The Acatalepsy of Love

Chapter 1 - A fallen star

              Past midnight - City outskirts/fields.

Stars lined the night sky, visible for the first time in so long, too long. It was a bit sad that it took having to be this far off from the city to actually be able to look up into something other than blinding lights. But it was an effort I was willing to make.

Especially tonight.

I wanted nothing more than to get away from it all and take a breath of fresh air. Away from the pollution, away from the judgemental glares. Just me, nature, and a few acquaintances. The company wasn't my choice, but some people can't take no for an answer.

It was late, close to midnight. Normally, I would've been in bed by now, needing to wake up early tomorrow and all. And yet, here I was... speeding through the meadow on my bike, leaving the blazing city and all it's intoxicating colours behind.

I glance down to the head of my motorbike, where the screen is, showing me the path to my destination. I'm close, just a bit more. I caught sight of a few distant lights, becoming clearer as I approached prompting me to slow my speed gradually until coming to a steady halt, just a bit away from the gathering. 

The engine revved then stopping the insufferable humming as it came to a stop. Several heads turned to look at me, followed by a few murmurs and whispers. I took the heavy helmet off my head, feeling the touch of fresh air on my face. I brushed a hand through my dark hair as I set the helmet down on the head of the bike and climbed off.

"5 2?!" One of the individuals jumped up and hurried towards me, drink in hand. 26526 Niri. But she preferred just Niri. She didn't look much like the rest, her hair half shaved on the left side, revealing it's natural dark violet colour while the rest was dyed bright yellow and tied into tight long braids, cascading down her petite figure. 

But it wasn't just her rebellious look, it was her eyes. Despite her usual serious expression, she beamed at me with a glow that always had a way of making me weak. It was one of her specialties. Making you feel at home. 

"Glad you could make it" she said, handing me a small plastic bag with pale yellow dust inside. She sent me a suggestive glance then bounced back to the group, holding her drink up in the air as she yelled. "Ya'll KOA the government pet is heeerreeeee!!"

A few sharp exhales followed from the youngsters at her statement, accompanied by a cheer or two, and they continued to down their drinks.

I let out a sigh at the obvious mock, but approached anyway, quietly greeting a few of the strangers before plopping down on the grass by the small geometric stove in the middle of the circle. It's flickering flame emitting a dim light, enough to barely illuminate it's surroundings, leaving many faces just shadows. 

I brought my legs close to my chest, eying the contents of the small package carefully as I moved it across my bony green fingers before holding it in between two. Mind all made up. 

"It's the good stuff~" Niri said, gesturing to the package in my hand before sitting back down on her spot, cuddling into the young woman next to her who wrapped her arms around Niri.

I shook my head, leaving the ill substance on the ground next to me. "You know I can't, 2 6-"

"Niri" she corrected. "Would it seriously kill you to live a little sometimes?"

"Getting high isn't living, Niri" I sighed. "Besides, you know my health doesn't allow it... I could quite literally die."

Niri scoffed loudly. "Bit dramatic, huh? That's what they told you and you blindly believe them! You don't know what could happen! Who knows you might have some fun."

I paid her no mind. I didn't need to explain myself again. There were some things we just couldn't agree on and this was unfortunately one of them. But just like I respected her stand on it, she should respect mine.

The conversation faded into a faint murmur as my attention shifted to the ocean of stars above me. I missed these quiet moments of just stargazing. Wondering about the world beyond the constructs of the government. Wondering of... humans... wondering if maybe somewhere out there, there was someone, looking up at this very sky, wondering the exact same thing...

Wouldn't that be nice.

My eyes drift over to a star, far larger than the others. I perk up, squinting to get a better look only to notice it was moving, but not in the shooting star kind of way.

"Niri-? Do you see that?" I pointed up at the sky.
The group looked up to where I pointed, cooing and murmuring to each other. "Quick! Make a will!" Niri exclaimed, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she hyped the group into reciting their wishes.

As I glanced back to the group, Niri's eyes met mine for a quiet moment, a look lingering in them that I couldn't quite understand. Her lips moved, mouthing a few short words, but the overlapping voices of the screaming youngsters made it impossible for me to hear her. So I waited for her to repeat herself but instead she turned away.

And so did I, looking back up at the shooting star, which was closer now... and so much bigger.

I jumped to my feet, following the increasingly larger 'star' as it headed towards the forest. A wave of newfound possibilities invading my mind. It couldn't be... could it...? 

Without giving it another second of thought I hurried back to my bike, pulling a flashlight out from the trunk before running off into the woods, ignoring the frantic calls from Niri to return. 

The silhouette of branches covered any sight of the starry sky as I entered the woodlands, swishing with every passing of wind, giving the otherwise innocent looking forest: an eerie feeling, but that didn't stop me from cruising deeper into the abyss before me.

My steps were quick, crunching down on the dead leaves littering the ground as I ran through, trying to hurry to get to whatever it was that crashed nearby.

But the single minutes became doubles and still there was no sight of the crash anywhere. It couldn't just have disappeared- it had to be here somewhere- I just need to look better.

As I continued down the nonexistent path, soft chatter could be heard coming from behind some trees. I froze in place, a wave of curiosity overwhelming any reasonable panic I should've felt as I hurried towards the source. I quieted my steps and turned off the flashlight as I got closer, crouching down by one of the board trees and peering out into the scene.

A ship lay half buried into the long crater on the ground of the now treeless space, thick clouds of smoke pouring out from every opening. It was huge, a wide square centre lined with burn marks, with two long pointed wings on either side, one snapped in half, likely from the fall. It was unlike anything I'd seen before. Dare I say, more... primitive.

Surrounding the ship were people, my people. Officials. Some working on the ship, others standing by, closer to where I was. But their voices were scarce and soft, making it difficult to make out what they were saying.

I remained quietly hidden, trying to make out what was occurring before me, though that proved rather complicated with my limited vision and the immense lack of light. But one thing caught my eye. The words painted on the side of the ship in bright colours. I recognized some of them. It was a human language. ...English.

...Which could only mean one thing... a human crashed here!

A sudden jolt of excitement shot through my body at the thought of it. Maybe if I got closer, I could see them! But as I was about to move, a hand clasped over my mouth, pulling me towards something behind me.

I struggled to break free, tugging at the arm holding me in place while trying to call out for help. But my screams were muffled and no sound other than a few weak whimpers came out.

A sharp pain pierced into my neck and the realization hit me. I didn't need to see it to know what it was... 

I tried fighting it, but it was no use, my body getting weaker with every passing second. I shuddered, giving the arm holding me one weak, final tug before submitting to the effects of the drug now circulating through me. I barely caught a glimpse of a few blurred figures before it all went black.