The Stargazing Witch & The Dungeon Planet
Chapter 25: Let’s Go on a Trip

Chapter 25: Let’s Go on a Trip

It was the morning of a new day and I had stayed with Mella for the rest of the previous night. There was a little bit of chaos flying around as doctors came for the morning check up and found Mella was mostly alright, still recovering from physical damages but the unexplained issues had vanished. Mother was ecstatic that Mella was up and speaking for more than half a minute while the doctors were in a state of confusion and constantly making checks on Mella.

The doctors did suspect I did something but they had no proof. 

Their monitoring equipment couldn’t detect what Espr did and the only evidence that I could’ve been involved was that I was near the patient.

When they asked questions, all I needed to reply with was ‘I did nothing’ and ‘Wasn’t she going to recover within at most a week?’ The camera footage of me just sitting there until Mella woke up was an additional great piece of evidence for my case. 

Because I didn’t do anything.

“Oh Melly, do you need anything? I can go home or to the shops right away.”

“No mum…” 

“Please sweetie, don’t fight me on this.”

“I’m not fighting you on anything, I just don’t need anything.”

Mother raised her eyebrow, her black eyes stared into Mella’s soul, “Really?”

Mum in protect and serve mode stayed by Mella’s side at all times after she had awoken. Trying to help anyway she was able to. Even completing the process to replace Mella’s phone, after it got destroyed in the incident. 

I stayed by her side as well, occasionally doing research on my phone for future plans. Where the best place to hire an advanced healer or buy a cheap enough limb recovery was, space faring and interplanet travel costs, and the extra worth it freelance hunting missions that were coming up.

“Okay, okay…” Mella surrendered. Unable to keep up her tough front, she asked mum for some help. “Can you bring my locket?” 

Mother paused, realised what she asked and then replied with a smile on her face. “Of course, my little star.” Mother stood up, and told me “I’ll be back soon. Make sure Mella doesn’t hurt herself in the meantime please.”

“Technically not my job,” I said, attempting to make a joke but in response mother's smile widened with a hint of hostility “BUT, I’ll do it.” I continued..

“Thank you dear.” Mum chuckled, having her own fun in the situation. Mella also was about to laugh but stopped herself.

As mum left the door, I asked Mella “What locket did you even want mum to get?” I tried thinking back about the lockets I knew Mella owned, but I was coming up blank. Those unimportant memories of the smaller details of those peaceful days before five years ago had burned away. “You weren’t very specific.”

“Oh…” Said Mella. “Um… I got a special one a while after you left.”

She stopped and pulled out her new phone, all her information had been backed up so she opened her home screen and turned her phone towards me. 

“I don’t take it outside much… but it’s important.”

The home screen was a silver open locket on top of a blue pillow, inside the locket was a picture of Mella and dad when Mella celebrated her sixth birthday.

“...I see.” I smiled, “Good design, dad would’ve liked it.”

“Yeah, that was the hope.” Mella had a light chuckle and put her phone away.

I sat back, continued my research, then watched a movie and played a game or two with Mella on our phones. However, as we wrapped our quick match of a puzzle game I noticed some people arriving.

It seems we are about to get some company.

I felt a number of individuals rushing towards Mella’s room with my soul pressure that I was emitting at a weak level to detect where people were in the general area. 

I pulled up my hood, stood up and moved to the other side of the room.

“Sis, where are yo–” 

As I reached the window, a young female voice yelled “Melly!” 

And a girl who had her silver dyed hair in a ponytail ran into the room. Followed by three others, one another girl and two boys.

Irene, Elka, Sam and Mike. Some of Mella’s friends and the ones who were with her to watch the concert. All alive and seemingly well. 

Irene had run right to Mella’s side, only pausing for a moment upon noticing the damages inflicted upon her. 

Irene hugged Mella, and Mella returned the favour by patting Irene’s hair.

“You’re alive…” Irene was in tears on Mella’s chest. 

The rest of the crew slowly walked to the side of the bed, with Elka at the front with the boys behind trying to reassure her. 

“Sorry, Melly, if I didn’t plan the–”

“It’s not your fault Elka,” Mella tried to reassure her friend. 

Mike put his arm over Elka’s shoulder as she attempted to step away from the bed. 

He said “Listen to her, no way was it your fault that anything happened.”

None of them seemed harmed, but that wasn’t much to go by, because they were in a healthy condition. It should've been easy to fix any burns and broken bones with a quick treatment.

“It’s good to see you again…” Sam started to tear up, and the emotional atmosphere spread between all of them and then all five started crying with a grateful happy smile on their faces.

I decided to use that as an opportunity to leave, let the kids have fun together. I messaged my mother the situation and decided to go home for the time being.

Elka paused for the briefest of moments during the moment I was leaving the room, her eyes tried to look under my hood, I wasn’t sure if she succeeded or not but I left without saying anything. 

Have fun Melly. 

