Escaping Paradise Planet

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. They were never me. All I can hear is the screaming pleas of the asphyxiating bodies surrounding me.

“I don’t want to die!”

“Help us!”

“Somebody, save us!”

I want to tell them to shut up, to let me close my eyes and enjoy some quiet before death takes me entirely. But I know that even if somehow I had enough oxygen left in my lungs to declare my dying wish, it would be a waste. They don’t know that I can hear their every thought in my head. Despite their mouths being shut tight in a sad attempt to preserve the little air they have in the hope that someone rescues us, I know what they desire the most right now.

To survive this, to make it to their loved ones on the evacuation ships ahead. Or, at the very least, someone on the blasted ship mere miles away from us would realize that we’re in distress and just turn around. Why won’t they just turn around?

Calm yourself. You can hear everyone else’s worries in your head. Don’t let them get to you. I suddenly notice how eerily silent it is. I don’t hear anyone, which means…

A wave of guilt washes over me. I wanted quiet in my final moments, and now I have it, at the cost of everyone’s life. I didn’t want this; I didn’t want everyone to die.

My eyes start to flutter close. I'm so cold. I'm so tired. I just want to sleep, then wake to realize that this is an overly realistic nightmare.

How could everything go so wrong?

June 6, 1000: Kobaloi. I love Kobaloi. It’s so peaceful, so beautiful, so perfect here. Okay, so I am a bit one-sided; an oversized shirt in my wardrobe with ‘I <3 Kobaloi’ printed on it is enough proof of that. Plus, spending years learning and analyzing the extensive histories of most planets-many filled with increasingly horrific and jaw-dropping moments-solidifies the thought that Kobaloi is the best place to live in the galaxy.

On the other hand, my mother would have strongly encouraged me to visit some of our planetal neighbors. Before giving birth to me, she was the top photographer for Galaxy Insight, which meant traveling to celestial bodies galore. From time to time, I flip through my vast collection in awe of the beauty my mother was able to capture, even of the more notoriously darker societies. She always seemed able to persuade the most stubborn people to give everyone a chance, to see the best in each other. But, that same optimistic belief led to my mother’s ruin.

There is a famous Earth phrase: ‘Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.’ That quote and my mother's death are why I stay here in Kobaloi and choose to study the history of every planet I can.

It’s also what Kobaloi does as a whole. Not only do we learn from our history, but we learn from the histories of other inhabited planets. No, Kobaloi’s history isn’t all rainbows and sunshine; horrible things have happened in the earlier years of our civilization. Thankfully, our ancestors learned quickly how not to end up down other societies' paths. It has spared us mass casualties, incurable illnesses, long-standing wars…and now I’m bragging.

I promised myself I would not boast and try to be completely honest. Who knows where this journal might end up? The last thing I want to do is to come off as a biased multi-planet civilization historian.

You know what? I’m striving for complete honesty, right? And that just potentially means my flaws will be out there for multiple worlds to see. Guess that’s just the price I have to pay.

“Then get this. You listening, Vi?”

I roll my eyes at the hotshot, red-eyed lawyer beside me. “What do you think I have been doing since you busted in my office, Erru? Painting? Tap dancing?”. Erru groans while I try to hold in the fit of giggles threatening to erupt.

“You seem to forget that I know you, Vi. You have this ‘wonderful’ gift of pretending that you’re completely captivated by my harrowing tales of the courtroom. However, you’re daydreaming about whatever planet you read about.” Erru smiles sweetly, trying to hide his annoyance with the fact that I was distracted. Again.

It’s not that I don’t think that his stories are exciting. The way Erru tells them they are, even though he does embellish some details. He should have been an author instead of a lawyer, but Erru insists on using his abilities to help people. He’s a knight in shining armor for many, mainly those whose cases he takes on pro bono. And as his supportive best friend, I am incredibly proud of him, so I try to enjoy his ‘harrowing tales of the courtroom.’ Or at least act like I am. I just happen to prefer the chronicles of million-year-old civilizations to court cases. Although, that’s not what has me distracted today.

