I sigh in content, my quilt pulled up to my chin, trapping in the heat from the night. I would've tried to keep sleeping, but the pain in my hand has been keeping me awake as it throbs. The persistent pain had woken me from my dreams and now all I can do is stare up at the blank ceiling, comfortable but not relaxed enough to fall back into a world of oblivion.
Turning to my side, I come face to face with an empty bed, the sheets crumpled, and my second pillow thrown to the side at a haphazard angle.
Cast slept in my bed again last night, after we watched an alien movie on the little glass tablet and cuddled under the covers. He didn't want to leave me alone; it was obvious I had been pretty upset last night and I have no doubts Caster overheard the yelling that went on between Aliston and I.
I expected him to still be wrapped up in the blankets this morning, but with the bed empty, I frown in confusion. Where would he have gone this early? The sun's barely up.
Groaning, I stretch out, pushing the covers away with my feet. Lavere's probably still asleep, but it won't hurt to check up on him. I'm not sure exactly what it is, maybe it's the whole argument I had with Aliston yesterday, or maybe it's the news Caster let slip, but something has me more on guard about the little baby in the room over. I want to check that he's okay. That he's not hungry, cold, too hot, unwell, or thirsty.
I chew on my lip as the worries grow, and in no time at all I'm out of bed and changed in a fresh set of clothes. When I enter his room, I don't switch on the light, rather I quietly creep up to his crib and take a peek. He's snuggled up in his blanket, small little purrs escaping him with every exhale.
He's sound asleep.
"Why am I so stressed? Everything's fine." I step closer to stroke his cheek gently, my fingers barely brushing against his skin.
Watching him sleep is enough to calm my anxieties, and as I sway his cot, the little alien stays deep asleep, eyelashes closed and resting against his face.
"Emery?" Aliston's voice reaches my ears in a soft whisper.
I turn, shoulders bunching up as I tuck my hands away from the baby and step back towards the door where he stands. I push past him, wary as my arm brushes against him as I step back into the hall and shut Lavere's door behind me.
"Yes, sir?"
He's dressed in a blouse, hair pulled back into a ponytail very similar to how his son likes to have it.
"If you have the time, I would like to speak to you in private."
The air is tense, but I keep my eyes on his face, watching and waiting for his eyes to turn black like yesterday.
"Of course." I gesture for him to lead the way to his study. "Is there something wrong?"
He seems surprised that I agreed so easily. Maybe he himself feels guilty for our last conversation.
"A few things have come to my attention that I believe I must explain to you." His voice is quiet as he speaks, lips pulled into a grim line.
I follow him as he slowly walks beside me, choosing to slow his pace to match mine.
He clears his throat. "How is your hand?"
The change of topic only makes the air more awkward between us. I doubt he's actually even concerned about the injury.
"It's fine." I shrug, "It's still a little sore."
"I heard Avørek attended to it."
He did. Right before he told me about the file. Right before I found out Aliston's been lying to me and keeping secrets.
YOU ARE READING
Hope
Science FictionEarth has changed. Overpopulated by alien species and humans, nothing is as it once was. Society has taken a turn for the worse, at least, that's how Emery sees it. He's lost his family, his job, and he's lost the one place he could call home. Now...
