The Rebel Star Part 10

Fallen turned to me, studied the set of my shoulders, drew a breath.

“I’m sorry, Stella,” she said. “I’m so sorry, there’s so much more of this planet I wanted to see with you. But I have to go back.”

I nodded. “But – ”

Her face softened. “But you’ve got a task, from me,” she said. “You have to keep asking questions.” Her hand took my shoulder and squeezed. I put my arms around her middle and it felt as though her glow brightened.

She stepped away. I watched as her friend’s great glow grew and engulfed the two of them, and with their hands clasped they rose in a blinding halo of white light, and were gone.

I walked home in the quiet. With every step, I felt like I was falling back into a dream. My parents had returned, and had just started to worry, when I walked down the drive. I let them hug me, answered their questions about the broken front door as best I could, understanding, even then, that I mustn’t tell them anything about the woman from the stars.

Then I tugged on my mum’s arm, and pointed upwards. “What makes the stars shine so brightly?” I asked.

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE COMPLETED THE STORY TRAIL