Rescue of Calgor

I pulled open the weighty door of the coffee shop on the corner. Pausing for a second, I look around. Where am I? What am I doing here? Confused, I try to remember what I was previously doing and how I got to this coffee shop. 

All of a sudden, a cat emerges from the side of the building. Just the cats head is poking out. I don’t see a collar around its neck. Must be a stray. Is he hungry? We made eye contact for a minute. Time somehow stood still in that moment. I suddenly felt a bump on my shoulder as someone bolted past me into the coffee shop. I realize I’m still standing in the doorway holding the door wide open. I look back over at the cat, he’s still there. Staring at me. Without breaking eye contact I closed the door and turned towards the cat. 

“Hey little guy. Are you okay? Are you hungry?” I slowly reached my hand out to him. 

The cat backs away slowly, still staring directly at me. Does he want me to follow him? I begin to walk towards the corner to follow him. I can see him a bit ahead of me, so I begin to walk a little faster to not lose sight of him. He turns left down an alley way. At this point he hasn’t looked back at me the entire time, but I can tell he somehow knows I’m not too far behind. There’s a sense of confidence in the way he’s leading me. Like he has a specific destination in mind, and he knows I’ll follow. 

Finally, the cat stops at the end of the alley by a red door, turns around and lays down facing me. 

“I’m not exactly what you were expecting for a tour guide, huh Alex?” Grant says. 

Did he just talk? Did... Did he just say my name? I couldn’t even comprehend what was happening, let alone utter a single word.  

“I know, I know. I’m not as pretty and clean as all the other cats around here. Sorry to disappoint.” Grant slowly arose with his bushy, gray tail swaying ever so gracefully back and forth. 

“Tour guide?” I finally sputtered out. That’s really all I could get out in that moment. 

Grant looked back at the door and quickly back at me.  

“Look, I know you have a lot of questions kid but we’re running out of time. Follow me and I’ll explain everything later.” 

Without hesitation I followed this dirty street cat I’ve never seen before into the mysterious red door with a shiny, gold doorknob. Oddly enough, I wasn’t fearful of what was on the other side of the door. I was, however, still a little rattled by the fact that this street cat was talking to me clear as day. When have I ever been known to turn down a little adventure though? 

As we walk through the red door I am forced to squint and turn my head away as I raise my left hand to shield my eyes from the brightness of the room. The alley way right outside this door might be trashed and dirty but this room is most definitely the cleanest room I have ever gazed upon in my life, I was in awe. Essentially the room consisted of a long corridor with the cleanest chrome pillars to ever exist with white banners hanging down in-between. Magnificent chandeliers hung every 10 feet along the entire length of the center of the corridor. At the end of the room was another red door with a gold doorknob. 

Grant said we needed to hurry but seemed to be taking his time walking to the other end of this room. When we finally made it to the door, it opened. We walk through and my vision gets blurry, my body tingles, and I go flying across the walkway and almost land on what closely resembles some kind of thorn bush. 

“Whoa! What just happened? Where are we?” 

“Welcome to Calgor, kid. Stay close to me, I’ll lead the way.” 

“Calgor? Where is that? Are we still in Manhattan?” 

Grant slowly turns to face me, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” he says with a wink as a massive grin forms across his face. 

“Listen, uh cat, I really do trust you and everything, but you need to give me something. Where are we? Where is Calgor?” 

Grant stops dead in his tracks. He turns towards me and almost looks sorrowful for a moment. 

“Names Grant.” He sighs, “Look around and tell me what you see.” 

I scan the area in every direction. Everything is so fresh. So clean. So bright. People are walking around with smiles from ear to ear. Cats are roaming around and they’re all spotless and even have collars. Everything feels so comfortable. This place was no Manhattan, that’s for sure. 

“I see... flawlessness.” 

Grant smirks. “This is where you truly belong kid. Welcome home. Come on, let’s go.” 

Home? 

We continued to walk down the most superb sidewalk. Home. That word kept reappearing in my mind. Home. 

“So... you never answered my question.” I said as I repeatedly surveyed every inch of my surroundings. “Where is Calgor?” 

Grant chuckled. “Calgor is your home planet.” 

Planet?! 

