by Day Leitao
But the way he looked at her… Her stupid mind. The same mind that had made her hope about Cayo, even Kay. She’d never been in love with Kay, but she’d been under the illusion that maybe… But it was nothing to the way she was feeling now. Or maybe not feeling, perhaps it was just an impression. She couldn’t be so stupid. So stupid.
He walked in front of her, in silence. Now that he no longer wore a coat, she could see more of his shape. Just the way he walked sent shivers down her spine. Oh, dear. This was bad. Meanwhile, she was still wearing his coat, his smell inebriating. She should have returned it, but perhaps it was true that getting sick wouldn’t help them. Surviving was more important than making a point. And now she kind of hated that stupid friend of his, who had mocked her without remorse or thankfullness, forgetting she’d gone out in the storm, risking her own life, to try to find a cure for him.
Well, it had never been for Marcus, but for Dess. For his tears. The tears she’d always held back. The tears he let go without any shame or fear. In retrospect, that was exactly when her mind had been gone. When she’d fallen in love. Ugh. No, no. Not love. It was just compassion, something. Empathy. Yeah, empathy. She couldn’t be so stupid. And arguing with her mind wasn’t helping.
Dess approached her without really looking in her eyes. “So, how do we get food here?”
Impressive. The last thing on Saytera’s mind right now was food. She tried to get her thoughts straight. “We’ll need to see if there are crabs or sand creatures. Or go to the rocks and get shells.”
He smiled. “If it doesn’t work, you know where we can find lizards.”
Saytera didn’t really like that idea. “Last resort, but we’ll need a plan so we’re not ambushed like last time.”
Dess chuckled. “I was joking.”
“Uh-hum.” Saytera looked down before his obnoxious friend made any comment.
Marcus was actually looking up. “The weather’s clear.”
Dess sighed. “I know what you’re thinking, but I think it’s pointless hope, Marcus.”
Saytera looked up and touched her back pouch with her bow and arrows. “There are birds. Do you guys know how to defeather one?”
“I guess I could,” Dess said. “The issue is how to cook it. I’m not sure we can still make fire.”
“Can’t we try with rocks or sticks?” Marcus asked. “Or use our energy pistols?”
Dess shook his head. “Ammo’s gone.”
Marcus just stared. “That’s very comforting, in case we’re attacked.”
“I have my arrows.” Saytera patted her back pouch.
Marcus squinted against the sun. “And you can shoot a flying bird out of the sky with that?”
What question was that? “Well, yeah. They are pretty close, and their trajectory is slow and predictable. Anyone can do that. Can’t you?”
Marcus shook his head and chuckled.
Annoying. Saytera snapped. “Hey, I could prove it, but I’m not going to shoot one if we aren’t eating it.”
Marcus showed the palms of his hands, in a defensive position. “I’m not doubting it.”
“He’s never seen arrows before, Saytera.”
Dess was defending his stupid friend, but instead of annoyed, Saytera was stunned by the softness with which he’d said her name. She’d better snap out of it.
Pointing to the edge of the beach, she said, “We’ll find shells at those rocks.”
The sun shone on the waves crashing on the sand, the water beyond brilliant, multiplying its lights in millions of little suns on its surface. Saytera walked without looking back, but footsteps behind her confirmed that she had company.
Shells wasn’t a great meal, especially considering how hungry she was, but it was something. Perhaps being “rescued” and then captured would indeed be better than remaining here without fire. Fire. She’d always wanted to know how to produce it, and yet, she’d never been in such dire need of it. It made sense that even kids would learn how to do it so early, considering how much of a difference it could make. Well, not Saytera. All she could make was darkness, which wouldn’t help her situation here.
Laughter behind her made her turn around. Dess was laughing. He’d rolled up his pants and was putting his feet on the cold water, small waves washing his ankles back and forth. She was going to remind him to focus, help her, but the glee in his and his friend’s eyes made her change her mind.
She approached Dess. “Haven’t you been on beaches before?”
Marcus was farther away, also looking at the ocean. Dess smiled. “Never in a situation where I didn’t fear someone would shoot me.”
“Hum. I bet that kills the mood.”
“A little.” He bent and touched the water with the tips of his fingers. “This is… magical. You have no idea how lucky you are.”
“Glad you like it. In case, you know, we spend the rest of our lives here.”
He raised an eyebrow. “There are worse things, you know?”
“Starving, for example. Speaking of which, are you and your friend going to help me get some shells or not?”
“Of course.”
They walked towards the rocks. Dess then said, “You know, we should try to find shelter closer to here. It would make our life easier.”
“Guys, guys,” Marcus’s voice was eager and scared and made them turn around.
Saytera had her bow ready but there was nothing at the beach. She looked at the sky instead. A black shape approached the island. Perhaps Marcus didn’t know what it was, but she knew it: Lunars. And now she’d have mere seconds to decide if she would hide and stay or try to go with them and negotiate a release or become a hostage. She should have asked details about what they did with their hostages before.
