Bereft

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. But you don’t have to hear something to feel it. A silent scream— deep and aching, but inaudible. The reverberations of that desperate cry seem to shake the very stars themselves. They streak across the sky, celestial tears falling on the face of a dying planet. Constellations of cracks taking shape across its surface, some narrow and delicate, others deep and vast— lit from within by the shattered, fiery heart of the planet caving in upon itself. All that was beautiful long ago devoured by the selfishness and greed of the planet’s inhabitants. Delving deeply in pursuit of more resources, when they already had all they needed to thrive, never giving a thought to the consequences their actions might produce. Nearly lost within the chaos, a final gasp— a dying breath, shuddering and soft. Sent by the breeze of its final sigh, was the remnant of those who were now set adrift, with nowhere to cast their anchor, no safe haven to return to, no place to call home. The passengers desperate to put enough distance between themselves and the place they once called home, before the very planet whose beauty and life their greed had devoured, would with it’s dying breath consume them. The last echoes of what had been, fading with each generation, until there is no memory of home at all. Only a vague impression shrouded deeply within the shadows of the past, or a deep indescribable yearning for a place they had never known. They say those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. But how can you learn from the mistakes of the past, if your history has passed from knowledge, no longer even dwelling in the shadowed memories of the ancient still living among you. Bereft. They wandered, drifting for generations never setting foot in a place long enough to establish roots. Exploring, their restless hearts searching. But for what? They could no longer remember. In the vast expanse of space they would surely find what they had been seeking... wouldn’t they?

The flint of discovery always lit a spark of excitement when they came in view of a new planet— the news would spread like a flame to bone dry tinder, scorching through the ship until every soul aboard is made aware of the news. The soft glow suffusing the room, growing brighter by the minute illuminates the small form lying next to me. Soft ringlets, forming a halo around a face painted in the gentle expression of peaceful slumber. She stirs, a spiral of hair falling across her face, I reach out brushing it aside. Her eyelids flutter, sliding open to reveal irises of pure starlight. “Sleep well?” I ask, as she sits up stretching. A soft smile creasing her lips as she nods her head sending her curls dancing. The insistent rap of knuckles sounds at the entrance to our chamber. “Lyn!?!” The voice calling my name, distorted through the door, yet unmistakable to my ears. Standing I reach for my robe sliding the cool material across my shoulders. “Not a moments peace where she is concerned, is there little one?” I say, the façade of annoyance coloring my voice. “Every planet sighting, always the same, maybe she’ll finally get what she wants— and we’ll finally get some peace.” I say, conspiratorially tousling her silken mane. I walk to the door placing my palm on its smooth surface, the solid material beneath my hand grows warm, turning from opaque to translucent, until my hand is resting in thin air. A pair of eyes dark as the void of space, yet warm where it is cold, stare back at me, excitement twinkling like stars within their depths. “Lyn! Oh good— you’re up!” says Vio, swiftly lowering her fist that was poised, a little too close to my face for comfort, to tap out another rhythm of knocks on a door that was no longer there. She had never quite mastered the art of visitation etiquette, her exhuberant nature tending to get the better of her adherence to propriety. I feel a gentle tug on the side of my robe as a small hand grabs hold of it, followed by a small form leaning out from behind me to get a better view of our guest. “Oh— hello there Fei!” says Vio, squatting down until they are at eye level with each other. “Has your mother taken you to see the latest planet from the viewing deck yet?” Fei attempts to nod no, but is impeded by the fact that her cheek is pressed firmly to the side of my thigh. Nevertheless, Vio is able to interpret it. She stands swiftly back to her full height, once again addressing me. “Lyn, you haven’t taken her yet?!? You know Fei, your mother and I used to be the first ones there whenever word spread of a new sighting. We couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse of it.” “Things are different now, Vio.” I remind her, my hand settling protectively on the top of Fei’s head. “My priorities have changed since then.” Vio’s eyes speak of understanding, while her lips remain shut. The floor beneath our feet lurches sending Vio and I sprawling, narrowly missing a collision with each other. Thankfully Fei’s grip on my robe had not loosened during our conversation and she clung to me as the world around us shook, my body cushioning hers from the hard floor of the ship. The mellow light that fills the hallway, darkening to an ominous hue, as a deep, mournful alarm sounds throughout the ship. Pulling Fei into my arms I stand, a dull ache in my knees where they had slammed against the floor moments before. Vio is already at my side, her hand coming to rest on my shoulder. Our eyes meet, and I see the same thought reflected in her wide-eyed gaze, “This is not one of our routine drills.” All along the hallway doors vanish, and people flood out of their quarters headed for the nearest escape vessel, the call of the alarm spurring them into action. I grab Vio’s hand with my free one, to keep from getting separated amidst the throng. Murmurs of inquiry flood the halls turning to cries of alarm as the ship is rocked, and people are thrown against each other, the ground, or the sides of the hallway. Vio and I hit the wall; I let go of her hand, bracing myself. The ship shakes again, more violently than before, sending those who had already recovered their feet sprawling back to the ground. Fei tightens her grip around my neck as she buries her head in my chest, her face resting against my collarbone. I have to get her off this ship. I have to get her to safety. No matter what. Pushing myself off the wall, Vio’s hand once more in mine, we weave through the others around us. Urgency sends my heartbeat racing, fear flooding my veins with ice at each consecutive shudder of the ship. The open doorway of an escape vessel is only feet from us now; I can see people already inside strapping their safety stays in preparation. Once the max occupancy is met, the door will materialize shut and not open again—leaving those who were not fast enough to board, to find another vessel. Vio is in front now, pulling me towards the door. A body slams into me from behind. Stumbling, I fall to my knees beneath the weight, the crush of bodies tightening around me. Vio looks back, her arm tugged by my fall. I can’t regain my feet; the person who fell against me still weighing me down. Vio pulls my arm trying to bring me to my feet, but is unable to. “Vio, stop!” I yell to be heard over the chaos surrounding us. “Just take Fei and get aboard, I’ll be right behind you!” Vio searches my eyes in an instant, before nodding, urgency leaving no room for debate or protest. Peeling Fei’s clasped hands from around my neck, she looks up at me tears pooling in her eyes. “Go with Vio, I will be with you soon. I love you!” I say. Tears stream drown her face glistening across her cheeks, as Vio grasps her from behind, pulling Fei into her arms. Turning my body as much as I am able, I see my elderly neighbor Tara struggling to regain her footing, her body pinning my calves to the ground. Grasping her hand, I pull her part way up and place her palm on my shoulder, giving her stability as she pulls herself back to her feet. A delicate smile of gratitude plays across her lips, as she sways, unsteady on her feet. Standing, I drape her arm across my shoulders, wrapping my arm around her waist. Guiding her towards the escape vessel, I can see Vio through the open doorway. Finished strapping in Fei, she sits beside her and begins strapping herself in. Fei looks up, locking tear-filled eyes with me. Only a foot from the door my view of her is cut off as the door suddenly appears, barring my entrance. A deep ache spreads through my heart, but I do not hesitate. Heading towards the nearest doorway, I step through. Finding an open seat I lower the elderly woman at my side into it, helping her with the safety straps. I find a seat near her and sit, strapping myself in. Two more people make it in before the door materializes, barring the rest. I don’t recall the launching, my concern for Fei taking full command of my thoughts. The escape vessel careens towards the planet, picking up speed on entry. A sudden lurch sends my head slamming into the interior wall, sharp pain spreads from the point of contact ebbing into a dull, encompassing ache. Glimmers of light dance across my vision, my surroundings growing foggy and vague. Shapes and flashing lights, I hear someone yelling my name, then there are screams. I cannot tell if they are prompted by fear or pain. Everything falls silent as darkness swallows my vision.

