Unbearable Fear

by ML Guida

“Something cracked behind us….A damn door slid open…A door we didn’t even know was there.”

  She wiped a tear he hadn’t realized fell on his cheek.

  “The Gogs jumped out…”

  He remembered their angry orange eyes, their snarls, Dech’s screams.

  “Were there many of them?”

  He shook his head. “No…Just four. But they had their weapons. I transformed but I wasn’t…I wasn’t fast enough.” Guilt choked him as if Dech was squeezing his throat.

  “They fired at Dech.”

  He raised his head, tears blinding him. “No, they fired at me. I couldn’t move. They swarmed all over Dech. More came out of that dark hole. He threw them off one-by-one, but there were too many. He screamed for me to help.”

  He put his hand on over his forehead and sobbed. “I couldn’t…I couldn’t…I couldn’t.”

  Skye pulled him into her chest and held him, rocking him back and forth, as if he were a cub. She stroked his hair. Her scent was all over him, battling the horror inside him.

  “It’s my fault Dech’s dead.”

  She put both her hands on his cheeks and lifted his head. “Listen to me, Walfea. That wasn’t your fault.”

  He jerked away and walked over to the railing. He didn’t deserve to feel warmth while his brother was dead. “Yes, it was…If I hadn’t bit the Gog…”

  “Your brother would still be dead.” Her words cut through him like a knife.

  He couldn’t move, just like he felt when he was trapped in the cell. Skye slowly walked over to him, her gaze not faltering.

  “Those things were evil, Walfea. You do what you always do. You were protecting your brother. Doing everything in your power.”

  He labored to breathe. The deck, Skye, and patio furniture swirled around him. “But they should have killed me. It’s my fault. I should be the one dead. Not Dech.”

  “If you were…both Sandra and I would be dead. Is that what you want?” Her soft voice was closer, pulling him back.

  He put his hands on his head. “No.”

  Skye pulled his head down and kissed him. The horror dissipated, and the only thing that mattered was Skye’s sweet mouth. Her sugary taste surged through him like a torch, easing his sorrow crippling his mind, his lungs, his heart. She was his shooting star.

  He lost himself in her strong arms. She was so much smaller than him, but she had a fire, a power, that could defeat his darkness. He couldn’t lose her.

  His cock hardened, and he wanted to pick her up and toss her down on the deck. Her breasts pushed against his chest. He slipped a hand underneath her shirt and squeezed a budded nipple.

  She pushed him away. “Sorry…stop.”

  He battled to control the desire that threatened to burst through the surface. He walked to the other end of the deck, refusing to look at her. His breath was ragged, and his body shook.

  Soft footsteps approached.

  He tensed, not sure he was in control.

  “Walfea…”

  He held up a hand. “Don’t.”

  The scent of vanilla lessened, and the patio door shut quietly.

  Chapter 14

  Walfea stayed out on the deck until his breath was normal, his heart beat slowed, and his cock behaved. He walked into the kitchen.

  Skye sat at the table drinking another cup of coffee. “Mad at me.”

  “No.” He joined her and clasped her hand. “I’m just worried about you. I don’t want what happened to me, to happen to you.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Unless the government’s hiding something, there are no flesh-eating aliens on Earth.”

  That she knew of. The Gogs worked for the Kamtrinians and it would be just like them to have the Gogs invade Earth, but he kept that lovely thought to himself. “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about betrayal.”

  She released his hand. “You mean Steve.”

  His hand had turned cold where it had only been warm before, but he wasn’t going to give in on this. She had to listen. “One of our crew betrayed us. He helped the Gogs capture us for his insane revenge.”

  “Oh my God. How awful. No one suspected him?”

  He shook his head. “No, not even our captain. We made a mistake. Not looking at the signs, because we didn’t want to believe that one of our own would do such a thing.”

  She sighed and lowered her head. “That’s what you’re afraid is happening to me, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. You have to open your eyes, no matter how much it hurts.”

