Chapter Twelve
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Day Twelve: Meteor
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I wake up and groggily scan the cell. It’s hardly bigger than a closet. Actually, I think it is a closet, because there’s a mop and a bucket. I’m chained to a metal loop in the floor. I feel faint and don’t know why until I look down. When I see the gash in my leg, I stifle a scream. I nearly pass out. Then I realize that I feel faint from loss of blood. I try calling Asteroid on her earpiece but Bill must have some super sophisticated jammers. The door opens and I squint against the light.
“Hello, Meteor. I see you're awake. You seem confused.” Bill is making no sense. “Ah! I know why. You didn’t know I know that you’re a Scallonian. Yes. I know everything. Do you want to know who I am?” I nod. “Asteroid’s father.” Then I pass out.
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Day Twelve: Asteroid
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Meteor is gone. My job is gone. I feel gone. Star, Nova, and Constellation have all given up on consoling me. My whole world is destroyed. I wander the halls of the Orion, crying, calling Meteor’s name. Constellation comes up and hugs me.
“He’ll be okay, you know.” I burst free and run to my room, locking the door behind me. I throw myself towards the bed but my strength fails me and I collapse on the floor. I don’t bother to get up.
“Meteor! Where are you? I love you!” I sob. I can literally feel my heart breaking. I spend the night on the floor.
In the morning, I go to the dining hall for the first time in two days. My red eyes and flushed cheeks are a cause for alarm, but the others have the good sense not to say anything. There’s a huge breakfast of waffles and pancakes, but it’s all I can do just to force down a few bites. The others seem to be whispering to each other, probably about what to do with me. I’m too sad to care, though. I know I'm probably overreacting, but I just feel like something’s wrong, like someone is hurting Meteor.
By evening, I've made a decision. “Guys? I’m going to find Meteor.” The idea is met with some resistance.
“What?! You can’t go alone! You're the team leader!”
“Look, guys. I am the team leader. That means taking care of the team and keeping it safe. I’m also his girlfriend, and that means protecting my boyfriend. Don’t try to talk me out of it.”
“We aren't trying to talk you out of it. We're trying to tell you that we're coming with you,” asserts Nova.
“What?”
“You heard her. Team Tektite stays together.” Star affirms.
“Uh… you guys? I have something to tell you,” Constellation nervously orates.
“What is it?” She opens the door to the kitchen and a tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed boy steps out.
“When do we leave?” he asks.
“Meet Michael, my, uh, secret boyfriend. He’s coming with.”
“Okay. We need a new team name though.” I was not expecting that, but what can you do?
The new guy, Michael, has the perfect suggestion. “Code Black.” He said it so quietly, I missed it the first time. We keep spitballing horrible ideas (i.e. the CheezeDoodles, courtesy of Star). He says it again, louder this time. “Code Black.” Every head in the room turns in his direction.
“Yes.” I turn to the whiteboard that covers the far wall. Soon, this is scrawled on the wall:
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CODE BLACK
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All eyes are on me as I say, “Our first mission as Code Black is,” I take a deep breath, “is to save Meteor.”
MISSION: RESCUE METEOR73Please respect copyright.PENANAc4bacwI8aK