Planet X Pandora

Kingdoms And Lies

Zia stared with shock. Impossible. I killed him. Two years ago.

"Hey. Uh, are you alright? " Luke asked

" You're not dead. " she said with horror

" Uh no. I'm not dead. Haha, " he chuckled nervously. " I'm only eighteen. "

" But two years ago... "

" Yeah. Uh, two years ago I was sixteen. "

" No. No,no,no,no." she grabbed her head.

"Woah, woah. Calm down, okay. What's your name? " he asked, setting the bowl down.

" Z-zia. " she muttered. A reincarnation. Thats the only explanation.

" Okay, Zia. Listen to me. Everything is alright. You're safe. Drink this, and I'll show you the tribe. "
She shook her head fiercely, collecting herself. I'm injured. I'll have to play along for now. And talk to the old man. She eyed him carefully. She tried to lift the bowl to her mouth, but her hands were too sore. He smiled at her gently, and lifted up a spoon. Sip by sip, he spoon fed her, and she reluctantly gulped it down. Once she finished the bowl, he helped her to her feet. She got up slowly, reluctantly leaning on his shoulder.
"First, I'll take you to the river. You need to freshen up. " he said. She nodded, her ribs were starting to hurt badly.

" What did my father say to you? " he asked.
She explained slowly, telling him what the old man had said. He listened carefully. She noted how he seemed to be uncomfortable with his hand around her waist. Probably against tribe tradition. They walked out of the little cave, and she took in the scene. There was a huge bonfire in the center, and women walked around in grass clothing, cooking delicious meat that smelled strangely like chicken. Men walked around with weapons, mostly spears. Children ran around, playing with little creatures from the forest. People actually live out here. With these creatures. And they socialize with them? A little boy, about ten years old, rode on a weird mutant horse. What the.. There were little huts everywhere, white against the glowing forest. Babies cried, and women tended to them. So this is what family feels like. People turned and stared at her, some pointed and whispered. She limped by a group of boys her age, and they stared at her with a small grin on their faces. She leaned on Luke, and tried to walk faster. Soon, they were farther away from the tribe, and Luke led her to the forest. It had grown darker, the stars shining bright. A beautiful river ran through the forest, a luminescent glow lightening up the bank. Luke led her down to the stream, and she sat at the waters edge, enjoying the cool breeze. It's been so long since I've felt this peaceful. Luke plopped down next to her.

"Listen. I know something about me is strange to you. " he began.

" What? How do you know? " she asked appalled.

" I'm a doctor. I know these things. "
She breathed, inhaling the damp air. The glow from the stream was almost magical, casting ripples across his face. His blue eyes matched the aura of the ground as they sat. His blonde hair was messed up, his eyes tired. He's nothing like the old Luke.
" Today. " he probed her.
I can't.

" It's nothing. Nothing is wrong. "

He looks at her with doubt and concern.

" Tell me the truth. No pressure. "
She nodded. For the sake of courtesy.

" Can I see your scar?" he asked suddenly.
My scar?
"What? Why? " she asked
" Please. I need to check something. " he pleaded.
She stared at him. He didn't even flinch. She pulled her suit down a little, just so he could see the scar. He reached out, and gently traced the mark along her neck. She flinched,unused to people touching her. He pulled his hand back quickly, his face red.
After a while, she dipped her hands into the water and splashed her face. The water was cool to the touch.
"I need to speak to your father. " she said.
He nodded glumly and helped her to her feet. Her broken ankle hurt like hell, but she refused his help. She limped back into the village, and he led her to an older, worn down tent. The old man was sitting on the floor, drinking from a bowl. He looked up and smiled.
"I see you're awake. " he said