Planet Athion: The Complete Series by Angel Lawson

Planet Athion

Complete Series

Angel Lawson

1

Mercy

Earth - 1 Year Earlier

The car turnsthrough the wrought-iron gate, past the statue of an angel, and deep into the cemetery.

“I always get a little turned around in here,” my father says, mostly to himself.

My mother, sitting next to him in the front seat, replies, “It’s the back section. Remember? Past the mausoleum with the stained glass.”

“Right, right.”

I stare out the window, bouquet of daisies in my hands, absorbing everything. That’s what I’ve started to do now, just take in everything like it’s the last time I’ll see it.

Which, logically speaking, it is.

“Ah, there it is.”

They speak of it—her, so casually—like everything is normal. Nothing is normal. Not my sister’s death or the reason we’re here today. Not the luggage in the back of the car or the freshly minted passport in my pocket—the one that includes travel not just to other countries, but to other planets.

Planets.

My father parks the car and I get out of the backseat. This visit isn’t for them. It’s for me. It’s time to say goodbye to my sister. I’ll never come back here—I know that in my heart.

Juliana’s grave is three rows over, and I take care not to step off the narrow, rocky path until I reach her headstone.

Juliana Grace Ladd

Daughter, Sister, Survivor

There’sa small nursing symbol underneath. Juliana loved being a nurse. She loved taking care of others, just like I did. I place the bright, yellow and white flowers at the base of the headstone, a sharp contrast to the dull, gray afternoon, and bend down on one knee.

“Hey, sis,” I start, feeling the tears well in my eyes. “Just wanted to stop by before I leave on my trip. I feel like if you were here, you’d approve, maybe even want to go with me. There are a lot of women I can help up on Athion. My mid-wifery skills are in high demand and I want those pioneers, the ones that are willing to change the face of our reality, to have support from back home, you know?”

I feel the wave of sadness rushing over me. “Sometimes it feels like I’m running away, but that’s not how I see it. I’m making a choice. My choice. The one you never got to make. I wish you’d had the chance to make your own decisions. Those fucking bastards took that away from you. They tricked and defiled you. I don’t blame you for what you did, Juliana, but I don’t want to be put in that position. I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of being sad.”

I remember the day we found her. The pregnancy test was on the counter next to three empty pill bottles. Her face was so pale—her lips blue. I shake my head and wipe my cheeks, not wanting to remember her like that. I wanted to think of the girl with the strawberry-blonde hair, a shade lighter than my own. The girl with the bright smile and emerald green eyes that we shared. She was a light—my best friend--and I miss her so much.

I stand, glancing at my parents still in the car. This is hard on them too—losing both daughters. One in death, one to adventure.

“I’ll think of you every day that I’m in Athion,” I tell her. “I’ll look up at the thirteen moons and bring new life into the world. Wanted life—cherished life—and maybe then, I’ll feel peace.”