Disclaimer: Still don't own Oban Star-racers. Still own Lupanians and Jubalins.
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Moon and Star
Ch.14: Resistant Like Rush
When Don Wei entered the kitchen that morning, he stopped dead in his tracks. Remus was serving Rick, Stan and Koji breakfast while Jordan and Molly waited for theirs to finish cooking, but that wasn't what made him stop. What made him stop was Remus. His hair no longer shown brown in the light but dark blue, and he had streaks of blue down his face, neck, arms and his hands were completely covered in it. Most importantly, he looked royally ticked off.
Don sat down at the end of the Japanese table with Rick at the other end. Rick looked like he was hiding a smile. Jordan was sitting on Don's right while Molly sat on the other side of Jordan. Remus set their food-laden plates down in front of them, eyes gleaming dangerously. Molly winced. Remus went back to the stove. Don watched as Molly looked at her food worriedly, and Jordan silently offered her one of his pieces of toast. She took it gratefully and ate it. Stan, Koji and Rick all pitched in, offering her something. Rick gave her his drink; Stan gave her a piece of bacon, and Koji gave her eggs. Molly carefully kept her food and the other's food separated.
Don leaned forward. "For what its worth, I doubt he's going to poison you," he whispered.
"Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?" she asked annoyed.
"He's going to want an eye for an eye," Don said in a low voice. He glanced at Remus, then leaned closer and lowered his voice so Molly had to lean closer herself to hear. "You'd best watch your step." Don flicked his eyes to Remus to make sure he was occupied. "Check all doorways and don't use your own shampoo. And, whatever you do, don't let your guard down…ever."
Jordan looked at Don surprised. "Sir, how do you know that?"
"Someone I used to know," Don said shortly with a flicker of a fond smile.
They looked at Remus as he sat down with Don's and his food. "What are you talking about?"
"Racing strategies," Don said, taking his food. "Thank you."
"What are you talking about?" Jordan asked confused. "You were telling Molly—"
Molly clamped a hand over Jordan's mouth. "Can it, Jordan," she hissed.
Rick stood up, looking amused. "Come on, you two. We've got training to do."
Don watched them go. He turned back to his meal. He finished it, cleared his place and returned to his office. As he sat at his desk, staring at the communication computer, he tried to think of what he would say to Eva. One way or another, he would be talking to her soon, and he had no idea what to say. He could only hope that she understood that he'd done what he had thought was best at the time.
But he doubted she would.
-.oOOo.-
An hour later, Remus had taken another shower and gotten rid of the color. He was now in the Lupanian pit, scratching the underside of Hunter's chin.
"Remus?" He looked over to see Lily. "What are you doing here?"
"Well…I was kinda made a part of the pack, right? I kinda thought that meant I was free to come and go," Remus said.
"Oh," Lily said. "Yes, you are. I just thought you'd be getting ready for your team's race is all."
Remus shook his head. "E's training with Jordan. There's nothing for me to do." A thought hit him. "Say…you wouldn't happen to have a picture of my parents, would you?"
"No," Lily said, taken aback. Then she amended, "Well, not of them specifically. I have a family photo if you want to see that."
"Could I?" Remus asked hopefully.
"Of course. It's in my room. Come on," she said.
Remus followed her to her room, feeling nervous as Lily rummaged through her things. Finally, she found what she was looking for. She handed it to Remus.
The oak frame was etched with Celtic knots all around. The picture was one that looked to have been some sort of family reunion in a park. Remus was taken aback by the number of people in the photograph. There had to be at least thirty people. On the right side of the picture was a woman with hair the same shade as Remus' and ice blue eyes, holding a three-year-old boy with black hair and green eyes. Standing next to them was a man with red hair and green eyes. Remus brushed his thumb over them. They looked so happy.
"Remus? Are you okay?" Lily asked.
Remus blinked. "Yeah…I'm fine…" Tears slipped down his cheeks.
Lily tried to brush them away but more tears took their place. She pulled him into a hug, resting her cheek against his head as Remus cried into her shoulder. Lily glanced at the open door and saw Duncan standing there awkwardly, unsure what to do. She glared at him, a protective urge rising up inside her. Getting the message, Duncan raised his hands defensively and backed out of sight.
