Kara gave Halley her bed for the night and slept on the couch, and promised she'd sort out something the next day. Halley couldn't remember the last time she slept in a proper bed. In a safe, dry, comfortable place. Since coming to Earth, she had always struggled to find decent places to sleep. Usually she turned to breaking into stores, empty apartments, garages, and using whatever was available to create a bed. The last seven years consisted of doing her best to survive, but also not get caught. When she first arrived, she was only 11, and didn't understand anything about the strange, new planet. As a little kid, her parents told her few stories about it, but most were not good. After her first year here, it was evident to her that playing it safe wasn't getting her anywhere. That's when she started the fires and destruction, only proving everyone on Safehaven to be right.
It was 1:20 A.M, but Halley couldn't sleep. She could hear Kara breathing heavily on the nearby couch and tried to focus on that, but all she could really think about was the symbol they found at the park. The initials flashed in her mind, going over every possible explanation, except the one she truly wanted to believe.
There's no way. She thought. After a few more minutes of trying to sleep with no luck, she gave up and got out of bed. As quietly as she could, she walked to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. Kara moved a little on the couch, and Halley froze and watched. When she was sure she was still asleep, she tiptoed past and walked onto the balcony. She had never seen the city at night from this view before. It was different. More real. A handful of lights were still on in some windows, a couple of cars on the streets, but otherwise, it was dark. The only true light was the moon above her. Halley sat down on a patio chair, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them. She tilted her head and looked up at the black sky. She searched for constellations and planets, trying to remember what her father taught her as a kid. Suddenly, she felt her eyes begin to get heavy. She looked at the stars for another moment before letting her eyes close.
"Halley. Halley, wake up."
Halley could hear a voice saying her name and felt a hand on her arm. It startled her, causing her to burn whoever it was.
"You know that won't hurt me, right?" The voice said. Halley opened her eyes and saw Kara standing over her. The sun was bright, the chilly night air now warm, her bottle of water on the ground by her feet.
"What time is it?" She asked Kara, pushing herself to sit up properly in the chair.
"7:30, and I have to get to work." Kara answered.
"I, I couldn't sleep so I came out here last night. Sorry," Halley apologized, now standing up.
Kara gave her a little smile. "It's okay. I've done it too." She walked back into the apartment and grabbed her coat and bag. Halley came in next, not sure what to do. She watched Kara proceed to put on her shoes and jacket, and head for the door. Without looking back at Halley, she opened it and walked out. Halley stood there, confused. A second later, Kara appeared back in the doorway. She laughed a little and jogged over to Halley.
"Oops, I'm not used to having someone else here." She said, looking apologetically at the young alien. She paused, thinking for a moment before smiling and getting a mischievous look on her face. "Have you ever flown before?"
Halley raised her eyebrows and her jaw dropped slightly. She shook her head. Kara took her arm.
"Come on," she said, pulling Halley out of the apartment with her this time.
…..
Kara held Halley as they flew over the city. Halley had her eyes half shut, her fingers clenched around Kara's arms. Kara laughed. "I was a little scared my first time flying too," she said.
Halley opened her eyes and looked up at Kara. "I'm not scared," she lied. Kara laughed again and started flying faster. They eventually made it to the DEO, Kara landing gently on the ground.
"Well, um, that was, that was, fun," Halley managed to get out as she brushed her clothes off. Kara held back a giggle as Alex walked up behind them.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have work?" She asked Kara.
"Isn't this where you work?" Halley asked.
Kara grabbed Alex's arm and looked at her watch. "Oh no! Yeah, I gotta go. Halley, just stay here, and uh, I'll be back right after work, okay?" Before Halley could ask more questions, Kara took off. Halley stood awkwardly next to Alex, then turned to her. "So, where does she work?" she asked. Alex didn't respond, just turned and started walking into the DEO.
When they got inside, Alex took the liberty of finding Halley something new to wear. "It's a little big, but it'll be fine until you can get something better."
Halley changed and set her old clothes down on the bench in the locker room. She waited to see if Alex said anything else and when she didn't, she spoke up. "Okay look, I know you're not the biggest fan of me. I get that. But it's been a day and I'm trying my best. Your sister seems to have faith in me, why can't you?"
"Who told you she's my sister?"
"No one."
Alex cocked her head at Halley. She was observant, that was for certain. But that wasn't enough to convince Alex she was trustworthy. "Kara is the kindest, most genuine person I know. She sees something in you that I don't. At least not yet."
Halley noticed the optimism in her voice. She also noticed it was the truth. She hoped it meant she would be able to change Alex's mind. She was aware she had her issues, but this was the first time in years someone seemed to care about her.
"There's something I have to do," Alex said. "Just, stay here and please don't wreck anything." Alex left the room, turning left and heading to the end of the hall. She opened the door to the room where the Living Memory program was. She turned it on and watched the image of Kara's mother appear.
"Hello, Alex," it said.
"I need you to tell me about a girl named Halley from Starhaven."
"Halley Axzen is a Starhavenite," it started. "Her parents were Rosa and Leo, two of Starhaven's most successful citizens."
"How did she end up on Earth?"
"Halley caused her parents' death. Her older sister, Skye Axzen, told the council. She was banished immediately from Starhaven and sent here to Earth where she must stay."
"What did she do?"
