The Seekers – Write at the Merge

Written for Write at the Merge. A story about seekers begins after the image.

Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy

Art by: Carolina Eade

The Seekers

They left him behind at the cliff. “What an idiot,” snickered Joseph. “He’ll never amount to anything.”

“I can’t believe he bought the “dragon watch” thing,” said Jean-Paul.

“There are no dragons! They don’t migrate at this time of year.” Joseph rolled his eyes. “He studies on the stupid datapad all the time, but he’s still dumb.”

“It’s the food rationing,” said Jaime. “It’s affected his brain.”

“His brain’s just burned out from that stupid searching all the time.” quipped Joseph.

***

Clay spent the time at the cliff with his datapad, searching for one bit of information, which led him to another, and another. At eight-years old he already possessed the equivalent of a Bachelor’s of Science, yet his thirst for knowledge pushed him even further. He turned to biology, wondering why the village’s crops produced less food every year. No one understood why, and the puzzle had his mind racing. So absorbed was he in his quest for knowledge, he failed to keep watch for dragons.

That’s why he missed a swarm of them flying straight towards him.

They landed upon him as one, all wings and claws and serpentine skin. His screams were drowned in the press of bodies.

***

Clay awoke near the cliff edge. He sat up and saw it sitting before him. It was tiny for a dragon, only two-feet long with bands of electric blue, green and violet color. It had 3 pairs of wings instead of the usual single pair. “Do not be afraid, Clay Eisenthal,” it said, in voice like the wind in bamboo.

“What happened?” said Clay, trying to control his trembling fear.

“We are seekers,” said the dragon. “Seekers of, seekers like yourself. For 1,000 years we have waited to find a mind like yours to merge with. Of all our creche, only I am compatible with you.”

“For what?”

“For reproduction.” Its eyes had a sparkle, like exploding blue stars.

“But that’s impossible!”

“It matters not that we are different species. We reproduce with a mind, not a body.”

“Why me? Why would I?

“Your thirst for knowledge is unbounded. It is the correct…frequency. I have merged with 17 species and 182 individuals. Merge with me and their collective knowledge will all be yours.”

Clay licked his lips impulsively. “How does it work?”

***

“Are these reports correct, Miley?” said Chief Minister Warrick.

“Yes, sir. I compiled them myself.”

Warrick shook his head. “We’re dying, Miley. In three years we’ll all be starving. The supply ship is due in five years.”

“There’s something you should see, sir,” said Miley.

A boy was ushered into the office. He was naked and his eyes were closed. A brightly colored creature curled around his head, its four legs somehow merged into his cranium.

“What the hell?” exclaimed Warrick.

“We must discuss the problem with the village’s crops,” said the boy in a voice like wooden flutes. “I can correct the problem.”

“How?”

Clay opened his eyes.

They blazed like exploding stars.
____________________

This week’s Write At The Merge is limited to 500 words and must contain the word, “Sparkle.” For those interested in joining, here’s this week’s prompt: http://writeonedge.com/2013/12/write-at-the-merge-week-50/