Page 217 of The Space Between Stars

Calver knew, then, the real reason it had told him anything: it too had an agenda. He suddenly wished for something to break. The Void roiled.

Creation’s impression retracted. Careful. This is how your kind invokes cataclysms.

You’re just like the other. The Survivor. Destruction. You’re using me. You’d have me be your conduit.

You are the Survivor, too, Calverous. I’m giving you a chance to change your nature. To veer your destiny from the path of Destruction.

Caver would not serve as a pawn to yet another Fate. You’re wrong. At least, for the next few moments, she was, as clarity struck him like never before. I am not the Survivor. Not anymore. I am the dragonfly.

The void grew brighter around him. A tear rent its perfect fabric; blinding silver light flooded through.

Tell me what I have to do, he commanded, though the answer came to him before he finished thinking.

The nothing within the Void expanded exponentially. So quickly that...

Creation’s composure broke. Just focus on what you want and leave, before you scour your entire planet!

At the void’s wordless summons, Calver thought on his heart’s desire, lifted a hand, and clenched his fingers around nothing—

—and returned with everything.

Calver gasped as the void coursed through him. Raimee’s lungs heaved in time with his. The air around them rang with static. Shock and relief flooded Calver, vanquishing his void state. The moment ended. All that remained of it was reflected in the silver of her eyes.

Raimee coughed and gasped until her cheeks flushed from the blood now racing into them. “That… was… so… unpleasant.”

Calver reached to brush her hair from her face, but retracted his hand before it could touch her. His whole body shook. Thank you thank you thank you. He thought it with such reverence , it might have even been a prayer.

“In every possible future,” Raimee croaked, tears in her eyes, “I didn’t see this.”

Because in every possible future, she had died. Including the one they had just experienced.

What had just happened? Calver couldn’t piece it into coherent thought. The more he tried, the further it slipped from him, like a dream long lost.

It didn’t matter. She was still frail. Whatever had happened was a miracle. He wouldn’t desecrate it by taking the chance, yet again, of letting the Survivor harm her.

He scrambled backward until he reached the ledge.

“What?”

“Calver, wait!!” She crawled on hands and knees towards him, choking and coughing. “It’s not you!”

She was wrong. They were the same. He started down the ladder.

“Calver! Search for it. Search for your shadow.”

Calver froze.

The Survivor was gone.

“I’m trying it now… Holding together the space around it.”

Calver clung to the ladder, eyes scrunched shut, wind whistling through his hair. He let his mind explore its edges. With a tentative prod, he sought the creature. He thought about the worst things. The things he’d done. The things he stood to lose.

“Is it working?” she called, voice quaking.

He started back up the ladder and flung himself over the ledge. Raimee was there, body sprawled flat against the roof. She held out a shaking hand. Calver stared at it.