‘And this is where I met my cat, he just bounded up to me from behind that pulpit and we’ve been together ever since.’ Alene had been showing Ceit some of her favorite places in the city, taking the circuitous route back to the skull as the sun set. ‘Is that a bird?’ Ceit asked, pointing to the stained glass. ‘Do you think they worshiped birds here? Do you think it has anything to do with the giant bird corpse?’ She said, rapid fire. She seemed fascinated by the stained window and its depiction, it was very delicate workmanship, and even more impressive given its resilience amongst the destruction. ‘I wondered that too,’ Alene responded, ‘maybe the city died when their bird gods died.’ ‘But it’s super weird for gods to die,’ Ceit replied, thoughtful, ‘I actually don’t know if I’ve even heard of it happening before, from the stories I have heard, they either go to sleep or get eaten by other gods, like Novem the god-eater.’ She turned from the window to face Alene. ‘And anyway, that still doesn’t explain why the people are gone.’ ‘That’s true,’ Alene sighed, resigned. Ceit had so much experience, she had rather hoped that she might have encountered something similar and have some insight, but all she had were more questions.

Alene’s cat was waiting for them when they returned to the skull, looking down at them as they climbed up the skull, a disapproving parent awaiting the return of their wayward children. He meowed, seemingly in rebuke until Alene bent down to pet him, gently running ghostly fingers through his sleek black fur, giving him a scritch behind the ears. He stared intensely at Ceit, as Alene stroked his head, as if to smugly inform her of Alene’s preference for him. Ceit playfully raised an eyebrow in response.

Later that night, after Ceit had her fill of wild barley topped with more fruit reduction, she and Alene laid their backs on the very top of the bird skull to watch the night sky, ‘Have you ever thought about leaving the city?’ Ceit asked. ‘It never really occurred to me. This is the only place I’ve known. How will I remember anything if I leave it behind?’ Ceit was quiet. ‘You could always come with me, if you wanted.’ She turned on her side, supporting her head with her hand. ‘Maybe you forgot it all for a good reason. I could take you somewhere that has more people, or more ghosts, or you could just travel with me.’ She played with a wispy curl, twisting it around her finger slowly as she spoke, violet eyes lowered, not quite making eye contact. ‘Just think about it. You wouldn’t have to be alone.’ She raised her eyes to Alene, the sincerity shining there causing Alene’s heart to clench. ‘And I wouldn’t either.’ She finished, looking aside, shy. ‘I’ve never felt this way before, it’s as if I’ve known you all my life, like you were a part that I didn’t know was missing. I…I don’t want to leave you behind.’ Alene’s eyes widened.

Alene stayed up staring at the sky long after Ceit went to sleep. She would be giving up on ever discovering the mysteries of her city, the mysteries of herself if she left. Perhaps some mysteries were meant to stay that way, just as Ceit had said. And she would have the companionship she had been longing for, she wouldn’t have to be alone. The thought was too appealing.

The morning saw Ceit packing up her bike, slowly making trips between Alene’s room and the ground below, peeking at Alene as she did so. ‘I want to come with you.’ Alene burst out, unsure how to bring it up gracefully ‘Travel with you, I mean’ She corrected. ‘Eeee!’ Ceit jumped up from below, hugging Alene as best as she could without accidentally phasing through her again. ‘I’m so glad, it’s going to be so great to have someone to travel with! It’s going to be so much fun!’ Ceit danced around in excitement before going back to her packing, with much more enthusiasm than before. Alene lingered in the skull cavity, trying to etch it in her mind. It was the site of heartache for her, but also the only place she had ever known. The only home she had ever known. She trailed her fingers along the colorful wiring lining the room, picking up her snail doll and holding it close. She would be leaving it behind, just like all remnants of her life here. She would be starting new. Her cat scrutinized her from her bedding, accusing. ‘I know I know,’ she soothed, coming over to pet him apologetically. ‘But this might be the only chance I get to leave. I’ve been here for so long. And just think, you’ll get the entire bed to yourself, no more stretching out into ghostflesh by accident, won’t that be nice?’ She coaxed. He turned his back to her, grooming himself aggressively as if to dismiss her, as if to say her abandonment was nothing to him. She sighed. She didn’t want to leave him like this, but she hadn't anticipated he would be so inconsolable. ‘I’ll miss you,’ she said gently, climbing down from the skull. He turned to watch her leave silently, before curling up, his back to her.

