Kayle sprinted trough the halls of the mindwalker temple, flying by the students that were floating rocks and bending spoons.  To most, this was a day like any other, but to her, this was a day that could either spell trouble or relief in the near future.  Racing through the west hall, she stopped at her sister’s room.  Skidding inside.

 “He’s coming back,” she exclaimed,  “They’ve found him!”

 She watched her sister turn towards her, noticing the skeptical expression on her face.  Mellisa, she knew, cared for their brother as much as anyone, but the dance had been done many times before.  They all grew wary and less hopeful with each passing day.  Once, Kayle had hated Danal, she’d hated him with a passion for the way he acted towards her.  Now, though, she’d come to understand where the behavior truly came from: his horrible influence.  At this point, she simply wanted Danal back.  She wanted him to live a better life, better than what he’d had back on Gaia, better than what he probably had now.  Even he didn’t deserve to be alone.

 “Don’t get your hopes up Kayle,” Mellisa stated softly, breaking her train of thought.  “It would take quite a lot to get him to stay on that ship, much less here.  He’ll probably try to escape again.”

 Brown hair caressed her neck as she nodded faintly.  Sighing, she walked in closer and sat down on one of the bunks.  “Mel…you know him the best, can’t you talk to him?”

 The teen turned slightly, chewing her lip as she thought.  Her sea-green eyes had gotten softer, more vulnerable.  “I could only help him if he can make it to the planet.  If he can’t get that far…it just shows that he’s not ready.  One needs to be ready to listen in order to truly hear.”  Mellisa stared out the window, a calculating expression on her face.

 Philosophy…it always goes back to philosophy.  She has the power…why won’t she just do it!  Nodding slightly, Kayle stood, beginning to pace.  “Do you think he’ll make it?”

 Mellisa shrugged, her shoulders moving elegantly in an awkward motion, and moved to look out of the window.  “We shall see, I suppose.”  Her long blond hair filtered down her back as she walked.   I hope so… She searched the sky above her, looking at each passing ship.  With a year having gone by, she hoped that Danal would now understand.  Through all the suffering, he must want to come back.  But does he understand…?  … Will he stay?

 “He will stay.  I’m sure of it,” a male voice sounded from the doorway.  Bright blue eyes tried to brighten the solemn mood, as he walked in, but the gesture didn’t do anything for Mellisa.

 The blond haired teenager turned to her brother, looking slightly concerned.  Both of you…are far too hopeful for your own good.  I wish it could all come true…but…  “Jaden,” she began softly, “Don’t get hurt over this again, all right?”

 With that said, she left, her hair cascading behind her.  The door closed softly, leaving the other two alone in the room.

 “She doesn’t have much hope left does she?”  Jaden stated softly, a rueful smile resting on his lips.  “I thought she’d hold out the longest, but I guess she finally broke down.”

 Kayle snorted, “Sometimes I doubt she has the emotions to express hope.  She’s so calm…seems like such a stone.  I don’t understand it.”  I envy it…

 Jaden gave her a soft but disapproving look.  “Mell feels just as much as we do, you know that.”  Smirking slightly, he ran a hand through his tousled hair.  “Knowing her, she’s probably trying to protect us.  She does that for everyone.”

 “She does it far too much,” she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.  Kayle could help but be angered by the mannerisms, she didn’t need a baby sitter!  “We’re all the same age…She hardly needs to look after us.”

 Her brother snorted softly, his eyes showing kind humor.  “She’s just being herself, Kayle.  That’s all that she can be.  I’m sure that we’ll see Danny at some point.  If not soon, then later.  He can’t avoid everyone forever.”

 “I suppose so,” the other replied, smiling slightly.  “If he runs away this time I just may have to chase him down myself, and knock some sense into him.”

 “Good luck winning that fight.  He’d knock you on your butt!”  Her brother’s laughter filled the room, and Kayle scowled at him menacingly.

 “I hardly see what’s so funny.  I could take him.”

 The other snorted, “Sure you could…”

 The darkness of space surrounded him as the young teen struggled to sleep.  An insecure voice nagged at him, telling him that he didn’t belong… and yet, for some strange reason, this was the only place that felt safe.

 “Shhh,” a soft voice soothed.  “Rest, son, you’re all right.”

 The restless body calmed, but it’s lips still moved, whispering secrets while the mind slept.  “You won’t be all right if I stay…”

 Shawn shook his head.  The words were enough to give him a headache.  It was enough that many others within the ship had uncertainties about his child, but now those questioning thoughts came from the boy himself.  The teen looked beaten in some way; emotionally battered through thoughts.  ~ Enough of this Danal…I will hear no more of your self-depreciation. ~

 Danal’s mind said nothing back, but rather absorbed the sentence so that it could be recalled when the boy awoke.  He turned to his side quietly, and stilled.

