Page 56 of Between Earth and Eternity
Her eyes are dark and distant, not at all like the courageous woman who was ready to better herself and the human race.
“It’s tough work out here. Not that I’m complaining; I knew what I was signing up for.” She says that last part like she’s trying to convince herself too. “I’m saving up as much as I can before my work assignment is up and I can get to Eden, but I will admit, it’s nothing like I thought it would be. The work is important, but it hasn’t been easy.”
I don’t know how to respond, so I take a sip of my coffee. It tastes like it always does but foreign at the same time.
“That must have been quite the moment, when your name was called,” she says, not as a question, and I feel a shift in her tone that puts me on edge.
“Um, yeah. It was emotional to say the least.”
“What did Elliot do?”
Maybe I’m reading into something that isn’t there, but the resentment in her commentary is making my skin itch.
“He was . . . I don’t know . . . a lot of things. We were all emotional.”
Sarah shakes her head dramatically. “Fuck. Poor El. That’s rough.”
I stare back at her, at a loss for words. The gladness of reuniting with an old friend vanishes like a gust of wind, completely dragged away on a riptide.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re leaving something out?” I ask, taking another sip of coffee.
“Did you ever consider that Elliot wanted to come withus?”
I almost choke mid-sip. Her words feel like a slap.
“What do you mean?”
She exhales a sigh of frustration. “He stayed for you, and now you’re not there . . . Shit. I can’t imagine how he must feel.”
I can’t swallow, my throat suddenly too tight. I want to scream at her that I didn’t have a choice, that this is the last place I want to be. If I had things my way, I would have never stepped foot on Zenith. But if what she is saying is true . . . if Elliot wanted to leave . . .
He stayed for me. I held him back.
“El knows he could have . . . I never asked . . .” I stammer, but the thought dies on my tongue.
Of course I never asked. He knew it would have killed me if he’d left me behind, and god knows I wouldn’t have ever left Earth voluntarily. I was chosen, and I still wish every day that I could wake up from this nightmare.
“You don’t know that’s how he felt. You’re just assuming.” Word vomit flies out of my mouth, trying to contradict what I fear is true.
“He told me, Sky,” she bites back. “When the rest of us signed up with Mannox. He wanted to come with us, but he didn’t, knowing you would never.”
My lip trembles as I shift uncomfortably in my seat, suddenly claustrophobic in my stupid suit. I hate the weight of it. I want to rip off my body.
“Look, Sky, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be a bitch, but . . . Forget it. Things are just not as they seem.”
I furrow my brows, trying to understand.
“You and Elliot never seemed convinced about Mannox’s promises, unlike the rest of us. I’m just angry I didn’t see it before. Honestly, it’s best Elliot didn’t come with us. Things . . .” She looks around the shop, making sure no one is listening to our conversation. “Things have been happening,” she whispers.
“Whatthings?” I lean in.
“For one, they added another year to my work contract. Apparently, they can do that.” My body goes stiff. “But not just me, everyone’s assignments conveniently extend right as they’re nearing their term date.”
A pit in my stomach forms like a heavy stone. “Surely not everyone. There must be an explanation.” I begin to panic, even though it doesn’t involve me.
Sarah rubs her eyes as if it’s the only thing she can do to diffuse her frustration. “You don’t think I’ve looked into this? Yes, Skyler, it’s everyone. Not to mention people being dragged out to prison vessels.”
“Prison vessels?”
