Lulu wakes up. She opens her eyes, The Man already in her vision. Immediately she notices his glossy skin reflecting in the moonlight, similar to the texture of a frog. His pure white face smiled at her, black teeth grinning from ear to ear. His gaze was piercing, regardless of how empty his eyes really looked.
“Hello Lulu,” he speaks, voice dampening the sound of wind brushing in from the trees.“Your counterpart,” his voice funneling through his wide smile, “residing in the cabin beside us, has gone with XO.”
She orients her body upward, still staring him directly in the face.
“I’m sorry, I don’t really understand.” Lulu shakes her head in confusion, looking down. ”You said that she has ‘gone with XO’? Is she..” Lulu lifts her head, gazing into The Man’s eyes with a worried look. “Well, is she going to be safe?” The words come silently out of her mouth, as if she may regret speaking at all.
“Your counterpart was chosen, and voluntarily accepted our gift to her. She will not be able to return to Earth for many years. During that time, she will become the essence of light– a vessel for alien technology and nature. What she has to offer for us, and what we have to offer this Earth, will only grant all eternal light and peace into Earth’s life. Especially your counterpart’s.”
Lulu’s face rests as she internalizes what he said, remaining silent. The sound of wind screams its way through the cabin. Violently, it shakes the trees, branches smacking on the windows. She breaks eye contact with him, how he remained completely static was enough for her.
“Okay, thank you. I am going back to sleep.” Lulu slides downward underneath the quilted blanket, resting her head on her pillow. She closes her eyes, waiting anxiously for the sound of the doorknob. Thoughts boil her brain as she lays completely motionless.

I thought we were going to stay together, no matter what?
I don’t really understand who XO is, or what XO is.
When will I see her again? If or when I do, will I even recognize her face, her voice?
I am going to hold on, and hope that she will know that it is me. She told me she will never forget me.

Lulu’s face squeezes as she tries to keep all that she feels inside, until she eventually breaks down. As her pillow gets wet and cold from her tears, her energy falls at a slow rate, leaving her to sleep.

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