Loner's Niche Wrap Up: Loner's Niche, #10

By Draeme Saekyr

Within this novel, Sensei Garan Dachau and Miss Morae Brody take the limelight. They're running against time to locate a safe haven that matches what Kiernan and his crew need to rest, recuperate, and ultimately learn to live with the shocking discoveries of their life. Meanwhile, Garan Dachau acknowledges the mistakes made in previous life choices. Miss Morae also has learned painful lessons as well. Sometimes the most trustworthy employees can't be trusted and might kill ya instead.

 

As a result, these two individuals are gaining new appreciation for ancient allies stepping forward in the time of necessity to battle ancient escaped foes that really didn't want to fight in the end. Additionally, it became pretty clear that someone was doing housekeeping on a cosmic scale, but doing so in a sneaky way intended to remove all the troublemakers from their purview.

 

The main problem? It was the troublemakers that were actually the ones keeping the cosmos safe. What to do in the end? No real good answer on that one. Right now, just trying to survive a millennia at a time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Draeme Saekyr
• Release date: Jan 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224315123

Draeme Saekyr

Born and raised in California. I love reading manga, classics, sci-fic, romance, and watching animated films. I also enjoy drawing, hand-sewing, or braiding different items and combining them into interesting projects.

Book preview

Dedication

Even though life is difficult there are always different choices that can be made. As has been shown in the previous volumes, even the tiniest choices can have huge impacts on myriad peoples' lives. Please be careful with the choices you make.

Summary

In a world filled with couples, regardless of gender or species, there are always a few misfits that don't quite belong. In this story, there are at least five, if not more, significant misfits that finally create their own Niche, the Loner's Niche, where outgoing narcissists aren't welcomed.

The five individual stories that'll be intertwined are as follows. They begin with Kiernan Prawn and he's an exciting person indeed. While he is entangled in a

situation beyond his wildest expectations, Isaac is given a painful lesson in dealing with sisters that cross boundaries and lines he would no longer put up with. Anya discovers who her real friends are and gets a bonus gift for being accepted back into her clan. Kellen is forced to recognize bonds he's always been aware of but ignored through sheer stubbornness. Now, Mesala is faced with difficult decisions as well. Not only that, but her future, as well as her brothers, has broadened considerably.

In a considerably rough time, four distinct individuals, two kidnapped and two ambiguous, now it is time to hear the voices and thoughts of Dorian and Ferron Jenelle. Later, they listen to the voices and ideas of Isadora and Vanessa as they learn hard lessons of what boundaries and lines not to cross, whether they've learned something of value from this entire experience, and whether they're willing to repent for their actions.

Kiernan, Anya, Isaac, Kellen, and Mesala were the five main characters, and snapshots of their stories gave their viewpoints of the adventure. There are now four more that'll evolve the tale, but in the end, it may only be the five that create their own Loner's Niche that no one else can fully appreciate.

Eventually, there'll be one last wrap-up of an epilogue that'll tie up the loose ends and give a peek into the futures of the five loners and the supporting characters who aided in their time of desperate need.

The Miscellaneous Foursome

The miscellaneous foursome, otherwise known as Isadora and Vanessa Kin, Isaac's triplets, are in an uproar about the whole shebang and then come to learn that two friends of theirs, with different names and identities than what they're known by in the same school as the two sisters, went missing. Now they're in a dilemma. Do they help, or still refuse, because they hate Kiernan's guts, and why do they hate him?

The last two individuals are Ferron and Dorian Jenelle, Mesala's missing brothers. They've just turned adults at twenty-one and are real troublemakers. However, this time, they've managed to get into the kind of trouble that could turn fatal if they're not careful. They also must decide whether Kiernan, aka Kila, is trustworthy and can help them out of their jam in return for alerting their sister and others to his dilemma to gain further help.

Isadora was in a difficult position. She's on the run now and won't acknowledge anyone's willingness to give a hand of assistance. Yeah, she knows she's in the wrong, but now must figure out how to handle her own mess for once. That is her goal and if it means literally disappearing from this dimension to accomplish it, that's what Isadora will do to accomplish it.

