“They’re here,” she said confidently. “The candles didn’t light themselves. We’re still early. There’s another message,” she said.
Two stools had been placed between the candelabra. The candles illuminated a huge white board containing a message in the Earth language. “What does it say?” he asked.
“It says, ‘Welcome to Springfield, Missouri. Population: 23.’”
More people than he expected. “They may…not all be friendly toward me.” He worried about that, and he worried about his brother’s reaction to seeing him again and seeing Chloe. He’d been making some huge assumptions.
“Your brother is one of the twenty-three. I feel positive about this,” she said. “I imagine when he shows up, you’ll have a lot to say to each other.” She shined her flashlight on her wrist. “We have thirty-five minutes. Kevin needs to go potty. I spotted a greenarea around the corner. You should wait here in case Grav shows up. Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” He was a bundle of nerves.
“I won’t be long. Ten minutes tops.” Her spontaneous, affectionate hug bolstered him like no words could. As long as he had her, everything would be fine.Of course it would.
Maybe.
Taking her light, she hurried up the aisle.
“Be careful!” he called out.
“Of course!”
Rok swept his light over the stage framed by heavy curtains and flanked by faux arches. Soaring overhead, green and white squares checked the ceiling. A balcony with more seating jutted over the bank of doors where they’d entered.
He clicked off the light and settled into a seat. He could see; the candles provided enough light for his vision. The smell of melting wax mentally transported him to the church where he’d ended Knife’s life. That single act changed everything. He hoped the family was okay. They could have encountered another Progg still following orders, unaware the General Ministry had halted the Earth campaign.
He was poised on the brink of another life-altering moment. How would he be received by his brother? Would it change his relationship with Chloe? Would she leave him now?
Scuffling and footsteps sounded from behind the heavy curtain at the side and rear of the stage. Rok leaped to his feet.
An attractive dark-haired human female accompanied by a Progg stepped out onto the stage. Older, taller, more muscular, attired in Earth clothes, but with vivid blue eyes and familiar familial features, his brother was instantly recognizable.
“Grav! It’s me—”
“Rok!” His brother broke into a grin, bounded off the stage, grabbed him in a rib-busting hug, and pounded him on the back hard enough to dislodge food caught in his throat if he’d had any. Rok returned the brotherly beating, thumping back equally hard.
“I can’t believe it. Let me see you.” Grav shoved him away and scrutinized him. “You’ve grown up!” He turned to the woman. “Laurel, it’s my brother!”
“So, I gathered,” she said drily, taking the steps at the side of the stage rather than leaping off as Grav had done.
“Hi! I’m Laurel Knight. It’s so nice to meet you. Grav talks about you all the time.” She welcomed him with a warm smile.
“Thank Zok, you’re all right. I’d wondered what had happened to you, if you were still in the military, if you’d been deployed, or if you were on Progg-Res.” Grav’s expression turned grim. “If you were still alive.”
“I landed on Earth in the second wave. Everyone in my unit is dead,” he recounted.
“How did you end up here? Were you stationed nearby?”
“No, quite a few muh-ruga from here. I came looking for you after everyone in my unit passed. I started with Admiral Drek’s last location. Chloe and I saw your sign at the school in Big Creek and came to Springfield. We saw the sign at the hospital.”
“We have them posted in several locations around town. And Chloe is?”
“A human woman. My…friend. She’s here, but she took Kevin outside to pee.”
“So, there’s three of you?” Laurel asked. “The toilets in the theater still flush—they will until the water in the city tanks runs out.”
“Kevin’s a dog,” he said.
“A dog!” Laurel’s eyes lit up. “I can’t wait to see him!” She hunched her shoulders. “And, meet your friend.” She looked chagrined. “I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I just haven’t seen any dogs since…before.”
