"I'm so glad we came here!" Ti'ana exclaimed as she led me through the private section of the space port. The security guards seemed to remember my quirky, little sister and let us pass without question.
I raised my eyebrows but continued on without a word.
It's been a long while since I've seen Ti'ana so full of life. The haunted expression in her dark eyes is slowly fading away and seeing her happy, makes me feel better all together. But this coldness within me will take a very long time to dissipate.
Since we arrived here there hasn't been a night I haven't woken up from a nightmare. I have seen things no one should ever see and I suppose these images will haunt me for the rest of my life.
Imagine a small child screaming for its mother to wake up but she never will. Because her life is drained, because she was literally trampled to death. She had tripped with her son in her arms, hurrying with everyone else to get to an escape vessel.
She had protected her little boy and she had paid with her life. I will never let myself forget this scene, as the little boy clutched at his mothers clothing begging her to wake up and hurry to the ship.
An elderly man had picked him up off the dirty ground and carried him to safety, while the boy wriggled and screamed at the top of his lungs, tears streaming down his chubby face as he was whisked away from his mother.
I wonder sometimes whatever happened to the boy. And I feel so very sorry for him that he'll have to grow up without his mother at his side.
I still shudder at the memory and tears spring to my eyes, both of sorrow and happiness.
Sorrow that so many have lost so much during the war but happiness that Ti'ana and I made it out alive and are able to tell our tale.
After another few minutes, passing various flying machines, Ti'ana stopped in her tracks and pointed towards a silver coated, very large freighter. Even though I'm dumb when it comes to flying vehicles, I do have to admit that The Empress is a beauty.
"See, this is my future baby." Ti'ana said with a wide smile on her face. Her dark eyes twinkled as she gazed up and a sigh escaped her throat, "I wish I were old enough to fly her now." She said with a wistful tone to her voice.
"Maybe I'll take you out for a spin some time." A dark voice said from behind us. "If you're good and your sister's okay with it, of course."
Ti'ana beamed as Devon approached us and all I could do was smile as Ti'ana took my arm and pulled me towards the stranger, "This is my sister Marrim."
I shook hands with Devon and tried taking a good look at him without prying too much.
Taller than I am, short dark blond hair and extraordinarily light blue eyes. These few facts I took in while he returned my polite smile and nodded, "I've heard so much about you." He said.
"I hope Ti'ana hasn't been bothering you too much."
Devon laughed and shook his head, "Not at all. In between all of her questions, she's actually been helping me."
I looked down at Ti'ana and noticed a slight pink blush surfacing on her cheeks and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Are you really serious? Can I fly with you sometime?" she suddenly burst out as if she had just then remembered what Devon had said. He smiled and nodded, "Of course."
The look in Ti'ana's eyes was one of astonishment and awe; her dream of being in a cockpit was finally coming true.
Who was I to interfere?
It was an overwhelming feeling seeing my little sister so full of glee and joy, "Go ahead." I whispered and that's when she jumped up and down and clapped her hands. She gave me one of her famous hugs, which basically means she tries to break my ribs, and beamed up at Devon, "Thank you." She said in a soft and low voice, barely audible.
"Don't worry about it, kid." He said ruffling her hair. He shifted his gaze towards me and that's when I noticed his smile. "You're very, very welcome to join us."
I arched an eyebrow. Of course I'd join them. What did he think? I wouldn't let my little sister on a ship that size without me.
"Whenever suits you the best."
Devon took a deep, exaggerated breath as he gazed down to Ti'ana and I noticed he was hiding a smile, "Hmmm…I don't know. I'm about done working on her. And I've been wanting to take her out for a test drive." He shrugged, "Are the two of you free right now?"
Ti'ana's mouth gaped wide open and she stood there rooted to the ground, "Honestly?"
Devon nodded and shifted his attention back to me, "Unless this isn't a good time."
I shook my head, "Not at all."
He led the way to the boarding ramp and Ti'ana was already telling me all about certain specifications and quirks this model had. I'm pretty sure she already told me all this but I let her finish. I'm hoping she'll remember this moment for a very long time.
Devon suddenly slowed down and when I shifted my gaze towards the boarding ramp, I saw a young woman leaning against the hull, with her arms folded in front of her chest. Devon heaved a sigh, "I'll be right back." He said, "This needs to be taken care of first."
He hurried off to his friend and they walked a distance before they started arguing. Ti'ana wasn't paying attention; her eyes were glued to the ship.
A short while later Devon returned, his face flushed but he kept his smile in place. He led us up the ramp and into the cockpit. I kept my distance and let Ti'ana have her fun.
Even though it's absolutely none of my business, curiosity kicked in and I couldn't help but wonder what Devon and his "friend" had argued about.