"Hahahaha bull crap!" an overweight man in a business suit exclaims standing on a street corner near Hailey while she lays half asleep beside the dumpster. The warm Nagh sunshine is on the other side of the restaurant so a shadow is casted over Hailey and Baron.
The man is too far away for Baron to care right now - also she just woke up. Needing to tend to her duties as an Illisk, she rolls over closer to Hailey to say 'good morning' by pawing at Hailey's foot.
"Hey girl." Hailey says as she listens to the man who is now laughing louder and talking about something Hailey can barely understand.
Hailey can't see the other person he's talking to so she leans over a little more to look around the corner. The man is talking to another man who appears to be the same round shape with his clothing bursting from the seams, just with different drab colors.
"They really think the Soc-fie district can do anything about it? That's stupid." The loud fat man says.
"Well look at it this way, they make our food....hey listen to me." The other, shorter, fat man tries.
"They can say whatever garbage they want but it's not happening." The fat man continues.
"If you'd let me speak...." the short fat man quips.
"Ok, go ahead, go ahead, I'm listening." the loud fat man says now leaning in and putting his hands on his hips with a smug look.
"They don't want their plan to fail so I think now it's on life support. They need resources from here, mostly people, because their workers are dying off. Honestly, you want to go over there and live their lives?" the short fat man finishes.
"I don't feel like I've worked a day in my life so I for one don't want to ever set foot in that place. I mean, if all they can do is make food for us, forever, that's fine with me!" the loud fat man says.
"You're horrible, you know that? Did you understand anything that I just said?" the short fat man leans in seriously with a disgusted look at the loud fat man.
"I get what you're saying. If all I'm reading here is unity this and that then there's some changes we need to make here because I'm not working in some forsaken field. If they've got some kind of problem there then the government needs to go in and....you know." the loud fat man replies.
"You'd want them to go in and hurt those people? For what?" the short fat man quickly says in rebuttal as his voice becomes more stern looking at the other man in his eyes.
"Well......I wanna eat. Those people out there are our workforce so we can have a nice life here. I'm glad the government gave those tests, and put me in a place that can benefit...well...me! Hahahaha" the loud fat man exclaims.
"You're such a piece of crap. Those people got the short end of the deal." the short fat man says.
"Short end of what? They were given the assessment test like everyone else. Their options were limited and the government moved them out there." the loud fat man says now angrily to the short fat man.
Hailey isn't sure what to think of this. She's in a new place and no one has really explained to her what all this means. She's wondering what he meant and she also knows exactly what the Soc-fie district , is - her home district. She remembers walking along the border of the district behind their small house in the development next to stone walls way too high to climb with signs on them that read:
"Don't bother climbing me, I'm not here to keep you in, I'm here to keep others out. Thank you."
She remembers some of the things her parents discussed while Hailey would eavesdrop on them. She remembers her mom and dad had a discussion one time that was similar and recalls they said they're 'stuck' - that they can't get out. At the time, Hailey didn't put it together.
Having this pop into her head, she stands up to approach the men.
Seeing a young girl with tattered clothing and an illisk at her side, both mean freak out.
"Hey you! Stay away! I don't have anything to give you! Keep your beast away from me!" the loud fat man exclaims.
"Oh shut up you insufferable jerk. I think she needs help. What's wrong little one?" the short fat man calmly says to Hailey.
Baron doesn't feel threatened and walks with Hailey as her lead this time. She sits back a bit while Hailey goes a little further to reply:
"What were you talking about with Soc-fie district?"
The two mean are alarmed that she heard them and look at each other with mouths open.
"Little girl you know it's not nice to eavesdrop." the short fat man says.
"I know but you're so loud I couldn't help it." Hailey replies.
"Well we were talking about this. You can read, can't you?" the short fat man replies as he points up and over Hailey's shoulder.
