“What’s the ripple effect?”
Some of the story made perfect sense, other parts were confusing. But I needed to know. Whatever was happening between these planets involved Lucy now.
She sighed.
“It’s a complex part of our history–”
I cut her off. “I don’t have time for the entire history. I have to find Lucy. So if you can just tell me what I really need to know...”
The delicate skin above her eye furrowed. Already I had noted this was something she did when upset.
“Your life may depend on you understanding. Please do not leave before I can explain.” Her smile was strained. “I just wanted you to appreciate there’s no easy, simple explanation.” She looked up for a moment. “I guess it begins with First World.”
I sighed, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. This was going to be a long story.
Her eyes creased when she smiled. “Our astronomers, space technicians, explorers – whatever you call them – have established First World as the actual first planet. Its existence began around the eight-billion-year mark. Give or take a few years.”
I sucked in a deep breath. Well, that explained the nickname.
“There have been humanoid inhabitants for approximately two million years; we are still developing as a species. First World has six younglings.”
Her lilting accent was beautiful as she weaved her story. “They’re the offspring of our planet, existing in adjacent star systems and connected to First World. Like any young, they’re growing and learning to become self-reliant, but they still carry a certain level of ... attachment and connection to their mother. They’re unique planets, most extremely different to any world you would have known.”
“So Earth is one of these six planets?” Never in my life on Earth had I heard mention of youngling planets.
Lallielle nodded, her clasped hands resting in her lap.
“Yes, the closest related youngling to us. Earth’s inhabitants and ecosystems were developing on a similar timeline to ours. That was before the dark days, of course. This is the reason you’ll find so many similarities between our planets – culture, language, environment. The younglings develop from our energies.”
She smiled at me. “We didn’t always speak English. In fact, we used to have many languages, but a universal language developed many years ago and now any other is secondary.”
She took a deep breath. “Negative energy will also be passed through the connection, and that is the basis of the ripple effect.”
I stood and started to pace around the room. I could not sit any longer – this was like no history class I’d ever been in.
“The six younglings are in the early stages of existence. For example, humanoids have been on Earth for around 200,000 years. They’re bright and inquisitive, but with limited abilities. However, we still don’t know the reason for the magic void. The other planets all use magic of some description.”
She shrugged. “Balance is the entity that keeps the worlds developing. And in the last few years there has been a huge influx of negative energy in First World. Such an imbalance has never occurred before. Everything’s in chaos. The younglings feed from our energy, so the chaos ripples.”
Tears filled her eyes. “By the time we realized the extent, it was too late – you were already gone and I couldn’t find you to bring you back.”
It was like a story from some crazy whacked-out sci-fi movie. But, unfortunately, it actually made sense. The escalated demise of Earth had never felt natural. The crazy behavior of the humans had been extreme, even for those who fell into the extra-stupid category.
Lallielle shifted toward me, the sadness in her face pleading with me to understand. “I cannot express my regret for the world you were raised in. Tell me everything that’s happened since you left us. Who is Lucy and how did you make it here?”
There was too much. Where would I even start? I wanted to find Lucy, but a quick glance in Brace’s direction and the shake of his head told me the town was still locked down. I’d just give her the basics.
Without too much emotion, I described my life to that point. The dismay on Lallielle’s face made me uncomfortable. So, upon finishing, I distracted myself by observing my opulent surroundings.
After giving her a few moments to recover from my tales of the life she’d unintentionally gifted me, I decided to ask something I was really curious about.
“What is it that First World people do? You know, for jobs, money?”
Brace shifted in curiosity. “What’s money?”
I wondered if I looked as shocked as I felt. I glanced between them.