Dawn crawled in at a snail's pace and I haven't had a wink of sleep. I spent most of the night alternating between, staring at the sky and the box where Shay slept.
Denmar and Nareen woke up at their usual time. Early birds just as I was. Can't fault them for wanting to get a head start.
Packing the remnants of a year's worth of clothes, I threw my satchel over my shoulder and said my goodbyes to Denmar and Nareen. I needed to stop at the school in the colony to see Taethi. I knew she would have questions about last night but I was armed with the truth.
" Lele," The children cheered jumping out of their seats to greet me, giggling while Taethi rolls her eyes to the back of her head.
" See what you have done," She waves a hand at the pile of bouncing children in front of me as to show that I have brought in chaos with me.
" I barely managed to get them to sit down a minute ago. They are up to no good this morning," She complains, and I hum. My nose is buried in the bushy hair of a rambunctious girl whose name I share.
Lele is adorably naughty. Always up to no good, and plays lots of tricks on Taethi. Incredibly intelligent. She has a knack for making things and she reminds me so much of Laira and David. My eyes water at that thought, and find myself burying my face deeper in Lele's bushy hair. It is soft and puffy like a cloud. That brings another wave of nostalgia, as it reminds me of Shay's fur. And the broody boy staring at me from his seat reminds me of Mason.
I rise to my feet and I pause under Taethi's scrutinising gaze. She reminds me of Enid, so much and that thought also makes me want to cry. I've locked all thoughts away for a year. Something, I've always done. Hid away. I'm a coward.
" You're leaving," It's not a question. She already knows.
I nod and hum unable to meet her gaze. Once again I feel guilty for leaving but I know this is not my home. Mason was once my home. Now, I don't know where I belong anymore. Better find out quickly.
" Good luck," She pulls me in for a hug and pats me on the back.
" You did well last night, until..." She takes a deep breath and averts her gaze from mine.
" V'asay," I say the word and Taethi raises her head, eyes wide open. She wasn't expecting me to know.
With a nod, she lowers herself in her seat and points to the time-out stool next to the blackboard.
" Should I face the wall," I quip and Taethi laughs, shaking her head.
" You always do this. Make some stupid joke when things are serious," I agree with a nod. It's a distraction aimed to help me and the others, but half the time it fails. Guess I'm not doing it right.
" You know of them," I begin when the air turns thick with tension. Taethi is trying to find the right words to tell me about them and I want to know.
She nods, sombre," They are everywhere. Most of them, mind their own business but there is this man.." She gestures with her hand," Tall, light-haired, weird face," Micah. She is speaking of Micah. I nod but don't interrupt. His name is irrelevant.
" Some they listen to him. There was this folk tale. It's old, not many know of it. It is said that he was once very powerful, but he had a weakness," My interest is piqued," He had a mistress. Who he loved dearly and it is said that she was just as powerful as he was, but she betrayed him and stole his power. To keep him from doing evil," So, it wasn't all sunshine and roses in the old Micah household.
" It is said that she succeeded but also made everything go away," How does one make everything go...
" Do you know how?" I dare to ask because this might be the answer as to why Micah wants me so badly. Is there a good chance that I was his mistress? A shiver of disgust courses through me at that thought. Oh, god.
Taethi shakes her head as a no. It was irrelevant how she did it, I decided as an afterthought.
" It is said that he is bound to this world until he gets his power back. Without his power he can't go home," That's good news. I can just open a door for him and he fuck right off. I won't stop him.
" Do you know where he comes from?" I'm hopeful, but if there is a slim chance that she knows I'll take it.
" Many say from you know, down bellow," Hell? She points to the floor and grimaces.
" Many say that he is from a different planet," Holy Ghost. I suppose there is only one way to find out the truth. Ask him. It would be easy if he wouldn't try to kill me at every turn. I suppose betrayal stings even after a few millennia. Mason has nothing on Micah when it comes to holding grudges.
" Thank you," I say and stand to have a last look around. The walls are heavily decorated with the children's doodles, paintings, and things they make in craft class.
At that moment they weren't making anything since they were too busy chasing each other and starting a mutiny.
Taethi sighs and stands with me, and beckons them to take their seats. It goes over their head and mayhem ensues.
" I better go," I say apologetically and pull her in for another hug.
" Visit? Yes?"Taethi says with pleading eyes and I nod. I don't know if I'll be able to uphold that promise. Like the ones that I made for Enid and Laira.
She smiles and tells the children to say goodbye.
They stop, " Sahala Lele, " They all say in unison, and I wave back as I walk towards the door.
Heaving a deep breath, I start my way out of the school. It's small compared to others that I've seen but enough for the children in the colony.
One last glance before, I head towards the airport in Hejel Norun. Sadly, it will take me a day and a half to reach on foot, since it's on the other side of Helej Norun.