“They stole us from our home to have a dog show? Didn’t they realize we were people? With thoughts and family and friends?”
“I always felt they saw us as primitive. The way they looked down at us, and when they wanted one of us to do something, they’d exaggerate their gestures and sounds. Like in a movie when a caveman wakes up in modern times and someone is explaining the concept of a phone. Everything was slow and drawn out. When it became obvious to them that we didn’t understand, their expression was almost one of I told you they were stupid. I honestly believe they thought we were primitive beasts.”
Savannah’s mind whirled with this information. A growl rumbled in her throat, but she bit it back. She wasn’t a mindless animal!
“Savvy, don’t hold back.”
She blinked away her tears and focused on Evan.
He tried to smile for her. His mouth trembled, and teeth flashed. “Be mad. You have the right. What you went through was cruel. I can’t imagine a creature with any kind of empathy or logic who could enslave another living being. In my mind, they’re the monstrous ones.”
“What was done to you was worse.”
Evan shrugged. “I’m coping.”
His nonchalance sent a jolt through her. He acted as though she got the worse end of the stick. “But you deserve to be angry, too!”
Cupping her face so she was staring into his eyes, he rubbed his nose with hers. The amber of his eyes glowed. His voice was steady, but underneath a storm raged. “I am. I. Am. Furious. If I ever saw them again, I’d tear them to pieces with my bare hands.” He laughed softly, but it was tense. Gently, he raked his nails across her skin. “I have the claws to do it, too. But I can’t let that rage consume me. I have to look to the future. With you in my life, I have the chance to be happy again. Even if being normal is impossible, I can be happy. I’ll choose that over anger every time.”
Savannah’s heart ached for him. He had been through hell, and he remembered the horrible details for both of them. An outcast was all he could be. The burden weighed him down, but he carried it, and it made him stronger.
Together, you and I can face the future.
She kissed his cheek. “Together.”
“Hey, Savannah—” Mandy knocked once then opened the door. She froze. Her gaze locked on Evan.
He spun around to cover his face.
Savannah bolted to her roommate and shoved her out the door. She managed a casual smile and leaned against the wall. “Hey, you’re back early. Why? What happened? Was your class cancelled?”
Mandy didn’t move. Even her hand was still poised in the air. “H-He-He didn’t have a-a-a…mouth.”
Savannah considered telling Mandy she hadn’t noticed Evan’s mouth or that he was wearing elaborate face make up, but it sounded ridiculous. She sighed and hung her head. “This is why I was avoiding you meeting him.”
Mandy looked at her. The horrified expression made Savannah’s stomach lurch. The world would see Evan the same way. He would be a monster to them.
“What happened to him?”
“It was a birth defect.” The lie formed quickly. “He has a craniofacial disorder. When he was in the womb, things didn’t go right, and his mouth is underdeveloped. That’s why it may have looked, uh, weird. Surgery wasn’t an option.”
Pity melted some of Mandy’s repulsion.
Savannah wasn’t sure it was much better than thinking Evan was a monster. She pushed on. “He normally keeps his face covered. People stare less.” She gave Mandy a pointed look.
Mandy blinked. “Can he talk?”
“His vocal cords are normal, but it’s not easy for him to talk.” She touched Mandy’s arm. “You okay?”
“Umm, I…” Mandy rubbed her forehead. “Yeah. I… I’m sorry. It was a shock, and I’d like to apologize.” She grabbed Savannah’s arm, whispering, “Can he cover up, though?”
“Sure. It’s hard for him, too, just so you know.” She slipped back into her room. Thankfully, Evan hadn’t bailed. How’d she explain his disappearance to Mandy? Yeah, her boyfriend had a deformed mouth because of aliens and jumped out of a three-story building because her roommate saw him and freaked out.
I heard.
“You okay with it?”
“It’s dehumanizing. I can smell her emotions, and ‘Can he cover up?’ With you, I was finally comfortable being without the scarf. Now I don’t want to remove it.”
Savannah pulled it down and kissed his cheeks, and then his lips. “I’ll hide it from you if I have to. Ready?”
“Hardly. I considered jumping out the window, but that’d cause more questions.”
At the door, he stopped to ensure the scarf covered his neck as well. His palm was sweaty when he took her hand. Savannah gave him a squeeze, wishing she could do more to make this easier for him.
Mandy tensed, staring intently at Evan’s chest.
That’s not helping.
Savannah ignored the commentary. “Mandy this is…” She looked at him, questioning.
