Science Fiction:

Outcast

Summary of last week's story

***

Erkin has rediscovered the ancient power of speech, which all the other inhabitants of the New World has forgotten. But in a world where the main form of communication has been telepathy for many millennia, he's looked upon as a mutant.

He is forced to escape from Octor - his tribe - to Colunar, when to his surprise he discovers that all the people of Colunar has a power completely different from any he could have ever imagined - invisibility!

***

by Sajitha Prematunge

"All the people here are invisible?" gasped Erkin. "Yes, there are more than 1,000 people in this city and there are more than two hundred cities like this in the whole of Colunar. But there is one problem evolution hasn't taken care of.

Once we are invisible there is no way of detection, we can't even see ourselves. So we designed the 'Heat sensors', not only can it detect invisible beings but also identify them accurately according to their heat patterns.

The rest of the world is oblivious to this great accomplishment we've made, because we Colunars live such secluded lives.

Not even your father knows." Changar continued proudly. "We don't think the outsiders are worthy enough." Erkin thought it wasn't just the outsiders who are oblivious to changes but also the Colunars "But I think you, Erkin will be worthy to be a Columnar".

Changar gave sometime for Erkin to digest the information. "The problem is Erkin.... the Colunars will never accept you unless you are able to master the power of invisibility.

But that fortunately is not too difficult a task. You just have to concentrate. In fact I will be your personal trainer, the best in all Colunar."

Easier said than done. Erkin wasn't properly equipped for being invisible, by evolution. He concentrated hard as his mind could tolerate with no luck. Changar suggested serious meditation, even that didn't work. Almost a year in to his stay Erkin still hadn't worked it out.

Changar said "People are starting to talk Erkin." Changar didn't have to mention that. Although he could now see and even identify the people of Colunar with the help of the heat sensor implant embedded in his eye, Erkin more than sensed their suspicion. They would never accept him if he was unable to master the power of invisibility.

Things took a turn for the worst when Beldon, the ever curious asked "Why are you not invisible Erkin?" Unfortunately there was no artificial method of being invisible. Changar tried to change the subject but Beldon was persistent.

"Are you not able to turn your self invisible Erkin?" said Beldon not wishing to conceal his suspicions. The market of the Village was over crowded, only seven days from the equinox and Erkin saw a few other heat signature shadows of invisible Colunars walk their way.

Erkin started to feel uneasy and remembered that it was the same feeling he had when he got in to trouble by 'talking' for the first time. "You are an anomaly - a mistake of nature." the crowd started to murmur.

It was almost the same scenario in Colunar as it was in Octor. Only this time he wasn't ordered to restrict himself to a compound, he was banished from Colunar. Luckily Changar was very looked up to in Colunar and did not attempt to hang Erkin, in fear their secret would get out.

According to Changar he could be trusted. Changar dropped Erkin at the Syringe where he first found him. He apologized from Erkin for not being able to help him and asked Erkin to go to Lorust where there was a man who owed Changar a favour and was sure to help Erkin, on his request.

Lorust proved very difficult to find because the name of the tribe has changed - to Levity. As the name suggested all the inhabitants of Levity could levitate. Although they were somewhat receptive and not as violent as Colunars or even Octors upon his discovery, Erkin did not wish to be somewhere he was treated as an outcast.

He believed, through his over one year existence outside of Octor he would be able to live on his own. So he set off on a quest - to find a place where he wasn't treated as an outcast - a place of his own.

He set off on foot through jungles, deserts, tribes, villages and cities. While he was crossing a grass land, still recovering from a brush fire, he saw a boy about ten New World years of age, walking wearily over the bank of a dried up river.

The poor boy was dressed in rags and had soot covered his face. He stopped when he saw Erkin, ran to him and started to plead telepathically. 'Please, you must help me, my tribe has disowned me because I have ex-ray vision and all of the other tribes are trying to imprison me.

One tribe tried to trap me and conduct experiments on me. But I managed to get away yesterday. Do you know of a tribe who would have me?' the boy went on all in one breath. For a moment recognition and sympathy flashed in Erkin's eyes. But then his brows arched in to a frown. 'Can you speak?' Erkin communicated through telepathy.

The boy was caught off guard. What kind of a question is that. 'Of course not.

How could I and besides why would I?' Communicated the boy. "Then you are a mutation!

You can do what I can't and can't do what I can. You are an anomaly - a mistake of nature" hissed Erkin and left the boy in the middle of the grassland to stare in bewilderment.

To be Continued next week...

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