 The father sighed, and bent down to kiss his son on the cheek.  ~ Stay, Danal.  I’d be hurt more if you didn’t. ~  Lying down on the couch, Shawn studied the boy with a calculating eye.  ~ What has made you so negative, Danny?  Is this all because of my decisions?  If only you could see yourself through my eyes…  I love you.  Never forget that.  If you let me help, we can fight all of these emotions together. ~

 Once again, the boy’s mind said nothing in reply, but a soft smile came to rest upon his face.

 // Perhaps you’ll finally come to understand, if you let me help you. //

 Above them, the medical unit loomed, ‘clearing’ its mechanical throat.  “Perhaps, sir, you would like to sleep in your quarters,” it began, looking at Shawn with a little concern.  “It would be much more comfortable, I’m certain.  As a part of my programming, I am perfectly capable of watching your boy.”

 Shawn nodded slightly, smiling at the robot for the offer.  “I know that you are capable, D220, but I would feel better if I stayed.”  Looking back down to Danal’s sleeping face, he sighed.  “Go ahead and shut down.  You’ve been watching over him enough.”

 “Yes sir,” the machine replied as it moved slowly away.  It’s voice sounded rather worried, but the droid knew better than to question.  // Just like humans… they never know when to give up.//

 Mellisa lay in her bed silently.  It was late into the night, and yet she still couldn’t sleep.  // Danny…I’ve really missed you.//  The teen sighed.  These feelings would do no good, she knew.  They wouldn’t bring him back.  Logically, she knew that even if her brother did come back to stay, he wouldn’t be the same person that she knew a year ago.

 He wouldn’t be the spirited, imaginative 12-year-old that lived across the street.  He might not even be as rebellious as he used to be, though she’d consider that change in character to be for the better.  Some how, she knew she’d be longing for the same person, but she wouldn’t be able to grasp him.  She’d have to get to know him all over again.

 Mellisa reflected silently, remembering the last day that she’d seen her brother.  It had been a little over a year ago… and he had been miserable.  They had just arrived on Telethia, the world on which their father’s prestigious school for the telepathic stood.  Ripped from their homes on Gaia, they’d come to a completely different place.  It was forest as well as city, where Gaia had been nothing but rolling country from forests to plains.  While they were to live in the woods, it still wasn’t quite the same.  The trees were all different, and the people were too curious for the transition to be comfortable.  They were entering a strange new life, with the other students gawking.  It was hard for everyone to adjust, really, but as it turned out, it was worst on Danny.  No one had talked to him much during the few days that he stayed.  No one save their father, of course.  Often enough, the boy had simply sat in his room looking bored or lonely.  Not long after they had landed on the world, her brother went off of it.  He ran away, as he had back on Gaia, however, this time, he refused to come back.

 // I’d always thought that he was stronger than that… after all, with this life he would have much more support than he would with his foster parents.  Maybe I overestimated him…//

 Mellisa sighed, coming to hate the depressing line of thinking that had washed over her.  Faith had never been her strong point, that was certain, but she usually found exceptions for those that she loved.  Once, she had believed in Danal’s strength, but ever since he ran away, she’d begun to doubt him.  Her faith in him kept plummeting with each time that he ran away after being found.

 // It’s become a reoccurring situation, really.  Danny has been found and lost at least five times…I doubt I’ll ever see him again. //

 ~ Is that really what you think? ~

 The voice penetrated the teen’s thoughts, cutting through her mind.  Her eyes widened in the darkness, and she sat up slightly in her bed, glancing around the room.  She shivered quietly, not liking the feeling of being listened to like this…

 ~ Who are you? ~

 A ghostly figure appeared before her: an elderly man dressed in all while, looking slightly regal.  Blue eyes looked down upon her with the wisdom of many years.  He didn’t quite look imposing to her…yet she could sense a lot of power behind his image.  Whoever he was…she was certain that he was someone important.

 ~ I’m a relative of yours, child, though I have no time to say any more on the subject.  You must calm yourself, and listen to me, understand? ~

 The girl nodded slowly as she squinted her eyes to adjust to the man’s light.  Relaxing ever so slightly, she inclined her head; a gesture that stated that she was ready to listen.

 Slowly, the wraith bent close to her, the light now surrounding both of their forms.  “I trust that you, of all people, will listen to reason.  I’ve come to tell you about your brother, Mellisa.  He needs you.”

 Green eyes searched blue as the teen sat up straighter on the bed.  She had so many questions…and yet, she could see already that they would have no relevance in this discussion.  Quieting her mind, the teen cast away her surprise and confusion, allowing the calm ways to take over.

