by Poppy Rhys
How would a person imprisoned for five space terms ‘know some people’?
Senna, she could understand. She was his nurse. Was he also good pals with port security, or captains willing to risk their licensing by harboring a fugitive? Clients of his maybe?
A little ‘I make you come, you spot me a ticket to wherever the hell I want’?
Without warning, his fingers brushed hers upon the seat between them.
She flinched, heat frying the skin he touched.
“Yes,” he grated. “I know some people.”
Fin waited for an explanation.
“Thank you,” she said flatly, when none came. “That explained so much.”
The suffocating scent of his smoky musk was all she could breathe. Him. It smelled as if he’d been living outdoors, similar to the fragrance she smelled upon entering his cage, except cleaner.
Less Toto, more Tarzan.
The transport slowed, pulling her attention forward. The glowing, hovering expressway signs above them indicated the port was only five kilometers until the exit.
Her relief was quickly eclipsed by the unusual flow of traffic as she noticed flashing red and white lights six vehicles ahead of theirs.
“No,” she breathed, her eyes growing in size as her insides felt liquefied and her head shook side to side in disbelief. “It’s a traffic stop.”
Hunter put his scarf back in place, grasping hers and doing the same. Once again, only their eyes were visible.
“That’s not gonna help!”
“Calm yourself, human.”
“I am calm! This is me calm.”
Fin leaned on the edge of her seat, a small tremble brushing her lips as she watched the lights of the Vishik Guard creep closer.
Her eyes darted around the transport that was beginning to feel more like a cage. The wandering orbs landed on Hunter, watching as he moved his hand near the door, his fingers hovering above the control panel.
She jumped when she felt his right hand grasp her left tightly.
“What are you..?” she started, her words trailing quickly into alarm.
“Almost…” he mumbled under his breath.
“Almost wha-”
Fin yelped, her words cut off as the alien squeezed her hand a little too tightly, as if he wanted her to shut up.
He quickly touched the controls, the door whisking open with a soft whooshing sound.
What the hell is he d-
Hunter tightened his grip and tugged her from the transport, to the pavement, and into a dark alley that she hadn’t noticed was there until just now.
Hidden by the edge of the building, the alien looked back at her, covering his mouth with a single finger, indicating the need for silence.
Finley’s brow dipped suspiciously before she nodded affirmation, her heart leaping to her throat when she pressed her back to the wall.
Carefully, Hunter peered around the corner, making sure they hadn’t been spotted exiting the transport, and then withdrew, resting his back to the wall and letting out a small, visible sigh of relief.
“We’ll find a way through. From the amount of light showing a few corners down the way,” he gestured to the multiple buildings lining the alley, “I assume they have each intersection blocked.”
“You better be right, alien,” she eyed the dark path ahead. “Else we’ll both get prison time.”
She heard him wearily exhale.
Silently, they made their way down the dark passageway to the other end of the building.
There were rows upon rows of them, mostly for storage she assumed as they were in the industrial district. She closed her eyes tight when a gust of wind whirled between two structures and blew sand into her face.
Hunter stopped and peered around the corner, checking his hypothesis.
“As I expected.”
Was that gloating?
“They have the entire port district cut off.”
“So now what?” She quizzed, her guts jumbling, making her fear bile would work it’s way up her esophagus.
The Yarian didn’t reply, but instead looked around intently before quickly gazing around the corner once more.
“Over.”
That was all he said as he pulled back and looked down at her.
“Over? Over what?”
A foreboding sensation slaked over her skin.
“The buildings. They aren’t very far apart.”
Fin suppressed a groan, looking up. She hated heights.
“The rooftop will put a bit of distance between us and the Guard.”
He said it with so much more confidence than she felt she had.
“Here,” Hunter spoke lowly, directing her to the bottom of a ladder, “climb.”
Finley did as instructed and reached for the ladder with a sweaty hand. As she did, pain pierced through her neck and shoulder, and she was forced to drop her arm again.
She’d forgotten her injury, the one he’d inflicted, but unfortunately it had not forgotten her and was all too eager to give her a harsh reminder.
“I can’t,” she winced, grating between clenched teeth. “Thanks to you.”
Without flinching, she watched as Hunter quickly reached for his waist and removed a sash holding his garment to his body, and tied the ends together.
He made a makeshift sling, looping it around himself.
“Move behind me,” he instructed after he twisted the fabric. “I will carry you.”
“Careful alien,” she teased. “I’m beginning to think you’re sweet on me.”
He growled.
“That’s more like it.”
With direction, she slipped the fabric over her body, the sling curving under her bottom.
She locked her arms and legs around his body as tightly as she could. Fin didn’t trust the sling.
His scent was stronger now, his skin warm beneath hers, even with the fabric separating them.
Pinch!
Focus.
She nearly lost her grip when Hunter launched up the ladder, a small gasp escaping her lips. The rounded, protruding spines along his back jabbed her from breastbone to abdomen, the position highly uncomfortable.
