boy? If it were that simple, do you think you would need my help? Malakh sighed and scratched himself with a hind leg before continuing, You are in the land of Saile, a place where there are many roads in but only one way out. This land has been slowly losing vitality, and the five great pillars that hold this world and yours together have collapsed. Since the land has weakened, a great evil has been able to roam this land. It, and its minions that follow, have created disaster to those here, and it is also the reason why you were brought here in the first place.

So you mean I can't go home?

I don't believe that ever came out of my mouth, Malakh said. Despite not having the emotion to go with it, Elias frowned as if annoyed, but that only seemed to raise a growling chuckle from the big polar bear. You can go home, but Saile will need to be restored before that can happen.

What should I do?

What a stupid question, boy. The bear growled. The answer you seek is very obvious, but also the choice does not lie with me. This must be your choice and your choice alone. It will not be easy, but I will help you where I can. He paused and waited until Elias had made up his mind. Once Elias had agreed, he asked Malakh to explain further about the pillars he mentioned before.

The five pillars are what give this land the vitality it needs to thrive, and each pillar represents an aspect of Saile. The first pillar represents the physical nature, the second is the mental, the third is emotional, the fourth represents the will, and the fifth represents the heart or the soul of Saile. These must be restored in order for our world and yours to connect. But it will not be as simple as turning on a light or blinking. Each pillar has a requirement that must be fulfilled, and even though I call them pillars, they are not in that form exactly. So along with all this, we must find them in whatever form they have taken before we can fulfill the needed requirement. Malakh saw Elias's shoulders slump. I know this is a lot to deal with, but as promised I will help you.

What about that thing that tried to eat me before? Is it another bear like you? Elias asked.

The bear snorted. "Don't compare me to that thing. I'm much better looking than it."

Elias rolled his eyes. Someone's got a high opinion of himself.

So? It's good to have high self-esteem, and besides, I work hard keeping my fur white. That is not an easy task, mind you.

Whatever, so where do we start? I don't have a clue where to go or where to look.

Luckily for you, I happen to know where the first pillar is, and by the looks of things, we better hurry and restore it.

Elias looked at the bear hard. What do you mean? What's going to happen?

Don't play dumb. Malakh rose in one easy motion and padded slowly up to Elias. He placed one of his huge paws on top of Elias's leg and pressed down. Even though he knew he was putting enough pressure to cause pain, Elias's face remained the same. I know you can't feel anything. If I were anyone else, I could tear you limb from limb, and you would not feel a thing. Right now you have neither emotions nor any physical feeling in your body. He lifted his paw away and stood staring into the boy's eyes.

How did you know? And why is this happening? Elias said, rubbing his leg. It didn't hurt, but the fact that it should made him react instinctively.

Your face, even without emotions, is still very readable. And just as your world and ours are connected, so are you and the land of Saile. We must hurry and restore Saile before the damage to you becomes irreversible. Come. Malakh nudged him to stand, but Elias had no strength in his legs, and Malakh had to sling the boy onto his back like a ragdoll. Ignoring Elias's rebuttal, he made his way out back into the snowy woods. Elias expected to feel the cold grab him again, but he felt nothing, and he wondered if that was good or bad. He decided that Malakh would not let him freeze to death, so he decided to just let the white bear do what he will. He settled into the bear's fur and watched lazily as the snow began to gradually thin out until he began to see green starting to peep out from the bald patches of snow. Eventually the green over took the snow, and soon the bear was walking through ankle-high grass.

So where are you going? Elias asked after a long silence.

I don't know, he answered rather cheerfully.

You don't know? Elias sat up and gave the bear a