Arabella and Liv were sitting in the academy courtyard during the big break. Soon, Kasy approached them.
– So, Arabella, how did the visit to Professor Margaret go yesterday? – Kasy asked seriously, after some shared jokes.
– Great! She accused me of cheating in the competition, and now I'm disqualified – Arabella summed up.
– Who accused you?
– The identity is unknown.
– It's definitely someone who still doesn't like you... I doubt it was Orion – Liv concluded.
– Orion? – Kasy asked.
– Yes – Arabella answered.
– It's impossible that he did it – Kasy said.
– I don't know...
She glanced at the clock. Although she still had free time, she decided to head to the classroom and give them some space.
– Where are you going? – Liv asked.
– I'm going to my classroom. I have something left to do before class starts.
– But you still have time.
– It doesn't matter, I want to get it done as soon as possible and be done with it.
– Okay, as you wish, but don't worry too much, things will get sorted out and everything will be fine.
Liv gave her words of support while Arabella packed her things and prepared to leave their company.
– Thank you so much! Your support means a lot to me. Good luck to you for the rest of the day and have fun.
The academy hallways were empty. She walked slowly to the classroom, which was also empty. She took her seat, put on headphones, played her playlist, and began to draw. Applying black lines, relaxed, one after another, on the white surface of the paper that now had black and somewhat messy segments, she sank into her world. Everything that was on her mind was now scattered across the cosmos, in her closer surroundings, ready to return to its source. Freed from the burden, she drew continuously, completely alone in that room. There was a peace that felt like a warm embrace for her being.
It was interrupted by a visitor. It was him, Orion. Even though she thought she had distanced herself from that storm of love and hate, his arrival rekindled the tempest of passion. He found her completely alone, pulled up a chair in front of her desk, and sat opposite her.
She tried to ignore him. She burned with the desire to look at him but kept her self-control. Orion watched her while she tried not to acknowledge him and continued drawing. He followed every move and every glimmer of light falling on her chaotic hazel-colored hair. She could feel his dark eyes constantly watching her.
After a long moment of silence, during which he thought about his feelings for her, he snapped out of it and said directly why he was there.
– Tomorrow we're going to our planet, Scylla.
– I'm not going. I have some obligations – she said absentmindedly, continuing to draw and look at her paper.
– We have to check the progress after the war, but also send a message to another planet for the project – he continued.
Arabella ignored his words.
– I think I was clear.
– And I think I was clear with my order.
– Obviously you weren't, because I didn't take it as an order.
– Then that's your problem.
– No, it's yours. You went to the enemy side when it was most needed for you to stay on yours.
– Don't start that story, you know why it was like that.
– No, I don't. You're actually a cold, arrogant, sly, and lying bastard. I wouldn't be surprised if you made up that story too, just like you lied about many things all this time. I thought you were completely different from what others say, but it turns out they were right...
Saying this, she raised her head and met his gaze. Deep down, she regretted speaking those words. Those words pierced her being and hurt her badly. Now her body was ruled by a heavy pain. She was convinced she knew his being best, unlike others. It was too primitive and cruel to say such words to him after everything they had been through together. His eyes were now without any emotion, completely empty and lifeless.
– There you are, Orion, I just needed you – Professor Margaret called cheerfully after entering the classroom and interrupting what was happening between them.
He seemed to ignore her statement and kept staring at her with those lifeless eyes.
– You thought wrong – after saying this, he left sharply and calmly with Professor Margaret.
The words she had spoken to him began to haunt her even more. She felt guilty because she alone knew the story that was his weak spot. A terrible and painful past she had used out of a desire for revenge. She shouldn't have allowed herself to get close or let it mean anything to her. Also, she shouldn't have said those awful words to him because he didn't deserve them. In those last few days, there had been too many of those moments, all born from her revenge against herself. He was the one! She realized he had always been in her heart. Special and different from the countless crowd that surrounded her. He was the one who stirred different feelings in her, something beyond love itself. With him, she could be herself. He was a refuge but also the greatest storm in the universe. With him, the impossible; without him, difficult...
Returning home tired, she immediately went to bed. She lay down and began looking through the skylights at the infinite cosmos. She was surrounded by darkness. Lost in the thoughts that filled her mind, she didn't think about Orion's order. Now, having finally shifted her focus to the order, she realized it was the perfect opportunity to visit her parents. The fact that she had to go with Orion prevented her from taking that chance. Her actions had caused a now not-so-bright situation between them. The words she had said to him today returned to her mind repeatedly. They haunted her... They destroyed her... Until she finally fell asleep.
That morning, Arabella arrived at the academy a little earlier. The courtyard was calm and there weren't many beings there. She found Emilie, who had obviously been waiting for her outside the entrance. When she saw Arabella, Emilie ran up to her, panic evident in her voice.
