SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 22: Zero Gravity

Not half an hour had passed when I saw Heather emerge from the door. She came alone and walked hurriedly like she couldn't wait to leave. Needless to say, she didn't look happy. Not at all.

"Let's go." She said, striding toward the garden's exit.

She didn't even glance at me.

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened." Her pace quickened.

"What do you mean, nothing happened?"

We crossed under the archway at the entrance and kept walking toward the place where Emma was parked.

"They know nothing," she said. "I was found at the sanctuary's entrance, and that was it. No records, no further questions."

"I'm sorry." I reached for her hand, but she dodged it and kept walking leaving me behind.

I sped up. Blocked her path. "Heather." My hands on her shoulders. "Slow down."

Her eyes locked onto mine, and I finally saw it– anger. Fierce and blazing.

"I knew this was a terrible idea." She said.

"We had to start somewhere, don't lose hope so soon."

Her gaze drifted away. I hated seeing her like this, so deflated, so unlike herself.

She shook her head slowly. "I don't know if I want to continue."

"We can take this at your own pace. One step at a time."

She deserved to set her own limits; no one else could decide how intense this search should be or how much she needed to uncover. However, the main problem, and what I worried about the most, was whether she could manage the weight of her own expectations.

"Alright," she said. "I've had enough for today."

"And that's totally alright."

Heather exhaled a long, slow breath. The tension in her shoulders eased a bit. I guess that was progress. Small, but progress all the same.

"You'll still have time to make the most of your day off," she said. "I'll just get ahead on some work."

"What?! No, no, no." I shook my head like she'd just suggested eating rocks. "Work is a cursed word today. Totally forbidden. We're going to make the most of our day together."

"Gace, you don't have to–"

"Oh, but I do have to." I interrupted. "Because I have the best idea ever, and I need you on board with it."

HHeather raised an eyebrow. "Oh-oh, I'm scared now."

"You? Scared of me?" I smirked. "I'll take it as a compliment."

She gave me a skeptical look. "Alright, spill. What is this genius idea?"

"You'll have to put your blind trust in me."

I took her to the South District, the city's go-to spot for entertainment. One place in particular had caught my eye for weeks, even though I had no idea what it was. A neon sign with a massive screen drew the curiosity of everyone who walked by, its big letters flashing: Zero Gravity Circuit.

Heather glanced at it, frowning like she was trying to place it. "This is new."

"I know." It felt so good that, for once, I was the one surprising her. "And I also know it's been the hottest trend since they opened. What do you think? Wanna give it a shot?"

"Zero Gravity Circuit? You sure?" She twisted her lips, hesitating.

"Oh, absolutely. If they can simulate the zero gravity feeling and drop us in a science fiction set, I'm totally in."