A large jumbotron TV is perched above a building beside the restaurant Hailey fell asleep next to. The words on the screen are being presented in a ticker-like fashion spanning across the screen and then vanishing. All of these large TVs in this district display government run news. Some times they're blank from malfunctions and other times they have information. Hailey is trying to keep up with what it's saying:
"...in all other forms. We have breaking news from Soc-fie district. Local government officials have reached out to other district officials for help. The district is being overwhelmed by a massive amount of workers refusing to work. The local government says it is at its end on resources and is looking outside for help. Tel-cae district has not officially spoken to them about assistance but federal officials have stated they would help."
The TV starts playing a clip of workers rioting in the Soc-fie district while still running words across the lower part of the screen.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg3ue-ef672800-4a64-4289-a514-e8ccc3678a25.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzN1ZS1lZjY3MjgwMC00YTY0LTQyODktYTUxNC1lOGNjYzM2NzhhMjUucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.VmXMNDVZ-g2kb-VTl5SsKxZH9tCrpTyM1n68iSS_OM4]
"Soc-fie officials have asked that other districts come together in unity over this event. They're asking Dakaars and enforcers from other districts to come while they attempt to hold off the riots. The federal government told the Soc-fie officials to simply execute anyone who is rioting. They said this kind of behavior will not be tolerated and for workers to get back to work."
The TV switches to a lady standing on a podium, with an official banner behind her, smiling while holding her arms out almost in a robot-like fashion.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbjpwg-b1ce07ba-1585-41fa-a2fb-f1ac2d29737f.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZianB3Zy1iMWNlMDdiYS0xNTg1LTQxZmEtYTJmYi1mMWFjMmQyOTczN2YucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.SxtgUJlRSztKN3TXC0Y4zfpIhYO9gTSByqSRpBGjSJs]
"Prime minister of the federal office said this morning that other districts need to lend as much resources as possible in unity between all districts. She went on to say that no one can benefit from this madness and the workers are the backbone of our existence. She said she stands by anything they may need or want but ultimately, they should get back to work. She went on to say that workers rioting or causing violence will be met with violence from the World Government."
At this point in time, Dakaars and enforcers are a little smaller group. Time hasn't given them the resources needed to expand yet. It's perplexing to imagine how things are now, and how a current, older Hailey is, but we'll get back to her in a bit. For now, you need to know where all of this came from. With chaos looming just around the corner, Hailey is awestruck standing in front of the TV with the two men, who are now carrying on about their previous subject. Hailey is trying to listen to them and read the TV at the same time.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbgw8g-97041f41-b220-4ac8-b8c8-e7b82a5aa1c6.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZ3c4Zy05NzA0MWY0MS1iMjIwLTRhYzgtYjhjOC1lN2I4MmE1YWExYzYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.WIod3bkDSiCDupbf_xpiAzEwOSbuGmUzZBR7xNq6AeQ]
Hailey notices something about herself right now. She turns slowly to look at the men and then back at the TV. She feels time starting to slow down. Wisps of red color rays get pulled in her vision as she darts her eyes between them. She looks back at Baron, cleaning herself. She can hear the big cat's tongue scraping along its fur. It's all happening slowly as if something is wrong and is freaking Hailey out. She tries to get out of it but she can also feel her heart slow. She ate, she slept, miserably at that, so what's wrong?
Young Hailey has nothing wrong with her. To her right now, there definitely is but for the record, there's not. She is not currently aware, dying in the back of a cab in our current-time story, of these events - like they've been lifted from her memory. Older Hailey, unconsciously reliving all of this in her head, tells her something as she lays in the cab. For now, young Hailey needs to find resources and think about what to do. Unlike the cab driver and tall lady helping older Hailey, there's not much help here in this district, especially for shelter.
Hailey leaves the two men and starts walking. She's still tired from having a crappy night's rest so she's yawning periodically as Baron and her walk. She finds a little more food from these new restaurants around and grabs food before it gets too 'settled' in a dumpster. For the next few days, Hailey is left to wander the streets. I'd imagine on Earth that this young, sweet, girl would not have an issue finding a home but alas Earth isn't perfect, neither is its inhabitants.
