The Ice Warrior

Chapter 47

For the first time since Denis's betrayal, Silv felt comforted by someone's presence. She felt genuine trust. It was the most terrifying thing ever. However, if Silv couldn't trust her own race, she stood no chance of helping her alien friends.

If one could not see the goodness in their species, how was anyone else supposed to trust them, let alone Evanescence? After all, she was hurt more than anyone else.

Silv was starting to understand that no matter what vile things humans did to Wir Eis and the others, those things were milder than losing one part of oneself. For that was what happened in the symbiotic relationship that Evanescence shared with the Ice Warrior. They were one being, and when he died, half of Evanescence did so as well.

It was a staggering realization to come to. Silv was sure she would have understood the depth of Evanescence's pain sooner had she not been preoccupied with keeping her own emotions at bay. All of them, human or not, needed to learn that allowing emotions to manifest themselves was much better than drowning in denial.

"Are you okay?" Justin whispered as they approached other humans.

"To be honest, I feel much better now. It's like a heavy burden has been lifted, and I understand things better now." Silv said.

"Though I am still sad about my grandma's passing, and I probably always will be, I think I've finally learned how to deal with all of it instead of allowing it all to simmer until I blow," Silv added smiling gently at the person whom she was surprised to see as her friend.

"I am glad to hear that because no matter what I do and how much I try, I am not a leader. We need someone like you to set us straight, to help us find some semblance of order in our chaotic lives." Justin said, looking at her with what she thought might have been admiration.

"I think you give me too much credit, but I am willing to help as much as I can. Of course, that is once my faith in humanity is restored." Silv said, smiling brightly.

"Of course," Justin said with an answering smile.

"Alright, everyone! Can I get your attention, please?" Justin said, trying to get his voice heard over many different voices speaking.

It was as if the diversity of voices represented the different feelings they were all going through. Some were agitated and angry, others were relieved and cautious, but most of them were simply terrified of the unknown future that loomed before them.

Even though they were members of the sector that had received the least help from the Government, they were still dependent on the scraps of help that they got or those they stole from other sectors. As a matter of fact, many of their neighbors and friends had chosen to find shelter in some of the other sectors. They weren't brave enough to go into the great unknown, to put their trust in Joe and people they didn't know.

"Listen up!" Justin said, raising his voice much louder than Silv had ever heard it.

By all records, yelling should have been unpleasant, perhaps even frightening. However, the way he did it was much gentler. It was as if he was calming down naughty children, strict enough to get their attention but not severe enough to scare them.

"This here is Silv. She is the one you have to thank for these life-saving accommodations that some of you keep complaining about." Justin said.

Silv blushed profusely. The last thing she wanted was to be the center of attention of those unfamiliar humans. Crowds made her uneasy, but this frightened one seemed more intimidating to her.

Silv wasn't sure if her unease was always present or it just developed after what happened to her, after the betrayal she suffered.

The atmosphere shifted significantly to Silv's surprise. The people seemed warmer, friendlier than she expected them to be since she was a stranger and they were on a giant spaceship.

"Thank you," many murmured, smiling brightly at her.

Unexpectedly, Silv felt a gentle tug on her hand, and only then did she notice the little girl she saw Justin talking with, Dolores, looking up at her with huge brown eyes.

"Thank you fol saving oul lives," Dolores said.

"You're welcome," Silv said, smiling gently at the cute little girl.

Although she had never been around children, Silv felt a natural connection with the girl. It was as if her innocence made her instantly likable, which wasn't always the case with adults.

"Come play with me," Dolores said, pulling at Silv's hand.

"Ahm, sure..." Silv said, looking at Justin, unsure of what she should do.

"You two go and play. We'll talk when Dolores goes to sleep. She has been overly active the whole day, so it's bound to happen." Justin said, sticking his tongue while looking at Dolores.

Dolores returned the gesture while she dragged Silv away from the rest of the adults.

And true to Dolores' word, they did play. They played a lot of different games, and then, as Justin predicted, Dolores fell asleep in the middle of the Queen of Snow game.

Silv scooped up the little girl and carried her back to her parents.

"Oh, it was about time. I thought we'd never get her to sleep again," Jessica said as she lowered her daughter on the bed of clothing they made for the little girl.

"I just wish we could make it a bit more comfortable for her," Jessica said.

"Well..." Silv started to say, thinking that Evanescence could probably provide them with everything they might need.

"Maybe I should explain this part," Justin said, coming to Silv's rescue.

Silv looked up at him with relief. Being a leader was one thing, going to battle, organizing everything, but Silv still had a lot to learn about human relations. She had no idea how to build connections, to make people feel at ease even when everything they thought they knew about the world was changing.

"We have prepared temporary quarters for you guys to stay in. However, as you can imagine, they are bound to feel odd and unfamiliar to you. Furthermore, you might meet some of the natives, and we fear you might get scared and hurt yourself or them." Justin explained loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I think I speak in the name of everyone when I say that we've calmed down sufficiently to think before we act," Jessica said.

"Very well then, I'll help you get settled," Justin said.

"You said the quarters were temporary. Why can't we stay here forever?" Diego, Jessica's husband, asked.

The gentle shudder that ran throughout the ship made it clear to Silv what the answer was, and she was thinking of the best way to word her answer. However, Justin beat her to it.

"This ship and its crew have been captured and tortured by humans. We can't expect them to help us when we remind them of those who caused them pain. They've been far kinder to us than we should expect as it is." Justin said.

The others nodded in agreement and then lowered their heads as if they were ashamed of the actions of the human race they belonged to.

"Quarters?" Silv whispered to Justin, confused.

"Yes, I asked Wir Eis to organize it. I hope you don't mind." Justin said.

"No, of course not. I just...I haven't thought of doing it." Silv said, disappointment clear in her voice.

"Well, you do have a lot to deal with. I'll help the humans. You help the ship. I think we make an amazing team," he said beaming.

Then he turned back to leave and show his people where they would be staying.

"We sure do," Silv whispered.

"Oh, by the way, did you find what you were looking for?" Justin said, turning back to Silv.

"What do you mean?" Silv asked, still trying to process everything that happened.

"Humanity? Did you find humanity?" Justin asked.

"I sure did," Silv said, looking at him and then at the little girl sleeping in Jessica's arms.

It was beautiful to see the support of a friend, the innocence of a child, and the love of a parent. It gave Silv hope for the future.