Chapter 28
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Lyra
As Al and Malantha sprang into action, immediately freeing humans from the pods, I joined in, feeling the rush of purpose coursing through my veins. With each pod cracked open and each human released, I felt like I”d accomplished something magical. It was a stark contrast to the struggles I”d faced with alcohol, now replaced by a newfound strength and clarity of purpose.
Working alongside Al and Malantha, I realized I was making a tangible difference. The satisfaction of helping others and being part of something larger than myself fueled my determination. With every liberated human, I felt renewed hope and optimism, especially after helping to defeat Mesothraxus. Gone were the days of self-doubt and despair. I was braver than ever, driven by a sense of duty to those in need.
I stumbled on a familiar face and paused, remembering my life on Earth. Poor Charlie was floating in a pod. He looked half his size, but not in a healthy way.
”Help me with this one,” I shouted to Al. He turned and sped towards me, freezing when he saw who it was.
”Isn”t that Charlie?” he asked, frowning.
”Sure is. Let”s get the poor guy out of there.”
Together, we wrenched off the lid and pulled Charlie out. He was heavy, a slippery dead weight. At first, I thought he was beyond help, but as we scraped the solution from his eyes and mouth, he began to come around. He spluttered as he started to breathe and almost gagged. He was in a mess, dazed and disorientated.
I knelt by him, stroking his face as he opened his eyes.
”Lyra?” he said, looking at me in bewilderment. ”Oh, God, what the hell happened?”
”You were abducted.”
”I was? Oh God, yeah, that was because I”m...” He stopped, and his eyes began to water. I was sure it was because he”d remembered his drinking problem.
”It”s fine, Charlie. I know the truth, but you”re going to be okay.”
”I”m sorry,” he said, squeezing my hand. ”I should have told you. It”s just that we were working with drunks, and well, I was a secret drunk, too. It was hard to open up and be honest.”
”You certainly kept it well from me.”
”Are you mad?”
”Not at all. I know how it is, remember?” I said, smiling. ”It will only help you help more people once you”re recovered.”
”Let”s hope so.” A tear trickled down his cheek, and I hugged him.
”Believe her,” said Al, leaning over me.
”Who”s he?” asked Charlie, frowning.
”This is Al. He”s with me,” I said, staring into my lover”s eyes.
Al gazed back with devotion. I wanted him to take me and make me his. We”d waited far too long. As soon as I was alone with him and out of Mom”s sight, I”d have my wicked way with him and live out my fantasies.
”Oh well, nice to meet you, I think,” said Charlie, reaching up to shake his hand.
”Guys, we need to get a move on,” shouted Malantha as he came rushing over. ”They”re coming back.”
I glanced behind, and there, coming in droves, was a group of severely pissed-off Mesothraxians. Their reptilian features loomed large, their scales shimmering in the dim light. With each heavy step, the ground trembled beneath them, amplifying the sense of dread that filled the air.
There was no sign of Mesothraxus, but I couldn”t shake the feeling that they had saved him. Regardless, the anger radiating from the Mesothraxians was profound, their eyes burning with fury as they advanced towards us. They were determined to reclaim what they believed was rightfully theirs. With their leader gone, their thirst for vengeance seemed even more powerful.
”We have to stop them and escape,” said Al.
”I think I know how. We can smash up the other pods and create a barrier,” I said.
”Good call,” said Al. ”But we need to move fast.”
I sprung to my feet and helped Charlie stand up.
”Where”s my mom?” I asked Malantha.
”Already safe on the spacecraft,” he said, nodding behind towards the slick circular spacecraft.
”Holy fuck, what”s that?” asked Charlie, leaning back as he stared at the celestial shuttle.
”That”s our ticket out of here,” I said. ”Why don”t you get a jiggling on and join the masses?” I added, nodding him forward.
”Aren”t you coming?” asked Charlie as he began to walk towards the spacecraft.
”In a second. I have something to sort out first.”
