A Sweet Distant Memory

  “So you were the one to send the signal?”

  The woman in the red hood, who called herself Agile-Eye, said.

  “Yes, it was me.”

  “Are you good with technology?”

  “Better than everyone on this planet.”

  “You take pride in it?”

  “Of course.”

  She hummed, crossing her arms while her partner in the dark navy suit, Night-Coven, analyzed the transmitter. He called himself her partner, and she seemed annoyed by it. What kind of relationship did these two have?

  Are they a couple?

  I highly doubt it. Couples don’t get annoyed with each other — or at least, I thought they didn’t. Eralla never got annoyed with the things I did, but this woman named Agile-Eye certainly seemed annoyed by Night-Coven.

  “It looks like fine work. You are good with this,”

  Night-Coven said.

  “I bet those claws make it harder for you to work with. Can I have a look?”

  The man in the midnight-blue suit asked abruptly. My eyebrows furrowed. What was wrong with this man?

  “Aureolo!”

  Agile-Eye said.

  What was wrong with this man named Aureolo?

  “Right…”

  He muttered.

  “So tell me about the situation on Valconalla?”

  She asked.

  “The planet is dying. Two volcanoes have erupted over the past two weeks.”

  I answered.

  “In the outer orbit of the planet, we checked the various stats, and it does look like the core will collapse in the following 12 to 36 hours,” she said.

  “So what shall we do, Agile-Eye?”

  Ouubuutt asked.

  She leaned forward, planting her hands firmly on the table.

  “Gather your belongings and head inside the Axiom. The core of Valconalla cannot be saved, so it is better if your people were to be relocated.”

  “Relocate to where?”

  The fool, Tohthorayn, spoke up.

  “Somewhere safe.”

  Night-Coven said.

  “Our leader, Hornet Mask, is looking for a suitable environment for your species.”

  Agile-Eye said.

  I looked over towards the elders in the room.

  “Then tell the others to prepare to leave Ma-Oktava.”

  “Alright.”

  Donttano said.

  I headed towards the door, walking past the Guardians of the Unirex members.

  “Now where are you going?”

  The faker, Tohthorayn asked.

  “None of your business.”

  I replied curtly.

  I walked out of the door. The humongous spaceship filled the majority of my view, blocking the fallen Rotana from view.

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  The people of Ma-Oktava seemed happy — for once.

  Again, I told myself I didn’t care. I was only helping them because of Eralla.

  Eralla…

  I should go see her.

  I walked towards the hut, hands curled tight.

  I must see her before chaos ensues, or else I will lose my chance of talking to her about my changed plans. One last time.

  I spotted Eralla playing with Lylla and Somala, the twins. I headed towards them, unsure of what to say to her.

  Why was I overthinking this?

  Thump. Thump.

  “Eralla…”

  I called out, grabbing her attention. I stared at her, feeling my heart race. This felt like my last time seeing her, and I felt enthralled. It was the same feeling I felt when I first saw her through the lens of love when she was 11.

  “Aourine…”

  She broke apart from Lylla and Somala and headed over towards me. I immediately cradled her face, analysing her.

  “You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

  She shook her head and covered my red-tinted fingers with her yellow ones.

  “No, I am fine.”

  “Good…”

  “Why did you go over to Rotana? Ma-Oktava has become entirely destabilized. You could have been hurt or worse, died.”

  She pulled my hands off her face and gripped them warmly in hers.

  “I needed to. Quen-alla was hungry, and so were the rest of my siblings. I needed to be the provider, Aourine.”

  Thump. Thump.

  She was meant to be a parent. She should not be dragged along for my dreams. She was still looking out for family, even if it meant being…

  I took a deep breath.

  “Be safe out there…”

  My hands slowly left hers.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Preparing to leave Ma-Oktava. So should you.”

  “At least stay for food. Ma is making tettara. There is enough for you.”

  “No… I have a lot to pack up.”

  My hands curled up as I walked away.

  What was I trying to do? Trying to drag her along with me when she already has other plans. She belonged with her family. She had no place in the life I was trying to build ahead of me.

  My heart clenched.

  With heavy pain, I walked away from Eralla. Not looking back at her once.

  Orange-tinted tears filled my eyes, my feet begging me to turn around and fall into her arms.

  But I also knew the guilt of bringing her with me would weigh heavier.

  I turned my head, watching her as she became a distant memory. A sweet distant memory.

  Will I ever see her again…?

  ???