2000 School Magazine

on9i"@I works

ORIRIAS STORY

Oriria crawled through the air duct, flinching as her gas mask failed. She knew the CenStar officers were following her. She found the next opening and frantically smashed through it as her lungs began to burn. She ripped the mask off, then fled, running blindly through the harsh metallic corridors of her ship, which had once been her comfortable home. She ran around a corner, into a handsome man with blonde hair and beautiful, golden eyes. "Falthyr!" she cried. "Get off the ship! They'11 kill you!" He shook his head sadly. "No. they won't, " She frowned, puzzled. He kissed her, and she felt something metallic dislodge from her mouth. "Maybe she's in the air duct?" Faithyr suggested. The guard's voice dripped suspicion. "I think you're lying, Falthyr. You have served us well - but we will find her, and then both of you will pay. " Falthyr moaned, and his body slid to the floor. It could only mean one thing - Falthyr was the Betrayer, the despicable being who had betrayed 131 of the Fae who had brought the 'humans'to Talthyia against CenStar's command. Fear rose to her throat as a scream when the lights suddenly dimmed. "Lights on!"The globes brightened, and before her stood the CenStar commander. "Hello Oriria, " he said gently offering a hand in greeting. "Hello Father, "she said coldly, refusing to accept his hand. He removed it, looking hurt. "Get off the 'Spirit Dancer'! She ran, as she heard the CenStar guards arrive. "The tracking device says she's here ..." "So let's just get it over with. " He sighed sadly "So much like your mother - come with me, " he begged, and she grudgingly followed. "Oriria, I can save you, " he said desperately once they were out of earshot. "So you can leave again? Did you kill Mother, too?" He cursed furiously. "Could never hurt your Mother! She is safe - and you can join her. All you have to do is stay on Talthyia for the rest of your life - and renounce Falthyr as your bond-mate. " "Free to livein a prison with no walls? Without the person I love?" Her Father sighed, then looked at her angrily tears in his eyes. "Oriria, don't throw your life away! I love you, and you know who will have to pull the trigger. " Oriria smiled sadly. "I forgive you, Father. " He embraced her, and they walked back to where Falthyr now stood in chains. Falthyr wept in unfathomable sadness. "Oriria, I'm sorry! They said you'd be safe!" He words come in sobs as he held his manacled hands towards her in a silent appeal. "I forgive you, Falthyr, " she said kindly, regretful Iy. Her Father squeezed the trigger, and she closed her eyes. The last thing she heard was Falthyr's soul-wrenching cry Her Father turned to point the pistol at her head, and she saw the tears on his face. "You know why I've come ..."

Soroh Shond 9,111ey Stintifo Pointing

Elizoberh Do vies 91/11ey 5,111Lifo Pointing

o

^

to

.

01

^ o

"I love you, Oriria!"

,=. co

LeonneToylor I O Beanlond Highly Recommended in Shortstorysection of The V! Motherson Memorial Prize

EU a a In N e e e