Arc 1 - Chapter 11: A Shy Girl

(Prominis 19, 56 / 12:03PM)

In the void, he heard three voices coming from somewhere. Floating in the dark like a piece of space equipment, those three voices—

How many times did he blackout and hear new people?

Jolting out of his nap, Luke opened his eyes to see David sitting on a chair, facing his direction.

“You ok son?”

“Yeah, just about.”

“Sorry about the fight. I talked with Luna regarding her temper, but she rolled her eyes at me. You know, typical response from a teenage girl.”

“That’s not some teenage girl!”

A teenage voice boomed to the left of Luke, causing both David and him to turn to another bed. The boy had teenage hair, his hands laid out on the mattress while narrowing his eyes.

While Luke tilted his head to the right.

“You name’s Jack right?”

“Yeah man, and I thought you had it rough! But noooo, look what she did to me!”

A little cast was plastered on Jack’s right foot, gleaming under the afternoon sun. Closing his lips, Luke trickled a droplet of sweat from his left temple.

“She just sprained your ankle, which was mostly your fault Jack…”

Another teenager, looking to be in his late teens, sat right in front of Jack, similar to how David was to Luke.

The teen looked to be older than Luna, two years older to be perhaps. Having a dark-complected skin tone, strands of his hair flocked on his forehead. He looked to be well built and sturdy, his body looking to be conditioned for football. But the most unusual thing about him was his gray hair and eyes, and his unusual height as well.

Because he looked to be a few inches taller than Jack, who was already tall.

Around his neck was a necklace taking the shape of a cross, a status of religion and faith. The teen turned to face Luke.

“Name’s Miles, want a soda?”

“No thanks, I’m good.”

“That’s fair. You want a soda Jack?”

“Yeah, pass me one.”

Having the soda on his waist, Miles tossed it to Jack underhanded. Catching the red and black aluminum can, Jack turned to see the logo of the soda, his face frowning when he read the brand.

“Mr. Pepper? You know I don’t like Mr. Pepper Miles.”

“Then give it back.”

Jack remained silent.

“Give it.”

“ … no.”

Without blinking, Miles snatched the soda can away from Jack, opening the can for a gasp of gas to break free. His way to insult him, Miles raised the can of Mr. Pepper to his lips, tilted the soda down, and let it caress every gum and tooth of his mouth.

Finishing the soda, he crushed the can with his two hands, before throwing it at Jack like a frisbee.

“Keep it.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“You started it.”

“If you two don’t shut it, I’ll put both of you in the ring with Luna.” Said David.

Both teens zipped their mouths shut, their eyes averted away from the cowboy. Even Luke, who did nothing wrong, felt his body shiver from David’s cold growl.

“Anyway, Jenny told me that you’re good to go. You should be breathing regularly again.”

“Oh ok…”

Luke got out from the hospital bed, leading his bare feet to smack the cold marble floor. Stretching his arms and hands wide, a simple crack shivered his back, his throat making him wheeze once.

“What did I miss?”

“After the ring competition, everyone went through elite training. Now that it’s twelve, lunch has already started.”

Luke nodded at David’s words. Turning his head toward Miles, who sat back down on the wooden chair, Luke rubbed the back of his head.

“I was wondering, how did Jack sprained his ankle?”

“Jack ‘accidentally’ tripped Luna during elite training. She got angry and tried to get him, but he fell, which is what led him to sprain it.”

“But Sean made a bet with me!” Yelled Jack.

“You and Sean … I swear…” Muttered Miles, clearly frustrated with Jack’s antics.

Luke had begun putting on his socks and shoes, followed by his pants and shirt that he usually wore. Getting ready to head for lunch, Luke tapped the tip of his sneakers on the floor once, before setting off.

But David got up from his seat, leading Luke to stop and turn to look at the tall cowboy. Raising his hand, David patted him on the shoulder, softening his look.

“Just want to let you know that Luna isn’t a bad person. Sure, she’s a handful, but once you know her, you can understand where she’s coming from.”

Luke simply nodded at David’s intermediate level of persuasion, as he walked through the door and out of the hospital room. Leaving just Miles, Jack, and David to remain in the all white room, the left side of David’s face shone under the sun.

