The Uniter

Chapter Three - Diving In

   Those next two months dragged their feet. There was no way I could go swimming, not when one poorly timed insult could result in cold-blooded murder. Instead I opted to isolate myself in my room— partially as punishment to my parents for lying to me for the last decade and also because I needed time to process, well everything.

   My Dad tried to bring up Aetheria a few times and I found myself torn between curiosity and disinterest. On one hand, the notion of visiting a nearby planet was undeniably intriguing, but I knew that delving deeper would only lead to further frustration.

   As my father launched into a description of the political structure of Aetheria, my mind wandered, unable to muster much interest in the intricacies of a world that seemed so far removed from my own. The details he shared seemed to blur together into a jumble of names and titles, leaving me struggling to maintain focus.

   Aetheria may have held its own mysteries and wonders, but for now, I was content to remain grounded in the familiar comforts of my own world.

   I spent the majority of June and July alone, in bed, dedicated to my second favorite pastime— daydreaming. I could stare at a blank wall for hours on end, eyes wide open, with a full motion-picture movie happening in my mind. Maladaptive daydreaming, I had read once, was like upgrading your imagination to 4K resolution. Apparently it was an ability that not many possessed. Neither was water magic. I hadn't tried to wield again since that day in the bathtub. If I was being honest, I was afraid to try.

   August had arrived though, and soon enough my Dad's voice rang through the house that it was time to go. I snatched the subway ticket my mother gave me that morning and slipped it into the front pocket of my backpack.

   My parents cautioned me against over-packing, assuring me that everything I needed would be provided. So I had only brought along a small number of personal effects like goggles, my two favorite swimsuits, a half-finished romance novel, a disposable camera, and an inhaler— just in case. Packing the camera was my unspoken hope that I might experience something at Aetheria that deserved to be captured on camera.

   As I made my way down the stairs, each step sounded with the weight of the impending farewell. Uncertainty settled heavily on my shoulders.

   And in the living room she stood, my mother, eyes glistening with unshed tears as she reached out to pull me into her arms. The embrace was tight, almost desperate, as if she were trying to imprint every moment, every sensation, into her memory before I embarked on this new chapter of my life.

   The warmth of her embrace enveloped me, wrapping me in a cocoon of love that I knew I would sorely miss in the days to come. I couldn't help but wish we had shared more moments like this in the past. Yet, in that fleeting embrace, there was a sweetness that lingered, a reminder of the preciousness of our bond. And then, reluctantly, we pulled apart, our eyes locking in a silent exchange of understanding and affection.

   Outside, my father sat in his pickup truck, its engine humming and music filling the air as if to drown out the weight of our impending departure. Climbing into the cabin, I settled into the familiar comfort of the passenger seat beside him as we embarked on the two-hour journey to the subway station.

   I did not spare a glance at the rear-view mirror as we departed the driveway. My father and I remained in a mutual silence. The drive was peaceful, aside from the music.

   I became absorbed in the passing expanses of rolling hills and fields dotted with crops. The meandering country roads were bordered by rustic fences and stone walls. The warmth of the morning tapered as an afternoon chill crept in through the window. Grazing livestock in open pastures turned into tall buildings, gradually replacing the low-rise structures of the countryside.