“Hello,” said a soft musical voice
and Leonardo looked up.
In front of him stood the most beautiful young girl he had ever seen,
a girl who might have frightened him but for the sad expression in her blue eyes.
He knew about sadness.

  - The mystery of the seventh witch

 Burns

She was taken. That’s why she didn’t come back. Some Seeker found her and brought her to an Insertion Center. And now she’s Sky.
I’m probably making her nervous, but I can’t stop staring at her. I’m trying to hide it, but I’m not sure I’m succeeding.
It’s a strange sensation, to have known her as Emma and to see her again as someone else. They couldn’t have been more different.
Emma was always quiet, and a little sad, while Sky is very energetic and chatty.

But I do like her. She has a beautiful laugh and I wish I had heard that before.
“Are you hungry?” I ask, “I can make you something.”
“No that’s okay, I already ate. You have a nice house.” She looks around. “I have the strangest feeling that I’ve been here before. It al looks so familiar.”
“Perhaps Emma has been here before,” I say. I’m not sure what it is, but something’s different with Sky. Normally when we take over a host, we gain the memories belonging to that host, but Sky said Emma didn’t know my name.
What happened when the Seekers took Emma? Did she get hit on the head? Did she lose her memories? I’ve heard it happened to humans sometimes. Certain things were still there in their subconscious, but the person just couldn’t find them anymore.
Is that it? Is that why she doesn’t remember?
Maybe it’s a good thing. I know I’ve told Emma the Seekers wouldn’t mind me keeping a human as scientific research, but it would sure raise some questions. And I’m not so sure what Sky would think of me.
Besides, wouldn’t this be the ultimate scientific experiment? I’ve known her as a human. Now I can get to know her as a Soul. I can examine how much of a difference we can really make on this planet.
“Do you want to see your room?” I ask.
Sky nods. “Yes please.” She follows me upstairs.

The first thing she notices when she opens the door is the guitar. “Oh! You play?”
“No,” I say, “a friend of mine does. Do you play?”
Sky shakes her head. “No. I’m not that into music. I do like to dance. When I was still a Dragon, my tumbles were the best of all. I was thinking about becoming a Dancer here, but Emma’s not really good at it.”
“Then what do you want to do? What’s your Calling?”
“I work at a restaurant in Toledo, but it’s not what I want to do for the rest of this lifespan. I’m not sure yet. How about you?”
I smile. I like talking about my Calling. “I’m a Researcher,” I say, “I study rocks and plants and such. Every planet has its own substances. It’s very interesting.”
“It sounds exciting,” Sky smiles, “I bet you get to see a lot of different places.”
“I do,” I nod, “I can take you with me next time if you like.”
“Really? I’d love to.”
“It’s a deal then,” I smile at her, “I’ll let you settle in. Would you like some tea?”
“Sure,” Sky smiles. She drops her bag on the bed. “Oh, can I use your phone? I promised my friend Rain I would call.”
“Of course. There’s one in the hall downstairs.”
I turn my back and walk towards the kitchen. It’s nice to have someone stay at my house again, someone that actually wants to be here.

I start putting away the groceries. I hadn’t really gotten to that yet. And I really need to finish that report on the volcanic rock.  I picked up the photos this morning. There were photos of my visit with Ocean and Core too.
My mind wanders off to them. They aren’t any closer to finding a home near here, but they keep looking.
Down the hall I can hear Sky talk on the phone. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but she sounds cheerful and I can hear her laugh every once in a while.
After a moment she walks into the kitchen, just as I finish pouring the tea.
“Rain told me to say hi,” she says, “and to visit her soon. She wants to get to know you.” She bites her lip. “I’ve been driving her crazy with my search plans.”
“Were you that eager to find me?” I say amused.
Sky blushes and crosses her arms. “I told you. I wanted to find out why Emma thought about you so much.”
“Emma huh,” I say.
For a moment something flashes behind her eyes, but it’s gone before I can thin about it. Sky’s hand tightens around her glass for a second and she hisses in pain.
“Are you okay?” I ask startled.
“Yes. I… I burned myself.”
“You need to cool your hand,” I tell her and I stand up to push her towards the faucet to hold her hand in the streaming water.
“Thank you,” Sky whispers.
“You should be more careful,” I say, “or you’ll get blisters. Wait here, I’ll get you some Cool and Heal.”
Sky nods and sits on a chair while I go find the medicine.