If you're wondering where this may go with a young girl alone, don't worry. Baron is a fierce companion. Since the girl is gentle with her, Baron is as well, and Baron also knows that Hailey is little. She'd go to the ends of Gannicus to make sure Hailey is fine. She's already been through quite a lot today with interactions from the public and Baron has been there to keep anyone preying on her, away. Dogs and little girls are good friends on Earth. Hailey and Baron are the best of friends here. It's the way things should be. Protection coming from the strongest in favor of the weakest. It's astonishing that even a creature like an illisk holds the value of innocent life higher than their own, and is willing to protect it. It's a shame there's not a lot willing to do so on Earth - and I'm not talking about dogs.
Illisks have another thing about them you may not know. They don't go out of their way and get crazy to take things. If they're hungry, they'd rather starve than take things from others. They humbly see their entire existence as purpose driven. They hope they meet a companion so they can reciprocally take care of each other. It's a fine balance that's been on this planet for years. Much like other creatures, starving or fasting, is not a big deal and can make creatures here 'repair' themselves. When a creature like an illisk starves for a while, their coats get cleaner, toxins rid themselves in their body, and....they grow bigger. You may be wondering why this happens here, since it's against the conformity on Earth to simply consume every 3-4 hours, but there's roots for it on Earth too. Ancient starving man on Earth had no choice and some say this process is evolutionary, a key we've used for our continued survival on Earth. Then again, others say starving sucks and Subway has hot 5 dollar footlongs.
Getting back, the government decided to take action about a certain thing with questionable approach - in an ocean of very bad things they've done, of course. If someone here is convicted of hurting a young person, in any way, they are castrated. This all came from a prominent and former statesmen, having one of his children abused, by someone he thought he could trust. They locked that person up but to him it wasn't enough. He worked with a lot of folks from the upper echelons of World Government to pass a bill that would punish people who abuse kids and it passed unanimously. The World Church even heralded it - which is strange to us Earthlings because we have some religious leaders here that would probably have a problem with a law like this.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
Seeing how they have a World Church okaying a lot of things and the statesman taking it upon himself to push this through, with all his personal levers to pull, it still isn't perfect. The whole point to the castration was to make sure their blood dies with them, however fowl it may be, to publicly let everyone know this is what happens so people think twice, and to make sure there's no incentive for abusers to do it again - all while suffering until their death.
Hailey is partially aware of these things while she walks and roams around the district for more food, water, and shelter with Baron, but that's the thing she doesn't like: She has some of the most smartest and kindest parents. Let me explain:
She remembers a time where something like this came up. A man in their community was whisked away while she was outside playing by people in a large black vehicle. After seeing this, she rushed into her home to ask her parents about what she had seen:
"Mom...dad....there was a man that was talking to one of my friends outside and a car pulled up and took the man. It really scared me." Hailey announces to her parents who are sitting at the dinner table reading perishable documents.
"Oh Hailey! Are you okay?" Her mother replied while rushing to her.
"Surely they'd have a reason?" Her father looks to her mother while also rushing to Hailey.
"Have you ever seen this man before? Did he talk to you? Was there any registration on the car?" Her father insistently asks.
"No, no, and no. I just remember the man asking one of my friends if she would like to walk with him." Hailey replies.
"Honey....I know you're really good at hearing things others are talking about..." Her father starts.
"Yeah I know dad. I could barely hear them." Hailey jumps in.
"So what happened?" Hailey's mother asks.
"Well, after my friend went over to the man, he kneeled down to talk to her. She looked uncomfortable." Hailey says while tilting her head and looking away.
Hailey's mother and father look at each other then back at Hailey. In unison they reply:
"Please continue...."
"Well, he didn't seem like a bad man but my friend was trying to pull away while he was smiling and trying to touch her hair." Hailey says while looking at her parents in confusion.
"I did not like him though." Hailey said for certain while tucking her chin down. At this point her parents are frowning and looking randomly at each other and the ground - thinking they're going to have to explain something to Hailey.
