Chapter 31

Day 119

Maya couldn't sleep properly for a few days, only quick naps were the only thing that made her feel rest. She was in her room, lying on her bed constantly sighing. Before, She was anxious that she was nobody. Now, she was anxious that he couldn't live up to who she was or about to be. A prophetess. She turned her body to the other side, as if she hadn't done that many times, wrapping her body with a blanket like a cocoon. Her mind was filled with noises, worries and doubts. All of those mind disturbing thoughts could all be put simply.

What was the reason where she came to be?

She ran away from Athenas, being prayed and praised as a goddess while in reality was a tool of zealots and priests who control the people. She took the next spaceship to Pandora, hearing news about the explosion of Eridian artifacts and Siren activity. She fought two wars, one was Handsome Jack while the next was with his widow. Survived but not satisfied with her little to no findings of her heritage. She met with the two Searchers, Kharkov and Red. To be met with The Host called Akari who officially called her The One. One thing led to the other, the next task was titanic compared to the before. But the sad thing was that no matter what, she was struggling to find what she really wanted. She ran away from being a goddess to now a prophetess of her race. It was getting more and more insane.

"Hey you alright there?" Someone said.

"What?" Maya blurted.

She sat up in her cocoon and looked at the door where Kharkov was standing behind the half closed door. He was considerate not to barge in so he stood behind the door and didn't peek.

"Haven't seen you for a while my friend." Kharkov was concerned. "You are not sick are you?"

"No, no. I'm fine Searcher Kharkov." Maya took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Did I miss class? Or homework?"

"May I come in first?"

"Sure sure, sorry Kharkov, I'm kinda sleepy."

"It's fine my friend." Kharkov pushed the door softly and slid into her room. "You haven't been in The Courtyard and I was worried Maya."

Kharkov saw Maya at her bed, she smiled at Kharkov entering her room but he knew that smile was not hiding the fact she was not in the best mood. Kharkov didn't arrive empty handed, bought a bowl of food with a glass of water. The bowl of food was hot and was fresh from The Courtyard kitchen. Kharkov put the food and water on top of her study desk and pulled the chair to sit down. Maya never thought that Kharkov could cook.

"You hungry?" Kharkov looked Maya. "I bought some food for you."

"Nah, I just want to be on a diet." Maya answered. "Did you cook it?"

"Me cooking?" Kharkov laughed. "No, you would get sick just by smelling my food. I called Red to come back for a moment, he cooked a few days' worth of food and made this for you ."

"He got back? Why didn't you tell me?" Maya was eager to meet with Red, she was missing the strict fellow.

"He's busy on Pandora, he went back to work as soon as he finished cooking for us. He said he'll be back shortly."

"Did he say anything about me?"

"He did." Kharkov nodded. "He gives you this letter."

Kharkov took an envelope out of the pocket and gave it to Maya. Maya pulled her blanket to the side and reached to take the letter from Kharkov. She tore the lip of the envelope and read the content. The edges of Maya's mouth started to crease and a breath of laughter. She took a moment to read it all and re read it and then folded it back to the envelope.

"What did he say?" Kharkov asked.

"Classic Red." Maya giggled and put the envelope beside her. "Blue don't forget to eat and read during my class, big test coming your way. Take care and stay eating."

Kharkov laughed and leaned on the chair. "That's Red alright, he never fails to care."

"What is he doing over there?"

"He is with your friend, Axton. He said something important but was too busy to talk about it."

"Is Axton alright? Did anything happen to my friends back in Overlook?"

"No Maya, is about Axton personal health." Kharkov gave a glass of water. "Red said something going on about his head or something."

"Is he okay?" Maya sipped her glass of water.

"He did meet The Chairwoman and survived, who knows what mental injury he had to face. He is a soldier."

"Uhmm can I meet him before he goes back?" Maya asked shyly. "It's been a long time since I didn't meet him."

"I'll contact Red and ask about it." Kharkov nodded. "If he can, he can meet us here."

"I don't think I want to. I just want to get out of this place for a day or two. You know." She hugged her legs. "I don't know how to say it to you."

"I understand your position my friend, you're not my first Siren, trust me." He smiled. "Now, eat and maybe we can talk someplace else. Time to clear your mind from the Siren Cause. It's time to rest and relax my friend."

"You've got a place to chat?"

"Da, my place." Kharkov got up from his chair and gestured to her to sit and eat. "Fill you belly Siren."

