Diana blows her jet black hair off her tanned face as she glances at me multiple times while I am busy shaking hands with my new acquaintances. I catch her doing that more than once and each time I try and establish eye contact, she immediately turns her head aside. Huh, what's up with that?

She has a sharp jawline, protruding eyes and almost a chiseled nose. Quite aggressive features for a woman I'd say. Rather thin lips though. Ever since we've met, she's had quite some energy to her; even back there when we were talking about Billy while eating slop, it was her who cheered us all up with her story. So, to say the least, it was bugging me why she was acting silent all of a sudden, not to mention those frequent glances that stirred obvious suspicion.

"I'm bored," Kevin says as he leans to and fro in a bobbing motion. Too bad he doesn't have a kid his age here. Now that I wonder, shouldn't the others have come here to have lunch as well? Did I just lose them? Nobody told me where to sit for that matter.

"Hey Diana," I ask. "Where are the others? I figured this to be the only cafeteria around."

"It is. They'll be here any second," she assures me.

I observe her while Tony gets engaged in a conversation with his fellows. It's something about maneuvering the Figsies from what I can make out. If I know one thing about Diana from our very first meeting, it's that she doesn't hide her feelings too well.

"Is something wrong?" I ask, lowering my head. Hearing me say that Kevin turns towards her.

"What? Well, um... " her gaze falters and runs about towards nothing in particular as she plays a hand through her hair. Noticing it now, it's rather unkempt. Well, it suits her personality. I subconsciously shrug.

That's true, Space buddy agrees.

I nod at him, until I stop. Oh, aren't you one to talk.

"It's a good point actually. You were spacing out at work, weren't you?" Kevin says.

That makes me do a double take. It's a normal thing, but an abnormality on this world, now that I've come to understand how it works, albeit a little bit. She should have been under the brainwash protocol that is made active by Initiation. So, considering that, shouldn't she be highly focussed, no matter what happens? Like earlier, how Sally reacted. She wouldn't have said those words to me if she weren't under control. To speak out loud, she wouldn't even have to say anything to me in that vein if I were like everybody else here, moving giddily about with strings above my head. I wonder what it's like though... I have experienced total control. What's the partial version like? It's not like I want to. It's just a curiosity. And, if I want to understand what's going on with Diana better, I have to be able to relate. Does spacing out happen normally while working here? Or is it something exotic that I should be concerned about?

I shake my head from all the complex spiral of thoughts and say, "You were? What's on your mind? Something bothering you?"

She looks at me. For a brief moment I see something deep in those eyes. They thrill me, excite me. Scare me. Then, it's gone when she looks away. When she looks back at me, she just smiles and says, "Had a rough day is all."

I want to pry further, but I swallow my words. If she isn't comfortable, it'd be a waste asking. But, there's something I have to say to both Kevin and Diana, haven't I?

I lean towards them. They bring their faces closer.

"I would explain everything once we are back inside the hive when everyone's present, but- to give you the news briefly: I've found out where Billy is. Which is the good part of the news I'd say."

Their eyes shine. "Oh, the bastard's alive?!" Diana's expression is a mixture of astonishment and disgust. How apt.

"I... don't know for certain."

Kevin studies me. "What's the bad part of the news then?"

Kid's sharp.

Heh, yup.

"He has changed," I say, slowly. "And I just found out how," I raise my left hand.

They look at it for a moment, until their eyes bespeak the same emotion I had shown back then. Diana is the first to speak. "Wait a damn second, he has a partner in crime? How did he-"

"Pfft," That's a good description, I have to admit.

Out of the corner of my eye, I take in a familiar form. Strawberry blonde hair... It's Fiona! Oh, and Beth is there beside her. I spot them as they enter from the doorway, engrossed in their little chat.

"Hey Fiona!" Diana hollers. Ah, she beat me to it! They both turn our way.

"Hey," I say, raising my palm.

"As expected, you're popular aren't you?" Tony grins and wraps a hand around my shoulder.

"What's that look supposed to mean?!"

"Nah, I won't complain either. You are tall, handsome. A bit thin like me but have a fair bit of muscle. They'd dig you even without your space friend." He ruffles my shaggy hair.

"It's not like that... " My eyes drift to the side as they come closer.

"Oh? Well, you aren't boldly denying it either."

I feel myself blushing.

"And now you're blushing."

I pull myself out of his grip. But I can't do anything but groan in return.

"So who's your crush? There are three of them already. But I have a feeling, Diana is not your type. So, out of the both of them... hmmm... ah! The older one isn't it! Right, Fiona's her name."

I gape at him with eyes wide open. How sharp can a person be!