(“ While you still can ”)

What the fuck Espr! Oh how so badly did I want to punch this non-physical voice in my head.  

(“ It was a line in the movie you two were watching earlier ”)

Still you just said it to scare me! Damn you, you demon.

(“ To see your reaction, yes. The correct answer is planet ”)

Espoiramissa had started using her newfound freedom to mess with me, did I blame it? Yes! I don’t care if it was a some thousand year old planet who only had the life on its surface to watch for entertainment, making me worry was a no go. 

Stop it please! For the love of every colourful star in the sky.  

(“ … Well if that’s your desire ”)

Three days had passed and the family had gotten together again, well was about to. Mother was with Mella but I was currently dragging Tyell to the hospital. He hasn’t seen Mella yet and I wanted to have a group family discussion.

“Come on Tyell.”

“...Coming…”

Tyell didn’t look well. Definitely better than when I met him in the alley but not as healthy as he should be. 

He barely touched his food and besides the first day, he hadn’t slept. He even exhausted himself by visiting the Big Block Gym and just kept running laps. Brigade Maxim had to ring me up after he got worried about Tyell's health after he collapsed yesterday. 

“Now, remember everything is fine. Mella is getting the proper treatment.” I motioned towards the door.

When we entered the room, Mella was sitting up in the bed waiting for us. She looked a lot healthier and all the burn marks and other injuries had been completely healed, leaving only two things to recover. She was wearing a green shirt with flower patterns and had the silver locket hanging around her neck.

Mella cried, “Tyell, Ceella! You’ve arrived.”

“Safe and sound, good.” Mother mumbled, she sat in a chair placed near the bed.  

“...Morning…” Tyell pushed out a reply. His eyes darted around the room, scared to stare at his younger sister for any extended periods of time.

“Big bro?” Mella launched her secret technique at Tyell’s lacklustre response. 

“...Yes…”

“Come here.”

Pat

Pat

She wacked the edge of the bed.

He did as she instructed and softly sat down on the bed. But he didn't do much else besides looking at his feat.

Awkward…

Look, I didn’t know how this reunion would work out but this for sure wasn’t what I was expecting. 

Mella kept looking at me, wanting some answers. Tyell looked like shit and wasn’t talking properly to her. I couldn’t give those answers here, so next plan, change the subject.

I clasped my hands together and asked, “So how about we all go somewhere else for a trip?”

“?” The three of them just looked at me confused.

Mella asked, “You need to be more specific sis.” 

I sighed and continued, “How about we kill three free birds with one stone, or whatever the saying is.” I raised three fingers, lowering one down for each reason. “I think we all need a break so a change of pace is in order, we need to go somewhere affordable to get Mella treatment, and I have some business on Earth, so–” 

Mella interrupted, curiosity ablaze in her eyes “Why do you need to go to Earth?”

I answered, “Beatrice, a friend from my days working for NextEdge Spaceline…”

Mella and Tyell became silent and nodded at my answer. 

Tyell then asked about my second point, “Why can’t Mella recover her limbs here?” Out of genuine curiosity.

Me and mum sighed, we had both been looking at all possible options after Mella made it clear what path of recovery she wanted to go down.

Mum began to explain, “The price is steep for anything that can be associated with limb or organ regeneration on this planet. Potions are a lot and while finding a specialist is cheaper, it can be difficult to find one within a decent time frame. But I’ve looked into both fields and I think I found an option that could work.”

Mella glared at mum, which caused her to stop for a moment.

Continuing the informing process, I said “Mum was going to go ahead with the purchase of the required potions, but–” I turned to stare into Mella’s eyes.

Mella puffed her cheeks and turned away, denying contact.

“–Mella asked the doctor how much it would cost, and without hesitation the doctor told her the full amount.”

“I want to recover but I’m not dragging my family down in the process.” Mella huffed.

“Sweetie, that won’t be happening.” Mother challenged Mella’s stance, “Any money I spend, from my own personal savings is up for me to decide. Furthermore, my children have no right to not allow me to spoil them if I feel it's necessary.” Copying Mella’s antics, Tella puffed up her cheeks and sulked.

“Okay… then… yeah, I’m all up for it.” Tyell replied, still looking dispirited but he thought the idea seemed good. “So is the treatment cheaper on Earth or something?”

“Much.” I replied, “Of course there will be the added travel cost but they are pretty low, and we can also just treat it as a holiday.”

I quickly poked mum and Mella, “So you two in?”

“Sounds great dear.” Mother replied.

Mella hadn’t replied, so I asked “Mella?” 

“Sounds great!” She yelled, I went along with it and stumbled back.

“Hey!” I puffed my cheeks and said, “Rude.”

Mother and Mella burst out laughing and Tyell joined with a light chuckle. 

It wasn’t the end of it, but my family was on the road to recovery from everything that had plagued them in the last five years and now. Now I just had to make sure the rest of the process went smoothly.

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