The Secrets Among Us

TSAU Ch.27

|Braylon|

After parting ways with everyone I fly the pod to the junk yard.

I make sure the cloaking is still on and put the pod on auto pilot.

Reaching in my pocket I grab the communicator from Shfralif.

I could call him...No! What would I say?

I sit for a good minute contemplating if I should call. Until Iphagenia pops up in my head.

I feel a tightness in my throat and tension forming all over my body.

Smoke? Why is that what I want to do suddenly?

A memory flashed in my head and I can see that my person used to smoke when he got anxious.

Well there isn't any of those sticks around...guess I'll just have to bear through this feeling.

I hear a beep noise and I can see that the auto assistant is telling me we have arrived. I take back control and look for a space for me to land.

I see a small grotto formed out of the junk that looks to have just enough space for the pod, so I park there.

I get out of the ship and lean against the pod. I take a look at the scrap all around me and it reminds me of a time at the orphanage.

*Flashback 165 years ago*

"If you runts wanna be of any use to your country, you gotta learn how to be resourceful!"

I look up to the sky and admire the stars. I look at the colorful streaks of starry dust painted across the space between the moons.

I like to think about how my parents said we all become a star once we die. Its nice to think that dad and mom are watching over us. It's about the only thing that gives me joy in this hell.

My eyes grow heavy as I get lost in view. I pinch myself hard to wake myself up.

When was the last time I slept...feels like days.

I feel a tug on the back of my shirt, I turn around and see Iphagenia looking up at me.

Her clothes were patchy and torn, with dirt all over her face and debris in her hair. Her arms were wrapped in bandages from today's treatments. Spots of dried blood where incisions were made. It is an image that will forever pain me.

"Ray. I don't understand these blueprints. How am I supposed to make a gun out of all this?" She gestures to the pile of metal parts in front of us.

I look down at my weapon at the table and I feel a sharp pain in my nape. I reflexively try to massage it but the coarse roughness of my bandages only make it worse.

"Ray, why can't we leave? I don't like that they hurt us." Nia looks up at me with wide glassy eyes.

I can feel my heart tear as she looks at me.

How long, I wonder...how long until this innocence will fade. I don't want to see the day that happens.

"Don't worry...I'm gonna get us out of here. For now just take my gun here and I'll take the blame for this."