Maybe you're the stupid one.

Shut up!

Beth looks nervously between me and Kevin, which Diana spots and kindly scoots to the side. She faintly smiles and takes her seat beside Kevin.

"Hey Beth!" he says, finally relieved to find a companion, even if a few years older than him. It's the best he has.

"Hi Kevin. You seem fired up," says Beth. She meekly waves at me with a "Hi, Jordan," then looks back at him when I return the gesture.

"You know I helped assemble this tiny piece of tech that goes into a transmitter today. It was super cool. They gave me these handy tools and it felt like helping assemble a puzzle. It was reeeeeally small, and... "

I listen to him as he goes on and on. This is genuine enthusiasm. It's not artificially induced since Initiation has ceased. I feel happy for him.

"So Jordan," I hear a voice call me, just when me and Fiona match gazes. I lift my index finger up at her, and she nods in return.

Looking around, it's Abdul. "Yes?" I say.

"Well, Tony was saying how you came in late for class today, as we were talking. Where were you, might I ask? Because it is a bit... unorthodox. Usually everyone is present where they need to be while working. It's like we get into a different state of mind."

How ignorant. I sigh. So this is what they call having 'bliss in ignorance'.

"I took a ride," I give him a cheeky grin.

"A ride?" Nasser says, intrigued.

"Now where do I begin... " I scratch my head. Where indeed. This is hard.

But then I get an idea.

"Oh, you see. I took out on a Fly."

They exchange gazes in awe. "But this is your first day," Nasser says.

"I got special permission because of my space friend here. We can do anything together is why!"

Wow, I like compliments and all, but isn't this taking it too far?

Shut up, idiot. I'm just making things up here to save a few minutes so I can get back to Fiona.

Sometimes you make me question which one of us is smarter. Humans are such an enigmatic race.

"That's wild," Tony says.

I grin. "I know right. This is super cool." With that said, I turn around towards Fiona.

"I hear you found out where Billy is! Is that true?" she says rather loudly. I feel Tony stir from the side. Is that why she looked at me like that before? Ughh...

"What's this? Didn't he crash and die? A jerk he was, through and through. I thought Allah finally gave him the judgement he deserved," Nasser says. Whoa, that's harsh!

Beth gasps hearing this. "What did you find out?" She grabs my hand in excitement.

I sigh. Everybody who doesn't know is here so I might as well just tell them the gist of it. And what I'm about to do. They can feed Sally on it later.

"Earlier when I escaped from the laboratory, and got out of the hive, this meteor almost collided with me. So, with my blessed powers I summoned a stick of darkness that now proudly stands on the field outside."

They all share expressions of awe. Kevin and Beth gasp, as do Diana and Fiona. They knew I had something to do with that from the start, but didn't get a chance to ask me about it.

"So, what I found out is... disturbing. That meteor... was none other than Billy. Well, Billy's Fly that is. It was his spacecraft crashing through the atmosphere."

"SAY WHAT!" Diana exclaims.

"Yeah," I grimace. "So turns out. That black abnormality engulfed him whole. And now... he's somewhere unknown. Presumably, in a different dimension altogether. As for the fact he survived or not, I can't tell. There's not enough evidence for or against it."

I look down then over to Tony's side. "I can't keep up with this conversation. What the hell are you saying?"

"I know, it's not easy to wrap your head around. Even I can't comprehend it that well."

"No, no. What are these sticks you are talking about? What other dimension?" Abdul asks, dumbfounded.

I look at him a while. Then I frown. "Wait, you... aren't from our hive?"

I turn around towards Fiona. "There are other hives out there in that city," she says.

Ahh, I think Sally mentioned this. And now I see why they've heard as little as they do about me. Because I am a sensation at my place.

Stop exaggerating, even though it is...kind of like that.

Then I should have every right to boast.

He sighs. You are insufferable, Jordan.

Whatever you sayyy, it doesn't change the fact.

"You missed the part of him getting a partner in crime," Diana snickers.

Oh right.

"What are you saying?" Fiona gives her an amused look.

"Yeah, so that happened as well." I gather all their attention. "This is going to sound even more radical so bear with me." They grow more attentive upon hearing that.

Cold sweat forms when I think about it. But it is what is true. "After picking up on numerous little clues and the like, I have found out something horrifying about Billy. See..." I look at my transformed hand and turn it around. "Looks like he got blessed like me."

They draw in breaths of astonishment. "You mean he has a hand like yours now?" Tony says.

That is a good question. "Most likely. However, it can also be on a different part of his body, depending on where he cut himself. Assuming he got it the same way as I did."

It is really thought-provoking. Does this mean all humans are compatible with the blessing of Yttr?