In a moment they were cresting the rooftop and she loosened her grip, about to step down.
“Don’t,” he started, “hold on tightly, and don’t scream.”
A cold chill skittered through Finley, and just as quickly, she regained her grip.
“Why would I scream?” Her voice jittered, nails digging into her own wrist as she looped them around his neck.
He crouched down as they reached the far side of the roof, the hundred foot drop making her toes curl as a sickening cringe seeped up her legs.
Peering over the edge, he looked around for a moment before moving back a good distance and hunched down again.
Oh God help me. I’ll never walk into another sex shop for the rest of my life, I swear it to the five trade planets.
Hunter lowered his head for a moment and took in a deep breath. Finley could feel his body expand as his muscles soaked up the extra oxygen. He exhaled and took two more breaths.
Raising his head, he moved quickly, his reactions so swift she thought she might topple off him, bouncing back on her ass.
In a second they were in the air -she bit into her bottom lip, holding back the scream her body was preparing- and in another, they were on the opposing building.
“I’m gonna be sick,” she moaned, air bubbling from her throat before she gnashed her teeth together.
“Weak,” she heard him sneer.
“I have half a mind to vomit down your back just for that.”
The alien stood still for a moment, listening, and then looked over the edge. She could tell he was enjoying this as he pulled back and made his way for the opposite side of the building.
Halfway across, he broke into a full sprint and cleared the next invisible hurdle, and then the third before finally slowing to a stop at the far edge of the fourth build
ing.
There were no lights below, so he found the ladder and began their descent.
Once back on the ground, she was finally able to loosen her death grip on his muscular frame.
Fin nearly crumpled to the pavement on wobbly legs. If she wasn’t in such a hurry, she might even lay on the ground, feel it up, and give it a big, wet kiss.
She had a newfound appreciation for his strength, albeit alien to her, though she could’ve done without the feeling of being thrown into an industrial drier.
Her palm rubbed her chest, feeling sore and bruised from the impact of each jump. Those weird spines of his made for rough piggy-back rides.
Hunter untied the sash and wrapped it around his waist again before grabbing her hand, and pulling her into the darkness of the alley ways.
They ran away from the flashing lights, ducking across backstreets and roads, making their way towards the port. She could tell because she started picking up a hint of fuel on the air as they made their way toward their destination; their salvation.
Almost a free bird.
A sharp noise, like metal on metal broke her train of thought, and she realized they’d stopped running.
A dark figure was standing in their way, a steel pipe in his hand, tapping the ground beside him.
“Hey There!” the figure said, a menacing tone to his voice. “Spare a few credits for a guy down on his luck?”
Hunter pressed his arm against her chest, moving her roughly behind him.
“Sorry friend,” Hunter said in an equally menacing tone. “I’m afraid we have nothing to give.”
“That’s really a shame,” a voice said from behind them, making her jump.
They both looked back to see four more figures slowly converging around them, each one brandishing some form of crude and rudimentary weapon.
“What about the girl?” the farthest one piped up, aiming his weapon in her general direction. “You could always share. Or just leave her here with us.”
Finley’s lip curled up. “Rot in hell-”
“Human,” Hunter warned, cutting her off.
The miscreants hooted.
“She’s got a dirty mouth on her, don’t she?” A sliver of light crossed his face as she watched him lick his lips, jagged, broken fangs adorning his mouth.
Her fingers curled into Hunters back, the fabric of his clothing clenched in her hands as she held onto him.
“Let us pass,” Hunter’s voice dipped, the threat of ‘or else’ making her a little nervous.
His fingers tightened into large, lethal fists.
“Sorry pal,” the first one said. “The toll has to be paid. See, we run this area of the docks. Nobody gets through without giving up something.” An ugly sneer scrawled across his face as he moved forward to look Hunter in the eyes.
“Let us pass,” Hunter said again, a low growl emitting from his throat. “I won’t repeat myself a third time.”
“Look here doucheba-” the man’s words stopped abruptly when he grabbed at Hunter’s collar and pulled.
He stared intently for a second, and she realized the male had snatched the Yarian’s covering from his face, revealing his green tone.
Startled the assailant stepped back for a second. “You’re them aren’t you? The two the pigs are looking for.”
Hunter pulled his covering over his face again and stood in silence as their attacker began to laugh.
“It’s our lucky day boys. This here is that green skinned asshole and his bitch that have the bounty on ‘em. They’re worth a hundred-thou’. Looks like its payday!”
Finley gasped as Hunter pushed her aside quickly, blocking an attack from the first man as two more attacked from behind.
In an instant he reached out, hitting the second attacker square in the chest with an otherworldly force, knocking the man back and off his feet before he landed against the wall and slumped to the ground.
The alien howled as a pipe stuck his back.
Reaching out, he grabbed the third man by the shirt, pulling him close and punching him severely in the jaw.
