Off Planet (Asterism Chronicles Volume One)

Chapter 7

"As you can see, we were orphans." He said looking at the adoption day photograph. "She's two years younger than me."

"So she's my age." I said to his sad eyes.

"Yeah, she was always happy. No matter what happened she saw the good in the bad. We were always together. For ten years we were at the orphanage together. She tried to help me through it all. But I hated it there. I was going to turn eighteen and try to adopt her. But as you can see, i was two months too late. They were a really nice family, don't get me wrong. They had money and a very kind appearance. But she didn't want to go, the headmaster made her. The family didn't want to force her, but she said she would go, but when she turned eighteen, she would find me."

His hands shook as he held the photograph. He sighed and put the image of his lost friend in his shirt pocket above his heart. We sat in silence until it seemed he had calmed his troubled heart.

"What was her name?" I asked calmly.

"Erin."

"When did she turn eighteen? And how will she find you?"

"Seven months ago. And I told her I'd stay here. We used to run away and come here. The headmaster would come and find us after we were gone a couple days. She promised she'd come and find me. I don't think she's coming though. You remind me of her." He said looking into my green eyes.

I smiled at him while his face turned red and looked away. He sat there at the edge of the bed fiddling with his fingers while I waited for him to continue with his story. When it seemed he wasn't going to, I asked him, "what was she to you? Was she your girlfriend?"

His head darted up and he stared at me confused. "No! I didn't mean for it to seem like that. She's my little sister."

We both laughed at my misunderstanding. "I'm sorry." a laugh escaped my lips again, "You sounded like you love her."

"Well I do. I hope she's happy wherever she is. Maybe she forgot about me and is living happier now..."

My eyes looked into his. By the look on his face he truly believed what he just said. How could he think that? "She's your sister, of course she didn't forget about you. Maybe she came while we were in jail."

"There was no sign of anyone entering this house. And if she did why didn't she leave a note or something?"

"You can't keep focusing on the bad, or what the worst thing. Cheer up. She could be looking for you right now."

He got up and walked out of the small bedroom. But before he stepped out of the room he turned to me. "Thank you. I... I think she's still looking for me."

As I sat in the room alone I thought about what he said. If she is coming back, then I'm using her ticket to get off this planet. Maybe I can get enough money for all of us to get out of here. Then I got an idea, if I can go home I have stuff to sell. If the cops aren't there, than I can get some things, leave a note for my dad, and get enough for another ticket.

I waited for Jack to go to sleep, grabbed my bag, and left for my house. Before I left I placed a note on the table next to Jacks bed. If he wakes up before I get back he will see this and not get worried.

I headed back to the Jewel District to get something to sell for an extra ticket.