by Isla Monroe
We had to shield our eyes when we were within a few steps of the pool of light. This was the source of my planets food supply for the Lightens. There was a pit in four places. This one was one of the strongest not to be outdone by the one the Lightens used every day in their territory.
“The Outlanders use this place to worship the past, present, and the future. It’s the one thing we all have in common that has never changed. I want you to cast aside your disbelief. You have to do this on your own. Don’t think about it and do it.” She looked at me strangely but made a conscious decision to take a leap of faith.
With one step, she made contact and the light began to spread in an effort to cover her. She was bathed in the holy light of worship. Her mouth open, but nothing came out. I put the backpack down on the ground and waited patiently for something to happen.
The rocks around me began to pulsate with different colored lights. They were blinking with a rhythm of their own. They emitted a low hum followed by an explosion of colors streaming into the sky. Gemini was frozen with her mouth open. She was turned into a light statue.
“It hurts…them.” Her voice was hoarse and very hard to distinguish over the loud hum surrounding me from every angle.
“Give it some time. I know it’s hard to see them in pain, but this is the only way.” I didn’t like how it sounded coming out of my mouth. I was a hypocrite when I promised not to do them any harm.
“I’m not the one you have to convince.” I wasn’t expecting to justify my actions, but I wouldn’t have traded this chance to break their bond from her for anything in the world.
“They don’t have to fight. Tell them I have a temporary solution, but the rest is going to be up to them. I have fashioned an environment for them to live in relative peace. I have this small vessel that they can navigate into the stars to search out a suitable uninhabited planet.” They needed to let go or Gemini wasn’t going to survive the effects of the Light Force for long.
“I don’t know why we should trust you. She does. It’s the only reason why we haven’t taken action. Her body is becoming less of a safe haven. We need to vacate. We want desperately to trust you not to betray us. We know you have done your best and we can’t expect anything more.” I wanted to share the beauty of my planet with Gemini without their interference.
Letting them loose wasn’t the ideal solution. They would have the opportunity to find a new home. Their survival depended on the way that they worked together to tackle any problem.
“You better do something quickly. I can give you what you want, but I can easily take it away. I don’t mean to rush you, but her vital signs are failing. The light inside of me senses her struggle to remain breathing. Do what is right. Don’t sacrifice her.” I heard voices and the light show had attracted the Outlanders attention even in their inebriated state.
One of the machines skittered out of the light. It wasn’t long before the others streamed forward. I had the case open to the experiment I had conducted on the station. The world I had created was inside the silver cylinder vessel barely a few inches in diameter. They moved quickly to squeeze into the compartment.
I reached into the Light Force and brought Gemini shivering into my arms. She was freezing cold with her fingertips turning blue. She was standing hugging herself and I had to leave her for a moment to prepare the machines for their journey.
I pressed a few buttons and the cylinder vessel shimmering in silver took flight. It hovered for a moment and then a blue light the size of a pencil laser shot directly into Gemini’s forehead. She stopped shivering and was silently put into a trance. The blue light extinguished and the silver cylinder was gone in the blink of an eye.
“This is a breach of our trust. Nobody is allowed here alone. I can understand the need to get back to your roots. It has been a long time since you have worshiped at the Light Force. It’s not an excuse, but it is an explanation.” Barak was giving me the path of least resistance.
“I had to show her what we hold dear. It is still the most inspiring thing that I have ever seen. I look to the future for our people and I see a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. Don’t condemn me for wanting to be close to the one thing I have been missing.” I bowed in servitude to the Light Force.
“We’re going to give you a few minutes alone but don’t take for granted our generosity.” They walked away and Gemini was standing with her finger pointing to the sky.
“They are gone, but they will never be forgotten. They are out there and nobody is going to be able to use them for nefarious purposes. I want you to stay here with me. This place can be your home. I know I’m asking a lot, but the decision is yours. What was with the blue light?” She turned and I was waiting for what she was going to say next.
She seemed to be composing her thoughts. It was almost like she didn’t want to tell me.
“They gave me something before they left. It’s a warning not to let down our guard. I will stay here with you under the condition I am able to leave whenever I want.” I gave her a nod of acceptance and I held her hand giving her my undying loyalty.
We were stronger together than apart.
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