Arynthe's Story

Dawning Day

(1 br.: Dawning Day)

"Good morning," I said a bit louder than necessary. 

Arynthe, Eylire and Mitor jumped up in a split second. The boy whose name I didn't know got up slowly, glanced at me in disapproval and then fixed his gaze at the nothing before hm. 

"Good morning," the voice on the other side of the line said. "I'm Haik, master of Torrayan station 1272. What can I do for you?"
I formulated my answer carefully. "We're fugitives. Last night we got blasted away by an explosion and we have no idea where we are. Is this part of the galaxy safe for us?"
"If you don't let anything explode here, you're welcome," Haik laughed. "This area is peaceful. I take it that you want to stay on this station for a while?" 
"Gladly," I said. "Thank you." 
"I'll have platform 3 opened for you and welcome you there," Haik said, and broke the connection. 

Mitor leaned against the food box, staring in amazement, and the girls dashed towards me.

"What are you doing?!" Eylire screamed. "They'll kill us!" 
"Relax, Eylire," I replied calmly. "He didn't even trigger on me speaking Ashirian. His intentions are good, I'm sure of it."
"It's a trap," Arynthe said. 
"Definitely," Eylire agreed. 
"We'll see," I said, and flew the shuttle to the platform that just opened. "Don't worry, I'll go first. If all is safe I'll call you, okay?"
The girls nodded.

I couldn't deny I was stressed when I stepped out of the shuttle. I glanced around for signs of danger and ways to escape, and in my head I labeled the situation as safe. 

The doors slid open and an alien that was covered in dark green scales walked in. "Good morning," he said, and I recognized his voice as Haik's. 
"Good morning," I replied. 
Haik looked around. "I thought you said there were more of you?" he asked. 
"There are, but they're scared," I explained. "And who am I to blame them? We've all been through a lot."
"Well," Haik laughed, "I'd say you guys are fairly safe. I'm not the one with a blade."
I laughed too. It was true: I was armed, and he wasn't. 

Haik suddenly looked behind me. I turned and saw Eylire leaning out of the door opening, staring at me. 

"Come quickly!" she said breathlessly. "Mitor is sick!" 
"Can you bring him here?" I asked. "Don't worry, all is safe." 
I had learned by now to see if people were tricking me. Haik wasn't for sure, but Eylire was planning on something. I knew for sure when she shook her head and said: "There's an alien there and aliens are evil. You have to come here."
"Eylire," I said, "Come out of the shuttle. Haik won't kill you. He isn't even armed."

It wasn't Eylire who climbed out of the shuttle, it was the silent boy. He stepped out from behind Eylire and walked up to us, staring into the void, until he came to an abrupt halt right beside me.

"Good morning," Haik said. "My name is Haik. Who are you?"
The boy didn't respond. 
"He never talks," I said. "I don't know his name either. I don't even know if he can talk."
Haik frowned and squinted. "Do you think he can... understand... what we're saying?"
I nodded. "Pretty sure. He's not stupid."

Suddenly, the boy looked up at Haik, and from his mouth sounded the barely hearable whisper: "Tir."
"I'm sorry?" Haid asked. 
"I, Tir," the boy repeated, and to demonstrate it he pointed at his own chest. Then he turned to the shuttle and pointed. "Boy sick," he whispered. "Help."
I inhaled sharply through my teeth. "Excuse me," I said. "I think I'll just go check on him."

I didn't need to enter the shuttle, because the girls were carrying Mitor out. One of the wounds on his neck had gotten a greyish spot around it. I swallowed hard when I saw it. 

"That doesn't look good, Mitor," I said. "Does it hurt?"
"Yes," Mitor cried softly. 
I put my hand on his shoulder. "I'm just going to check what exactly it is, okay? Don't be scared." 

I carefully put my index finger on the spot to examine the structure, but the moment I touched his skin, his arm spasmed and he cried out in pain. 

"I'm sorry," I said startled. "I didn't mean to hurt you." 
"What's wrong with him?" Arynthe asked. She had tears in her eyes. "He won't die, will he?"
"Not if it's up to me," I said. "I'm pretty sure his main nerve channel is damaged. If we act fast, there won't be any permanent damage."

I turned to Haik. "Haik, can you call a doctor?"
"Already alerted them," Haik said. "Follow me. The infirmary isn't far." 

The doctor that helped us was called Zad. He was a young, intelligent man that learned very quickly. He and I performed the surgery together.
Saving a life together, what a beautiful (and cheesy) way to start an amazing friendship. Zad is still my best friend today.