Mind Over Dark Matter

By Alister Wake

Dark matter is traveling through you. Right now. It is everywhere, yet you cannot see it or feel it.

 

But what happens if you travel with it? Can you touch it? Smell it? See it?

 

What will you think about?

 

Connor has a lot to think about for his senior year in high school. He spends his days walking his dog, working part-time delivering pizza, staying caffeinated to study late at night, lying low in school, and avoiding his short-tempered, deranged older brother.

 

He managed until Stephanie Saunders walked into his classroom. She's his new, young, and attractive physics teacher who takes a liking to him and asks him to work on science experiments after school for some cash. Simple enough, except her experiments are far more advanced than anything Connor had dreamed of, and all life on Earth hangs in the balance as she, and she alone, can harness the power of dark matter.

 

And dangerous organizations are willing to kill for that power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alister Wake
• Release date: May 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223871125

Book preview

Prologue

His alarm woke him. No—not his alarm, the alarm.

Grab your rifle, and come with me.

Harsh orders came from his lead officer. He suited up and didn't bother to hoist his rifle behind his shoulder, keeping up with his other officers. His lead led them across the runway to a building he was unauthorized to enter.

Russians? Chinese? If the most secure buildings in the world were under attack, those were his two guesses as to who could pull it off, regardless of who. He'd kill them.

His cool remained with his sight forward, but from what he could tell, it didn't seem much different than the other buildings. Except for the destination at a colossal elevator, unlike any he had ever seen, the officers lined up behind their lead without showing enthusiasm at the magnificent display of architecture.

To him, his lead officer was a good friend—poker, beer, and movie nights. But while in uniform, they didn't know each other. For them, their duty was all that mattered.

He found it odd that no alarms were going off.

When I tell you to stop. Stop. Only continue if a death is witnessed or if she approaches you. It is an absolute last resort that we kill her. The lead officer opened the shaft, and they stepped in.

She?

The alert flashed erratically above the terminal with such authority the blind couldn't miss it.

There's the alarm. He figured whatever happened down here stayed here, hence no alarms throughout the rest of the base.

The elevator looked more technical than anything he's seen during his tenure here. Optimal's logo shined off the metal and crystal clear displays behind the glass. The number kept counting up as they lowered.

He didn't know what was down here, but he swore to protect it, whatever it was, or who it was. The most advanced research was what they told him, and it was all he needed to know.

The doors opened up to an R&D paradise. Marble floors, high ceilings, tall glass windows, and a corridor that looked to be over a quarter of a mile long vanished into a point of singularity. Smoke flowed from broken windows, and authorized officers who witnessed the mayhem lay dead or groaned as they held on.

Stay behind me, the lead said.

He followed the lead's order, marched in unison, and stopped in unison.

A flash of light bent around a deep hallway, and a chunk of the wall disappeared. It was a burst of light that had no origin and no destination.

He watched the lead hold up the freeze command, all under his control stopped, and heads remained forward. His lead walked ahead and peaked his head around the corner.

Voices echoed off the metal walls and high ceiling. A man's voice hurled expletives.

That's Mr. Furyk, he thought. The Mr. Furyk.

A woman responded. She was soft-spoken, cool-headed, and commanding. She scolded Mr. Furyk, threatening him and making demands. Mr. Furyk ordered her to reveal her technology and cease her behavior.

Then watch the sky, the woman said clearly enough for all to hear, and there was a flash of white and purple light.

That was her. Everyone has heard the rumors topside. If they were true, he's glad she's American.

Shit, Mr. Furyk's steps expressed his anger, and he marched closer to the officers, forcing them all to straighten up.

The lead officer faced away from the corner.

Did you see that? Mr. Furyk said.

Yes, sir.

He watched Mr. Furyk lift his pistol and shoot the lead officer, his friend, in the head. By failing an order, he approached too far. He didn't flinch as the body hit the floor, and it took all he had not to. No one flinched.

You are to return topside, Mr. Furyk ordered.

***

Turning a corner, he walked by an enormous floating cube, its flat surfaces reflecting everything off of it, a near-perfect mirror on all six sides rotating on one of its corners. Against the room's wall was a girl floating in midair with her head on her knees. Unlike the cube, she looked to be frozen. Amongst the mayhem, Mr. Furyk remained prim and proper in his suit and tie. The soles of his shoes echoed in perfect rhythm across the marble floor as he scanned the room.

