Flashback 6 years old
"Mom, I want to help," I whine loudly, and mom shoots me a smile.
She bends down and kisses my forehead gently.
"I wish you could, baby. But mommy is using a knife," mom says, and I frown.
I stand on my tippy toes and stare at the pile of celery.
"I am big enough. I can help," I repeat, and mom sighs.
She closed her eyes for a minute before lifting me up and placing me on the counter.
"You can watch, my little Miracle. But keep your hands away from the knife at all times. You are still too little to cut up veggies," Mom says, and I smile while nodding.
I love watching mommy cook. She makes the best food. I want to learn how to make yummy food. So when I have a family, I can make yummy food for them too. I will make all my favorites for them. When mommy comes to my house, she will smell the air and say, "mmm, something smells good."
As I stare at the ever-growing pile of green vegetables, a drop of red liquid falls from my face and lands near mom's cutting board. I stare at the drop for a few seconds and more begin to fall around the first one.
"Mom, look," I say as I point to the red drops.
When mom sees what I am pointing to, she gasps and puts down her knife. She grabs my face with both of her hands, but I keep my eyes on the growing pool of red liquid.
"Krystal, look at me, honey," Mom says, and I look up into my mother's worried face.
When I look at her, she gasps again and grabs the kitchen towel hanging on the stove. She presses the towel to my face and bites her bottom lip.
"What's wrong, mommy," I ask a little muffled, and mom gives me her fake smile.
"Nothing, honey. We just have call Dr. Gayley. It's time for you to have a checkup," Mom says, and I smile excitedly even though she can't see.
"Okay," I reply.
I like my doctor. She is nice.
End of flashback
My hand shakes as I sign my name on the piece of paper that could save my life.
Ever since that day in the kitchen, I have been poked and prodded. I have had countless treatments and multiple surgeries to fight the different cancers ravishing my body. I have grown accustomed to hospitals and nurses. Even when I went into remission, I never seemed to accept that I would ever have a normal life again, but I tried.
I tried to dream about having a family. I begin to think about a future career. I participated in sports. I got good at styling my hair and doing my makeup. I even had a boyfriend for a short period of time during my sophomore year of high school. But I always had a feeling that long life would never be within my grasp. So when my yearly checkup revealed the cancer was back, I wasn't surprised. I wasn't sad. I accepted it quickly. But mom...Mom didn't.
Her dreams for my life had blossomed during my years of good health. She had thought the nightmare was behind her. She thought her child would outlive her. She thought she would see me get married and have children.
"I need to write my mother a goodbye letter. I won't mention anything about this...I need to say goodbye. She deserves a goodbye," I say as I hand the contract back.
Ms. Cummings nods and digs into her briefcase again. She hands me a spiral, and I give her a small smile before looking down at the paper.
My mind swirls as I try to think of a way to begin. How do you say goodbye to someone who loves you more than they love themselves? How do I convince her to carry on with her life?
I take a deep breath and place the pen on the paper.
Dear Mom,
Thank you for being the best mom a girl could ever ask for. You showered me with love every day of my life. You made me feel complete even when you thought I was missing out.
I'm sorry we didn't get more time together. I am sorry my body wasn't strong enough to kill the diseases inside of it. I want you to know I am ready.
I am prepared for all the sickness to end. I want to know peace. I want to rest and actually feel refreshed. I know you will miss me. You are too great a mom not to miss me, but I want you to be happy, mom. I want you to find love. Maybe have a few more babies. I would love that for you.
When a fast-tempo song comes on, dance crazy for me. When a bird chirps outside, chirp back like I used to. Curl up, and read some good books like I love to do. That way, I am still here. You will hold my legacy, mom. I won't leave this Earth until you do. My memory will be in your heart, so I won't truly be gone. If you do have more children tell them about their wacky sister.
I love you, mom. I will always be with you even when you can't see me. Hold me in your heart forever. I will be safe and healthy there.
Bye, mom.
I sob as I place the pen down on the spiral and hand it to Laura. She takes the spiral gently and sets it down on the small side table.
"I need to explain the process before you are teleported. Are you able to listen, or do you need a few minutes," Ms. Cummings whispers, and I nod.
"I'm listening," I whisper back as I wipe my boney face.
