Camp IX | ✓

30

     A sharp rap on the door followed by Griffin's voice startled me. I pulled away from Ríona and called out to him.

     "Griffin come in."

     Leaving the sunny day behind I pushed aside the curtains and entered my room again. I felt Ríona behind me.

     Griffin looked like he hadn't slept all night. His hair stuck up in all directions like he'd been constantly running his hands through it. Dark bags had appeared under his eyes making him gain years of age. Like me, he still wore yesterday's clothes. Wrinkles criss crossed the fabric and he'd rolled up his sleeves.

     He started upon seeing Ríona and inclined his head.

     "My lady," his voice sounding as tried as the rest of him.

     Surprised, I shot Ríona a questioning look but she ducked her head and avoided it. Not for the first time that morning I wondered who she was.

     "I really must be going," Ríona gathered her robes in her hands and started for the door. Reaching it, she looked back. "Thank you for talking with me Nova."

     Before I could say anything in return, she disappeared. The click of the door shutting was the only indication she'd been here.

     I turned my attention back to Griffin. He ran his hand through his hair again and ever so slightly swayed.

     "Are you alright?" I asked moving towards him, my hands outstretched.

     He slowly nodded. "I'm just a little tired. I've been up all night with the Council. They want to try the procedure today."

     "Today? But we just got here," I said. "Isn't it too soon?"

     "Well no. You have to realize they've been working to perfect the procedure ever since we left Earth a couple of months ago."

     I drew a deep breath. I hadn't thought it would have come so soon.

     "Don't worry Nova," a small smile graced Griffin's lips. "They've got the best equipment and the best scientists here. You'll be fine. I promise."

      "You promise?" I bit my lip hoping to stop its shaking.

     "What do the humans say? Pinky promise?" Griffin held out his hand, all fingers clenched but the pinky.

      I let out a choked laugh and a small pain in my chest eased. "Yeah that's what we say."

     I caught his pinky with mine and squeezed. It was almost enough to ease my doubt and worry.

     But while those feelings subsided, others took their place. A pang of homesickness struck me. I looked at Griffin's and I's hands and they reminded me of Ali. Ali and I would always pinky promise on everything. From not telling secrets to never leaving the other alone in life. You know how best friends are. We'd made that promise years ago and always upheld it. Even when she went on vacation we'd always be in touch. We'd never gone a day without talking.

     That streak was broken now. The last time I'd seen her had been months ago and I missed her. I wondered if she missed me too. Or, I wondered, had she forgotten about me in the invasion of Earth. By now I was sure everyone had stopped looking for me and Blaze. Wait, Blaze.

     "Where's Blaze?" I burst out dropping my hand from Griffin's.

     A shadow crossed his face but it was gone before I could really register it.

     "He's still on Val's ship. They haven't offloaded everything."

     "Is he going to be alright?" I asked guilty I hadn't thought to ask sooner.