Chapter Ten – Sildon
The ship was secure. He had double checked everything to make sure none of the residents of this planet could break in and kill him and Jada while they slept. And yet worry still twisted his stomach and filled his body with nervous energy, making him pace up and down the length of the ship. This planet was grimier than he remembered. The people had a more desperate look in their eyes. Murder was probably a daily occurrence.
Maybe if he was richer he could set up something here to help them. But he had his own problems and wasn't in a position where that would be possible.
He hadn't talked with Pogi as long as he wanted to. But the rush of emotion, the anger, of seeing her again had been too much. He still didn't remember the abuse she had told him about, but he didn't remember much about his life here. Had it really been as bad as Pogi has said, or was she just trying to get rid of him? She owed him nothing.
Soft cries from Jada's room made him pause. This was the third time that Isabel had woken up. Jada must be exhausted. He opened the door and crept in, intending to take Isabel out to soothe her and let his companion have some rest. The baby quieted as soon as she saw him in the light from the nightlight, though her lip still trembled and tears rolled down her face.
"Sildon?" Jada pushed herself to her elbow and yawned.
"I thought I'd take the baby for a bit. Go ahead and go back to sleep."
She shook her head. "I wasn't sleeping. And you look like you haven't slept either. Why don't you come lie down in bed with me?"
Sildon hesitated, but he was tired, and even though he didn't want to admit it, he was craving some physical contact. He laid on the bed beside Jada, carefully cradling Isabel between them. Jada put her arm over his and leaned her head down against Isabel's.
Sildon's muscles relaxed as he listened to them breathe and felt their warmth next to his. His eyes drifted closed, letting memories trickle into his mind. The thunderous roar of the brimstone hail raining down on the metal roof, screams in the alleys, a certainty that they were going to die. He felt himself tensing again until Jada's fingers moved up and down his arm, soothing him. Such a simple touch, but it was everything he needed.
"I remember lying in bed next to my mother, shivering under ragged blankets while we tried to keep each other warm. When the storms were at their worst, she would tell me stories of my father. He was a great warrior, strong and proud. She told me one day I'd meet him, and he would be proud to call me his son."
Jada continued to softly stroke his arm. "My parents were together when I grew up. I wasn't neglected, but I always felt like I wasn't good enough for them. My father traveled a lot to work. It was like not having a father. And my mother… Well, it was clear to me that I wasn't on her list of priorities. I was given everything I asked for, as long as I stayed out of her way."
Sildon shifted a little closer, reaching to put an arm around her now. Isabel was snoring gently, and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight. "I always swore that one day I'd find him. That one day, I'd have a real family."
"I married when I was eighteen. I was going to get pregnant and have children right away. I was so excited about having kids. But I never could. My husband divorced me because of it. Then I remarried. Didn't tell him. When he found out, he was so angry… We were already fighting, but it was the final straw. I guess I've been searching for a way to create a real family for myself."
Sildon swallowed hard. "Pogi told me where to find my mother's grave."
Jada pushed herself onto her elbow. The soft orange nightlight bathed her in a warm glow that made her look even more beautiful. "Are you going to visit her?"
"Pogi?"
"Your mother."
Sildon shook his head. "How? Our souls are born in stars, when we die we are returned to the star before reborn in a new body. How could I find my mother?"
"Sorry. I meant her grave. On Earth… that's not important. Are you going to visit her grave?"
The T'shav warrior shrugged. Perhaps that was one reason why he was so restless tonight. He knew where his mother's bones were buried, but he didn't know if he would have the strength to see her grave himself. And what was the point? Her soul wasn't here.
"You should," she said softly, laying back down. "I couldn't move past Earth before I took one of the Sanctuary flights to it, to visit the museum that orbits it. That's when I realized that I needed to focus on my new life… but it's your choice, Sildon. Only you can decide if it will help or hurt."
He had forgotten that she had lost everything, too. Her family, her planet, her way of life. It was all taken from her. And yet here she was, comforting him. He wanted to kiss her, but even if Isabel wasn't in danger of being squished if he had tried, he wouldn't have. Not right now when emotions were running so high. He didn't want regrets between them.
"I'm glad you're with me," he said. "I wish I had the words to tell you how much. And I'm sorry that I kidnapped you. I wish I could go back and stop myself."
"Don't sweat it. We've already been over that. I'm fine. I forgive you. And if you need time to decide to go to your mother's grave or not, that's okay. We can talk again in the morning."
Sildon's eyes closed again, his body feeling heavy. "Thank you. Goodnight, Jada."
"Goodnight."
***
The next morning was dark with a burnt smell in the air. When Sildon, Jada, and Isabel emerged from the ship, there was nobody in sight. Sildon frowned at their absence. Clouds blocked out the sky, and there was a slight electric feel that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Keeping Jada close, he headed back to Pogi's house.
They had just gotten there when rocks started falling from the sky. Fist-sized, black as soot, they pounded down on everything. They burst open on the ground, revealing muddy white interiors. Jada shouted and used her body to shield Isabel. Sildon pulled her into his arms, hunching his body over hers. The hail pounded on his back, driving the breath from his lungs. He picked up Jada and ran for Pogi's house.
Pogi stood in the doorway, gesturing him inwards when he got there. He dashed in, the pounding hail muffled abruptly. Isabel wailed. Sildon carried Jada to the main room before setting her down. Both of them instantly unwrapped Isabel and checked her over. There wasn't a mark on her. Jada's shoulders sagged in relief. Sildon turned her to face him, to check what damage had been done to her. There was a bruise on her cheek and some on her shoulders, but she was otherwise unharmed.
"What were you thinking, going out when there were black skies?" Pogi shouted at him. "You could have been killed, and then what? I spent all last night digging out Matka's old things. And what would I have done with them if you were dead?"
"You have my mother's old things?" Sildon ignored the chiding.
Pogi snorted. "Yes. Come along, the storm might last the week. You'll need a place to stay. Just keep that baby quiet!"
Jada hushed Isabel, rocking and bouncing her. The baby seemed to have no interest in being quiet, though. Pogi led them a room deep under the ground, where the storm's noise was completely muffled. The lights flickered and the rooms smelled musty, but Sildon found he remembered things. After showing them to the room, Pogi disappeared, returning a little later with a box of things.
It took a little while to get Isabel calmed down, but she was soon sleeping once again. Jada found a drawer that was big enough for her and lined it with the blankets she had brought, stating under her breath that she wasn't going to put the baby on the provided bed because of germs.
Sildon sat, holding the box in his hands. It was made of metal, with a DNA print scanner. The hinges had been forced open, no doubt by Pogi, but he was grateful that she had kept it at all. He didn't know if he wanted to open it yet, though. What would he find inside?
"It looks like there's a letter inside." Jada sat beside him. "Do you want me to…?"
She trailed off. Sildon set aside the box. To hell with emotions running high. They had already discussed this, and they both wanted it. He turned towards her and gently cupped her face in his hands. It was clear she knew what he wanted, and leaned into his touch, closing her eyes.
He brushed his lips against hers.