KILO'S POV
Castyr has been relatively stable the past eight days. There have been a few instances where the purple light will flare up again, but I have been able to contain it by increasing the flow of energy. I can feel my body weakening. It is taking all I am to maintain the flow, but I will gladly give my all if it means saving Castyr.
A beep from the craft notifies me that we are entering Borum's gravitational pull and approaching the planet's atmosphere. I put away my wings and sit up but keep the energy bubble around the star in my arms. I place one arm around Castyr's waist to hold him securely while I use my free hand to pull up the map of the city towards which we are descending. I navigate through the towers and skyscrapers and find an air station. While scrolling through the buildings, I realize this is the same city where Devyn brought Castyr and I fifty years ago.
After selecting the air station and a landing pad open for arrivals, I check on Castyr while the craft notifies the station of our descent and relays our location and estimated time of arrival. The craft pays the station using the military cache and reserves pad S-17 for our landing. Knowing our landing will be documented and screened by the Division of Defense, I prepare to leave the craft quickly and find a ride to Mythos.
I slip my now-dry, stained shirt over my head and take Castyr in my arms as the craft nears the station. Upon feeling the ship touch down, I open the door and exit the craft with my star. I hold Castyr closely as I walk along the connecting path leading into the main building of the station. Several other passengers from ships which have recently landed trickle onto the connection. Soon, there is a stream of people entering the station.
I break off from the stream and hurry to exit the section of "Private Arrivals." I find a hologram with the map of the station and pinpoint the location of "Public Departures." Hopefully there is a flight to Mythos. A part of me doubts there will be a flight as Mythos likes to keep to itself and limits the number of travelers, which makes it a perfect place to hide, but I do not have time for doubts. If Borum does not have a flight, I will have to find a planet that does.
Keeping my head down, I maneuver through the sea of people and come to the exit of "Private Arrivals." A whole new sea of people join us as the exit for "Public Arrivals" junctions with our exit. I quicken my pace to match the energetic flow of people rushing to catch their connecting flight or exit the crowded station. My breathing quickens and my knees begin to feel weak from my lack of energy, but I continue walking. I have to make it to Mythos.
When we come to the end of the hallway ushering all the travelers from "Arrivals," I slow down and allow myself to rest next to a drinking station situated in a wall. My breathing eventually nears its normal pace, and I prepare to enter the river of people again. But a hand on my shoulder stops me. I shrug off the hand as best I can, but it just grabs my arm and makes me twirl around.
"Kilo!"
My body relaxes when I see the redhead standing in front of me.
"Miren," I greet shakily.
"You look awful," Miren observes when she sees my pale face.
I catch my breath as Miren looks me over. Her eyes widen when she sees the star in my arms. She wastes no time in swinging the pack on her back off her shoulder and setting it on the ground. After rummaging through the bag, the human retrieves two masks, a cap, and a bucket hat. Miren loops one of the masks around Castyr's ears before gently putting the bucket hat over his silver head. She then gets on her tiptoes and reaches up to loop the last mask over my ears. I lean down to assist the female as she places the cap on my head.
"I can't believe you walked all over the station with your bare faces," Miren ticks her tongue. "Your face is all over the screens. You are wanted by the Heavens," Miren explains when I give her a confused expression. "You stole a freaking star, Kilo!"
I remain silent. I do not need to explain why I took Castyr from Heaven if it keeps him safe.
Miren's serious expression lightens, and a smile comes to her lips. "Don't worry. I know why you did it. Devyn filled me in. And, besides, even if I had not known anything, I know you would never do anything to hurt Castyr."
I stare at Miren as she looks up at me with her bright expression.
"You still don't talk much. Okay, let's go," Miren comments quickly with a small chuckle as she turns around and begins leading the way.
I look down to check on Castyr before following Miren. I cannot help but smile beneath the mask as I gaze at the sleeping star fondly. Little tufts of silver hair poke out from the bucket hat. He looks so cute.