by Andi J Feron
“Hey, Talon, tell Allie hi for me.” Kais grinned as he climbed out of our ship to leave.
Talon gave no reply and shook his head. We were a day into our trip back.
“You want to play poker Ace?” I asked, attempting to smooth things the best my pride would allow.
“Naw, I’m good.” He didn’t look up from the manual he was studying.
“Is this how it’s going to be from now on?”
“I don’t know, maybe.”
“Can we go back to being partners?”
“I don’t think we ever were.” His jaw tightened and he looked at me.
“Of course we were.”
“No, I can’t be your partner Seraphine. You fight me at every turn.”
“Because you think I’m incapable. You think I need a boy to save me.”
“No, I know you’re more than capable of kicking ass, but I also know I like you alive. It’s not about me being a boy trying to save you; it’s about being equal partners. I mean, come on, if it hadn’t been for your quick thinking I would have bled to death in that cave. But if I so much as think about saving you or even simply helping you, you get angry with me. You make things impossible.”
I rolled my eyes and turned away. I heard his words, and deep inside, they made me smile. No way could I admit that, though. I went and played poker with Jerap and Fayard, and Jerap thought the primitive game was boring. Fayard and I had a good time, and he beat me twice. I glanced at Talon reading in his loft. As fun as playing with the other two was, I wished it was Talon over here laughing and sharing stories with me.
After a long seven days we docked, and I knew I had to go to the debriefing with Talon and the others. I went to drop some things at my quarters and told the other three I would meet them at the debriefing that was scheduled in half an hour. This would give me time to get a shower and change.
I entered my quarters and carried my bag to my bed in the back room. I looked in my closet, grabbing a blue top and a pair of jeans. I jumped in the shower, and the warm water was soothing. Dry shampoo only made me feel clean for so long. I took more time than usual basking in the wonderment of running water.
I blow-dried my hair as I brushed through it. I put a little makeup on, then glanced at my watch on the counter. I gasped. I should have been at the debriefing already. I turned to go down the hall and froze. Lucius stood at the end of my hallway.
“What are you doing here?” I frowned, glancing quickly at my front door.
“Let’s see. I saw on the schedule my girlfriend would be back today, so I thought I’d pay her a visit.” Lucius moved closer to me.
I stepped back. “I’m not your girlfriend anymore, Lucius.”
“Sure you are. We’re only through when I say we’re through. And guess what else I found out? You’re a liar.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Talon is not dead. You think you’re his girlfriend now?”
“We’re just friends.”
“Liar!”
I jumped. “Lucius, get out of my quarters!” My voice trembled and I took another step back.
Lucius rushed at me. His eyes looked dark, as if a shadow now inhabited them. “I could manipulate you to love me, but fake love is boring. Instead, I’m going to make you pay for defying me. You will not fight me. You will not say a word or make a single sound.”
I became tranced by his words. He smacked me hard in the face and kneed me deep in the stomach, knocking me hard against the wall. He punched me twice in the face and kicked me a couple more times. As he continued to hit and kick me repeatedly, I stayed still, manipulated by his ability. I was helpless. He yanked me up by my hair, and my scalp felt like it was being ripped off my skull. He backed me against the wall and pressed his hands on my throat.
“You’re mine, Seraphine. Talon can’t have you. I’m going to make sure of that.”
He pushed harder on my trachea, and I stood there, allowing him to strangle me breathless.
Chapter Nine
Talon - August 3, 2006
We were sitting in front of Admiral Parks, waiting for Seraphine to show. Admiral Parks was a woman from Mexico City, with short dark hair and brown eyes. She was best known for helping with the Spanish portion for the language translators. She had a phenomenal record and earned her place as the first woman admiral to run a major space base. I glanced at the clock and realized Seraphine was five minutes late.
“Something isn’t right.” An uneasy feeling settled in my chest.
“What do you mean?” Fayard asked.
