Homecoming

They dropped the packs and walked toward an enormous, moss-covered tree whose huge, twisty roots stuck out of the ground. Luke raised his arms over his head and stretched before lowering himself onto the root. “Come here,” he said, grabbing Glass’s hand and pulling her onto his lap.

Glass laughed and pressed her hand against his chest. “We have the whole planet to ourselves, and you want to share the same seat.”

“We don’t have the whole planet, you little imperialist,” Luke said, twisting a strand of her hair around his finger. “We have to leave some room for the Earthborns.”

“Oh, right.” Glass nodded with mock gravity. “In that case, we better conserve space.” She smiled and swung her leg over Luke’s so they were facing each other.

“Good plan,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist, closing the narrow distance between them. He kissed her gently on the lips and then brought his mouth down to her chin, her neck. Glass let out a small sigh, and Luke grinned. He kissed the spot where her jaw met her neck and raised his head to whisper in her ear. “It feels good to be selfless, doesn’t it?”

“It has its benefits,” Glass breathed, running her hand down Luke’s back. Their joking aside, it felt incredible to be so alone. On the ship, there were thousands of people packed into a space originally designed for hundreds. There were always ears listening, eyes watching, and bodies brushing up against each other. People knew your name, your family, and your actions. But out here, there was no one watching them. No one judging them.

“Oh, look,” Glass said, pointing over Luke’s shoulder at a cluster of small pink flowers she hadn’t noticed before. He twisted around and extended his arm, reaching for one. But just as his fingers were about to close around the stem, he pulled back and let his hand fall back to his side.

“It doesn’t seem right to pick it,” he said, turning back to Glass with a sheepish expression on his face.

“I agree.” She smiled and placed her hand on the back of his head, bringing his lips back to hers.

“It’s a shame, though,” Luke murmured. “It would’ve looked beautiful in your hair.”

“Better just to imagine it.”

Luke kissed her again, then slid his arm under her and stood up, lifting her into the air. “Luke!” she laughed. “What are you doing?”

He took a few steps and, without a word, lowered her to the ground, laying her gently in the patch of flowers. Glass’s breath quickened as she watched Luke kneel beside her. The playfulness in his face had disappeared, replaced by something closer to reverence. He reached down and ran his fingers through her hair, allowing it to fan out across the pink blossoms.

Glass’s heart was pounding, but she forced herself to stay still as Luke bent down to kiss her, using his good hand to support his weight. She parted her lips slightly, then reached her arms around to pull him closer. She took a deep breath, savoring the heady combination of the flowers, the forest air, and Luke.

“We should get going,” Luke said finally, looking up at the darkening sky. “We’re going to need to find a place to stay tonight.”

Glass let out a long, contented sigh. “Can’t we just stay right here forever?”

“I wish. But we’re not actually safe out here in the dark. We should find a spot that’s more protected.”

They walked on with renewed energy for a few more hours as the sky went from a deep grayish purple to a rich, velvety black. The moon was so bright, it blocked out most of the stars and painted strangely beautiful shadows on the forest floor. It was so beautiful, it made Glass’s heart ache, as each new wonder served to remind her how much her mother was missing, how much she’d never get to see.

Luke came to a sudden halt and held out his hand to stop her. He cocked his head, listening, though Glass didn’t hear anything. After a moment, Luke whispered, “Do you see that?”

At first, all she could see was a shadowy landscape of trees, but then she spotted it: It was a small building. Right there in the middle of nowhere.

“What is it?” she asked, suddenly nervous that they’d wandered somewhere they weren’t meant to be.

“It looks like a cabin,” Luke said, tightening his hold on her hand as he led her forward, stepping slowly and silently. They made their way toward it, moving in a wide arc before approaching it from the side. It wasn’t a cabin; it was a tiny stone house, remarkably intact. The sides were covered with vines and moss, but it was clear that the walls were sturdy and strong.

They stopped a few feet away. A sudden breeze rustled the trees, and then it fell silent. Both Luke and Glass held their breath, waiting for any sign of life, but none came.

Luke stepped up to the door, pressed his ear against it for a moment, then pushed it open and stepped inside before beckoning for Glass to join him. She took a deep breath, adjusted her pack, and crossed over the threshold. There was just enough light coming through the cracked, dust-caked windows for them to see the frozen tableau inside.