Apocalypse: The Huntress Luna

Chapter 17

We dropped Calli at her house on the way so that she could freshen up and she said she will meet us at Gus and Marianne’s later on.

We made it home and with the last light of the day, we roasted some vegetables in the oven while drinking some freshly squeezed juice.

Yann decided that we should make a salad to take later on tonight so while he picked some fresh rocket lettuce from the garden, I stood and watched from the sliding door.

I didn't know how I was going to bring it up but I needed to do it before we left tonight. Whatever was going on here at Tectum, I didn't want Yann to get mixed up in it. So maybe it would be a good thing to go with the team to the Archivio but I just didn't know what we were walking into.

I let out a loud sigh to clear my mind and walked over to Yann to save him from our pet goat that was trying to eat his freshly picked produce.

We walked back in and began preparing a delicious roast veggie salad mixed with fresh feta cheese, pine nuts and walnuts. We whipped up a dressing and packed it all up ready to go.

"Buddy, did you want to bath now or when we get home later tonight? We have an hour to kill so it's up to you?"

He thought for a second while he chewed on a fresh gnarly carrot and nodded.

"Yeah I'll go wash up mom, I will be quick."

"Good call," I winked. "But before you go, I want to talk to you about something."

He was a kid of few words so he just tilted his head questioningly, waiting for me to talk.

"So you know how the Archivio are here at Tectum? Well they came because they want to work together against the Vargul and what not. And they also thought it would be beneficial for us to learn from each other…."

He didn't say anything so I continued slowly. "They said they are willing to share their defensive and combat knowledge with us and in return we share our medical expertise."

"They want you to go, don't they," he quietly slipped in. He held a blank expression on his face but I knew my boy and he was emotional.

"Yann-"

"Mom it's okay. I'll be okay. You should go, the world needs all the help it can get. I'll be okay," he repeated as he nodded vigorously. 

My brow furrowed as I felt my heartbreak and a lump form in my throat. Did he really think I'd go and leave him here? And he was being so brave and so selfless - I really didn't deserve this kid.

"Yann. Do you know how much I love you?" and I stepped forward and took his hand in mine. His hand looked so small and I could feel little tremors coming from it.

I gave him a gentle squeeze and a kiss while pulling him into a hug.

"Kiddo, you always thought I was joking around when I said you are the love of my life but I am dead serious. I would never leave you. Ever. I hope that's not how you think of me?"

"No, Mom it's just we all have a role to play and yours is with the Medic Corp. So you should go to the Archivio, please?"

I had to chuckle at that. He was such a sweet kid and was wise beyond his years.

"Yann. I told you, I won't leave you. And I may be with the Medic Corp but I am first and foremost a mom. So….IF I do accept the mission, would you like to come with me? To the Archivio?"

I don't know why but I was nervous to hear his response but from the look on his face, there wasn't any reason to be. A big smile lit up his dark irises as he looked up at me from our hug super excited.

"Really?? I could come with you??"

"Yeah, Gus told them I wouldn't leave you so they extended the invitation," I smiled back. "I mean, it is only if you want to and if I accept this mission or not because there is a lot going on at the moment. But I will decide tonight and then let you know tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," he nodded, still grinning from ear to ear. "I hope you take the mission mom. The Archivio has a gigantic library and museum and all these pre-fall stuff! It would be so awesome!"

I listened to him go on about all the things he's heard about the settlement as we went to go wash up. In my heart, I was still undecided about going but his excitement definitely was making it hard to say no.

We reached Gus and Marianne's with our salad and we all dug in once Calli arrived 10 minutes later. The conversation was light but I could feel the unease in the air. They were all trying to avoid talking about the Archivio and what we suspected as they knew I hadn't decided whether I would go or not.

Once dinner and clean up was done, I turned to Gus and Calli. "I think I'm gonna go for a walk, watch Yann for me? I'll be back."

……………………

The night gave a sharp bite to my skin as I opened the front door so I quickly grabbed my coat and walked out.

Finally I could breathe. 

I don't know why but I was feeling a little suffocated with all the tension in the air. I turned right and let my feet take me down the path, not knowing or caring where I was going. It wasn't like I couldn't defend myself anyway.

Images of my parents flashed through my mind and what they went through and I couldn't help but have more questions. 

Who killed their team? Who wanted the research for themselves and why? 

There was just too much going on that I didn't even know where to begin. I still had to talk to Saleem and I had no idea how he would take it. Plus that stupid robbery, the Archivio and their proposal. 

My mind was battling away with all the drama and possibilities and before I knew it, that splitting headache was back. 

I just grumbled to myself and pushed the pain aside and continued down the path. I dug my hands into my pockets to keep them out of the wind and looked up into the light starry night. 

Deep, strange colours danced across the sky and I forgot about all my worries for that one moment. No Saleem, no robbery, no Archivio and finally no loneliness. 

A deep, hollow loneliness. 

It had never occured to me that I would feel lonely seeing as I had an amazing family but there was this gaping hole that had silently grown over the years. When Yann’s father left, I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with seeing him again and complicating our lives but since then, I had deemed myself unloveable. Who would want used goods with major baggage? Not that I saw my sweet Yann in that light at all but I knew others did. 

So I just went with it and closed off my heart to anyone who tried to get close to us because that was better than being thrown away...again.

I took a deep breath and let out a sigh as I released all that negative energy out and into the air. When I finally decided to take in my surroundings, I realised that I had walked all the way down to the wall and was facing some curious farm animals. The low wooden fence seemed like a good place to sit and think but as I took a step, a sharp pain flashed behind my eyes. 

I stumbled a little but shook it off and continued down the way.

I cried out as another painful wave came over me and I had to stop because it was so sharp that I was blinded. 

My hands flew up to my temples as an attempt to massage the pain away but it wasn't budging. 

What's happening to me? I thought as I doubled over.

I took deep breaths through my nose and out my mouth for what seemed like hours until I suddenly felt cool, gentle fingers replacing my own. I slowly straightened as the thumping in my head slowly dulled but my eyes still wouldn't open.

They began gently rubbing circles on my temples as my own hands held on to their arms.

As the pain subsided almost as fast as it had come, I became acutely aware that a stranger was touching me. I felt my body tense and opened my eyes slowly to see the face of this Samaritan and was met with a pair of glowing golden eyes.