Into the wolf's den

[etiainen]

<<< SIMON’S RESIDENCE, PLANET LEEDS >>>

“Druce, you surprise me more each time I hear about you…Not only have you dedicated your life to preserving nature, you want to save someone whom you know only for a shorter time, and it’s from a place few people returned sane…Is it worth it, my friend?” says Simon, with a surprised look in his eyes, after hearing out Druce’s story.

“People change, ya know that very well. Fortunately fer me, it was in th’ good direction, knowin’ what a bugger I used t’ be… But still…I just have a feeling I can’t let ‘im there. Dun’ worry, though. I won’t be th’ only one. I’ll be joinin’ a few peeps. I guess I’ll get t’ see what it’s like in that Gallia of theirs an’d hopefully live t’ tell th’ tale” Druce laughs.

“Your parents would be proud of you, Druce. To them, their son becoming a Gaian was one of the most honorable things that could have happened to them.”

Druce pauses a bit at the memory of his mother and father…He has not seen them for years. Are they still even alive? Now that he thinks of it, he owns it all to them…If they hadn’t put their foot down and hadn’t moved to Cambridge, his life would have been different…He probably would have ended up as a worker in BMM and several cancers…

“Are you okay, lad?”

Druce realizes a tear is sliding down his cheek.

“No, ‘tis alright, dun’ worry. I really should visit ‘em, if they’re still alive, that is…It’s too risky now." he sighs Hopefully, when th’ perils end and th’ rays of morning light blind th’ government’s eyes enough…”

He pauses for a while again, staring outside the window, but his train of thought gets interrupted by a woman walking into the room. She was fine looking, half-Kusarian, had long, black hair, and her face…The scar on her left eye…Could it be…

“Oh, good evening! I didn’t know we had a guest, dear.”

“Akane? Is that…you?”

She looked a bit puzzled, trying to dig out her memories…But as soon as she swept into the correct corner, her facial expression turned from uncertainty to extreme happiness.

“Druce? OH MY GOODNESS!!! What are you doing here? WOW, you’ve changed! How are you? I didn’t know…” the woman shouted out in amazement and joy, almost forgetting to inhale regularly and doing what she can not to start jumping all around the living room. “Simie, why didn’t you tell me he’s here? I would’ve come back earlier.”

“Sorry, honey, I wanted to make it a surprise” Simon explained as he can’t help but smile, as he realizes all three of them have not been together like this for many years.

“Well I certainly hope you’ll be staying for a while with us.”

“I’d fancy that more than anythin’, Akane, but I’m afraid I’m planetside only fer a short while. It’s still dangerous. But th’ evening’s young, so we can catch up on ol’ times, aye?” He grinned at them both “So, gettin’ married without my blessin’, you two? I always knew you’ve always had th’ ticker for her, ya tiger, hahahahah!” he gives Simon a friendly punch in his arm as he starts to blush.

As the last rays of the star surrendered to the fume-ridden clouds and the star itself hid behind the chimneys, the night grew quiet outside, but only mildly, for the humming sound of the ships and factories was always there, polluting even the last atoms of air yet not conducting noise…This did not stop the three, enjoying the moment of reunion, remembering the past, the green forests where the three spent their youths…until the clock struck twelve.

“Darn, look at the time. It's getting late. You should rest now, Druce. Your room is prepared upstairs. We’ll sort out something tomorrow.” he grins mischeviously.

“Thank you a lot, ol’ friend…Good night to you both. It was great seeing you after such a long time. I’ll be seeing you in the morning."

“Unfortunately, I’ll be leaving even earlier than you. I’m leading a demonstration half a thousand miles from here, so I have to be fresh.” She hugs Druce, almost breaking his ribs. “Take care of yourself, promise me?”

“I promise, lass. And you promise me ye’ll take care of the bugger here, kay?” he winks at her, pointing with one eye on Simon.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.” she giggles.

Returning to a fragment of his past, witnessing how Leeds had gone from bad to worse, meeting old friends, the feeling of guilt about not being able to see visit his parents…Oh how can things keep one from getting a good night’s sleep so easily…

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