Core: The First Step

Chapter 9: Training On A Midnight, Because I Can't Sleep ( Tia )

( Tia )

I walked into the room, where Stella sat on her bed, watching a show about superheroes. Strange, they made shows about heroes, even though the concept of heroes can sometimes be mistranslated. A hero is suppose to do what's right and stop whoever is doing wrong. Here, they're simply fighting each other as if there's nothing else that matter. That's why I stop watching them ( although there are good ones out there ). 

She wrapped herself with her blanket while eating her burger like a homeless person during a harsh winter ( no offence ). A nearly empty water bottle was place between her feet, left open with the bottle cap lying somewhere nearby.

When the door close behind me, it made a sound which alarm Stella to look at me. " Hey, Tia. Thanks for the burger," she muttered as she finished off the burger. " Stella, can I ask you a question? I mean, if you don't mind," I asked her. " Is it about Iktus?" she guessed. I nodded. " Well, you haven't been in the mood since we talk about Iktus on that plane. Do you have any bad moments here?" I questioned her. She didn't answer as I expect, however. " Sorry, I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled and continue to watch the television. I sighed. How am I suppose to help her if she won't talk about it? 

I sat next to her, hoping to give her an indirect message that I'm her friend and I can help her. Then again, I did send her to this chaos that's more likely to take our lives through possible explosions or a gunshot at our heads. But she volunteered herself, so I think I shouldn't fancy the thought any longer. 

Stella was still quiet, but she seems to forgot about Iktus as she engrossed in the television. I joined her, watching the TV. I was still curious what's Stella's problem with this place ( because she wouldn't even talk about it ), but I told myself to wait patiently until she's prepared to talk to me. 

After about 30 minutes, Ethan and Sam entered our room, with Ethan holding about two 1.5 litres of water. Sam went to the bathroom as he wanted to change his attire to something more suitable. Ethan placed a bottle next to Stella, and walked the window, enjoying the view of the sahara of Iktus, brighten by the light from the moon. I looked at the clock, it was about 10:05 pm. Stella suddenly laid down on her bed as she covered herself with her quilt. 

" We're leaving Iktus tomorrow, right?" Stella asked me with a hopeful tone. If I didn't know any better, I can feel her trembling under her blanket. Either she's shivering out of excitement or fear I wasn't sure. But she must be eager to leave this place. " Yeah, we're going to Koldamton soon. We're going for proper training over there, and live there until we manage to get Kriton free," I explained to her. She nodded under her blanket, indicating that she understands. 

" Hey, Stella. I was hoping you would tell me about your problem, so I can help you-" Stella stopped me before I even concluded. " Tia, it's nice for you to try to help me. I appreciate it. But I don't want to talk about it. Besides, we're leaving this place tomorrow. I'm more than happy to leave this place," she admitted. It's obvious she didn't want to continue the topic when she went to sleep, snoring with the television on. 

Sam went out of the bathroom with his sleeping attire ( a grey shirt with long pyjama pants ), and flopped onto his bed. " Wake me up early for breakfast, guys," he requested. " You got it, man," Ethan gave him a thumbs up as he went onto his bed. " Night, guys," Ethan greeted us before he snore to sleep. That was easier said than done, I thought to myself. I turned the television off and switch the lights off. Everyone went to bed early, getting ready for tomorrow. I envied them for sleeping as easily as that. If anything, I want to trade my own abilities with an ability to sleep. Even though the room is comfortable and warm enough to sleep, my eyes refuse to shut itself, leaving me staring at the dark blank ceiling for an inconsiderable amount of time before I got annoyed and stood up from my bed. My body felt restless, sensing every lines of electricity flowing in the walls. Even though it's not in use, it's pulsing with energy, waiting to be activated. I found this ability of mine somewhat an inconvenience when it comes to sleep. It's partially this ability's fault that I have a mild case of insomnia, which I hate.