After another academic day, the creatures gathered again in the hallway, waiting for Orion's speech. Among the crowd was Arabella, trying to stay unnoticed. She settled right by the door and kept glancing at the clock. She was waiting for the moment when hospital visits would be allowed. One by one, the creatures attending the academy joined the growing crowd. From the whispers she overheard in the hallway, Orion announced that this speech would be very important. She already knew what it was about. But the creatures around her didn't. While waiting, she heard constant murmurs. The whispering stopped as Orion appeared.
– I would like to address everyone here regarding the current situation – he stood proudly in the center of the gathering. Strands of his black hair defied gravity, falling over his icy eyes, adding to his serious and sharp demeanor.
– So, I won't keep you long because this gathering is very important. I'm aware that quite some time has passed since this problem appeared and that the planet Syrinx is already in chaos, but thanks to the solution I found, we will quickly solve this together. Namely...
– Ugh, how he's taking all the credit for himself. This is unbelievable, thought Arabella as she left the academy.
After brisk steps that led her to Liv's room in the hospital, Arabella gently knocked on the door. Then she entered and found Liv in much better condition. Liv gave her a generous smile and nodded in greeting.
– I'm glad to see you. I missed you – Liv said softly.
– I missed you a lot too. I was so eager to visit. How are you feeling?
– Much better, after getting good rest.
– Are you eating enough? You need food.
– I am, don't worry. Everything is fine.
– I hope so.
– I do, Mom! Just so you know, it's really boring here.
– Read some books. I brought a few just for you.
– No thanks, keep them.
– As you wish!
– What's happening at school?
– Nothing special. Orion gave a speech today. I only listened to the beginning, then I left the gathering. It was just a waste of time.
– What?! – just as Liv asked that, there was a knock at the door.
Arabella and Liv exchanged looks, then both turned their gaze to the door. Liv's father appeared there. As soon as he saw them together, his face lit up with happiness.
– Oh, so you're together, girls! – he approached them lightly.
– Hello, how are you, girls? – he asked.
– We're great! – they shouted in unison.
– How are you, Liv, my child?
– I'm much better, Dad!
– Does anything hurt? ...
Their conversation continued warmly and attentively. Arabella watched them, feeling the warmth and care. For a moment, she fell back into her deep thoughts, longing to feel parental love. She yearned to be surrounded by her family again, to know how they were and if everything was okay. She missed them. Tears welled up in her eyes but she quickly suppressed them. She felt lonely once again.
– I'm going to leave you now so you can have your time. I believe you need it – said Arabella.
– Stay, you really don't bother us – Liv said.
– Yes, Arabella, feel free to stay – Liv's father confirmed.
– Thanks, but I have some academy duties.
She said goodbye once more and headed home.
The next day, after classes, Arabella finally returned to drawing. She didn't have many obligations. She hadn't drawn for a while, and it was a great way to relax. She loved spontaneously tracing black lines on paper, creating images from her mind. Her favorite playlist played in the background. She enjoyed it. Time passed, and she completely lost herself in imagination. Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell brought her back to reality. She headed towards the front door, from which the ringing continued.
– You have to come with me now, so you'd better get going without complaining – he said sharply, taking a firm stance as he stood across from her.
– And why?
– Just go already.
– And what if I don't want to?
– You're an incredibly annoying creature – he said, leaning his hand against the doorframe, staring at her.
– You're even more annoying – she snapped, stepping closer to him. Her heart started to pound.
– I don't want to waste my precious time on you.
– You wouldn't be wasting it if you explained things nicely and stopped ordering me around. You know I won't obey you – she challenged him.
– Today we start with that plan. I don't have much time. We need to begin soon. It would be wise for you to show up. This is your unique chance to appear in a positive light again, in front of my people – he responded, matching her teasing.
– This isn't a unique opportunity. The real one was during your speech, and you ruined it.
– Fine, and?
– Maybe you should've said I was the one responsible for it all, and that you wanted to abandon the research at the first chance you got.
– Maybe?!
– Ugh… Are you really like this? I thought after that research we were starting to build a normal relationship.
– Why would I want to have a normal relationship with you? Do you think you're so special that I'd want that with you?