Lily stroked Remus' hair as he cried harder. "Ssshh, Remus, it's okay," she whispered. "It's okay."
"No," Remus sobbed. "No, it's not." The picture slipped from his numb fingers. It clattered to the floor. He clung to her like his life depended on it. "They didn't finish the job. They won't stop, they'll never stop. I'll never be free. They won't stop."
"Who won't stop?" Lily asked alarmed.
Remus just shook his head.
-.oOOo.-
"So, how did today's training go?" Don asked Rick, glancing down at Molly entering the cockpit.
"We're doomed," Rick said solemnly.
Don took a step backward. "What?"
Rick chuckled. "Training was great today. I think you'll be very pleased with their progress."
Don turned to face the pit. "Okay places, people! The race is about to start. I'm counting on you." He paused, looking down at Molly who seemed to be muttering under her breath bitterly. 'Good luck' was on the tip of his tongue for a moment. He decided against it and headed to the control room.
-.oOOo.-
Remus entered the control room and sat down silently. "That fat Santa doesn't scare me," Jordan said confidently. Then he said, "Well…not really."
"Get ready, Jordan," Eva said. The gate dropped and she and Rush shot forward; Eva gained the lead easily. "Koji, do you know anything about this target rule?"
"Not yet," Koji said, "but I'm working on it."
"There's hidden targets, no doubt," Don said.
There was silence for a moment…then everyone turned to look at Remus. Eva appeared on the control room screen.
"Hey, Remus, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," Koji said worriedly, "it's not like you to miss a chance to make fun of Don…you manage to pull it off just about every time he opens his mouth."
"What's your problem?" Stan asked but not unkindly.
Remus was leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees, gaze to the ground. Now he bowed his head, his hair falling in front of his face.
"Remus…?" Eva was getting alarmed now.
Remus didn't answer them. His visit with Lily seemed to have zapped him of all his strength. It just seemed like too much energy to talk.
"Remus!" Eva cried. "Say something, please! You're scaring me!"
"I'm fine," he murmured, to numb to feel bad about worrying her. He fell silent again.
There was an explosion and everyone turned back to the race. "Molly! The sphere's! They're your targets!" Don said.
Eva turned around and tried to get the targets she missed.
"Molly!" Don shouted.
"Give it a break, Don," Rick said. "You'll only freak her out."
"Rick, I asked you to coach them, not me."
Gradually, the sound around him seemed to fade into the background as Remus fell deeper into his thoughts and memories.
"Mommy, Mommy!" a three-year-old Remus cried, running up to his mother. "Lookie, I found a birdie egg!"
He opened his hands to revel a blue egg.
"That's a robin's egg," his mother said. "Where'd you get that?"
Remus pointed to a tree by the pond near their cabin. "It was o' the 'round by the tree."
"Well, we'd better go put it back," she said.
Remus fingers twitched.
"Dad, can I go fishing with you?" a six-year-old Remus asked.
His father chuckled. "Not today, Remus." He ruffled Remus' hair. "I've only got one pole. And you have a dentist appointment. Next time, though, I promise."
Remus' shoulder's sagged. "Okay…"Remus took a deep breath and let it out.
The moon was high in the sky. In a few days it would be full.
"Come on, Remus," his mother said. "Eat up. The sooner you finish, the sooner your father and I will take you out to teach you to hunt."
Remus looked at his green beans disgusted. "Okay…" He ate them as fast as he could, barely chewing. He swallowed them. "Why do I have to eat now when we're going hunting?"
"Because we're not going to kill anything tonight, Remus," she said.
"That's right," his father said. "Besides, with this being your first night, it's doubtful you'll catch anything anyway."
Remus crossed his arms, offended. "Hey!"
"I'm not saying you're going to be a bad hunter, Remus," his father amended. "I'm simply saying that hardly anyone catches anything their first night. I didn't. And you're mother didn't, either."
Remus looked at his mother, surprised. She nodded. "That's right."
"Really? Neither of you?"
"Neither of us." His mother stood up and grabbed his now empty plate and put it in the sink. "Well, now that you're finished, we can go out."
