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“An alien virus that makes you feel other people’s emotions?” She seemed skeptical but not entirely dismissive. “Maybe, but we should focus on getting home first. We can figure this out later.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. But as we continued to weave our way through the spaceport, the foreign emotions kept coming: flashes of anger, joy, fear, all crashing into my consciousness like tidal waves. The intensity of the feelings threatened to overwhelm me, and I wondered if I would be able to escape their grip once we left this place behind.
As we reached Gate 47, I was filled with a mix of fear and anticipation. Zoe must have sensed my anxiety, because she squeezed my hand tight before tugging me forward.
“I’m terrified,” I whispered as we neared the shuttle. “What if this is how I spend the rest of my life, overwhelmed by these emotions? What if there’s no escape from this pain?”
I was still trembling as Zoe ushered me onboard the shuttle. We took our seats side by side and fastened our seatbelts, surrounded by the hum of other passengers and the soft whirring of the engines. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to steady myself.
As we began our ascent, Zoe clasped my hand tightly. Our eyes met and her gaze pierced through me like an arrow, as if she was trying to read my fear.
“Vanessa, trust me,” she said earnestly. I nodded in understanding before she moved on. Her voice was full of determination as she spoke. “We can do this, but right now, let’s get home and worry about the details later.”
Her words were a comfort in the sea of uncertainty that threatened to drown me. For the first time since arriving at the spaceport, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a way out of this mess. Taking a deep breath, I nodded in agreement and settled back against my seat as we rose higher into space.
The journey was relatively short, and the relief of landing home again on T’rra was bittersweet. Even as I relished in being home I couldn’t shake the feelings of longing. My eyes inexplicably found themselves pulled towards the stars, my hand above the ache in my chest.
This time, even more bizarrely, the sadness was my own. I said his name.
“Zorak.”
Chapter 4
Zorak
One thing kept me driven as I began my morning in the embassy, and her name was Vanessa, the woman who had invaded my every thought and dominated my waking and slumbering mind.
The very same woman who had influenced me to transfer to a new planet, far away from my home and family. It hadn’t even been a hassle to get the transfer after a little convincing and some pesky paperwork, and then I was whole parsecs closer to the ache in my chest on a month-long assignment.
The turbulent foreign emotions were a now constant companion, almost comforting in a way that belied our messy goodbye. They motivated me, pushing me towards an early lunch and an unplanned visit to her office at a law firm.
As an Orkarian, I had never questioned the architecture of my home planet, but T’rra stood as far apart as a sword and a club. They both stood for the same purpose but were each genius in their own rights.
T’rra stood sleek, gleaming, and tall like a vast sea of multicolored blades whereas Orkaris stood efficient and traditional adapting to the land.
The militaristic land of Orkaris was rooted in traditional structures, while T’rra stood as an advanced neon skyline intermixed with amazing fertile lands. The contrast between the two planets was immense. As I moved through the streets of T’rra, I marveled at the towering buildings that seemed to reach up to the heavens, their bright lights and bustling energy adding a certain vibrancy to the atmosphere.
Differences between these two planets were magnified even further when it came to the cultures. Whereas Orkaris was rooted in tradition and hierarchy, T’rra was much more liberal and accepting. People here openly celebrated their culture and beliefs without fear of judgment or persecution. It seemed like a utopia in comparison…or complete chaos, depending on one’s point of view.
Yet despite all these differences, they both had one thing in common: they were both home. As I continued on my journey to Vanessa’s office, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for both places – for one planet that had been so kind to me and another that offered me new beginnings.
I stopped by a quaint cafe for tasty-looking sandwiches and what I hoped would be some appreciated coffee. Entering the shop, I had to duck under the threshold and once inside, it wasn’t much better as I stood within a foot of the ceiling. Immediately I was greeted by an enthusiastic young barista. Stepping up to the counter, I wondered at the lit-up menu.
“Hi! I’m Zorak. I’m pretty new here and I was wondering if you have any recommendations for the sandwiches?”
The smile never left her face as she listened to me, but she waved a hand to the board as she began to tell me about various favorites and commonly ordered items in response.
I listened intently, pondering my options as I gazed at the various sandwiches on display. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation. I finally made my decision and placed my order, thanking the worker for her recommendations.
As I waited for my food, I glanced around the cozy little cafe. It was clear that this was a popular spot for locals, as people of all shapes and sizes bustled in and out, exchanging pleasantries with the staff and each other. The walls were adorned with artwork from local artists, adding to the cozy ambiance.
Finally, my order arrived and I took a seat near the window, savoring the first bite of my sandwich. It was delicious, the perfect combination of flavors and textures. As I ate, I couldn’t help but think about Vanessa and how much I missed her. The deep ache that permeated throughout me both pained and reinvigorated me.
Going back to the counter, I ordered Vanessa a medium-sized coffee and a sandwich, again at the worker’s recommendation, as a gift with the intent of hopefully saving her a trip on a busy day. It was a worthy gift for a mate, I thought, one that would translate between our two cultures.
It had been days since we last spoke, and I was beginning to feel like a stranger in my own skin here. But deep down, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. I had to make the best of it, for both myself and for Vanessa.
Excited and filled with purpose, I hurried to Vanessa’s law office. This had taken some time to track down, but as luck would have it, her law office had done some work consulting for our embassy. As I entered, the receptionist looked up from her monitor, eying me curiously. “May I help you?” she asked hesitantly.