The voice of Vanessa brings the separate tales of the Miscellaneous Foursome to a conclusion. Vanessa is faced with a heartbreaking decision after learning of her triplet’s soon demise through a very nasty medical condition. Now she had to make a difficult choice.

Would she allow her sister to do what she wished, or would she put Isadora through an unpleasant ordeal of shoving her into an antiseptic and sterile environment? Only Vanessa can make that decision, but first, she must alert other people in her circle of acquaintances to the new developments.

Now the final volume is bringing this series to an end. Will everyone be able to find peace within the world and did Isadora get her final wish after her death from the horrible cancer inflicted on her twice from various sources. Only one way to find out...Keep Reading until the end.

Prologue

Several months passed since all of the events occurred. Kellen was bemused at how smoothly the trials took place and punishment meted accordingly to the severity of the crimes. While some of the outcomes were appropriate, there were a few that were lighter than anticipated. Kellen stood with Kiernan, Anya, Isaac, and Mesala as they watched the proceedings.

Because they all, in effect, had been victimized in various ways due to the ringleaders, they were essential witnesses. Kellen glanced at Kiernan. Any word on how the eggs are faring? He knew there'd been some human embryos mixed in with them.

Kiernan grunted. They're doing okay, but some of them need further specialized care that is not available here. His arms were folded. I'm at something of a loss.

Hmm, that wasn't good, but Kellen wasn't deterred. As long as they continued to work together, anything was possible, so he'd learned from everything going on.

After Vanessa returned with the news of her sister's death and the recovery of her body that was turned over to authorities, more information came to light. The revelations were shocking and stunned Kellen and the others within Loner's Niche.

Everything that happened was linked and it was definitely not in a great way either. However, it was a turning point in terms of whether the eggs would survive or not. The cost of the revelation though made everyone wonder if it had been worth the seeking of the discovery and revitalization of life.

Within the space of a week following Kiernan's concerns over the eggs, a solution had been found, but it came at a huge personal cost from one person no one thought would've done such a thing.

Dachau Sensei approached Kellen with some further troubling news. I realize none of you wish to go to the new institution, but it may be necessary to survive in this dimension. He looked very uneasy. I'll make it plain. Kellen blanched when Dachau spoke tersely. Kiernan's eggs need to go into a dimension where they'll complete the incubation and thrive. There was genuine sorrow and concern in Dachau's face when he expressed his concerns. In this current environment, I fear they won't make it. His shoulders drooped. For a split second, he looked like the ancient being that he was, and Kellen was shocked. Well, no matter what happens. I'll protect the spirits of the embryos that haven't been born yet even if it costs me my life. With that statement, Dachau left Kellen to consider his next actions.

Damn you, sensei. Kellen sighed. He went off to find Kiernan and relayed the news that Dachau left with him. I would normally blow off what he's said, but this time I think he's being completely honest. That type of disclosure of information indicated that Dachau knew he was facing some kind of bind, and it was restricting his ability to keep anyone safe.

Kiernan listened intently. All right, we're going to need to talk to the others anyway. He shrugged. I don't know what he was thinking when it came to this new institute, but if it means saving my children. I'll at least consider the possibility. His eyes narrowed. Did he say anything about using this place as a dormitory or entrance to the academy?

Kellen blinked. Nope, I think he's given up on that notion. Now that he thought about it, Sensei had focused solely on imparting the news about the unborn spirits. He was more concerned about the fact that the eggs won't thrive here.

Kellen and Kiernan exchanged frustrated glances. That bedamned enigma of a sensei. They growled simultaneously.

This was the worst and best outcome of what they faced. Now it remained to see what could be done in the passing days.

At last, when Kellen awoke one day, he felt something had changed fundamentally about their small niche. He wasn't able to put a finger on what happened, but ominous shadows were gathering wherever he wandered along the seaside. At last, he'd gone into town to pick some things up before returning to his new home.

Kellen hailed Kiernan. Hi, Kiernan, how're the kiddos?