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‘Do you need to say goodbye to anything else?’ Ceit asked, wrapping up her last bag and cinching the saddle bag tightly. ‘I’ve said them. I’m ready for the future now.’ Ceit grinned, kicking her prosthetic leg over her bike and settling in the seat. Alene climbed on behind her, wrapping her arms around Ceit as best as she could. ‘Oh wow, I didn’t really notice yesterday, but your arms are really warm, like a hug from a heated blanket.’ ‘Is that ok,’ Alene asked nervously. It would be an inauspicious start to their journey if she made Ceit uncomfortable. ‘No no! It’s really nice, it’s going to be especially nice when we get going, the wind can be really chilly.’ She started up the engine with a dull roar, the bike rising in place with the whirl of the four fans bracing it, before shooting off towards the city limits, the fans tilted behind them to propel the vehicle forward.

Riding a hoverbike was an exhilarating experience. It felt a lot like flying, Alene thought idly, before wondering where that thought could have come from. They made good time, reaching the city limits at a reckless speed, given the lack of other vehicles, all of them crumpled down below in twisted chrome. Alene let out a joyful laugh, delighted with the new experience. She felt so free. Free from the weight of loneliness, free from the city of mysteries. She was leaving it all behind. The city could keep its secrets. She had Ceit.

As they continued outward fewer and fewer vehicles cluttered the roads beneath them, and the buildings became more and more sparse. The trees became even larger, pushing through the broken streets, indicating they were reaching older forests. Suddenly, Alene was yanked back, a powerful, inexplicable force refusing to relinquish her to the woods and her possible future. Ceit, suddenly cold, slowed to a stop, realizing Alene was no longer behind her, she returned to where Alene stood fretfully, getting off her bike to see what was the matter. ‘I can’t seem to go any further.’ Her stunned shock fading and frustration taking its place, threatening to overwhelm her as she felt herself tearing up. She had just decided to leave, to let go of the past and look towards the future, and here she was, her choice stripped from her. The city of mysteries refusing to hand her over to her new life. ‘Oh Alene,’ Ceit said, biting her lip, her voice filled with aching compassion. ‘I’m so so sorry. I…I can’t stay. I have to follow Oongx, I can’t give her up.’ The anguish in her voice, that Ceit would give her up so easily after her words last night caused something to drop in Alene’s stomach. But she couldn’t expect Ceit to give up her holy duty for someone she had only just met, no matter the pull, the dawning something there had been between them.

‘Do you want me to take you back?’ ‘No, no, I think I need to walk.’ Alene declined, for once wanting to be alone. ‘Come here,’ Ceit said, opening her arms. Alene collapsed into her embrace, tears rolling down her face, fast and frequent, like strings of pearls. ‘I just, I’m glad. If just for a little bit, I got to feel what it’s like to have hope for the future.’ She said with a sob, doing her best to protect Ceit from her feelings. ‘So, don’t feel sad for me. I’m actually really happy.’ Ceit hugged her tighter, letting her sob until she ran out of breath and only great big hiccups were left.

‘I’ll come around next year, ok?’ Ceit whispered into her hair, her voice tender and soft. ‘So, this isn’t really goodbye. We’ll see each other again.’ She gently loosened her embrace, still holding Alene by her shoulders, her fingers curving into the ghostly flesh, lingering, unwilling to let go just yet. ‘And if I get called by Oongx, I’ll be even closer, I’ll be able to visit as long as her constellation is in the sky.’ Ceit told her fervidly. ‘Ok. Ok, I’ll wait for you.’ Alene pushed a smile through her tears, doing her best to put on a brave face for Ceit. Ceit looked at her intensely for a moment, violet eyes silvery with her tears, moving across Alene’s face, memorizing her. She leaned in, kissing her cheek lingeringly. ‘It’ll be ok.’ She said as she pulled back. Alene felt herself heat up, a flush of warmth across her face beneath the stain of her tears. ‘Oh! You’re so cute! I didn’t know that ghosts could blush!’ Ceit teased her gently. Alene laughed, a weak laugh, but a laugh nonetheless.

Alene arrived back home to find her cat missing. Of course, she thought, a weight of resurging loneliness settling in her stomach like a heavy stone. There was nothing to keep him here with her gone, he must of left. Her abandonment must have hurt him, just as Ceit’s had her. Guilt filled her. She felt more alone than ever. Now that she knew what it was like to have companionship, the loneliness was even more acute. She curled up in her nest, her comforter coiled around her, a tight small fetal ball, pulling the covers over herself completely. She stayed like that for a very long time.

In the distance a wild dog cackled, as if her misery amused it, the sound raspy and unnatural.