|Braylon|
I see my sister standing in front of me. My lips quiver as I try to fight my tears. She looks so confident but menacing. Her cold stare could pierce flesh had it been able to take form.
"Olaj ma...pwe. Hai jaiuha! Juiak lama houa! (My sister...please. Stop what you're doing! You don't need to kill these innocent lives for our own gain!)" I plead.
Iphegenia laughs. It's static cackling unsettles me.
"Faqwe itresa. Qetsa mkusa torjah, ajfhsw outia? (You foolish man. What makes you think I would listen to you, after you left me?)"
"Inin- (Nini-)"
"Don't ever call me that! You lost the right to call me that the second you decided to leave. I've grown up now Braylon...those demons gave me a power that I soon made them regret. I know how to survive. You just run from your problems. Bringing this beast to this forsaken planet is just me trying to live another day...just as you were. Right, Ray?"
I want to speak but words are unformed. All I can do is stare and see how far my sister has left my reach.
".As I thought. If you ever sneak on my ship again...I will kill you myself."
She ends the call there. I feel rage creep up to my chest. Clenching my fist, I can feel my muscles begin to bulk up.
"DAMNIT!!"
I shout letting out all of my anger, plunging my balled fists into the communicator. Metal pieces fly everywhere and once my arms reduce to their normal size I can see the crater left behind from my impact.
"Braylon, what happened?" I hear Audree say.
I look to my shoulders to see Audree and Zahaire at my sides. I meet their concerned gazes but can't keep them. I feel too much like a failure.
"I couldn't get to her."
My vision starts to blur as I admit my defeat. The moment is interrupted by a loud alarm ringing in our ears.
"What's happening?" Zahaire says.
The door to the comms room slides open and I see Shfralif at the other side of it. He looks surprised at seeing Audree and Zahaire for the first time, but then he looks my way.
"The commander just sent the troops to search for you. You need to leave. Now."
"Braylon? What's he saying?" Audree asks.
I look at her and then to Zahaire. He has his hand behind him, hiding his light. He looks ready to attack. I stretch an arm in front of him.
"It's okay, he isn't going to hurt us. He said we need to leave, they're coming for us."
We head for the door and Shfralif points us to the nearest exit.
"You can take the survey pods. It shouldn't be hard for you to pilot."
I translate to Audree and Zahaire and they head off before me. I stay behind.
"What is it Cub?" Shfralif brushes my arm.
"Did you try to stop her?" I ask, my head hung low.
"I...I tried but she wouldn't listen to me. But I also didn't want to leave her and just be another family member lost."
There is a pause. I feel horrible that those words even had to come out of his mouth.
"Believe me cub, I don't agree with how she is handling any of this. I've been doing my best to stall her. If it were up to her she'd colonize this whole planet and leave the scraps for the world eater."
Shfralif lifts my head so our eyes meet. I feel my hands begin to heat so I back away.
"I should get to them."
"Before you go-" Shfralif reaches in his vest. "Take this, for if you ever need me."
He hands me a mini communicator. I pocket it and chase after my two human companions.
———
YOU ARE READING
The Secrets Among Us
Science Fiction"W-what is it?" I ask, too afraid to look at the body again. "Look!" He wretches. "I was hoping you'd tell me..." I whimper and slowly turn towards the body. The muscles all over the body are all contracting and twitching. -- The art for the cover i...
