Chapter Twenty Eight: As Hearts Collide

A lighting bolt appeared over four navy ships that sat in the water under the moon. Amya fell from the sky just above one of the ships.

Amya

That was rude!

She almost fell off the edge.

Amya

Get down here!

Akasha floated down next to her.

Akasha

You think you’d be a little more thankful.

Amya walked away from the edge and dusted herself off.

Amya

For what, exactly?

Akasha touched down onto the ship.

Akasha

I could have dropped you from a higher distance.

Amya

I would have killed you.

Akasha laughed.

Amya

Oh be quiet already. I've had enough of you and we just started.

They looked down the ship's top.

Akasha

Why are there no jets or men?

Amya

They could be out.

Akasha turned to Amya.

Akasha

Out where? They’re in the middle of the ocean.

Amya

I am only suggesting an answer to your question.

Akasha walked forward.

Akasha

If I were an entire navy crew, where would I be?

Amya walked to the other side towards the other ship while Akasha skipped around.

Amya

They are very close. I could probably jump to the other side.

Akasha

Why don’t you?

Amya looked down at the water.

Amya

Well if I fall, I’d get all wet.

Akasha

Wouldn’t want to ruin that dress.

Akasha shook her head while making fun of Amya.

Amya

I wouldn’t.

There was a giant splash. Between the gaps of the ships Amya stood by, something came up fast. Amya barely dodged it by jumping back.

Amya

Damn!

Akasha appeared at her side.

Akasha

What was it?

Amya

I don’t know. It came by too fast!

Akasha put her hand on her forehead.

Akasha

You’re useless.

Amya pushed her from the shoulder.

Amya

Oh I’m sorry! I should keep my eyes open next time something comes flying at my face out of nowhere!

Akasha turned around.

Akasha

It could help.

Amya jumped to the other ship.

Amya

Look around, I can’t stand being next to you any longer.

Akasha began to skip again.

Akasha

Good, I like being by myself anyways!

She yelled.

Amya

Oh really? That’s why you’re always with Orthak?

Akasha stopped.

Amya

What, did I hit a nerve?

Amya noticed there was something standing across from Akasha.

Amya

What the hell is that?

Akasha stepped back in order to reply.

Akasha

It looks like a small Gear.

The droid moved forward.

Akasha

Oh dear.

Akasha disappeared in a bolt of lighting and appeared next to Amya.

Amya

Why did you run?

Akasha

Well it’s strapped with a bomb!

She pointed at its chest.

Amya

Reasonable.

There were many splashes and more and more of the metal human sized machines came onto the ships.

Akasha

Well, what do we do?

Amya

I have an idea.

Amya ran to the nearest one and slid her hand on its shoulder. The Machine turned to stone.

Akasha

That works.

Amya flipped over another one and her finger tips grazed the top of it’s metal head. Akasha sent two lighting bolts through the stone figures.

Amya

I stone, you demolish.

Akasha

Works for me.

They took out the remaining twenty droids.

Amya

That was actually fun.

Akasha

I suppose it was.

They stood next to each other.

Akasha

I won’t say this often, but it’s nice to have you on our team.

Amya smiled.

Amya

Thanks. In time I’m sure I’ll feel the same.

Akasha turned and looked her in the eyes.

Akasha

Why did you come to us?

Amya walked forward towards the edge of the ship.

Amya

What does it matter?

Akasha

I’d like to know. Only to satisfy my own curiosity.

Amya

To be honest, it was because of that boy.

Akasha

Which one?

Amya turned to Akasha.

Amya

Ilias.

Akasha

Elaborate, yes?

Amya

I believe in him.

Akasha

That’s it?

Amya

Yes, that is really it. One does not need a list of reason to why they did something. I saw something in that boy, and I acted on it. I chose a side, and although this side isn’t to my liking. I think the boy has what it takes to change the world.

Akasha

I agree. Yet it is Ximendos running the show. Don’t you forget that. Step out of line, and he will kill you. Brother, or not.

Amya

I know my place, and I’m content with it.

Akasha

I’d hope so. Now go home while I finish this.

Akasha zapped Amya and she disappeared. Akasha rose above the ships and became a large ball of energy. It expanded in an instant, obliterating the ships and pushing the ocean apart.

Cameron

It’s cold.

Boy

It stays this way. Just darkness and cold. It sucks.

Cameron

It’s disgusting.

Boy

I miss my old life.

Cameron

You have no idea.

Boy

Want to share?

Cameron

I’d rather not.

Boy

Okay, if you say so. It never hurts to share. Especially with a stranger who has no bias against you.

Cameron slide across the cell until he was up against the wall as the boy held onto the bars.

Cameron

I’ve never spoken to anyone about, well, my past.

Boy

Never too late to start. Why not take some weight off your back? The burden of memories can be too much sometimes. Facing it alone can be someone’s downfall.

Cameron

I don’t want to bore you, stranger.

Boy

No worries, I’m not going anywhere.

Cameron put his hand on his neck.

Cameron

I don’t know where to start. It’s been so long. So long since I’ve let out the name from my mouth.

Boy

What name?

Cameron

Christian.

Boy

Who is he?

Cameron

He was my brother.

Cameron heard chains fall. The boy dropped his hands to the ground.

Boy

I know what it’s like to lose someone too.

Cameron

I’m glad we can relate. Not because of what we’re relating on, but because we can understand one another.

Boy

Yeah. How did he, you know?

Cameron

I killed him.

There was a moment of silence.

Cameron

My mother as well. It was an accident. I can only remember gas, and my mother saying she was going to light a cigarette. After that, things are a blur.