"My friend started to run away from him when the car pulled up." Hailey finishes.
"....What happened next?" Her father chimes in like he's hearing the best story he's heard in a long time.
"The people in the car just took him. He was screaming that he had rights? He said he was only talking to her, I guess? I'm not sure. This happened and scared me so I ran inside." Hailey replies.
At this point, both parents embrace Hailey and look at each other while talking so Hailey can't hear:
"This could have been worse." Hailey's father says.
"I didn't know there were any in this neighborhood. There's nothing we can do! You know we can't go anywhere!" Her mother exclaims.
"Cars? I've never seen any that color and I'm not sure what registered means, dad." Hailey says as she's trying to listen to her parents who are still holding her.
"No sweetie, not cars. The man. We're talking about the man." Her father says as he kneels down to talk to her.
"I've got this honey......Hailey....there's people in this world who want to hurt people like you." Her father says softly.
"But why?" Hailey says
"There's a lot of pain in a lot of people's lives and this causes them to do more pain to others. Now listen...." Her father starts.
"Well that doesn't make any sense? How would me being hurt by playing today hurt you tomorrow?" Hailey says with a smile but still unsure by what her father is talking about.
"Smart girl. No sweetie, it's more than just pain we feel. It's pain on the inside. Sometimes we're either just not born correctly and we think about hurting others or we're hurt from others and then we use that pain from our past to hurt people now. See what I'm saying?" Her father says.
"I seriously think a politician could of worded that better. You suck at explaining things." Her mother says while rolling her eyes.
"I'm glad your mother brought up a politician to remind me of our World Government. If there ever was someone to harm you, you need to know that here, there's rules that we follow and those that don't, get punished." Her father says emphatically.
With Hailey still listening to both parents, her father continues.
"When they do not follow the rules, the World Government punishes them." Her father finishes.
"Rules we have here? Like I have to go to bed or they'll punish me if I don't go to bed?" Hailey says in earnest.
"No, no. No one is going to punish you for not going to bed. We won't let anyone punish you for something as silly as that, Hailey." Her father says with his chest puffed out and looking down at Hailey.
"Look. Don't worry about what happened today. Ok sweetie?" Her father says looking at Hailey's mother - both of them thinking this one might be a little too hard to explain to young Hailey.
"To clarify that part....your mother and I are in charge of this house. We have our own set of rules. With that being said, we love you but we can't always be your friend. I know yesterday you asked me when we were playing if I was your friend, and I said yes but I can't always be your friend sweetie. I have to be a father first. Your mother has to be a mother first." Her father says while her mother looks at him like he's stupid while crossing her arms.
"What are you doing?" Hailey's mother says angrily.
"She needs to know that we're not always going to be here. This whole thing started because she was alone outside when a stranger was around. We're not in the best of places in this neighborhood and we can't get out. We need her to know." Her father says sternly.
"Now is not the time to talk about this. Especially after what she has just been through!" Her mother says angrily by the direction he's going while Hailey is still standing near them.
"Wait, we're not friends, dad?!" Hailey exclaims.
"Hailey...there's things you need to know." Her father starts.
"No there's not. Shut your mouth." Hailey's mother jumps in.
Hailey starts to cry. Her father attempts to approach her but is stopped by her mother who is still trying to get how ridiculous saying things like this to young Hailey is bad, off her chest. Both her parents take a few minutes to calm down and her father ventures to Hailey's room to find her. With Hailey still crying, her father collects himself before going into her room to make sure this time he gets his point across without hurting her, then opens the door, walks to her bed, and softly begins:
"Sweetheart, I said we were not friends because I can't always be your friend. It's not because I don't want to be your friend. I want to be your friend all the time, spend time with you, play, share stories,.....but in this world I can't do just that all the time." Her father says affectionately to a still crying Hailey who has now shifted her weight to the other side of her bed - looking away from her father.