Maya moved to the edge of her bed and got up to sit at her desk where the bowl of food was still hot. Kharkov patted her back and sat at the bed; waiting for the Blue Siren to eat. She ate the food and just like always, Red never failed to amaze with his cooking skill. It was noodle soup with more meat and more vegetables. The bowl was bigger than usual but Maya swore she could finish two without any problem.

"Holy fuck!" Maya exclaimed.

They arrived at another part of the waterfalls that Maya had never seen. The rock formations were beautifully carved by the water. The air cooled endlessly by the sprays of water hitting rock. Vegetation seemed to exclude themselves from the water but some three branches had positioned themselves like an umbrella, covering the surrounding from sunlight while the centre was bare for the sun to hit. The waterfall was spewing water in unfathomable amounts, all of it smoothed out shortly as the water was calmed at the edge. Maya could not help herself and had her mouth gape wide.

Kharkov laughed. "Finally got some spirit in you."

Maya couldn't believe what she was seeing; it was as if she was no longer in Tretho. "Wait, you said you wanna show your place?"

"You see those steps?" Kharkov pointed at one steps that had sunk down to the earth yet was still visible. "It leads to my hut. I'll show you later. I already set up a towel over there." He pointed at a tree branch where there was a white towel. "I got some extra clothes if you need it."

"This place is amazing Kharkov." Maya looked at Kharkov. "You see this every day?"

"I do and I'm grateful for it." Kharkov pointed at a small yet stable three and above it a small shack where four people could chat. If one desire to dive, he can do so by jumping down straight towards the waterfalls. "That's where Red and I would talk about things, play chess or something."

Maya looked at the waterfall; the cool air whipped the strands of hair from her face.

"I leave you be Maya." Kharkov patted her back and moved towards the stairs. "If you really want to enjoy the water, I recommend taking a dip naked."

"What? You want to peek at me naked?" Maya looked at Kharkov with a smirk.

"Hah! I have a wife Siren." Kharkov answered cheekily. "Trust me, you'll enjoy it more. Sheds all the stress."

"Not that I will Kharkov."

"Oh I know you will. They always do." Kharkov took his first step on the stairs and slowly vanished away in the trees.

Maya snorted; seeing how childish she was to risk doing such a thing. Kharkov was still a man even though he was married. Maya approached near the waters, seeing her reflection clear like a mirror. She realized her hair was getting longer. She grabbed hold a few strands and felt it with her fingertips. Oftentimes she would cut her hair every time it grew long. She never liked having long hair; it didn't help when she was fighting. Maya sighed again, frustrated for the fact that she overthinks on things even about her hair. She cupped her hand and dipped under the cool water. Dramatically she splashed the water on her face.

Cold. Skin shivering. A refreshing sensation.

Suddenly it made her mind empty. The water calmed down and she saw her reflections again. No more worries, her face looked a lot younger compared to moments ago. Maya looked around the waterfall. She was all alone.

"I'm all alone…" Maya murmured. "Maybe Kharkov's idea was not so bad…"

She blushed. "I'm so fake."

The Blue Siren got up and started to undress herself. She threw all her clothes to a dry place, making sure the water sprays were not hitting them. She was naked with nothing covering her body. She looked around the surrounding area, the waterfall was all to herself. And she should not feel fear being peeked. She touched the water with her finger toes and her whole body shivered.

"You know what Maya." Maya said loudly. "Fuck it."

Using her Siren powers, she made her body light by negating all the gravity surrounding her body. A skill she learned by Kharkov, it all pays off for the days of pain and panting. Feeling her body weight half of what it was, Maya took a few steps back and prepared for a sprint. She took a deep breath and ran to the waterfalls. As she neared to the edge, she jumped with all her might and the height was two times the normal jump she could do. Reaching the peak of the jump, Maya loses focus and her body becomes heavy again.

"Oh shit!" Maya cursed

She fell down like a ragdoll and hit the water. She went deep into the water but quickly swam up to submerge herself. She reached the surface and desperately breathed in a big amount of air. Maya pulled her hair at the back and balanced her body at the water. It was silly but it was also funny. She laughed loudly and started to swim around the place. The waterfall was hers for the day.

Kharkov was at his hut, writing something on his desk. She heard Maya's excited voice from afar and smiled wide. Kharkov knew that she was enjoying the water's butt naked and didn't need to see it.

"They always do." Kharkov shook his head and smiled. "They just don't admit it."