CHAPTER 6 

5 YEARS AGO

‘Have you ever wondered why we always say time flies and not runs or walks or something; because it really flies. For example; a day is finished in just 24 hours, can you believe.’ These stupid thoughts were popping in my head as I was packing my stuff, it had been one and a half year or something, but I never realised.

“Remus are you ready”, my father asked in an excited tone as he was elected as the president for S.P.O.R.E.

“One minute dad”, I hurriedly packed my school uniform, a red coloured jumpsuit, a dark shade of red to be precise. It had my name printed on its chest in capital letters, ‘REMUS H. FLETCHER’. A small number 11 was printed right beside my name and a bigger on the back. It was my roll number. A zip was camouflaged on its back in red colour.

I took my emergency helmet; which was a small (almost as big as a lighter), thin capsule that can turn into a helmet at the press of a button.

My uniform too had some gizmos. I shovelled some more things into my travelling bag and zipped it.

“Let’s go dad” I said. My dad was wearing his uniform which was also a jumpsuit but in black colour, his chiselled body was looking amazing.

“Yeah Remus” he kissed on my forehead “I am very proud of you”, his eyes glittered as little tears had pooled inside his eyes. I smiled; goose bumps appeared on every inch of my body.

We left the hotel and went towards east in our car. I was looking calm from outside but bubbles of nervousness popped inside me. I was leaving today for the next 2.5 years.

My father and I rode in silence as we crossed the boundaries of Hover. The artificial sun was rising from the horizon.

Lush green forests covered both sides of roads; I was amazed by the beauty of trees, so gorgeous. I opened the window and felt cool wind blowing, it was super fresh, but I felt something odd about the greenery. My father saw my confused state.

 “These are reserved parts of Castalia other then the west only here we can find adequate soil that can support life, these parts belonged to Mr. Hopen, and he never allowed us to do farming here”, my father said as he drove staring at the horizon.

I gave him a nod, though I thought this idea was stupid. Humanity was on the verge of extinction and we can’t use this area for farming.

2 hours passed, and I saw the city line of New Ori. It was not one of the greatest cities but it had the grandest hospital. The Castalian hospital for humanity or CHFH (pronounced as cough). It had all the facilities and was free for all the citizens of Castalia.

My father drove for a few more minutes and we reached the hospital. The receptionist recognised us she said that my mom was shifted in the normal ward because she was recovering at a good rate.

I smiled at her and we went towards my mother’s ward.

It had been almost a month since I met her. This will be my last visit for the next 2.5 years. 

My father and I entered her ward. She was listening to same dope 21st century music. She always said that music was great before the wild war. 

“Hey Janaya” my father waved at my mom.

“Hey mom” I smiled

My mother turned her head and smiled. I ran and hugged her. She embraced me with her warm arms. She was wearing a light blue hospital gown.

“How are you my boy,” She said in a sweet voice as she rubbed my head.

“I missed you mom”, I said in a sad but happy voice.

Suddenly thoughts started to pour inside my brain, this was the last time I was meeting my mom for the next 2.5 years. I let out a sob.

My father came and we three embraced.

“Don’t cry Remus, you will make us proud” he said

“Yes Remus” my mother joined my father in a kind tone.

I sobbed again; I had never lived without my father or mother. 

“We both love you, son” they said in unison.

“I love you too” a warm feeling gushed inside me and I said.  

We talked for another hour and then we left. Now I was not sad anymore for leaving home. 

xxx

My father and I went back to Hover’s air-rea. It took us another 2 hours and the artificial sun was shining on top of us.

We found Nyx and his father; Mr Bernard waiting for us. I passed a smile to Mr Bernard and a toothy grin to Nyx.

“What took you so long; Hacky Shaky” Mr Bernard said jokingly to my father.

“I am not late; you are early Burner,” My father poked a finger in his stomach.

Me and Nyx looked at each other and laughed. He was wearing a blue jeans and a mustard hoodie.

“You are taller, Remus” Mr Kalra noticed me and smiled. I was almost 5’2. Nyx was a few millimetres shorter than me.

“Thank you Mr Kalra” I said embarrassed.

“Hey, kids from here you have to go alone. We two have to go with some other members of the E.A.R.T.H. You might find some other kids too” My father looked at us and we nodded.

I shrugged and said good bye. I and Nyx went to our train which was the ‘Gorgon’ 300. We entered a compartment and found two kids already sitting there.

One of them was a beautiful girl. She was dressed in a black crop top with blue denim. Her skin was white I mean super white. She had a sharp chin and thin pink lips. Her eyes were light brown, and one of her eyebrow was half white like it has been bleached, but it suited her too perfectly.

I felt my cheeks getting hot. I looked at Nyx and he was blushing super hard. 

There was one more kid who was big in size; he had dark skin and black eyes. He looked handsome in a different way.

“Hi” I and Nyx waved as we took a seat.

“Hello” the boy said in a low tone. His voice sounded like he was suffocating.

“Heya” the beautiful girl said in a frooty voice.

I winked as I thought I had heard her voice somewhere.

“I am Dextera; Dextera Serien”, she said in her cute voice, and I recognised her. She was same girl who helped me on the day of exam when tripped on the stairs.

“Hey-y I am Remus Fletcher” I felt my ears, they were burning hot.

“Hello again, I am Nyx” Nyx looked at both of the kids.

“Hi, I am Bill Lauren” the boy said in a exited tone though his voice was the same.

I looked at both of them and smiled. Man, the girl was really gorgeous.

“You were the topper,” I blurted out and looked at her.

“Oh, yeah” she said embarrassed. “You were too; you were on the second place I remember your name” she shrugged.

I tasted a pinch of happiness, she remembers my name.

“Uhmm, gentlemen and lady” somebody knocked on the door of our compartment. “Breakfast is here,” said a man whom I guessed was the waiter here in the train.

“AH! Yes” Nyx said happily.

The man entered our compartment and clicked a button near the window, a white table popped up in between of our seats. The waiter served the food.

And of my god! The smell. It was heavenly. We all four sniffed the air like hungry wolfs. I looked at the plates and it was salmon and prawns with tomato salad. Herbs were sprinkled all over the fish. All four of us were smiling at the food. 

We all four enjoyed our meal and talked about a lot of stuff, when we finished our food, a thought struck. I noticed that from the past two years the main food in Castalia is fish. (Tasty fish).  

“Look we have reached” said Nyx jumping in his seat.

Me, Dextera and Bill looked out the window and saw a gigantic spaceship looming over the place, the train’ horn boomed, and it came to halt. We had reached the city Bosics.

All four of us stood up and took our bags. We exited the train. Nyx and Bill were talking about some food and stuff. I felt a finger nudging me from behind.

“We are friends right” Dextera smiled and offered me a handshake.

“Yeah we are friends” I said too enthusiastically then needed. I shaked hands with her and felt warmth gushing from her hands to mine.

“It’s time to go; i think”, I looked at the crowd of children who were going to the assembly arena.

“Yeah, time to go” she said dully.

We moved through the crowd taking Nyx and Bill with us. 

Because of too much people we all four were separated and I had to find a different seat in the arena.

End of chapter 6. 

Note for the readers-
Hey folks this chapter is kinda filler so you can know some basic stuff that will help further in the story

And also I provided some foreshadowing....

Do vote or give me constructive critisism.

Thx to JasleenBhullar6
For providing me with the lovely name Janaya

And this was also my longest chapter till date, almost 50% longer

I might not post regularly for some days as I have exams next month..