I live in company with a body,
a silent companion,
extracting and eternal

- Eugene Delacroix

Sky

I stare out of the window and let the cool breeze in. I love the city by night. It gives it something mysterious. A sigh escapes my mouth. It’s not the first time I wake up at this hour.
Dreams make me restless.
It’s not that I’m unfamiliar with the concept. Dragons dream. They don’t really sleep, but have waking dreams in their slumber. They drift through the sky motionless. It’s too complicated for my human brain, but I understood when I was a Dragon.
They do dream, but their dreams revolve around the sky. About their tumbles and dances as they fly. Their dreams are light. Like clouds.
I can’t speak for every Human, but Emma’s dreams are restless. They unsettle me. She dreams of raids and Seekers. And about the people she loves.
People she’s lost.
They make me feel lonely.
I shouldn’t be having these dreams.
This is my body now.
I don’t want her memories.
Not anymore.

I stare at the sky. Stars always made Emma happy. Maybe it works for me too.
It’s been a month since I moved here to Toledo. I have a nice view of the Observatory. So far I haven’t accessed any new memories. Emma’s friends aren’t here and no one has heard of her parents.
I try to stay positive.
My thoughts return to Emma’s latest dream. A memory of the raid at school. Well, she would call it that, but in reality, the Seekers were very calm and gentle. They used the school busses to transport the students to the Insertion Center. Everything went very smoothly.
I’m glad I figured out now how Emma was able to escape. She had skipped class and hidden in the attic of the school to draw. She forgot the time, but she saw the busses leave through the window. She knew something was wrong when a few students lingered and were herded into he busses, the wrong busses, rather forceful.
She waited until all the busses had left before she raced home, carefully making sure no one would see her. There was no longer anyone she could trust.
At home she packed a bag and ran. And she had been running ever since.

I take a deep breath and close the window. I might as well try to get a few more hours of sleep.
The Comforter’s number is still in the drawer of my nightstand. I haven’t called yet. I did speak with Rain though. We talk a lot on the phone. I miss her. She was my fist friend here.
I miss Patt too. I talked to him a few times and he came to visit two weeks ago I like his company.
Rain laughed when I told her, though I’m not sure why.

I stare at the ceiling as I pull up the covers. There’s still so much I have to do. For now, I’ve found a job at one of the restaurants in town, but it’s not my Calling. I haven’t figured that one out yet.
When I was a Dragon, my tumbles were the best out of everyone’s, so I’d love to be a Dancer, but Emma’s body isn’t used to dancing. At least not the kind of dancing I have in mind. She only knows ballroom dancing. So that’s not an option.

Perhaps I should talk to Reads the Stars again. He’s been a real good friend ever since we met that first day. He helped me find a job and this apartment. I’ve met his mate too and his children. Both were given for Insertion after birth. They’re the cutest pair I’ve ever seen.
My body hasn’t protested again when I visited the Observatory, so I’m a frequent visitor there too. It’s nice to learn a bit more about the place Emma’s father used to work.
It’s sad rally. He wanted to make contact so badly. It wasn’t us though that he found. We would never contact a planet we were about to assimilate. We would never contact any planet at all.
A sigh escapes my lips and I close my eyes. Immediately I’m targeted by familiar faces. Harold and Caroline, Blake, Jeremy, Ashley.
Every now and then another face cuts in. A male face with ginger hair and freckles. One I don’t have a name for. And now matter how hard I try, I can’t pry it from Emma’s memory.

***

“Maybe she didn’t know his name,” Yellow Leaves suggests.
My shift is over and I’m having dinner with Reads the Stars and his family. I eat here once a week. When I’m here, it’s like I’m part of a real family. Then I don’t’ miss my parents so much. Well,.. Emma’s parents. It’s strange to miss people I’ve never even met, but Emma’s memories are very real.
“Why would you say that?” I ask confused, “she knows his face, why not his name?”
Yellow Leaves laughs softly. “Ah honey, I keep forgetting how new you are to the human body. Perhaps she saw him from a distance and she liked his face. You said she was shy. Maybe she didn’t have the courage to speak with him and ask his name.”

It’s possible of course. Though I’m sue if it were true, Ashley would have been the one to ask his name in Emma’s stead.

