A Past Best Left Unspoken

Orlov motioned for them to follow.

"Come. We have much to discuss."

They walked toward the cafeteria in the fourth building.

As they sat down, Orlov glanced at Luka, then at Demid. "So, where's Agata?"

Luka's brow furrowed.

Why was Mama important too?

Demid leaned back. "She's fine."

Orlov studied him for a long moment. Then—"Has she recovered?"

Luka frowned. Recovered? From what?

Demid's entire body tensed.

His hand curled into a fist on the table.

"I don't want to talk about that."

Orlov sighed, leaning back. "I understand."

No.

No, he didn't.

Because if he did, he wouldn't have asked.

Luka just sat there, watching the shift in his father's expression.

There was something here.

Something big.

And for the first time in his life,he had a suspicion.

Orlov sighed, rubbing his face. Then, his tone dropped.

"The Xenos are still attacking us."

Demid's head snapped up.

His eyes darkened.

"What?"

"We managed to suppress them, yes, but they're returning—stronger than before."

Luka blinked. "...Xenos?"

Orlov leaned forward, his voice lower.

"Aliens."

Luka's chest tightened.

Aliens were real?

And not just real, but dangerous?

Demid shook his head. "No. We won. We ended them."

Orlov sighed. "Apparently not."

Luka was still processing everything.

Aliens. War. His father being a general.

Demid stood abruptly.

"I don't want to hear any more of this. Not in front of Luka."

Orlov watched him, his face unreadable.

Then, softly—

"How long are you going to hide that secret, Demid?"

Luka froze.

Secret?

His father's expression remained unreadable.

Then, he smiled.

But it wasn't a happy smile.

It was the kind Luka had never seen before.

"As long as I'm alive."

Orlov sighed. "That won't be forever."

Demid didn't respond.

Instead, he placed a gentle hand on Luka's shoulder.

"Come on, kid. We're going home."

Luka followed silently.

The workers still stared, whispering as they passed.

Demid informed one of his colleagues that he had forgotten something and was heading home early.

Luka didn't ask what.

Because he knew that was a lie.

As they rode back, Luka's thoughts swirled.

His father.His mother.

The Xenos.

And most of all—

What was the secret papa was hiding?

*******

The bike rumbled beneath them, carrying them away from Sol Mining and all the questions Luka still didn't have answers to.

Everything was silent.

Demid didn't say anything.

Luka didn't ask anything.

But the thoughts swirled in his mind, looping over and over—

Xenos.

War.

Aliens with powers beyond understanding.

His father didn't want to talk about it and yet… Luka wanted to know,but more than that, he was waiting.

Waiting for Papa to bring up what happened today because Luka knew he would.

By the time they arrived back in town, the sun was dipping below the horizon.

The air smelled of salt and cooking fires, and Luka could hear the faint laughter of children playing in the streets.

But as he and his father stepped into their home, none of that mattered anymore because his mother was already waiting for them.

The table was already set. Stew, warm bread, vegetables. The kind of meal that always made their small house feel safe.

But tonight, it didn't feel that way.

Luka could feel it.

The waiting.

And then,Papa finally spoke.

"Agata."

His mother looked up from her bowl.

"We need to talk about something."

Luka froze.

Agata's eyes flickered between them, concern instantly settling on her face. "What is it?"

Demid sighed, setting his spoon down. "It's about Luka. And… his school."

The moment he said it, Agata's entire expression changed.

She looked at Luka, her eyes searching his face. "Luka?"

He didn't respond.

Because he knew where this was going.

"He's been getting bullied."

Luka flinched.

The words hit the table like a thunderclap.

Agata's spoon slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the floor.

She didn't move to pick it up.

Instead, she whispered, "…Is that true?"

Luka hesitated.

He could feel his sister's eyes on him too.

Sasha's jaw was clenched, her hands balled into fists.

He could see his father's shoulders tense.

They were waiting for him to answer.

Finally, softly—

"Yes."

His mother's breath hitched.

"Luka… why didn't you tell us?"

He frowned slightly, confused. "I didn't want Mama to cry."

Agata sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes shimmering.

