I've entered Alien into the 2017 Watty Awards! There is no voting system that I'm aware of, it's just a case of 'tag your story and wait' but I just thought I'd let everyone know. It's my third year entering my stories so I dunno, third time lucky they say!

THERE WERE BUTTERFLIES rioting in my stomach when Norkar arrived at the door to deliver the news; hours away, he had said, we were only hours away from landing on Junito. Immediately, I knew I had to see it - I had to see everything from the grand approach to the moment the dust cleared upon arrival. To think I'd be setting foot on an entirely different planet, populated by a completely different race made an excited shriek escape from my throat. Louis just laughed at me and told me to calm down or a guards would barge in and tell us off. But in that moment I didn't care; they could shout at me all they wanted but it wouldn't diminish the sheer joy bubbling deep inside me. I was like an infant waking up on Christmas morning.

But there was only one problem and that problem was the fact that there were no windows in Louis' room. When we'd been walking through the ship, escorted by the Councillors, I'd caught a momentary glimpse outside and it had been beautiful; stars, millions of them shining brightly like diamonds against the inky blackness of the sky, like dew caught on a spider web. We'd been nowhere near Junito then and still, the view had left me speechless - only in that moment had I realised that the excitement and focus on Junito had completely overshadowed and left me unaware of that fact we were travelling through space. I'd officially been to space - I was in space! That sweet moment of realisation had been but a mere taster of what it would be like on Junito, if I was given the opportunity to see it of course. Klaru was pretty adamant about keeping me in the cells as she and Loudrix were welcomed back with opened arms. If I didn't get the chance to see Junito off the ship, then I sure as hell wanted to see it as we approached. 

Louis laid a hand on my shoulder. I smiled as his fingers squeezed gently, as if he knew I was upset.

"What's the problem?" he asked me, kneeling down before me. "You look glum."

I looked at him knowingly. "I wish there were windows in here," I admitted, plopping my chin into my hands. "I want to see Junito as we get nearer because I'm not one-hundred percent sure I'll be allowed to leave the ship when we land..."

Louis flashed me a sympathetic grimace, nodding his head like he knew how I felt. He couldn't - he'd seen Junito and all its glory as well as my planet and all it had to offer. It was only a matter of time before Klaru decided my execution would be the best way to tie up all the loose ends. "I'll complain to those who worked on the crafting of the ship as soon as I get home," he promised me. "I'll tell them you do not appreciate their design, especially the lack of windows."

I just laughed and shook my head, the extent of his kind gestures unfathomable. "Don't. There's enough people on board this ship who hate me; I don't need your workers back home to hate me too."

"They won't hate you! On the contrary, they would most likely appreciate your feedback. Being a different species and all, you know what's better from a different perspective. And besides, us Junites are always open to new ideas. Well . . . I should say some of us are."

I squeezed his hand gently, aware that he was referring to the Councillors and their corrupt leader. Louis had often said with the right words and the right people, his kind would most likely be willing to communicate with humans. It seemed that the only ones who weren't so keen were the supposed Council to the Royal Family. Traitors, I thought as Louis hung his head and sat in silence. It broke my heart to see him so distraught so I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him in a hug.

He perked right up in no time, standing straight and offered me his hand.

"What're you doing?" I pondered and he just flashed me a grin.

"There's a window in the bathroom," Louis told me, his smile growing when watching my face light up. Soon enough we were both sitting on the cold tiles of the floor, looking out of a large ceiling-to-floor glass pane that had been hidden behind a panel in the wall. I was beginning to wonder just how many wonders were hidden behind the bathroom walls - there was probably a jacuzzi under the panels of the floor too.

As soon as Louis pushed that button to reveal the window, my heart stopped. At first I just saw stars again, tons of them shining down on us from where we sat. In awe, I found myself raising a hand to the glass, a smile upon my face. It was fair to say that right then was the best star-gazing I'd ever done. In my peripheral vision I could make out Louis' eyes on me. I would have questioned why he was staring at me if I'd not been so mesmerised but it was difficult to completely move my vision to anything other than the brilliance before me. When was I ever going to see something like this again? When would I see the stars so close without looking through a telescope? Perhaps Louis was thinking the same and he was just admiring how much the moment meant to me. The little girl from Hoveton who dreamed of seeing the world was finally staring at something new and untouched. 

