Chapter 9: No.8

Happy Valentine's Day 🌷

Washu POV

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"You are amazing! Thank you so much, we will nail this presentation!" my project partner exclaimed after checking the notes. "I will see you on Friday," he told me before leaving the library.

"Bye-bye," I uttered, giving him a tiny wave as a blush crept onto my cheeks.

Smiling to myself; it was difficult to contain the happiness spreading inside. Noone has ever appreciated my work before, the boy wasn't even aware how much his lighthearted comment meant. Used to constant bullying and degrading by the fellow students this was truly another world.

Over the years fear, shame, and uncertainty have shaped into disgust. Elina never knew, she never could, because I wouldn't allow for it. However, whenever she headed out for missions—leaving me behind the Pentagon walls—a fake smile and demeanor I've put in front has slowly integrated with my own.

Don't do it — I repeatedly told myself as I imagined showing my full potential, my powers, and my true identity, making them all regret the things they've said and done.

Shaking it off I promised myself not to dwell on our lives up in that nightmare, instead to enjoy this world for as long as possibly given. I knew Elina didn't want to waste any time and I respected that. Still, I was going to use every second of my freedom so when back in the prison we called home the memories of earth were going to be the ones to keep me sane.

"They can never find out what you are, promise me, never. Understood?"

I do my dear friend, chuckling at the memory of her fearful expression when she held my shoulders and practically begged to comply.

Hey, Elina... Did you know what it was going to do to me? Would you still say these words, if you knew how much it was going to mess me up?

Suddenly my stomach tightened. The scent of the peeled tangerine, warmth of the fire during winter's nights, and fresh morning air I've only experienced when wandering alone on the abandoned planet. Unfortunately, my mind already knew who it belonged to, from the first time I've sensed it to the second her icy irises looked into mine.

The bloody troll girl.

Turning towards her she was standing with a guy who appeared to be taller next to her short height but was nothing compared to mine. Not my proudest moment, but I allowed myself to listen to their conversation, which she must have noticed. The girl was clever and much more than met the eye. She shot me a quick wink before continuing her monologue about the lecture. Slightly flustered by being caught so easily I turned back and continued to work on my notes.

Out of nowhere her curly black locks danced in front of my face, the scent was so strong my heart was about to explode like a star reaching the end of its life. Pulling away I looked at her in shock, she giggled at my reaction—marvelous.

"There's something called personal space," I grumbled not liking the idea of her getting this closely.

A tiny scoff left her pursed lips but quickly formed right back into a smile. That fake smile I despised so much, reminding me of the suffocating feelings and pain. She had it too, whatever she was trying to hide however, was still there. While I promised myself for as long as my foot was outside the Pentagon to never act again.

"Just wanted to say hi," her innocent voice that for certain wasn't real has irritated me. She was getting on my nerves with the fake attitude and words. "Don't see your friend trying to murder me, I guess it wasn't that bad after all?"

Huffing I still couldn't believe Elina allowed this one slide, or maybe it was me who was overreacting.

"Guess you won't be needing a knight in the shining armor after all," I remarked lightly, without much thought.

The girl squinted at me, not too pleased, but also unsure of how to respond. That was the moment where I saw the real her—struggling. Nevertheless, she chose to act further, what a shame.

"You seem to judge me on one unfortunate event. Why won't we get along?" she proposed, curiously searching for something inside of my deep yet bright grey eyes.

"I'm good thanks."

My response must have shocked the girl, her thick dark brows knitted closer together as she tried to comprehend my answer.

"Seriously? What's your problem. I'm trying to be nice!" she sounded like a grumpy child that didn't know how to convince their parents into whatever it was they wanted.

"No problem, I get it, you did what you had to do. Let's just move on, preferably without each other's company." Daring to look into her eyes, those weren't focused on me, but the glossy surface as if the ice was about to crack has caught my attention. "What?" I asked, my mouth dry and heart furiously jumping against the chest. Never did I intend to hurt the girl.

"Fine. Enjoy the Earth," she spat before she spun on the back of her heel and rushed out of the library entrance.

Scratching the back of my neck it was difficult to understand what just happened. At moments she sounded honest, but it was impossible to tell what was real behind the façade she felt necessary to put up, and I wasn't ready to face that just yet.

Deciding to soothe my worries with a donut from the local pastry, as always impressed by the number of available flavors, slightly afraid the time won't be on my side in order to try them all, nevertheless indulging myself in what felt like forbidden pleasure.

An unexpected tap to my shoulder has pulled me out of my comfort zone. "Shu?" a man whom I recognized to be the same I had a chat with at the club before rushing towards Elina, has looked at me with his dark grey eyes.

"Hey," I greeted nicely. "Sorry about disappearing, had a thing to take care of."

The line of white teeth has showed from under his mustache as he discarded my apology with a subtle laugh. "Don't you even worry about that. I kind of saw you pulling your friend out. Assume it wasn't an easy night," he commented with an apologetic expression before taking a seat on the bench.

Recalling the entire conversation with the girl I sighed wearily. "Not exactly no."

"You seem troubled?" he pointed out almost certain, reading my mind in a way I couldn't describe.