"But you're my son, Luka. If something is hurting you, I want to know. I don't care if it makes me sad—I want to help you."

Luka blinked. "…But I've heard you cry before."

The table fell silent.

Sasha looked up, her eyes burning with anger. "Who did it?"

Luka hesitated.

But he knew there was no point lying now.

"Petya."

Sasha's chair scraped against the floor as she stood abruptly. "I'll kill him."

"Sasha," Demid said firmly.

"No! Do you know how much I hold back at school, Papa?! Do you know how much I wanted to punch that stupid, smug little—"

"Sasha."

His father's voice wasn't loud.

But it was final.

Sasha sat down slowly, shaking with anger.

Luka just watched.

He had never seen his family like this before.

So emotional.

So… angry for him.

He still didn't fully understand.

Demid leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.

"Luka."

Luka looked up,his father exhaled, choosing his words carefully.

"There are people in this world who will step on you just because they can. You can't let them."

Luka tilted his head. "Why?"

Demid smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Because if you don't fight back, Luka… they'll never stop."

Luka stared.

Fighting back?

It wasn't that he didn't want to.

But… he just didn't understand why it mattered.

Still, he nodded.

Because Papa's words always meant something.

Even if he didn't fully get it yet.

For a moment, the conversation seemed over.

The weight in the air started to lift.

But then—Luka spoke.

"Papa."

Demid looked up. "Yeah?"

Luka frowned slightly. "What are Xenos?"

Clatter.

The sound of metal hitting the floor.

Luka turned just in time to see his mother's spoon slip from her fingers again.

Her face had gone pale.

She was trembling.

"…Mama?"

Agata stood up quickly, forcing a smile.

"I just… I need a moment."

And then she walked away.

Luka watched her go.

For the first time in his life, he had seen his mother scared.

His father wasn't eating anymore.

Neither was Sasha.

Nobody was talking.

Luka looked at Papa.

His father was staring at the spot Agata had left, his expression unreadable.

Finally, Demid sighed, rubbing his face.

"…Luka."

Luka tilted his head.

"Don't ask about Xenos again."

Luka frowned. "Why?"

Demid hesitated.

Then, softly—"Because some things are better left unknown."

Luka didn't understand.

But as he looked back toward where his mother had disappeared,

He knew one thing for sure.

Whatever Xenos were…

They terrified her.

*****

Later at night,Luka woke up to the sound of soft, muffled sobs.

At first, he thought he was dreaming.

But as he rubbed his eyes and sat up, he could hear it—his mother crying.

Slowly, he slid out of bed, his bare feet silent against the wooden floor as he stepped toward the door.

The voices were coming from the other room.

"…What if he comes back, Demid?"

Luka froze.

His mother's voice was shaking.

"…What if the seal is breaking?"

A long silence. Then, his father's voice,calm, steady, but heavy.

"That's impossible, Agata. You know how strong those seals were. Even if he was alive… he wouldn't have enough power to break them."

His mother sniffled. "Then why do I feel like something is wrong?"

Luka pressed his small hand against the wall, listening intently.

His mother wasn't just worried.

She was terrified.

"…What if he comes for Luka?"

Luka's chest tightened.

Agata noticed Luka presence.

"Come inside, Luka."

His whole body stiffened.

His mother's voice wasn't loud.

But it cut through the silence.

Luka hesitated, then slowly stepped into the room.

His parents were sitting at the table, the dim lantern casting long shadows on the walls.

Agata's eyes were red, her expression unreadable.

Demid just sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Luka waited.

He thought they would scold him for listening.

But instead—

His mother stood up.

And hugged him.

Tightly.

Like she was afraid he would disappear.

"…No matter what happens, Luka, you're my son,No one will take you from me. I will fight for you."

Luka froze.

His father stood as well, placing a warm hand on his head.

"Your mother's right. You are our son, Luka. That will never change."

Luka didn't understand.

Why did they sound like his existence was something… bad?

He didn't know what to say.

So he just nodded.

His mother kissed his forehead, whispering something he didn't understand.

But for the first time, Luka felt like he was missing something.

Something big.