No, I hear Space buddy deny head on. I told you. Our bond is something special.

Then I wonder... What is this speciality?

I grow composed. "I have asked the aliens to accompany me after our work here is done. We are going looking for that bastard."

"Oh how he continues to be a pain in the ass," Diana blows out some steam.

I laugh at that. Then getting a hold of myself, I let out, "Indeed," as I sigh, while being excited at the prospect of peering into a different dimension.

____________

Just when I thought they'd never come in, Sally, Samantha and the others of the front lines jolt in. They come inside in a hurry and take seats wherever they can. I am unable to call them over since we are all packed up here, but we wave our hands at Sally. She smiles brightly at them, which ought to put them at ease. Because that's the Sally they know and love.

But however, when she looks at me her expression changes. She points at me, and I nod my head. "Yes, yes. I know."

Next, food is brought, and to my great dismay, it isn't anything different. It is plain old slop. But, maybe a different recipe. And this time, it came in in two different colours, filling half of the plate each. I wonder what this is about.

I jump in, having grown rather famished. I try the white one first with green pigments that can be seen mixed in it. "Oh, this is something like a mixed vegetable curry," I say as I put more in my mouth. It's mixed with a base that has to be rice. Next, I try the brown one. "Oh this is rich. What meat is this?" I say as I chew more and more of it, not getting the individual fibres but the general taste, which might sound odd but isn't too bad.

"That's mutton!" Abdul says.

"Oh," I say. "I've never had that before."

Slurping on my fingers I glance at Beth. She's eating well as are the others. I don't know why I'm looking at them until I realise the purpose in it.

It's Diana.

She is slower than usual, staring off into space as she chews longer than needed before swallowing. I don't get a good look at her eyes from here, but I can tell something is the matter.

Beth notices me looking at her. Turning her head a little, she looks over but doesn't get what's wrong. Following her Fiona looks at her, then she shoots her eyes back at me. I signal at Diana with my eyes, adjusting my glasses. Not getting my meaning, Fiona curls her eyebrows. Aw, she looks so cute!

Enough simping already!

But, my trust in her is not unfounded. While looking at Diana's plate for some time she figures something is amiss. Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, she says something. I barely hear it: "Anything new today?"

They chat for a bit and I don't eavesdrop too much. Seems like it's softly enough that not even Beth can hear it over the buzz of the crowd.

But when Fiona looks at me again, I don't think ever in my entire life I've wanted more than not look away from someone. Why? Because, there is a look on her face that I can't decipher. It implores me not to break my gaze. It's as if, she's shocked, curious, anxious... And along with those maybe I sense disbelief in there too. I keep her gaze as steady as I can until she breaks it instead.

What is going on?

...

I finish my meal as Tony and his friends get up having finished their portions. We come outside to wash hands from the same way we entered.

"That was delicious wasn't it?" Beth asks as we come out.

A bit absent-minded, I take a bit of time before answering, "Oh yeah. Absolutely. It was certainly the best meal I've had yet."

"We get this one from time to time. It's my personal favourite."

I nod. Still wondering about what happened back there. Both their expressions were so distinct and different. I wonder...

It is not what I think it is, right? Taking frequent glances at a person, acting strange, then getting lost in thought- are all these signals pointing at what I am thinking?

Is she infatuated with me?!

Oh shit. Here we go again...

Then that means Fiona's look right then-

No, no, no, no, no. How can that be, that cannot be...

Deep in thought, I hear a voice calling out to me.

"Jordan!"

I answer on the second call. "Ye-yeah. Sorry, I was a bit lost." I try to laugh it away. But, Beth frowns and keeps on looking at me as if she's inspecting me.

"What's that look for?!"

"You're wondering about that, huh? I knew it." She walks ahead.

I follow. "I mean, of course. That was peculiar to say the least. Of course I'm wondering."

"I didn't hear what they were saying but..." she looks at me. "What caused Fiona to stare at you like that was because-"

I feel a hand grab mine from behind. "Whoa!"

-!

I feel myself get pulled away.

"Well, it's better if you hear it from her first hand!" Beth says, making a megaphone out of both her palms. "You can tell me about it later if that's alright."

Her voice diminishes in intensity as I am pulled further and further away. My feet barely manage to keep them from being dragged and place uncertain, rapid steps. The grip pulling me is strong, but there's a coolness to it because of it still being wet.

We finally stop at a place where we are at a good enough distance from the crowd. Upon catching my breath, I dread looking back over my shoulder. But when I do, and meet the gaze of the person behind me, I breathe the nervous air out. "Diana?"

