Location: The Ark

4th November 2147

Sobs wracked through my body as I rushed back from the infirmary. I blindly dashed through the hallways of The Ark, fingertips damp with tears.

I darted around a corner and collided into somebody's shoulder almost sprawling to the floor.

I glanced up with flooded eyes and barely made out dark brown eyes and a guard's uniform, before scurrying away. "I'm sorry."

The halls felt like shrinking tunnels as I tried to navigate my way back to my family's quarter. The artificial lights felt too harsh on my flooded eyes.

People ogled me as I wove around them.

I didn't care how insane I looked. I just wanted to get to my room so that I could cry my heart out to relieve the pressure in my chest.

Too concerned with containing my tears, I ran around another corner and collided with somebody. I tried to move around them but they grabbed my arms.

"Eden?" Orion's soothing voice surprised me. "Babe what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He held my face up and wiped my tears with his thumbs.

Words jammed in my throat. I got flustered trying to respond and in the end I cried harder.

Orion pulled me close and wrapped me tightly in his arms. "Is it your mum?"

I nodded.

"Let's go to mine where we'll have some privacy." Orion didn't wait for me to struggle with a reply, instead he pulled me into his side and guided me along.

His parents weren't in their family living quarter. Everybody on the Ark was assigned living quarters based on their marital and family status. Coupled parents and their child got the usual small living space, but instead of bunk beds or a double bed in the same room, they got separate bedrooms.

A circular, space grey table sat in the centre of the minimalistic room.

Other than clothes and and a few items like a toothbrush, hairbrush, hairband, people rarely had any personal belongings hence the hollow rooms. My dad brought back screwdrivers and tools on occasion from working in Hydra station. My mum used to bring me pretty bracelets made from plants categorised poor.

My mum. My mum wanted to die. Suicidal thoughts plagued her mind, whilst I lay crying into Orion's chest like an infant.

I was sick of my mum being sick. It hurt me more and more to watch her suffer and thinking I couldn't help in the slightest.

It had warmed my heart today when she told me I could help her. Then, it burned my chest inside out once she explained how. There was no way I could do what she asked. I didn't have that sort of strength. If my mum died, a big part of me would cease to exist.

"Eden?" Orion mumbled into my hair as he clutched me tight. "Baby, you have to talk to me. What happened?"

He ran his hand up and down my back in such a soothing manner. The tension began to fade and my tears started to dry up. I hiccupped and sniffled my way to a despondent silence.

I concentrated on Orion's breathing and tried to match mine to his.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"You know it's okay." Rion leaned back to peer down at me. "Take a deep breath and talk to me."

I pushed through a trembling sigh and tried to form coherent sentences. "My mum. She- she asked me to help her―"

"Help her with what?" Orion sounded weary now. Maybe he was putting the pieces together himself.

"Die. She asked me to help her die," I whispered.

Tears began to spill over my cheeks again, in the silence that ensued.

Orion cursed under his breath before leaving soft kisses on my forehead. He brushed away my tears with extreme care and mumbled soothing words.

Once I had settled down again, he propped himself up and gazed at me.

"I know it's upsetting and I can't comprehend how you're feeling, but what did your mum say to you?"

I sniffled. "We were talking normally, then she said she was in pain. I stood to get Abby, but she stopped me. I asked her what hurt and she started describing how she felt. I told her I'd take away all of her pain if I could. I just don't want her to keep hurting."

"I know. That's why she loves you so much Eden." Rion tried to soothe my rising hysteria.

"That's what she said. She started telling me how much she loved me, my dad, and you. Then she said there was one thing I could do for her, to take away her pain. Stupid me, I was enthralled by the idea of being able to help." I was a whimpering mess, again. "I'd do anything, Rion. I really would, but I can't- I can't do that. Why would she ask me to do that?"

"I know, baby. I know."

Orion stood up and pulled me with him. He filled a cup with water then pulled me into the bathroom. He sat me on the closed toilet and started dabbing at my blotchy, wet cheeks with tissue.

When he finished, he offered me the cup of water. I sipped it.

"Did you tell Abby? She should be able to help."

I shook my head. "No. No. They'll just put her in solitary or handcuff her to her bed in case she does something. I don't want that for her."

"Okay. Okay. What about your dad? Are you going to tell him?"

Should I? It would give me some relief if he knew, but it could also bring him more stress. It's already bad enough his wife was terminally ill. If he knew mum wanted to die, he'd be devastated. I didn't want to see my dad more upset than he already was. So, I couldn't tell him.

"I can't. It would kill him."

Orion looked bewildered. "Babe, it's killing you. Doesn't that matter? You can't live with this by yourself."

"But, you know."

"I can't do anything, though. I can't help your mum. What if she does something to hurt herself?"

I breathed deeply. I'd made up my mind. "She won't."

"You don't know that."

"I'll make sure of it. I'll be with her to watch her."

"You can't be there all the time."

"When I'm not in classes, or with you, I'll be there." I let positivity ooze out of me.

I needed Orion to understand. I need him to believe in me and what I was saying.

"What about your friends. Eden, you need a life."

"My life is my family. Me, you, my dad and mum, plus your parents." I widened my eyes innocently and pleaded. "Please, Rion. Please, don't tell anybody. Please."

He stared at me for a few moments without speaking. He looked torn, like he could decide. I knew he didn't agree, but would he do this for me?

His head dropped into my lap. "Okay. But if it happens again or if she does anything, we have to tell somebody."

"Okay." I ran my hands through his brown locks and over his back. "Thank you."

He pulled himself up and fixed me with a serious look. "I mean it, Eden. I love you and I'd do anything for you, but this is serious."

"I know." I pulled his face to me and let my lips brush over his. "I love you more."