Alien Prisoner

by Honey Phillips

“Not at the present time.” He hesitated. “I have the materials to build a simple interface. I told T’lan that I would try and contact him in a month’s time.”

  “You did? Why?” A flutter of nerves hit her stomach.

  “T’lan will speak to the Supreme Commander on our behalf. I hope that we will be allowed to live here on Earth in peace. Even though we are, as your expression says, fugitives from justice, our situation is unique. The needs of a child, plus my claim on you may be considered mitigating circumstances.”

  “If the Supreme Commander says it’s okay, we could go back?” She wasn't really sure how she felt about that. She wanted to see her friends, but she didn’t want to be imprisoned. And she certainly did not want T’chok taken away from her.

  “No. If he agrees, we will not be pursued but we may not return until after the conclusion of the Forbidden Cycle. At that time our relationship would no longer be cause for rebellion amongst the troops.”

  “Rebellion? Because one of you has claimed a L’chka?”

  “We would be the second. T’lan alone caused an upheaval, although T’ngorzul was partially responsible for the discontent.” He sighed. “It is not as much of an issue for the younger warriors, but for ones who have been in service for a long time, like I have, we begin to think of what will happens when that service ends. To think of a mate, a home, a child.”

  “Well you have that now. Does that mean that after the Forbidden Cycle has ended, you wouldn’t go back to being a commander?”

  “No. I would still stay with you, but it would be convenient if we could travel freely and perhaps visit with others—and if I had access to my funds.” He glanced over at her and shook his head. “I promised to take care of you. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you lack for nothing.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “T’chok, I don’t need anything other than you. And my brother, safe and well.”

  “Let us hope that he is at your father’s domicile. The road into the park should be just ahead.”

  At that moment the familiar brown and yellow park sign appeared, barely visible through the driving snow.

  “There it is,” Rachel said.

  “I see it.” T’chok turned on to the narrow road. Their pace slowed even more. The overhanging trees blocked some of the snow, but the road was far narrower than the one they had just left. It climbed rapidly uphill in a series of switchbacks. As they reached the top, the trees thinned, and she could just make out the booth that led into the paid section of the park through the encroaching gloom.

  “I have a permit to enter but no one will be manning the booth in this weather.”

  “Then we will go around.” T’chok eased the truck around one side of the barrier. Some bushes were flattened in the process but combined with the snow, she didn’t think they would be noticeable once the park reopened.

  “Now comes the hard part. We have to follow this road along the ridgeline for three-and-a-half miles. Then there is an old logging road leading off to the right. We can follow that to the cabin—or at least we can try to follow it. It’s been almost two years since I’ve been up here and I’m not sure what kind of condition it will be in.”

  “We will make it,” T’chok assured her.

  The nerve-wracking drive along the park road had her clenching the sides of her seat. Full dark had fallen, and their headlights only penetrated a short distance into the heavily falling snow. Wind gusts still shook the truck and she saw T’chok’s hands clench on the wheel as he battled to keep the truck on the road.

  “We have traveled the distance you—”

  “There!” Eyes straining at the darkness, she could just make out the gap between the trees and the faded sign indicating a private road. T’chok slowed the truck to a crawl but it still slid sideways as he made the turn. Once more he wrestled it back on to the road. This time there was no obvious road to follow. Only the gap between the trees indicated that a track lay in that direction.

  “How far?” he asked.

  “I think it’s another three miles from the park road but I’m not positive. Once you’re on this road, there’s nowhere else to go. There were two more cabins down here, but they were both abandoned years ago and there’s nothing much left of them.”

  “Very well. Are there any landmarks?”

  “Once the road begins to climb again, we’ll cross a small stream. It should be less than a mile from there to the cabin.”

  Nodding grimly, he kept his hands clenched on the wheel and his eyes focused on what little could be seen ahead. The path downhill seemed to last for an eternity, the truck surrounded by whirling snow and the ghostly fingers of the trees that hung over them. Eventually they began to ascend, and she gave a huge sigh of relief as the rocky bed of the small creek appeared. She had been relatively confident that they were following the right path, but it was easy to get disoriented in the dark and swirling snow. Ice glistened amongst the rocks and T’chok slowed even further but the truck made it across without incident.

  The path climbed steeply on the other side of the stream, but it was more open, allowing T’chok to increase his speed a fraction. Rachel was still on the edge of her seat, but from excitement now. She refused to think about what she would do if Benji wasn't at the cabin after all. He had to be there. Just as she was imagining their reunion, a shape came rushing out of the darkness toward them.

  A massive elk raced directly at them, heading straight for the truck. T’chok swore and yanked the wheel sharply to the right but the elk still hit part of the front hood with a massive thud. The shock sent the half-turned truck spinning off to the side of the road but here there were fewer trees to stop the spin. T’chok swore again, grabbing Rachel and wrapping his body around her as the truck spun around and plunged back down the way they had come, angling off into the trees until it landed with a huge crash on the bank of the creek.

  Even clasped with T’chok’s arms, the shock sent Rachel’s head flying into his rock-hard chest. Pain shot through her face as the impact also jarred the healing wound on her cheek. Her vision faded and she lost consciousness for a few seconds. When her sense returned, she squeezed T’chok’s arm.