– I thought I was honored enough to make it happen – she said sarcastically.
– Well, you're gravely mistaken, because you're the most boring creature I've ever met. Honestly, they all are, but you're the top of the list! – he turned slightly and quickly disappeared from her view.
Deathower's dormant phase was approaching. She didn't know where the others would be gathering, so she decided to head toward the academy courtyard. There, she found a group of creatures. She stood in a small corner, trying to remain unnoticed. The group kept growing larger and larger.
Before long, the operation began. She broke away from the group and started working on her own. Destroying Deathower while it was in such a state was a quick and easy task, so she managed to complete a good portion of it during the three minutes of its inactivity. The other creatures also spread out efficiently and got a lot done. Thanks to such effectiveness, ten more similar operations were carried out in the following period, during which Deathower was completely eradicated.
The planet Syrinx returned to normal and was recovering well, gradually restoring its damaged parts. The overall situation calmed down. Through joint efforts, a great danger had been removed, and now all creatures had resumed their normal lives. The mood at the academy had also improved, and the teaching process was running smoothly once again.
It was finally time to hold the first ecology section after all the chaos. Arabella had planned to visit Liv, who had returned home. Her condition had improved enough that the doctors decided to discharge her from the hospital. However, before visiting Liv, Arabella reluctantly decided to attend the ecology section.
Today, they were supposed to uncover the culprit behind the entire mess together. Hearing the bell ring to start, she stepped up to the board to share the detailed steps in uncovering the mystery with the others. Everyone was paying close attention.
– So, I think...
She was interrupted by a harsh entrance. It was Orion. He wore wide black trousers, a black-and-white checkered shirt, and underneath it, a black T-shirt was visible. He walked proudly through the classroom until he reached the spot where she was standing.
She realized she had been staring at him a bit too long and quickly snapped herself out of it. He was too beautiful. He possessed an unreal kind of beauty – but he was her greatest and worst "enemy." His nearness had a significant effect on her heartbeat. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be aware of it.
Or maybe… he was.
– As everyone here is aware, I have come so that together we can find the culprit behind the appearance of Deathower on our planet. I believe someone did this on purpose, because a plant this dangerous cannot appear by accident – he addressed all the creatures proudly.
– Wait, wait, wait... No one knew about your arrival, nor did you inform anyone. – Arabella met him quickly and sharply, trying to correct him because she was too angry that he interrupted her speech.
– I am ruler here and I have the right to do whatever I wish. I do this for the good of us all. Besides, I informed certain ones that I saw passing by.
– Yes, what he said is true – stepped forward one creature, trying to defend him.
– See? As you can hear. And now, step aside, I'm running the show because after all I am the leader, and you are a mere assistant.
Arabella just looked at him with a frown, then took a seat in the back benches. The other creatures gathered around him. She had a clear view. She watched him as he spoke with them and they showered him with a huge amount of attention. All the while, he maintained a formal distance. He was cold and showed no kind of emotion. He was only performing the official part, doing what needed to be done. During his talk with them, he threw her a few glances, which she absorbed with a frown.
– So, I propose we begin the inquiry – he said.
– How? – one creature asked.
– In the way an inquiry is carried out. You are asking irrelevant questions – she responded to him defiantly.
– If you have no more questions, then we may begin.
So, the inquiry began, creatures were called up one by one. There was nothing suspicious so far, so the process proceeded relatively quickly. After some time, it was Arabella's turn.
– Assistant, it is now your turn – Orion called from the other end of the classroom.
He observed every next step she took. She moved toward him slowly. With fast, barely noticeable moves, he pulled a chair — the one occupied by the interrogators — closer to himself.
– An assistant has her own name! – she replied angrily.
– But you are completely irrelevant now, just like everyone else, except you have the role of a pitiful assistant.
– First of all, I am not a pitiful assistant and secondly, I was the leader of this planet too, just like you are now. I have values. And I was chosen exactly because of those values to be an assistant – she stood right in front of him now, lowering herself slightly so she could look him in the eyes.
All the creatures now gathered even closer around them, carefully following their conversation.
– You were a leader, and that time has passed. I believe everyone has forgotten that phase.
