15 Wishful Thinking

"What if I really die today?" Alexis was very anxious due to this thought and when she finally composed herself she realized that she had already requested to project herself to Vorian. When Vorian accepted her request, she found herself in Vorian's room. The room was neat and organized, and was well lit. His room was bigger in comparison to her. The gadgets in his room seemed to be different than what was found on earth and Alexis did not recognize many of them.

Vorian was lying down on his bed with a bright smile on his face. He was happy that Alexis had requested him and not the way around. But when he noticed that Alexis was somewhat scared, he got up and went near her, "Alexis! are you alright?" Alexis put on a fake smile and nodded, "I didn't disturb you in your sleep, did I?"

"No, I wasn't asleep, I was reading a book." Vorian felt that something was definitely troubling her so he asked again, "Is something bothering you? You know you can share anything with me right?"

Alexis fidgeted with her fingers for a while and then answered, "My mom and me filed a police report against the perpetrators. And just now I got a call from the Area court saying that our case has been registered. I promised myself that I'll not run away anymore but…" She was trying to control her tears but she couldn't hold it in anymore. It fell down from the rim of her emerald eyes without her permission.

Alexis didn't want to look vulnerable to Vorian but at the same time she felt safe enough to cry in front of him, "…but I'm so scared. I'm scared that they'll find me again and this time, kill me."

Seeing Alexis in this state, Vorian wanted to wipe her tears. He wanted to hug her and comfort her. He wanted to tell her not to worry because he was with her. He wanted to protect his little angel. But the sad reality hit him hard. He felt very helpless right now because he couldn't do either of those things. He was 500 million light years away from his soulmate.

Still, he put on a brave face and went closer to where Alexis was standing, "It's okay to be scared after what they did to you that day. It's okay to feel like running away or go into hiding. But you have to know that there are people around you who would do anything to protect you. You don't have to go through those feelings alone. You have your mom, you have Natalia, and now you also have me."

Vorian pretended to caress her hair and gave a warm smile to her. Then suddenly he tilted his head and knitted his brows as if he remembered something, "I had gone through the law book of Earth. And if my memory serves me right, if there is enough evidence then the accused will be immediately taken into police custody until the court makes its decision about further punishment. Were there any witnesses?"

Alexis shook her head, "No, it was just me and Judy when she beat me." Then Vorian scrunched his brows and asked again, "What about surveillance cameras? There must have been at least one near that place."

Alexis thought for a while and said with frustration, "No, that corner is a blind spot. It seems like they thoughtfully planned it out." Suddenly her eyes brightened as if she recalled something, "I was with Jimmy that day, and he was walking me home. And at one point, the three girls were busy fighting among themselves. I remember Jimmy planting a micro camera on the wall. He must have thought that something like this might happen. I gotta go; I'll let you know what happens."

Alexis immediately vanished from Vorian's room. And then Vorian mumbled to himself, "Okay! I hope that camera is still there." He then narrowed his eyes and inhaled sharply, "Jimmy huh!"

After finding herself back in the academy corridor, Alexis immediately called the police department, "Hello! Will you please connect me with the police officer who visited the Emerson residence yesterday?" The voice from the other side replied, "Sure, please wait for a moment."

"Hello! Officer Evans speaking", a familiar voice responded after a while. "Hello! Officer, I'm Alexis Emerson. You visited my home yesterday."

"Yes kid, I remember you. How can I help you?" Evans spoke with a very humble tone. Alexis stuttered in a small voice, "I wanted to ask if- if the department already ca- caught those bullies or not?"

Officer sensed fear in her voice and then replied to reassure her, "You don't have to worry about them anymore Miss Alexis. All three of them are already in our custody. Our forensic team found a micro camera at the crime scene and fortunately everything that we needed to arrest them was recorded in that camera. So, you don't have to fear them, they cannot do any harm to you."

After hearing these words from the officer, Alexis released a huge sigh of relief and then sat on the floor. She felt like a huge burden was taken off from her head. "Thank you so much officer. I'll forever be grateful to you." Alexis could not express how happy she was thinking that they won't bother her anymore or at least for a few months.

"You don't need to thank me kid. It was my duty after all. Take care." Then the officer disconnected the call. Even though she knew that the officer was just doing his job, Alexis felt a little warmth from his words. Maybe this is how dads treat their daughters.

After floating around in imagination for some time, Alexis got up and returned back to her class. Natalia was already getting worried about Alexis and was relieved to see her entering the class again. When Alexis sat down beside her, she whispered to her friend, "Where were you? I was so worried."

Alexis whispered back, "Long story short, those three girls are already in the police custody. And the court hearing will take place after about a week."

Natalia was delighted to hear this news. She wanted the bullies to be punished severely, "I hope they'll be sentenced to prison for life, or dropped to a dangerous planet for labor; that would be even more awesome."

Alexis could not help but smile at her friend's wishful thinking, "It is highly unlikely, but let's pray for that."

Natalia kept on brainstorming other punishment alternatives very enthusiastically, "Or dropped in the space without oxygen, or sent to the warring planets to fight in the war…"

Alexis giggled and gestured her to shush, "Stop it already."