Cie sits on the couch in Agent B’s house. She has just finished explaining to everyone who the Never-Aging Sniper is and how she met her. There is a moment of silence, and then everyone starts asking questions at once.
“How on Earth did you think texting that number back was a good idea?!”
“How are you not dead?”
“What the hamzda, Cie?!”
There are many more questions, but those are all Cie can make out. Her head spins and she rests her head in her hands. Everyone falls silent.
“I know it seems stupid. But I really do believe she’s my sister. She had dark blue blood, so she’s obviously not human.” Cie says, looking around at the others in the living room.
“There are lots of aliens in the universe, I’m sure. What makes you so sure that this alien in particular isn’t just trying to kill you?” Agent B asks.
“Because she had her chance to kill me, and she healed me instead. I’m sure she had a good reason to shoot me. And she didn’t shoot me in the head.” Cie replies.
“She still drugged you.” Agent O growls.
“Not on purpose. She said she forgot that her bullets wouldn’t react well with a Supernova’s blood, or something along those lines.” Nathan adds on.
“And you weren’t supposed to let her in the house. You’re still grounded too.” Agent O snaps at Nathan.
“It was the only way to restore Cie to normal!” Nathan argues.
Agent B rests her hand on Agent O’s shoulder.
“You did what you thought was right, and it seemed to work. That’s all that matters now.” She murmurs to Nathan.
“Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, however. Either of you.” Agent O says, pointing from Cie to Nathan.
“I am literally so much older than you. I don’t see how you have any right to ground me.” Cie says and Mag cautiously raises a hand.
“Does that mean she can’t come over to hang out?” He asks.
Agent O looks at Agent B and then back to Cie and then at Mag.
“Only if I drive her here. We don’t need a Supernova getting kidnapped. And no rock and roll for a month!”
“No classical either, or I’m breaking the car radio.” Cie argues and the two glare at each other for a moment.
“Okay, that’s enough. Agent O, can I talk with you for a moment, in private?” Agent B asks, and Agent O glances at her, surprise written on his face.
“Sure?”
Agent B gets out of her chair, and Agent O follows her to the basement. Cie sighs and stands up.
“Where are you going?” Daisy asks and Cie glances at her.
“Outside. I can’t take this.”
Cie winces as she stretches, her shoulder clearly hunting.
“Not alone you’re not.” Nathan says and Cie rolls her eyes.
“You know Aria has no intention to kill me. And you’re grounded too. I thought you’d be on my side.”
“You’re still a very valuable Supernova.” Serene sighs.
“You think so?” Cie asks, trying her best to grin, but it’s clearly forced.
“Yes. We all know you are. You need to realize that you can’t live a normal life.” Mag says.
Timothy crosses his arms as he studies Cie. Octavia glances at Timothy and then mimics his stance.
“I don’t want a normal life! Why do you think I built that portal machine?” Cie snaps.
“To get off Earth.” Timothy replies and Cie points at him.
“Correct! Someone finally gets it. I don’t know how many times I have to explain to you that I don’t want to be on this stupid planet!”
“Then leave.” Octavia says.
“I’m trying, you moron.”
“What’s your plan then, since you’re doubly grounded?” Daisy asks.
“Aria.” Cie says.
“What about her?” Nathan asks cautiously.
“She’s got the ability to get me the materials I need to make a new portal machine.” Cie replies.
“By killing people, you mean!” Serene exclaims.
“It’s not ideal, I know. I don’t like it, but maybe I could ask her not to kill people. Just to maim or whatever.” Cie sighs.
Everyone falls silent, and Cie looks around at them.
“What?” She asks.
“You couldn’t even make the portal the first time. Why don’t you steal a spaceship?” Octavia asks, and Cie rolls her eyes.
“Because Earth’s spaceships are sub-par. They wouldn’t be able to get me past the moon.”
Timothy frowns at Octavia before he turns his gaze on Cie.
“Why do you hate Earth so much? This version is so much better than the one I’m from.” He demands.
“I’m not a native species to Earth. You wouldn’t get it.” Cie huffs.
“I certainly don’t get it. Are we such bad friends that you want to leave us so desperately?” Mag asks.