  She lifted her head. “I have to know the truth, Walfea. I can’t believe it’s Steve, but I need to know if someone is helping Hector. It’s not just me getting hurt now. Sandra got hurt, because of me. I won’t let anyone else be terrorized.”

  He tilted up her chin. “None of this is your fault, Skye.”

  Her lower lips trembled. “But what happened to Sandra–”

  “Was not your fault,” a strong female voice said.

  They turned around. Sandra had her hair up in a ponytail, wearing a pair of sweats and a baggy T-shirt. She’d lost her scared look replaced with a serious one. “I think Walfea’s right, Skye. We need to find out if Steve’s involved. Otherwise, you’re going to be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.” She plopped down on the leather couch. “I’ve been going over the conversation at dinner with Steve again and again.”

  Skye hobbled over to the couch. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m sure it was a man that Steve was talking to. I just can’t get over why he was acting so strange.”

  Walfea frowned. “Did anybody else think something was amiss?”

  She nodded. “Jeff thought it was strange, too.”

  Skye yanked out the telicator. “Well, I can’t stand this supposition.”

  Walfea posed to rip the telicator out of her hand. “What do you plan on doing?”

  “I plan on calling Jeff.”

  Walfea put his hand over hers. “You can’t just blurt it out. No telling what Jeff will do.”

  She glared. “You don’t trust any of my friends, do you?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  “Humpf.”

  He glanced at Sandra. “Present company excepted. But as far as the rest–no. Not until I’m convinced they’re not a threat.”

  Sandra curled up on the couch. “I think he’s right, Skye. You need to be cautious.”

  She glanced between her and Walfea, as if she were trying to come up with another defensive argument. Her shoulders slumped, and she sank into the recliner.

  Walfea held his breath, hoping she’d listen to reason, but she was so damn stubborn.

  “I suppose you’re both right. I promise I won’t blurt anything out.”

  Walfea wasn’t sure about this. “Will he think that it’s strange for you to call him unexpectedly?”

  “No, we call each other all the time.”

  “Really? So far, only Steve has contacted you.”

  Skye gritted her teeth. “Because he’s my manager. He checks in with me almost every day.”

  Walfea went behind the couch and massaged her stiff shoulders. “So, he always knows where you are and what you’re doing.”

  She pulled away and raised the telicator. “Call Jeff Weaver.”

  The telicator was faster than any cell phone.

  “Skye. Everything all right?”

  “Hey, Jeff.” Her voice was very soft as if she were trying to keep Walfea from hearing.

  Too bad.

  She cast him a glowering look as if she knew it was pointless.

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “So, have you heard anything more from Hector?”

  Skye shook her head. “No.”

  “Be careful. He’s a clever bastard.”

  “No, shit. Hey, I saw Sandra.”

  Walfea winced. God, she’d moved too fast.

  “You saw her? When did you see her?”

  He sounded strangely surprised.

&
nbsp; “Well, I meant I talked with her yesterday. She told me something really weird.”

  “Really? What?”

  “She said that Steve was being really secretive. He’s not scheduling more gigs for us, is he? I thought we’re getting some time off.”

  “God, I hope not. Yeah at dinner. He was Mr. Secretive.”

  She flashed Walfea a triumphant smile, but he still wasn’t convinced.

  She winked at Sandra, but pointedly ignored him. “Shit, I really need some down time.”

  “We all do, not just you.”

  Walfea didn’t like the hard tone in his voice.

  “Oh, I know.” Skye jumped to attention. “I didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t.”

  “Well, I confronted Steve later and he denied that he was going back on his word.”

  “Then why was he being so secretive?”

  “I don’t know. He got real pissed when I pursued it. Told me to stop sticking my nose in his business.”

  She frowned. “That doesn’t sound like Steve.” Skye’s voice was drawn out as if she were mulling over the facts.

  Walfea and Sandra met each other’s gaze. At least an ally with her. She didn’t trust Steve either.

  “Yeah, I know. He’s definitely hiding something, but I’m not sure what. So, you’re sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m safe and sound.” Her voice was short.

