Page 56 of When Eden Falls

This time Dybgo’s voice coerced my eyes upwards. His tone was soothing, mesmerising. Why was he looking at me like that?

“I…” I had to know if the Akquarians were lying, if he was lying. “Dybgo, have the Akquarians ever been to space?”

He looked baffled; almost amused. “You mean into the sky and beyond? No, never.”

“Why not?”

“We don’t have the knowledge or the technology to do so.”

“But you have libraries full of ancient human engineering books.”

“Yes, we do, but my species are very much content with our feet firmly on the ground…or in the water.” A frown formed on his brow. “Why do you ask?”

Damn, I shouldn’t have said anything. Shaking my head, I tried to find the words to shut the conversation down, but instead my thoughts ran away with me, “Are there any other intelligent lifeforms on this planet?”

His eyes dilated; an aspect of surprise hidden there. “I’m…not certain. We are a small sea faring community. We don’t venture far. Your questions are very…strange.” He peered at me. “Is something worrying you?”

“No…no, it’s just my mind and its crazy thoughts.” I attempted a smile and walked into the room. Glancing back, I thanked him, prompting his departure. A sigh of relief escaped me when I heard the door shut behind me.

Ambling across the empty room, I headed to the open archway. I needed fresh air to clear my head. Thoughts of Troy, satellites, and technological Akquarians swirled around my head. I felt useless, I wanted to scream. It was all too much.

On the balcony, I took one, long, deep breath and turned back to the room, flinching at the sight of Cora slumped on one of the long chairs. I hadn’t noticed her when I came in. I thought she’d gone to the springs with Zamya.

Walking over to her, I realised she was sprawled in a haphazard way. Her face was pressed into the cushions, her feet and knees at an odd angle on the floor.

I called her name. When she didn’t respond, I knelt down beside her, nudging her shoulder. She groaned and flopped off the chair onto the floor. Pushing her onto her back, I noticed hercheeks were red and swollen. Multiple purple lesions had erupted across her forehead and down her neck. They were on her hands too.

I shook her harder. “Cora?!” Panic began to ignite inside me. She could barely open her eyes. Her skin was scorching to touch, a mist of sweat gathering at her temples.Nux!

I launched myself to the door. Heaving the heavy stone open, I entered the corridor, frantically searching for someone, anyone to help. No one was there.

Instinctively, I began to run towards where the guards were posted by the stairwell. As I neared, I spotted Dybgo speaking with them. He saw me before I howled his name. Sensing my panic, he was beside me in seconds. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Cora. She’s…”

I didn’t need to say anymore, he was hurtling back towards the apartment with me in tow. Dybgo took one look at her condition and muttered a string of Akquarian words. He scooped her up into his arms and headed for the bedroom.

“What’s wrong with her?” I asked.

Placing Cora on her bed, he replied, “Bluepox.”

C h a p t e rS i x t e e n

“What the hell is bluepox?” Zamya asked from Cora’s bedside.

“A childhood illness,” Yuska replied. “Most Akquarians catch it when they are two or three. It’s called bluepox because of the blue sores that appear on the skin. It seems to be more of a purple colour in Cora’s case.”

“And how contagious is it?”

I glanced over my shoulder, noticing Yuska shift on her feet. She met my gaze and said solemnly, “Highly.”

Zamya muttered a string of curses. This was her worst nightmare. This was why she wanted us to remain in atmospheric suits when we arrived, purely breathing sterile air.

I peered down at Cora, she was unconscious. Her freckled, creamy skin was now an obliteration of purple lumps and sores. More were forming as the hours passed. “She must have caught it when she interacted with the children at the springs.”

I felt Yuska’s cold hand squeeze my shoulder, compassionately. “You are probably right.”

“So, when you say highly contagious,” Zamya went on, “is it transmitted through air or touch?”