"It's beautiful," I muttered under my breath. 

"It is," I heard Louis reply, still looking in my direction. I turned to look at him and was relieved he didn't look away. I wanted to know what he was thinking; if he was scared, content, tired. The prince seemed to have moments where the feelings would hit him all at once, like he were unsure himself how to feel. His eyes spoke more than his lips and I could see it clear as day in the depths of the azure - emptiness. But why? He hadn't given up, I was sure of that. Perhaps he was worried for me, his crew instead. The pressure was finally beginning to break him and I couldn't bear to see him so unlike his usual upbeat self.

"You're a beautiful person." My voice was firm, like I was trying to assure him that all that mattered were my words. And they did because they were true. "I hate seeing you like this, down and exhausted. Don't you dare let those people get to you anymore than they already have, Loudrix. You have more authority than you may think right now and as soon as this ship lands on Junito, you can say or do whatever you want and Klaru won't know how to react without blowing her cover. I'm telling you to do what is right, not what's good for me. That's the problem. You're putting me first and that's not right."

"You did the same for me on Earth," he protested. "You put all your time into looking after me and helping me cope. You're the reason I'm on my way home right now."

"Yeah, as a hostage," I argued. "I wanted to help you get home safe."

"And I am! She won't hurt me. Physically, anyway."

I groaned. "That's what I'm saying, Louis. You're thinking about your crew and me. I'm disposable. One human life should not be worrying a prince. Your crew are more important and I'm sure they would want you to do the right thing too. I've met them, briefly but long enough to know how much they adore you not only as a Royal but a friend."

He looked confused. "So, basically you are telling me that I should do whatever it takes to reveal the truth about Klaru and the Councillors despite the consequences and danger it will put you in? One human life - no, the only human life I care about is the life of one of my best friend and I will not lose you because I cannot follow a simple demand... Flora, you don't understand how much you mean to me. You've opened my eyes to a whole new world - quite literally."

"Louis," I whispered, lowering my eyes to the tiles. A hot flush crept up my neck to my cheeks and for the first time, one of his compliments truly touched me. It was the sort of thing that would probably make me shed a tear but I'd participated in enough of that for a lifetime. No more crying, I told myself. 

"I'm very serious," he said firmly. "I'm going to leave the ship knowing you are safe below, waiting to be moved into the palace soon after. The wedding will happen and Klaru will get the sick pleasure she craves. After she has it all, I will do everything in my power to make sure you get home safe."

"But how can you send me home and expect me to be OK living my life while I know yours is going to be miserable?" I couldn't bear the thought of that woman cuddling up to him at night in the Royal chambers, whispering evil words in his ear about how her plan had worked and she had him in the palm of her hand. God knows what else she would try to extort out of him. When I was back home, she could easily threaten his crew. It wasn't all about me, it was about everyone that Louis loved and held dear. Anything to get her to the top of that pedestal. 

"Flora, can we stop fighting about this?" he pleaded, casting his gaze out upon the stars. "It's beginning to get tiresome, especially when you will not change my mind. It's my decision to make and it has been finalised. I understand how you must feel but I cannot do it, I just can't..."

"Hey," I coaxed his attention back to my face by lifting his chin, his eyes the saddest I'd ever seen them, "I understand. I just can't believe how selfless and caring you are. It's hard to see you in a position where all the rules are being made for you. It's like you're trapped and unable to spread your wings. I've seen you fly, Loudrix - literally - but metaphorically, I've seen you at the top of your game. Hell, you were in your element back on Earth, learning and discovering but as soon as they shut you in here, I feel like you're fading. I'm scared you're going to become so distant that you'll forget what really matters."