  Walfea hoped she was, but he couldn’t shake his own doubt. He’d failed with Dech. What if history repeated itself? He needed to try and contact Tash to get another security bear.

  “Good. Well, hey, I gotta go. Tell Sandra hi for me and enjoy the mountains.”

  Skye hung up.

  Walfea stilled. “How did he know you were in the mountains?”

  Skye shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “Hector was hospitalized up here in Frisco, so it’s logical that Jeff would think Skye was in the mountains,” Sandra said.

  “Maybe.” But Walfea wasn’t sure that was logical. Now, he had two people on his list. Listening to them talk to Skye on the telicator wasn’t enough. He needed to see these people. Their eye movements, facial expressions, and body language told him so much more. “I think it’s time for us to be on the offensive, rather than be on the defensive.”

  Skye looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean?” Her long drawn out voice hinted that she wasn’t going to like his answer.

  “We flush them out.”

  Sandra leaned forehead on the couch. “How?”

  “First, things first. I want to meet them.”

  “So, you can study them while the rest of us are bait?” Skye’s accusatory tone failed to get his hackles up.

  Walfea met her fiery gaze. “Do you want to find out the truth or not?”

  She threw up her arms. “Of course. Do you think I like living like this? Always looking over my shoulder?”

  “Then you’re going to have to take some risks.” Shades, he hoped he wasn’t going to regret this.

  She didn’t answer right away, as if she were thinking of Hector. She took a long shaky breath. “What kind of risks are you talking about?”

  “Dinner. We meet them for dinner.”

  She looked at him as if he were goofier than Aria’s three-headed wafus. “Dinner?”

  “I can meet them and study them. Face-to-face encounters are so much better than just talking to someone on the phone.”

  “I have an idea,” Sandra interrupted. “My birthday’s coming up. How about we have a party?”

  Skye wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t want to have it here.”

  “Not here.” Sandra’s scientific voice became excited and her eyes shined brightly. “At Bagalis.”

  “I don’t know.” Skye’s face paled. “Bagalis is so close to here.”

  “They already know you’re in Frisco.” Walfea patted her thigh and she didn’t pull away. Making progress. “Eventually, they could find out about this place.”

  Skye hugged the blanket tightly around her as if it were a shield. “I know.” She clasped Sandra’s hand. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  Sandra wore a short thin smile. “You can’t save me, Skye.” She gazed out the window, a troubled look fell across her face. “My mother’s been hurting me for years.”

  Walfea thought of his own mother who would have died protecting her cubs. “Why does your mother hurt you?”

  She released Skye’s hand and straightened her shirt. “Because she can.” She shook her head, blinking back the tears. “Now, let’s get back to setting our trap, shall we?”

  Skye’s face was pale as she twisted a thread on the afghan.

  Obviously, she didn’t hold much regard for their plan. Maybe he was on the wrong path. He needed back up. He’d contact the captain for help, better weapons, better technology. “All right. We’ll go with Sandra’s plan.”

  Sandra got off the couch and headed for the office. “I’ll send out invites to everyone to come to Bagalis.”

  Walfea headed for the door. “I need to go back to the caretaker’s house.”

  “Why?”

  “I won’t be long. Stay here.” He turned around. “Lock the door and don’t go anywhere.”

  “I promise.” She looked so small on the couch as if the weight of the world were collapsing on her slender shoulders.

  Walfea hurried over to the caretaker’s house, but he suddenly stopped. The hairs of the back of his neck stood up. He sniffed and caught the scent of wood, but it wasn’t the pines or blue spruces. No, this was different. It was what the humans called cologne. Something a man would wear. But he didn’t remember Hector wearing such a scent. His accomplice? He immediately scanned the woods but couldn’t see anyone.

  Malice and hate beat down on him. His gut tightened, and his twitching hand automatically reached for the eruptor that he wore on his hip. But it wasn’t there. Damn it. He’d foolishly left it in the caretaker’s home.

  He wanted to change into a bear, but he didn’t want to play his best card.

