Stardust

Chapter Eight

Sokula got home from school a few hours later, immediately heading downstairs to the garage. She dropped her backpack and looked at Komako sleeping on the table, confused. She shook her awake gently, pointing at the dog bed where Avysoss slept. She jumped awake and immediately ran over to the freezer. Just then Sokula realized she hadn't fed them since yesterday morning. Quickly, she took out another package of hotdogs and opened them, handing them to Komako. She took them and ran over to Avysoss, placing them on the ground and uncovering him. He was still tied up, and he was asleep, however as soon as Komako uncovered him his eye shot open, his pupil still a thin disk. She jumped back and picked up the hot dogs, throwing them on the bed. Still tied up, he struggled to try and get to them. Now that he was distracted, she crept up over to him and bit the ropes, breaking them and freeing his arms and tail. She ran back, dodging him as he lashed out at her as soon as his arms were free. She ran back to Sokula and hid behind her as Avysoss once again focused on the hot dogs. He scarfed them down within a few seconds, licking the dog bed as if he were licking the plate clean. After briefly checking around for anymore food, he looked back up at the two, giving one last snarl before his pupil slowly rounded, his glow dimming softly. His entire body dropped and he collapsed on the bed. Komako bravely inched towards him.

"Avysoss?"
"..."
"Avy?"
"..."

She hesitantly poked him, ready to jump back again. He lifted his head groggily and Komako flinched.

"A-Avysoss?"
"Koma..."
"Oh, thank goodness."
"What... what did I do?"
"What?"
"What did I do?!"

Komako flinched at how loudly he asked the question.

"Nothing... you did nothing."

Avysoss looked her over and his gaze turned sad.

"Koma... you're hurt."
"What? No I'm not!"

He propped himself up and grabbed her arm gently, examining a large cut that ran up her entire arm. He stared at it for a few seconds before dropping it.

"I.... I did that."
"No, Avysoss... I-I cut it on the table corner, that's all."
"No! I hurt you!"
"Avy, I'm fine!"
"Koma, just get away from me! All I'll ever do is continue to hurt you! I told you this, you never listen! Just leave!"

Komako stared at him, heartbroken. She had just lost her best and only friend.

"I..."

She didn't know what to do, so she listened to what he had told her to do. She backed up slowly and turned, running up the stairs. She slammed open the door and ran down the hallway. Sokula gasped and followed her quickly, hoping her mother wouldn't see her. Komako ran to the front door, struggling to try and get it open. Sokula caught up to her, and she was about to pick her up and get her back downstairs when her mother stepped out into the hallway. "Sokula, what's going-"

She cut herself off, staring wide eyed at Komako, who's hands were still gripped on the door knob that was slightly higher than her head. Sokula and Komako stared back, Komako's eyes wide, tears lacing her eyes. Sokula jumped up, standing up straight.

"Mom! Uhm, hi. Everything's fine!"
"Sokula... who... what is that?!"
"It's... uhm... shes... a cat?"
"That is obviously not a cat!"
"Okay, uhm. I'm not sure what she is..."
"Where did she come from?!"
"Space..."
"What?!"
"She came from space, along with her friend."
"Her friend? There's more?!"
"Y-Yes. He's downstairs. In the garage. But please don't go down there!"
"And why not?"
"He's... uhm... aggressive."
"He's what?! What are you doing with an aggressive animal?!"
"I mean, he was. He's not anymore!"
"Sokula, explain!"
"Okay... so I was taking a hike to the river and I found these two. Well this one and the one downstairs. I figured out that they had come from space and needed help getting back into space, so I agreed to build them a rocket ship to help them back up. Meanwhile, they've been living in the garage."
"... that's why you're building a rocket."
"Yeah..."
"Well... I... I guess I can help."
"Wait, what?"
"I see no harm in helping out these beings... just tell me what you mean by the other being aggressive."
"Oh, well... I guess he got hungry and attacked this one. But don't worry, we fed him and he's okay now. Well... he's upset because he hurt her, I guess."
"But...he's okay now?"
"Yeah."
"Okay... so let me get this straight. You found aliens and you want to build a rocket ship to get them back into space?"
"Yes."
"Okay... let me meet the other one."

Sokula picked up Komako, her squirming out of her arm immediately. Sokula sighed and walked towards the garage door. Komako stayed towards the door, glancing between Sokula's mom, the door, and Sokula. She gave up on escaping and followed Sokula. They headed downstairs, her mother following. Komako reluctantly reached the bottom of the stairs, looking over to the dog bed to see Avysoss curled up and facing the wall. His light was dim, signaling that he was asleep. She hopped up on the table, where she felt safe. Sokula looked at Komako, glancing at Avysoss. She shook her head no. Sokula sighed.

"Mom, it's best not to bother him."
"I'll just look at him then."

She walks closer to the bed, studying him. After a minute or two she backed up to where Sokula and Komako were, which was near the table, or on the table in Komako's case.

"So... you really do need these parts, huh?"
"Yes, mom. I really do."
"I ordered you an engine already. I'll need to find what I can for the rest, though."
"Please. I need to get these guys home."
"I understand. I'm doing the best I can, sweetie."

They exchanged smiles before her mother headed back upstairs, waving to Komako as she did. As soon as she closed the door, Komako hopped off the table. Avysoss was asleep, thinking that Komako had left already. Sokula grabbed a first aid kit and took out bandages, wrapping up her right arm, which was the arm that was cut. Komako looked at Avysoss sadly as she did so. She stood up, following her gaze to Avysoss. Sokula sighed sadly and tapped Komako's shoulder. When she had her attention, she pointed to Avysoss. Komako shook her head, Sokula nodded. She smiled softly and pushed Komako gently over to him. She stumbled forward a bit, walking over to Avysoss. She spoke gently.

"Avy..."

He stirred softly.

"Avy... wake up."

His light brightened. He was awake.

"Avy?"
"I thought you left."
"I didn't. I came back."
"... why?"
"Avysoss, you and I are symbiotic. We can't live without each other. We need each other."
"..."
"Without you, I probably wouldn't be able to kill enough prey, you're so tough and strong! And without me, you would grow insane. Space is not meant to be explored through alone. We need each other. Don't you dare tell me you don't need me because we both know you do. We can't live without each other. Please, Avy. Listen to me."

Avysoss doesn't reply at first.

"Komako..."

He sits up, facing her.

"I missed you."

He sobs and hugs her tightly. She hugs back, smiling sadly, tears running softly down her face.

"I missed you too."

Avysoss pulled away, looking at her arm.

"I'm sorry."
"Don't be! You couldn't control yourself."
"Still... I hurt you. I can't bear to think of how I acted."
"Then don't. It's in the past."
"Koma... thank you."
"Of course."
"I don't deserve forgiveness, and you really shouldn't forgive me, but here you are."
"Avy, you are my best friend. I will always forgive you."
"What did I do to deserve you..."
"Nothing. You are yourself, and that's what you did."

Avysoss smiled, tears threatening to fall again. Komako smiled a warm, accepting smile. Avysoss hugged her again, treasuring the moment. They stayed like that for a while, both basking in the comforting and forgiving atmosphere.

Komako pulled away, much to Avysoss' dismay. She smiled gently and stood up. Avysoss watched her, leaning back against the wall. He looked at Sokula, who was nearly crying herself. Even though he had just been sleeping, he felt exhausted. He laid down, curling up to go back to sleep. Komako joined him soon after. It had been a long day.