Remus punched the air. "Yeah!" He'd been waiting for this for weeks and now the moment was here. He couldn't wait.
Remus wished now that he hadn't finished his dinner. He wished that he'd done something to get himself grounded that day, to make it so that they didn't go out that night. But he hadn't. And now they were dead.
-.oOOo.-
They were flying through a tunnel, looking around as they heard the sound of exploding targets. "We're in the wrong tunnel!" Jordan said. "The targets are all on his side!"
"Switching to the inferred sensors," Eva said, pushing a button.
Suddenly, they were able to see upcoming targets. Jordan shot at them, hitting them all. "Yahoo! Let's see what he thinks of that!" he exclaimed.
"Hold on, Jordan, we're leaving the tunnel," Eva said.
Jordan looked forward, surprised as they left the tunnel. The sunlight blinded him. He covered his eyes as they teared up. He wiped at them, trying to see. Red streaks crossed his vision. "Oh great," he muttered. "Now, I'm going color blind…Wait a minute…" He opened the communication channel between the turret and the cockpit. "Hey, Molly, would you do me a favor and give me an edge?"
"Sure thing, partner," Eva said and rolled the Arrow on its side.
Jordan started firing at hidden targets, hitting seven before Rush realized what was happening.
The weapons on the side of Stormcrusher snapped outward, covering the track and hit the rest of the hidden targets. Now they were tied. They went through another tunnel again, coming out the canyon. Eva looked around.
"Okay, Jordan," she said. "Looks like we're back to racing." She sped up, and, when both she and Rush were out of the canyon, tried to pass him. Something up ahead caught her eye. "The last target! Jordan!"
"I've got it," he said, taking aim. Rush blocked their view and swiped at the target but missed and instead hit the pole holding it up. It fell…Eva spun the Arrow around and flew at it, passing it again. Jordan took aim…fired…
-.oOOo.-
A sudden cheer startled Remus out of his thoughts. He looked up. Eva and Rush were circling the smoke from a sphere—the last one.
"They won! They won!" Stan and Koji cheered.
"Well, Don," Rick said, "you tried your best to stop them, but they won anyway."
Remus stood up and left the room; Don and Rick watched him go.
-.oOOo.-
Eva jumped down from the Arrow as Jordan left through the entrance to the turret. He was rubbing his eyes, which were still watering. "You okay, Jordan?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said.
Rick and Don came into the pit. Don went over to Jordan. "Brilliant work today, my boy," he said happily, placing a hand on Jordan's shoulder. "Superb aim."
"Thank you, sir," Jordan said.
Eva's shoulders sagged, and she felt a pang of envy towards Jordan. He's my father…and yet he completely ignores me… If he only knew what I do for him…what I'd give to have him shower me with praises like that… The ache in heart throbbed painfully.
Suddenly, Don turned to her, still smiling. "And excellent flying today, Molly. You got off to a rocky start but you pulled through and got us back on track as well."
Eva blushed slightly from the praise. "Thank you, sir," she said gratefully. Suddenly, she remembered something. "Sir, where's Remus? Is he alright?"
Don sighed. "I don't know where he is, E—Molly." Eva's eyes widened slightly. Had he just been about to call her by her real name? That's not possible! He couldn't know! "But I think he left the hanger."
Eva instantly grabbed some tools and rushed back up into the cockpit. "Jordan, get up here and help me!"
"Oh, right, sorry," he said. He climbed up the ladder to the cockpit. "What are you doing, again?"
"I'm going to look for Remus," she said. The rocket seat came loose from the steering column. "And I need you to get this down for me."
"Didn't you get this thing in before?" Jordan asked.
"No," Eva said. "Remus did. I just put it on the steering column."
"Figures," Jordan muttered, picking it up. Eva grabbed one end of it and Jordan got the other. Carefully, one after the other, they climbed down the ladder and placed the rocket seat on the floor. Eva pulled her goggles down over her eyes, looking determined as she sat down on it.
"Woah, hold a second, Molly," Jordan said, grabbing a pair of wielding glasses. "I'm coming with you." He hopped onto the back and put his arms around her waist.
"Okay, hold on!" Eva said as the rocket seat shot forward, nearly dislodging Jordan.
