Sweetie

Remember your pet names

Sweetie

The next convoy off of the planet wouldn't arrive for another week. I'd missed the last one by just ten minutes, I'd been told. How unfortunate. At least at that stage they were running on a weekly basis, owing to the tournament running over the next month.

I'd no interest in the spectacle itself. Having been turned away brusquely by the guards, I paced impatiently through the smoke tinged, rain soaked streets scattered throughout with desperate, half asleep bums. I made it back to my apartment and poured a gin and tonic.

I hadn't cared about the tournament, I reminded myself, gazing through the window into a skyline of aged skyscrapers and pollution orange. The event was mainly blood sport, or at least highly choreographed combat, to determine the best planet in the New Solar System. It was better for the economy than another war, but just as pointless.

I'd needed to head up to the Tourney Moon to see Jessica. There had to be a way to talk her out of competing, and she'd planned on fighting this week.

I'd missed my chance to get up there. I sighed deeply, felt my eyes sink within my head. She'd be crushed. She had no grasp of medieval weaponry. There was a difference between a few physical exams, barely passed, and someone from an adjacent moon who wanted her dead.

I slumped sadly in to my armchair, and finished my drink. Flicking on the tv, I could see that the tournament had been underway since yesterday. The first pairings, probably between Earth and New Mars were beginning. F*****g Martians.

The doorbell rang sharply, slicing through the haze. Rising in trepidation to answer it, I open the door to Jessica! I stood paralysed with overjoyed shock for however many moments.

She threw her arms around my neck, called me sweetie, explained that she didn't have the heart go through with it in the end. She was scared, she wasn't ready. She held me tightly in the hallway, called me sweetie again, and told me to sit whilst she made me eggs. Hot scrambled eggs, with fresh pepper and butter, the smell of vitality becoming the air.

Relaxed at that stage, I kept watching the television. They announced the next match, between a wiry fighter with boxed ears and a bad eye, and some dead eyed sculpted brute of a creature. Describing their records, the bigger one took out his first opponent with such ease. A poor, ambitious young fighter from Earth...who unfortunately had died post combat. Jessica's face. Electricity runs through my skin.

I spin around to the kitchen. She's there...since when does she call me sweetie? Isn't she allergic to...I call her name. She...or it...walks in with a big fake smile. 'Yes sweetie?'

I looked into her eyes. Then I understood. I forgot they sent replacements...

Reviews

[Maya]

Chilly! I still love it! Do I smell a bit of Hunger Games here? A darker twist though which gives it a much fresher taste!