“Seraphine isn’t here.” I glanced at the door hoping she would run in. I would tease her for being late and she would send me the glare that only made me smile.
Where are you, Seraphine?
Admiral Parks glanced at the clock on the wall. “She’s only five minutes late. We can give her a few more minutes.”
“No, you don’t understand, Seraphine despises tardiness.” I didn’t like the anxiety that was seeping into my gut.
“Talon is correct,” Jerap said, “Seraphine would not willingly be late.”
I needed to break the rules I had set for myself. I only tracked people visually when necessary. I could be invading her privacy, but if my gut was wrong I would apologize later. I concentrated and saw Seraphine in her quarters. Lucius was there too, and Seraphine looked angry. He was blocking her from leaving. I jumped up, not taking the time to stop as Admiral Parks asked what I was doing.
“I’ll be right back ma’am,” was all I offered as I ran for Seraphine’s quarters.
I threw the door to Seraphine’s quarters wide open. Lucius had Seraphine backed against a wall with his hands pressed tightly around her neck. His knuckles were white, and her eyes were bulging from their sockets. Her arms were relaxed at her side, and she was offering no resistance. I could see large bruises forming on her face and all over her body. Lucius saw me and released Seraphine. She stumbled to the ground gasping for air.
I barreled into Lucius, knocking him to the ground and punching him in the face. “You piece of shit! Touch her again and you’re dead. You hear me, you bastard! I catch you near her, you’re gone. Get the hell out before I end you right here!”
I towered above Lucius. He was no match for the strength and speed I had gained during specialized training. He ran for the door without another word. Jerap, Fayard, and Admiral Parks were standing in the doorway. Admiral Parks grabbed Lucius and called for soldiers to take him to the brig until things could be sorted out.
He didn’t manipulate them to allow his escape, Jerap and I couldn’t be manipulated to forget after all. He let them take him to the brig. I turned my attention to Seraphine who was still gasping on the floor.
“Call medics!” I sat next to her, helplessly watching her struggle for air.
Her face was swelling, several bruises and a large red handprint were forming on her left cheek. The medics arrived and transported her to sickbay. I was raging. I wanted to kill Lucius more than ever. One more infraction and I was sure there would be nothing to contain me from finally taking care of his worthless ass.
Admiral Parks, Fayard, and Jerap saw the entire thing. Lucius would have a hearing in a few days to decide what should be done with him. We went to finish the mission debriefing, and I rushed my statements. As soon as Admiral Parks released us, I was out the door to sickbay.
I was expecting a lashing for interfering again but I didn’t care. I needed to know if she was okay. She was so infuriating at times. I never meant to make her feel like I doubted her. She was the most incredible person I had ever met in my life, but I felt I couldn’t do anything right with her.
I walked into sickbay. Twenty beds were lining the wall in front of me. Each had a curtain that could be pulled around it for privacy. There was a hall where I assumed long-term patients stayed. A nurse seated at the check-in desk asked me why I was there.
“I’m here to see Seraphine Mallow.”
The nurse
typed into a computer. “You family?”
“Absolutely.”
“Relationship?”
Saying I was her brother didn’t feel right. “Partner,” I said, not thinking of a better term quickly enough.
“Sorry, unless you’re married you can’t go back. Go wait in the waiting room and I’ll see what I can do.” The nurse pointed to my left, where I saw an open door. Inside were chairs, a green couch, and a couple lamps. I slid into a chair and waited a couple hours. I began to doze.
“Talon?” I jumped awake and saw Dr. Monroe standing there. “The nurse told me you were waiting to hear about Seraphine?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know if she has family on base, or are they back on Earth?”
“I’m her family,” I said without hesitation.
“You told the nurse you were her partner. You can only qualify if you’re married partners.”
“No, we’re assigned as partners.”
He glanced at his clipboard. “Oh I see.”
“She doesn’t have any other family. Not here or on Earth.”
