• This is the second book of The Collected series •
"Those who bring pain are here to save, and those who bring hope will bring death. A great evil rests on the horizon, eating away at each setting sun. Nothing is as it seems while you beg for salva...
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"Ready to go?" I entered the cockpit to see Zillah hunched over a screen, staring intently into the blue light it gave off.
"I got a message from my parents, the file's large, must be their disappointment in me." She turned to look over her shoulder at me, faking a laugh and rolling her eyes. I could still see the hurt behind those walls.
"Are you going to open it?" I moved to sit in the chair beside her, but before I could she jumped on her feet.
"No, we should get going, we only have so much daylight left." She grabbed my arm and pulled me from the room. Although I was curious of what was inside the message, I knew she was right. We had to get going.
Our walk was filled with silence. Even Kaleo held back his snide comments. I missed trees. I missed the forest. If I closed my eyes I would be able to imagine birds in the leaves and grass under my feet. As much as I tried to imagine, it just wasn't the same. The purple sky let off a disturbing hue as it grew darker, causing spindly shadows to stretch across the ground.
Fog started to pool near the ground as we neared the town, creating a haunting aroma. Lights seemed to dance before us, just barely seen through the trees and dark clouds. Music soon followed, the metallic tune sending shivers up my spine. The dusty path we walked on became an uneven road, lined with buildings made from straw and clay.
Danger.
Go back.
Kaleo yelled suddenly inside my head, causing me to wince.
"Must you yell? I can hear you perfectly fine." I rubbed my temples, glad Zillah never gave me that suspicious look when I talked to Kaleo.
We want to protect you.
Protect us.
We don't like it here.
Go back.
"Kaleo thinks we need to turn around." I placed my hand on Zillah's shoulder, wishing she had worn her armour.
"Kaleo's a coward. We need supplies and we're already here." She stalked forward and I tried to ignore the screams in my mind. I could barely focus, the edges of my vision darken as the pressure in my head intensified.
Zillah stopped to talk to an alien, I only had enough brain capacity to follow her. I had to assume she was asking about where to find parts for the ship.
I felt her hand on my arm as she led me forward, not asking if I was okay, not asking anything. I was grateful for it. I wasn't able to think let alone speak while Kaleo clawed at my crumbling walls.
"Stop it." I groaned, barely hearing my own voice over the noise. "Stop. It."
I was shocked when he did.
One second I was consumed with noise, and the next, the only thing I could hear was the sound of far away music. I breathed in a deep sigh of relief and took in my surroundings when my senses cleared.