“I’m sorry, Ru. I’m listening.” Erru squints his eyes in doubt. “Okay, so let’s call it multi-tasking,” I say, half-convincingly.

“Where did I lose you? Or did I fail to grab your complete attention right from the start?” Ru smugly replies. The know-it-all already knows the answer to that. I shoot right back: “Well, that's what happens when you whoosh in while I am reading,” I glance over at the worn-out book on my desk. “... Agamemnon and Odontotyrannos: A Joined History.” The slight hesitation in my voice wipes the smirk off Ru’s face, replaced immediately with concern. “What’s wrong, Violeta?” he questions.

I feign interest at a random spot on the wall. I don’t want to talk to him about the hologram call with my father from this morning if I can even call the man my father. The fact that he only comes around when he ‘needs’ something, a consensual sperm donor would be a better term. But I’m still the fool who willingly gives him everything he asks. Erru says he doesn’t judge me for it, but I know he must loathe that I do so. I wouldn’t blame him; every time my father comes around, he has this way of making me feel like this time will be different. Maybe he will finally stay and love me if I just give him what he wants. Then, like clockwork, he leaves, running off to who knows where and breaking my heart again. Of course, Erru is always there to pick up the pieces, but I know he must be sick of seeing me so hurt and vulnerable. And I hate that I allow myself to fall for my father’s manipulations every time.

Ru shifts his head, his scarlet eyes peering into my lavender ones. “Violeta? What happened? Talk to me.” Letting out a sigh, I focus on Ru.

“My father called me this morning,” falls out of my mouth. I busy myself with organizing my desk, trying not to look at Ru’s face, one that I know will show either disappointment, pity, or a mix of both.

“Violeta,” Ru moves a hand on top of mine, “stop. I’m not judging you.”

“Pfft, why would I think you were?” I say, sputtering.

Erru shoots me a knowing look. “You always start organizing what is in front of you, even though it is already pristine. You do it every time you are feeling stressed or criticized.” He envelopes his hands over mine, preventing my hands from continuing their frenzied movement. He’s not wrong; I am a neat person. Everything has its place, so much so that if anyone comes to my office or home, I can tell them exactly where anything is. Stress only intensifies it.

“What did he say?” Ru questions.

“It was different this time,” Ru raises his eyebrow, “I’m serious, Ru. He wanted to know how I was doing, and he asked, not told, he ASKED if we could meet up for lunch later today." Ru's eyes widened as I shook my head. We both know that my father is not one for asking; he demands, and very few can tell him no.

“I didn’t realize he knew what a question mark looked like.” Ru jokes.

“I’m sure he does; he just chooses to ignore it,” I respond, causing us both to chuckle. I can always count on him in moments like this. Our banter is one of the few things that get me grinning when I feel down, primarily because of my non-existent father.

Ru smiles at me as he leans his head against his left hand. "Do you want me to go with you for moral support? I don't have to go back to court today, and my next meeting isn't until three this afternoon." I scrunch up my face, pretending to be deep in thought. "Oh, I don't know. To let you come, to not let you come. I just can't decide." Ru opens his mouth to retaliate when the usually calm and collected floor receptionist rushes into my office, breathless and terrified.

“Turn. On. The news. Now.” Shalae orders, trying to catch her breath. Ru encourages Shalae to sit down while I tap the news app on my computer screen.

“Shalae is everything…” I stop myself from finishing. Carnage has taken over my screen; screams and gunfire fill the room. The headline reads: “Rising Henway Mob Lands On Arion.” Ru moves behind me, and the scene before him causes his mouth to fall open.

“They’re right next door to us. What if they come here next?”

Alexandria Stanwyck. © Aug 2022. All rights reserved. Get written permission of the author before using or reproducing.