Cosmic Collisions (Novel)

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven:

Once they all woke up the next day, dread started creeping up on them. Each person on the Space ship had at least one or two injuries that throbbed in waves of pain.

Coming down to eat his breakfast was like walking to his death as Elliot trudged down the stairs. Even seeing the cafeteria left him shaking all over. Just then, coming out of the cafeteria was Charlotte. Her eyes were bloodshot and her lips quivered. In her good hand she carried a bowl of Elliot's favourite cereal and her own bowl was balancing precariously on her arm. Not trusting herself to speak in fear of bursting into tears yet again that morning, she handed him his breakfast.

"Thanks," he whispered, as they walked into the direction of the Headquarters straight past the dreaded room where Finley died.

Isla smiled slightly as she saw them and Elliot could clearly see the notebook she was clutching to her chest. Freya insisted that she was fine and would come down to breakfast later on

"I c-can't bring myself to even step foot in that room," Isla said, shuddering, the memories flooding back.

Elliot nodded in agreement as he took a bite of his chocolate cereals. Charlotte whispered, "I can go. What would you like? And yes Elliot, I do give a shit about Finley's death." With that she stormed off towards the cafeteria taking a deep, shuddering breath before entering, walking towards where Taylor stood.

Back at the Headquarters where Isla and Elliot sat he spoke, "that was... unusual. I'm sorry that I said what I said, but she has been acting strange ever since the physical Trials, don't you think?"

He turned to face her as she replied, "Yes, it's true; even when she told us about what happened at her Trials. She couldn't answer our questions," Isla wanted to continue speaking, but seeing Elliot's face she stopped.

"I can't believe I'm saying this about my own sister, but maybe she didn't want to tell us the truth about her emotional Trials. Maybe she chose herself and not us," Elliot stopped talking as they saw Charlotte and Taylor approaching them. He signalled discreetly to Isla to let her know that they'd continue the conversation at another time.

"Hi," they said in unison.

"By the way, where are Rosiee and Mason? I saw John going to the Pilot's room to check the space laptop," Taylor said as she plonked herself down between Isla and Elliot. Charlotte sat alone opposite them, pleased when Mason walked towards them and sat next to her.

They ate their breakfast in silence for a while until Freya appeared behind them. Isla turned and stared in shock, cursing Mason as he spoke in disbelief, "What happened to you?"

She didn't answer, sitting down next to Charlotte turning her face towards her mouthing 'help!'

"Have you been doing that exercise routine I showed you?" Charlotte asked.

Looking at her gratefully, Freya nodded as she answered, "Yeah, my face always gets very red while doing those!" It was obvious to anyone listening that she wasn't telling the truth. Isla knew that whatever Freya had dreamed that night was heartbreaking; so much so that Isla woke up to her screams. She had been shocked when she'd seen Freya. The 18-year-old had scratched her face until it bled, but nevertheless she insisted that she was fine and wouldn't answer when she had asked what the dream was about. Isla was certain that Finley was behind it.

Purposefully changing the subject, Elliot said quietly, "I know this is a hard question to think of, but what are they going to do with Finley's body? After they attacked us like that, they're probably not going to have any sort of services. So you all think that they'll go to the service without us? The 10,000 lights for Luca was a good idea, but what are we going to do for Finley? We should at least do something," Everyone glanced at one another, each waiting for the other ones to speak first.