“I’m not senile! I’m barely a few cycles older than you!”
“Maybe. But you gripe and repeat yourself like the elderly. I’ll blame your injuries for now. That means your mood will improve. Good news, right?”
She’s impossible. Beautiful and quick-witted. That’s always been a dangerous combo for me.
“Go on, eat. Flea and Mila wove a basket trap and caught a few fish. I added them to your mushroom stew. I set aside a bowl for myself, but if you’re still hungry, I’ll give you mine—I’ll survive.”
Finally. Something with protein.
I dig in. First bite makes me grimace.
“Tastes like… nothing.”
“Oh, you mean meat? Sorry, we’re fresh out.”
I say nothing, shoveling down the bland mixture. I can see the fish bits, but there’s no flavor.
Stars really are against me.
“I also made some biscuits. Want one?” she asks, biting into a round cookie.
Still hungry, I reach for it.
It surprises me—crispy on the outside, soft inside. And the flavor?
Not bad.
“Not bad,” I mutter, surprised.
We finish the biscuits fast. Best meal I’ve had since I got here.
“You know what? That was actually decent. Why didn’t you make these sooner?”
“Oh, but Goulou did offer you some. Big juicy grubs. You turned him down—very rudely, I might add.”
I freeze. She’s joking… right?
“I don’t blame you. I don’t eat them raw either. I grill them, soak them in local fruit juice, mash them into paste, and bake them on a hot stone. Simple but effective. Glad you liked them!”
She’s serious. I ate bugs. And liked them.
But no way in hell I’m admitting that.
With my belly full, a wave of exhaustion crashes over me.
Damn it. No choice but to lie down again.
Being weak… is the worst.
18-Samantha
Still no news from Logan. I miss my brother terribly, and the uncertainty is eating me alive. I know he's strong and resilient, probably off on a mission at the far end of the galaxy. But he could’ve at least let me know he was okay. Or Igor could’ve. Or better yet... Ayden...
“I'm here, sweet girl,” says the man who’s haunted my thoughts for years. “I came as soon as I heard what happened.”
“Ayden? How is this even possible?”
“Igor contacted me. Told me everything. I set course for Gekkaria immediately. I was worried about you.”