“Maybe,” I sigh.
“Perhaps you should try to find him,” Yellow Leaves says, “then you could  find out.” She squeals. “What if she really did like him? He might not be opposed to her. You might even find your partner in him.”
“Partner?” I laugh nervously. I’ve never really thought about taking a partner. I mean, when I was  Dragon, I frolicked around a bit. That was normal behavior for Dragons. I know from the information that was given to me before coming to this planet that humans are different. For some, finding a partner was a serious matter. Others were more like Dragons. I know enough of Emma to know she is the first kind, hut I’ve never even considered it.  I’ve only been here for a short time after all.
Yellow Leaves laughs again. “Don’t looks so shocked Sky. It’s only natural. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

“Please Yellow Leaves,” Reads the Stars says to his wife, “choosing a partner is a private matter. Just like choosing a planet or a host. You shouldn’t push Sky.”
“I’m not pushing her,” Yellow Leaves answers, “I’m just saying this mysterious boy might become a partner.”
“Same thing,” Reads the Stars says teasingly, “besides, you know Sky is interested in that Seeker, Carves Snow Patterns. Isn’t that right, Sky?” He winks at me.
I feel my cheeks heat up. It’s true tat I like Patt, but to ask him to be my partner? Now that Reads the Stars has mentioned it, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like. Would he accept if I asked? What would it be like to have a partner? Reads the Stars and Yellow Leaves are very happy together. So are Rain and Storm. Maybe it will help me adjust to this body. Maybe they’re all right. Maybe I should try to find a partner. But how do you ask someone to become a mate? I’ve never done something like that before and Emma’s no help either in that area.
I turn to Yellow Leaves. “You think I should ask Patt to be my partner?” My heart flutters in my chest.
And then it tightens.
I gasp in pain.
“Sky!” Reads the Stars says in shock. He’s at my side within seconds.
“What is it?” Yellow Leaves asks concerned, “do you need a Healer?”
I struggle to breathe normal again. I don’t want to admit that I’m scared. It’s not the first time my body acts on its own, but this time it felt like it was rebelling against me.
“I… I’m fine,” I breathe, “I just need to lay down for a moment.”
“Okay,” Yellow Leaves nods and I let Read the Stars guide me to the couch. I close my eyes and try to breathe regular. No matter what Healer Winters says, I’m starting to think it’s more than adjustment problems.
First the Observatory.
Then the dreams.
And now… I don’t even know what that was. But I have the feeling my body is trying to tell me something.

A glass of water is put down on a table near my head and I mutter a thanks.
“Maybe you should stay the night, honey,” Yellow Leaves says softly, “we wouldn’t feel comfortable if you’re all by yourself and something like this happens again. We’ll ready the guestroom for you.”
I nod gratefully. Perhaps it would be a good idea.
As soon as Yellow Leaves has left the room, Reads the Stars sits down next to me. He gives me a concerned look. “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, is it Sky? I remember when we first met. You were ill then too.” He pauses. “I don’t want to frighten you, but I’ve heard it happens sometimes, that something of the host lingers.” He sees my shocked face. “Don’t worry, it’s normally just a matter of time, but maybe you should go see that Comforter.”
“Yes,” I sigh, “you’re probably right.” I’m a bit scared though. What if it’s true? Could it be true? “I’ll go see Storm. He’s the Healer that did my insertion. And he’s my friend.
“Alright,” Reads the Stars says, “but promise me you’ll take the first flight tomorrow.”
“Sky?” Yellow Leaves returns to my side, “the guestroom is ready.”
Carefully I pull myself to my feet. “Thank you so much,” I say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you.”

“It’s no trouble. We’re glad to help you. If you  need anything else just knock on our door. We’re right across the hall.”
“Thank you,” I slowly make my way upstairs.
Though I’m not in pain now, I don’t know when my body will act up again. It’s scary to be afraid of your own body.
I bite my lip. Why is it resisting me? No one else has these problems. Yellow Leaves and Reads the Stars are happy. Their children don’t suffer from my condition either. Rain and Storm function just fine. Brynn carries a human name, but her body listens to her. What’s wrong with mine?
that face flashes through my mind again. “Who are you?” I whisper. And what did he mean to Emma?
I hope Storm can give me some answers. I want to enjoy my stay on Earth, not worry about the next attack from my own body.
It takes a long time before I fall asleep.