Boy

That’s horrible.

Cameron

I don’t even think that word can describe it. One moment you’re saying you love the person who hold closest to your petty existence, and the next they’re gone.

He dropped his hands to the floor, the chains clattered.

Cameron

It makes things seem so meaningless. Do you know what’s it’s like? To have everything stripped from you?

Boy

Not entirely.

Cameron

To no longer feel, see, or speak to what gave you the reason to live? Everyday with that important person was like a breath of fresh air in this world.

Boy

Are you okay?

Cameron

Of course I’m okay. I’m doing my best to be, at least. I lost myself when it happened. Since then I’ve only had one goal.

Boy

What’s that?
Cameron

To make everyone feel the same as I do.

Boy

Are you serious?

Cameron

Yes, dead serious. I keep hearing his voice over and over in my head. Telling me his only dream is for me to be happy, and I can’t take it. I figure, if I rid the world of every voice in the world, it will only be mine and his in it.

Boy

You can’t be serious.

Cameron

Oh, but I am. I don’t care about anyone, or anything else. The world means nothing to me, and everyone deserves to die.

Boy

Why?

Cameron stopped. He took a breath.

Cameron

To feel as I feel.

Boy

Why do people need to feel how you feel?

Cameron

To understand what death is like.

Boy

You’re alive though!

Cameron

No, I died along time ago. I died in that explosion. Everything that made me who I was before is gone. I’m only this now. A walking void trying to fill this gap with the pain of others, and I can’t stop until it’s over.

Boy

It doesn’t have to be like that. You lost someone you loved, and so do many, everyday. My mother was killed. I felt like I was going to lose it, but I didn’t. I realized that I can’t blame the world for her death. I can’t be that selfish.

Cameron

I don’t want to feel anymore. I don’t care to love or anything more. My life has no meaning.

Boy

Your life has the meaning you give it. As long as we continue to long for attachment, we will never be okay with death. We will only continue to lose ourselves in the loss of our loved ones. The thing is, we can always find ourselves.

Cameron

It’s not that easy.

Boy

It’s only as hard as you make it. You must live on the hope that you can make your life as great as you want to and fulfill your dreams.

Cameron

I don’t have any dreams.

Boy
Everyone has to have a dream.
Cameron
I’m not everyone.
Boy
Come on, you have to have one thing you want in life.

Cameron

I lost my dreams with my brother.

Boy

Dreams never die.

The boy put both hands on the bars.

Boy

They never die! Even when the person who was dreaming does, the dream doesn’t!

There was a long moment of silence and the boy heard Cameron crying.

Boy

It’s okay, crying is normal.

Cameron

It’s not that easy to change. I remember when I was little. All I ever wanted was a little brother. When I finally had one, he was taken away from me. Why should I care about the lives of others and their happiness when I don’t even have mine?

Boy

Because life isn’t only about you, it’s about everyone. True change is in the moment, and it can only be you who decides if that moment is here.

Cameron

I don’t think I can.

Boy

Anyone can.

Cameron’s cell opened and two men walked in.

Cameron

Get away from me!

One guard held him down while the other injected him with the paralyzing drug on the back of his neck.

Boy

You guys are pathetic!

Guard 1

We’ll get you next, kid.

The doors shut and they were gone.

Cameron

Fuck.

Cameron grabbed the back of his neck.

Boy

Are you okay?

Cameron

Yeah.

He felt himself begin to fight his urge to sleep.

Boy

I have a question.

Cameron

I’m not stopping you.

Cameron set himself against the wall again.

Boy

You said your brother’s dream was for you to be happy.

Cameron

I think I said that.

Boy

Well, why can’t his dream be yours? Why can’t you make his dream come true?

Cameron sat there thinking and fighting the drowsiness as well.

Cameron

You’re right. I have been blind this whole time and I have been a fool for far too long. I am a monster. I’ve become the very thing he would hate me for.

Boy

It’s never too late to change, remember?

Cameron

Perhaps.

The boy let go of the bar and sat with his back against them.

Boy

I’m glad I could help you. This whole time, and it only took a friend to change your whole perspective on life.

Cameron

Friend?

Boy

Yes, that’s what we are, right?

Cameron

We are?

Boy

If you want to be.

Cameron

I don’t think I’ve ever had a friend.

Boy

Sure you have. Think about someone who cares about you right now.

Cameron thought of Velis and Malic and if he could call them friends.

Cameron

It’s just business. I don’t have any friends.

Boy

Can we be friends?

Cameron

I guess, if you really want my burden in your life.

Boy

I’ll be your friend.

The boy turned back around and looked into the dark where Cameron sat.

Boy

No matter what, I will. Someone who has faced what you have in life deserves someone there beside them when they fall.

Cameron began to shut his eyes while a tear ran down his eye in the darkness where the boy could not see..

Cameron

I’ve never had a friend before.

Boy

Now you have me.

Cameron

I’m glad you’re the first.

Boy

Me too.

Cameron

A stranger, who did not have to listen to a word I spoke, I did not think I’d ever open my heart to anyone again. I hope you don’t die on me anytime soon.

Boy

I won’t. My life has a long ways to go before I do.

Cameron

Promise?

Boy

Yeah.

Cameron rolled his hand on the floor.

Cameron

I feel like we’ve met before, I don’t remember when or if we really did, but it feels like it. Well, now that we have found importance in each other, I think it’s time to seal our meeting with our names.

Boy

I couldn’t agree more.

The boy began to speak as Cameron’s eyes shut and he fell into a deep sleep.

Boy

I’m Arkain, Arkain West.