Alpha Centauri

Six - Nizami

I wasn't expecting an encounter like that. I was told my mission would be fairly simple.

What did the alien want with the twins and Crenala? I've been pondering ever since Julian killed it. Julian's telekinesis, it's all too much. There's a lot more to these twins than I guessed.

I've also been (unsuccessfully) using this to distract myself while I dress Julian's wound. He's built very well, toned nicely, that is, for just a teenage boy. He'll look like his father.

Catherine returns to the room with a backpack for Julian and Jaden and a new hoodie for Julian. I am almost disappointed when he puts it on.

"We're gonna have to clean this place up," says Julian, examining the body of the mystery alien.

"No," I say. "Let the others find it. Let them know what we're capable of."

"Aren't you just a little ray of sunshine?"

I smirk.

"What if the police find it?"

"The aliens will have removed all evidence by then." I sigh. "There. How do you feel?"

"Fine. Thanks, Nizami," Catherine replies.

"Catherine," I say, "the twins and I must leave now. I am afraid you won't be able to accompany us. I apologize."

Catherine stands, and Julian runs into her arms like a child running to his mother after his first day of school. He towers over her by almost a foot, but she still holds him in her arms and strokes his thick, chocolate brown hair as if he was a small child.

Jaden, however, remains sitting on the counter, looking down at her feet, avoiding eye contact with anyone else. I can tell why she didn't run to her mother like Julian did. She knows it will only make leaving more difficult.

But Jaden hops off the counter and hugs Catherine, burying her face in her long, faded blonde hair, not saying a word. I marvel at the resemblance between the two.

"Where are you going to go, Mom?" Julian croaks. "They'll kill you if you stay here."

"I'll find my uncle Thomas," Catherine says, trying to dam up the tears.

Her uncle, of course. Catherine's parents are dead.

"We can't leave you," Julian says. "We'll never see you again."

"You have to go. Crenala needs you."

A tear rolls down Julian's cheek, and Jaden tries to hide her tears. I know what they're feeling, but I can't relate. I never had a parent to love. Besides, emotions are not part of my mission.

Catherine finally lets go of her children. "Mom, take care of yourself," Jaden says, her first visible tear rolling down her face.

Catherine smiles, her red-rimmed eyes wrinkling up. "I know you two will make great rulers."

They want to hug again, but they can't because they'll never let go. Instead, Catherine turns to me. "Make sure Jule and Jay stay out of trouble, okay?"

My voice is firm when I say, "I will."

The three of us pick up our backpacks and step out of the small, falling-apart house without looking back.