‘She went through hell. If I was in her shoes, of course I would be unstable…’ thought David.

________________________________________________________________________

(Prominis 19, 56 / 8:33PM)

—I guess they all crashed out…

Since he was unable to go through elite training, Luke was one of the few candidates who didn’t go to sleep early.

Walking through the garden, Luke saw the Kepputhan night sky. Seeing two moons barely visible to the naked eye, most of the night sky was covered by light pollution.

—Kind of hoping I would get to see a night sky, filled with stars. Light pollution is big in big cities.

Being lost in thought, he heard two voices coming from the other side of the garden. As much as he didn’t pay no heed, he let his feet trail to the noise. Getting closer and closer, he cleared both ears, leaving his earwax to pop once the words began to—

“Sorry, I just don’t find you attractive…”

“So what if I’m not attractive? You look like you’re into sweet boys huh? I can be a little good boy if you want.”

—What?

Luke couldn’t comprehend the words coming from one of the teens, leaving his right brow to furrow up. Slowly, he peeked his head from out of a corner, hiding behind a bush once he carefully took in both—

—Luke’s eyes fell upon a girl with fair skin, fidgeting with the stands of her blonde hair—

From her bright blue eyes, her cross necklace, and her long black dress, Luke would have mistaken her for an angel. She looked to be a year older than him.

—Who is she?

His cheeks showed no signs of stopping his blush. His whole body lit up, his sticky palms and reddening pinkish face only made his stomach feel like butterflies.

The other boy, looking to be Gary and Diego’s age, had elf ears. Ginger hair, green eyes, and porcelain skin that shone under the moonlight, he was none other than…

—She’s talking to Sean…

“Just give me a chance alright? I could be nice to you know?”

“I just … don’t have a type … as long as he’s nice …”

His body burned up evermore, making his chest feel heavy the more he stared at her. Clutching his hands together, his fingers fiddled with one another, sweat mingling all over his palms.

“Then why did you—oh … I see now … I get it … you’re not attracted to elves…”

“I-It’s not that—”

“Just because I’m an elf doesn’t mean you should reject me for it! That’s pretty discriminatory if you ask me!”

“I just—”

Luke’s fists started to quake and tremble, seeing the blue-eyed girl tear up. Taking in an influx of air into his lungs, he placed his anger deep within his heart, caging it in like a rabid animal.

Stepping out of the bush, he made his presence known, but he put his right hand on the back of his head. Walking toward the two, he pushed up a shy smile.

“Um … are you two alright?”

Questioning both the girl and the elf, he gazed his pushed down eyes on the teen boy. Entirely focusing his attention on him, he had one objective; wanting him to drop the act.

But his timidness skyrocketed once the girl began looking at him, making him unable to create eye contact with her.

“Don’t worry, we’re doing just fine. Name’s Sean by the way.”

Sean looked at Luke, gazing his eyes upon the twelve year old boy. Pushing some hidden emotion within his gut, he instead brought forth another, as pushed his lips to form a twisted smile.

“Do you like party tricks?”

“Sort of … why?”

Sean pulled something from within his pocket, which was a small metal box. Having it in the palm of his hand, he extended his hand toward Luke, giving Luke the opportunity to shyly take it.

With Sean filled with mischief, Luke’s eyes scanned the box, as a bead of sweat drew from his right eye.

—What is this?

Luke used his right hand to pry open the box, but it was too tight. Dumbfounded, Sean started laughing as Luke’s naivety was showing, slapping his knees as he laughed.

“Haha… you’re supposed to push the button at the bottom.”

He raised the metal box up, allowing himself to see the bottom nestled where Sean said it would. Just as he was about to push it, Sean gave him one more bit of advice, as a tiny snort cleaved from his nose once.

“For the trick to work, you have to stare at the top of the box.”

Having the small box right underneath his chin, he tilted his head down to stare at the lid. Pressing the button, the lid opened and…

It bursted open.

