I didn’t know if any of this would work, but I had to try. My ship was a piece of junk. It was practically an antique. But there were modifications in place. I’d spent nearly every penny on the ability to dart through the stars. I kept this from Mia because I didn’t want to get her hopes up. At times, the mechanism was faulty. It was going to take a lot of energy and fuel, and there was also the fact that I had never received the proper certification to use such a high amount.
Well. Fuck the police. I had one shot, and this was my family we were talking about.
I looked out into space, gazing at the supernova that ate my planet. It looked beautiful.
It was nice to see it one last time.
16
Mia
Through the rock of earth’s great plains.
Into the dust that rides against the grain.
Man plows the land, destroying all absence.
Far and wide spreads the seed.
We were all running from something, which meant we were all going somewhere. I was made from seed. And so were you.
I was dreamt of below the stars, back when humans knew what a home was. My family gave birth to me so I could have the moments that would define me. I never understood their fears, but I was beginning to feel the unconditional worry that comes from bearing a child and watching it take form.
I opened my eyes, and the sound that came to me jarred me awake. An alarming cry cut through the silence. I looked down to see Talis leaning over me, full of despair and concern. His face was covered in sweat. His hands were stained red.
“What happened... ouch.” I moved, but barely got anywhere without feeling extreme pain sweep through my lower torso. I looked down to see a pile of blood-soaked cloths in a basket. There were discarded hospital tools I had never seen before. To the right of me, his bionic suit lay across the floor.
Talis lunged forward and lightly held my shoulders back. “Stay still,” he said, pani
cked.
“What’s going...?” Another cry came from my left. Still feeling weak, I leaned my head back and to the side and saw her, my daughter. “I’m not dead,” I choked.
She yawned and cried some more, wriggling her toes against the comfy, clean towels she rested on.
“Nearly thirty-six hours,” Talis muttered and wiped his forehead. Tears fell from his eyes, and he turned his head to shield me from his weakness. “You were gone for what felt like an eternity. I thought I lost you forever, Mia.”
I felt so shallow. Every breath I took felt like it could be my last. I reached toward my baby and touched her toes, dumbfounded by the events that surrounded this pregnancy, this bundle of joy. How was I alive? How did any of this happen?
Outside, behind the glass, a bright swash of orange and red hung in the space around us. A supernova. It was absolutely stunning.
“I’m here,” I swallowed and looked at him with shock and pure emotion. “You protected me.”
I felt stronger now. I blinked and sat up, knowing I should be resting, but I needed to see my child.
Talis leaned over our baby and gently picked her up. “She was born without a pulse,” he muttered, cold but relieved. “Both of you hung on the verge of death, but you made it. Doesn’t matter how hard I try. I can’t believe it, but you don’t need me to protect you.”
“Trust me. I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for you,” I said.
And Juliana. She was there for me, through thick and thin. Rest in peace.
Slowly, Talis placed our child in my arms. In a time where I had just lost everything, I felt like I had inherited the world. I’d faced death and an uncertain birth, but I got something most people never received in their lives. I got a chance to live completely new.
My baby was the most beautiful creature in the universe. One look into her glowing eyes, and I fell in love. I knew she would be the answer to everyone’s suffering.
“How is this possible?” I asked. “How were we able to create something so precious?”
He leaned over us, kissing both of our foreheads. “You are an honorary omega,” he said.