-.oOOo.-
Don watched them remove the rocket seat from Arrow, silently berating himself. Why did you almost call her Eva? You don't even know she's your daughter yet! Remus could be lying!
Remus wouldn't lie about this, Don realized suddenly. Everything about Remus' personality said he was a joker, but he wasn't cruel.
How do you know?! You don't even know him! He showed up in the road one day and you took him in! Do you know anything about his past? his mind argued.
Don faltered, falling back into doubt. But that didn't stop him from narrowing his eyes and feeling overly protective when he saw Jordan sit down behind Molly and wrap his arms around her waist. He walked around the Arrow to watch them until they were out of sight.
"Is something bothering you, Don?" Rick asked.
"No," Don said. "Everything's fine." It's nothing a call won't fix. But if Jordan touches her again… Then he shook his head, clearing that thought and went back to his office. There was nothing left to do now but wait.
-.oOOo.-
Remus stood right at the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean, his head tilted back to the sky. The sun was behind him, dipping lower in the sky as the afternoon wore on. He lowered his eyes to stare over the edge of the cliff. It was so far down…
What would it be like to jump? he wondered curiously. To feel the wind in you're face and the adrenaline pumping through your veins? To see the ground rushing up to met you? Do you die instantly? Or do you feel the pain right before you die? His head tilted to the side. Why do people jump? Why don't they all just shoot themselves or hang themselves? Why do they jump?
The question was left unanswered, but one more step…
Remus back-pedaled suddenly, alarmed. Where the hell did that come from?! I thought I was over that! Eyes wide, breathing heavily, Remus turned and ran towards town.
-.oOOo.-
Eva and Jordan rode through town slowly and then picked up speed as they reached the outskirts and there weren't any people to watch out for.
"I don't see him, Molly," Jordan said. "Maybe we should head back."
"No, not until we find him," Eva said.
"He could be back at the hanger for all we now," Jordan said. "I think our best bet is to wait for him to get back."
Eva slowed to a stop. "Jordan, we don't know that he is back at the hanger, and I'm worried about him. He wasn't himself today."
"I know, Molly," Jordan said. "I'm worried about him too. But what can we really do for him right now? We don't know where he is or what's wrong."
Eva sighed. "I know, but…" She looked up. "Alright, we'll head back. But first, do you see that temple there? I want to check it out first. Remus could be in there."
"I don't know if that's such a good idea, Molly," Jordan said.
"Come on, Jordan. It'll only take a minute," she said, turning off the rocket seat and getting off.
"All right, all right," Jordan said. He got off as well and followed her. The temple was in the middle of a pond; the only way to get to it was by walking up a fallen pillar.
Once they were inside, Eva looked around, spotting a hole in the opposite wall. She ran over, pulling a flashlight off her belt and turned it on. "Remus?" she asked, seeing that she was looking into a tunnel. "Remus, are you there?"
There was no answer.
"Okay, Molly," Jordan said, looking around nervously. "I think it's time to go."
Eva ignored him and climbed into the tunnel and started crawling through it. Almost instantly, it collapsed. She screamed as she started to fall.
"Molly!" Jordan shouted, running forward and grabbing her shoe. Her scream got fainter and fainter. Jordan's eyes widened as he saw he only had her shoe. "MOLLY!"
Eva shot out the end of another tunnel and onto the ground. She sat up slowly, aching all over. "Dang it."
"Molly? Are you okay?" came Jordan's faint cry.
"I'm fine!" she shouted into the tunnel, opening it would carry her voice back to him. "I'm going to check around here and see if I can find an exit!" She started to look around when a wall etched with carvings caught her eye. She shined the flashlight on it. "Weird…those look like Star-racers…but that can't be…these carvings must be thousands of years old." She brushed the dust away from one carving to reveal an odd symbol—an eye with spiky spider legs around it.
Without warning, the walls began to crack and water burst into the chamber.
"Molly!" Jordan shouted. "The temple's sinking! Get outta there!"
Eva looked around frantically as the room filled with water rapidly. She couldn't find anyway out! The holes in the wall weren't big enough for her to climb out through them, but even if they were the force of the water rushing in wouldn't allow her to go through them anyway.
