Laying down on her bed, Luna kept thinking about the things Zorn said. It still felt surreal.

– Luna. That book you have, Sector 4… is real.

– What are you saying?

– Is not fiction. That book describes perfectly what’s happening in my universe. In Alvea.

– In your universe? Zorn, I don’t get it…

– Luna, you’re from that universe. That book was gifted by your real parents, to remember where you came from, who you are.

Her phone was full of Zorn’s missed calls. Luna didn’t even want to see him. She wanted to think about this alone, she needed time for herself. All that information wasn’t easy to digest. She wasn’t eating. Couldn’t sleep. She was tormented about it all. It was like saying all her life was a lie.

– Luna! Come have lunch!

Her mother said. She knocked and knocked but Luna wouldn’t answer. Her mother sighed and looked for Luna’s bedroom keys to open it. Once inside, she pulled out the bed sheets Luna had and sat down on a side of the bed. She didn’t know what she was going through so she didn’t want to be harsh with her.

– Luna… honey… what’s wrong? —she stroked her hair— you haven’t eaten and… Zorn has come a million times to see you… did you fight?

– No, mum… don’t worry… leave the food on the desk, I’ll eat it later.

Her mother turned to the desk and there were two full plates of food, that she herself had put there, waiting for Luna to eat.

– … This time I’ll eat it, you can go.

Her mother sighed, got up and took the lunch she made, leaving it on the desk, there was barely space for another one. After she was out of the room, Luna got up and started to eat on her desk. She was eating slowly, but at least was feeding her organism that was crying for food.

Again, her phone rang. It was Zorn. She looked at it and ignored it while eating.

A few days later, Luna made up her mind. Truthfully, it was a crazy idea, but she couldn’t deny that she was really curious about this parallel universe Zorn talked about. She was even more curious to get to know her progenitors, the ones who left her on her current universe to protect her. Knowing that, Luna smiled, something she haven’t done in days. It made her think about her biological parents and how much they should’ve loved her as to send her somewhere far away to protect her. In the end, Luna decided to accompany Zorn. She still felt nervous inside, even thought she was going to meet her family, that didn’t erase why Zorn originally looked for her, it was to fight alongside him and save her nation.

Luna considered herself a good for nothing, she felt like she didn’t have any talent, so she asked herself “how will I be able to fight in a war?”. Over and over again, that question kept coming back. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she was. And with time, a feeling of empathy started to grew on her. She started to want to protect the nation, something she didn’t feel in the beginning. She didn’t know if it was to protect her true family or if it was just nostalgia evoked from the feeling of knowing she was born and grew up in there for a period of time.

Lost in her thoughts, she still heard the house’s bell ring. She stood in front of her window and looking down, he was there. Again, Zorn appeared at her house. But this time it was different, the look on his eyes was different, like he came ready and set on taking her. Her mother let him in, she thought they were fighting, and she was tired and wanted them to solve their differences.

Zorn went up the stairs. Every step he took, Luna’s heart became more and more accelerated. She took a deep breath and waited until Zorn was in front of her door. Didn’t wait for him to knock and just opened it.

– I’ll go.

– L-u…!

Both said at the same time. Zorn stood there dumbfounded hearing her answer. He even went with the mentality that he’d need to keep convincing her. He didn’t expect her to agree on her own. A few eternal seconds passed in silence, Zorn entered the room and sat on a side of the bed.

– So… you decided to go?

– Yes. I’ll go with you to Alvea.

– What motivated you to come?

Luna sat by his side and looked at the ground.

– I don’t know… something inside of me tells me I should go and help you… B-but don’t misinterpret me! This is only purely out of curiosity! I still don’t 100% believe it, I need to see to believe.

Zorn laughed at her sudden change of tone.

– That’s the Luna I know. —he tousled up her hair—. Great, we’ll leave tomorrow.

– T-tomorrow!? You don’t even give me enough time to say goodbye!

– Don’t worry, I’ll talk to your parents. They love me.

– What? What are you going to do?

– Come with me!

Zorn took Luna’s hand and went running down the stairs. Both sat at the sofa.

– Go, look for them.

Luna didn’t have more options than to do what Zorn told her. She got up and looked for her parents. When everyone was together, she sat down again.

– Zorn! Luna! You’re on good terms again! —said her mother, with a big smile on her face—.

– Mr. and Mrs. Patterson… I’ll like to ask for your permission to take Luna with me for this summer vacation. Just she and I.

Luna opened her eyes widely, looking at Zorn in total shock. She didn’t know what he had up his sleeve but she didn’t expect this. Her parents were equally surprised. Thought they did like the idea. Since they loved Zorn it was only a matter of seconds before they agreed.

– But of course! Hope you have fun!

– Thanks so much Mr. and Mrs. Patterson! Luna is in good hands!

Luna couldn’t do anything more than sigh at this whole situation. It looked like Zorn had everything planned from the beginning. But at least she was reassured that her parents wouldn’t be worried about her suddenly disappearing.

They went up to her room again. Luna had to pack her things up. While Zorn was looking for clothes Luna sat on her bed. A little scared to know the answer, Luna asked him something.

– Hey Zorn… —she swallowed down, feeling nervous—. You… At the beginning, did you approach me because of this?

– Ah?

– What I mean is, you didn’t approach me because I seemed… “interesting”, right?

Zorn dropped everything he had on his hands. He didn’t expect Luna to ask him that. But Luna has always been direct. Zorn didn’t hesitate to answer.

– Yes. I’m sorry. I came here only to look for you. But, I’m not gonna deny that you’re an interesting and awesome person, Luna. I genuinely consider you my friend.

Luna already knew that. Knew that he approached her with that purpose. But didn’t seem to care much about it, because at least she had someone to be with. Had a friend who liked her. And that’s why it didn’t bother her too much. She got up her bed and helped Zorn to pack. She wasn’t sure what she needed to take to Alvea, but at least she had to pretend they were going on vacations.

They spent two hours doing everything. After finishing, they went to say goodbye to her parents and made their way to Zorn’s house. It was the first time Luna went to his house, even thought Zorn visited hers frequently. It didn’t take much time for them to arrive.

– You live alone?

– Of course. I only live here to have somewhere to sleep and eat.

Inside, Luna looked around. It was a small house, well decorated, it felt cozy. They didn’t waste time and went directly to Zorn’s room. Turned on the lights and closed the door.

– Are you ready?

No. Luna wasn’t ready. It was like all the blood in her body were to explode thanks to her nerves. She started to tremble. Didn’t know what to do or say in that moment. Zorn came closer to her and hugged her tightly.

– Don’t worry, Luna. You’re with me. I’ll protect you.

Luna only nodded and hugged him back. That made her feel better. When they parted, Luna took a deep breath.

– I’m ready, Zorn.

With nothing else to say, Zorn opened up his closet’s door and took out the bed sheets that were covering a door. Luna swallowed down.

– Let’s go, Luna.

Zorn took Luna’s hand, they looked at each other’s eyes and nodded. Opened the door and went through it. In an instant, they arrived at Sector 4.

TO BE CONTINUED.