Through The Stars

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

   Galaxias was a lot different than where I came from. It was colder, greener, fresher – a ton better than my place. It was made this way because they wanted the trainees to have access to a good surrounding. It was like a bribe for us, or a motivator to do our best so that this kind of experience would not only be limited to this enclosed space. But it was not motivating me. I could not stop myself from thinking about home. I don’t know how people live here acting fine like they are inside a snow globe when in reality; a lot of people out there suffer every day.

      I looked up and my eyes hurt a little as I tried to verify the place. It was bright and clear, but the difference is that the sun rays could not hurt me. I heard that this place’s walls are made of something that blocks the harmful UV light. Not only that. It was built to withstand a magnitude 10 earthquake scale and wave surges. For short, it was made to be calamity proof. I wonder why they could not make such a place for everyone in the world. I feel so selfish to stay in such a place while other people out there die every passing second. I wished I could have the same level of remorseless attitude as The Highest.

“Listen up, cadets!” Rune’s voice sounded across the big hall – catching everyone’s attention.

      Everyone rounded up, acting eager to listen. How could everyone pretend to have such enthusiasm to look into that piece of merciless animal? He was just like his uncle. His personality screamed of the worst attitude that you can ever come across and it makes me want to vomit for it disgusts me to breathe the same air as someone who has killed people without contracting guilt in his guts.

“You are now officially in Galaxias. That means that you have access to a safe place, free food and shelter. In return, I hope you all work your asses to the best you can be. Don’t expect me to be kind.” His eyes shifted across the room until it found me.

       I stared right through him and exchanged the same level of his intense stare. I don’t want him to think that he can eat me alive. I have gone far beyond my home. And not him, or the highest, can make me fear my life.

“I understand that you might be brave for coming here,” he said with his gaze fixed upon me. He gave out a sarcastic smile. “But do not misplace your bravery for foolishness. Remember that there is nothing to be scared of in Galaxias…”

      He picked up a knife in the long table in front where the food laid neatly. In a glimpse of an eye, he threw that knife across and it reached between my feet. I did not blink. I was not even surprised he did that. He did not injure me, but I know his intention was to scare me. I looked at the knife then back at him with a challenging stare. His jaw clenched as my reaction disappointed him. He knew I was not startled, and that was not his goal.

“Nothing should be feared in Galaxias except me!” his voice thundered across the huge dining hall. “I am dangerous than the biggest catastrophe you have ever came across with. And if the dangers of the outside world did not kill you, then maybe I will.”

      With that said he gave me one last glare before he turned his heel and walked away.

“Okay square up everyone! Take your meal and proceed to your room assignments with your teams.” Rune’s assistant soldier took over.

     We all sat beside each other in the table. Lee Jun and Jinhao ate like there was no tomorrow while I could not even move a single grain in my plate. Everyone else in the table ate like there was a banquet. I could not believe my eyes. They seemed to have forgotten what it was in the outside world just because they were bribed by such privileges.

      I stood up from the table.

“Where to, Genesis?” Jinhao asked.

“To our room. I’ll freshen up.” I replied.

“You have  not eaten yet.” Lee Jun responded.

    I just gave out a small smile and turned my heel. I got a digital keycard that shows me the direction to our room through a GPS screen that it is. I walked through the halls, following the plotted path that it was giving. The red dot blinked on and on as I moved along.

“It’s a surprise you don’t seem to look so hungry like the rest of the cadets.” Rune’s voice boomed from behind.

    I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him. He was leaning on one of the closed doors in the corridor, arms folded upon his chest. I did not respond to what he said. I just looked at him like I did not hear anything.

“Know what, it kinda makes me think that your country was getting more produce than the rest of the world.” He expressed. “Could your country be swindling more harvest?”

     I felt my chest tighten. I do not certainly like the tone of his voice.

“That’s not true. I just don’t have the appetite.” I responded, trying to hide the shaking of my voice.

      He smiled sarcastically at me.

“Yeah. Why not?” He asked me with a crease on his forehead.

      It was my turn to smirk at his question.

“Why not?” I mocked his question. “How could I have the appetite to eat knowing while I feast here, people out there die of starvation because you stole their harvest? How could I eat something that was not mine and feel the enjoyment? It disgusts me.”

     A tear fell in my eye as I reminisced how people in our community died of severe hunger. How months passed where we have nothing left to share for each other than a piece of hardened bread. It was all etched in my memory so clearly that I could not stand the fact that I would eat something that was stolen by The Highest from people like us.

“What now, are you acting all heroic?” He asked me.

“No.” I told him firmly, wiping my tears that are out of my control. “I am acting like how a human should act.”

      His expression shifted. I could not explain how he felt when I told him that.

“Please just let me be. I will do what I am tasked to do here in Galaxias. I will comply with what you want me to do. Just don’t ask me to be remorseless.” I asked him as if I am so disgusted with his personality.

    I expected him to rebut and yet he did not utter any other word after what I said. He just glared and turned his heel from where we are.

     I proceeded to our assigned room and went for a shower. The coldness of the water felt like it was slowly washing away my worries. It was somehow relieving my anxieties. I did not know how long I spent inside the shower room, but when I came out, my team mates are all gathered and talking to each other.

“Have you been in the shower all the time?” Jinhao asked.

“Uh, yeah I guess. I have nowhere else to go.” I responded.

“Gotta be kidding me. You were there for almost an hour or so. What, is there a swimming pool?” he joked.

“I must’ve missed the water, I guess.” I said, fixing my wet hair behind me ear. “It was so long since I last saw it so calm and gentle.”

     All of them became quiet when I told them that. Life must have been one unfair ride for them too. You see, water is about 70 percent of the old earth. Now it is only a memory fading in the book of the what-used-to-be’s.  If it didn’t starve people of thirst, it took away lives from its gigantic tsunami waves. We fear water, more than we enjoy it despite the heat of the scorching sun.

      I lay on my bunks and closed my eyes. I remembered how home felt. How it all was so different now was so strange. I didn’t know what nightmare was – if it was home or this made-up new reality I have.