The Tale of Zaharos

Chapter 8: The boring chapter

Saturday morning and Axel was crouching on the bed, thinking. It had been a whole week since they left Arkateles 4 and he could not decide how he felt about it. Arkateles 4 was his home but he really liked it here, his friends were here but his mother was hundreds of light years away, somewhere on his home-planet. The little house he had lived in, on Arkateles 4, held so many happy memories and it saddened him unbearably to think that he will never see it again, that he will never play in the colourful garden, nor hear the exotic sounds of huge birds as they flew above the clouds singing in their own unique way. He missed that, but he knew he couldn't go back. All that existed now on Arkateles 4 was danger.
People matter more than places, he thought, and my friends are safe.

When he finally decided to get up, Elpinix was already in the kitchen, eating breakfast.

"Where is Antonio?" he asked her.

"Still sleeping."

"What is the plan for today, Rectangle?"

"I do not have specific instructions as to what you have to do today. In case you would like to go out, it would be preferable to stay together and ensure that you return before nightfall."

Rectangle had just finished explaining when Antonio walked inside the kitchen, still bleary-eyed and collided with the table.

"WAKE UP!" Elpinix shouted at Antonio. Antonio glared at her but said nothing. "We are going for a walk to see the place and you are coming with us."

"Hahaha," laughed Antonio mirthlessly.

"Then we will go without you," she stated and made to grab the door.

"I'm coming with you, alright?" he agreed and so the three Arkatelians left the spaceship.

They were heading towards the park near the school, when Eliana appeared. She smiled and waved at them, looking as stunning as ever in a light green T-shirt and long jeans.

"Good morning Axel!" Eliana greeted him.

Antonio gaped at her mesmerised. Only when Elpinix started laughing, Antonio was brought back to his senses. He closed his mouth and glared at Elpinix.

"Good morning Eliana," replied Axel. "Eliana, this is Antonio and that is Elpinix."

"Hi!" smiled Eliana.

"Hi," Elpinix found herself replying. A sweet smell of freshly baked biscuits spread through the air, making them all feel very hungry. Axel turned around, searching for the source of this incredible smell.

"It's coming from Mr Snowflake's sweet shop. Have you ever tried his biscuits? I've heard they are delicious!" Eliana answered his unspoken question. "Staying here without eating those biscuits is torture! I'm going to buy one for each of us. Stay here; I'll be back in a second!" and so she left, heading towards the little sweet shop.

Axel was feeling a bit uncomfortable. They had forgotten to ask Rectangle for some Earth-coins, so they didn't have any money to pay for the biscuits. He rushed after her, but by the time he reached the decorated door of the little sweet shop, Eliana was already talking to its owner, Mr Snowflake.

"Eliana, dear! What a pleasant surprise! How can I help you?"

"Your freshly baked biscuits smell so amazingly that I couldn't resist eating one. I would like four biscuits for me and my friends," she said politely, throwing a glance towards the three aliens waiting outside.

"But of course! Here you are," said Mr Snowflake giving her the biscuits. Searching her jeans' pockets, Eliana produced a small wallet.

Mr Snowflake, though, stopped her. "No need, dear! Those are from me," he said smiling kindly.