  Not just yet.

  He forced himself to remain calm and walked confidently toward the front door as if he was too dumb to know he was in charge. A loud click made his heart stop. A deafening bang exploded. Intense burning pain bashed into his shoulder and he slammed into a tree, knocking the breath out of him. The world spun around him.

  Shades, this was like Sutois.

  Pop-pop-pop.

  Sharp hot agony bore in his side.

  Someone screamed. “Oh, my God! Walfea!”

  He knew that voice…Focus…Focus…Vanilla…Skye.

  “No.” He choked on his own blood. He clutched her wrist tight. “Go back inside.”

  It was happening again. But he couldn’t move. But it didn’t matter. The enemy was coming.

  “Sandra,” Skye yelled over her shoulder.

  Hurried footsteps came over. “Shit, Skye. What happened?”

  Skye wiped his hot face. “We’ve got to call an ambulance.”

  Sweat stung Walfea’s eyes.

  Stay awake. Don’t pass out.

  “We can’t, Skye. As soon as I heard the shots, I called the police. The lines have been cut. Something’s jamming the internet. We can’t get out or call out.” Sandra’s voice shook with fear.

  “We’ve got to get Walfea inside before he bleeds to death.” Skye’s hard tone reminded him of Tash.

  She grabbed Walfea’s arm. “Help me, Sandra.”

  Walfea panted. “No…” Walfea gasped. “Save yourselves…Run.”

  Skye dragged him, but only moved him a few inches. “I won’t leave you.” Someone else grabbed his other arm. It had to be Sandra.

  “He’s too…heavy, Skye,” she panted. “I can’t move him.”

  Skye pulled on his arm. “Yes, we can.”

  “Someone’s moving through the trees.” Sandra’s voice hushed. “It’s Hector. I know it’s him!”

  Walfea sat up. Pain. He coughed. Blood spluttered onto
his shirt.

  “Oh, God. Skye, he’s dying.

  “Sandra, don’t panic. That’s what he wants. If you don’t help me, he’ll finish off Walfea. Please.” Her voice was as strong as an army captain’s.

  They tugged on his arms. Walfea hissed.

  Don’t pass out. Don’t pass out.

  They’d never be able to move him and were too damn stubborn to leave him. Ignoring the pain, he gritted his teeth and got up on one knee.

  “Come on, Walfea, you can do this.” Skye gripped his arm tighter. “Just help us a little bit.”

  Walfea panted but managed to move his other leg. He couldn’t stand, but he shifted on his knees. Agony seized him, clawing his lungs.

  Move…Just move…

  “That’s it, Walfea.” Skye squeezed his arm. “We’re almost there. Just a few more feet.” Her strong voice was faltering.

  Sweat trickled down his face and he shivered. His feet dragged. The path twirled around. He closed his eyes.

  “Walfea, get off me.” Someone pushed on his back. Sandra.

  He rolled onto his gut and gasped. The sun blinded him.

  “Just a little more.” Skye put her hands underneath his armpits and pulled.

  “Skye, someone’s coming.”

  Drawing on his bear strength, he dragged himself up on his wobbly legs. Tunnel vision greeted him.

  A door…Aim for door. So far away.

  Sweat dripped into his eyes. He concentrated on moving one leg then the other. Nothing mattered. The tunnel wall’s collapsed. He spun around and passed out.

  Chapter 15

  Skye slammed the caretaker’s front door shut and locked it. She wiped the sweat off her brow and leaned against the door, trying to catch her breath. Her arms strained from carrying Walfea and blood had smeared across her shirt.

  Something cracked outside. Someone was out there.

  She stilled, straining to hear. Her bam-bam bam-bam heart pushed against her ribs. She slowly peered through the peek hole.

  The pebbled path between the two was empty. No one was moving through the thick pines and aspens.

  As far as she knew.

  She turned around, her legs trembling. “Shit, I thought Hector was still in the hospital.”

  “Obviously not.” Sandra knelt next to Walfea. “He’s hurt bad, Skye.”