Starr Wilder's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Starr climbed the frosted steps to her rocket-shaped house and locked the door behind her. Her bag sat by the window, packed for the third time. Inside it, wrapped in a scarf, was the heirloom pendant Picada had pressed into her palm months ago. She wanted to leave tonight. She wanted a hidden moon where no family could vote on her love. She pulled out the star charts and spread them on the floor. Dozens of moons blinked back at her. None were marked safe. None had a name she trusted. A flower-furred pup nosed her elbow, tail wagging, waiting for a destination she could not give. Starr traced one moon, then another. Each felt wrong. Too close to his family's reach. Too cold. Too watched. The pendant's gemstone caught the lamplight and threw green across the page. A soft chime sounded from the door. A folded note had been slipped beneath it. The handwriting was not Picada's. It listed one coordinate, one moon name, and three words: "Go without him." Starr folded the note into her bag. She zipped it shut. Outside, the launch ramp waited under a clean sky. For the first time, she knew where she was going. The only question left was whether she would board alone.