(Fiction) The Third Planet of The Gothic Constellation of Thanatos Part 6

Everything so far in this story was written a few years ago, but I'm rewriting a little as I go along. I think I started this story as long ago as 6 years ago. For one difference, I've changed everything to present tense as it feels more personal for the experience. Parts of this story are surprising me with how dark they are and this section seems somewhat depressing with the suicidal woman at the cemetery, but I've left it mostly the same as I originally wrote it. 

The planet is called Eva and it’s the third planet in what they called the Thanatos constellation. Eva is the only planet that can support life in this system. The planet has the same name as a woman in their mythology. The story reminds me of Persephone from Greek mythology as I read it. There was a young woman who had traveled to a cemetery with the intention of killing herself. She was the most beautiful woman around, as far as she knew. The beautiful young woman removed her knife to slit her wrists, but Death appeared before her before she could start. Death found her to be a striking beauty and had appeared to convince her to reconsider. The woman protested and told him she would shortly be with him in death after she killed herself. Death said she wouldn’t be the same after Death. He was in love with her and would do anything to make love to her once. Reluctantly, Eva agreed to be his lover, but made Death promise that her relatives and ancestors would have long lives free of disease. Death quickly agreed and the deal was done. Death was not omniscient, however, and he had been tricked. The woman had planned to strike the unholy deal from the beginning. Her family had an illness that was passed on through the generations and her family line was in danger of dying. The woman herself was close to succumbing to the effects of the sickness even as she arrived at the cemetery. Death and the woman did become lovers and the child’s name was Eva. Eva lived a long life, as per the agreement, but when Death learned he had been tricked, he failed to remove Eva’s illness. She lived a long life, but it was eventually full of pain from her family’s genetic illness. Rather than go mad, Eva endured, and even prospered, despite her pain. The story was a symbol for the planet and surviving through hardships.

This world hardly seemed harsh to me yet, but the only place I’ve seen so far is the friendly environment of my father’s house. He was taking care of my every need, but maybe I was becoming sheltered from reality. I continue my lessons, but I think of little Eva from the story often. 

            After lunch one day, I ask my father about the story of Eva. He tried to hide his disappointment that I was asking about something I probably should have learned about ages ago.

            “Well, it is a tragic story, but inspiring at the same time. She lived a life in pain, but she tried to enjoy and cherish an existence that she had every reason to despise.”

            “Forgive me for asking . . . my memory is still a little fuzzy, you know . . . but is Eva really that bad of a place to live?”

            He hesitates before he answers. “It is no paradise at times, to be sure, but a home is what one makes it. There are many beautiful things to be found on this world, or any other, if one knows where to look.”

            “You’re doing . . . fine with your lessons. Keep up the pace and you will be your old self in no time.” I know he’s lying, and I feel bad that I’m not moving faster, but there is little I can do but continue to try my best.
            I keep reading from the computer, trying to advance as quickly as I can. I can read and speak the language obviously, but the context of history and news seems strange to me. Mathematics I pick up pretty well, but I don’t enjoy it. I wonder if the stereotypes about girls and math exist on this planet, though I didn't enjoy math much as a boy either. I don’t think about it long, though, I just concentrate on learning all I can.

            After one particularly long session, I remove my helmet and rub my eyes.
            “Long day?” my father asks. “You’re doing great.” I actually believe him this time, or he’s getting better about lying. “Time for bed for you, I’d say.”

            I go to my room and get ready for bed. By now I’m used to the strange animals that decorate the room, but I’d still hate to see the real-life version of this circus. I fall asleep quickly.