Flowers In The Wreckage

One-hundred and twenty-two days ago we left Earth crumbling. Something had risen from its core; something organic, yet filled with malice, as its roots ripped through the ground--collapsing bustling cities and quaint forests alike. Small... flowers emerged from the thick vines, both beautiful and deadly as their spores released a glittering red toxin designed to suffocate anything that came near. After a long year attempting to battle the anomalous foe, only never to avail, we decided it was time.

Nowhere was safe on our home planet. So we reached further, we took to the stars.

Spacebound, research and construction crews were assigned special missions as remaining civilians boarded the Newark. Humanity leapt at our chance for survival, however, there wasn’t room for all of us...

Eighteen rotations ago, we arrived at Revari, a tiny moon orbiting a poisonous planet called Venum. It’s no ordinary moon, but a metal hub, built over centuries entirely by the many beings who crossed this galaxy. Thousands of traveling creatures seeking to re-up their supplies, refuel, and refuge.

Not unlike ourselves now.

I scan the alley of merchants, searching for that mess of dark hair I'm ever-so enamored with. Avel should have retrieved the part by now--but it was difficult to spot him through the crowds of hissing, clicking, jarbled, and every once in a while...human-tongued customers. I gasp when someone bumps into me, and catch the eyes of a snarling Inkskar; the purple gills on their neck flare a warning as their dark eyes narrow, hissing curses about my being ‘Terran’ before wandering off.

I release the breath that I hadn't even realized I was holding. Dramatically, I brush off my tunic-dress and mumble, “Sorry, oh great Inkskar for existing in your way. How dare I. Completely my fault.” I snort in an unlady-like manner.

Inhabitants of Revari were generally safe due to laws by the Handiirians running the place, but that didn't stop the discrimination. Even the mighty lawmakers turned their nose up at our arrival, us Terrans--you know, ‘Earthlings.’ The memory of the superiors causes me to shiver. Their towering frames, bald heads, spindly fingers, white eyes, razor-sharp teeth... I run my fingers along the chain around my throat--

An arm lands across my shoulders and I startle, moving to slam my palm into the face of--

Avel rubs my arm in a soothing motion, "You okay?"

I immediately sag into his side and clutch his cloak. With a grimace, I say, "Peachy.” Then with a jolt, perk up, “did you get it? Is the part finally repaired like he said?"

"The silly Elvin finally figured it out." His grin says it all, though his eyes are still heavily haunted.

I should be the one asking if he’s okay. Being thrown into space for a few months isn’t enough time to process the loss. The memory of our final day on Earth surfaces, the panic palpable in the air of the lab as--

A thunderous echo surrounds us and the earth shudders beneath our feet, hard enough I nearly lose balance. Avel’s mother, Saren, wastes no time as she slams her badge onto the security lock and ushers us into the stairwell leading underground. The door whistles closed behind us, silencing the screams on the other side. Now all that can be heard is the intermittent blare of emergency alarms.

The shimmering red mist began leaking into the containment bay, vines breaking the surface only a minute before. My wide eyes meet Avel’s through the goggles of our gas masks. The warning light glints across my vision. His mother screams,

“RUN, NOW.”

After frantically sprinting for what seems like an eternity, the three of us end our descent at another containment door. Saren slams her badge on the pad again for clearance. Each moment that passes seems longer than the last, stretching thinner, whilst events feel like they’re simultaneously passing like a bullet. Avel clasps my fingers together with his. I hold onto him like a lifeline, feeling my heartbeat thud, thud, thudding, in my slick palms. I watch Saren’s salt & pepper ponytail sway as she marches ahead of us with conviction. We hear familiar shouts from inside. Avel and I share a look of surprise before scrambling after her.

Garren, Rex, Ovin and Lindae wait at the entrance of a… ship, listening to the instructions Saren ticks off. Relief rushes through me as we approach our escape.

The four run into the ship while Saren comes to grab us both closely by the shoulders, steering us to the ramp that leads into the unfamiliar craft.

“We don’t have much time. We have been planning for this for weeks… You two are going off-world with the crew--”

“Mom--” Avel nearly shouts, sending my heart racing again, the relief receding quickly as it came.

“Listen! We don’t have time for questions. I’m taking this ship to meet your father,” she nods towards a smaller craft off to the side. “You have everything you need on the Lumen--clothes, supplies, anything at all. We made sure you’ll be taken care of.” She pulls Avel closer, kissing his temple and rubbing his hair. She whispers to him, the words slip past me as the hum of the ship--Lumen--awakens.

With her arm still wrapped around minel, she pulls me close as well. “Promise me you’ll take care of each other, okay?” She looks between us, waiting for our confirmation. In shock, all I can do is nod. “Good. Now... Ru--”

Fingertips brush my cheek and I blink, snapping out of the memory. His parents stayed behind on Earth to find a fix... a cure, an end to the end, anything for the humans who were unable to board the Newark.