Realization hit her like a block of ice: she was going to die.
-.oOOo.-
The narrow street was crowded and people constantly jostled each other; even the people who were sitting at the counter of a bar were bumped into time and again. Remus sat there, loosely gripping his drink. He didn't know what he was drinking, but judging from the way he was starting to feel light-headed and his words started to slur when he ordered another, he was guessing it was some kind of alcohol.
A shiver ran up and down his spine, but his fuzzy brain didn't recognize his sixth-sense. He lifted the cup to his lips again and drank deeply. He had had only two drinks, but the bartender recognized that he didn't drink often.
"Another one, please," Remus slurred, holding out his cup.
The bartender took it. "I think you've had enough," he said. "Wouldn't want to you start a fight or anything."
"I won't start a fight…'romise," Remus said.
"Nah, you've had enough. Trust me," the bartender said.
In a flash, Remus had jumped to his feet, grabbed the bartender by his shirt and pulled him closer so their faces were an inch apart. "Give me the damn drink," he said in a low, dangerous voice, his eyes gleaming.
"O-okay," the Scrub said. "Just let go of me, please!"
Remus let him go with a tiny shove and sat back down calmly. The bartender quickly got him another drink and placed it in front of him before scrambling to serve another customer. Remus took it and gulped it down.
-.oOOo.-
Jordan jumped into the water and swam for land. Reaching it, he looked back for Molly. She was nowhere in sight. "Molly!" he shouted. No answer. He was about to jump back into the water when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned around, eyes widening as he saw Rush.
"There's nothing you can do for her now," Rush said. "So stay here."
Rush had attached himself to a cord, enabling him to hang from his ship. Controlling it while suspended by the cord, he flew over to the temple, broke a hole in it with his axe and jumped down into the sinking structure.
-.oOOo.-
Eva's lungs screamed for air. She swam around, trying to find a way out. The tunnel she had fallen down had caved in when the temple started to sink.
Finally, Eva passed out and water filled her lungs.
-.oOOo.-
Lily sat on her bed, staring at the picture of the family reunion, eyes glued to Remus and his parents. Lily couldn't remember that day at all, and as far as she knew that was the last time she had seen Remus and his parents. She was still curious to know just why they had lost contact, but she would have to wait until they were back on Earth to find out.
A knock on the doorframe caused her to look up. Duncan was standing there in his Lupanian form, his yellow eyes fixed on her, worried and curious. "Are you all right? You've been in here almost all day."
"I'm just worried about Remus," she said. Duncan hesitantly stepped into her room; when she made no move to tell him to get out, he walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. He placed an arm around her shoulders and she leaned into his side. "When he saw his parents, he completely broke down. He kept saying that 'they'll never stop, they didn't finish the job' but I couldn't get him to tell me who 'they' were. And when he left, he looked so out of it…"
Duncan tilted his head back in thought. "Did you ever find out how his parents were killed? You never told me much of the first time you two meet."
"He said that his parents were killed by the Hunters," Lily said, staring at the floor. A moment later, her eyes widened. "You don't think…"
"They're called the Hunters for a reason. They find Lupanians and kill them; they've been known to kill whole families, even little children and babies," Duncan said. "I've never heard of a Lupanian whose escaped them and hasn't been forced into hiding." He sighed. "Unfortunately, the Hunters are like one big hunting party. If one group looses their prey, a notice is sent out to all the other hunters in the surrounding areas and then, if the Lupanian still isn't caught, all the parties on the continent are informed and Hunters in every state are looking for you."
Lily shivered. "So, are you saying that Remus…?"
"Has been hunted like a rabid animal since he was seven? Yes," Duncan said. He closed his eyes. "Most Lupanians try to get to Yellowstone, but some don't make it and some…well, some get so sick of the fear and the knowledge that they aren't completely safe, even in Yellowstone, that they just kill themselves or let themselves be caught. Death is usually quick and painless. We're not worth the time to torture. Ever second we're still alive, is a second that the world is still contaminated with our existence," he finished bitterly.
"Remus…" Lily murmured.
-.oOOo.-
Eva's world slowly came into focus, and immediately she was blinded by a white light. She closed her eyes and threw up her hands to shield them. Groaning, she turned over, trying to block out the light.