  “I’m okay. How’s the truck?”

  There was no response.

  “T’chok!” Rachel pushed at the arms still locked around her, but he didn’t move. If it hadn’t been for the fact that she could feel him breathing, she would have panicked completely. As it was, she had to fight back a surge of terror when she realized his head was slumped against the steering wheel. Even in the dim light created where the headlights reflected on the snow, she could see a gash on his temple. A slow drip of blood oozed down his cheek.

  “Oh, God. T’chok, please wake up.” She patted his cheek as gently as she could, but he didn’t stir. Trying not to move him, she slid down until she could escape his arms. The awkward angle impeded her efforts, but she was finally able to slip free. As soon as she could move, she gently lifted his head off of the steering wheel. His head rolled back, only his horns keeping it braced against the seat. A frantic search didn’t produce any medical supplies in the truck. If she could get him to the cabin, she would at least have access to a first aid kit.

  She couldn’t attempt to restart the truck unless she could get in the driver’s seat and that meant she had to move him. Was moving him a bad idea? Unable to see an alternative, she started tugging him over into the passenger side as carefully as possible, but he was so big and heavy that he was hard to move. By the time she wrestled him across the bench seat, she was breathing hard. Climbing back over him, she tried to start the truck. To her delight, the engine spluttered but caught.

  “Good girl,” she said, and patted the dash. However, when she tried to back out of the frozen stream, the truck didn’t move. Determined to find out what was wrong, she worked her way out of the truck, clinging to the door to keep from slipping on the icy rocks. As soon as she closed the door, the wind hit her like a load of cold bricks. Clenching her
teeth to keep them from chattering, she maneuvered her way around to the front. The problem was obvious; the elk had slammed into the front quarter panel and crumpled it against the wheel. As far as she could tell, the tire was still intact, but the truck wasn’t going anywhere unless she could pry it loose and she didn't have the strength, or the tools, to handle it. The paint was smeared with blood and hair. She cast an anxious look around, but the elk had disappeared. She could only hope that it didn’t die from its wounds.

  When she climbed back into the truck, T’chok still hadn’t moved. She patted his cheek again, whispering his name, but there was no response. At least the wound on his head was no longer bleeding so profusely. Only a small trickle of blood continued to flow. Pulling a tank top from her bag, she managed to form a crude bandage while she considered her options. They couldn’t stay here. The gas tank was getting low and she had no idea how long the storm would last. Once the gas ran out, so did the heat. She certainly couldn’t drag T’chok to the cabin; she’d struggled enough just getting him moved to the other side of the cab. The only option she could see was to try and get to the cabin by herself. If Benji was there, that meant the ATV was there and she thought she could haul T’chok back on that. If he wasn’t there, then she would just have to find something to pry the quarter panel loose so that she could drive the truck.

  Rachel took another look outside at the steadily falling snow. The last thing she wanted was to leave T’chok alone while she made the long, cold trek up to the cabin. But then she looked at him again and realized she had no choice. He needed medical attention. If his communicator had been working, she would have had no alternative but to call for help. Since it wasn't, all she could do was to get him some place warm and dry and hope that there was something in the first aid kit that would help. Fighting back her fears, she reached for her bag and once again, layered on all of the clothing she had with her. Judy had given her an old jacket and she pulled that on gratefully as well. Her sneakers weren't exactly waterproof, but they were all she had.

  She left the truck engine running. It would keep the heater going so that T’chok would stay warm, and with the headlights burning, it would be easier to find her way back. She stroked his face once more. He didn’t stir. What if he did wake up before she got back? She had no doubt he’d come looking for her. Searching through the glove compartment, she found a pen and used the back of gas receipt to leave him a note. Leaving it on the dashboard, she gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll be back,” she promised his unresponsive body.

  The wind assaulted her once more as she stepped out on to the bank. Shivering inside her layers, she pulled herself up and away from the icy rocks. Fortunately, their slide had not taken them far from the main track and she was able to orient herself by the light from the headlights. With a sigh, she began to climb.

  The snow was still falling but the intensity had dropped enough that she could make out the faint gap between the trees. Her feet turned to ice immediately, buried past her calves in the wet snow. Each step required her to drag her foot out of the heavy weight of the snow and then test where to put it down, trying to avoid branches and holes and other traps concealed in the acres of white. She fell twice, snow sneaking under her jacket and down her neck but she kept moving, one dogged foot in front of the other.

  She was focused so intently on her feet that she didn’t realize that she was at the cabin until she hit the front steps. Stumbling over the bottom step, she looked up and sobbed with relief. A light flickered inside. Someone was there and she prayed that it was her brother. Clinging to the wooden handrail, she worked her way up the icy steps and pushed open the door.

  “Hold it right there.” Her brother stood in front of her, thin frame taut with tension, a rifle pointed straight at her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Benji,” she sobbed as she stumbled forward.

