The Distance Between

by Blair Cousins

  Adis left with Tavanee shuffling behind her, leaving Ester standing there in a ball of rage. Ester hated that girl, but what hurt the most was that she might be right. All her hopes were riding on this plant, and she needed to straighten up if she was going to get out of here.

  Chapter Two

  Over the next few days Luck worked closely with Ester to get her plant to grow. She was extremely grateful for his help and was starting to believe that she would have a successful plant by the end of the month. In the meantime, she stuck to training for academy. Not only did she need to be at the top of her class, but she needed to be in peak physical condition as well. So she worked extra hard on her physique, knowing her competition would be doing the same. That’s why she worked a part-time job to stay in shape. A few days a week she helped make private deliveries to residents around the area. This was ideal for keeping her body in shape, with all the lifting and walking it required, but the best part about the job was riding in the hover car. Weighing over nine-hundred pounds, the hover cars were so much fun to ride in. To Ester, it was like riding on a hover jetter, even though the hover cars out here were much slower.

  Ester left for work after she checked and watered her plant. Her part-time job was at the Duken’s farm, which grew grain. She laced up her shoes for the three mile walk and packed her bag with cantinas of water and fruit. It was getting close to summer season, the hottest time of the year in Adum-la. On her planet, Rean, they only experienced two seasons, winter and summer. Even though they had short intermittent seasons, that was nothing but a blip compared to Rean’s winters and summers. In school, she read other planets had wildly different climates. For example, Fandour, the closet planet to the Verlin asteroid belt, was like one big dust wave, a hundred times worse than the Adum Desert. No one lived there except for outlaws and drifters. On the second planet, Kees, the climate was tropical. This little blue planet was filled with clear blue oceans with mountainous islands that dotted the surface. This one was her favorite because it was the most beautiful. It was said that the people there could fly. The scholars believed that the same force that gave Ester and her people their electric power also blessed the people of Kees with the abilities of telepathy and levitation. It was pretty cool in Ester’s opinion, though she wouldn’t trade her electric shock power for anything, even if it was nothing more than a simple shock. Her planet, Rean, was the third planet in the Compus system, and after that was the fearsome and looming planet of Labadora. She’d read stories about the monstrous people of Labadora and the great beast that fought alongside them. They were formidable, even for the rangers.

  Thankfully, all of the planets were at peace because of a treaty signed long ago. The last planet in her solar system was a little ice planet called Ceapeaya, or better known by her people as the Motherland. Mystery shrouded its surface and its people. Passed down from generation to generation, her people told stories of how all magic drew its power from the Motherland. Of course, people didn’t believe in magic now. Everyone knew that the radiation from the sun gave the people in her galaxy their unique abilities, but still the legends were passed down in roaming tribes.

  Ester stared up at the clear blue sky. Sitting there next to the sun was the neighboring green planet of Labadora, and if she looked hard enough she could see the blue dot of her other neighboring planet, Kees. She dreamed of traveling through space one day. Rangers got to do cool things like that, and just thinking about it made her excited. She gradually picked up the pace to a steady jog, which created a light sheen of sweat on her round brown face. She adjusted the pack on her back and moved her arms effortlessly back and forth as she sped up. She jogged down the dirt road parallel to the fields of grass where animals grazed. Folks waved to her as they passed by in their carts, carrying goods. She waved back as her jog turned into a run. She wondered what deliveries she would be making today. Last week, she got to go to Honey’s Flower farm. She liked that farm because she got to feed the miniature goats that lived there. Up ahead on the side of the road she spotted a man sitting next to his cart. As she got closer, she noticed it was one of the Dukens.

  “Miss Ester!” An elderly man waved.

  “Mr. Duken!” Ester stopped. Mr. Duken sat on a large rock next to his horse drawn cart. “Is everything okay?”

  “Oh yes, absolutely perfect.” The elderly man looked up at the clear blue sky. Ester looked up as well, trying to figure out what he was staring at. “Did you know there are people up there right now?”

  Ester raised her hand to her forehead to block out the sun. “Who? The rangers?”