A hand was stroking her hair, and her head was resting on something soft. "Eva," a familiar voice whispered. "Eva, wake up."
Eva's eyes snapped open. She turned over and looked up. Her mother was leaning over her, smiling. "Mother…" She tried to sit up, confused, but Maya gently pushed her back down so Eva's head was resting in her lap. "Relax for a moment, Eva. You need to regain your strength."
Eva looked around. They were in a large open field with a forest surrounding it. There was a pond and she could hear a stream nearby, just beyond the trees. The sky was a clear blue with clouds floating along lazily. Several yards off stood two people: a man with red hair and green eyes and a woman with black hair and ice blue eyes.
"Where are we?" Eva asked, closing her eyes. She felt exhausted.
"The Kingdom of the Dead," Maya said, resuming stroking Eva's hair. "The name makes it sound worse than it is. This place is simply amazing. You can go anywhere you want!"
"What…?"
"Your soul goes where it feels most at ease," Maya explained. "Would you believe that I ended up at a race track at first? Then I found this place. I never knew anything could be so beautiful. It's so open and free. I love it."
Eva opened her eyes again; this time her eyes weren't blinded by the light. "I still don't understand…" She looked over at the man and the woman. "Who are these people?"
"I've only met them recently," Maya said. "About six days ago. They're Remus' parents."
"They're…!" Eva sat up suddenly, staring at the couple, shocked. "No way…!"
Maya smiled sadly. "Yes, they are."
"Wait, how do you know about Remus?" Eva asked.
"I've been watching you," she said. "You just can't see me, but I'm there."
Eva stared at her mother as though finally fully realizing what was going on. "Mom!" she cried and flung herself at Maya, wrapping her arms around Maya's neck. Maya returned the embrace, hugging her tightly.
A thought occurred to Eva. "So…so I'm dead?" she whispered.
"No…not yet," Maya said, pulling away from her daughter. "You can still go back. …You have to go back. You're not ready to join me yet."
"But I don't want to go!" Eva protested.
"Please, Eva," Maya pleaded. "You've still got the rest of your life ahead of you, and friends who care about you and need you. And your father—"
Eva growled. "Dad doesn't even know I exist anymore," she said bitterly.
"That's not true," Maya said. "He—"
"He abandoned me! He doesn't even know who I am!" Eva said angrily.
"He's not as clueless as you think he is," Maya said. "He's known for some time that you've been lying to him…he just doesn't know about what yet." Maya bit her tongue gently.
Eva got the feeling that her mother wasn't telling her something. "I still want to stay with you."
"What about Remus?" Maya asked. "You don't know it, but he needs you more than you think…or will probably ever know."
Eva was taken aback. "Remus? He's my best friend, but he doesn't need me…he was doing fine before he met me…right?" Eva asked, although there was little conviction in her argument anymore. Did she have to use Remus against me? she wondered while another part of her whispered, what's wrong with you? How could you have forgotten your best friend at a time like this?
Maya shook her head. "That's his business, unfortunately. I can't tell you that. It's up to him to reveal his past to you when he chooses." Suddenly, Maya's eyes widened. "Eva, you have to go back now! If you stay here any longer, you won't be able to get back!"
"I…" Eva was torn.
"You're too young to join me here," Maya said gently. "We'll meet again, but hopefully when you're much, much older…"
"And you'll still be watching me? You're not going to leave me?" Eva asked uncertainly.
"No. Never," Maya said. "Now go. And be sure to ask Remus more about his star gazing abilities…and tell him I told you to ask."
"But why…?"
"Go!" Maya said.
"Okay…" Suddenly, Eva's back ached like someone was pounding it and her lungs were searing. She gasped for breath. Her eyes locked with Maya's, terrified.
Maya took her hand. "Don't worry, darling…you'll be okay."
Then Eva blacked out for a second time.
-.oOOo.-
Eva coughed violently, water shooting out of her lungs. She rolled away from whoever was hitting her back and coughed up all the water in her lungs. Her eyes watered as she gasped for breath.
"Molly!" Jordan said, placing a hand on her back. "Are you okay?"