Dess squinted at the bright sky. “That’s a C-31.”
“You think they’re Lunars?” Marcus asked, his voice now much more eager and relaxed.
“They are,” Saytera said.
Marcus stared at her. “Sure?”
She sighed and nodded. “Positive.” How did she even know it? Was it the certainty that Mainlanders didn’t have many spaceships? Maybe it was just knowing that nobody from the continent would possibly rescue them, and that ship coming at them was too precise in its trajectory to be someone just surveying the area. They had to know something—or someone—was here, and Dess’s chip on the neck was the only explanation.
Dess seemed thoughtful. “I agree.”
Marcus started screaming and jumping on the sand. Meanwhile, Saytera’s insides were turning to ice as her eyes were fixated on the black shape approaching them. A hand on her shoulder caught her attention. Dess.
“Hey, don’t worry. I told you I’d take you to the continent, I will.”
Saytera’s body was so rigid she could barely manage a nod.
He looked at her. “You don’t trust me?”
The weird thing is that she did. But it wasn’t him that she worried about. “There are other people there. Will they listen to you?”
“If I were them, I would.”
Saytera forced a smile, unsure if he was joking or not. So much fear and dread, and yet at the same time she didn’t want to risk running away and staying stranded on that island. The spacecraft came closer and closer to them, a large, black shape unlike any of the ships she’d ever seen.
Marcus ran in its direction. Saytera didn’t blame his relief. At the same time, she knew that once they returned, the two of them would go back to whatever horrible things they’d been doing before. Kidnapping. And more. Dess stood silent.
There was something Saytera had to know. “So the killings. The ones in an entire base. It wasn’t Lunars?”
“It wasn’t me. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Lunars, but…”
“What?”
He pointed to the sky. “See that ship approaching? They’re military. If they can come here, maybe… But then, it just doesn’t make sense, you know? It seems way too clumsy, especially for an official operation. It just
doesn’t make sense.”
“Lots of things don’t make sense.”
Dess was thoughtful, then said, “True. I’ll check it. Not sure I’ll have a way to let you know my findings, but I’ll check it.”
“You know where I live.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Is that an invitation to visit?”
Was he… flirting? But she had other things in mind. “Knowing they can blow you up? No.”
“So you care?”
Saytera tensed. “I know you. Personally. I wouldn’t want to learn you were shot and killed.”
He looked away, thoughtful. “I guess it’s a compliment, then. Even if it means I won’t see you for a long time.”
She’d been thinking she’d never see him again and now that the thought was clear she realized it almost made her nauseous while all her insides tightened in a horrible feeling. She tried to be playful about it. “It’s not like we’re neighbors.”
“We are. Compared to the vastness of the universe, we’re in the same world. The divide is just this war, and it won’t last forever.”
“Maybe.”
There was a spark in his eyes. “No. Truly. You see what I see? We’re stupid. We’ve been chasing victory for so long, waiting for a chance, an opening to strike, because let’s not be silly, that’s what those truces are, when the solution is much simpler.”
“Really?”
“Of course. What we both need is peace. That’s what I’m going to fight for.”
Saytera considered her time in the academy, even Dess’s military training, how they were raising young people to fight, kill, win, how they were told the Lunars were to blame for everything wrong in their planet. “It’s tough to oppose people’s beliefs.”
“I don’t think it’s opposing, but making them see the easiest way to achieve what they truly desire.”
She nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll remember that and try something, with all my super influence over Mainland.”
He shook his head. “You don’t have to. You guys are bigger and things seem a lot more complex. I can do my part, though.” He stared at the ship approaching the beach. “Let’s go. Stay close to me.”
That ship was very large and landed on the beach. A side door opened down to a ramp, reaching the ground. The sand softened its thud, but it still rocked Saytera, not because of the sound, but just the immense dread of being captured, of facing real enemies.
Dess was quite intrigued to learn who had been sent for them, especially considering this wasn’t any of the ships from the civil port.
Sam stepped out of the door. “Here I am. To pick up the trash.”
Why did it have to be Sam? Dess stepped in front of Saytera to shield her from Sam, then said, “I’m glad they got an expert.”
Saw narrowed his eyes. “Trying to hide something, Dess? Is that a hostage?”
Dess was out of ammo. Not a positive prospect. “It’s none of your business.”
Sam then pulled out a pistol and aimed toward Dess. “Step away and let me stun her, then. I’m not having enemies on my ship.”
Dess stepped forward. “Scared?”
Sam shrugged. “Fine, then. Your choice.”
It had been a quick reaction started at the moment Sam had a smug smile. Dess kicked the weapon from his opponent. He then saw Amil approaching from inside the ship, ready to fire, and jumped on him, holding down his pistol arm. A foot kicked Dess’s ribs. Sam’s. Dess then rolled away before the same foot came to his face. He heard a gun firing and saw that Marcus had stunned Amil. Soon after, Sam was stunned, too. It had all been too fast. He looked back. Saytera had her bow ready and was lowering it.