  The elder chuckled. “Spirits.”

  “Spirits?” Ester raised an eyebrow, but Mr. Duken only laughed.

  “Watching over us all the time.”

  Ester laughed. “Mr. Duken, are you sure the sun isn’t getting to you?”

  Mr. Duken chuckled and shook his head. He stood from his rock with the help of his cane and walked towards Ester, taking her hand. “Oh, I can tell the universe has great things in store for you, child.”

  Ester looked at her palm, but she couldn’t tell what he was looking at. So, she smiled and just went along with it.

  “Say, would you mind helping me get old Barren back to the farm? He’s terribly stubborn today and would much rather enjoy the klase weed instead of pulling.”

  “Sure thing, Mr. Duken!” Ester loved animals. She walked over to Barren and greeted him by extending her hand palm down towards his nose. Barren gave it a quick blow and nayed, shaking his long black mane. Ester lowered her hand. “It’s good to see you too, Barren.” The horse stepped at little closer and gently head-butted her. “Oof, well thank you.” Ester smiled and rubbed his nose. Mr. Duken walked up next to them.

  “See, he likes you more.” He chuckled and walked over the driver’s seat.

  Ester walked out in front with Barren’s reins in her hands. Together, they made the trek back to the Duken family farm, which was one of the biggest farms in her area. Lots of families were employed by the Dukens. They were a very nice family, admired by the community.

  Mr. Duken thanked Ester for her help and offered her a few tones for her time. She thanked him and quickly made her way to Scott Duken’s office. He was the grandson of Mr. Duken and current manager of the Duken estate. She hoped he wouldn’t be too upset about her being late.

  “I’m so sorry I’m late.” She barged into the office, nearly tripping over the ledge. The woman at the counter eyed her as Ester walked up to her desk. “Good morning, Miss Aima.”

  “You’re late, DuTain.” Aima watched her from the desk.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I was helping Duken senior with Barren. You know how stubborn that horse can be.” Ester laughed as she rubbed the back of her head.

  “Very well.” Miss Aima reached down and opened her desk drawer, pulling out a digital name tag heading it to Ester. “Don’t make this a habit.”

  “Yes ma’am,”

  “Miss DuTain, is that you?” A familiar voice called from the back office. Ester looked up and saw Scott Duken poke his head out from his office. “Miss DuTain.” The middle aged man extended his hand. “I sure am glad to see you.” Ester shook his hand as she tried to affix her name tag to her shirt. “We had a call out in the field department; I’d pay you double if you’d be willing to help.”

  At the mention of extra tones Ester perked up. “Of course, sir. I’d be happy to help.” Ester didn’t mind working shifts in the field. It was mostly soil prep and weed pulling, but it was a good work out which was just what she needed.

  “Excellent!” A smiled exploded across Scott’s face. “You know, we sure could use an extra hand, full time around here.”

  “Thanks but no thanks, Mr. Duken. I’m going to the metropolis after I graduate.”

  “All the way out there, huh?” Scott chuckled. “Well, I wish you luck, but if you change your mind, you’re always welcome here, Miss DuTain.”

  “Thank you, sir!” Ester smiled a great bi
g smile. She felt a little sad though. If she did get into ranger school, she would miss the kind people at her part time job.

  ***

  In just two weeks’ time, Ester’s little opalia plant had grown a total of three inches. She was so happy to see everything coming together, thanks to Luck’s magic fingers. If this kept up, she would have a presentable plant in no time. Out in the shed, she watered and added extra nutromix to balance the soil. The delicate sapling would not grow without the perfect mix of nutrients and minerals. She was sad she wouldn’t be around to see it bloom, but planned to gift it to Sister Genevieve. It would be a beautiful addition to the Sister’s already stunning garden.

  “You know what, little opalia plant? You’re not so bad. I mean, once I got the hang of everything it became easier. If only life in general were that easy.” Ester smiled as she caressed the leaves between her fingers. She picked up the sapling and placed it in the sun.