It was a sudden movement that left me unable to react quick enough, but when his lips were inches from my face and finally touched against my hot cheek I couldn't even begin to explain how much it hurt my heart. I understood completely then in that lingering kiss just how desperate he was to keep me safe. It was his new mission - he had found his beloved humans and now he was keeping his human safe. Just like I was trying to keep my alien safe. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I pulled him towards me for another hug. I enjoyed our hugs immensely, there was just something so innocent and special about them compared to when I would embrace anybody else. Not even Jason's hugs were as powerful. 

It must have been half an hour later that we pulled apart, enjoying the minimal warmth our bodies radiated for one another. The bathroom was chillier than in his room so we made a trip to the bedroom to put on an extra layer of clothes. After requesting something clean to wear from Klaru, I had been greatly surprised when she had personally appeared at the door herself carrying several neatly folded garments in her arms. She beckoned me over and practically dumped them on me before turning and leaving, muttering something about how they may be a little too large.

You mean very large, I'd thought as I held up the first item of clothing - some sort of grey jumpsuit with intricate gold stitching on the back. I'd seen a few members of Louis' crew wearing something similar and the material felt itchy against my skin. In distaste, I'd cast it aside to try something else on only to find that the majority of the clothing felt uncomfortable and were several sizes too large.

"How big does she think I am?" I'd angrily asked Louis as he observed me throwing item upon item across his room, leaving it in as much of a mess as it had been when we'd first arrived. "Hell, you could fit two of me in all of these clothes!"

So there I sat in the unbearable jumpsuit, scratching irritated areas every few minutes until the itch subsided. Louis had tried to assure me I looked 'stunning' in it and I'd only laughed off his attempt at flattery. There was nothing at all flattering about me wearing a grey all-in-one while itching my butt every so often. Louis had been trying not to laugh the first time. However, against the coolness of the bathroom tiles the suit felt the most comfortable it ever had. Louis had thrown on a long sleeved top which was made from the same material as my new look.

"How can you guys wear this stuff?" I complained, itching my left thigh. 

"We're used to it but believe me, when we were young it was a nightmare. But luckily for me, I didn't have to wear items of such cheap material most of the time."

"Posh," I teased, smirking at his irritated expression. "It's like wearing velcro."

"Complain to me all you want but don't in front of Klaru or she'll have you wear something even worse."

"There's something worse than this? Hell, I'll be quiet then. What do your people usually wear, out of curiosity?"

Louis glanced at me, perplexed. "What do you mean by that? We wear clothes, just like you."

"I know but, are they proper clothes like what I'm wearing or are they more scraps of material or warrior-like loin cloths?"

I'd never seen him so baffled and I just laughed and tried to explain what I meant in a better way which ended up being even less helpful. Eventually, once describing how humans wore trainers and jeans, and if his people did, he seemed to cotton on to what I was getting at.

"We're not savages," he explained. "But I'd say we wear ... robes?" It sounded more like a question than statement and I nodded for him to continue. "We have nothing like those horrific skin-tight things you wear down on Earth. We have more comfortable, more decorative attire. But in my home, we do have more finer materials to make into appropriate garb."

I normally would have laughed at the use of such a word like 'garb' but he was so serious and I was intrigued about his culture. Would it be inappropriate for me to be wearing traditional Junite attire? Was that even a thing on Junito? Louis would have told me if there was going to be any sort of problem with me wandering onto his planet wearing a crew jumpsuit. I personally couldn't see it being out of line, certainly not if the prince approved. 

"You know," Louis began, pointing at a particularly large star off to his right, "that could be me one day. When I was younger my mother used to read stories about life after death to me - I found the idea fascinating. She would tell me that all the great men and women on Junito lived on through the stars for eternity. That is, if their time on Junito was well spent and lived to the fullest. I'd like to think that my great discovery of planet Earth and its inhabitants has been my fulfilment in life."

