Chapter 58
Fifty-eight
There is no applause, no elated cheering as the orbs lighting the arena flicker back to life.
The crowd remains remarkably quiet. An official makes his way towards me to collect the moonstone.
I toss the gem carelessly in his direction, producing collective gasps across the arena.
The official lunges dramatically, grabbing the moonstone and tucking it safely in his arms before the fragment is even remotely close to hitting the ground and shattering.
My sharp gaze remains on Pluto, never wavering. Orion star-shoots to my side as the other sponsors return to their partners. “Zellie, I’m so sorry.” He attempts to embrace me, but I remain unmoving, stiff as I stand tall. “Zell—”
“Don’t.” Not here. Not now. My hands linger at my sides, clenched tightly into fists. I hope Pluto feels every ounce of hatred my stare brings his way as I plan his demise. I will fucking kill him if it is the last thing I do.
Pluto, looking frazzled, leans in towards Portia to whisper in her ear. She nods and stands, addressing the crowd. “Citizens of Astralis, we are devastated by the untimely loss of our competitor, Lenny Jortson.” How convenient of them to spin their words, weaving a web of lies, pretending to care.
I growl, taking a step towards the dais. How dare they speak his name? Orion wraps his hand around my arm, tugging me back. “Only one contestant could complete today’s game, securing a single fragment towards our constellation. The standings are:
Zellie Toro: four
Leo Vance: three
Miles Zeno: one
“Two fragments remain to be obtained with only one game left. Contestants, all ten shards are required to restore the constellation. Use this time to rest and recover. We will see you at the fifth and final game of this year’s Gemini Games.
May the stars guide you; the constellations are the only constant. ”
The twelve Kosmos star-shoot instantaneously, the cowards. “Orion?”
“Yeah?”
“Get me out of here.”
Orion loops his arm around my waist before we become a burning comet shooting out and away. Please just take me far, far away.
Orion deposits us at the entrance to the training grounds.
I stumble out of the transport, my skin hot.
Not bothering to catch my fall, I hit the ground, my palms stinging with the impact.
I welcome the pain as I push on to my knees, look up at the sky, and scream—scream out all of my anger, pain, and sadness.
My voice shakes as I release my frustration, my hopelessness, my despair.
I scream with the grief that consumes me, darkening the light that had shone within.
I scream until my voice turns hoarse and fails me.
My hands pound into the dirt as I replay Lenny’s last moments.
“Why?” I scream into the openness, into the void that is consuming me with inky blackness, irrevocably changing my soul.
Why him? Why now, when we were so close to being done?
Why not me, instead? Why, why, why? I bring my knees into my chest as I rock and sob, looking up at the swirling dance of planets, rocks, and dust above.
Orion dutifully stands guard behind me, his hand over his mouth.
We stay this way for hours until footsteps crunch, signaling his approach.
There is only one person it could be. He supportively places a hand on Orion’s shoulder as he strides toward me—perhaps the only time a positive interaction has occurred between the two.
There’s an understanding in place, one where they both recognize what I need from each of them.
In one fell swoop, he scoops me up underneath my knees. “Let me take care of you, Zell.”
“Why?” It’s the only word I can muster. I’ve lost all resolve. I could lie here until I become dust myself, drifting away into orbit.
“Because I need to.” I don’t respond or fight his hold. I close my eyes, willing an empty darkness to find me.