Teresa. He walked to her. Few decisions in his life he's questioned, such as morality, judgment, and goals. All for the sake of serving his country, and he never questioned it. Bringing in Teresa was one of the decisions he second-guessed himself on.

She levitated a few feet off the ground in a skin-tight suit illuminating a wave of cascading colors. As her levitation changed, so did the color, primarily shades of purple. She was floating in a mental sea of self-doubt.

She buried her head further into her knees. Mr. Furyk?

I'm here.

How is she so far ahead?

Those words shocked him—no comment on her colleagues or the surrounding mayhem. I don't know.

Did she get out? Teresa asked.

Yes. She's going back to her childhood home where I found her.

She gets to stay there?

Yes. Or she'll end the world.

She leaned her head up. Her short brown hair covered glazed eyes, and most of her face was covered in a mesh.

Is that what you want? To go back home to your parents? Mr. Furyk said.

I'm not sure.

Either pacify her, or get her back here, and you'll have your freedom. You can figure out the rest later.

Chapter 1

Connor restrained his frenzied dog with one hand, tightening her collar and keeping her from attacking his assailant. The other hand had it harder, wrapped around his assailant's hands that targeted his throat. His dog would protect his owner, and the man who pinned Connor down knew it.

The man was undeterred by the fangs and deep growling a few inches from his face, and his muscles stretched his shirt sleeves, revealing a scar.

The one thing that could save Connor and his assailant happened. The garage door started opening—his mom got home from work.

He looked down at his pinned victim. Let her go. I fucking dare you.

Connor couldn't speak up. Soon, his strength would give out, and the dog would draw blood—lots of it. Joules would have to be put down for a second dog bite.

Connor managed to breathe out. Sorry. I'm sorry.

Fuck you, and you knew I needed it. The man tightened his grip.

I'm sorry, Connor gasped.

I don't care, he said, undeterred by the dog trying to lunge at him.

Connor managed to turn his head to look at Joules. Heel, heel.

Joules could break free. To the canine, it's a balancing act between listening to her owner and protecting him. Following his commands was second nature to her, but saving his life was her nature.

They both heard the door handle start turning, and the man loosened his grip. That's all it took for Joules to lose her predatory instincts, hide her fangs, and calm her growl. Connor drew several deep breaths and embraced his throat with one hand and his dog with the other.

Not a word, the man warned him.

Connor got to his feet and, as usual, pretended nothing had happened. A perfect actor.

Good girl, Connor whispered to Joules as she restrained herself from biting this time. Joules got up on her hind legs, and her height nearly matched his at six feet, for a well-placed hug and hopped back onto all fours. It's surprising to see how her rabid defense could transform into a fluffy teddy bear within a moment's notice and vice versa.

Their mom entered the house, and her hands were full with her purse and groceries.

Can you help me with these? Tabitha asked Connor, and he walked over to grab the bags. Your face is all red, she noticed. Did you run home from school?

Connor felt his older brother looking at him from the corner of his eye as he watched TV on the couch. Just did a light jog, he said.

He grabbed the bags and placed them on the kitchen table while his mom returned to the car to get the rest of the groceries. Thank you, Connor, she said as she walked back in and placed the rest on the table. He would have stayed. Instead, he went upstairs to avoid Axel.

Dinner's out of the crockpot in a few, Tabitha said to Connor.

After helping his mom, he immediately went to his laptop and ordered a living room camera for overnight delivery. It was the first product in his search and one he could hide on a shelf somewhere. If Axel wants to get bitten again to report Joules, he'll have evidence the bite was in self-defense. He opened his school bag, pulled out his summer homework to finish up before tomorrow, and glanced outside his window every few minutes, daydreaming.

Axel is an asshole. Some daydreams weren't happy.

As far as he can remember, Axel always had been. Connor had started doing some push-ups, sit-ups, and a few other exercises in his bedroom, but the difference in strength still felt the same. But he didn't give up.

A flicker caught his eye. Across the field, he noticed one of the ranches lit up through the windows. They flickered a bright white light and then shades of violet. In unison, and turned back to dark.

Connor stared, dumbfounded by what he saw.

The hell? he thought.

They'd lived across the field for several years, and Connor had never seen any activity come out of that house. No people, no cars, and certainly no flashes of light. Maybe someone moved in and decided to throw a rave?

His mom shouted up the stairs. Dinner!

Still dumbfounded, Connor forced himself to put his pencil down and went downstairs. Three chicken and rice dishes waited on the table as he took his seat.