“No, but you all will all leave me in the end. Old age or accidents will take you all. I’m an immortal being, not bulletproof, but age proof. You don’t have that going for you.” Cie says, looking away as she crosses her arms.
An uncomfortable silence fills the air. Then Daisy sighs.
“Trust me, it’s better to enjoy the time you have with your loved ones than to push them away because you fear being hurt.” She murmurs and tears prick the edges of Cie’s sharp green eyes, softening them.
She looks away, chewing on her lip.
“Cie, you idiot.” Nathan sighs as he stands up and pulls his little sister into a hug.
Cie buries her head into his chest and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and then pulls away.
“I’m sorry.” She says, her voice quiet as she wipes at her eyes.
“Don’t be. You have a right to feel emotions, they’re not just for humans anymore.” Serene jokes.
Cie exhales and then opens the front door, letting the warm air blow into the room. It’s the afternoon, but the streets are empty. Cie narrows her eyes as a green car stops in front of the house. When a familiar head of blue hair pokes out of the car, she visibly relaxes.
“Serene, your mom is here.”
Serene checks her phone, the pink princess tiara design on the back shimmering with the glitter on it.
“Oops. I missed two calls from her. She’s probably freaking out.”
Cie unlocks the door and steps out.
“Hello, Miss Strange!” She calls.
The white-haired woman looks up sharply and then seems to calm.
“Is Serene here?”
“Yup.”
Serene steps outside and her mother strides over to her.
“I was worried sick! You didn’t answer your phone. With all the things that have been going on, I was worried that something had happened to you!” Miss Strange scolds.
“Sorry, Mom. We were talking. I had my phone silenced.” Serene sighs.
“What things are you referencing?” Cie asks and Miss Strange gives her an odd look.
“People have been going missing lately. Rumor has it that it’s the Never-Aging Sniper.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She has no reason to come to this town.” Agent O says as he steps out of the house behind Cie.
Miss Strange points at Cie.
“She’s why she’s here. I know she is.”
Agent O and Cie both tense up and Serene sighs.
“Now is not a good time for your conspiracy theories, Mom.” She walks over to her blue-haired mother, and Miss Strange glares at Cie.
“If anything happens to Serene, I’m holding you responsible.” She says as Serene leads her away.
“Ouch.” Cie sighs as Miss Strange gets in the driver’s side of the car and Serene the front passenger’s side.
“I’m surprised she doesn’t make Serene sit in a child’s car seat.” Agent O says.
“She never liked me. I don’t know why she hates me.”
“You probably look like a rebellious teenager to her.”
“I’m a rebellious ancient person, thank you very much.” Cie retorts.
Agent O scoffs as the green car drives away. Cie waves awkwardly at Serene, trying not to notice the dark glare Miss Strange gives her. Once the car is out of sight, Agent O crosses his arms as he looks at Cie.
“So, B and I have been talking… You’re not grounded anymore. I’ll get you a new phone soon. Next time you see Aria, I hope we can all have a chat with her.”
“Just a chat? You’re not going to shoot her in the face, right?”
“Right. I’m sorry I got so mad. I got scared that I was going to lose you, another charge, to the same person. So I snapped, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have broken your phone. And I should have trusted you. But you should also have trusted me enough to tell me about Aria.”
Cie looks away and crosses her arms.
“I’m sorry too.”
She turns back to look at Agent O and then hugs him, before quickly releasing him.
“Can I please work on a new portal machine?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Dang.”
“You’re not leaving Earth. It’s my job to ensure you stay here and that you stay safe. And Aria, too. Agent B said we should adopt her as a charge, without the government knowing. I suppose she’s right. Aria is how you would have turned out; had you been raised to be an assassin. Agent B made me realize this.”
“Aw, how sweet. I knew you and Agent B liked each other! You’re adopting an alien as a child together!” Cie teases and Agent O’s face reddens.
“We’ve already got a ton of charges. One more won’t hurt.”
“And you’ll both care for Aria?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe happy endings are possible after all.” Cie hums as she inhales deeply.
“Maybe so.” Agent O agrees, and they watch as a few birds fly by.
“Well, have you got any ideas on how to find a rogue Russian agent?” Cie asks and Agent O snorts.
“Yeah, no. That’s your job. You’re her sister, so you’re finding her.”