Astray Among The Stars

Chapter 30: Brink

The Nevran stood over Tevra, who slept in a medical bed, refusing to leave the boy's company. Ambient devices rhythmically rumbled in the background as he tucked a blanket over her body. Even in sleep, her face was tear-stained and lachrymose. Her life was full of pain and horror. She didn't deserve any of it. Prill frowned. What if he had failed to revive Roger? How much pain would she be in? How much more pain could she endure before it was too much?

Prill sighed, his eyes focusing on Roger. He had suffered the same fate, but he took the brunt of it this time. Both were dragged into a world of suffering from a peaceful life, that is until the Fates intervened and brought them together. But they were dragged them into harm's way once more, only after they gained a little bit of peace. Their relationship was complex-both saw each other at their worst and best, they survived through hell and back, always supporting and fighting for the other in ways he didn't expect. Just as before, they had each other; and that was all they needed to survive.

* * *

Roger opened his eyes, finding himself alone. The lights were dim, allowing his eyes to easily adjust. He sat up, stretching as he painfully looked towards the wall console, reading the time.

03:21

He sighed, returning to the warmth under the blankets. He glanced towards Tevra. She moved slightly, faintly groaning. Roger smiled, reassured as he fell back into slumber.

The doors interrupted his mind. He was surrounded by darkness, the only light coming from the hallway. A short silohouette walked towards him, the light footsteps familiar. The shadow sat at his side. A warm, soft hand grabbed his, gently and slowly intertwining his fingers.

"Please wake up, babe."

Chills ran down his spine. It was impossible. Roger opened his eyes. In front of him was the face of Rose, returned from the dead.

She smiled as fixing a strand of her straight caramel hair, her olivine eyes sparkling. "Hey."

He turned, his eyes widening. The whole medical bay had changed, much larger and outdated.

She noticed his confusion, stroking his cheek with the back of her hand. "You've been asleep for six months."

"But. . . you're dead. You're not real. You. . . you died."

Her hand squeezed harder, her head shaking. Rose brushed his cheek. "I didn't. I'm here. Whatever you saw, it wasn't real."

Roger stared off. Was it a dream? Had it all been a dream? It couldn't have. It felt real, it was real, but this was real too. Prill, Tevra, everyone he knew-were they all gone? Were they just figments of his imagination, or was this world fake? Was this some sort of vision or test? There were too many questions. He needed information.

"What happened?"

"We were attacked. You and I escaped in a pod and got captured. You put up a fight. We both broke out and made it to a prison room. You jumped down, took out the guards and freed some other humans, but then you just collapsed on our way out in the maintenance shafts. They must have drugged you with something."

Roger thought for a moment. If this was a dream, then there would be some basis in reality. "Were there any aliens?"

"A Valmirian and a Nevran. The others went to their own ships."