When Home is Gone

Part Three - Home is where the Heart is

Ray's Point of View - Archer IV - 500 kilometres away from Luna

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The sun shone brightly over Ray's head. It wasn't as impressive as his father's light but it still covered him in warmth. Ray was working in a small garden that was surrounded by lush green grass and a makeshift fence. He had just finished planting some herbs when he heard his name being called.

"My, my, boy. Sometimes I can't tell the difference between the sun's light an' yours." Ol' Ben came out of the little wooden cottage which had a slanted roof and large windows.

"Man, ya glow bright." He walked closer to the garden as Ray looked up. Ray didn't say anything. He didn't like Ben much because he was the one who ordered the separation of him and his sister.

"C'mon. Ya gotta talk to me sometime, boy." He crouched down near Ray and stared at him. Ben had long, blonde hair that was always greasy and hung in his face. His eyes were a dark brown and his skin was like sandpaper. Today Ben had worn a faded pair of jeans and a red plaid shirt with his usual brown boots.

Ray rolled his eyes and stood up. His anger began to rise, causing his glow to grow hotter.

"You want me to talk, then tell me where my sister is."  Ben chuckled again and the heat only grew until he could take it no more. He stood up quickly, sweating, and took a few steps away from Ray, but the mischievous look in his eyes never disappeared, nor the smirk on his face.

"Now lookie here, boy. I've raised ya with my own sweat and tears. I was there for ya when yer parents weren't. And this is 'ow I'm rewarded." Ben shook his head.

By now the garden had shrivelled and died from Ray's heat and bright light. He was infuriated, yet his anger only grew with every minute that Ben refused to answer his question.

"Our parents did not leave us, they were always there! Have you ever wondered why Luna and I have that strange glow surrounding us? That's because our parents were the Sun and Moon in that planet's sky! You stole us from them! And you took my sister away from me! You were never there for me, either! You always disappeared into the caves, leaving me to fend for myself every day!" By then Ray was breathing heavily and he was almost as hot as fire.

Suddenly, a small beep came from Ben's pocket. Ben reached inside and pulled out what Ray thought was some form of communication device, but never found out how it works. Ben activated it and spoke harshly into the microphone.

"What is it? I'm in the middle of somethin' 'ere" He waited impatiently for a response. Then another man's voice came through the speaker.

"Sir, we have a problem. Sensors have detected a large ship closing in on the planet. Scans say that it's a starship."

Ben's face looked like it paled, but Ray wasn't sure.

"Prepare the ship. We're gettin' outta 'ere" Ray's anger reduced as he stared at Ben.

"What about the twins?" There was a pause that, to Ray, felt like ages before Ben finally responded.

"Leave 'em 'ere." And with that Ben took off and was gone.