Grant continued, “When you were only five years old you fell into a well. At the bottom of that well was a portal that transported you to a planet called Earth. Your parents went crazy looking for you and when they finally realized what happened to you, they demanded the city close off that well to avoid another incident like that from occurring again. You’ve been there ever since, and I have been on a mission to find another portal that led to Earth so I could bring you back.” 

Once again, I was speechless.  

“Wow... I had no idea. Why have you been searching for me though?” 

“I’m your family, kid. That’s what family does.” 

We finally reached a towering blue building on a hill. It had a castle-like feel to it. The shingles were gray, and all the windows were open. The door was a wooden, rounded door with no lock on it, just a door handle. Surprisingly, none of the houses had locks on the door and the windows were all open as well.  

“Alright Alex, go on inside.” Grant said as he nudged my leg towards the door. 

I paused. I had no idea what to expect. Everything somehow felt pleasant though. I felt... at home. I slowly walked towards the door. When I reached the door, I turned towards Grant one last time for some reassurance. He urged me to open it. I swung the door open as if ripping off a Band-Aid and walked right in. 

As I look around, the first thing I see in the front foyer is a sign hanging on the wall.  

Home is where your heart feels most at peace. 

I walked a little further past the foyer into the living room. There they were. My parents. I somehow recognized them. They looked exactly how I remembered them. They were perfect. I had all these beautiful memories rushing back to me. I steadily moved towards them. They were sitting on the couch with their backs to me. 

“Mom? … Dad?” 

They turned around briskly yet gracefully.  

“Alex!” They both exclaimed as they jumped up from the couch. My dad dropped the book he was reading and pulled me in and wrapped his arms around me. My mom was crying tears of joy. I couldn’t believe I was home. 

I spent the entire day telling my parents about what my life was like on Earth. They were so amazed by all the stories I had about New York. Manhattan was very different from Calgor. After dinner, which was beyond magnificent by the way, I went upstairs to my room. At the end of my bed was a little wooden cat house with a sign at the top that read Grant. 

“You may only be 17 but you are a proud owner of a Persian cat, kid.” Grant said sheepishly. 

I smiled warmly at him, “Yes I am.” 

“Alright, get some sleep, kid. We got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” 

I was delighted in the morning to be awoken by the sound of birds chirping as opposed to car horns and angry shouting. I could get used to this. 

Grant saw I was awake and hopped up on my bed, “No time to lay around all day, let’s get moving.” 

As we walked out the front door everything looked so different than the day before. Birds were still chirping but I could guarantee they weren’t singing for joy. Their chirping now sounded distorted somehow. The sky was dark and gloomy, the previously impeccable green grass looked wilted and brown, the people no longer had smiles on their faces. Everything had changed in an instant. 

“What’s going on? I thought everything here was perfect.” 

Grant sighed. “Nothing is perfect, kid. I uh... forgot to mention something yesterday when we arrived and may have lied a smidge. Calgor has always been a bright and cheerful place to live. It’s the most desired planet to live on of all the galaxies, but the day you fell down the well we had some unexpected guests arrive and everything changed. You falling down the well was unfortunately no accident.” 

Grant looked around as if to make sure no one was listening. “Prince Vilkon from the planet of Gentix had been given the opportunity to overtake any planet of his choosing and keep it for himself as a birthday present, believe it or not. Sadly, for all of us he chose Calgor.” 

He paused. “Your mom and dad are the King and Queen of Calgor, making you the prince. The only way Prince Vilkon could ensure that you would never come back for the throne was to banish you to the furthest planet he possibly could think of. Earth. So, on that day you disappeared, it was he who pushed you down that well. He was the one who closed it off so no one could follow you and bring you back. With everything changing now, he must know that you are back. I’m so sorry Alex but I never stopped fighting to find a way to get to you. I dedicated my life to finding another portal and getting to Earth, locating you and bringing you back home.” 

I stood for a moment, deep in thought. Attempting to get my brain to process all the information it just received.  

“I’m ready.” I said with a great deal of confidence. 

“Ready?” Questioned Grant. 

“I’m ready to take back what is rightfully mine. The throne of Calgor.” 

“Oh Alex, I am so proud of you. I will be right by your side the entire time. I also have some friends that might be of some help.” 

Grant excitedly turned away from my home and headed down the road quickly. I followed closely behind, trusting him fully to lead me yet again.  

