A mixed day.
Jenny left from the spaceport. Our time together has vanished like a creature leaving the Stitch.
Our final conversation lasted all the way from leaving my room all the way to the departure gate. We were the only ones on the bus, and I was glad to have the chance to chat, and zoom over the city.
Everything was so clean and fresh and happy below. How could have what happened later actually happened when everything looked so calm?
I walked her to the metal doors of the ship. The employees nodded and smiled, tipping their steel hats, and offering fresh carrots sticks in their paws. I guess you could try and blag your way on board if you wanted to, but I do not think anyone would try that.
‘You have got a cool gig here,’ Jenny said, her foot halfway across the threshold. ‘You definitely still leaving?’
I nodded. Technically I did not tell a lie then.
After a hug, she was gone.
Always fun to watch the ships take off. The gentle hum of the engines, and the blink of light when they reach the clouds. A member of staff tipped their hat to me again on my way out, and I hope they are still amazed after watching so many journeys.
I had taken the whole afternoon off, so headed to the spaceport cafe for a chery ice. The baristas are bears in spacesuits, who try to chat at first, but leave you alone if you are quiet enough.
The reports on the screen about the Butter Mouse appeared halfway through my first sip.
A giant test tube stood in an alley near a solar panel construction site. Somehow they had managed to get hold of an old gas boiler, track down the fuel, and botch together a makeshift heating rig. The innards of two or three androids lay scattered on the ground. Thin slivers of plastic that reminded me of bones.
Inside the test tube a thick silver soup bubbled above the flame. It made me think of Mum’s stories of chicken stew. The words were faint on the glass, but I knew what they read.
‘I can only show you the compassion of fingers in a closing door.’
I have never seen such a police presence. There must have been a dozen officers scanning the area, measuring up the place, keeping the crowd back.
Why did the camera have to show the test tube? Made me so mad.
I had to call Deni to check they were alright. Their hand was stuck in a vending bear, but Nate was cutting them out, so all good. But I still worried all the way home.
In bed. I hope this all ends soon.
Maybe I will leave.
But then who will keep Deni safe?
Clip: At least there is the comfort of these wonderful animals. One has eyes on stalks! The beauty found in a million dimensions is a constant balm against the danger outside.