"The center expects harvested women and will be ready for your arrival. You will arrive unconscious. They will immediately place you in one of their machines that gives them a full-body read-out. Depending on what they see will determine your treatment. I hear it is a speedy process, and it heals your body completely. You will look as if you were never sick. Even your hair will be back. Personally, I can't wrap my brain around a machine like that, but it exists. I have to link the teleportation device with your DNA, but once you are logged, you never have to do that again. The teleportation system is on every civilized planet, and I understand they use it to travel as we do airplanes. Do you have any more questions before I prick your finger and get you logged for transport," She asks, and I stare at her with watery eyes.
"When I get settled, can I call you for updates on my mother," I ask, and Laura smiles?
"Yes. That is a reasonable request. Anything else," She replies with a soft voice, and I nod.
"Are the men ugly? Do they look like aliens in the movies," I ask sheepishly, and Laura chuckles?
"My sister sent me a picture of her mate. He is beautiful. She said the majority of the people look very similar to humans but bigger. More muscular. They also range in colors. We have a very neutral color pallet for our skin tones. Brown, cream, peachy, but theirs seem to be more varied. Probably due to the different vegetation on each planet. But no, they do not resemble aliens depicted in our films," she answers, and I nod.
"Good. I think I am ready. If this was all a dream or if I am already dead, it really doesn't matter. I am prepared to be done with all of this," I say, gesturing to the hospital.
Laura nods and takes a small black box out of her case. She holds it up to her eyes, and it does a scan of her face before popping open. I watch intently as she pulls out a small orange device. There are only three buttons on the top, and they are all white. They aren't labeled, so I have no idea what each is for. The device isn't very big, and it's square. It has a small scene underneath the three buttons but nothing else.
Laura holds out her hand, and I place mine in hers. She presses the middle white button, and a small needle pops out of the end of the square device. She pricks my finger quickly, and the device gives a beep as the needle disappears.
"My device only has one location I can teleport people to. It is very basic compared to the teleporters they use," Laura explains as she stares at the small screen.
I glance at her face quickly before looking back down at the screen. After a few seconds, a loud beep sounds again, and the word logged pops up on the screen.
"Okay. I am going to press this button, and your body will be sent to the medical center. It was a pleasure meeting you, Krystal. My contact information will be given to you when you arrive there. They give you paperwork and a copy of the contract you signed. They will also guarantee you speak their language. They have a unique way of sharing information and knowledge. Goodbye, Krystal," Laura says, and before I can respond, she presses the button.
A strong wave of energy flows through my body, and I grow drowsy instantly. The room around me vanishes, and my eyes close on their own.
Colors swirl around me as my eyes crack open. The colors alone tell me I'm not in my white hospital room anymore. But instead of relief like Ms. Cummings promised, my body feels worse than ever. I can't even lift my head. I immediately get nervous and scared. Why did I believe her? I probably sold myself to some weird experiment place that tortures people in the name of science. "Hello," I croak, and I hear footsteps approach me from my left. Someone touches my arm, and I manage to roll my head in their direction. My eyelids flutter as my brain tries to recognize the face looking at me, but the person's appearance is all wrong... Their skin is a shiny light purple, and they are towering over me at such a high height. "Who are you," I ask, and the strange person tilts their head to the side before holding their finger to their mouth. I instantly shut my mouth in fear. I don't want to upset whoever this is, but I keep my eyes on the purple being. As I stare, my vision slowly
Zalu hands me a bowl of what looks like different fruits, and I stare down at the bright mixture curiously. "You brought up that Earth has starving people...Do other planets in the universe not have starving people? I mean, do you not have money or any type of economy," I ask as I pick up a squishy green piece of food. "We have something similar to your exchange policy, but unlike Earth, basic necessities are never something you have to pay for. Water and food are not owned. Food grows everywhere. We pick it, and if we want meat, we hunt. Our stores contain products, not needs," Zalu explains as she takes a seat in front of me. "Are you not afraid of over hunting," I ask as I bite into the piece of food. The green plant explodes with juice, and a tangy flavor fills my mouth. I hum as I chew. Whatever it is, it is way better than hospital food. "What do you mean," Zalu asks, and a few more people walk into the communal cafeteria Zalu brought me to. "Well, I mean, on Earth, we hav