After a short distance we arrived at a purple house. It was diminutive yet quaint and welcoming. I liked it quite a bit to be honest. Grant hopped up on the windowsill and whistled. He hopped back down by me, and a young lady opened the door and walked out.  

Her eyes grew wide as we made eye contact, “Alex? Is that you?” 

I looked down at Grant, but he was still looking at her. 

“Uh, yeah. It’s me, Alex. I’m sorry, who are you?” 

The young woman chuckled, “Well I’m only your best friend in the whole entire planet! It’s me, Isabella.” 

Suddenly a wave of memories came rushing in. We used to play at the park together every morning. We’d build towers in the sand and dig deep down for clay. We would run around the city fountain and pretend we were secret agents on a mission. Now we actually were on a mission, to save our planet from Prince Vilkon. 

“Oh my... Isabella!” I rushed in for a hug. “I can’t believe it! I remember!” 

“I knew you would! Alex, it has been horrible without your parents in charge. We need to take you to Prince Vilkon immediately and get your rights to the throne back!” 

Grant politely interjected, “I have one more person to help us get the job done. Follow me.” 

Isabella was ecstatic, she knew exactly who Grant was talking about. Five houses down was another great friend of mine, Jeremy. I needed no reminders to remember him. All my memories were completely restored. I was ready to take on Prince Vilkon. 

“I can’t wait to bust in there and put the beat down on this so-called Prince Vilkon!” Jeremy howled. Jeremy’s family was killed by Prince Vilkon for trying to break the seal that he put over the well. Jeremy had his own revenge to get as well. 

We finally arrive at the Castle in the center of the city where Prince Vilkon resides. My old home. 

“Alright guys, here’s the plan.” I explain, “Grant and Isabella, I want you guys to sneak into the bottom left window. Find your way upstairs into the weaponry and grab swords for us all. Jeremy and I will go in through the back and grab my crown from my room. If anything goes wrong, just run.” 

“We’re not leaving you!” Shouted Isabella. 

“I can’t lose you again, Alex.” Grant whimpered. 

“Okay, okay. Just be careful guys. Ready? Let’s go!” 

Everything was going according to plan. Once Jeremy and I reached my room I noticed the door was ajar and voices could be heard from inside. We looked at each other and proceeded with boldness. I shoved the door all the way open. It banged against the wall and bounced back slightly. Everyone in the room turned to look at us, including Prince Vilkon. 

“Well, Well, Well.” He suddenly burst into laughter, “Get it? Well! Ah, that was a good one Vilkon.” He said to himself.  

“I’m not playing games Vilkon! I came to take back what is rightfully mine!” 

“Ha! I’d like to see you try.” Prince Vilkon spread his arms out to show the room. There were seven guards in the room, all armed with swords. 

“Where is Isabella with those swords.” Jeremy whispered from the side of his mouth. 

“Right here!” Isabella said standing in the doorway with a smirk on her face. 

“Prince Vilkon, your times up,” Jeremy said. 

Prince Vilkon looked a little fearful and took a step back and let his guards come in front of him. I wasn’t going to let anything get in my way of saving Calgor, whether he had 7 guards or 700 guards. 

Isabella passed out the swords to me and Jeremy. Grant had a device that threw up a shield and was ready to activate it. 

Prince Vilkon’s guards started moving towards us and we all started swinging. Minutes later all his guards were lying on the floor. None of us had a scratch on us. Vilkon looked as if he saw a ghost. He never learned to defend himself, let alone use a sword correctly. He quickly picked up a staff that was leaning against the wall and looked at it questionably. 

“Back off! I earned this planet fair and square!” he said shakily. “You can’t just steal it!” 

“Oh, you mean like you stole it from Alex!” Jeremy cried, “and you killed my parents for trying to break the seal on the well to bring him back! You don’t deserve this planet!” 

Prince Vilkon looked around for an escape but before he could find one Jeremy lunged forward and tackled him. 

“Hurry Alex, grab your crown!” he shouted. 

I rushed forward, grabbed my crown and stared at it for a moment. I looked at Vilkon and smiled. This is really happening. We did it. I raised the crown above my head and proudly placed it on my head. I was the new prince of Calgor! 

Everything outside brightened up again. The birds were singing happily. The grey clouds disappeared. The grass was crisp and green again. The people had joyful smiles on their faces. Everything was perfect again.