Kiernan blinked at him. Ah, hi Kellen. The kiddos are doing fine. As for the eggs. He sighed and shook his head. I think other measures may need to be considered after all. I'm going to have a meeting in a few hours, probably around sunset. Everyone should be home by then.

Kellen nodded. Sounds good. He headed to his room without further words spoken. There was no need for them.

The beautiful sunset heralded the end of another semi-peaceful day, as Kellen stared through the largest window of the Niche, where he and the others resided. He rubbed a hand over his face. So much has happened. He murmured. Not all of the events that occurred had been great. Several things had gone wrong and there'd even been a death that was tragically related to Isaac Kin, in that Isadora perished.

Kellen's mouth tightened as he considered what had all happened that resulted in her death. He shook his head wearily. I suppose though it was the only way to prevent the decaying of those eggs.

Kiernan's eyes were red from grief. No one had expected that Isadora would find the cure in the end. Strangely enough, it was the autopsy of her body that provided important clues. She'd chosen to donate her remains to science to assist Kiernan's offspring remain viable.

Don't get this wrong, She'd written. I still hate your guts, but now I know you weren't given a choice of how that cancer was removed from your body.

Kellen had been rendered absolutely shocked when he heard the truth behind the hostility and feud that erupted between Kiernan and the twins. He shook his head in amazement that Kiernan hadn't known the truth.

Now that Kellen thought about it, the timing was eerily coincidental to when Kiernan became healthier and stronger in a phenomenal case of remission and complete recovery. His mouth tightened. So much weirdness in the past has finally been resolved. He shook his head. The means of doing so resulted in so much chaos, hostility, and ultimately death and not just Isadora's either. Several more men and women died with similar discoveries in their remains. However, the majority of those people wound up in mass graves because none of them had families willing to come forward and claim their bodies. What a harsh cruel world this turned into nowadays.

*

Although she'd been welcomed with reservations at first, Vanessa had managed to make a space for her inclusion within the group. 

She did make a point of avoiding being too intrusive. Not only that but she had avoided going anywhere near those kids or the eggs. It wasn't that Vanessa didn't want to see them, she just feared that she might create unnecessary aggro when it came to Kiernan and his companions who still viewed her with justifiable suspicion.

However, the tides began turning once the truth of everything was revealed. Vanessa hadn't anticipated the outcome that occurred. She was relieved that no one wanted to throw her out. She thought something else might happen that would make her persona non-grata, but because of her deceased sister's snarkiness in how she'd written her last wishes, no one could make Vanessa a scapegoat for anything that might go wrong. She didn't know whether to be thankful or not after the revelations that kept happening one right after another. Vanessa was exhausted from everything that was going on. She couldn't even imagine what Kiernan was dealing with right now.

Kiernan had been horrified when he learned who'd become the recipient. He glanced at Isaac and Vanessa. I'm surprised the two of you are still willing to remain acquaintances of mine.

Vanessa snorted. She knew Isaac was enjoying everything that kept him in a healthy friendship with Kiernan. As for her, well, Vanessa wasn't sure whether he wanted to repair the relationship between him and her. She would bide her time, and not push him into making decisions he would regret.

Isaac rolled his eyes. I knew nothing about the problem. He folded his arms. Therefore, I had no reason to hate you so illogically or irrationally as what she'd nurtured. He shrugged. I still think it came from other reasons we've yet to uncover.

Oh, good grief, would they just let this go? Vanessa shook her head wearily. What does it matter? Your eggs are safe. That's what is important. She frowned. What about Sensei Dachau's proposal?

They all glanced at each other warily. As yet, no one had accepted the idea of going into another educational facility that they knew nothing about. Nor did they know how it came into existence. That was what frightened them more than anything was the uknown factors. Hrmm, maybe I shouldn't have brought up the topic? Vanessa did recall that they all were suspicious of Sensei Dachau for several reasons. Ugh, how annoying. I really hadn't wanted to do this.

