OBLITERATE- The Ring of fire

23. Hurt.

"We're home!" Mike said, pivoting along the spacecraft to the control room.

Mushy was perching on a seat, cawing random high-pitched notes.

It had been a three-hour ride from the Crystal galaxy to the Milky Way and now we were finally on Earth- the Northern Aviator center, Alekshia.

We'd landed behind a huge container truck, and our aircraft was in invisibility mode.

I felt my energy drained. It was like having a big tournament minutes away- my entire body was disturbed and fatigued. In a nutshell, I felt likea giant baguette had slapped me.

Mike leaned on my shoulder. He beamed and held out his palm.

"Peppermint!" I snatched it and stuffed it inside my mouth.

Mint.

"This is good," I said feeling a burst of strong flavor in my tongue.

"Is it?" Mike asked, as mushy perched on his shoulder.
"I swear I don't take peppermints from anyone else," I said.

"You don't have to do that,"

"Oh I need to,"

There was a long pause as we watched Kyle and Grandma Jo walking around and picking out stuff we'd left.

"How are you feeling?" Mike asked.

Something's not right, I wanted to say. But I had a hard time answering immediately.

"I knew..." Mike said. "I knew about your parents, and well- you,"

"You did?"

Mickey nodded, while Mushy pecked at his hair. "I wasn't allowed to tell anyone,"
"Did Kyle tell you?" I asked.

"I over-heard him and Mr. Herman,"

"That's fine," I said. "I understand. But how did Kyle know?"

Mike snorted. "I have no idea. He doesn't want to say anything about it!" he tightened his jaw.

I wish I'd never spoke.

"Maybe he has his reasons," I said.

"But I've told him everything about my life," he said, his eyes shimmering with what seemed like tears. "Why can't he just-" Mike patted Mushy on the head and looked ahead blankly.

"It's 'kay, Mickey," I nudged him. "You have me," I said in a small voice. "Maybe...." I shrugged. "Maybe Kyle will tell you soon,"

Mike grinned. "Till then," he held out a hand. "Peppermint?"

"Please," I grabbed it.

"Okay." Kyle walked out of the control room. He'd put on a new shirt (Thank the lord) - all white. "Let's roll,"

The Aviator centre was meters away from us. There were bright lights shining in it.

Mike's friend- Stad waved and took off.

Really, how many space crafts might be coming to Earth like this?

"What now?" I asked. "Where to?"

Grandma Jo gestured us to follow through the cement path right to the Aviator Centre.

The night was windy- it wasn't night yet, it was dawn. But the stars- only some stars twinkled in silver lights.

"What do you find so interesting about the sky?" Kyle asked, right behind my shoulder.

"Oh you never get bored looking at the sky," I said. "There's always something new,"