Mutant Star (34 page)

Julian met his bleary gaze. “There’s only one thing you can do,” he said. “You’ve got to turn yourself in.” He reached out toward his brother.

Rick shook him off. “Live in some jail filled with neural dampers? Medicated so I’m easier to handle? No. No way. Better to die fighting. Or maybe I should just t-jump out into space and die that way.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Julian said. “Listen to me. You’ve got to turn yourself in.”

“Why? Because of some stupid, tragic mistake? Do you think Mom and Dad want that? Do you think Skerry would?”

“I can’t answer for them,” Julian said, his voice mild. “I know it was a mistake. You didn’t mean it. But you killed a man. Our father.” His voice quavered treacherously. He paused, fighting for control. “Alanna, at least, might want you to pay for that.”

“I’ve lost her,” Rick said. “That’s what hurts the most. I’ve gained all these terrific mutant powers I never wanted. Turned into some thing—I don’t even know what. And lost everybody. My entire family. Even you.”

Julian stared at him. He had no answer for Rick.

Poor superman, he thought. Poor, miserable supermutant.

Rick turned to face his brother. “What can I do? I won’t turn myself in. I won’t live in a cage.”

Beyond the Pavilion, the blue Earth was rising, growing brighter and larger with every passing second. Julian gazed at it. Then looked back at his brother and felt sorrow welling up in him. Sorrow, and deep compassion.

“Your pressure suit,” he said. “Let me help you with it.”

Rick stared at him, uncomprehending.

“You have to go,” Julian said quietly.

“Go?”

“Yes.” Julian sealed the front of Rick’s suit. The neck. Gently, as though dressing an infant. “Go into hiding, Rick. It doesn’t matter where. Go to Mars, the Moon, the desert. Anywhere. Just so no one sees you. And stay there a long, long time. Forever, if necessary. Hide out. Cleanse your soul. Try to atone for what’s happened here.”

Rick hesitated. He looked dazed.

“Go on,” Julian said. “Go. Now. Goodbye, Rick.”

Rick’s eyes met his, gold gleaming with fresh tears. He began to say something, and stopped. Then he nodded. Pressed Julian’s hand.

The room was filled with the sound of rushing atmosphere, the beating of birds’ wings.

And Julian was alone, staring through the window at the world of his birth.

***

He walked out of the room. The Pavilion was silent. He felt more solitary than he had ever felt before in his life. Even that familiar sense of twinship, of having a womb companion, was gone. All he felt now was grief. Dry grief and loneliness.

“Julian?”

A woman’s voice, almost a whisper.

He turned. Alanna stood in the doorway of the airlock. Her eyes were red from crying and her hair was wild.

Wordlessly, they stared at each other. Then Julian held out his hands. Alanna took a step toward him. Stopped. “Where’s Rick?”

“Gone. Gone far away.”

“Oh.” And with a sigh that was also a sob, she was in his arms. “I’ll never see him again, will I?”

“No.”

Her shoulders shook as she wept. “Julian, I’ll never forgive him. But I still love him. Can you understand that?”

“I think so.”

“Won’t the police find him? Take him?”

“Not if he’s careful.” He paused. “I think he’ll be careful.”

“Good. It’s a good thing, isn’t it? Better than his going to jail.”

“Yes.” Slowly, Julian stroked his sister’s dark hair. “Yes. It is.”

“I saw it. I saw him kill Daddy. It was so terrible. Daddy tried to stop him but Rick was too strong. He went crazy.”

“I know,” Julian said. “I’m sorry.”

“How can I tell Mom? I can’t, Julian. I just can’t face her.”

He nodded. “I know it will be hard. For all of our parents. But you won’t be alone.”

She lifted her tear-streaked face and looked at him. “Poor Julian,” she said softly. “You really are on your own now, aren’t you?”

He squeezed her hand. “Not entirely.”

“No. I guess not.” She smiled weakly. “Lose a brother, gain a sister.” Her lips trembled. “What should we do now?”

Julian looked out the window. The Earth was still there, a familiar, constant companion. “I’m tired of space,” he said. “Let’s go home.”

***

The sun met the ocean, tinting the curve of blue water apricot, orange, and then rust before sinking out of sight. Land and sea receded under the sudden onslaught of brilliant stars. In the east, a full moon began its slow ascent.

A lone man stood and watched the day fade into twilight, and twilight into night. He stood awhile, unmoving in the darkness. Then he turned his back on the sea, the city, the lights, and walked toward the vast, dry land beyond the mountains.

*** E  N  D ***