It's been so long. Last time I was able to see you, I was running to rescue you from danger. This life is hard, isn't my dear? We always have to check twice where we step, making sure to leave as few traces as possible and become almost invisible at times. Here on this now desolate planet of Treleilon, what was supposed to be a paradise for mankind, a Shangri-la. But our hopes turned to cinders and living has become worse than death. With so few ways to survive, it's a wonder how I've managed to do so. Do you remember when we first met, I know you do. You shot me in the foot because you thought I was a scorpion. I remember your surprise at the enemy being me before you apologized profusely, attending to the wound. As you explained why you shot me, I remember laughing through the pain because it seemed so absurd that I got mistaken for a desert animal. After I was healed, we stayed together and became close. Meaning, I kept rescuing you and you kept getting into more trouble to keep me around. After a while, we realized that I would stay whether you needed help or not. That's when I first told you I loved you. Which you easily reciprocated with a smile and and blushing "I love you too". We were inseparable, making the best we could on this planet intended for us humans.
Years after the colonization started, everything went awry. It became just like the old earth, where all our friends and family were stranded, and we, the chosen few, fell back into old habits. Not all of us, but enough to tarnish everything that was once golden. Our weapons were turned on each other instead of prey and our senses sharpened from a spectral force of perceived danger. Instead of freedom, we were soon restricted by gas masks and protective clothing because the chemicals that were to save us were doing more harm than good. But, I was happy through it all. Everything was ending around me and I had you by my side. And that made all the difference. One day however, things went sour. I yelled and you screamed before storming off to who knows where. By the time I found you, it was too late. The child you saved was crying at your side and your breaths were becoming erratic and shallow. I knelt by you and wept, begging for you not to leave me. I need you, always, forgive me, I love you. My prayers were unanswered and you slipped away in my arms, whispering into my heaving chest. I'm sorry, I love you too. Your beautiful eyes closed, your limbs grew heavy and my heart shattered as your spirit rose into the stale air to leave me behind.
After a series of long moments, punctuated by sounds of mourning, I gathered my strength. I buried you by our garden of tangled weeds and dying herbs, near that one flower that thrived on its own. Laying my shovel down, I went back to the place of immeasurable sorrow. The life you saved with your own was still there, curled up on cold, desolate ground. I noticed for the first time that they were older than the five years I had originally guessed. Gathering them up, I trekked back home. This kid that I now cherish, I think of them as ours.
I didn't come here today to tell you our story, however. I came to say goodbye. The committee has chosen five people to go back to Earth. In the seven years that have passed since your life extinguished, it has flourished. There are less people, the waters are cleaner and the air is clear now. I want to go, to show our child a better life than the one we have now on Treleilon, riddled with pain and fear. But, I know we won't be going alone. Your spirit will follow us, no matter how far we go. As I kneel by your grave, tears slip down my cheeks and land on the dying flowers we picked for you. I lay them down gently before pressing a gentle kiss to the marker of your grave. Rising to my feet, I hold out my hand. They slip their smaller hand into my own larger, rougher one and we walk away. Never looking back, but knowing that a few steps behind us, your spirit follows.
