A Scholar's Affection

6

He did it.

Hansiel finally had all the money he needed to leave to Earth in search of his love. After so many years, he could finally see his beloved again. He hadn't stopped thinking about him for one day and now he didn't need to wait anymore. There is no more waiting. It was a wonderful day.

According to the news, the population here had raised a lot over the past week, so some people had to live cramped. At least now, he could sell his apartment to an immigrant or anyone and get even more money. So that's what he did. He had become an antisocial freak, anyway. He was good enough to be a Blue.

Hansiel ran up the ramp where Slate had gone off on. The lot was full of planes taking off. He ran to a Green man standing with a suit of all gray. At least, he appeared to be a Green, for he had no wings, but he lacked green eyes and/or hair. "Excuse me, but I need to go to Earth." He took out the cash card in his pocket and slammed it on the table outside the ship. He adjusted his luggage.

"Sorry, man. Earth got destroyed."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"This guy named Ion Fusion blew it up after an alien infestation took over."

He still had hope, though it was fading. "Do you know of a Slate?"

"Oh, Slate, like the criminal in Verion? Yeah, total jerk, he thinks he's all that."

He was too overcome with relief to react to his insult. "Can you get me there as fast as you can?" He slammed the money on the table, too much in a rush to calm down. He had to see him again. He just had to.

"Okay. Follow me."

He could barely hold his smiling. After all these years of waiting for the day he'll see him again, it's here. But he got nervous. What would he say? Would he still be the same person? Has anything... changed?

No. He shook his head. He wouldn't cheat. I have nothing to fear.

So he boarded the ship with the pilot and sat in the passenger seat, jumping, too nervous and joyful that today has come.

"So, why is it that you're going to Verion? Cop duty?"

"No, just..." he hesitated, "Personal affairs."

"Ah." He instantly looked at a picture of what Hansiel assumed to be the pilot's wife and children. The photo was taped to a blank spot on the control panel.

"That's a nice family you have there."

He smiled. "Thank you, they're great. That's Molly, that's Dylan, and that's Michael."

"Interesting names."

"Yeah..."

The plane rolled down the ramp for a few minutes then lifted and took off towards the sky. Hansiel held on to the arms of the seat as the force blasted him back. Then the pilot flicked a switch and the force stopped, though they were still going. "Sorry, I always forget to flick that."

"It's fine."

The sky around them started to darken in a way that the night didn't, and a sort of barrier snapped. Hansiel's mind somehow felt... freer. More liberated. Yet more horrified like standing in the middle of a forest full of carnivores while wearing raw meat for clothes. He felt exposed.

The stars started to pass by a whole lot quicker and whole masses of planets passed by dangerously. Hansiel sank into his seat on his own this time, unable to interpret how open the current plane was. He couldn't believe there was such a big, empty space. It was overwhelming.