– That doesn't have to mean anything! – Arabella answered, taking the chair next to him.
– I don't have time for this now, we should begin.
He found himself face to face with her, while she sat before him, confronting him.
– So, since when did you know about the Deathower case?
– From the very beginning.
– Hmmm... did you take part in planting the Deathower?
– Yes, as a member of this section, and we all planted it together.
– Did you know anything about Deathower?
– We, as members of the section, were given the duty and we didn't suspect at all that we had planted a dangerous flower and that it would cause chaos.
– Your behavior is suspicious! Are you hiding behind all of this? – he provoked her.
– How did you uncover me so easily. Yes, it's me. I'm responsible for all this mess – she answered sarcastically to his provocation.
– I don't see the point of your answers.
– Well, you never know. Maybe you are hiding some useful information.
– Indeed! Can we stop this investigation now? I'm afraid you'll expose me if you continue. The method of inquiry is excellent of course.
Their conversation was accompanied by various whispers and muffled giggles. The creatures wondered at her courage in constant provocation and responses. The whole situation amused them further.
– Kate, it's your turn – Orion said, no longer looking at her. Arabella stood up and walked back to her seat.
She threw him another look over her shoulder. Settling into the desk, she saw that he was already looking at her.
– So, Kate... Are you familiar with the Deathower case?
– Sort of – she answered.
– Since when do you know about it?
– From the very start?
– Ummmm... well... I know from the moment everyone else found out! – she responded suspiciously.
– Are you sure?
– Yes?
– Do you know any information that might be useful to us?
– Not really.
– Did Professor Betty perhaps tell you something about Deathower?
– Umm... no... why do you ask?
Her behavior grew even more suspicious. She no longer sat still in her chair. She began tapping her feet on the floor and making rhythmic beats with her fingers on the side of the desk.
– What's with the nervousness? Hiding something?
– Uhh... no!
– Then why are you so unsure in your answers?
– Uhh... I... ummmm... mmmmm... I actually do have some information.
– I knew it! – Orion greeted her.
– Please believe me, I'm not guilty of anything, I just... umm... was given the seed of Deathower by Professor Betty without being told anything. I... umm... I had no idea there would be trouble.
Her nervous behavior persisted. She was under pressure. She had to think quickly, so as not to reveal herself or her aunt Betty.
– Is that all you have to say?
– Uhh... yes...
– Very well, this concludes this investigation!
– And what happens now? – Kate asked.
– You will be informed at the next gathering! Goodbye for now!
Orion quietly left the gathered crowd. He cast one more glance at Arabella before stepping out of the classroom and disappearing into the corridors of the academy.
Arabella finally made her way to Liv. They embraced each other and together entered the house. They settled into the well known corner of her room and began to talk.
– So, how do you feel now that you're finally home? – Arabella asked.
– I feel amazing. I really missed my home.
– Have you taken care of your wound and your diet since you got back?
– I have.
– Are you sure?
– Yes. Thank you for caring.
– There's no need to thank me. It's my duty.
Then they talked about all kinds of things and enjoyed each other's company.
– I heard the mystery around the Deathower is solved.
– Not completely yet. It'll all be cleared up soon, but the mood at the academy is already much better. Orion is investigating, trying to find the culprit.
– What's the situation between you and him?
– Nonexistent!
– You know, watching your "nonexistent" situation, I've concluded you'd make a perfect couple.
– Don't start... – she exhaled briefly in disapproval.
– Seriously, Arabella... you two are so alike, yet so different. Your intelligence and humor match perfectly.
– Oh yes, absolutely! You're so right! – Arabella said sarcastically in response to Liv's comment about the perfect couple.
– I mean it.
– So do I.
– As always! You know, my classmates came to visit and told me he actually defended you during that speech.
– Impossible! – Arabella looked at Liv with wide eyes, then continued, – He only took all the credit for himself.
– What do you mean?
– I helped him find the solution, and I was the one who discovered the answer.
– I don't know, it's just what they told me — that during the speech he said people should stop blaming you for what happened because you had nothing to do with it. He believes you don't deserve disrespect, but the exact opposite.
– That must be some kind of false information.
– That's what I thought too, but several people confirmed it.
– Interesting...