Valkyrie

Valkyrie

Love to read and write 😝

Life on Mars

DAY 93

Three months on this planet and I want to get the hell out of here. Why did I ever think this was a good idea. One might say that it is one’s dream to visit a foreign planet. No sir. Not at all. I would not wish that upon anyone.

The Artemis spacecraft had entered into orbit a couple of hours ago. I was looking forward to this very day, and now the last place I wanted to be was here, on Mars. Approximately thirty-three million miles (fifty-four million kilometres) away from Earth. From home.

As the spaceship approached the surface, I could only marvel at the planet’s strikingly red colour.

The ship landed with a loud thud. I wore my space gear, and headed for the airlock.

I didn’t know If I could do it. The lifeless outside was not at all inviting. Up close, the surface was more of a butterscotch colour rather than scarlet, seen from afar.

I opened the airlock, and took my first step on the rocky ground. I could almost convince myself it was a dream. The whole experience felt surreal. Perhaps mankind was destined for this. The thought of colonizing Mars didn’t seem so fantastical after all.

DAY 117

Space can be very lonely. I felt isolated. I felt trapped.

DAY 133

The darkness of space surrounded me, stars scattered across the unknown, giving glimpses of light in the black void.

Only until I left Earth, did I feel so small. Like one of many trees in a forest. Like a speck of sand in the desert.

DAY 178

“Though I'm past one hundred thousand miles

I'm feeling very still

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go”

~David Bowie

Space Oddity

Lone Wolf

Johnny Mathews surely new it couldn’t be that hard to steal the old hag’s purse. She limped slowly along the street, holding groceries in both hands. The boy ran to the woman and snatched her purse. She dropped her groceries in surprise, and grabbed Johnny by the arm. “Boy, what do you think you’re doing?” Johnny stared at the woman in shock. “You ain’t gonna answer me?” “I—I uh…” “That’s what I thought. You ain’t gon’ steal nothin’ from me. What’s your name, boy?” “John—Johnny, ma’am,” he replied. “Do your parents live ‘round here?” Johnny hesitated before answering, “No ma’am… I’m a lone wolf.” “Boy, do you have a home?” Johnny’s gaze shifted to the ground. “Look me in the eye when I’m speaking,” the old lady ordered. “No.” She picked up her groceries in one hand and snagged Johnny’s ear by the other. His face reddened in pain as she dragged him along the end of the road, to a small navy blue bungalow. When they entered the small house, the woman laid her groceries on the table and said, “Go clean up. You’re covered in dirt, boy.” Johnny went to the bathroom and washed his face. Looking in the mirror, he could see scratches on his face, running along his cheeks, and dark circles under his eyes. Surely, the old hag was right. His face was covered in soil. Johnny then returned to the kitchen where the woman was sorting her groceries: eggs, milk, Swiss cheese, bread, and a jar of pickles. She cut two slices of the cheese, one for herself and one for Johnny. “Ma’am… It’s very kind of you but I couldn’t…” Johnny stammered. “You wanted to steal my money, and you look weak. You’re a hungry boy. Eat up.” Johnny took the cheese and gobbled it down. The old lady shared a slice of her freshly baked bread with Johnny too, and gave him a glass of water. “I forgot to introduce myself. You can call me Sammy. Sammy Goldman.” “Well, Ms. Goldman, I’d like to thank you for the food.” “Just call me Sammy. No need to be so formal.” “Well then, Sammy, I thank you.” For once the woman smiled, and the sides of her bright blue eyes crinkled. “Johnny… Is that right?” “Yes, ma’am.” “Johnny, ya know, I was like you once. Goin’ around stealin’ stuff. Sometimes things I didn’t even need. It’s tough out there all alone. I get it. You need to be careful. You never know how some people can be. You hear me?” “Yeah… I know.” “Good. Now if you ever need anything, Johnny, I’ll be here. Got it?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Sammy.” As the woman led Johnny to the door, she handed him a twenty dollar bill and a loaf of bread. Before Johnny could thank her once more, Sammy was gone.

The Run

I find myself running so fast that the world around me is a blur. Time seems to slow down as my pace increases. I can feel it coming. I hear rustling in the trees. It’s too dark to see anything so I continue to run. All my sweat and tears make the outside feel colder than it already is. I search for the nearest shelter, any source of light that I can find. Suddenly a lean figure appears before me, its eyes shining bright red. “Where do you think you’re going?” The figure approaches me. A tall man, with greyish skin, his hair is a mess of brown curls, and his eyes are sunken. He wears an all-black suit and tie. For a blood-sucking monster, he is very well dressed. “I-I was just going to a friend’s house,” I say. God, that was such a stupid comeback. He chuckles loudly. My cheeks redden from the embarrassment. “Then why the hurry?” His voice is smooth like silk. I flee but his icy hand holds me in a tight grip. He stands so close to me that I can feel his cold breath on my neck. He examines me from head to toe, his eyes never leaving me. My heart races as he leans into me and then says “This might hurt just a little.” He opens his mouth, revealing his large canines. I can smell the metallic sent that lingers on his lips from his previous meal. He sinks his sharp teeth deep in my neck. I yell so loudly, scaring all the night critters in the trees. He gives me one last devilish smile before I am consumed in utter darkness.