Too fast for his boyish eyes to see, a simple glimpse of a boxing glove stormed out of the case. Being on the same scale as a baby’s hand, it was enough to give Luke an uppercut to the chin. Despite the force of the punch being small, Luke was weak, causing him to stumble to the ground with the box in tow.

Widening his eyes, Luke felt a trickle of an unknown liquid escape from his mouth. Wiping it away with his sleeve, he turned his arm toward him and noticed…

—Wait … am I bleeding?

His tongue bruised.

Massaging his cheek, his fingertips rubbed his skin the more his tongue swelled. Standing up quickly, Sean sprinted away, crackling far away in the distance as he didn’t look back. Closing his eyes, Luke let a huge breath of air parch his lips, his fingers continuing to rub his skin despite them not being a cure to his bleeding tongue.

—Why is everyone out to get me?

He began his walk toward the hospital lounge yet again, looking down at the floor with a softened face. But he was stopped by none other than the blue-eyed girl, her face full of sentiment and carry.

“Are you ok?”

Avoiding eye contact, Luke’s face flushed red again. Sweating, he raised his left hand to scratch the back of his neck.

“Yeah, I’m fine…”

“Let me accompany you to the hospital room.”

“You don’t have to—”

She grabbed his hand and dragged him through the high green grass. Both were the same height, as Luke’s entire body shimmered red once he looked at his hand, which was clasped by hers.

“I-I never got your name.”

His palm glued to hers, the girl felt his nervousness, but she didn’t mind it one bit. Looking at him, her cheeks also flustered a pinkish red, but not as noticeable as Luke’s.

“Oh uhm … my name is Hope.”

Reaching the door that led to the infirmary, both stopped as Hope had her handle on the door. Keeping her grip firm on the metal, it creaked, her head tilted down as she saw her own hand quiver.

“Luna shouldn’t have done that…”

“I-I’m still alive, and I think she just has anger issues.”

Rubbing his bruised chin, he remembered the vague fight, his vision blurring the status of reality and hallucination. As he was lost in thought, Hope opened the door, nudging him to follow her.

Widening his eyes, he regained his senses, as a warmth reignited in Luke.

[Once you know her, you can understand where she’s coming from]

“What made you join the Dark Angels?”

As both of them walked into the infirmary, Luke placed himself firmly on the couch. Hearing the question, Hope reached one of the cabinets and opened it to unveil a box of supplies.

“I was founded by Boris on the side of an alley. My home status isn’t really…”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, no! It’s okay! I’m fine with opening up.”

The moonlight from behind shone into the room.

Grabbing the medical box of ointment and other supplies, she scanned through the aluminum bottles and mysterious liquids labeled in red letters. Having what she needed in her hand, she closed the cabinet from behind.

“So what about you? I believe you’re from…”

“Ticia.”

“Oh…”

Her eyes pushed down, as she settled herself on the couch right next to him. Her hands quivering, she pressed a cold compress right below his chin, leading him to arch his head up.

“One minute, you’re with someone, and then the next, you might never see them again.”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Loosening her strength with the compress, it made Luke grip it with his fingers. Taking the reins, he let his eyes stare down at the marbled floor below, as the moonlight from both moons shone evermore through the heavy light pollution.

While seeing a reflection of himself, a twelve year old boy with red eyes and light brown hair, a boy skinny and frail…

“It’s ok … but … if I pass training, and become an elite soldier, then I hope I’ll never let that happen again.”

He turned his head to look at Hope, her blue eyes mingling with her red eyes to form a purplish glow. Ignoring the city air, air that mingled with vice, smoke, and lust, Hope averted her eyes once her cheeks began to reddened.

“I also want to be a soldier. A soldier that helps others in need, a hero to other soldiers like support units or medics.”

In return, Luke also blushed, his cheeks flustering a pinkish red similar to Hope. But instead of averting his eyes, he got himself off of the couch, turning his body around so that he faced Hope.

And extended his hand.

“Alright, then let’s do our best then. For both of our goals.”

Pushing up a warm smile, Hope smiled back at him. Grabbing his hand, both were able to lock eyes onto each other again.

Eyes that fully captivated his sense of being, his sense of truly being a soldier.

—She’s more brave than me. Contrast to me, I don’t see myself as a hero…