The Experimental Cosmos

16. Old Ties

I now officially have a new definition of crazy.

A week ago I submitted the evidence Miranda had left for me to the authorities, and that news has gone BONKERS.

The evidence on that file was so huge that it was enough to put a stop to the activities of the Faithful in that region for almost 4 years.

The entire scene of Miranda being released from prison and being transported back to the training Arena was broadcasted on live news, but there was one moment that made everyone with a heart cry-

As Miranda walked by her parents, she looked back, and despite everything that had happened - that she had done - they both smiled at her as she walked away.

I had really thought that it would end there, but the cameras flashing in my eyes and reporters screaming in my ears prove otherwise.

Everyone is here to interview me for my noble actions.

Life in the Reticence doesn't ever prepare you for social interaction, but I had still managed to open up quite a great bit in a little time infront of my friends.

But nothing could ever prepare me for this. My knees have already gone weak, and my whole body is filled with terror induced nausea.

My vision swims, and my eyes are darting around to find a way to escape. Just then, I spot Jay.

He has just turned the corner,and as soon as he spots me, he starts to take a step forward to come and rescue me, but then he sees the crowd, and the Reticence in him wins as he hesitates to come any further.

"---inspired these values in you the most?"
I hear a reporter ask. I assume the first word to be who and start to say my mother, but before I can complete my sentence, Mr. Will Hector has reached the scene.

He makes me shut up and tells the reporters to leave the property.

As the buzz finally dies down, I inhale a deep breath into my constricted throat and lungs.

I turn to Mr. Hector to thank him, but he rounds on me, and says,

"Do NOT bring your mother under radar. Do not do anything that will help people recognise her and ultimately, her truth."

My breath catches in my throat, as my mind studies the lines and agitated and passionate expression on his face in slow motion.

Then, before I can say anything in response, he turns and walks away.

My head spins, and I stumble, but I am steadied by Jay before I can fall.

" Hey I am so sorry I couldn't make myself reach you earlier." he says, looking into my eyes with an apologetic expression.

"No, that's fine." I say. "I wouldn't wish that on anyone" I say with the best smile I can muster.

Jay starts to smile back, but just then we notice the reporters sneaking back in, and taking my hand in his, Jay starts to run.

We dodge the reporters, but another wave comes in through the other door of the wing, and suddenly we spot a small door behind a cleaning cupboard, and prying it open with our fingers, we manage to sneak in before they can find us.

Inside the room it is pitch black. And so silent that we can hear the beat of each other's hearts.

My hand grazes the wall, and suddenly I feel something that seems like a light switch, though it has to be pretty old.

Almost no buildings have flip switches nowadays.

I push the button, and the room floods with a murky white light. All around us are scattered papers and photographs, and every wall is filled with scribbles of names, dates, quotes and small pictures.

We both almost scream with excitement when we realise what we have found-

It is the Alumni Memory Room, where the fondest memories and deepest secrets of past and current initiates are stored by their fellow batchmates.

We flip through the papers and photos and scan the walls like two kids in a candy store, and then something on the wall catches my eye. Scrawled in red crayon are the words-

Will❤️Jasmine

With a date written below that confirms the fact that Mr. Will Hector was indeed, my mother's former flame.

Jay and I stare at it in silence for a few minutes and then burst into quiet laughter.

Then just below my mother's note, we scroll one of our own-

Jay and Nebula- trusted secret keepers 🔥
With today's date.

We scan some more papers and walls and find stuff that is going to make us dining hall story time favourites for atleast a month.

Then on the back of the door, we etch our names along with hundreds of others and promise to never reveal the location of this room to anyone. This room is strictly, finders keepers.

That night I call my mom and ask her about the message written on the wall.

Her first reaction is immense pride at me having found the room, and her next reaction is extreme amusement.

She tells me that she and Mr. Hector were pretty close back in the day. Infact, they were so close that he was actuay the only one (besides me now) to whom she had admitted her truth. When they were asked to make the Choice, he was clear that he wanted to teach the Training centre, and staying there was like suicide for her.

And so, they ultimately parted ways.

That night, I go to bed with amusing memories of my mom's past life in my mind.

When I wake up in the morning, I see Miranda sitting on my bed. She hugs me and cries, and thanks me saying that I had no idea what I had done for her. I smile at her and after we chat a little, we finally both get out of bed and get ready to go have breakfast.

As soon as I enter the dining hall, I notice that almost every pair of eyes is following me, and my eyes scan wildly for my friends.

Every pair of eyes that looks at me is vexed in consternation, and Miranda looks like she might actually throw up.

My eyes follow theirs to the daily news broadcast virtual screen at the front of the hall, and flashing there is a headline that makes my heart stop and my world dissolve-

"Breaking news: Teen icon of nobility Nebula actually had a really dark, selfish purpose behind her courageous conduct"

What do you think is in store for Nebula? Keep following the story to find out.
And Thank you all SO MUCH for all the love and support you have given to my story!