Her boys, as usual, didn't say a word to each other. How was your day, Axel? she said.

His head remained facing the plate and gave a repetitive response. Watched TV all day and worked out.

Did you look for a job?

I did some searching online, but nothing good.

I've been thinking. You could start a dog-walking business. Joules is a great-looking dog model, Tabitha tried to feed him an idea. Since looking online hasn't worked, try to start something simple.

Never, Connor piped in.

Axel noticed the look on Connor's face. A dog walking business? Maybe I should. I could take Joules to the dog park, make business cards, and hand them out.

Like hell, you will.

Connor! Tabitha stopped him. Joules is the family dog.

And what exactly has this family done for her other than I? Connor reminded her. I found her, walk her, feed her.

It doesn't matter, Tabitha said.

Axel grinned.

Jesus, Axel, she says one sentence, and suddenly, you have the motivation?

Shut the fuck up!

Okay, Tabitha spread out her arms, okay. Calm down, both of you. She chalked it up to sibling rivalry. At this point, Axel needs to try something. If he wants to try dog walking, let him try.

You think he's going to walk out that door with Joules and come back with a business? Connor said.

You don't think I can do it?

I think you'd come back with herpes.

Connor! Tabitha said. What's gotten into you? It's dinner. We're just talking and throwing out ideas.

He ignored her and continued eating, and Axel and Tabitha began finishing their meals.

A meteor is visible in the sky, Axel read from his phone.

What? Tabitha said.

Look. he held the phone up to her.

She squinted her eyes and read, NEO discovers a large, previously undetected meteor that will come within miles of colliding with Earth. It may be visible for months.

The blinds, Tabitha hustled to the large window in the kitchen and yanked the drawstring, and all three spotted it. A bright meteor lit up a small portion of the night sky—a sizeable fuzzy dot, much larger than a star but dimmer than one.

Connor stared at it from his seat, but he kept his distance from Axel. He wanted to get closer, the sight was mind-blowing, but Axel would crush his enthusiasm like a bug. It could crash into us.

Please, Axel continued staring out the window, that'd be the end of the world, dumbass.

Connor took his last bite as the other two remained focused. Mom, I need the car. It's Thursday.

I know, she nodded to her purse.

Axel put his utensils down. Can I have the car tonight?

Connor's got to work.

He heightened his voice register. But I need it.

Connor rolled his eyes. Are you going to strangle me if I take it?

You know, Tabitha said. Axel could use it—

Nice!

She simmered her oldest son's excitement. Not tonight. Quit this weekend and find a job you can walk to.

What?

Alright, tomorrow. Another word, and you quit right now.

Connor lifted his hands in defeat and stepped out. Axel hid a smirk as his little brother left.

***

God, I'm fucking hungover, someone said next to him. It's typical chatter he's grown used to. He never chimed in, mostly because he couldn't add to the conversation.

A hostess approached him. She wore a low-cut tank top and was hired for that reason and also to serve pizza to the guests. She'd be chatting with the other drivers if they weren't out on a delivery.

Connor, she said, is Axel stopping by tonight?

Don't think so, Crystal. He noticed the manager preparing a delivery bag of pizzas for him, and he hurried to prep the bag to get away from her.

So, Axel isn't answering my texts.

She followed him out as he grabbed the bag and headed for delivery.

Hey! She stopped him.

What?

Axel isn't answering my texts.

I don't want these pizzas to get cold, he said.

She rolled her eyes. One day, you'll have to get a human girlfriend.

I'll worry about myself. He turned and went for his first delivery.

The bright celestial body was hard not to look at while driving, even more so than the mountains awed its audience in every sunset, as it was doing right now. Well, he was used to the Colorado mountains. The meteor was new, exciting even.

He wondered about it as he continued the rounds, delivered some pizza, drove back to the restaurant, and repeated.

Crystal didn't hesitate as he walked in. Tell Axel to text me.

I don't care. He noticed it was just him, her, the shift manager sweeping the floor, and a meat lover's pizza on the counter.

Connor checked the ticket. Is this for me?

No, his boss said back. Sorry, man, there is one more order, but your pizza is almost out.

Connor nodded in acknowledgment, leaned back, and waited.

I'll be extra nice to you, Crystal said.

Oh God, please, no, Connor chuckled at the thought of action. I've had enough kindness for one day.

What's wrong? she asked.

I don't want to be where others have been.

Jesus, Connor, she said, that's not what I meant, and you're a pussy.

Am I?

