Rune
Istare at the closed door Kate just walked through. Inside my chest cavity, my organs are shouting for her to come back. Instead I rush up the stairs to the star deck, waiting to see if Jex does as I commanded him to.
In front of me, the cosmos stretches on forever, pressing on my shoulders, squeezing and wringing out my intestines. Mine is the last generation of humans. The last hope we had to survive.
There is much blood on my conscience. I wonder how many were killed.
I press my hands, unsheathed against the cold glass of the viewing window. The sensation is still new to me, feeling the cold against my skin, and it gives me a sickening sort of thrill. Touching what I was always taught I mustn’t.
A cruiser blasts out of the west hangar, far below me. Its propulsion ringing a small vibration of light and sound against the thick barrier of my world. I follow it with my eyes, lusting after its return.
Every cell in my body wants to chase after her, but I think it would be futile. She blames me for the end of everything she’s ever held dear.
She’s right, it’s all my fault and I have no idea how to fix any of it.
But I know, if I ever want to see Kate again, I’m going to have to try.