Now that the repaired part has been secured and lift-off is imminent, I know we won’t have much alone time. Avel hasn’t talked to his crew, and I know it’s because he doesn’t want to burden them while they finalize travel preparations. Surveying our surroundings quickly, I catch sight of a small gap between buildings, behind the vendors' tents. As I head towards it, I wedge us between the buildings, pivoting in a way in which we can still keep an eye on anyone who may dare approach.

“Avel… do you want to talk about it?”

Lowering his gaze, he gives a narrow shake of his head, the messy tresses sway with the movement and fall across his face when our eyes meet again. “Not really. I’m fine.”

My heart beats into my throat seeing him so distraught… I want to remind him that there’s a chance that they’re alive and we can make contact once we reach our destination, like Saren said, but I know the chances are...

Instead, lifting a brow, I give him a look that says, ‘are you sure about that?’ Caring, yet playful. I don’t want to push it.

The grief is still there, but he chooses to tug on a strand of my long hair, twirling it around a finger. “I just can’t wait to finally leave here. Not that it hasn’t been fun…”

I roll my eyes and lightly swat at his shoulder. “Your idea of fun is different from mine. I don’t think we’ve gone a single day without some kind of trouble.”

He chuckles, “You don’t find snooty Handariians, cranky Elvins, screaming Vaenu, and escaping Ecksvi fun?”

I tremble at the reminder of the wet slaps on the metal grating from the Ecksvi chasing us. Why? For accidentally underpaying for fruit, of course. It was considered a sign of disrespect to offer the ‘incorrect’ amount. Maybe they should try displaying their prices instead of making us guess?! Their angry jarble and slithering tentacles will fuel my nightmares for some time.

“Nope... I can’t say that I do.”

At least he’s entertained by the look of horror on my face...

He is so… pretty.... that it’s distracting. Honestly, how dare he? I even told him so, once or twice. His long dark hair and lashes brighten his luminous eyes, alongside features fit for a Greek God. But, it was his heart that was most beautiful. Perfection doesn’t exist, but apparently walking talking masterpieces do. Any other time, I’d have to pinch myself, then him.

"Well, speaking of leaving here… Only 22 more days until our journey’s end. Job well done, handsome." My fingers slide their way down, interlocking with his. "Shall we?"

With hands gripped, we tap our upper chests on the adamantine we both carry. We are not only important to each other, but to the mission as well. We weave our way past the vendors, beyond a rotunda of clubs and restaurants, and through a seemingly endless hallway. Thumping bass and flashing lights now only whimpering from here.

We see Garren at our ship’s ramp. He looks weary, he had been working on the control panel all night once again, but his wrinkled eyes light up when he notices our approach.

With an exaggerated curtsy, Avel removes the part from his satchel, handing it over with a smile.

We follow the lively crew inside the ship as they prepare to install the part. The part is imperative, but I have no idea what it is. I'm the one member of the crew who doesn't have any tech-knowledge or science degree backing my importance here. Avel grew up with his crew: Garren and Lindae are long-time partners of his parents; Rex and Ovin were in the same prestigious schools as him. I had only met Avel a few years ago… my being here is solely tied to him and the kindness of his parents, taking me in after...

My heart somersaults at the thought of them.

l sense mourning in Avel's eyes, despite his laughter as Ovin gives him a friendly smack on the back. Behind them I see Rex giving two thumbs up while inspecting the shining cylindrical part with Lindae. Garren noisily punches the glowing buttons on his console with a jolly exuberance.

Now safe inside Lumen, I sit back in my seat and tug on the chain at my throat. The metal extends and I release the locket from beneath my tunic. I hold it in my hand gently, inspecting it with fervent care.

I’m always amazed by the craftsmanship. Heart shaped, the locket looks nearly hollow and adorns intricate twists and whorls in its design, with a dark faceted crystal encased in the heart of the heart. If I knew no better, it looks like a simple, yet beautiful piece of jewelry that some rich human would buy for their beau.

On our new home planet, Ikaris, natural towers of crystal protrude from the earth. They’re thought to be connected to the heart of the planet in some way. Avel's great-great-great-grandparents were on the team that discovered the hidden gem, galaxies away. A small team of scientists will already be there working, waiting for our arrival.

I look up and notice Avel gripping his own locket; a partner to mine--same in design, but different in the information and power they contain. I can only imagine how they might react to the crystal towers.

They're not just keys, but the final gifts his parents had given us. The gift of hope... of light... a future. Together. His mother's final words to me echo through my mind, "You were the daughter I never had, Runa. Keep Avel safe.

You found hope in each other, and now the universe will find hope in you."

The ship suddenly roars to life and the crew hollers in celebration. The rush only dims in comparison to the smile Avel wore--his eyes momentarily lacking heartbreak as Lumen's engines hum steadily. I cradle the locket to my chest, outstretching my free hand towards him with a beaming grin of my own. Eager, yet apprehensive, his fingertips brush mine as Lumen begins her ascent.