The Light That Shines From Above

Chapter 21

Ikzo

Since Heather walked out of the dining room I hadn't seen her. I knew where she was and I knew where she wanted to be. She was in her old room though she thought about walking straight out of the building.

She was held back by a few things. For one she didn't know how to operate the crafts we fly. She did think about trying. She remembered how the panels looked and tried to remember what buttons I pushed. She couldn't remember if the order mattered or how to land. I was thankful for that. Another thought, that she got right, was that she was certain if she tried to walk out or steal a craft I would be there before she could do anything.

She went through other options too. How to sneak out to see if the others would pass my and see her. That wouldn't happen either. If they attempted to land now it would cause a fight with more than just me. No Occollan liked them.

I was honest when I said I was sorry for my decision. I was. I didn't want to hold her here when she wanted to go. However I would be more inclined to cave to her wishes if her plans were to return to earth and live out her life. Instead she plans to return only to wait out or flag down the others again.

It wasn't an option I was going to allow. She would be risking her life for a slim chance at seeing her mother again. I knew she believed she could get to her and save her. She considered fighting them, then a more realistic plan of bargaining with them. She would promise to stay and do whatever they wanted if they let her mother go. That would be equally as bad. They would promise to do as she asked then turn around and kill her mother. With or without her knowledge. She couldn't win. No matter how much she convinced herself she could.

And I will admit I did keep her selfishly too. Most of my reasoning was for her safety. To let this hopeless plan pass and return her back to her home planet. But part of it, a part I wouldn't deny, was because I wanted her to stay.

Her absence wasn't something I enjoyed while she was gone. I had accepted I wouldn't see her again and it wasn't pleasant. I missed her the moment I was out of her atmosphere. I didn't fight what I felt for her.

When she showed up I first thought it was a trick of my eyes. They had never caused me problems before but I didn't think she would return. Shock blended into happiness. I didn't express it too much; the feeling changing to worry and anger with Pher's thoughts. He showed me immediately her signaling the craft, his bewilderment at her shoes, and the moment she stated what she wanted. I knew without a second thought my answer would be the same as his. I couldn't do that to her.

Even so I tried to think of another way to help. There was only so much I could do. Her mother was in n territory. Invading to take a Sypien would be cause for war. Sypien did not belong to anyone but themselves. If it were one of our own we could have cause, enough that they couldn't justly retaliating.

Invading to retrieve her mother would have to be discussed amongst other Hye Jish's. I doubt they would agree to help. She was a Sypien. Not one of us. They would see it as unimportant. Besides it was a serious possibility that her mother wasn't alive anymore. Her mental state was fragile and if she was taken often her physical state would be too.

Walking into the dining room I spotted her curly red hair. She was eating with her head ducked down resting on her left hand.

I had waited two human days to show up again. She was mad at me. I didn't like that feeling.

Her eyes darted my way as I came in, her body shifting and she looked down again. I stayed in her mind now and she knew it. It was necessary at this point; she thinks about bolting constantly. I wished I could give her that privacy again. I know she liked it better that way but I couldn't.