"Baby, this world is cruel. People come to take others and people intend to harm others. I won't let anyone harm you while I'm around but just like not being able to constantly be your friend, I can't always be there as a protector, either." Her father continues.
"It doesn't mean I don't love you sweetie. It means I love you even more than that because I have a job to do. I have a responsibility that only gets rewarded by seeing you, everyday, happy, healthy, and safe. I can't always play, run, and talk to you like a friend. I have to be a dad to make sure you're able to play, run, and talk to all of your friends. When you get older, your mother and I may, unfortunately, not have that wonderful job of spending time, and caring for you, anymore, though......Does that make any sense?" Her father says as Hailey stops crying.
"Sweetie?" Her father says, rubbing her shoulder.
"You won't have that job anymore when I'm older? What does that mean?" Hailey says as she turns around to her father wiping her eyes.
"We all live for a certain amount of time and then we're gone. That's why it's so important to me, now, to spend as much time as I can as your dad. I think this will help you to live a long time in your life and help you to become a good person. Me not being a good father to you may make you the person we talked about a little while ago....maybe it happened to that person who was captured by those people, earlier." Her father says trying to convince the young girl of his meaning.
"Like you'll be dead?! I don't want to think about that! I love you both so much!" Hailey says as she starts crying again leaning into her dad now while he braces for her to cry on his chest.
"Oh sweetie. Who knows. We go through these trials here and maybe there's something else. Maybe there's a home for us where we can see each other again. That's why I said I have to be your father first. It's important for you to live your life for as long as you can, the right way, while your mother and I can rest somewhere....maybe over there....maybe that's home." Her father whispers to her in her ear while pointing out of the window at the 'neon-snake' horizon growing ever more prominent with the soon slumber of their star Nagh.
"I don't want things to change, dad." Hailey says trying to hold back tears.
"I know sweetie. I don't either but it's life sweetheart and you may find life gets harder as you go along. Maybe it won't." Her father finishes.
Hailey raises her head to look out at the horizon outside of the window, now darker, looks up to her father and says:
"Where? Where are you talking about?"
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg2rr-3ac5057f-2539-4417-8e2b-352479741088.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzJyci0zYWM1MDU3Zi0yNTM5LTQ0MTctOGUyYi0zNTI0Nzk3NDEwODgucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.S5_cL0-_sODUTe5QVmQR4OO1Stk8UaDQKqDwp67VG68]
"Oh....I don't know. Haha. Uh....maybe there. That's it, that big star cluster over there. That's where you'll find me and your mom, waiting for you, sweetie. See, we'll be around we just can't be around here forever." Her father says as he starts to laugh then changes to tears as he realizes he's not sure about where anyone really goes, having her close now, and how he hurt Hailey earlier.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg1b0-ada666ab-5141-4e03-8fe5-5ec415b5b4dc.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzFiMC1hZGE2NjZhYi01MTQxLTRlMDMtOGZlNS01ZWM0MTViNWI0ZGMucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.wPGnFWjaEQkHm7QhtdxaSjUXPwA8_ZvWxuuGedc-xv8]
Time passes as Hailey and her father embrace again, smile at one another, and part. Her father leaves slowly in an attempt to see if Hailey still needs comfort but Hailey is just sniffling and staring outside into space as Nagh is about to set. She can see the lights from Nagh cresting over cookie cutter like houses in the neighborhood, the same shape and form for everyone in this district, and the tall wall in the distance bearing over them like a wave that's about to crash on her neighborhood. She feels free but confined here. She has heard her parents speak of the same thing. She's in her bed and feels comfortable but it's the outside world, on this planet, that makes her uncomfortable.
Hailey is left wondering about what her father said. She's at peace with at least knowing that her father is right about certain things but other things, like the punishment by World Government, she's not. To her this type of punishment is wrong. She thinks that no one should have that much power over others to do what they like in the name of a law, or in any other form. She thinks the law can be abused, much like the people who are doing the abusing, and may be comfortable in their pseudo power. She hates both things.