– You're here, I thought you might skip me?
– That's impossible, you were waiting for me right outside this entrance, haha.
– I know, but I'm under so much pressure because I have to deliver important news to you.
– What news?
– Orion said you have to be on the rocket with me in half an hour. We're going to Scylla.
– But...
– There's no time now. We have to leave immediately!
She grabbed Arabella's hand, and together they went to the rocket. Upon entering, they noticed two more beings. Orion was checking wires and circuits and didn't even notice them come in. When he finished the check, he only looked to see if everyone was present and then started the rocket. He didn't even look at Arabella. Emilie nodded to him, signaling that the mission she had to complete was done, and that was enough for him not to look at her. As the rocket started, a corner of his dark eyes was focused on Arabella. He said nothing. He stayed silent the entire time.
When they arrived, they immediately began exploring. Each being was assigned to thoroughly investigate one part of the planet. Arabella had her hands full and couldn't even think about visiting her parents. He gave her the task right away, and that was the only short conversation they had. He was sharp and cold toward her, but not like before. Now, he was harsher than to any other being who approached him. She wanted to complete her part of the task professionally and responsibly. She decided that after the job was done, she would visit her parents. That was a great motivation for her to do everything better and more productively.
She researched the scientific segment on the planet Scylla. That made the task easier because she loved science and had always been interested and fascinated by scientific research. After finishing the tasks, she headed to the house where she grew up and had a golden childhood. With every step she took, her heart grew warmer and memories danced through her mind. Each step became lighter, giving her the feeling she was flying, wrapped in happiness and warmth. Without noticing, she found herself in front of her house. Even though she had been separated from it for several years, she felt a strong, eternal belonging. It radiated a special charm. It was still the same. A simple one-story house, but special to her. Behind it was a spacious yard filled with various kinds of flowers she and her mother had planted. Approaching the yard, she also saw the front door, at which she impatiently wanted to knock. She quickly scanned the yard. It was the same... It had the old table and chairs and still held the flowers they had planted.
After that glance, she approached the door and knocked gently. She waited, but no one opened. She knocked again, but it was in vain. She stood there for a few more minutes, but there was no answer. She was already worried. She grabbed the handle and pulled. The door was unlocked. Entering, she called for her parents, but there was still no answer. Her heart started pounding strongly. She moved toward the living room, located right next to the kitchen. Opening the living room door, she saw a scene that froze her entire being.
Her parents lay between the table and the television. Both had deep gunshot wounds in their stomachs and several stab wounds on their bodies. The wounds had long stopped bleeding, and they lay motionless in their own black liquid. Judging by that, they were already dead, and there was no chance to save them. She stood frozen in front of their dead bodies, completely unaware of the murder. She looked at them coldly. Then, a torrent swept through her being so quickly it caused her to collapse completely. She fell to the floor in front of their dead bodies. Weakened and utterly broken. Her body shattered into a million tiny, incompatible pieces. Tears from her violet eyes poured down like rain accompanying a massive storm, whose power tears holes in the sky. She was glued to the floor, completely alone in that storm. The newly born sorrow threw her into a deep abyss.
She was supposed to be happy now, where she sat, talking to her parents about her experiences. She imagined her mother sitting on the couch by the window, carefully listening to every little piece of her story. Her father was supposed to be on the opposite side of the couch, watching TV. Sometimes he would give her a warm look while she talked excitedly about adventures, constantly babbling. Her mother would warn him to pay attention, and only then would he pay more attention to her endless chatter. This time, it was supposed to be the same... But it wasn't... That family warmth and harmony had now turned into permanent coldness and emptiness.
Despite the loud unrest, sitting motionless, she heard the sound of someone opening the front door. She didn't manage to turn around before strong arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. Suddenly thrown into that embrace, she could feel the sweet and intoxicating scent that immediately calmed her. He kept hugging her tightly, without a single word. She was right next to his heart, which nearly sank seeing her so broken. Again, he let his emotions surface and decisively listened to the whisper of his heart. He gently kissed her hair, which was scattered over his body. Then he whispered:
– It's okay, just slowly, let the tears flow. Don't worry, everything will be alright. I'm here... and I will be here... I won't leave you – he tried to calm her while her tears soaked his black shirt.
She was fragile and delicate, more than ever. Now, in his embrace, she could understand even more the fact that he was surely her refuge. His hug was special and different. His grip grew stronger and stronger, yet so gentle and filled with emotions that warmed her while they sat in the Siberian cold of that living room. He gently stroked her hair. In his embrace, she felt like a lonely child awakened by a terrible nightmare, seeking refuge from the demons that haunted them.
They spent some time silently embraced. Star dust appeared again and wrapped around them. Her presence, caused by that hug, was something special, something stronger than a hug and a much deeper connection.