Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 19

Not being able to sleep. My parents walking out the door. Me walking out of the kitchen with my prize. Dropping the sandwich when I glanced out the window. The scene comes back to me. I remember what happens next. I scream. Mom! Dad! I wasn't in the kitchen long, where could they be? I knew I had to find them. I pulled open the front door and ran out, not caring that I was only wearing my nightgown. I searched the entire west district, dodging falling embers and collapsing buildings.

I come across a group of large men carrying buckets, trying in vain to save a building, its occupants still screaming. I walk up to them. Hey! Have you seen my parents? They seem to ignore me, so I step closer. Hey- One of them turns around, rushing back to the canal nearby for more water.

Get out of the damn way, girl! He knocks me to the ground with a single blow from the empty bucket.

Ow! I open my eyes to find myself laying on the dirt floor of my tent beside the crude bed. I run my fingers through my hair, no traces of ash. Light, why am I having so many nightmares lately? With a sigh, I get up and dust myself off. I considered picking up my book again, but lamp oil can still be pretty pricey. My ears perk up... someone is talking? Sounds like Etirn, but I can't make out the words. Since I was already awake, I don a cheap housecoat, a bit too thin of material for my tastes, and quietly slip outside. As I silently make my way through the tents, the voices seem to be coming from the radio tent... something about some kind of acid?

I pull the curtain aside to find Etirn on the radio again, sitting with a single candle lit. Understood. Anything else you can think of?

Etirn?

He looks up quickly, then rubs his eyes. I could tell he hasn't gone to sleep yet. Stand by, Mr. Anonymous. He finishes off a cup of coffee, and looks at me. A little early for breakfast, don't ya think?

I shake my head. Sorry, I couldn't sleep.

I thought I heard something from your tent, but the possibility of you kicking my ass over intruding unannounced kept me at bay. You caught me talking with somebody about that Rika code.

I stifle a small laugh... Anything new?

I don't know much, because it's classified material, but it's suggested that the, uh, gene unit thingies...

I think what he could be talking about... A Genome?

Something like that. Anyway, based on the size of the document, it might be Parmanian, or close to it, if the current estimate on the size of a single character is correct.

Character?

Computer jargon. Think letter. Supposedly, my contact measures the size of a strand of genes and guesses the amount of information in it based on some experimental technology. It's over my head.

The radio squelches. I, uh.... Yeah, I gotta go. Mr. Bluejay, this conversation never happened. If you still need more, I can talk face-to-face when you return. Over.

Etirn shakes his head. Damn. I forgot to ask him for some real food, first. He stands up and puts his weapon in his holster. I think I'm gonna relieve the guards. You want to join me? Or you could go back to bed.

Sure. I'm not liking my dreams recently, anyway. I wish my past could just stay buried in the sand, instead of haunting me at night.

We make our way to the tunnel, where a couple Motavians armed with staves were standing guard. They seem to be afraid of something. Any activity up here? says Etirn.

The older of the two turns around. Nothing I can see, but those sounds are scaring us witless. I listen closely, and notice something seems to be walking around just beyond view.

You want us to relieve you guys?

The younger one spins around, eyes almost teary. Y-you really mean that?!

The older one makes his move. Of course they do. Help yourselves! They take off into camp almost sprinting.

I didn't have have to say that twice. Etirn is smiling at his own joke. We sit down, our backs to each other, and begin watching into the dark maw, should anything jump out.

An hour passes in silence, with the occasional grunt or growl coming from beyond. Out of the blue, Etirn starts talking. I'm curious...

Huh?

I'm the kind of person who thinks constantly, so I rarely sleep well. But you, you said you couldn't sleep because of a dream.... Why do you fear it so?

I close my eyes for a second. It's a long story....

It's a long night, unless you really don't want to share.

I guess it wouldn't hurt.... Well... I've been having memories from my childhood, recently.

Oh?

When I was younger, I lived in Aiedo. One night, I couldn't sleep. It was like I could tell something bad was gonna happen. I think my parents could feel it, too. They went out for a walk.... I could feel myself tearing up. I fight the feeling back.

Aiedo, huh? Isn't that the city that burned down years ago? Eight years, to be exact.

Yes... I remember the smells, the sounds, the fear... but- I try to grab at a memory as it passed by, but it slips through my fingers back into the depths of my mind. I, I can't remember what all happened.

I notice Etirn turn to look at me. I sense concern in his voice. Do you know what happened the next morning?

That memory was in reach. I woke up in a strange house, throbbing with pain. I was in bad shape, but I wanted to find out what happened to my family. I snuck out to see what happened. Etirn didn't give any acknowledgement. All I found was a scorched picture in the ruins of my house.

Marika.... I could tell Etirn wanted to say something, but he didn't know how to, so I continued.

You know, I didn't really care about the town itself that much. I could feel that I was different from the other children. I never made many friends, and I tend to prefer the company of a good book over a person. But I didn't care because I knew I'd always have my Dad, who was just like me.... I couldn't shore the levee any more, and tears began to silently stream down.

Why did you join the university?

I want to know why I'm different from everybody else... what made my family special. I hope that one day, my studies can answer that. Etirn remained silent for the rest of the night.

My ears perk up to the sound of boots approaching. Well well, hello there. I don't recognize the voice. Did I fall asleep?

May I help you? asks Etirn. I open my eyes to see a man, probably in his 40's, wearing a red jumpsuit under some plate armor, and equipped with several different sizes of swords and knives. He seems to be looking at me more closely than most men do.

I'm here for a job with an Archeological dig, but if my eyes aren't deceiving me, I apparently found something a bit more intimate. Or am I mistaken?

Etirn stands up. I'm afraid you are. We relieved the last shift of guards. I take it you're the Hunter?

The man removes a sword from its scabbard to show Etirn the hilt. Ray 'Blades' Calant, at your service. He eyes me one more time, clearly aroused. I don't think such apparel is quite conducive to a guard post.

I look at myself, and realize that I'm still in my nightwear, the morning dew threatening to render the cheap cloth translucent. Oops, I forgot to change when I left my tent last night. It's been a while since I've been this embarrassed.

Etirn turns to me. Do you want to go change? Mr. Calant can relieve you while I get him up to speed.

Thank you. I rush off to my tent before anyone else sees me at such a disadvantage.

Next chapter

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