Flitting her eyes around, she looks nervous, standing a bit curled up as opposed to her usual straight posture. "I'm sorry. This is so sudden..." She plays around with her fingers, making swift uncertain movements. "But, Jordan," she faces me, "I need to talk to you. I have something to say to you. I couldn't say it back there, I'm sorry for lying and pretending. I'm not good at that. And you know it."

I'm dumbfounded but I nod anyway to show that I understand, even though I don't.

A faint smile caresses her cheeks and eventually her eyes. "You are a good guy, Jordan." There's a pause. "I...I have something to ask you, even though it's... hard." Stammering, she looks down, hesitates. Her hair falls over her face, no longer allowing me to see her expression. "But, I'm scared. I'm so scared."

My heart hammers against my chest. What is happening....

"What are you scared of?" I hold her hands, trying to comfort her, even though I get goosebumps from the gesture. Is this alright? Is she-

But the next thing I know- she collapses on me, embracing me tightly as I feel teardrops wet my back, a convulsing chaotic rhythm is communicated to my heart from her heaving chest.

Her silent sobs finally find voice and she cries.

I wrap my hand around the small of her back and slowly stroke her hair down to her waist.

"Tell me, what's wrong," I whisper, unsure of what my response should be. The action I make is unbecoming of my shy nature. It even surprises me to find myself doing that on instinct. Because, this is so odd. What happened to her? Why is she like this suddenly? I have to know.

She remains like that for a while. I don't know how long. It all happens before my brain can process how long it's been.

But after a while, when she pulls away from me, in her eyes- I see a familiar emotion. Behind the sheen of tears, there's a familiar horror. Predominant. A crushing pain.

I see hell.

And then, purgatory flashes before my eyes. That dreadful incident floods back, something I had fought so hard to forget. It reminds me, painfully, that some things can't be left in the past. They don't stay there, as a past, a mere memory.

No. What happened back in that hell chamber, was real. Forgetting won't make it better. It never will. Horrors manifest in the unknown.

And here it is, haunting me again. With another victim on its hit list.

...

But...did she really go through that? What I went through...?

No. No way that can be true. From a single expression it's impossible to tell.

And, so, there's only one way to find out.

_____________

When she pulls away from me, her face is cast down, her expression clouded in gloom and under the shadow of her hair, in the white attire, she appears ghastly. Haunting.

So unseemly. Unbecoming of what she really is like. It's like finding another side to her altogether.

"You alright now?" I say, holding her arms.

She looks up and smiles. It gives me the chills.

"I can pretend I am. But really? Can I really be at ease after what I've seen, felt, experienced... I shouldn't have seen what I have. And there's no changing that, so-" she gasps -" I doubt I can be alright anymore." Her voice breaks at multiple points as she speaks. And with that, Diana turns around and starts walking, further towards the right of the cafeteria.

The more I think about this, the more horrifying it becomes. What has she seen, experienced? How was she able to hold it in for so long? She is not good at pretending, but keeping calm for that long in the cafeteria, speaking (or attempting to speak) casually to Fiona- how did she manage it all with only the little bit of suspicion. It makes it all so clear. She was desperate for herself not to break in public. Not to stir unnecessary commotion to a seemingly very sensitive issue, which if not handled with care can turn out to be catastrophic.

Space buddy hums in agreement. But he doesn't stop. He continues to make noises, though they are low enough to not distract me.

I catch up to her and match her pace. "Where are we going?" I hesitantly enquire.

From the way she spoke earlier, it's clear. She has seen something, like me. But there's no saying what it is. It may be a lab or something much worse...

Because, I've seen worse. So much worse. Felt it, experienced it. Yet, something tells me, hers is different. She is not wounded for one thing. And, she is scared.

But, of what?

"Jordan, why I wanted to talk alone with you is: I don't know if this is something I should be speaking about at all. But, I know that you have seen things none of us have. You have gone to places otherwise unreachable to humans. And you even have that alien hand, and it even speaks to you, so... I think you are the only person I can speak to right now. I don't know, we can both get caught after this, but, at least it'd give me strength to know someone knows. And if it's you, they can let it slide right? You've always got special treatment."

She is desperate for help, and only I can provide it to her. I can listen. Because I have the most experience in this weird world and the madness hiding within. Earlier, I was hesitant if it was alright telling everybody when Kevin started pressuring me. It's the same with Diana.

Because, nobody should be left alone if they have felt what I had, laying immobile on the marble bed.