I frowned, turning my head to question why he was speaking in such a dismal way, like he were expecting his life to end suddenly. Was he? "I can't decide if you sound poetic or morbid right now," I mumbled. He raised a quizzical brow and opened his mouth to speak. I cut him off bluntly with, "Do you think you're going to get killed?"

He was silent and that terrified me. I wondered if he had been expecting such an outcome from the beginning and that also scared me - it meant he'd been keeping his deepest, darkest thoughts from me when I could have perhaps helped. "I ... believe that my life is in more danger than you think, Flora," he finally managed. 

"You think she's going to have you killed?" I pondered, just above a whisper. "But she said there would be a wedding-"

"And a wedding there shall be," he interrupted, sighing shortly afterwards. It seemed to be a struggle for him to find the right words. "I'm not one-hundred percent sure that I'll be living the happiest of lives. As soon as I put that ring on her finger, she's won - I'll be disposable. Once she is Queen, that's that."

"You're wrong," I told him strictly. The thought of him being killed made something churn in my stomach. His casual way of talking about death made my head hurt - he was being over-dramatic. "You're more valuable to her than you think. Without a king to Junito, won't the kingdom need to take extreme measures? For example, wouldn't your parents return to power? There can't be a queen without a king. You are more important than her, than anyone else and I don't want to hear you say things like that ever again, do you understand me?"

His mouth appeared rigid like it were glued tightly shut. I wanted to know what he was thinking, what was on his mind at that particular moment. Was he contemplating my words or had they went in one ear and out the other? He just seemed lost for words but finally he managed: "Flora, I - I don't know what you want to hear from me. I thought you would want the truth. And I never mentioned anything permanent or definite. All I said was-"

"I know what you said," I cut him of angrily. "Don't you dare think that calling yourself a twinkling ball of gas is going to make me forgive you."

"Are you mad?" he teased, nudging my shoulder and flashing me a grin. He knew I could get mad but he also knew how to make me forget I'd been mad in the first place. It was irritating when somebody could do that to you, make you feel one thing and another the next. Perhaps it was one of his alien powers that he'd forgot to mention? "Have you forgiven me yet for shouting at you the other day?"

I just laughed and shook my head, casting my gaze back out at the galaxy before us. "No. I'm going to keep bringing it up to make you guilty."

"That's not very nice. I thought we were friends?" 

"We are, but friends are allowed blackmail of sorts," I said, grinning. "Depending on how this trip goes, I could use it as an apology."

"You mean, you're not already desperate to get home? After all the tragedy thus far?"

Home, I thought. I miss home so much right now. "I'm slightly home-sick," I admitted. "I could use a cuppa."

"Tea?" he questioned, tilting his head as he waited for my confirmation. I nodded, laughing at how an old quirk of his was brought to life after being in the shadows for so long. Sometimes I forgot he was an alien.

"Do you not miss your pancakes?" I asked. "I know how much you love those."

"I do miss them," he sighed, pouting like a child. "But I'd rather be here watching you enjoy the many sights of space. How does it feel to be so far from home yet so close to another planet?"

"Exciting. Terrifying. And slightly crazy. I'm the only human who will set foot on Jupiter for years, centuries probably. That's insane... Do you realise how insane that is? Little me, Flora Brannon, in space with an alien, on our way to another planet. Saying it out loud makes me insanely nervous though. It's going to be amazing, obviously. I'm just worried how your people will find me. Am I not going to scare some of them? It looked liked I scared some of your crew when Nix took me to meet them the first time."

"I won't lie and tell you they won't be a little surprised. But if everything turns out alright, they will accept you. Especially if they know you were the one who saved me when I crashed."

"I'll try my best not to scare them," I promised, letting my head fall onto his shoulder. He tilted his head to settle against mine and we just sat watching the stars some more. It was so different seeing them so close and without a telescope, like if I were to reach out into the emptiness I could almost touch them. The sparkling mass was a likeness so similar to Louis while in his true form, dazzling bursts of light emanating from his azure complexion, that I had to consider that I may not ever see him in his human disguise again. As soon as the ship landed, the Junites on board had no reason to be undercover. It would make me feel more alone than ever to see him return to his original self. How would we communicate?

