Life's Patched Conic Approximation

“So, that’s what you do…” Aleida trailed off, staring out at the orange Martian wasteland. The oversized window in her office provided a spectacular view of the nothingness outside. 

There was silence between them. Anger and disgust permeated by the low din of an air vent that wasn’t screwed on all of the way.

Irina sighed loudly and from the corner of her eye, Aleida watched her stare at the ground. It was a reaction she had never seen nor expected from a woman who was always so composed. Aleida couldn’t tell if Irina’s body language was just part of a game or if she was letting her vulnerability show.

“You don’t know what I do,” Irina finally said, refusing to even glance at Aleida.

Aleida turned, trying to get Irina to look at her. “You spy on people and you become obsessed,” Aleida said bluntly. “You fall in love with women you have never met, thinking you know everything about them like you’ve been together for years.”

Irina finally turned to face Aleida, a deep scowl on her face. But Aleida kept going.

“And then you meet them and you can’t handle the fact they don’t love you back. You punish them for not realizing they are part of this sick and warped relationship you have put them in.”

Aleida watched as Irina pulled her crossed arms tighter into her body. Fingers digging at the dark fabric of her jacket. She had finally struck a nerve with Irina. Broken into her mind and Irina couldn’t handle being so seen.

“That’s why you killed Sergei, isn’t it?” Aleida asked in a low whisper. 

Years later she could still feel the pain that had struck her when she found out Sergei had been killed. Screaming in her car with frustration knowing he was executed for existing. That Margo would never get to be truly happy. The agony with which Margo reacted hearing that he died would stay with her forever.