Roger entered the mess hall. The doors opened, revealing a dark and lonely abyss. A flash filled his vision momentarily, he shuffled back, startled at everyone in the room.
"Happy birthday, Roger!"
"What? Oh man, you guys are the best!"
The crew dispersed, breaking off into conversations and small groups. Everyone managed to congratulate the boy, except for one person: Tevra.
Roger scanned the room, finding no sign of the Valmirian except the double doors shutting behind her. He excused himself from talking with Holloway and Polla, deciding to follow the girl's trail. If anyone would approach him first, it would be her. But she did not. Her absence was unsettling.
Prill grabbed his right arm, stopping him in front of the entrance, the double automatic doors slid open, anticipating his departure.
"She is not feeling well."
"I understand, but she—"
"Now is not the time. Stay here and enjoy your party. You cannot leave, Roger. They worked hard on this. We all did. You can talk with her later."
"But what if she's—"
"Do not worry about her now. It is your day of birth. Enjoy your human festivities."
"Fine, if you insist."
Prill released his grip. "I am sure she will come back. Just give her some time. I will go after her and make sure she is okay."
"Thanks, Prill."
"You are welcome."
* * *
Tevra bolted to her quarters, dropping to her knees when she reached the bathroom, her stomach lurching. She vomited into the toilet, panting from her sprint. As her stomach tied knots again and again, her meals splashed into the mess below. She spat one last time, her sweat-misted face hovering over the cold metal bowl momentarily. The girl reached over and flushed, watching the smoothie of meals drain into the whirlpool.
The Valmirian sat against the wall in fetal position, dazed, her tumultuous guts in pain. Tears escaped her watery eyes, making their way down her cheeks and splashing on the metal floor.
"Tevra," Prill's muffled voice called through the door, "we are going to have cake in the mess hall. It is good."
The girl climbed up to the sink, trembling, clenching her throbbing abdomen. "No eat."
The Nevran sighed. "I will tell Roger you cannot make it."
She turned on the faucet, her hands shaking. Tevra looked up at her reflection in the mirror, her beautiful cyan irises faded, the color drained to a slight melancholic hue, her alabaster scleras slightly marigold from bloodshot veins, her eyes irritated. She wiped the tears away, dismal that she could not make her friend happy; but he did not deserve to see her like this, not on his birthday of all days. She gazed back at her reflection, uncertain of many things. How would he feel that she left? Would he not like her anymore? Was this birthday truly important?
The Valmirian cupped her shaking hands, filling them with water. She sipped, washing out the taste of stomach acid, spitting into the sink. As the pain subsided, she took off her dirty uniform dress, and froze, once more looking back at her reflection. The spot on her abdomen had grown and become a more pronounced, brighter in tone. Soon, it would cover her whole stomach, or spread to other areas. She wouldn't be able to hide it for long.
* * *
Assistant Commander's Log.
22:45 December 17, 12197 H.E.
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Astray Among The Stars
Ciencia FicciónNovember 17, 2197. Mission: Day 1503. The teen raced down the alien passage way, sizzling plasma bolts flying past him. He ducked and dodged, running like a wounded and hunted animal. He had to escape. He had to find the others before it was too lat...