Something brighter than a star caught my attention suddenly and I glanced down to see the mini solar system spinning in Louis' palm like I had so many weeks ago. It was still so beautiful, glowing and spinning there and reminding me painfully of how much I was missing that little blue and green planet I called home. There it was, Earth, so close yet so far. With a content sigh, I lifted a finger to trace over the hologram, my finger falling through it just as fast as I'd fallen into the most amazing adventure of my life.

"I may never make it home," I blurted. "What if I never see my parents again, my friends? Granted, I've never had many of those but still, you've gotta pretend. I'll never get to read another issue of Heat, holy lord."

"That magazine?" Louis pondered. "Would you rather be at home, alone and sitting on your couch indulging in a bottle of wine instead of being here on a spaceship with your new extra-terrestrial friend?" When he put it that way I realised how selfish and idiotic I sounded. I just shrugged.

"Put it this way, that magazine and bottle of wine have never had me on edge as much as I am right now. All I'm saying is I could have packed a bag and a few bottles. Maybe I could have presented the wine to your parents as a peace offering? Would they - oh, my God." 

I had to stop because something greater was spinning in the distance. It was hard to find the words to best describe the moment when Junito came into view. Everything around me seemed to blur as I focused all my attention on that one large planet. For a moment I had even forgotten Louis was there until he draped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me against his side. I cast a glance up at him to see his attention was glued ahead too - on his home. 

Much like the diagrams I'd been shown throughout my school years, the king planet sat there, splattered in colours of orange, cream and brown, the beautiful patterns on the planet's surface reminding me of a marble. Unlike the satellite view of Earth, there were no lights shining down on Junito or at least none that I could see. I wondered if electricity was a thing on Junito or whatever the advanced version of electricity was. The lack of light made the planet look desolate and it was no wonder that scientists back home thought there was no life further than us. Jason had always been adamant that there was life on Mars and I knew that after meeting Louis that his suspicions were probably correct. Perhaps aliens were just geniuses at disguising themselves, like the Junites. If the camouflage was just as effective on Junito as on board the Mothership then the Junites had absolutely no reason to worry about being discovered. 

"What do you think?" Louis' voice broke me from my reverie and I just looked to him in astonishment. What did he expect me to say? To be able to say? For somebody as inconvenient as myself to be allowed to see such astounding things had my heart racing a hundred miles an hour. My breath caught short and for the first time since meeting Louis I was truly speechless. 

"Louis," I breathed, "it's beautiful. I don't know what else to say. Hell, we've not even landed yet-"

As if on cue, the bathroom door burst open and Norkar charged in, escorted by two other Councillors. Norkar was the only one in his human form but all three of them were wearing stern expressions on their faces. I had to wonder if it were just me who noticed, for Louis just smiled sarcastically and asked if everything were alright.

"We are landing in approximately half an hour. Come with us." Norkar's tone matched his face and I looked to Louis with a frown. Was that it? Would it be the last time I got to see him before he had to go and live an unhappy life forever with Klaru? The thought made something in my throat catch. 

"Let's go," he huffed, smiling at me reassuringly before standing and dusting himself off. He held out his hand to me and pulled me to my feet, not letting go of my hand while we followed after the Councillors out of the room.

IT WASN'T SO bad being back in the cells. I only had to suffer there alone for ten minutes before Louis was rushing round the corner to be with me before he had to leave the ship. He was now dressed in his royal attire; rich looking material in gold that draped over his body to cover and reveal the appropriate areas of his body. A red sash was draped from one shoulder to his waist and at the collar and cuffs of his robes were encrusted gemstones. He certainly looked like a prince and only once my eyes were finished looking him over did I notice the crown sitting atop his head. He looked so good but you couldn't dress him up enough to cover his thin figure and distant eyes. When my eyes darted over his ribs I wanted to cry all over again.

