by Teya Tapler
Zander and Evan were last. He straightened his right hand in front of her, looked her in the eye and said, “Good-bye, Evan.” For him those words were not enough. He wanted to tell her about the life in 2424 and so many other things. Instead he looked at her beautiful face and tried to remember her delicate features forever. He wouldn’t forgive himself for doing what he was to do but following the protocol that time was best for both of them.
She took his hand and replied, “Good-bye Zander.” her eyes glued to his, holding him captive in the moment she didn’t want to end.
The basement became quieter as the movement around them stopped. Everyone else had lined up at the departure spot silently waiting for Zander. Evan felt everyone’s eyes focused on her and made an effort to smile as they shook hands. The corners of her mouth tried to lift up. It was hard to hide that she would miss him.
They shook hands once more then he turned back and headed to the rest of the team.
“Wait!” She tugged the sleeve of his jacket. He stopped and turned back to have her thrust a small package in his hands. “Something to remember me by,” she said just to him.
“Thank you,” he hid the package and joined his team.
“Stand clear of the sheet and move as far as possible!” Emil’s voice echoed in the room. He spoke while adjusting the gun for the final transcast. “Remember that anything in contact with the sheet will be transcasted as well.”
Emil shot at one of the bags. The familiar blue haze dispersed from the target in all directions. It grew progressively larger, gradually engulfing the people and luggage standing by. Evan watched how the cloud reached Zander and his silhouette flashed in blue. His shape faded away and disappeared with the rest of the group. The flat sheet was gone, too.
***
The Anaconda team landed successfully in their team base back in December 3, 2424. Having done that many times, they didn’t need a reminder to start unloading and unpacking. Everyone started putting the things at their place to be ready for the next mission.
Zander bent to pick up a bag and felt the bulk in his front pocket. He took out the package from Evan and opened it. It was a small silver spoon with an apple tree blossom behind a small apple at the end of the handle. It made him feel exceptionally selfish.
What have I done? He thought.
Regardless of everything, he shouldn’t have kissed her. He should have kept as distant as possible. He should have treated her as another client. He should have silenced his feelings and not acted so selfishly. He had messed up her life … forever.