 “I’m listening,” she stated softly, a serious expression resting on her face.

 Rayith smiled gently, happy to be heard out.  // Perhaps the boy will stay this time, with her help. //  “I’ve been looking after all of you for a long time, even before you came to Telethia.  Lately, however, all of my attentions have gone to your lost brother.  As you know, Danal has been found once more, but it will take a lot of effort to get him to stay.  He needs something from you, Mellisa.”

 The teen cocked her head to the side, and the scrutiny of her eyes became more intense with the motion.  Her eyebrows drew together as she stared into the wraith’s eyes.  “What exactly does he need?”

 “Faith, child,” the figure responded quickly, “and he needs yours the most.  There’s something inside of Danal.  He’s often told me about some darkness that he has within him.  It’s a fear that eats at him every step of the way.  It consumes him, and, as he says, makes him dangerous.  You must help get rid of this fear.”

 “Well, what’s his fear?”  She asked, urging him to go on.

 “I know not, only that it stems from his thinking.  He believed that he is a curse on all of you.”

 The glow of the wraith’s form began fading quickly, growing dim within the darkness.  He reached out with his hand to touch that of his granddaughter.

 “My power grows weak, young one.  Please, promise me that you’ll talk to your brother.  Do all within your power to help him.”

 Mellisa’s eyes emanated pain and confusion as she watched the light begin to fade.  It was obvious that there was no more for the man to tell, as much as they both wished there were.  Through a bewildered expression, she managed to give her word, then watch silently as the man disappeared.

 Mellisa shook her head as the darkness took over.  // How odd all of this is…  I promised the man, and he seems to have faith in me, but what power can I possibly have over this matter.  I can’t even make the slightest influence until he arrives … or can I? //

 The lights were dim in the corridors of the ship, and what few crewmen there were laid in their beds fast asleep.  It almost seemed too easy.  With the touch of a few buttons, the lock on the medical bay door opened, and the hallways opened up to him once more.  Sneaking, he had already gotten past all of the crewmen, and he knew that no one on this level was still on duty.  One last button would open the shuttle door, close it, and launch him into space never to be seen again.

 Danny looked at the pod before him, the age-old question repeating over and over within his mind.  To leave, or not to leave? … but that question always led to the same inevitable answer.  Silently, the teen reached out in the darkness, feeling the cool machinery beneath his fingertips.  This would be the tenth time that he escaped.
// Perhaps this time, they’ll stop looking…//

 “Danal!”  An angry voice hissed, breaking the silence, and making the teen jump in surprise.  The source of the voice caught him, and bound his arms behind his back roughly.  Before he knew it, he was dragged out of the docking bay, and into a crewman’s quarters.

 “You never learn, do you?”  the man bit, feeling exasperated.  “After all that your father goes through to find you, you always end up leaving.  Shawn has done everything for you, and has even strained to keep you safe, but it obviously means nothing to you.  You always run away, nephew.  Every time.”  Heaving a great sigh, Eric pushed the boy away from him, and onto the couch.  Watching him intently he sat down next to him.  “Is running away all that you can do?  Just tell me now so we won’t have to deal with this fiasco anymore.  Are you that much of a coward?”

 Danal’s throat clenched as he shifted away from the man.  “You don’t understand,” he replied softly, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.  “It’s better this way.”

 Eric scoffed at the remark, and moved in closer, forcing the boy to pay attention.  “You think it’s better to let everyone down?  Better to hurt people?”

 The boy’s eyes lit up in anger, his nostrils flaring.  “And who exactly will I be letting down?” he questioned him, growing bolder.  “I’m not blind, nor am I stupid.  None of you believed I would stay.  It’s in your thoughts, your emotions, and even your slightest actions.  None of you want me around, and none of you would cry if I weren’t around.  The only person that cares is the person that I’m trying to protect by leaving now.”

 His uncle said nothing, letting the silence fall.  Soon, Danal was dragged to another room within the quarters, lead by the arm to a room full of memorabilia and images.  He was dropped into a chair silently, soon accompanied by the elder man who had come to sit across from him.

 The youth groaned.  “Damn it Uncle, I’ve told you.  You have to let me go.  A lot may be at steak here.  Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?  I’m not helping anyone by staying here, and I’ll hurt dad no matter what I do…” Danal paused slightly, staring at the man in front of him.  His uncle’s eyes were averted, but he could still find the anger within them.  “Uncle, did you hear me?”

 “Yes, I heard you!” the elder snapped, surprising both of them with his tone.  Sighing, Eric looked back to Danal, forcing calmness to wash over him.  After a moment’s peace, he went on.  “Danny…you’re being quite selfish with this line of thinking.  Whoever you think you’re protecting by running, you’re not.  There are people who count on you. You’re not helping them by leaving, are you?  There are people who love you.”