"That's a…" she coughed "…stupid question, Jordan."
"Sorry," he said.
Eva turned and collapsed on her back, staring up at the sky. A face entered her vision—a white face with red hair and a beard. Rush.
Eva cried out and scrambled away. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I was following you," Rush said, standing.
Jordan moved forward, trying to block Eva from Rush.
"I wanted to congratulate you on your victory!" Rush laughed. "It was truly a splendid race!"
Eva was confused. "You're happy for us? But you lost."
Rush held out a hand to help her up. Eva took it and he lifted her easily to her feet.
"On my planet, our people pride themselves in seeing the bright side of life," Rush said. "I lost the race today, but I'll surely win tomorrow. My ram's horn is always half-full!" He laughed again. Then he walked over where Eva's rocket seat was parked a little ways away and picked it up. Jumping onto his Star-racer, he said, "Come on. You must've had enough adventure for one day! I'll take you back to your hanger."
Eva and Jordan looked at each other before climbing on. Rush quickly wrapped them up in blankets, and they sat down in front of him. As they flew through the fields back towards the hangers, Rush hummed a soothing tune. Jordan's eyes opened and closed and his head bobbed a couple of times before he leaned against Eva and fell asleep. "Mommy, I need a hug," he muttered.
Eva stared at him before smiling slightly. She looked up at the sky.
Spirit flew overhead. Eva's eyes widened and her mother's crash flashed in front of her eyes before she realized that it was just a bird. Eva sighed and leaned against Jordan. The sound of Rush humming put Eva to sleep.
-.oOOo.-
Koji entered Don Wei's office. Don looked up, surprised, snapping closed the box with the picture of him, Eva and Maya. "Koji, what is it?"
"Sir, Molly and Jordan are back," he said. "But…"
Don felt nervous. "But, what?"
"They're with Rush…"
"Today's opponent?" Don stood up. "Where are they?"
"Right outside the hanger," Koji said.
Don brushed passed him into the elevator. Koji jumped in before the door closed. He struggled to keep up with Don's fast pace. When they entered the pit, Jordan was wrapped up in a blanket, asleep, leaning against a wall. Molly was wrapped in another blanket, also asleep, in Rush's arms.
Don stopped for a split second, surprised, and then rushed forward. Both Molly and Jordan were soaking wet, he noticed.
Rush handed Molly over to Stan who placed her on the ground gently.
"What happened to them?" Don asked abruptly.
Rush turned to look at him. "They were exploring an ancient temple when it began to sink into the water," he said. "This one," he motioned to Jordan, "made it out all right, but Molly, here, almost drowned. Luckily, I got to her in time."
Don felt like he'd been dosed with cold water. "She almost drowned?"
Rush nodded. "Best keep an eye on her for a little while to make sure she's perfectly alright." Don looked up at him alarmed. "Don't worry; I don't think you have anything to worry about. But it's better to be safe than sorry."
Don nodded numbly. "Of course."
Rush jumped up onto his Star-racer. "Tell Molly I said good luck in your next race!" Then he started up his racer and headed toward his own hanger.
"You'd best get them to their rooms," Don said.
"Should we wake them up?" Koji asked.
"It sounds like they've had a long day," Don said. "We should probably let them sleep." Stan and Koji looked at each and then at Jordan, grimacing.
"That's gonna be fun," Stan muttered.
"Where's Remus?" Don asked, looking around. "He should be able to get Jordan to his room."
Stan and Koji looked at each other. "Well," Koji said nervously, "the thing is, we don't know where Remus is."
"You mean he isn't back yet?" Don asked surprised. Stan and Koji shook their heads. Don sighed. "And neither of you have the slightly clue as to his whereabouts?" Again they shook their heads.
"About whose whereabouts?"
All three looked up. They stared. Remus was standing there, looking out of it and…drunk. He took a step forward and stumbled. "Whoops," he laughed, "clumsy me…" Their eyes widened. He was drunk!
"Remus, where have you been?" Don demanded.
"Eh…?" Remus asked blankly, sitting down heavily.
"Where…have…you…been?" Don repeated, his patience wearing thin.
"Out having a drink or two," Remus said. He swayed back and forth slightly, almost falling onto his side.
