Chapter 1
Ezra
Aliens have a bit of a problem with stealing.
It’s not our fault, really. It’s like it’s programmed inside of us. It’s like we have this urge that we just can’t fight.
My brother? He stole a ship. He took it from a bastard who deserved it, but the action was still frowned upon. Apparently, stealing ships from people is bad: very bad. Luckily, Quinn learned his lesson: no harm, no foul. Now he’s traveling the universe with his beautiful bride.
He’s having the time of his life.
But me?
I’m on Sapphira: stealing things.
You’d think I would have learned my lesson after all the drama with Quinn, that I would have learned from my brother’s mistakes and thought, “Nah, that’s a bad idea.” You’d think I would have decided to live an honorable life, but that’s not me. That’s not my style. That never has been.
I learned long ago that the only person I can count on is me. I learned that no one else will be able to help me if I get into trouble. I learned that no one will be there for me when I stumble, when I fall. My brother and sister are great, but I’m the oldest. I’m the one pulling them from the wreckage when they get in trouble.
I can’t count on anyone.
Today I’m in the jungles of Sapphira on a one-man hunting expedition. Typically, I bring four or five men with me on these excursions, but this week, I wanted to be alone. I gave some bullshit excuse about wanting to clear my head, but that was all a lie. The reality is that I “borrowed” a new bow from my friend and I’m hoping to return it before he notices that it’s missing.
It’s not that he wouldn’t have loaned it to me, but that he wouldn’t have loaned it to me without wanting to accompany me on this outing. While I normally don’t mind having people with me when I hunt, this week I really need some time to myself. This week, I really need some “me” time.
Armed with “my” bow and a week’s worth of camping gear, I’m trudging through the jungles with the goal of finding a fereer. The creatures are notoriously difficult to catch, but the meat is incredibly delicious and goes for a great price. If I can acquire several this week, I won’t have to hunt again for two months. It’ll be enough money to last me that long, plus a little extra.
It’ll be enough for a down payment on a ship.
It’ll be enough to get out of Diamond if I want to.
Not that I want to leave Diamond. Not that I want to go explore the world. I’m not Quinn. I’m not Fiona. Traveling is their dream: not mine, but it would be nice to have options. It would nice to have some change.
I slink through the overgrown grass and duck under hanging branches as I move through the darkness of the jungle. I’ve been a hunter long enough to be able to distinguish the different sounds that surround me.
The sharp, high-pitched squeak coming from my right?
A bearkeya.
The low growl coming from the left?
A dragoa.
None of the animals nearby are the ones I’m seeking, though, so I continue moving stealthily through the darkness with only my thoughts for company. Hopefully, I’ll find a fereer nest in the next day or two. I brought enough supplies to be gone for a week or a week and a half. Ideally, it won’t take me the entire time to find what I’m searching for.
The thing about fereers is that they’re both delicious and sneaky. They’re notoriously difficult to find and to hunt, so most Sapphirans don’t waste their time looking for them. There are plenty of other kinds of beasts to hunt for food that don’t require the patience finding fereers does.
Then again, patience has never been my problem.
Being a normal person has.
Despite being in the jungle, the early afternoon heat has me sweating and regretting how much gear I chose to bring.
“It’s fine,” I tell myself. “You’ve got this.” Only, the reality is that I don’t know if that’s true. Recently, I’ve been more lost than I’ve ever been before. I’ve been more alone. Maybe it’s seeing Quinn and Fiona and how happy they are together. Maybe it’s the fact that my brother just called me to tell me they’re going to have a baby. Maybe it’s that my little sister is finally moving on from the attack that nearly ruined her life.
Maybe it’s just part of growing up.
No matter the reason, though, I realize I need to find something that makes me happy. I need to find something that makes me feel good, comfortable. I need to find something that makes me feel at home.
I’ve been on Sapphira my entire life.