Beyond Our Stars

Prologue

Her small face craned upward, eyes trained on the man above her, her father. His close cropped hair outlined his head, and his face was contorted with worry. His dark eyes shone with the reflected light from above. He put his hands gently on the girls shoulders, guiding her to a nearby leather couch. Once she sat down, he sat opposite of her, his hands clasped in his lap.

"We have to talk," he started, his voice rough. He cleared his throat and straightened his back. The little girl's eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

"I will be leaving tonight, when you're asleep," he said, his tone business-like. "And I may not see you for a while, if I do at all." The girls eyes widened.

"Where are you going? Why wouldn't you come back?" she asked quietly, questions piling up inside her head.

"I'm traveling across the ocean," he replied. "I have- business to take care of." he added.

The girl stared at him. "Why wouldn't you come back to me?" She demanded again. The man smiled at her stubbornness, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm not sure you'd understand," he answered. The girl frowned. "But I may not survive." He finished.

"You might die?" she asked, eyes shining with unshed tears. The man nodded stiffly, his mouth pressed into a thin line.

The man leaned closer to his daughter. "There's something I have to ask of you," he added, his voice dipping down into a whisper. A single tear slid down the girl's plump, rosy cheeks, but she nodded. He leaned back again, reach into his back pocket. He pulled out a small rectangular tablet, which he put softly into the girls hand. He closer her fingers around it, cupping his larger hands around her small.

"Keep this safe, and don't let anyone see it." He said, removing his hands,which he put on the armrests of the chair he was sitting on. His knuckles turned white from gripping the smooth, gray leather. "Don't you look at it until you need to. It has to be the right time."

"The right time?" The girl echoed. He nodded. "I promise you, you'll know when that happens." He stood with a heave, taking a deep breath. "I must go."

The girl shook her head, reaching out for his hand. "But I don't want you to leave." She said, her voice shaking.

"I have to." he replied, removing his hand from her's. He walked towards the tall door, pausing in the door frame. He looked back at her, sadness creasing his face.

"I love you, Daddy." She whispered, tears trickling down her face, dripping of her trembling chin.

"I love you, and always will." Her father replied, putting a hand on the door knob. "Be strong, little one." He opened the door, letting in a cold gust of icy wind. His kind face disappeared as he turned his head, shutting the door for the last time. He wouldn't be back anytime soon.