 Danny snorted, and a knowing smile appeared on his lips.  “You’re not exactly one of those people are you?”

 The elder man’s eyes widened at the comment, not expecting such a thought.  He was silenced by the other’s response for a good long while.  His wise eyes bore deep into the teen’s soul until, finally, he relaxed.  What the man had found within, Danny wasn’t sure, but it must have been something.

 With a smile, the mindwalker edged closer to his nephew.  He had taken on a much warmer air.  His eyes had grown kind and tender all at once as he cupped the teen’s chin in his palm.
 
 “Did I ever tell you about what I was like when I was young?”

 The boy shook his head slowly, his eyebrows furrowing ever so slightly.  // What is all this about? //

 A rueful smile appeared on the man’s face as he drew back slightly, resting his hand on the boy’s shoulder.  “The truth is…I was a lot like you, Dan.”

 Danal shook his head, not quite believing the admission.  “You?  Running away?  I can’t even picture it…”

 Eric smiled meaningfully, sighing as the memories came streaming back to him.  “I was, Danny.  That’s why I’m harder on you.  I don’t want to see you repeat those same mistakes that I made so long ago.  There’s no other reason.”

 Danal still looked doubtful.  // How could he of all people have been like me… even if it was in the past, the thought still seems far fetched. //

 The mindwalker moved back a little more, and rested his arms against his legs.  He stared up into the youth’s eyes, feeling as well as hearing the other’s thoughts.  “Looks can be deceiving, young one.  Believe it or not, I was once quite a terror, but the point is, I grew past it.  Whatever troubles you have now, whatever darkness is consuming you, I want you to realize that you too can grow past it.  Don’t be so ready to give up on yourself.”

 The teen crouched down to Eric’s level, leaving his mannerisms and emotions unguarded.  There was certain vulnerability showing in the boy’s eyes as he stared into the calmness of the other’s blue eyes.  “Some…sometimes I think that there’s something evil within me.  Something dangerous that threatens to take over.”

 Eric wasn’t phased; he knew these feelings.  “Those are your emotions talking, Dan.  It’s obvious that you’ve matured a lot since the last time I saw you.  You pose no threat to any of us at all, the only threat that is posed is unto yourself.”

 The boy lifted a questioning eyebrow, not quite understanding the statement that the elder had put forth.  “I hardly see any threat coming back to me from within, but even if there is, I’m not worried about myself.  I’ve felt these dangers for a long time, and they’ve only hurt others.”  Danal bowed his head slightly.  “This is why I leave, Uncle.  Do you see it now?  How can I be sure that this darkness won’t come to harm anyone?”

 Eric touched the boy’s shoulder gently as he began to stand.  “Your father and I have battled against a lot darkness, Dan.  Far before you were born.  Whatever is bothering you, you can lay to rest.  Nothing will happen to us.  We’ll help you be rid of this threat, and soon enough, you’ll have nothing to fear.  Just cooperate please. Danny, we need you with us.”

 Smiling a shy smile, the teen nodded, admitting his defeat with a light conscience.  “I’ll try my best.”

 The elder patted his shoulder once more, then moved to turn out the lights.  “That’s all that we can ask for.  Let’s get some rest now, Danny.  You’ll be home soon enough.”

 // Home…I wonder what will come of it.  Will they ever forgive me? //

 “Uncle Eric…?” he began, as he walked over to the sleeping area.

 The mindwalker sighed slightly, already knowing the question that the boy was about to pose.  “Time, Danny, just give it time.”

 The teen nodded slightly, and lowered himself onto the cushions of the couch.  Resting his head on his arm, he pulled a few blankets over him, and shoved a small pillow underneath his neck.  Hopefully, he would find some kindness the next day, when he met his classmates once again.  Still, the thought of meeting everyone again after a year made him more than a little nervous.  What would he say?

 “You have your father, Danny,” Eric cut in softly, as he situated himself on his own bed.  “Whenever you need him, all you have to do is ask.  You can talk to me as well: over the comm.  Don’t worry so much, you won’t be alone.”

 With that said, the mindwalker bid him goodnight, and laid down on the mattress for a good night’s rest.  As he lay down, though, Eric left his mind completely open to his nephew, to sense the boy’s thoughts and movements.  It would be the only real way to monitor him, though he doubted that he would try to run away again.  Danal seemed much more at peace…

 // Home… ///

 A few light years ahead, a young girl sighed with relief, relaxing her mind as she lay back down onto her bed.

 // He’s coming of his own free will. //