Abusers get into moments where they think it's ok and like the government, since everyone is on-board with its one size fits all approach, thinks it's doing good as well. Hailey believes there's better ways to do things. She doesn't like the government coming to take people and for them to be hurt by them. No one has explained the whole thing to her in the hopes she keeps her innocence so she just knows if certain people hurt kids the government hurts them back. Not being offered the chance to change things the way she sees fit, since her entire world is run by people who don't even know her, has now stifled her thought process. She wishes she knew why someone would want to hurt anyone, by the World Government, or by an abuser.
Too tired to think about the mess this situation has caused her, Hailey begins to think about how life is on other planets. She wants to know if things are better somewhere else and if other advanced races like her own struggle with things like this.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg1au-0dc4acbf-a39d-4d31-b6dd-a4a40a583f93.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzFhdS0wZGM0YWNiZi1hMzlkLTRkMzEtYjZkZC1hNGE0MGE1ODNmOTMucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.6ZTt29lDWvz-wd9tXAPiRd1-KbjVJiJPefFEBvDTklg]
To benefit her, Hailey's parents have made up stories to teach her about the solar system and universe, something the World Church is not happy about anyone doing because of the thing she is doing now: Creating worlds and thinking for herself. While she's pondering, the 'neon-snakes' rile and capture her attention as she peers through them to look out into the vast amount of stars, some very close to her home planet, but not as near as Nagh. With her feeling warm, snuggled into her bed, tears wiped from her eyes, she continues to think about other worlds. Earthlings do the same thing as we are but flashes of light coming out of a projector on to a film reel. As the frames rush by briefly showing our light inside and our story, like our children are watching and remembering us, holding each other as they watch, the film reel ends, and someone shuts off the projector, with our light deteriorating into darkness as the projector slows down.
I've thought about this long enough and I can't help myself. Since her memories are now mine, I must share. When, I myself, see Hailey sitting alone, the Earthling song, in all its glory, starts to play: 'Who'll stop the rain' by CCR:
Homeless and wandering the streets reflecting back, she remembers this memory, vividly. She pictures herself at the dinner table, thinking of her parents lovingly making her food, laughing, and passing time. They pass by like white mists, smiling and carrying on. To her it's just a feeble tether to the past, mind clear, heart full of wonder, a brief connection from her heart and brain, bringing her back. Feeling every moment with her heart and desperately trying to keep the dream alive, reality sets in that she has no home and no parents, so she, in defeat, imagines she sits at a table alone, broken. Her parents disappear as quickly as her imagination conjured them. She looks around as her parents fade, eyes darting back and forth, wincing as her heart pumps rapidly in pain, and her tears soak into the dinner table.
After her father left her room in this memory, still in her room at her house, Hailey remembers something she'll never forget, while in my mind CCR plays on:
She gets into a position to stare at the stars more comfortably, pauses, then quickly realizes she doesn't want to forget what her father said about the distant star cluster. She jumps up from her bed, walks slowly to her bedroom window while grabbing a pen-like device that's easily erasable, like the Earth type, from her small desk, and starts drawing around the star cluster location on the window. Once satisfied of her work, she then steps back a little to see it in the shape she drew around the star cluster. Thinking about her entire day's worth of disgust and pain and how it'll go away some day, she whispers softly to herself, with a hurt voice from crying, letting out a few drops of pain from her eyes, in the sweetest tone while smiling:
"Home."
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/0adcdb2b-2a27-4d02-b707-ec3de1b96f2a/dfbg0mu-2f79d844-151f-44dc-9b0f-e790556534ff.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzBhZGNkYjJiLTJhMjctNGQwMi1iNzA3LWVjM2RlMWI5NmYyYVwvZGZiZzBtdS0yZjc5ZDg0NC0xNTFmLTQ0ZGMtOWIwZi1lNzkwNTU2NTM0ZmYucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.HUvsx7ZqDCI-MdyboXrkEyt_sM14b6NeBPHJ8PjVAtE]