“That would explain the blank on ‘next of kin’ in her file.”
“Look, Doctor, we may not be married or blood, but I’m her family. Can I see her? Please?” I pleaded.
“Her breathing hasn’t quite stabilized. Why don’t you come back in the morning and I’ll see if she wants to see you?”
The doctor left, and I plopped back in the chair. I dozed back to sleep and woke up to the doctor’s voice again.
He stood over me. “You been here all night?”
“Yeah. How is she?”
“I’ll let you ask her yourself. She’s been asking for you.”
I followed Dr. Monroe down the hallway I had wondered about the night before. Rooms with blue closed doors lined the hall. We walked through the tenth door on the left. Seraphine sat up in bed. Her face was pretty swollen with two black eyes. A large handprint darkened her left cheek, and the rest of her face had tiny bruises all over it.
Her throat was covered in purple lines, and a large black blotch peeked out from the sleeve of her hospital gown on her left arm. Lucius had assaulted her without mercy. I walked to her bedside not knowing what to say.
“Talon…” Her voice was severely hoarse, and she strained to get out each word. “I wanted you to know…”
I cut her off. “I know. You had that. I shouldn’t have interfered.”
She shook her head. “Talon, thank you.” I looked at her, confused. She was still recovering; I was sure my lecture would come when her voice fully returned. She continued, “Talon, I mean it. Thank you.”
I nodded. Dr. Monroe said he wanted to keep her a couple nights. I brought my deck of cards, and we played poker. We followed three games with watching a couple movies. When Seraphine got tired, a nurse kicked me out, notifying me visiting hours were over. I left to sleep in the waiting room.
“Don’t you have quarters?” Dr. Monroe woke me again.
“Yeah, but I want to stay close in case she needs anything.”
“It’s morning again and visiting hours are about an hour away. Go get something to eat, and I’ll make sure you haven’t worn out your welcome with her.”
I went to the mess hall and saw Fayard sitting alone at a table. I grabbed some food before sitting down in the chair across from him.
“How’s Seraphine?” he asked.
“Pretty messed up, but the doctor said she will be fine.”
Fayard smiled. “That’s good. Did she yell at you for saving her yet?”
“No, but I’m sure she will when her voice is better. What’s next for you?” I munched on my breakfast sandwich.
“I’m off to the front lines.”
“Aw, Man, be careful.”
“I need a little excitement in my life. It’ll be all good.” Fayard seemed continuously positive.
After breakfast, I headed back to see Seraphine, and she gave the okay for me to see her again. We played some games and watched television. I stayed with her the entire day and, toward the end of the evening, we turned on a movie. I sat back in the chair.
“Talon, would it be weird for you to sit with me on the bed?” Seraphine asked.
I climbed up next to her. She leaned her head on my shoulder, and I took her hand. We finished the movie.
“Why are you so nice to me, Talon?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because I do nothing but tell you what you’re doing wrong.”
“So you’re aware?” I smiled at her.
She shook her head and smiled back. I watched as she pushed back her striking red hair. I looked into her bright green eyes, and we stayed frozen for a minute, looking at each other. She turned away, releasing my hand to grab the remote. We sat there watching another movie, then the pesky nurse kicked me out again.
“Talon, why don’t you go sleep in a real bed tonight?” Dr. Monroe asked as I headed for the waiting room.
I planted myself on the green suede couch. “Couch is comfy enough.”
A few minutes later, a nurse brought me a pillow and a blanket. The next morning, Dr. Monroe released Seraphine. She still looked pretty banged up, and I knew she would for a while. I walked her back to her quarters.
“Talon, I found out they’re separating us again. They are giving me a month off to recover then I’m back to war duty. You’re back to Earth for recruitment. I guess that’s good. Close to Allie and all.”
My stomach sank. I couldn’t exactly place why. Being close to Allie should be my main focus, but I kind of wanted Seraphine to come along.