  “Rachel?” Benji’s eyes widened, just before he dropped the rifle and flung himself at her. She went to her knees as they met. His thin arms hugged her neck so tightly she almost choked but she held him just as hard. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you too, bug. I’ve been so worried about you. How could you run away like that?”

  She pulled back far enough to take in his beloved little face. His hair was too long, shaggy around his pale face. He looked even thinner than usual, but his eyes were bright, and he wasn’t breathing with any difficulty.

  “I had to, Rach. Tom took me out the barn and whipped me because I told him I wouldn’t help brand the calves.”

  “That son of a bitch. He’s never going to lay a hand on you again. I promise.”

  “He said it was his right because he was my stepdad now. He married Mom.”

  “Yeah, I heard.” Rachel shook her head. “I don’t understand what she sees in him but he’s her problem now. We don’t need either of them as long as we have each other.”

  “How did you hear?” Benji asked.

  “T… Shit. How could I forget?” Guilt rushed over her as she remembered her wounded warrior. “I was just so happy to see you. Is the ATV here?”

  “You know about that, too?” He glared at her. “If you knew about everything, why didn’t you come for me?”

  “Bug, I promise you, I just found out last night. I got here as soon as I could. And I’ll explain it to you later. Right now, I just need to know where the ATV is?”

  “It’s under the woodshed. But why do you need it?”

  “My… friend is injured.” How was she going to explain her relationship to T’chok to Benji? Ignoring that for the moment, she hurried on. “We drove a truck here, but an elk ran into us after we crossed the stream and the quarter panel is smashed so the wheel won’t turn. He hit his head and he’s unconscious. I think I can get him on to the ATV so I can get him up here.”

  Benji gave her a suspicious look before turning away to start pulling on his boots. “Why do I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me?”

  “Because you’re a smart bug?” He scowled and reached for his other boot. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready to go with you, of course. If he’s a big guy, you’re gonna need my help.” He frowned at her feet, the wet sneakers pooling water on to the wood floor. “Mom’s old boots are over there. You should put them on.”

  Chafing at the delay but knowing that the boots would help, Rachel slipped out of her soggy shoes. Her toes were tingling but that was a good sign; it meant they hadn’t frozen. She pulled off the wet socks as well and sank into the sheepskin lined boots with a sigh of relief. “That feels good.”

  “You know you’re crazy wearing sneakers in a snowstorm, right?”

  “I know. I just didn’t have a choice.”

  “I suppose you aren’t going to tell me why, either?” Benji had finished with his boots and was pulling on a coat and hat before wrapping a scarf around his neck.

  “Later,” she promised. “Are you sure you want to go out in this?”

  “I’m not a baby. I made it this far, didn’t I?” He scowled again and she laughed and grabbed him in for a quick hug.

  “You did. My smart little bug.” He hugged her back and she could feel the desperate edge in his clasp.

  “Don’t leave me again, Rach.”

  “Never.” She dropped a kiss on his head. “If you’re sure you want to come, let’s go. If T… if he wakes up, he’ll start looking for me. I left him a note, but I don’t know if that will stop him.”

  Benji opened his mouth then shook his head and shut it again. She grabbed a blanket off the bed, and he followed her out the door. The woodshed was an old three-sided shelter that housed stacks of firewood. Not much wood was left, and she gave it an anxious look before focusing on the ATV. Fortunately, it was a larger one, designed for work, with a covered seat and a small cargo box across the back. It should be able to handle T’chok’s weight.

  The shelter had kept most of the snow off the vehicle, but she brushed off what remaine
d and climbed on. Benji got on next to her as she turned the key. The ATV looked terrible, dented and missing paint in several places, but it started immediately, the engine a smooth rumble. She backed it carefully out of the shed.

  “This is amazing, Benji. You did a great job.”

  “Thanks, Rach.” She felt him shrug. “There wasn’t much else to do with you gone.”

  “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

  “It wasn't your fault. It was those damn aliens.”

  Normally she would have corrected his swearing, but she could hear the anger in his young voice. She winced, trying to decide how she was going to tell him about T’chok. While she thought about how to approach the subject, she concentrated on driving. The snow was still falling but not as heavily and the small roof provided some protection. Under other circumstances, it would almost have been an enjoyable journey through the snow-covered woods. Right now, she was too concerned about T’chok to appreciate it. It also didn't help that her clothes were damp, and she felt chilled to the bone. The time in the warm cabin had been all too brief.

  The headlights of the truck were visible much sooner than she expected. What had seemed to take an eternity when she climbed the hill on foot had taken only a few minutes to drive down.

  “There it is. I’m going to try and get right next to the passenger door. Maybe I can slide him from there onto the seat.”

  She edged carefully around the truck, but the ATV handled the icy rocks with little difficulty. As she pulled into position, she could see T’chok remained in the same position where she had left him. Relieved as she was to see him there, the fact that he hadn’t regained consciousness worried her. Benji tensed beside her.

  “There’s an alien in there! We need to leave. Now.”

  “It’s okay, bug. He’s my friend.” Despite her desire to check on T’chok, she had to calm her brother.

  “Friend? How can you be friends with an alien? They’re the ones who took you away from me.” His voice was rising, panicky in the night.