"These clothes are fancy," I say to Zalu as we walk towards the cafeteria for breakfast. Last night in my room was magical but also a little scary. After Zalu left to go home to her mate, I decided to head to bed. The plush covers and fluffy pillows were calling my name. But when I turned out the lights and silence fell, I was able to hear the roars and calls from the animals outside. It was intimidating, to say the least. "All Harvested women are dressed in the finest outfits that represent their planet. These clothes are nothing compared to the dresses you will be wearing during the tournament," Zalu replies, and I look at her in surprise before glancing down at the beautiful blouse and straight-leg slacks I put on. "How do you know so much about Earth and what we like," I ask as I try to picture extravagant gowns. "Just because humans don't know about us doesn't mean we are ignorant to you," Zalu says as she points toward a table. I follow the line of her finger an
I grin as Jia gulps down another fizzy drink we got with our room service. When I asked Zalu about the drink, she had smiled and waved good night instead of answering me. So we have been learning what it is on our own. The purple liquid seems to make you feel drunk, but it doesn't make you wobbly or incoherent in any way. It is basically a grape soda that gives you the giggles. "So, what's your story," Jia asks me after I finish describing my first day here, and I giggle as she flops down on the couch beside me. "My story? You came to my room to learn my story," I ask, and Jia smiles. "Pretty much. You seemed nice at breakfast and the most approachable. So spill," Jia replies, and I nod while placing my empty plate down. "Okay, well, I'm from Ohio. My family consisted of my mom and me... And I have been sick off and on the majority of my life," I explain, and Jia looks down at the piece of fruit she is playing with in her fingers. "Single mom, huh," she mumbles,
I can't help but tear up as I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror. Zalu is an absolute artist.My makeup is light but flawless. The mixture of brown and pale green eyeshadow applied to my eyelids makes my blue-green eyes pop. The pale pink lipstick Zalu brushed my lips with gave them a plump, kissable look. My hair has been swept up into an elegant bun, and the dress...The light green lace ball gown I am wearing is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I truly feel like a princess."Are you happy," Zalu whispers from behind me, and I spin around.I wrap my arms around her waist, and she giggles before returning my hug."I am honored," she says quietly, and I release her before stepping back."I have never felt like this before. I feel breathtaking," I admit, and she nods while her cat-ish eyes grin at me happily."I am happy I could help. Are you ready," Zalu asks lightly, and my butterflies return.She watches my expression closely, and I nervously lick my lips befo
"Attention, after meeting with your next group, you may retire for thirty minutes. For the last switch, please listen up," the male Kea says, and the female from Hassin, who I was speaking to, stops laughing. I turn my attention to him almost eagerly. Ever since the uncomfortable first round with the Froles, things have run smoothly. The Keas and Hassins being my favorites to talk with, closely followed by the Shikazs and the Peulos. We haven't had any more uncomfortable moments, and I have even made a couple of new friends. The male Kea lists the names and colors quickly as I look around the room with a easy-going grin, but when my eyes land on Zalu, my happy feeling dims a bit. She looks anxious as she stares at the announcer, and the realization hits me slowly as to why. The last group...the ones we haven't met yet. "Makskin, Earth, blue," he says, and a chill runs over my skin. The fact that Zalu is this worried about us talking with Zor is intimidating. It mak
"How did it go with Zor," Zalu asks as she sprays my face with what is apparently flawless foundation in a can.I grin as the memory of Xiu's words run through my head. She was so kickass!"It went well. Xiu handled the conversation, so it remained respectful but dramatic. Zor made some rude remarks, and Xiu returned the favor while not going over the line. It was beautiful," I explain while looking up at Zalu's nervous face.She grins and sets the spray can down before picking up the brush to apply more lip product."Good. I was worried you would let Zor get under your skin. She can be hard to get along with," Zalu says, and I nod slightly since I am trying to keep my lips still.Zalu finishes my makeup touch-ups quickly, and we hurry back to the hall. Just like before, Zalu presses the button to open the door, but the room's new layout makes me pause for a few seconds before I proceed into the room.The colored tables are nowhere in sight, and fancy lights are now hanging from the c
The females begin to take their seats, and I watch the line to ensure I grab the right chair. The last thing I need to do is get into a skirmish with a Makskin over seats. As soon as the smaller Makskin sits down, I follow. Jia sits down beside me, and I focus my attention on the male Kea watching all of us with an excited smile. He looks as if he can't wait to bring in the champions competing for our hands, and that eases my mind a bit. Kea people are sweet individuals. If he is happy to introduce us, the men must not be too bad. "Now then, let us begin. It is my greatest honor to present this Harvest's Champions. We begin with the Commanders—Commander Garlof, age 27, from the planet Cok. Defeated and conquered a Rusckods base with only seven soldiers. Commander Fornis, age 26, from the planet Cok as well. He led a covert mission into Muysocks controlled space. Not only was the mission a success, but he also didn't lose a single soul in the mission. Commander Burk, age 27, fr