The shift manager ignored them as he prepared the last pizza.

One meat lover's for you, and one meat lover's for your last delivery.

He nodded, kept one pizza out of the bag, and left as quickly as possible, leaving Crystal to finish her cleaning duties.

He opened the side door with the pizza box already opened for Joules. The animal went straight for it and devoured nearly half of it before Connor made it to the driver's seat. Nothing could stop her if it involved meat, not even Connor, and sometimes the makeshift gate between the front and back seats could barely hold her.

His phone wanted to guide him near his home, on the edge of town just one block away, across the field from his own house. Which he thought was great as he'll get home earlier for more sleep.

As he pulled up, the house became recognizable. It was the same small ranch he had seen earlier in the night with the lights beaming out of the windows. He wasn't sure what it was, but they had the same taste in food as Joules, so he was curious about what kind of light rave party was going on. And what kind of person lived in the converted ranch with the huge lot.

He walked up to the door, and all the lights were off.

Knock, knock, knock.

A cacophony of clings and bangs played.

Hold on, a woman's voice yelled from inside. A tall, blonde woman stepped out. He has seen plenty of pretty girls answer the door. Some were older, while others were his classmates, but never someone near his age who he hadn't seen before. Connor knew he looked seventeen, and with his wavy brown hair and his young-looking face, he wished he were just a few years older to meet her at her age. Her long hair was in a braid draped over one shoulder, the gold necklace she wore was tight around her neck, and a blue pendant nestled inside of it shined even at night, and her clothes matched it with blue jeans and a white shirt.

Connor couldn't help but notice the look on her face. She looked like she'd just seen a ghost.

Uh, meat lovers?

The woman snapped out of it, Yeah, that's for me.

He took it out of the bag and looked at the receipt. Mrs. Stephanie Saunders.

Miss, you look too young to be working this late, she said.

This was weird to Connor. Never has there ever been a conversation beyond pizza and transferring money. Um, yeah, I'm in high school.

Really? It's past eleven. She reached into her pocket and grabbed some cash for his tip. Kids work hard these days.

Kid. damn, he thought. I do the seven to eleven shift, mostly because I got a mouth to feed.

You have a child? She exclaimed.

Oh, no. He stepped to the side and nodded to his car. My dog eats three pounds of meat every day. That's the mouth I need to feed. The rest I save for college.

She spotted the large animal in the car. Joules' amber eyes glowed at her through the car window. Wow, what a magnificent creature. Yet, she was more impressed with his profound sense of frugality.

Yeah, she's a hybrid.

Her eyes enlarged. Your dog is part wolf?

Yeah, Joules. He finally got around to handing her the pizza, and she gave him the cash, which he'll turn in tomorrow. Enjoy.

She found him rather interesting or at least dedicated to working to feed a pet of his that required tons of food.

Jewel, as in the gem? That's a strange name for a predator, she said.

No, like in physics.

He piqued her interest. Who's your science teacher?

I forget what it says on my schedule. But class starts tomorrow, so I'll find out in the morning.

She held the pizza box against her and thought for a moment. Despite him being the pizza boy, she enjoyed a random conversation as it was her first in a long time.

She smiled, Great, have a good night.

You too.

He tossed the bag into the passenger seat, hopped in, and took a breather.

Whoa. He looked back to see her, but she was already inside. And right across the field from me.

He composed himself and drove home. He and Joules walked into the house from the garage, and Axel didn't move his eyes off the TV. Where the fuck were you?

Joules growled, and Connor quickly got down and petted her head to calm her. I was working. Remember? Whenever Axel got like this, he just had to wait for him to vent.

I know you fuck. Do you know what it's like not to have a car when a girl is texting you?

There are apps for getting a ride and such, Connor said.

Tabitha continued to watch TV next to Axel, pretending to be oblivious.

It's humiliating, Axel continued.

The car is free, and Crystal wants to bang you.

I'll fuck who I want.

Connor, honey, Tabitha said, ignoring Axel. Can you find another job?

Yeah, find another job, Axel said.

We already discussed this? He left and went into his room. He didn't bother brushing his teeth or using the restroom but lay next to Joules as she jumped on the bed. The image of the woman he had just met kept replaying in his head.

Stephanie Saunders, good lord.

And he watched the significant celestial object in the sky and eventually fell asleep.

***

Connor left Joules at the field near his school. Anyone could spot her orange vest a mile away, and he thinks she stays near the trees at the end of the area while he's in attendance. Or perhaps she's run up the side of the foothills. Regardless, she always runs across to him when he calls for her after school.

