Rising Shards

“I know the ones on the boat were my parents,” I said, trying to piece it together the best I could. “So that’s when they got exiled. And while that was happening…you were…”

“I was with River, yes.” Tik said.

“And who is River?”

“River is…my dearest friend,” Tik said. She started to say more, but her eyes welled with tears. “I’m sorry. That was more than I was prepared to see as well.”

“I get it,” I said. Even though the weight of seeing my parents was presumably very different than Tik seeing whoever this River was, I understood.

It felt like we all stared at the waves and the gorgeous sky above them for hours, even if it was just a few minutes.

“I don’t know what I should do,” I said. “I don’t know if I can face my parents again even like this. Especially not if they do whatever they did at the end there.”

“You don’t have to decide right now,” Tik said. “That’s more than enough for today. After this, I ask that you focus on your finals. But still think about my request when you have the time and emotional availability. And during the first week of the next semester, I’ll ask again. I won’t be upset if you say no. But I would greatly appreciate your help.”

“That works for me,” I said.

Back home, Tik gave me a writing journal and said I could fill it with any questions I had, or anything of note about my parents that I knew, as that would help her somehow.

“Can I ask one more question before you go?”

“Of course,” Tik said.

“How did you find us?” I asked. “Were you spying on me like I’m pretty sure my parents were?”

“No,” Tik said. “You can blame Mars for that. When he met you, he remarked…” She trailed off. “Actually, it’s probably best if I save that answer for another day. It’s nothing bad, but it might be a bit much today."

“Alright…?” I said.

After Tik and Mars left, Caya gave me some pamphlets and a quick chat I barely comprehended any of because I was still stunned. She let me and Stella sit with the info for a bit, bringing us to a private room in the void entry building.

“That was really weird,” I said. “I don’t know how I feel right now. I feel really…distant.”

“I suppose if we’re going to get sudden news, I’d rather…” Stella said.

“How do you feel about all this?” I asked.

“I am concerned,” Stella said. “But Ms. Moonheart makes a convincing argument.”

As she was when I stepped into Caya’s office earlier, Stella didn’t look like she did when I got some really bad grades or broke something and tried to hide it. We both talked over what we saw, with Stella’s contribution still showing Tik a vision of my parents fleeing their home, but she saw a different one of Tik.

"So you didn't see someone named River?" I asked.

"No...it was just Tik walking through a jungle for a second." Stella said.

"Have you ever heard of someone named River before?" I asked. "Tik said she was a close friend. River said her full name was River Kathron..."

"Hm..." Stella said. "Mom and Dad never mentioned a River, but that doesn't say much, does it?"

"I guess not." I said. “Ugh, speaking of them. I just broke down when I heard Mom and Dad…they started talking to me. It wasn't them from now, just like. My memories of the last time I saw them."

“I’m sorry,” Stella said.

“Can we really do this?” I asked.

Stella thought about it for a long time. “I don't know…but I vowed to never let them hurt you again. So if that means I have to learn more about them, then so be it. We still have to face them, but we don’t really face them, I hope.”

“It doesn’t have to just be you.” I said. “I don’t want them to hurt you, either. I can’t let them hurt you. But it might take me a while. I thought I’d do better…but seeing them again made me completely freak out.”

“We don’t have to make any decisions now,” Stella said. “I really want Evy’s advice on all this.”

“Yeah, I want to talk to her too…” I said. “Did Tik show you the picture of Mom?”

Stella nodded. “I’m very glad we moved out of LE when we did. I think it’s best if we stick to Sky Clay for a bit, but if we do need to go to the city, we all go together. At the very least you, me and Evy together.”

“Yeah, I agree.” I said.

Both of us needed time to process this.

“No matter what, we got this, right?” I said before Stella had to go back to work.

“We got this.” Stella smiled.

I got up to leave, but my legs were trembling, and I felt a pit in my stomach. Stella sensed it and held me close.

“Sorry, it’s just kinda scary,” I said, my voice shaky.

“Hey, hey, it’s alright,” Stella said, rubbing my back. “We got this, don’t worry. It’ll all be OK.” Her voice was a bit weak, too, but she did her best to be brave, which made me want to as well. We both were in no shape to face our parents again, which meant facing their pasts might be completely out of the question. But if we didn’t help Tik, would we be entangled in our parents’ plans? Or was it too late to stop them?