My eyelids flutter open, my vision blurry. Thick darkness surrounds me interspersed with flares of light. I feel something heavy weighing down my chest. I can’t see what it is through the smoke and tears pooling in my eyes and running down my cheeks. Lifting my hands to wipe away my tears, only one hand heeds my command, the other no doubt pinned by whatever is crushing my chest. Wiping my tears with my free hand, my vision clears slightly, revealing a piece of debris. Reaching down I attempt to push the heavy object off me, but am only marginally successful as it slides from my torso to rest on my legs, keeping me pinned to my seat. My labored movement prompts a coughing fit as with each breath my lungs continue to fill with the ever thickening smoke. Knives of pain slicing their way across my torso in bands of agony, that would have taken my breath away if there had been any left in my lungs. A deep agonized groan fills the air around me as another piece of the ship gives way sending sparks flying as it crashes to the ground. A terrible visage emerges before me through the fog of smoke and devouring flames. Unfeeling, cold and metallic, it draws nearer. The smoke within my lungs smothering the cry of terror rising in my throat, dying before it crosses my lips in a pained gasp. My body shudders as I inhale more smoke. Violent coughs sending flashes of agony searing across my sides— it feels as if my ribs have turned to shards of glass within my chest grating with each convulsion. I can feel myself fading, the pain and lack of oxygen dulling my senses, urging me to succumb to the darkness. Metallic hands reach out grasping the piece of debris resting on my legs, with a tug it falls free. I feel the safety straps falling away, replaced by the hard metal hands of the creature before me, pulling me into it’s arms. The movement sends fresh agony racing through me. Thoughts abandon me, chased away by the pain. I can no longer hold the darkness at bay; sensation vanishes. One word floating above it all, fixed firmly in my heart as everything fades to black. “Fei.”