Marcus threw the pistol on the floor. “Great. Now they’ll probably imprison us.”
“You didn’t have to help me.”
Marcus puffed. “Right. I should just watch them beating you.”
“I can hold my own.”
He rolled his eyes. “I noticed it.”
Dess ignored his friend and turned to Saytera. “Are you all right?”
“I am.” She looked puzzled, though.
Dess felt he had to give an explanation, but then the main reason he’d jumped on Sam was because he feared they’d want to take Saytera back to Sapphirlune. He feared being stunned and not being able to do anything. But he didn’t want to say as much. Dess shrugged. “I never liked them.”
She chuckled.
“Question is,” Marcus said. “How are we getting back home?”
Weird question. “You do realize this is geared for space travel, right?”
His friend crossed his arms. “Are you planning on taking it?”
“Of course not. Just doing them a favor. They can rest while we pilot.”
Marcus sighed. “I’m sure they’re going to be thrilled.”
“I don’t care.” He turned to Saytera. “We’re taking you home.”
She looked him in the eye. “Thanks.” Her eyes said much more, as if she understood the significance of what he’d just done and understood it had been for her. Or maybe he was projecting it. Either way, her look made it all worth it.
They strapped Sam and Amil on the back seats.
Marcus approached him and whispered. “I don’t think it’s wise to go to the continent.”
“I disagree.”
“They’ll see it on the flight route.”
“Not if it’s broken.”
“But…”
Dess shot the part of the panel where the flight recorder was. “There. Broken.”
Marcus sighed. “We’re going to be in so much trouble.”
“We won’t. Trust me.”
“I always do,” his friend said. “And maybe I should reconsider it.”
Dess shrugged. He turned to Saytera, who was sitting right behind him. “Ready?”
“Yes.” She was rigid on the seat, eyes wide.
He stared at the radar in search of clouds and was stunned. “Some luck. The weather is completely clear today.”
Marcus frowned. “We could wait.”
They could, but then, he wasn’t sure how long Sam and Amil would be out and didn’t trust them at all.
“Dess.”
He turned to Saytera.
She asked, “You use clouds to disguise your flight, right?”
“Maybe.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Anyway, you said you’re a good pilot, right?”
“I like to think so.”
“There’s a way to approach the continent, then.”
Dess widened his eyes, curious to what she was going to suggest.
“If you approach the peninsula by the east, it has tons of small islands and many rocks. They don’t look for boats there.”
He stared at her. “And if I fly low enough nobody will be looking for a spaceship there either.”
“Exactly.”
This was a lot more like a hard exercise in the simulator, dodging obstacles as the ship almost touched the water and he dodged rocks and islands. He had to be very careful because a C-31 wasn’t supposed to be submerged. In fact, it was a big, clumsy ship, and only two idiots could have come to Mainland in it. In truth, it didn’t make what he was doing any easier, but at the same time, he’d practiced this so much… Perhaps there was something to be learned in the simulator. Marcus was silent and so was Saytera, probably too scared to break his concentration.
They stopped at a small beach. According to the map and to Saytera it wasn’t too far from her base.
He stared at her. This was it. This was goodbye. They stepped outside and he was glad to have a moment with her away from his friend.
She stood in front of him. “Thank you. It means a lot.”
“It’s nothing. I made a promise.”
He wanted to say something else but none of the words circling his mind seemed to fit. Maybe he didn’t even know what to say.
She broke the silence. “I guess… goodbye, then.”
He reached out and took her hand. �
�Wait.” And then he had the craziest idea. “Come with me. We can fight for peace together. We can work together. I’ll hide you. I’ll protect you. We’ll find a way.”
Together, together, together. The word rang. It was the gist of what he wanted to say.
She stared at him in silence for a moment, then said, “Dess…” Her tone was apologetic.
“Fine.” He didn’t want to hear the rest. He was angry, but he shouldn’t be angry. His idea was stupid. She’d probably be imprisoned if she were to go to Sapphirlune with him. Maybe not, maybe he’d find a way. Truth was that this was all too soon and he wasn’t thinking straight. “I mean… I get it. Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
She stood staring at him, all magic and power, and he was losing her and it tore his heart apart. And yet they were standing so close. He didn’t remember that they were this close. It was just a matter of reaching out and kissing her. And if he did it he’d probably decide to become a fisherman, kidnap her, disappear from the world, and forget all about the war. Forget about who he was, everything he’d always fought for.
He took off the ring from his pinkie finger and extended it to her. “Here. So you don’t forget me.”
She took it and stared at it.
He added, “You don’t have to wear it.”
She put it on her ring finger. “Are you sure you won’t miss it?”
“Not more than I’ll miss you.”
Her lips parted, surprised. “I wish I had something…”
“I’m not going to forget you. I don’t need a reminder.”
“Me neither.”
Dess smiled. “We’ll meet again, when we’re at peace. And then we won’t have to be enemies anymore.”
“What if there’s no peace?”
“There will be. I’m as certain of it as I’m certain I’ll find you. It’s knowing without knowing.”