Don sighed, frustrated. "Remus, just how many drinks did you have?"
Remus held up both hands. Then he looked at them and placed them in his lap, appearing to be studying them very hard. "Hhmm…have you ever notice how funny hands look?"
"Remus, are you drunk?"
"Maaaaaybeeee…" Remus swayed back and forth and fell over onto his side. He chuckled and hiccupped.
"What on earth made you think that was a good idea?!" Don shouted. "What's wrong with you?"
Remus fell silent. "Everything." The plain, honest answer wasn't what any of them were expecting. "The Hunters killed my parents and won't stop 'till I'm dead, too."
A voice next to Don startled him. "Remus?" He looked down and saw Molly unwrapping herself from the blanket. She crawled forward and placed a hand on Remus' shoulder. "Remus, who are the Hunters?"
"The Lupanian," Remus hiccupped, "version of the KKK…" He slowly got to his feet, stumbled and fell.
Molly got her feet and tried to help support him but he shoved her off. She pulled back, looking hurt. "I'm just trying to help."
"I don't need your help," Remus said angrily as he tried to get up the stairs again. He fell. Then, poking his head through the bars of the railing, he threw up onto the pit floor.
Stan and Koji glared at Remus.
"I'll get him up to his room and then I'll clean that up," Molly said.
"No, no," Stan sighed, "I'll get it. You just make sure Remus is okay, alright?"
Molly nodded and then went over to Remus. She helped get him up the stairs and into the living area of the hanger.
Don watched them go, then turned to Jordan and shook him awake. Jordan got up, yawning, looking around blearily and clutching the blanket around him. He went to his room. Don sighed and went back to his office.
Sitting in his chair, he mulled over Remus actions. Drinking and getting drunk didn't seem like Remus…so what had happened to bring up enough pain to make him drink? And what had Molly and Jordan been doing in that temple in the first place! They had gone out looking for Remus. I can't understand why they would think he was in an ancient temple, he thought angrily. Of all the stupid things to do…
Don tapped his finger against his desk. He was suddenly eager to talk to Eva if only to assure himself that she was safe and sound instead of here on Alwas nearly getting herself killed and doing reckless things like jumping onto the outside of moving Star-racers. He didn't care if he knew what to say to her anymore; he only hoped that she would be at the Stern Boarding School.
Don opened the box containing the picture of him, Eva and Maya—his most prized possession. He stared into the smiling face of his daughter and noticed many similarities between Eva and Molly. They both had the same eye color, the same hairstyle…in fact, if Molly didn't have the red in her hair…
Please, let her be at the Stern Boarding School, he thought.
Soon enough, nine o'clock rolled around and Don turned on the communication computer. "Is there an available communication link to Earth?" he asked just to be sure.
"Yes," the computer replied, "all communication links are currently open."
"Very well…please contact…the Stern Boarding School."
Chapter preview: Silent Like Spirit – Don was lost in his thoughts as he headed back to his office. He was passing Stan's room when he paused. There was a sort of…scratching noise…like something was ripping at a wall…
A whimper and a whine made it clear it was coming from Remus' room. Don hesitated; he didn't know if he should go in and possibly risk being attacked by Remus while he was still in the thralls of a nightmare or did he walk away and leave Remus to deal with it himself?
"Sir?" asked a surprised voice. "What are you still doing up?"
Don looked down the hall in front of him to see Eva approaching. "I could ask you the same thing," he replied.
"I…I couldn't sleep," Eva replied sheepishly.
"Oh? Why not?" Don asked, trying not to sound concerned.
"It's nothing," Eva said, looking at Remus' door. "I was just…dreaming about today is all."
Dreaming about drowning, more like it, Don thought. He opened his mouth when Remus cried out in his sleep.
"NO! No, Mom, come back, don't leave me, please!"
Eva immediately opened the door and ran inside. Don followed her a split second later to see Remus had fallen off the bed onto the floor, caught up in his blankets with deep claw marks on the wall next to the bed.
Yeah, okay, so maybe Remus' drunkenness wasn't quite realistic, but…I tried…
This isn't my favorite chapter so I'm not going to ask for nine reviews, only that someone reviews.