"You look dashing," I told him, leaning against the bars separating us. He was on the other side, and I felt scared at the thought of him leaving me. 

"Thank you, Earthling," he chuckled, standing directly opposite me, his hands covering my own through the bars. His hands were warm but his eyes were cold. "Norkar escorted me down here as a last request before I have to officially return to my royal duties. I do have a reputation to upkeep after all." He seemed sad as he spoke and my heart shattered. 

I pressed my palm to his cheek, watching as he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He had bags under his eyes and even with the crown flattening his hair down it still managed to stick up in every direction. Surely someone would notice how different he looked, how distressed he was behind that forced smile? "Hey," I whispered to him. His eyes met mine and I smiled widely at him. "Even if I don't get to see Junito at all, at least I got to see you dressed in your royal robes. Prince Loudrix, heir to the throne of Junito, Lord of Pancakes and Scaredy Cat of Mirrors."

He just laughed and nodded. Reminiscing those memories of his first month or so on Earth were the best of times, the memories I would truly cherish. Back when he had been happier, before the Councillors had traced his life signs back to Earth and began chasing him to terminate his existence for good. When he had had a bit more meat on him and woke up with that stupid blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

"I'm not scared of mirrors," he protested with a faux scowl. "I was simply startled at the dashing reflection I cast."

"Sure," I mused, raising a brow. "I distinctly remember you jumping off the ground."

"In delight, of course," he retorted.

"Fright, more like. I miss making you pancakes," I admitted.

"I miss eating them! The honestly were the best things I discovered on Earth. Well, besides you of course. You're hard to beat, Flora Brannon, human of Earth, Lover of Adventure and the true definition of a real friend."

All of a sudden the ground beneath my feet began to tremble. My first thought was earthquake. But that was ridiculous; we were in space. I recalled Louis telling me about when the capsule carrying him to Earth had broken the atmosphere at such a speed, he had been terrified for his life and ejected last minute. Had we broken the atmosphere to Junito? 

"Don't panic," he told me. "We're nearly there."

I just nodded and said, "I figured that. I bet you're happy to be home."

"I wish I could say I was. Perhaps under different circumstances, I would be but this is probably the worst scenario I've returned home in."

"Except this time you have precious cargo," I teased, stretching my arms wide to suggest that I was implying said cargo was myself. 

"Pfft, you? Maybe if I had a supply of pancakes, yes," he hit back, raising his hands to cup my cheeks. His lips pressed softly to mine before he told me, "Be careful. For me, please be careful, my Earthling."

That was the last thing he said to me before Norkar tore around the corner and announced that it was time to go. The Councillor never left the room as he waited patiently for Louis to follow him and with one final smile and nod of the head, Louis was gone and Prince Loudrix stood before me, shining brilliantly in his true skin. It was like looking out of the bathroom window again, at bright and blinding stars and that was only on the outside for I knew how sad he was on the inside.

And then they were both gone and I was alone again.

SECONDS TURNED INTO minutes and minutes turned into hours and I was still alone - I was sad and alone and desperate to know what was going on. No guards had even come to check on me during my time in the cells which not only was stupid but unprofessional. What if I'd managed to hatch an escape plan and I was already running around the ship trying to figure out how to foil Klaru's plot? They would never know.

Klaru knows you're not smart enough to escape, the voice snapped in my head and I knew it was right. Louis and I had already tried the locks and it was useless, without the key anyway. 

Why was I still locked up? Klaru had said after the initial landing was over and done with and they had been welcomed back thoroughly I would be escorted into the palace to further be used as blackmail. And I was still waiting - waiting for my relocation and for news on what the hell was happening outside. 

Was Louis alright? Had he proposed like Klaru had wanted him to? Was he engaged now? I didn't want him to be. The thought of him putting a ring on that bítch's finger made me want to rip my hair out in frustration. Of all the people in the (his) world he had managed to end up with a psychopath who had never loved him. A man as charming and selfless as Louis deserved better, he was supposed to be with somebody who would love him forever and cherish the hell out of him until he drew his last breath. And that someone was not Klaru.