The Mesothraxians roared. They were getting closer.
”Come on, hurry up. We have to stop those scumbags,” shouted Malantha, handing me a metal pole.
Panic spread through me as the Mesothraxians started coming faster. We had to stop them, and fast. Despite my exhaustion, I dug deep for extra energy, fueled by determination and adrenaline. With all the power in my heart and soul, I joined Al and Malantha in smashing the empty pods until we created a river of liquid.
The Mesothraxians suddenly halted. Confusion and fear flickered across their reptilian features as they recoiled from the shimmering barrier. It was their own liquid that had inflicted irreparable harm upon their leader. The memory of Mesothraxus”s fate loomed large in their minds, a stark reminder of the consequences of their creation. The fear of facing a similar fate paralyzed them, rendering them hesitant to proceed.
”Let”s get the hell out of here,” said Al, wrapping his arm around my waist.
”Sounds like a plan,” I replied, gazing into his eyes.
We turned and paced towards the spacecraft. It was a bizarre scene as hoards of humans, some with purple twinges and other purple beings, fled from Mesoterra.
The spaceship was big enough to fit maybe a hundred humans, but not everyone. Perhaps, we could come back and rescue the others, but, right now, we had to save ourselves.
Just before we entered, I spotted another familiar face. Duncan was floating about in a pod, his body already a deep purple.
”We can”t save everyone,” said Al, tugging me forward.
”I know,” I said, a pit of guilt forming in my stomach. ”Maybe we can come back.”
”Maybe,” he said. ”Let”s focus on us, though. I think we”ve done enough.”
”You”re right.”
Taking Al by the hand, I felt in awe of his presence. We sped inside, and the sight of the spacecraft filled me with exhilaration. Stepping onto its sleek metallic floors, I marveled at the futuristic decor surrounding me. The walls were adorned with luminescent panels, emitting a soft glow.
”I need to know that Mom”s okay,” I said.
”Okay, let”s find her,” said Al.
Amidst the chaos, I found Mom in a room, peacefully dozing off. I gently tucked her in, relief washing over me now that she was safe. Taking a moment to cherish the opportunity to care for her, I felt a surge of gratitude for the chance to protect her in return for all she had done for me. With any luck, soon she would be free like me.
”Do you want to watch us fly out of here?” asked Al.
”I”d love to.”
”Then follow me.”
I sped with my hero down to the cockpit, eager to witness our journey back to Earth. As we entered the control cabin, I was greeted by a sight straight out of a sci-fi movie. The flight deck was a futuristic marvel, with sleek control panels adorned with colorful displays and rows of buttons and switches.
”I didn”t think you were going to make it,” said Malantha, spinning around in one of the seats. ”Come on, we have to go.”
I settled into one of the plush, ergonomic chairs, marveling at the comfort. With a sense of wonder, I gazed out of the expansive windshield, eager to watch as we soared through the cosmos.
”Do you know how to fly this thing?” I asked Al as he strapped himself in.
”Kind of,” he said, flipping a switch.
”He”s learned from the best,” said Malantha, pressing several buttons.
The spacecraft started with a roar, and I turned and gazed into Al”s eyes.
”Thanks,” I said.
”For what?” he asked, smirking.
”For everything, for helping me save Mom, for being you, and for being honest. I missed you for all those years.”
”I missed you too,” he said. ”I knew you”d be by my side eventually.”
My heart lifted just as the spacecraft rose. I looked down and watched as the Mesothraxians bumbled about, dazed and confused after we had ended their vile project.
”I still feel bad about the others?” I said, staring at the rows of pods.
”Like you said, maybe we can go back one day and get them,” said Al.
”Maybe,” I said. ”But right now, I want to get to Earth.”
”Me too,” said Al.
”Me three,” said Malantha.
And with that, the spacecraft whizzed up in the air. I felt a blast of happiness, safe that we”d escaped and were on our way home.