Below is the prologue and excerpt from Chapter 1 of the "Planet of the Apes" novel I'm writing titled: "Planet of the Apes: Nemesisimian" 

written by Cornelius 

PROLOGUE

It's an early September morning, the wind blows rather gustily as an array of leaves spin in circles like tiny twisters upon the Earth's floor. And to the insects who try to survive under the burst of tornado winds, they must scurry, trying with all their might to survive or risk being thrown hundreds of inches from their homes. Autumn is not too far from today, and it looks as though the worst part of the summer heat is over, for now. Only a few trees show any signs of changing color, and the wind carries on it's back an assurance that things will soon be changing.

But here, on a field of grass, past the trees and over the river, lies something else that it also changing. Not a new beginning, but more like a continuing chapter in Earth's brief history. For the year is 3172 A.D. and life as we know it is about to be turned upside down. Someone is stealing the lives of our friends; someone is killing our brothers and sisters; someone is turning our world into a bloody nightmare. We aren't sure what the killer looks like, and were not sure if it's male or female. But one thing we are sure about is that it's human...and we hate humans. 

Humans are diseased creatures that bring nothing to our world but death and destruction. For many centuries we have tried to live amongst them, just as we have been asked by our ancestors from long ago. We have documented proof that they are the leading cause for the annihilation of most areas of our world, leaving behind crumbled buildings and poisonous water and soil. Our people have all they can take in risking each day living amongst such vile and morbid breeds of animal as we've learned to see these humans. And now with the deaths of our people becoming more and more frequent, it will be our duty to see that this plague, this horrible tragedy that these humans are surely guilty of inflicting, is brought under control. If we cannot control the humans, how will we ever expect to survive.


"... find me in my field of grass... hmmm hmmm hmmm hmm hmm hmmm...", Centana, a young female chimpanzee, sings softly to herself as she gently plays her guitar. The guitar, a present given to her by a friend, and a treasure she's been prohibited to possess. This instrument, believed to be a creation of man, is also feared to be a weapon of witchcraft, for the elder orangutans have claimed that it\rquote s soothing sound is meant to hypnotize simians. But Centana feels, as long as no one is aware of it, what harm can there be in playing it.

As Centana strums her guitar, she is reminded of her friend, if that's what you can call it, who took time and major risks just to show her how to play. Sky, a male human who used to live in a village near her home, had been a close friend to her, although their friendship had to be hidden. Apes forbid any friendships with humans, for the obvious fear of being mislead and perhaps even the threat of witchcraft. And this guitar, in all is simplicity and sound, evokes a deep threat to being a source of human magic. As far as Centana is aware, no one, not even her two closest friends, Melee and Cree, know of her possession of the guitar, or her secret with the human boy, Sky. 

Centana, seemingly tranquil and joyful, continues her performance of the only song she has ever learned, "... all day long I'm sitting singing songs for every...". 

Suddenly, Centana's voice is silenced, as a hand covers her mouth, but not before a blade is thrust deep into her back, piercing her left lung. The blade is quickly removed, and blood begins to pour profusely from the wound. She tries to claw at her attacker, tearing and lacerating at it's clothing. Try as she will, she attempts to rise to her feet, as blood continues to fill her lungs. She feels very sluggish, as breathing becomes all the more difficult. She is rapidly drowning in her own blood. Her arms begin to feel heavy, as she feels herself slipping. As her mind begins to shut down, she makes one last effort to flee. But unfortunately, the blood loss is too excessive. She's able to turn her head, just long enough to see her attacker. Within a split second, the blade is thrust again through the front of her neck, slicing right through her vocal chords, as blood sprays out, running down her chest and onto the forbidden instrument below her. As the last ounce of life is taken from her, the attacker takes hold of her body, lifting her high above it's head, and with the unbelievable strength of ten gorillas, it slams her body hard against the earth\rquote s floor. Like that of a child\rquote s doll, she lays upon the ground, mangled and disjointed. The killer then grabs the instrument, taking very little time to examine before slamming it against the tree, shattering it into splinters. And with a swift leap, it\rquote s gone out of sight, leaving Centana's bloody, bruised and lifeless body on the grassy floor. 

And then there is nothing. 

Nothing but what was once Centana. Again the pre-autumn wind begins to blow, almost as if to cover the tracks of any event that may have taken place seconds before. No evidence is left once the earth is kissed by the wind. No one to be a witness to this horrible tragedy. No one, save the wind. 

And the wind says nothing.