I was sitting on the cold ground, itching where the jumpsuit was biting at my skin. It was constant, like a nervous twitch and it wouldn't have surprised me if my skin was red raw beneath the material. 

Where's Louis? Is he alright?

I knew he was because Klaru needed him but it didn't lessen my concern. I'd seen what she was capable of and I knew it wouldn't take much for her to suddenly snap and decide he was better dead. Louis' words ran through my mind, about how he knew he was in danger and my stomach jumped to my throat. What if he'd been right and instead of going through with a marriage, she just wanted him gone? Perhaps all she needed was that ring on her finger.

I was driving myself mad. Being alone was enough but when someone is stuck with paranoid thoughts bad things tend to happen. It was my own fault I was going insane, worried sick to the point where I literally had nausea hitting me every few seconds. Maybe if I was sick it would go away and I could think clearly for a little. 

"You look pretty miserable there," a voice noted from around the corner. Young, male and familiar. 

I stood up so fast my head spun. I looked toward the darkened corridor, unable to see anything but shadows for a moment before a silhouette slowly began to manifest in the darkness. Something inside me was jumping for joy and desperate to cry out in surprise but I held myself together; I couldn't get my hopes up because false hope was the worst thing in the world. 

"Who's there?" I asked.

I heard footsteps shuffling and not just one pair but several. Before the man had even stepped into the light, I was smiling and clinging to the bars like my life depended on it. "Oh, my God! Thank God, holy shít I was so scared you were dead!"

Jason stood there, unharmed and grinning with his arms outstretched towards me, his feet carrying him over to me as soon as he found the coast to be clear. I hugged him as best I could with the bars separating us, crying into his shoulder as the familiarity of his arms around me made me realise just how much I'd missed him. Days without him had felt more like years and I sure as hell wasn't letting him out of my sight ever again. 

"I missed you," he mumbled into my hair. "I thought you were dead too. You have no idea just how lost I've been without you, Flora. I was driving Bu mad-"

"Bu?" I cut in. "You were with Bu this whole time? Did she make sure you got a transfer? Well, obviously you did because you're here. But are you alright? What have you been up to? Are you doing alright?"

There were so many questions I wanted to ask him but so little time. All that was important was that he was alright and that Louis was too. But I didn't know how Louis was.

"I'm fine, just fine. Bu took good care of me, I promise. I think she likes me," he added, looking over his shoulder. "But I never told you that."

I laughed and shook my head. "Of course you didn't." 

"We don't have a lot of time," Jason suddenly said, tension filling the room all of a sudden. It felt like we were being watched. I was on edge again, my eyes darting over his shoulder to make sure nobody was there. "Bu is trying to get the keys to get you out. She and a few others have stayed back to break you out. This guy and another girl who said they've met you before."

"Nix and Alzik?" I questioned and he nodded.

"Yeah, them. Nix knows where they are but she needs to remain in the control room so nobody suspects her or something, so Alzik is trying to sneak about and retrieve them. Said he'd be only a few minutes if all goes to plan so fingers crossed we get you out of here."

"You need to get me out," I panicked. "Klaru has Louis and she's practically making him hand over the power to rule Junito right this second. We have to stop her or she'll hurt Louis and then she'll kill us both."

As I filled Jason in on everything that had happened during my time on the ship, there was more shuffling from around the corner and two red-faced bodies swerved onto the scene, little Bu panting like a dog and Alzik hunched over onto his knees as if he were about to be sick. In his hand was a key.

"G-got it," he gasped, weakly throwing it to Jason who just caught it and unlocked the cell door. I practically jumped into his arms to give him a proper hug. As soon as the Junites had regained some breath, their arms were around us too. I wondered if Louis had told them about the power of a hug. Louis was probably in need of a hug right about then.

"We need to save Louis," I blurted, ruining the silence. 

"We believe he is in terrible danger," Bu said. "The captain suspected from the beginning, as soon as he was ejected from the ship under such strange circumstances."