She turned to enter her quarters but stopped to face me. “I never told you Talon. I’m glad you’re not dead.”
I smiled as her red locks disappeared behind her door.
Lucius’ hearing was set for the next day. I was to testify and then leave on a shuttle back to Earth. I walked with Seraphine to the hearing. She told the court what Lucius did without wavering. She was fearless. I was next on the stand, followed by Jerap and Fayard, with Admiral Parks presenting last.
Lucius was given thirty days in the brig and his second formal reprimand. One more and he would receive a court-martial, be sent back to Earth indefinitely, and have his mind wiped. He was told if he was caught near Seraphine, it would count as a third offense. I was angry the punishment was so minuscule.
As the guards led Lucius out to serve his thirty days, he narrowed his eyes toward me, keeping them locked on me until he was gone from my view. I assumed, in his mind, he was already plotting revenge. Seraphine walked me to my shuttle.
“Seraphine, be careful. I want to be able to tell you I’m glad you’re not dead the next time we see each other.” I gave her a hug.
“Take care of that sister of yours.”
I boarded my craft, then stopped in the doorway slightly to get one last glimpse of Seraphine.
She gave a little wave. “Later Ace.”
My two-week trip had gone over by a couple days, and I hoped I wouldn’t have to buy Allie a hamster for the delay. My concern proved unwarranted as I called up to the treehouse. She bounded down the ladder and leapt into my arms from the third to last rung.
I squeezed her tight. “How’s it been going kiddo?”
“Awesome! John and I got a paper route.”
“Why did you do that? We have plenty of money.”
“Cause it’s fun riding my bike around town, target practicing on people’s porches.” She laughed.
“I’m not sure I like the idea. You keep your phone with you?”
“Every time. Achilles comes too.”
I wasn’t fond of the idea of her all over town in view of everyone. Lucius taught me that monsters aren’t always as obvious as Khalbytians. Sometimes monsters were people close to us, people we thought we could trust.
I went back to finding recruits. I wasn’t part of a team this time, which I was happy about. I would locate high levels and mark them in a computer program
for Mr. Fausto. Allie and I went back to having dinner together every night. I was happy to be back. I was even happier to see Allie every day, but I had developed a strange longing to see Seraphine again. I pushed the longing aside, knowing I needed to stay closer to Allie for the time being.
One afternoon, Mr. Fausto called me into his office and asked me to have a seat. “My father, Admiral George Fausto, is coming to visit and see how things are going. He’s interested in meeting you, and would like to meet your family.”
“Sir, I am honored he wants to meet my family, but my sister can’t know about all of this.”
“We are aware of that. We figured you could tell her your boss and his father are coming to dinner.”
“Is this an order?”
“No, of course not, but highly encouraged. It would be a shame to disappoint an admiral who may help you later with your sister.” The way he said it made me suspicious of his motivations. Something was off about his entire request.
I shifted in my chair trying to control my unease. “He knows my dad won’t participate, right? It’s the bar, bed, or his chair, that’s all he’s ever up for.”
“Yes, he knows all about your dad, and he’s fine with it.”
I finally agreed. I cleaned the entire house, hoping it would meet the admiral’s standards. I told Allie this dinner was very important for a possible promotion.
She smirked. “Maybe I should misbehave then. Make sure you stay home.”
“Come on, Allie.”
“I’m kidding. As much as I hate you working all the time, I’d never sabotage what you really want.”
“I appreciate it.”
None of this was what I really wanted, but it protected her so—in a roundabout way—it was all that I wanted. I adjusted my tie and glanced at the clock. They would be here any minute. An admiral was having dinner at my home, and there wasn’t much to my house. It was a simple white, two-story farmhouse. I ordered food from one of the restaurants in town that did delivery, since I was too nervous to cook. Allie dressed up for the occasion by wearing her favorite yellow dress.
“I promise I won’t do anything too crazy, and I’ll try not to talk their ears off,” she said as the doorbell rang.