I sit down across from her and take her hand in mine. I spray a bit of the Cool on it and then add the Heal. “I don’t think it will leave a mark. I don’t have any Smooth, so if you want to be sure I can get you to a Healer.”
“I don’t think it will be necessary,” Sky says, “thank you Burns.”
“You’re welcome.”
She finishes her tea and places her glass in the sink. “Are you sure you don’t mind me staying?” she asks.
“You can stay as long as you like,” I assure her, “it’s nice to share my house with someone. It’s been so quiet.”
“So you don’t have a partner? Oh, I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
I laugh. “It’s okay. No, it’s just me.”
She turns around to face me. A tiny smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “I should probably call my friends in Toledo that I wont be coming home for a while. Reads the Stars is taking care of my apartment while I’m gone.” She vanishes to the hallway again.
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. She sure is lively.
This is going to be interesting.

***

When I enter the kitchen the next morning, I freeze on the doorstep.
It’s Emma standing at the stove, making scrambled eggs and bacon. Four slices of toast just pop out of the toaster.
I blink, but the image doesn’t disappear.
Maybe she feels my presence, because she turns around and smiles. And then I remember.

It’s not Emma at all.

 “Oh, hi, you’re up. I made you breakfast. It was meant to be a surprise.” 
“Smells good,” I compliment her.
“Thank you.” She puts a plate in front of me, “I hope it tastes good too.” 
“I’m sure it will.” I take a bite. “So what are your plans for the day?”
“I’m not sure,” Sky says while sitting down across from me, “maybe you can show me around town. If you’re not busy that is. I wouldn’t want to interfere with your schedule. And perhaps I should search for a job. When I was with Rain and Storm, I helped out at the Healing Facility sometimes. It wouldn’t be right to just sit around all day. Do you know anyone that might need a hand?”
“I don’t know,”  I tell her honestly, “but I’ll ask around.”
“Sky nods. “Thank you.”
I nod and stand up. “That was delicious, thank you. I’m gonna pick up the mail, okay? I’ll be right back.” 
“Sure,” Sky nods.

I walk down the front yard to collect the mail when a grinning Thru greets me from his front lawn. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I nod.
“So, she came back after all,” Thru winks at me.
I blink. “Back?”
“Emily.”
“Emma,” I correct.
“That’s right. Rethinking that partner thing? She‘s cute. Hey, I know, perhaps you should come to dinner tonight. Or is she still shy?”
For a moment I can only stare. He’s seen her. I didn’t even think about that. This could create a bit of a problem. If he talks to Sky, she’ll think I’ve lied to her. Maybe with good reason. I didn’t exactly tell her I was the one Emma knew instead of my host. For some reason I can’t quite explain, I don’t want her to know that.
Which makes me look back on my earlier conclusion. 
This planet is changing me. It’s changing who I am.
“Burns?”
“Hm? Oh sorry. Yeah, she’s still shy. But I’ll ask her.” 
“Okay. Just let me know. Tell her I won’t bite.” He smirks, “if she’s going to be my next-door neighbor, I should get to know her, don’t you think?”
I manage a smile. “I’ll keep it in mind.” I watch as he reenters his house and then enter my own.

 Sky is doing the dishes.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her.
“But I wanted to,” she smiles.
I clear my throat. “Listen, I was thinking that perhaps you’d like to go on a trip with me today. The weather is nice and I wanted to use the opportunity to examine vegetation in the forest. It’s a  bit of a drive.” 
“Sounds like fun,” she says.
I let out a sigh of relief. “Good. I’m glad. We can go right now. I just have to pack a few things.”
Sky lets out a laugh. “You sound eager. You must really like your Calling.” 
Suddenly I’m laughing too. “Sorry about that. I tend to get a bit overexcited when it comes to my research.” 
“That’s alright. I just hope I can find something I like just as much as you like your Calling.” 
I smile at her. “I’m sure you will. Could you do me a favor? There’s a folder on my desk in the study. Could you get it for me? I’ll gather the rest of the equipment and pack us some lunch.”
“Sure thing,” Sky makes her way to the study and I go hunt for my camera and notebook. Next is my sample kit and a few plastic containers.

After I’ve finished packing lunch, Sky still hasn’t returned so I go look for her.
I knock on the study door. “Sky? Are you alright in there?”
I open the door and enter.
She’s at the cabinet, admiring my collection of rocks and other ornaments. She looks up when I approach. “Oh sorry,” she apologizes, “I got side-tracked.”
“That’s alright. You can look around all you like.”
Sky smiles and moves along the shelves. Every now and then her hand picks something up to have a closer look.
One of the objects sends a shiver through her. Her hand freezes for a moment before hesitantly touching it.
It’s my prism.
Her hand trembles when she retreats it and I look at her concerned. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Sky moves her hand to her cheek and touches it. She stares at her wet fingers. “I… I don’t know.”
I detect a hint of fear in her eyes. “Come,” I say, “I’ve finished packing. We’re ready to go.”
She nods distracted and walks past me out of the study.
I glance back at the prism again, puzzled, and then follow her out the door.