"I, the Aphelion."

1: New Grounds

Memory plays tricks on us.

-Orson Scott Card, Ender’s Game

My mom tucks in my neatly folded uniform in my suitcase, here she tries to stop herself from not crying.  Of course her only child is leaving her, just like what her husband did- the only difference is that this is a different war her daughter is facing.

“Take care of yourself.” She says in between tears.

Sighing at that recalled memory, I found myself in front of my door shut. After entering its passcode so that it would lock, another memory flashes through my mind. And it made me stare at the holographic keypad for a few moments. At least that’s what I believe.

“no one wants to be with a psychopath like you!”

“you are going to Moralia and become a Shifter.”

Shifter. The noun echoes in my head and becomes a reminder to where I’m supposed to be. Fixing the shoulder strap of my bag then proceeding towards the elevator, I saw a girl wearing the same grey skirt, white shirt, and grey blazer jacket with the STATS emblem on the right breast pocket, her wavy blonde locks falling on her face.

The girl was obviously struggling on her keypad. My mind gets torn into two sides whether I should help her or not. Apparently it was no need to argue with.

“oh, hey!” she said as she turned to me.

”say, can you help with my keypad here? I really can’t figure out how to convert this to its alphabetical mode. Tried everything. Hope you don’t mind!” by then she dragged me in front of her door.

“I-it’s just this.” I said in surprise. “You just press the shift key- not the one with the arrow but the one with SHIFT on it. It then lets you choose what type of keypad you need.” I explained while changing it into the keypad that she needed.

“thanks a lot!” she exclaimed as she then moved towards the keypad that I figured out it was time to go.

“see you around then…” I trailed as I left her to her own antics.

~^~

The elevator’s doors whoosh open, and I stepped inside. Its wooden panels surprised me that it made me think that it was made from the same material as the wall panels of the auditorium from home. It’s not dark. Not even mahogany. And definitely synthetic.

Shrugging at the idea, I laughed it off, because it was a growing habit, everything I notice here in Moralia, I almost associating it with anything I remember from home. The recognition in the end hits me like a tidal wave, and I end hating myself for it.

There’s always one event that recalls in my head, and like how a wave subsides after it has hit a surfer, it always leaves me vulnerable and defenseless.

The elevator’s doors were about to close when a hand suddenly appeared in the few space. The doors opened once more, revealing the same girl I helped earlier, her wavy blonde hair in places while breathing heavily.

“mind if I join you?” she asked as she stepped inside and the elevator’s doors closed.

How could I mind if you’re already inside? 

The thought flashes and I agreed with my snappy subconscious. But seeing her flash a friendly smile I realized.

She was trying to be polite.

~^~

“so what’s your story?” she asked so sudden, breaking the silence between us as the elevator started its descent. After the wide announcement of me entering STATS (or the Shapeshifter Technological and Tactical Seminary Institute), what I definitely needed was complete alone and me time.