The Memory I Left Behind

  Rumble. Rumble.

  The ground shook.

  Rattle. Rattle.

  It made the machinery pieces lying around shake.

  “The elders have predicted that this planet will die in the following two weeks.”

  “They predicted it.”

  She scoffed as if amused by the idea.

  “I predicted that five years ago.”

  It was true.

  Aourine warned us. All of us.

  She warned me. Begged me to listen to her. And when I didn’t, she smiled and walked away.

  My heart clenched at the memories.

  Her smile… filled with sadness.

  “Aourine…” I called, walking over to her. Close yet so far. “Do you hate me for what I did...” I mumbled, lowering my gaze to avoid looking at her directly.

  “Hate? I never hated you, Eralla. I could never.”

  My heart lurched at her words.

  Thump. Thump.

  “A little saddened that you didn’t hold on to me but I got over it.”

  I lifted my head; my eyes met hers. The smile on her face had returned. No longer sad but reminiscing.

  Made me smile.

  “That is Eralla I love. Smiling for me.”

  Her sweet words only made my heart race faster. Just like when I was younger.

  “I stayed in this forsaken place just for your sake. I couldn’t leave this place without getting you out.”

  “What do you mean, Aourine?”

  I questioned.

  “I would answer your question, but only after you answer mine.”

  I didn’t like what game she was playing. A part of me wanted to whine, but I was older now. I was no longer that childish girl in love.

  “Alright.”

  “So tell me, Eralla, what brings you here?”

  She wandered off, walking around the table, checking the silver pieces. My feet followed her in rhythm just as they did five years ago.

  “The planet is dying, Aourine.”

  Aourine didn’t look at me. Didn’t even flinch.

  “I already know that.”

  “We only have two weeks of time before Ma-Oktava* collapses.”

  “And?”

  Why did she sound so firm… so cold?

  Did she not care?

  She treated this as if I were telling a bedtime story.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Why was there a lack of concern?

  What was going on with her?

  “The planet is going to die. We are all going to die!”

  I tried to emphasize the words, but somehow my voice stayed flat.

  Was I losing my mind?

  “Go on, Eralla.”

  I watched as she picked up a strange metal cylinder. I didn’t recognize it, didn’t understand it. Yet I knew they were the silver gears from the old transport ships.

  It felt as though I was talking to a clay wall.

  Her gaze was cold, unmoving as if the metal thing was the most interesting thing in Ma-Oktava.

  “We need your help. The elders have sent me to bring you to Aktoe*.”

  I took a deep breath before adding in a quiet tone, “Will you come with me?”

  “To Aktoe.”

  I nodded.

  “Yes.”

  She dropped the machine part she casually played.

  Clank.

  My eyes followed as it fell into the other pile of machinery.

  “Tell me, Eralla… why must I help those who have pushed me out here, with no one except myself and memories of you,” she said, without missing a single beat.

  My lips parted, but no words came out. She was right. Why should she help those who have done her wrong?

  I couldn’t blame her for not caring about them.

  But still…

  I need her to come with me. I need to save my family. No matter what.

  “Aourine…”

  I took a deep breath before revealing the new revelation to her. Maybe this will push her to accept the invitation that I bring alongside memories of our past.

  “I have been given the duty to provide for my family.”

  I didn’t watch as her eyes widened at the revelation. Her right hand reached out, grasping my forearm. Her grip was tight yet firm.

  “That means…”

  My claws grew stiff. Hearing it again brought back the pain I felt when I saw Fa’s burning body

  “Yes. Faa-a is no longer with us.”

  She slowly pulled me in her embrace, holding me tight. The smell of iron filtered into my nose.

  “You don’t smell good.”

  She pulled back, a genuine smile on her lips. Her eyes softened — just for a heartbeat, just long enough to undo me. Then her lips crashed into mine, taking me in a firm kiss.

  “Fine. I will come with you to Aktoe.”

  She agreed.

  She finally did.

  ???

  Txetia Glossary

  Ma-Oktava (Maa-uuk-ta-va) — Local name for the planet. Also means mother lava.

  Aktoe (Aak-toh) — The capital village of Valconalla. It holds approximately 842 citizens. The elder of the village is Ouubuutt(Oh-bu-th).