Sky to Ice

May we meet again

Clarkes' pov

I get woken up by a gentle hand shaking my shoulder and a soft voice whispering some words I can't understand because of my from sleep fogged state. After a moment I finally open my eyes and am greeted by the two faces I love most in the world. Well, space. Earth is still just the dream I got woken from. 

„Mom? Dad? Is everything okay?" I can tell something is up. Their faces show worry and maybe even a bit of fear.

They just shake their heads and motion for me to get up.

„Dad, what is happening? Why are you like this?" He helps me in my shirt before answering. „There is a problem with the oxygen systems but it's not like before. I won't be able to fix it. We need to get you out of here before they start with reducing the population."

„But where are you taking me? And why me? They wouldn't float me. I'm 12. They can't float me." By now we're hurrying through the corridors to who knows where as quiet as possible. 

„I don't think they will care about that for much longer." That's the first thing my mother says since they've woken me up. She looks pale and tired.

The corridor takes a sharp turn to the right and now I know where they are taking me. I just don't understand how that would help me. Or them.

„Mom. What are we doing in mecha station?" My legs are starting to hurt. I've been on bedrest for the past two weeks and today was supposed to be my first day back to school. Maybe it would be tomorrow. I can't really tell what time it is but it has to be around midnight since there is not a single soul awake, except from us of course.

„Honey, you have to trust us on this, okay? We don't have time to explain it now but you will understand once we are there. Right now we have to be quiet." And with that the conversation dies. 

The only thing I can hear now are the soft thuds of our shoes on the metal floor and my own heavy breathing. My legs are hurting more by the minute.

After another ten minutes or so we reach a door which my parents open as quietly as possible. They sign me to get through and without a second thought I follow the gesture. 

Inside the room are a bunch of cables sticking out of the ceiling and even a few out the walls. Everything around me was as grey as the rest of the ark. On one of the walls was a big table with many buttons and screens and a lever. But what got my full attention was a capsule just big enough for one adult. 

„Princess" I turn my attention to my dad. „We can't let them float you. That is why we are stealing this escape pod. You have to get out of here and there is not enough space to get all of us to earth." He hesitates.

„You are sending me to the ground." It is more a statement then a question but they still nod an answer. My eyes start to get watery and the first tear starts to roll down my cheek, clearing a path for many more to follow. 

Before the tear can reach my chin there are already two pairs of arms around me. My parents hold me for minutes that feel like eternity and when they let go of me I can see their tear stricken faces. 

„It will be okay little one. Just remember how much we love you. We always will." With that dad takes me in his arms again and carries me to the pod to sit me into it. As he lets go of me he stays by my side and takes my left arm.

„I will always be with you, my princess." He takes his watch of and puts it around my arm where it hangs a bit loose but still can't fall off my wrist. It has been in our family for generations given from parents to their child.

My mother comes now from the control table over to us with a sad expression on her face. 

„It's time." She can only whisper those words before her voice breaks and she pulls me into a bone crushing hug. I feel like the space around me is caving in and pushing me down, circling me and taking my air to breathe away as I see my parents who I love more than anyone for what I think will be the last time. 

They both kiss my forehead, whispering a „May we meet again" before they close the door between us forever.

A computer voice starts counting down.

„Launch in 3"

My hands are getting sweaty and shake.

„2"

I can hear my heart beating in my head like gunshots. 

„1"

I get a last glimpse of my loving parents before I get sucked into space inside a capsule which could soon be my coffin.

Thank you for reading this! I hope it's not that bad and please leave a comment on how I could improve and if you would like to read more of this story. English is not my first language so let me know if there are any mistakes.

(839 words)