Vanessa sighed inwardly. However, it has to be faced no matter how uncomfortable people are in dealing with it. While she couldn't blame them for not being pleased at the timing, it had to be addressed. Not only that but none of them could continue mooching here forever, now, could they? Vanessa in particular didn't want to remain there. Not after everything that went down. She already knew their patience with her meddling was thinning rapidly. She couldn't blame them, Vanessa would rather be anywhere but there, honestly.

This really is an unpleasant topic, I know, but it does need to be dealt with. Mesala acknowledged. We've had more than enough time to get accustomed to living here. She shrugged. I just would like to know more about the institution that is all. The others nodded.

So that is the main reason why no one wants to even look at the website that is available? Uncomfortable with the silence and the uneasy atmosphere, Vanessa tapped a finger on her arm. What should she do to get them started in discussing the topic? Well, I can understand that. I did actually look at it for a bit, but then everything else blew up so I didn't finish exploring it. Not that any of them paid attention to what she was saying. That was a given though and now Vanessa saw that Kiernan was finally willing to speak up. Maybe he would offer further insight into their wariness.

Kiernan regarded Vanessa with bemusement and gave his thoughts on the matter. No one knows what's the real purpose behind him urging us to join it. Kiernan shrugged when the others nodded in agreement.

He hesitated before admitting. Personally, I was only taking the classes to upgrade my degree to something fancier. Kiernan made a face of acute disgust and irritation. I already know the techniques and skills. I either acquired them through experimentation or through other programs specializing in them.

Vanessa frowned. That should've been enough, right? She still wasn't sure what the problem was.

Kiernan shrugged. I thought so too. It turned out some employers are damned picky. He shook his head. Those certificates aren't viewed as valid, Kiernan scowled in outright disgust when explaining. Otherwise, I wouldn't even waste my time on the official accredited colleges. He folded his arms. Now, I have even less reason to attend a college. Kiernan glanced at the others. They're free to do as they please. He was making it clear that no one would be forced to follow his suggestions either.

Ah, so that was the core of the problem. Vanessa grimaced in aggravation at the challenge she faced and grunted. Well, I'm not going to force any of you into making a decision. That's when another idea struck her. Some of these folks had kids and siblings. Why would they want to remain there? When could they have apartments or even townhouses of their own? I'm going to attend and live in the dormitory apartment that is available to adults who don't want to share space with others. She shrugged. Yes, it is nice here, but I prefer having a suite of rooms I can call my own. Well, it was worth a shot. Even if it didn't work out, at least Vanessa had given them all somethign to think about at the very least. I'm going to be moving out in two weeks or so. She also wasn't going to just disappear on them. That would be outright rude and discourteous. Not something she was fond of doing to people whom she actually liked.

*

Of all the crazy and improbable scenarios, he and the others could've imagined, having Vanessa run tamely around the Niche was not something Kiernan entertained before now.

However, Vanessa proved she was willing to change things about her actions to make sure that no one else suffered from the same fate as Isadora. On the other hand, she wasn't fighting restrictions placed upon her. Rather she put up with them because she understood where they came from.

The fact that she was coming up with suggestions that wouldn't hurt people but would bring peace rather than ratcheting tension surprised him.

Now she was taking a risky chance in bringing up a very touchy subject. Could Vanessa have received new information from Sensei Dachau that hadn't been imparted to Kellen? Anything was possible given the shaky atmosphere that occurred with Isadora's death. No one could have known what happened all the years and the outcome of such tragedy that appeared predestined for Isadora no thanks to other entities' interference in all their lives.

Kiernan regarded Vanessa Kin with surprise. She'd matured greatly throughout the entire fracas. What disturbed him the most was the suggestion she'd given about the dormitories. While it was true the others could stay at his place however long they pleased, he knew they would eventually want to take up residence elsewhere.

Now he was trying to remember why he thought having them around was a good idea. Oh right, he could ensure their safety for a while longer while the remainder of the creeps were caught, convicted, and ultimately imprisoned or executed. How should Kiernan phrase it so that they wouldn't view his actions as meddling? That was the difficult challenge he faced.

Isaac grunted. I've checked out what I could about the place. He shook his head wearily. "While it seems legitimate on the surface, I