Page 6 of Soren

"Um, hello? I was told to bring these here?" I slide the pack of papers across the desk. The alien takes them without looking up and flips through the pages so fast they blur.

"Good to see you, Miss Michaels." He grins while tapping away at his tablet. "We've been waiting for you. You're the last one to arrive, so go on down to the ramp and we'll get you boarded." He hands me a slip of paper with inscrutable letters on it -- also written in the same glowing golden ink. "This is your ticket. Don't lose it."

"Thank you." I tuck the ticket safely into my pocket and turn to face the ship. I've never even flown on an airplane before, and now I'm about to go to space. Crazy how fast things can change.

The soldier at the foot of the ramp gestures to me from across the hangar. That's my cue. I take a deep breath and walk up to the looming starship. The ramp echoes with every step, and when I reach the guard at the door, he throws his arm up in a salute.

"Um...hi?" Too bad they hadn't given us Alien Etiquette 101. I didn't know whether to salute back, or say something, or...

"Ticket." His voice echoes just like the metal ramp. Deep and sonorous, vibrating in my chest.

"Oh, here." I rummage in my pocket and pull it out, handing it over into his outstretched hand.

He glances at it for a fraction of a second, then gives a stiff nod. "Welcome aboard, Miss Michaels. Please take your seat. We will be lifting off shortly."

The door slides open from bottom to top, and I step inside.

They weren't kidding when they said that this program would attend to our every need. Stepping into the ship felt like stepping into a limousine, with a light scent that reminded me of freshly cut flowers. Luxurious seats made of soft leather line the walls, with a low table in the center set with a variety of exotic fruits and drinks.

The guard walks with me, to ensure that I make it all the way inside. “Thank you," I manage to stutter. My brain -- and stomach -- are still focused on the platter of food before me. He simply smiles and says, "You're welcome."

"Is that..." I point at the tray, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "For us?"

He gives a nod. "Of course. Eat as much as you like. You will need to be in your seat for takeoff, however."

My mouth drops open, drool already pooling under my tongue. I barely even register when the door whooshes shut behind me. As much as I want...

I pinch myself, just to make sure I'm not dreaming. I'm not. This is real. I'm really here, and I'm really going to space.

My stomach can't wait any longer. I lunge forward and grab one of the fruits, taking a sloppy bite out of it. It tastes like a caramel apple dipped in dark chocolate, and I moan in delight. The flavors explode on my tongue, like it's been waiting for me to come and claim it.

I take another bite, then another, then another. Before I know it, I've devoured the whole thing. I know I probably look like a fool, tearing into the meal with my hands and groaning with each delicious bite, but I don't care. I'm too busy reveling in the taste of food -- real food.

I do my best to pace myself so I don't get sick. It's not easy, especially when my brain is yelling at me to eat everything in sight, but I slow down and savor every bite.

I can only hope Iris and Janie are eating this well. It feels like a crime to indulge like this when they have so little.

Had, I remind myself. Because of me and what I'm doing here, they'll have food and money to sustain them through the next year. They’re safe now.

And hey. If the rest of the year means I get to eat like this, maybe it won't be so bad after all.

A loud hiss from the sides of the craft catches my attention and I look up from my feast like a kid caught in the cookie jar.

"Final flight checks have been completed; all passengers please take your seats and fasten your seatbelts. We will be departing shortly."

My heart flies into my throat at the thought. This was it. I was about to go to space. I quickly settle into one of the leather seats next to a floor-to-ceiling window and take one last look at solid ground.

"Take care," I whisper to my sister and niece. "I'll be back soon." My chest swells with emotions -- sadness, trepidation, excitement. Not to mention a little nausea from eating so fast. The air suddenly feels too constricting, pressing in on me like a humid summer day. I know it's just the nerves, but I still gasp a few times, heart racing like a scared rabbit. It's gone as soon as it arrives, and I'm left white-knuckling the armrests for dear life.

Oh, I hope I don't get airsick. Or is it space sick? Is that a thing?

I'm about to find out.

The hull hums as the ship's engines spool up, filling the room with a low thrumming noise. The floor vibrates slightly, doing nothing to quell my anxiety. Fortunately, the hot flash doesn't return.

The rumbling grows louder and with a mighty creak the craft begins to move. It's surprisingly smooth for such a huge ship, and as the hangar doors open, I see the runway spill out before us.

My heart pounds so hard I can feel it beating in my teeth. I can barely breathe, waiting for the moment we leave the ground -- and Earth -- for the next year. To be able to visit an alien planet is like a dream come true.

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