Chapter 32
Thirty-two
On the sixth day of the cycle, Leo and I explore the city.
There are countless shops to explore and unfamiliar scenery to take in.
I’m going to miss all the sights, sounds, and colors when they inevitably send us back to our home planets.
My stomach drops at the thought. Leo doesn’t live on Lunara.
I’m never going to see him again. We'll be sent back to our assigned planets, squeezed into the small boxes the Kosmos has designed for us, and expected to comply, conform, and grind through the same exhausting routine, day after day. Leo’s fingers are intertwined with mine, and as I glance at him, it’s clear he’s not having the same internal meltdown that I am.
He looks… happy. Content. There’s a slight smile on his lips, and it might be the most beautiful sight I’ve seen.
This week has been bliss. Granted, it’s been a week of avoidance and shutting out the real world, but what a happy little bubble we’ve been living in.
I push the thoughts away, placing them in a box deep within me to be consulted at a much later time. Leo holds the door to the apartments once we’ve returned. “Hungry? I can make us something.”
“I would never pass up your cooking.”
He laughs, opening his door and letting me in first. I take two steps before freezing on the spot, Leo crashing into my back. His arms protectively wrap around my waist. Pluto and Portia sit expectantly at the island, with no signs of our sponsors in sight.
“Oh, good, you’re back.” Pluto and his fucking goatee say calmly, too calmly.
He doesn’t look kind anymore. Portia joins him; she holds her hand out, arm extended, and a gust of air closes the door.
She then walks slowly yet deliberately towards the exit, blocking us in.
Leo pivots our bodies, placing me slightly behind him.
“There’s no need for the dramatics; this is a friendly visit.” Leo tenses, and I grab his forearm, irritation radiating off of him. “Sit,” Pluto demands.
I squeeze Leo and walk over to the couch.
Taking my time, I sit and cross my legs, poising my arm against the armrest, and lean my head against my fist. I work to control my inner turmoil, remembering that they can sense emotions.
“To what pleasure do we owe the visit?” Thankfully, Leo followed suit, his presence a silent support beside me.
Pluto and Portia stand before us, leering down as if we are two children to be scolded.
I fucking hate it. “It has been brought to our attention that the two of you have not been taking part in training sessions. Care to enlighten us why?” Portia clasps her hands in front of her as she awaits our response.
Leo speaks up before I have a chance. “We no longer wish to participate.”
“You no longer wish to participate,” Portia repeats each word slowly, as if she misunderstood us.
“Correct.” Short and sweet, I like your style, Leo.
Portia pointedly looks to Pluto, the man in charge in this scenario.
“Let us get one thing straight.” He adjusts the cuffs of his cloak.
“ This little tantrum of yours is now over. Must we remind you what is at stake in these Games? You would risk the lives of every human living on the surrounding worlds? On Lunara? Noctor? Because let me be clear, since you two do not seem to understand, that is what’s at stake.
You have the distinct honor of being selected, of becoming a hero, of restoring a constellation that powers your worlds.
Yet you would willingly put that at risk for what?
” He pauses; neither Leo nor I risk interrupting.
“To selfishly gallivant around our glorious city, one we have been so kind to share with you? You have been chosen. You have a duty. It’s time to submit. ”
He belittles us so poetically that I feel myself agreeing with his points.
Am I willing to continue my refusal and risk the livelihood of my friends back home or my new family here?
How could I do that? I have no choice but to go through with this, to restore the constellation and ensure the survival of lives across galaxies.
“Have I made myself clear? Should I repeat this visit an additional time, it will not be as pleasant.” A veiled threat, but still a threat.
Leo all but growls, “Our participation should not be mandato—”
I place my hand on Leo’s thigh, cutting him off. “We understand.” His head snaps quickly in my direction, and I ignore his gaze, feeling a combination of shame, fear, and duty.
“I will allow your vacation to extend through the end of this cycle. Your sponsors will report to me on day one of the next cycle regarding your attendance at training.”
He nods to Portia, and the two star-shoot out of the apartment, leaving Leo and me to sit in a tense silence.
He doesn’t say a word as he pulls out vegetables and starts chopping. Or when he sautes them in a pan. Or when he prepares rice in a separate pot. Frustration builds within me. I understand our responses were not in sync, but what does he expect? “Leo, talk to me.”
He silently stirs the rice, ignoring me.
“Leo!” I hiss.
“What do you want me to say, Zellie? What the fuck was that?” He slams his wooden spoon down onto the counter. “I thought we were a team.”
“We are a team! We have no choice in this.”
“There is always a choice!” Leo yells. “There’s always a choice, Zellie.”
My mind flashes back to a very similar conversation that Orion and I had. Everyone keeps telling me I have a choice, yet the second the situation becomes complex or scary, I back down. What the fuck is wrong with me? That’s not bravery; that’s not fixing the system. It’s cowardice.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Leo—I’m sorry. I’m trying my best.” My voice is small, doubt filling me with sadness.
Leo runs his hands through his hair before beckoning me to him. “I know you are, Zell. Come here.” He wraps his arms around me, exhaling into my hair. “We’ll find a different way.”
I nestle into his chest, wondering what other way there could be. What are you supposed to do when the path you face is impossible?