"When Halley was 11, her powers became stronger. It was said that she got into an argument with her parents, and then there was an accident.
"What kind of accident?"
"I'm sorry, I am not programmed to give you that information."
Alex sighed, then thanked her, and turned the program off. She processed the information she was just told. That explains a lot. She thought. I'll tell Kara when she's done work. Then she left the room.
…..
A few hours later, Kara finished up at work and flew back to the DEO. Alex was waiting for her when she arrived.
"Hey, how was everything with Halley?" Kara asked.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about her," Alex said. "In private."
Kara looked a little nervous and confused as Alex pulled her sister over to an empty portion of the room.
"Everything okay?"
"I spoke to your mom, uh, I mean, the Living Memory. I asked about Halley."
"Why would you do that?"
"Aren't you curious about why she's here? Who she is?"
Kara tilted her head and crossed her arms. "Well, I guess a little bit. Why? What did you find out?"
Alex looked at the floor. "She killed her parents, Kara. By accident. I'm not sure how, but afterwards her older sister Skye told the council and Halley was forced to come here. She can't go back."
Kara's heart sank inside her chest. "Oh wow," was all she could mutter.
Alex gave her a sad look. "I still don't know if I trust her, but I also think she deserves someone to be there for her. And I'm glad it's you."
Kara smiled and gave her sister a hug. "I love you, Alex," she said.
"I love you too," Alex replied.
"Where is she?" Kara asked, pulling out of the hug.
"Locker room."
"I'm going to talk to her."
Alex nodded. "Do your thing."
Kara walked into the locker room to find Halley going through people's lockers. The locks were burnt and various items were scattered around the floor. She looked behind her and saw Kara giving her a disapproving look. She put the shirt she was holding back in the open locker and gave Kara a guilty smile.
"I wasn't gonna take anything," she said.
"Have you ever thought about using your powers for good?" Kara asked.
Halley wasn't sure she understand the question. "What?"
"You know, help people. Use them for something other than what you've been using them for. " Halley rubbed her arm nervously and looked away from Kara."The only thing they've have been good for is causing pain."
Kara walked over and shut a few of the lockers, despite them not being able to close fully anymore. "I could train you. Teach you how to fight with your powers properly."
"Really?" Halley was surprised at this offer.
"Really. We start now."
…..
"If I can heal, why do I need to be a good fighter anyway?" Halley said as she and Kara circled each other in the training room.
"Just because you heal fast, doesn't mean you're invincible, Kara explained. "I'm not either. You can't rely on one power. You need to use all of them to your advantage. So to start, we're going to practice your strength. No fire."
Halley leaned forward and swung her fist but Kara grabbed her arm and flipped her onto her back. Halley laid there, catching her breath, then Kara reached for her hand to help her up.
"Why do you want to help me so much?" Halley asked as she got back on her feet.
Kara paused for a moment and stood across from the younger alien.
"I was sent to Earth to protect my cousin. To make sure he was safe. I never got to fulfil that purpose, and I feel like I need to. With you. Now, let's try again."
The two girls spent the next hour fighting, Halley struggling to attack Kara successfully. She felt like she was on the floor more than on her feet. But Kara continued to push her to her limit. When Halley was knocked down for what seemed like the 100th time, she didn't stand back up.
"Again," Kara demanded.
Halley sighed and pushed part of her hair behind one ear. "I'm tired, Kara."
"You think when you're fighting, your opponent is going to let you take a rest?"
"No, but-"
"Then get up and let's try it again."
"I clearly can't do this," Halley said, standing back up onto her shaky legs.
"You can! You're stronger than you think. Just try harder."
"You think I'm not trying my best right now?"
Halley lunged and punched at Kara, grazing her fist against her cheek but Kara was too fast for her. She grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall, holding her there for a few seconds.
"I think something's holding you back," she said before letting her go.
"Oh really? Like what?" Halley asked, turning around quickly. Then she proceeded to grab Kara's arm, and twist it behind her.
"You tell me," Kara said, freeing her arm and backing away from Halley.
"Nothing to tell."
"What about your parents?"
Halley froze in her place. She looked at her mentor, starting to get anxious. "What?"
"I know, Halley," Kara said slowly."I know about what happened. You have a sister don't you? What's her name again?"
At the mention of her sister, Halley became angry. Without hesitating, she attacked Kara again and managed to hit her a couple of times. "Don't talk about my sister," she said firmly.
Despite the clear message, Kara didn't stop. "Skye?"
"This has nothing to do with my parents or Skye." Halley said, swinging at Kara.
"You killed your parents."
Halley backed up and turned so her back was to Kara. She did not want to hear this. "Shut up!"
"You couldn't control your powers and there was an accident. You're angry. You blame yourself. And you deal with it by acting tough but you're really just scared of hurting anyone else."
Halley turned back around and looked Kara dead in the eyes. "Kara, I mean it."
"Skye never could look at you the same way again after what happened. She blamed you too. Then she betrayed you and told the council. You were banished and forced to come here."
That was all Halley could take. "I said shut up!" She screamed, grabbing Kara's arm and flipping her over onto her back with a loud thud. She knelt down, lit her hand on fire and pressed her arm down on Kara's throat. She looked down at her and said with pure anger in her voice, "Don't you ever mention my family again." Then, after another second of holding Kara down, Halley released her arm, stood up, and walked out of the room without looking back.