Troubled wasn't enough to describe how I felt. Ever since coming down to this planet, tasting freedom and possibility of living a life every decision I've made in the past has become questionable. At times, when made fun of during training and quite frankly every minute of my existence I missed the planet Elina has found me on.

I missed the peacefulness and free of worries heart. Maybe it was the lack of memories or the fact that no one could tell me anything wrong. Nevertheless, I knew that it wouldn't last. Soon or later, someone would find me and use me. If not for Elina who truly wished to save me. She often didn't fully understand the complexity of emotions, however her heart and intentions were good, simply misguided by the Pentagon. I believed in her, she was my savior and best friend.

"I see it runs deeper than that," the man spoke and I felt silly for not responding. "This planet does it to a person. Nearly everyone who comes here has reevaluated their lives and choices."

"How long have you been here?" I wondered. The man hasn't looked much older yet the way he spoke carried knowledge.

He smirked from under his mustache and shook his head. "Do you believe in destiny?" he asked instead, confusing me a little.

"I—" pausing with a frown, the realization has hit me. "I don't know anymore. I used to... but nowadays it's just surviving."

"You know what I like about this place?" he asked, but hasn't waited for me to answer before continuing. "There's no pattern. Humans, earthians"—he pointed at the couple arguing on the side—"they live in chaos. So oblivious to everything around them, focused on themselves. The selfishness on its own, as they aren't aware of the bigger picture, and that's what I love about them. That's what makes this fun." His voice has gained a touch of excitement as he spoke. "Our galaxy became so predictably boring, the rules, the elders," he spoke mockingly.

"What does it have to do with destiny?" I retracted the question.

He glanced at me for a second before explaining. "Destiny is just like that, chaotic and unpredictable, but most importantly, hidden from the eye. Everyone has a destiny dear Washu. Whether it's to carry a simple conversation with a person who might change the world, or do something extraordinary on your own. There's a meaning behind our actions and choices that constantly change the outcome. I'm simply here to ensure, it's how I want it to be." He grinned.

How did he know my full name?

The man gave me shivers, however before being given a chance to ask anything else he simply walked away, and I just couldn't bring myself to speak up. Whatever or whoever he was, it was an entity living on its own rules, if he had any at all.

My destiny... Looking at the dark grey sky occupied by the clouds I wondered whether there was a meaning behind my existence. A moonchild. My kind was mostly extinct, those who remained were tortured or held captive and used for our extraordinary abilities, which I was yet to discover.

"I've been looking for you," my friend's flat and cold tone whenever she spoke, but I knew there was concern, she simply lacked the ability to express it.

Smiling at her, she was the only one with whom I could be myself. I loved this stubborn, cocky, and slightly oblivious tall blonde who was just about an inch shorter.

"Donut?" I offered the remaining half, strongly hoping she refuses, which surprisingly she hasn't, and I just couldn't be upset seeing her enjoy something, anything at all. "What happened?" I worried out loud observing the way she angrily bit into the fluffy dough.

"Nothing," she grumbled shortly.

Raising a brow I couldn't help, but wonder. Elina was changing, we haven't been here long, but I could tell that her mind wasn't completely set on the mission.

"You know... The princess just wants to be free," I muttered. "It's not right..."

"The missions are never 'right', but if we won't do this, they will find us Washu... And the pit will be the least of our problems," my friend informed with an apologetic expression.

Shivers running through my spine as faded memories of the pit have swarmed and embraced me. That small blackhole takes away your consciousness and pulls your body apart, without doing anything at all. It's the scariest thing I've experienced in my life, and something I feared to be thrown into for the second time.

"I know. It doesn't make me feel any better though," I admitted sadly. "Taking away someone's choice for your own gain. None of it feels right."

"None of it does..." she repeated in a whisper.

Watching the leaf fall from the tree as the wind played with it like a master puppeteer, the exact same thing admin has done with us. "I hope she's an awful person, is that wrong?" I felt disgusted by my own thoughts.

Heavy sigh as my blonde friend rubbed against her eyes. "No, but would that change anything at all?"

Would it? "I suppose not," I answered to myself. "I can see it now, you know?"

"See what?" she grumbled, not enjoying the route of this conversation.

"The missions, and how they take a part of you. Acting against your own will." Looking at Elina I saw a lost child, screaming for help to not commit to any of the things she's done, even though it was already too late. "It does something to a person."

"Washu," her toned voice stern and confident as she laid her hand on my shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "That won't be you. I promise." Her deep dark blue eyes dazzled along with the spoken words.

A wearily smile has formed itself on my thin lips, she was admirable, the way she wished to protect me from the sadness of our lives. "You cannot protect me from myself, just like you couldn't do so for yourself. The second you took me along was already too late. My conscience doesn't agree with the thing we are about to do."

"It's just one mission, everything will be back to normal after that, I promise it will be your last," she desperately tried to reassure me, even though all she wished to do is to reassure herself.

"Right..."

We both remained in silence, watching humans pass by as their busy lives kept them in a constant rush. They had everything I wished to have. Freedom, a life, and the lack of knowledge about all the crap happening above the sky.

"Ignorance is a bliss after all," my words broke the silence, knowing we could never have what appeared to be so close, just at a reach of our cuffed by the Pentagon hands.

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