He hustled across the street to his school. The parking lot filled up, and the concentration of his peers grew as he made his way inside. No stops, no nods—just avoiding cliques and bodies as he went straight to his first class. Physics. He sat, not at a desk but at one of the tables meant for lab work near the windows. Other students filed in, and one, in particular, irked Connor, the reason why he chose to sit near the back. His former friend, Neville. Connor looked back at his book to avoid eye contact. And Neville took no notice of him as he sat next to his friend, Christian.

The bell rang, but the students kept chatting or playing on their phones. Heads turned as the door opened. Connor's double-take at the woman nearly gave him whiplash. Her blonde hair was braided and swayed along with her beautiful dress and gold necklace. You'd never guess that she ate pizza late at night.

Stephanie? Connor thought.

Good morning, class. I'm your physics teacher, Miss Saunders. She turned to grab a marker and paused as she spotted Connor's stare. She smiled back at him and began writing on the board.

Whoa, Connor pulled his book out, trying to be cool about the coincidence.

Knock knock.

Heads turned again in unison, Stephanie included. A young girl with short, long-waved short hair and brown skin lowered her hand from the door frame and stepped in.

Hi, Miss Saunders? she said. I'm Teresa. I'm new.

They stared at one another awkwardly. For those two, they just negotiated a silent mutual understanding.

I'm new as well. Please sit anywhere.

Teresa walked down all the rows of desks, drawing attention to herself with her sundress swaying and hair bobbing. Twenty-five pairs of eyes followed her, and Connor watched as well as she was about to sit down at another table—nope, she sat right next to him.

Chapter 2

An ass in motion stays in motion, Neville slapped the air. Like, new girl or new teacher?

Girl.

Teacher.

There's no way she's a physics teacher, Christian said.

A former porn star?

Several locker doors slammed, and tennis shoes became the purveying footwear.

Neville scoffed, Like, no way.

Connor couldn't help himself. You'd know who she was if she did porn, Connor murmured while closing his gym locker.

The fuck you say, schizo? Neville snapped.

He kept from looking Neville in the eyes. Nothing.

Neville approached Connor and looked down at him. Even when they were kids, he was always a little taller than Connor by about an inch.

Say it again, dude. Connor tried to step around him, but Neville stepped back in his way. Neville didn't get out of his face. Do you know her?

No.

It looked like she recognized you. And the new girl literally sat next to you.

So? Connor replied.

Neville bumped into him. With that quick shoulder gesture to get a rise out of someone, Connor pushed back, and Neville dove at him, causing the locker room to erupt.

***

Connor and Neville sat across from each other, listening to the keyboards in reception. Their postures mirrored each other, feet apart, arms on their lap, and heads faced down. The principal called Neville in, and he lumbered into the room, avoiding eye contact with Connor.

Neville is a dick.

They seemed to be inseparable until about three years ago. Even Neville's parents had befriended Tabitha as they kept chatting when one family dropped the other kid off at each other's homes. Once the ghosting happened, Connor had texted, emailed, and even called but never got a response for months. Then his other friends, like Christian, stopped responding as well. They weren't as close to Connor, but friends took sides every time Connor walked the hallways in a reverse ghost town scenario.

Just what happened?

How's Joules?

Connor sat straight to correct his posture and looked at the woman beside him. She tilted her head with a raised eyebrow and gave a smile. Miss Saunders?

Yup.

He fixed his gaze on her plaited hair and responded after remembering the question, Joules is great. She's outside.

I'm glad to hear that. She sat in the chair next to his and straightened herself toward reception. You never told me your name.

Connor, Connor Voll.

Great, I look forward to more pizza.

He perked up. He liked to believe that pizza meant him. Really?

It was good.

Alright, he said and tried his best with a question. So, why are you here?

It's my first day at work. Principal Bailey wants to see me.

No, I mean, here in Blue Ashe.

I used to live here, and I also graduated here.

No way, he thought. Maybe she knows Axel? He shuffled away the idea. That's cool.

Neville walked out of the principal's office and spotted the two. He hid his surprised look and continued into the hallway.

Do you still have friends here? Connor said.

A peculiar question, she thought. Yup. Why are you here?

I was born here.

I mean here in the office.

Oh, he rubbed the back of his head where it had hit a part of a locker. I got into a fight.

She chuckled. I'm sure you did.

He sneered. I did.

"Oh really? Was it over a