That bile stirred at the back of her throat as she watched his head move backward with a definitive crunch, his neck and jaw breaking from the force of the blow.
The giant tossed him aside like discarded trash.
Turning to the first man, he dodged as the pipe was swung at his core, and then his head. He crouched down, spread out like an animal ready to attack.
Dodging the next swing he jumped, grabbing the first man by the arm as he sailed over his head, and pulled him over his shoulder forcefully.
The shoulder dislocated and the man let out a pained, terrified scream as he was hauled into the air and thrown powerfully back to the ground, the sound of hip bones breaking upon impact.
Finley cringed and looked away just in time to see the remaining two turning to run as Hunter advanced towards them evilly.
“Hunter!” she screamed.
The Yarian stopped mid step and looked back at her, his eyes light with rage, teeth bared, and chest grunting air.
“There’s no time!”
He looked back to the escaping offenders, almost longingly she thought, before he let out an annoyed grumble and moved toward her.
When he reached for her hand, she pulled back.
Annoyance lit his features.
“If I wanted to kill you, I would have.”
Her brow pinched. That was reassuring.
She stared at his hand for a moment, that old phrase ‘once bitten, twice shy’ perfectly describing how she felt, before taking it in her grasp and allowing him to pull her to her feet.
“You didn’t have to push me,” she swallowed, insulted as she brushed the dirt from her backside. “That hurt, you jerk.”
“You’ll live,” he shrugged.
She followed him silently, all the while never letting go of his hand.
They made their way through the dark alley’s and abandoned streets until finally she could start to see the interplanetary transport shuttles.
Carefully they made their way close to the transports, avoiding detection. Officers littered the boarding areas checking identification.
No doubt they were looking for the two of them.
She stopped suddenly as they weaved between buildings, jerking Hunter to a standstill. “There it is! The transport to Dor Nye!” she exclaimed as she moved toward the large craft.
“Wait!” Hunter grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back behind a dark corner just as a Vishik Guard vehicle slowly drove by. A voice in the distance rang out the final boarding call.
“But they’re going to leave,” she said, wriggling to get away. “I’m gonna miss it!”
“It isn’t safe.” He pulled her tight to him again. “There’s another way.”
“But…,” she muttered, reaching out desperately, as she watched the transport doors close. Her nerves jerked, the sealing of the shuttle having the effect of a door being slammed in her face.
“There’s a safer way.”
Did she detect a hint of reassurance in his tone?
He pulled at her to follow. “I’ve already made arrangements.”
Fin wanted to vent her frustration as she gave one last look at the closed shuttle.
Quietly, they made their way through the port, the sounds of the commercial shuttles falling further behind them. She looked around. All she could see now were freighters, and material goods transports.
She hoped the alien knew what he was doing.
Coming upon a well lit area, he motioned for her to stay hidden, and then looked around the corner.
“Stay here until I signal you.”
He stood and walked away.
“Wait, wha-” her words cut off as she watched him briskly make his way across the tarmac towards a vessel where two figures were standing.
She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she watched intently as one of the figures turned to see who was approaching before motioning to t
he second individual.
They were Yarian’s. She could tell by their unmistakably green skin, and broad bodies.
She remembered then how minutes’ prior, he said he’d made arrangements. How, she had no recollection.
Maybe he stepped away when she wasn’t paying attention to use Senna’s comm. That made most sense to her.
When Hunter got to them, she could tell they were talking. The seconds seemed like hours as she waited there in the dark while they just stood in place.
Please, don’t bash their heads in, she prayed to whoever might be listening.
Suddenly, they were embracing, each one with a hand on the back of the head of the other, temples pressed together. They separated, and Hunter turned in her direction, motioning for her to approach.
Unsure, she looked around carefully as she made her way through the random mix of crates and machinery and finally to Hunters side, where she half stood behind him.
“Fffinley,” he drawled, “these are my tribesman, Roki, and Nik. My best friends; my brothers,” he informed, motioning from left to right.
Uh-huh…
They smiled at her before laughing and saying something in a language that didn’t translate. Their native tongue, she assumed.
“What did they say? What’s so funny?”
“They said you look like you need to grow some more,” he answered wryly, a smirk parting his lips. “And that they are ready to go.”
“Go? This is our ride?” she frowned, looking skeptically at the cargo ship, choosing to ignore the insult.
“Yes.” Hunter replied. “We’re taking you home.”
His tribesman turned to gather what they’d been securing when Hunter interrupted them, giving her a chance to toss her companion a ‘what the fuck’ glare.
Her eyes roved the patched up hull of the dull gray ship, partly wondering if it would even hold up during atmosphere breach.
She longed to head back to the commercial side of port, and search for another shuttle leaving for Dor Nye. There had to be one or two…
Just as she looked back, the alien was grabbing her hand again and pulling her along.
Dammit…
They trudged up an extended metal walkway, the few crewman and port workers in the colossal bay paying them no mind as they went about their business.