  “What are your dreams, little opalia plant? Do you wanna go in the ground or travel through the stars?” Ester started at the tiny green plant waiting for an answer that would never come. “Welp, I guess that’s for you to know and you only. My job is to get you grown enough to make that decision.”

  She smiled and headed out of the shed. Today was going to be a busy day because she signed up to volunteer at her school’s mini market in the Bizlo locale for extra credit. Thank goodness she went overboard with signing up for volunteering this year. Somehow she must have known she would slack off somewhere. Ester grabbed her bag and walked around to the front of the house. If she ran the whole way it would be good exercise. She checked her shoes and was about to head off when she heard someone call her name.

  “Ester!” Luck waved. “Hey, wait up.”

  “Not now, Luck, I have somewhere to be.”

  “I know, that’s why I’m walking with you.” He smirked.

  “I’m not going on a joy walk. I have volunteering at the school today.”

  “I know. That’s where I’m heading, too.”

  Ester rolled her eyes. Why were boys so dense? She couldn’t be mad at him; after all, he was helping her with her final project. And there could be worse company. She shuttered at the idea of working with Adis.

  “You do realize we’re going all the way to Bizlo?”

  Luck nodded.

  “And we’re more than likely taking the school’s busted hover cart.”

  “I know, I’m driving.” Luck started walking.

  “What!” Ester caught up with him. “How?”

  Luck shrugged. “I signed up first.”

  “Bullshit. I was like the first one to sign up for everything.”

  “Not everything.” Luck smiled, but Ester only looked more pissed.

  She really wanted to drive, even if the hover cart was super slow.

  “Fine then.” Ester walked by him.

  “Ester.” Luck reached out to her, but she continued to walk. Luck jogged to keep up with her, but it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a carefree walk. Ester looked over her shoulders and smirked.

  “I’ll see you at school.” Ester took off in a sprint.

  Luck shouted out to her and started to run, but he did not have the same stamina as her. Ester laughed as she left him in the dust. As Luck faded in the distance, Ester started to slow down to a fast jog. She loved running. There was something about the way the body felt when it was forced to work at its best. Training for the academy kept her spirit alive during the tough days of living in the orphanage. She had lost so much and sometimes that really got to her, but the memories of her family fueled her motivation to continue. Her necklace bounced from side to side on her chest, egging her on. She inhaled as she felt the energy course through her body and took off in another sprint.

  The clouds were rolling in from the Adum desert, but the day was still shaping up to be a good one. Besides Luck and Ester, three other students had signed up to volunteer under the supervision of Brother Isa. The school participated in the market sale to give students a chance to see what it’s like to vend at the markets. Goods were made by students and sold to help pay for things like building repairs and school supplies. The school went to the markets twice in the fall and three times in the spring. Ester had gone to all of them. She liked going to the markets. It reminded her of the smaller ones she went to as a child.

  Brother Isa directed the students to load up the cart. The students worked very hard to bring goods to market this year. This trip they brought with them melons from the garden and homemade bags from their home goods class. Ester helped make this batch of bags this trip and was quiet proud of her bag making skills. She even made one for Bellarue, one of her housemates, for her birthday and she loved it. Ester carried crates to the cart and helped organize them. It would be an hour trip by cart, but the ride was beautiful. Brother Isa turned on the hover cart and the wagon choked and popped. A few students screamed and backed away, but it was finally running.

  “You sure you want to drive that thing?” Ester asked, looking at Luck.

  “Wouldn’t pass up the chance for the world.” He winked at her.

  “Would you pass up on it for me?” Ester batted her big brown eyes.

  “Nope.” Luck grinned then walked away.

  Ester grunted and hopped on the back with the rest of the students. The hover cart jutted forward, sending the students rolling back. Ester cut Luck a look, but he threw his hands up and pointed to the cart. Ester glared, but there was no bite to it. She guessed she would have to play sightseer and that wasn’t so bad.

