Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 43: Nightfall

Solar Date: Friday, January 29, 2198
Mission: Day 1576

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Roger bolted down the hall, glancing back at his raging friend as she smashed the walls with her fists. The hallway lights seemed to flicker and die with her every step.

"Prill," he yelled into the wrist comm, "it didn't work!"

"Is she still pissed off?"

"Her eyes are fucking glowing! She's beyond pissed!"

"I want you to turn around and face her."

"Do what? She'll kill me!"

"Turn around and apologize."

"For what?"

"Roger, just do it!"

Fuck.

He turned around, standing calmly. His muscles coiled with fear as his heart pounded, ready to jump and dodge at any moment. The storm approached fast.

Fuck, he thought with her every step. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

"Tevs, I'm- oof!"

He was cut off by a powerful blow to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. The boy crashed into the wall, denting the thin sheet metal.

Two days earlier. . .

Something is definitely wrong. Tevra's acting strangely. There's nothing in the database on the Valmirian life cycle, and the rest Prill's information didn't help. Shit, half of the fucking words weren't even translatable. Probably scientific terms or shit like that. . . If only Prill was here. He'd know what to do.

"Roger."

He looked up from his plate.

"Not hungry? Is okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking, that's all."

He took a bite of cornbread, his eyes returning to the drifting gases outside.

Tevra has spent a lot time with me. Every day. Every meal. Every night shift. Every patrol. Every single fucking thing I do. I can't even take a shit without her knocking on the door!
I get that I'm her only company, but why can't she be alone for at least a few hours, cry it out, and deal with her emotions? I wouldn't mind spending my free time with her, but why does she have to bother me when I'm busy on keeping the ship running? Why does she have to tag along everywhere I go? Why?

"Roger?"

What now?

Her plate was empty.

"You can leave, Tevs," he growled.

She looked at him with bewilderment.

"I can finish my food alone. And besides, you got shit to do. Just fuck off for a while."

She sat up with her plate, handing it to Toast. "Okay."

Roger exhaled. Tevra looked a little dismal. Hopefully she didn't take that in the wrong way. "Hey, Tevs."

She turned, her eyes slightly dull.

"There's a lot on my mind right now and sometimes I just want to be alone, okay?"

The Valmirian nodded. "Goodbye, Roger."

* * *

Roger knocked on his friend's door. It opened. The girl was waiting. He took a seat on the bed to the right of her. "Hey. I just wanted to see how you're holding up."