"Diana, I'd tell you something. If you had indeed done something you shouldn't have, they would have done something to you. Earlier when I threw the symbiote away, they paralysed my body. They do it all from here," I touch the implant below my neck. "And you know what, earlier when I entered places I shouldn't have, they didn't try to put me down. Instead, surprisingly, they congratulated me on passing the test. They were testing my abilities. Maybe, what you have seen or experienced is something like that. You don't have to worry. And moreover, you have your implant on, unlike me."

She gives me a confused look. "Yeah, I'm no longer under control. Space buddy and me have full control over this body." I grin and show her a thumbs up.

She grunts and shakes her head. "It's unbelievable to me how you can be so strong... even when everything has fallen apart, and we are left with pieces to build our life from."

I smile painfully. "Trust me, I'm not strong. I am pathetic inside. It's you guys who keep it going. And now that you need help, I would be by your side." I slap my chest and assert that.

"You mean it, right?" A tear drops from the corner of her eye, as she stops and turns around.

"I mean it." I cross my arms and grin.

My mutated hand breaks free and knocks my face.

"Ow!"

Acting tough in front of a girl, huh? You are irredeemable.

"Shut up!"

"Wait, so that thing can move on it's own?"

I look at the hand. "Not often, but yeah. He can."

_____________

We walk silently further and further into the second floor. As I walk by, I see numerous components stacked together, pieces of technology both small and large. The lights shine on them causing their forms to paint dark shadows on their white exteriors.

So this is what they deal with. Diana commands the little ones, instructs them and as they assemble the smaller components into larger ones, she moves them as ordered after assembling some parts herself.

Right now, even if I'm curious, I can't ask her anything about that. It'd only annoy her more. But she's admirable, I'd say that. Still, it's not a good time seeing her down like this.

And the worst is... she cried on my shoulder.

I can't let that slide.

Space buddy whistles.

It really tore me up, you know that. She's always so outgoing, talkative. Yeah, she does not have high self confidence from what I've seen, but otherwise she is not a gloomy person.

I understand, brother. We have to do something for her. But, at the same time, the clock's ticking.

My eyebrows jump. What do you mean?

I take it, now that the humans have had meals, Initiation would resume.

I gasp. You're right! We must be quick.

"What is it?" Diana asks me, noticing me gasp.

"This would get complicated once Initiation resumes. You won't want to be in a place you don't have any work assigned to, right?"

Her lips part and she sucks in air. "Y-you're right," her eyes blink in rapid succession and she swallows, walking faster now. "Why I came here at all, was because I was done with work early. I wouldn't have come here otherwise."

"Here?" I take a look around. It's an unassuming area. No striking features jut out.

She looks back at me. She is scared. "Come this side," she pulls my hand. Man, her grip is quite strong. She is really athletic. I wonder if she played any sports back home. Those bigger parts are sure to weigh a lot.

I knock myself against a column and, upon doing that, cause it to fall.

I wince but mouth a hasty "sorry".

But she stares at me, eyes opened wide.

Confused I look back.

"Holy smoking barbeque!"

I stare at a tunnel. One that shouldn't have been there.

I look at her. Uncomfortable, she looks away.

"What is this? Has this always been there?"

She doesn't answer back. "Jordan, trust me. You are not ready for what lies in there. I wasn't." She turns at me, tears in her eyes. "And look what I have become." She sniffs. And then, she crouches, shaking as she sheds her despair. "It's gone! Everything I know is gone!"

A chill runs down my spine. Aghast and resolute, I place unsteady steps. More and more. The area slowly becomes clear the deeper I tread.

It's black, a tunnel of black. But it's bright at the end of it. It's hope, right? The light at the end of the tunnel? They say it's hope, right?

I turn around, I see her form, small, weak. On one end, I see despair, and in another there is a light, presumably of hope. But how can that be? Because, the light has betrayed her. She was happy in the dark. Happy, strong and energetic. But at the crossroads where I stand, why do things start shifting around? Why is such a strong woman now weak and lying on the floor, one who knew only laughter and banter, now in midst of despair? And why does the light at the end, ominously insinuate anything but, hope?

I walk. On and on, till I am standing at the source. There's a massive screen before me.

And the picture it paints into my eyes, blinds me of everything else.

An obliterated planet stares at me, red and yellow.

In pieces.

Blue stripped away from it. Still, its name claws on to it, like a persistent devil, which once was a doting maiden named Gaia.

And the planet so dearly named: Earth.

_____________

Diana was right. It's gone. Everything I knew is gone.

I collapse on the floor.

We belong in the stars, having forsaken our homeworld.

Dispossessed of everything we held dear.

Cruelly taken away by the hands of fate. And the appendages of our vehement masters.

Reality is staring me at the face. But I can't help looking at the floor, now wet with spilt tears that hold no purpose.

No purpose at all.