  She looked at the school drifting slowly away. Out in the outskirts there was nothing for miles, only dense sandy grasslands on one side and sand dunes on the other. Ester wasn’t native to this part of Adum. Her tribe claimed the fruitful lands northwest. Out here, the soils weren’t as good because of their proximity to the dessert, but the people made do. Even though the trip was long and secluded, Ester enjoyed staring off into the distance. She felt the void calling out to her. Beyond the dunes and miles of dessert was where she belonged. She knew it. She yawned and settled in for the long trip. She had a feeling today was going to be a good day.

  The markets were bustling today. Many people stopped by their booth, buying up most of their stock of melons and bags. Ester and Luck unloaded so many melons, they could barely keep them on the table. Luck was especially proud because he’d spent a lot of time in the school’s garden. Fruits were his favorite thing to grow, and he was happy to see that they were selling well. The day ended and the students walked away with quite a lot of sales. The money they made today would be of great help to the school.

  On the way back, Luck rode in the back to give another student a chance to drive. Ester didn’t pout about it this time, even though she was still jealous that Luck got to drive on the way here. She had driven three times before, and she was tired and didn’t mind taking it easy. Luck watched the other students rest. It had been a long day, and he had to admit he was a little tired too.

  “How are you not dosing off?” Luck asked.

  “I’ve been on this trip like four times already,” Ester said.

  “But still, this was one a heck of a day.” Luck rested his head on his knee.

  “Maybe for a pretty boy like you.” Ester teased.

  “Hey now, I still pulled my weight. After all, those were my melons we were selling.”

  “Yours? More than just you helped grow them.”

  “This is true, I will not deny them their credit. However, I have logged in the most hours in the garden and can be credited with saving three crops,” Luck said.

  “Fine, plant king.”

  Luck pushed her over. Ester flailed to regain her balance and pushed him back. Luck laughed as he put his hands up in defense, but then noticed something behind Ester. The clouds were rolling in fast. A stampede of dark grayish brown eclipsed the sky. Ester stopped laughing when she noticed Luck’s shaken expression. She tilted her head and made a face, trying
to see what his blue eyes were looking at.

  “What?” Ester asked when a strong gust of wind whipped her fly away hair across her face.

  She turned around and gasped. The winds started to pick up, jarring some of the students awake. Brother Isa looked out towards the desert. A dust storm was heading their way. Brother Isa pulled the hover cart over immediately and hurried the kids off the back. The wind ripped through the land, almost knocking over one of the students.

  “Get the tarp!” Brother Isa shouted.

  Brother Isa helped the student up as he walked towards the cart to help Luck with the tarp. Ester fumbled for the carabiners, but they were nowhere to be found. The dust bit and stung at their skin as the wind picked up. Some of the students begin to wail and cry. Dust storms out here were much worst because of how close they were to the dunes. Brother Isa instructed them to get behind the hover cart and stay down. Luck unfolded the tarp but the wind was blowing so hard it was threating to rip the cover right from his hands. The flaps thrashed and popped Brother Isa in the face. He bit back the pain and caught the flap, wrestling it to the ground instructing the other students to sit on it while they secured the top.

  “Ester! Carabiners?” Luck shouted.

  “Can’t,” Ester shouted as she tried to look for the box.

  Brother Isa looked beyond them the worst of it was upon them.

  “There’s no time!” Brother Isa waved for Ester and Luck to jump down. “Can you help hold it?”

  Luck and Ester nodded. Together, all three of them held the tarp close to the hover cart while the other students secured the bottom by sitting on it. The winds tore through the land causing everything to bend to its will. Sand and dirt swept into any opening getting into their eyes, noses, and mouths. Ester couldn’t use her hands to cover her face, so she looked down to avoid the worse of it, while holding up her end with both hands.

  The storm broke against the grassy fields behind them, raging like waves in the ocean. Then, as quick as it washed over them, it subsided. The tarp fell against them as they all panted in silence. Brother Isa looked around. Everyone was a little dirty, but fine. He lifted the tarp away and the sunlight flooded in. Ester and Luck stood up. Sand blanketed the grass behind them, but the little shoots still poked out from the ground.