Beyond our Earth

21: Amazing

I hurried down the stairs until I caught up with Althazar.

"Change your mind?" He asked.

"I'm still gonna talk to her. Just... later." I said.

He smiled. "Well I'm glad. I think you're going to like this, darling."

I felt a burst of heat radiate through my hand. My eyes darted down out of reflex, as his bright orange hand wrapped around mine.

I looked up awkwardly. I'm assuming holding hands means the same thing out here as it does on earth.

Not that I didn't like Althazar, I mean I think I sort of did, actually. But that just made it even worse.

He was an alien. Me and him were never meant to meet, let alone have a relationship. It just wasn't right, especially not genetically! I mean I don't even know if he has the same parts as a... Okay Sara, stop thinking about his "parts".

I could feel myself blushing.

I shook my head, trying to toss the thoughts from my mind.

 But the next thing my mind jumped to was Braden. Ugh, that was even worse! Technically we were still together... I think.

...

After a painfully long walk down the stairs, we went into the place with all the space crafts.

I was relieved when he broke his hold. He walked around the side of a long black craft.

"Alright, love. This is going to be our ride." He said, pressing a leaver on the side.

Two flaps opened up on either side of the craft. Althazar went in and I followed.

The interior was like the inside of a luxury car. Leather seats, or something resembling that, I doubt they actually had leather in space. It was dark except for the blue lights on the dash board and a few buttons along the sides.

To my surprise, when I looked over at Althazar he was glowing, actually glowing under the light. The fluorescent patterns on his skin had a soft yellow-green tint to them, standing out in the near-darkness.

 I shook my head, staring at him.

"Ready?" He asked, not noticing how amused I was with the way he looked.

"Ya, let's go." I replied.

He started up the craft and I felt it lift up and hover above the ground. The windows were tinted black so I couldn't see a thing through them. I don't know how Althazar could steer without seeing anything. I guess the craft was automatic. 

I heard the screech of the side panel opening up to the outside. 

The craft moved smoothly through the air. Once we were outside, I watched the roof and walls of the craft seemingly disappear as the black tint faded to clear windows, revealing brighter stars than I'd ever seen before.

"Whoa," I said.

Althazar smiled.

"We're circling around the ship" he explained.

"This is pretty awesome," I murmured, staring up into the sea of shining diamonds that swirled around us.

Despite the fact that I somewhat resented being taken up into space, and that I still was planning on getting myself home, this really was an incredible experience. And to some extent I was thankfull for it.

As I gazed out into the infinite depths of the universe I started to think about the perspective of it all.

All I could think was; how lucky am I? I mean, no other person on earth will ever get to experience this. I'm floating through some distant part of the galaxy, staring up at stars that are just a distant dot in the sky to everyone else. I'm sitting in some far away part of space that no human has ever been to. I, Sara Rose, am the first person to travel beyond our solar system. 

That thought gave me goosebumps. Though I would probably be the only one to ever know it.

The scenery changed as we circled the large ship, orbiting it slowly.

"So, where in the world- or should I say, universe- are we?" I asked.

"Somewhere neer the edge of the Magellanic Clouds" He answered.

Well, I had no idea what or where that was in relation to earth, but I nodded anyway as if I understood.

"This is what I like about being here." Althazar spoke. "I mean, forget about regenerating, forget about being captive or being part of someone's data, isn't this amazing?" He said softly.

I smiled, looking over at him.

"It's really amazing." I said.

I leaned back and the seat dipped, letting me have a clear veiw out the glass roof of the spacecraft.

This was why he stayed here, what he was living for. It was moments like this. It was getting to explore the unexplored, getting to see space, planets, everything the universe has to offer.

"It's beautiful." I commented.

"It's even nicer with someone to share it with. I'm really glad you're here love. I don't want you to go back." He said.

My heart sank. I knew he didn't want me to go, but it hurt to hear him say it. He was so nice and so comforting, I didn't want to dissapoint him. I wanted to help him the way he helped me but I couldn't just throw my whole life down the toilet and say, screw it I'm staying in space. I had to fight to get back to earth, as long as there was a glimmer of hope that it was possible.

"I- I don't even think I'll get back, but I'm gonna try." I said. "Sorry."

He smiled, "Don't be sorry love." He said.

I sat up and looked out the window. I could feel my heart beating in my chest. Why was that so hard to say?

We toured around the syk for a little while more, untill the ship began speeding up and Althazar flew our craft back. The sides opened up and I got out, hopping onto the cement floor a few feet down.

Standing beside the craft, I emidiatly felt and intense heat radiating from it. It was like opening an oven and getting that flush of hot air on your face. I backed away.

Althazar and I went back into the hallway with the rooms.

As we walked I looked over at him. This was getting too personal. I was starting to like him and that was a bad thing. I had to get home.

Maybe I should go up to the top floor again and wait. I thought.

But then a better idea dawned on me. I grinned mischievously as I plotted my escape in my head.

It was simple in concept. I could get out of here on my own, but I would have to work fast. Before we got too far away from earth.

"Hey, I'm tired. I'm going to go regenerate, kay?" I asked as we approached my room.

Althazar nodded. we stopped in front of my door. "I'll come find you when you're done." He said.

"Sounds good," I replied, opening my door and going in.

I shut the door behind me and waited with my hand on the doorknob. I was absolutely giddy with excitement.

Time seemed to creep by slowly as I stood for a solid minute until I was sure that Althazar was not in the hallway.

Carefully, I spun the handle, opening the door a crack to make sure the coast was clear.

"Hello, freedom."