Vin
stares into the sky. He knows it’s getting closer day by day. When he was
young, he thought it was weird for
a planet to just hover in the air. Now that he’s older,
he realizes they are in a binary orbit around the Sun.
Theia was the name given to the planet
long ago. Now that it’s colonized. It’s known as Beta Earth, a second chance,
for all humans. “I failed the people I cared about the most. Can anyone … can
anything wash away this feeling. This terrible horrible feeling.” Vin lowers
his gaze. In front of him is a hospice district. The gardens are well kept and
the lawns are luscious green. “How did I end up here?”
It’s been six months since this
started. It’s hard to believe ... I was just a street punk. Zuri and I joined a
gang, stole and did whatever we could to survive. Even with all that ... I
acquired the power to protect the sprawls—the loving home that raised me. I
took control of our gang the Faux Forsaken and made them a beacon of hope
instead of fear. Hell, I even made a
protection deal with an executive of the Syndicate, Gaidon. Even with all that ...
I couldn’t—Vin grasps the bag he’s holding tightly
as he enters the communal housing complex.
His eyes remain fixed on the ground
as he walks down the dark hallway eventually reaching room 403. He peers
through the square window on the door. Inside he can see an older woman lying
peacefully in a medical bed with I.V.’s attached to her. Next to her a young man is sitting in a
wheel chair. His head is hung low and a look of deep depression on his face.
Vin takes a deep breath as he grabs the door knob and pauses.
This never gets any easier.
He thinks as he turns the knob and enters the room.
“Vin?”
a woman asks. Vin nods in confirmation as he walks towards her. He takes a
small wrapped gift and places it on the desk near the young man in a wheel
chair.
“More candy?” The woman asks.
“I heard he actually tried some last time.” Vin replies.
“Yes. He’s always had a sweet tooth. Even his
current condition won't keep him from that.”
They both share a light laugh which
ends abruptly when the woman starts coughing. Vin moves closer to the woman and
kneels by the side of her bed. She rubs him lightly on the head. Emotions swell
as he grabs her bed cover and squeezes it tightly.
“It’s not your fault.” The woman
says. As soon as those words leave her
lips, tears stream down Vin’s cheeks. The woman continues to rub his head
lightly.
“It’s not your fault child … rest.
You’ve done enough.”
“Thank you Caroline but I—I can’t
rest yet. Not yet.” Vin wipes away his tears as he looks over at the young man
sitting in the wheelchair.
“He hasn’t talked since that day.”
Caroline says. Vin stands up and walks
over to him.
“He lost most of his brothers and
sisters that day … I don’t blame him.” Vin
leans in and hugs the unresponsive young man.
“I’m so sorry Zuri.” he whispers
lightly.
“I know I can’t make things right …
but I will make a change.” Vin’s embrace
is suddenly interrupted when he feels a slight distortion. The feeling is
followed immediately by a small chill that enters his spine. He recognizes this
sensation. Someone has arrived. He slowly stands up and starts to exit the
room.
“The world will end soon, Vin.” Caroline
says.
Vin
stops and turns his head slightly.
“You think so? The rest of the world doesn't seem concerned. No one is even reporting on it.” Vin replies.
“I’ve seen it in my dreams ... many
times. Theia crashes into Earth and all life is lost.”
“So, in the end, nothing we do
matters. Everything ... was for nothing.” Vin says.
He
has always expected this outcome. Since childhood, his sister Anul would wake
from her night terrors, screaming about the end of the world.
“No child. It’s the exact opposite.
Everything we do now matters the most. Vin ... the world ends soon, I know it
... but I see you. I see you. Somehow you survive the end of the world and
inspire hope.” Caroline says
“Inspire hope? I-I just wanted to
protect you and—and I.” Vin grips the door handle tight. No amount of words
will suffice as an apology. Failing to protect his family is almost too much
for him to bear. He can't bring back those who died and he can’t restore
Caroline and Zuri to their healthy conditions. All he can do is wait. Wait for the pain to
hopefully subside. He leaves Caroline with words reassurance to fill the void
of silence he let in the room.
“I promise I’ll make a world worthy
of the both of you.” Vin says as he opens the door.
“Be safe child and know that we
always love you.” Caroline replies as Vin exits the room. A young man named
Abel, stands just outside the room. He wears a hooded jacket that covers most
of his face. Vin closes the door behind him and walks by the young man as he
makes his way for the exit. Abel follows behind Vin as he passes by.
“You are a hard person to track
down.” Abel says.
“I have to stay off grid.” Vin
replies.
“This is the only place I know you
visit every month.”
“Well?
What do you want?” Vin asks.
“I need your help. Paradise
is in danger.” Abel says abruptly. Vin stops and clenches his fist tightly.
“Vin I know this isn’t the best time
but—”
“Listen. I care about one
thing. The only reason I am still around
... is to make sure Gaidon holds up his deal to protect the sprawls.”
“I helped you.” Abel says. Vin turns
to face Abel.
“I helped you when you came to the
area between worlds.” He continues.
“I know and because of that ... now
I’m on the run. From the moment they found out what I could do the U.F. has
been hunting me. They forced me to abandon my Faux Forsaken. To abandon my
home. Which means I can no longer protect the sprawls ... I can no longer
protect the people I love.” Vin replies. Abel understands Vin’s plight but he
also knows that he is the only one who can help him save his home.
“Vin
please—”
“Why should I care about Paradise?
Huh? They exist in peace and harmony while my people suffer here in the streets
and sprawls … I hope it—I hope Paradise burns to the ground.” Vin says as he
continues towards the exit.
“There are mothers in Paradise too!” Vin stops and Abel slowly walks towards him.
“There are fathers and brothers and
sisters as well.” He says as he continues to move towards Vin who still has his
back to him.
“If Paradise can’t be Paradise …
then can any other place hope to achieve the same status?” Abel says in a plea
to win Vin’s help.
“This is something you must consider. If you
really want to make a world … that’s worthy of them.” Abel says softly as Vin
stands in the exit of the building. Vin
turns his head and looks deeply into Abel’s eyes. They are the eyes of a young
man who has seen our world's deepest secrets, eyes that carry wisdom far beyond
their time. However, this time Vin notices something more than that. He can
finally see ... a hint of fear.
This
boy, Abel, is like me. He does not want to lose his home ... and I believe he
will do anything to prevent it. Vin thinks.
“You
protect your world and I’ll protect mine.” Vin says.
“You
don’t get it Vin. If my world falls, all others will follow it.”
“We
shall see.” Vin says as he leaves the building. The door slams shut behind him.