"Indeed," Alzik pipped in. "We shall do whatever we can in our power to help you, Flora. He is our beloved Prince and leader and we will stand by your side until he is safe."

"Is Nix coming too?" I asked.

Bu nodded. "As soon as the ship's inspection is cleared, she will meet us in the palace."

"The palace?" Jason questioned. "Is that not a rather stupid idea? Won't Louis and Klaru be in there as well as half of the planet's population for a big 'welcome back' party?"

Bu and Alzik laughed loudly. "Just how spacious do you believe the palace is, Earthling? Junito is the king planet. We couldn't even fit an eight of the population into the palace!" Alzik chuckled.

Under his breath, I heard Jason mutter, "It was a joke..."

"So, what's the plan for now?" I asked, desperate to hear some sort of an idea forming in one of their heads. I hadn't even began to think of any sort of escape knowing how indestructible the cell bars were. It had seemed impossible at the time. Pointless, even.

Bu spoke first, "We are going to escape the ship and try to enter the palace grounds undetected. We shall be cautious of course, as there shall be guards at every entrance and stationed throughout the halls of the palace. I believe the best place to head would be the prince's chambers which are on the top floor."

"Why Louis' room?" I asked.

"So you can see him, of course," Alzik huffed, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "As soon as he knows you are well, we can all concoct some sort of rebellion without Klaru knowing."

"Sounds dangerous," I pointed out. "What if Klaru is there with him?"

"I'll slap her," Jason quickly said.

"Excellent plan," I agreed. "But I think that's a bad idea. We need to be careful, like Bu said. When we meet with Louis again, we'll decide on what the next step is. He'll be reluctant to do anything to expose Klaru and the Councillors because she's holding my life on the line and no matter how many times I've told Louis that my life is insignificant to his, he refused to listen to me. If it puts me in danger, he gets even more defensive."

"He's so heroic," Bu commented. "Our Prince truly shall be a wonderful leader."

"Not if that bítch is by his side," I pointed out. "She plans on taking full control once they get married."

We stood in silence for a moment, pondering what the plan would go like. None of us could come up with anything better or more effective and if we even made it through the tight security, getting to Louis' room would be just as difficult with it being on the top floor. Jason and I would stick out like a sore thumb compared to the brightly coloured Junites.

"His parents," Jason murmured, tapping a finger to his chin in thought. "His parents would listen to him. Klaru can't touch the current leaders, can she? It's too big an ambition. If we could speak to the King and Queen and got Louis to confess everything he knows, Klaru would be screwed. Check-mate, done, winner! The Councillors are under the command of the Royals. Sure, they've committed treason but the ones that have can just be punished by his parents, right?"

"It could work," Bu considered, looking to Alzik in thought. "But getting to Louis will be difficult enough, imagine trying to get in touch with his parents. Klaru is clever, she can see through lies and defences. It will be difficult but it's the best shot I think we shall have..."

"Yes," Alzik agreed. "But we must convince Prince Loudrix first. Without his consent we cannot act out of personal reasons."

"Personal reasons?" I scoffed. "His life is in danger! Don't you think his parents would wish for nothing more than their son's safety, the heir to the throne? If something were to happen to Louis and they found out people knew everything and decided not to share the information until it was too late, that they would prefer that? And how would you live with yourselves afterwards, knowing that you could have stopped something awful from happening?"

They were silent and I knew I'd won. I was right, and the plan had begun. 

Thanks for reading, as always! Your support is incredible. I've made a new account on Wattpad - visualeyes - which I will begin using after all my stories on this account are complete. I plan on re-posting all my stories onto the new account but removing the fanfiction element (to make them teen-fiction/chick-lit/young adult etc stories) and polishing the absolute fúck out of them in hopes of reaching a few more audiences. So if you want to see how that goes, keep an eye on that account, thanks in advance! 

Question: What do you guys think will happen once they make it off the ship?

Space joke: Why did the star get arrested? Because it was a shooting star!

Cazza