Eye on Orion by Laura D. Bastian

to say. I had so many questions I didn’t know where to start. I looked out the window, staring at the sky.
    â€œWhat’s your planet like?” I asked, unable to keep quiet any longer.
    â€œIt is similar to yours,” Amira said. “Ours is a bit smaller in diameter and spins at a slightly slower rate, but there are oceans and land like here. We only have two continents. Our air and water needs are the same. The food is close to the same, a little different in texture and flavor.”
    I looked over at Jai. I tried to study his face and features in the dim light from the jeep's display, without being too obvious about it. The revelations of the evening weren't enough to overcome my growing feelings for him.
    Eventually, Jai broke the silence. “How are you holding up with all this new information about us?”
    â€œI’m doing okay.”
    â€œYou are not completely freaked out?” he asked, peeking at me from the corner of his eye. I felt Amira brush against my arm as she leaned forward to listen.
    â€œAre you kidding me?” I shook my head. “I mean it's a lot to swallow at once, but I’ve been watching you. I always figured there was something different about you. I never would have guessed this different. But it sort of makes sense.”
    â€œYou are very trusting. Are you sure we are not making this up?” Jai asked.
    â€œI’m sure.” I'd never felt more sure of anything, even as outrageous as it sounded. Being under the vast expanse of space, and watching it unfold as Amira told of her Vision made me sure it was all true. Plus, where else would they have gotten a plant that’s side effect was telepathy?
    â€œWill you swear to me to keep this all silent?” Jai said. “Never speak of it to anyone?”
    â€œDo you need me to sign something in blood?” I couldn’t believe he asked me again.
    â€œI am sorry, Holly.” He reached over and took my hand in his. “I do not mean to hurt your feelings. I have made too many mistakes here. I need to do all I can to make this right. One careless word could mean disaster for us. We should have just come to Marshal and Delilah’s home and stayed away from associations. I should have never let myself get to know you.”
    I tried to pull my hand out of his, but he held on to it. When I relaxed after a moment, he squeezed it softly.
    Amira spoke “Jai, that is my doing. I never really had friends at home and was excited to get to know Holly.”
    I looked at both of them. “I promise not to talk to anyone about this. I won’t even talk to you about it, if you want. But you’re from another planet. I can’t help being excited. I want to know more. If you trust me,” I added.
    â€œWe do. Our lives could actually be in your hands. But your life could be in danger as well, especially if Amira’s Vision is true.”
    â€œHe will be coming for us sometime,” Amira said.
    Jai became silent for a bit as he drove.
    â€œWhat will you do now?” I asked.
    â€œWe need time to discuss with Delilah and Marshal and contact Ramal to see what they think of us staying here or going back home,” he said.
    â€œYou can’t go back!” I said. They both looked at me as if surprised by my outburst. I blushed, hoping the darkness hid it. I didn’t want Jai to see how bothered I was by the idea of him leaving so soon. It hurt in a way I wasn’t expecting.
    â€œYou can’t go back,” I repeated a little quieter. “It wouldn’t be safe. You have to keep her away from him. You would be better off waiting to see if she has more Visions to know more of what's happening there. How often do you have them?” I turned to Amira.
    â€œOccasionally,” Amira said. “This was my first Vision since we moved here. My last one was calm and peaceful. I hoped it meant this would be over soon. My father still controlled the kingdom,