Sure, give her my real name.
“Evan.”
Mandy’s gaze moved to the top of his head. “Hi. Sorry for barging in on you. Savannah explained everything to me. Sorry for gawking.”
Now if only she’d actually stop gawking.
Savannah shot him a glare. He needed to roll with it. In an ideal world, Mandy would accept him, but this was reality. Life’s a bitch, and then you die.
Evan coughed. In a gargled voice, he said, “Sss o’ay. I…ge’it.”
Talking had to hurt him, but Savannah wanted him to speak more. She hadn’t been sure if what she heard in her head was how he actually sounded. This was his voice. It was a little hoarse, as if his mouth was full of marbles, but it was real.
Mandy looked traumatized. Savannah ushered Mandy to her bedroom. “Oh my gosh. He sounds horrible. You are so good to be with him.”
The air was sucked from Savannah’s lungs, as if she was punched in the stomach. “I’m so good to be with him? Do you know how insensitive you sound right now? I grew up with him. I love him and have my entire life. There is nothing abnormal about him. I am furious you think my emotions are an act of good will for some poor cripple.”
She stalked out of Mandy’s bedroom and slammed the door with all her strength. The wood buckled and splintered. She grabbed Evan and dragged him out of the apartment. “We’re going out in public. On a date. You owe me mac and cheese.”
Chapter: Evan
Evan and Savannah sat at a picnic bench on the campus quad. Savannah stabbed her food and pushed the noodles and cheese around the black plastic tray. Her chin was propped on her fist. The way her brow furrowed made her look like a sullen child forced to eat vegetables. She threw the fork down and cast a glare at the people walking by.
“Everyone is staring at you.”
Evan sighed. “Don’t worry about it.”
Her anger zeroed on him, but he didn’t flinch. What else could he say? Yes, Mandy’s words were cruel, yet it didn’t surprise him. When necessity forced him among people, they stared. Their eyes asked what deformity he kept hidden behind the scarf. If he had been in their shoes, he knew he would react the same.
“Savvy, listen to me.” He moved to her side. People passing by glanced at him, but he didn’t care if it looked as though he was saying nothing. Savannah was the only person worth struggling to make himself heard. “Mandy wasn’t trying to be mean. Her intentions were good but misguided.” He paused, remembering Mandy snooping in Savannah’s bedroom and the photograph. Suddenly, her interruption didn’t seem so accidental. It almost seemed calculated.
No, that’s stupid, he told himself. Ever since he returned to Earth, he was more paranoid. Always looking over his shoulder.
Mandy knew Savannah was seeing someone and had probably been trying to find out who. It was innocent. He focused back on Savannah. He wasn’t going to upset her more with news of a nosey roommate. “People say insensitive things when they don’t know b
etter.”
“Then they should keep their mouths shut.” Savannah’s voice was low. He wasn’t sure if it was because she was mad and trying not to yell, or so people wouldn’t notice she was replying to him when he hadn’t spoken. She put her head in her hands. Her voice cracked, as if the words were too heavy. “She looked at you as if you were a monster.”
He laughed lightly. “I kinda am.”
She gave him a sour look, but it turned into a smile. She clasped his hand. “My monster.” Pulling her tray back, she began eating. “Does this count as a date? I bought it.”
A voice interrupted them. “Oh, not cool, man.” A guy sat opposite them. He eyed Evan. His lip curled in a smug expression before turning to examine Savannah. “I’d wine and dine you nightly if you were my girl.” He winked.
Evan tensed. A dozen retorts sprang to mind. He caught himself before any of them were heard. Savannah would handle it. Over the years, he had seen her tear down many guys who saw her as a pretty arm decoration and not a person.
She gave the guy a blank stare. “Then I’m glad I’m not your girl. I prefer the guy I’m with who knows I dislike wine and fancy food.” She took a bite of her mac and cheese and moaned softly. “It’s the simple things in life that are enjoyable.”
The guy snorted and rose. “Sounds like you’re the one who needs her mouth covered and not hi—”
Evan jumped to his feet and punched the guy in the face. The dull thud of flesh against flesh sent a ripple of satisfaction through him. The guy crashed to the ground. People paused and stared. Savannah’s mouth hung open. Her eyebrows rose.
Evan shrugged. “I told you, people say insensitive things when they don’t know better.”
Savannah stifled a laugh. “Come on. Let’s go before campus security shows up.”
Hand in hand, they rushed away, escaping into the woods. They didn’t slow until they reached the dump. At the car, Evan lifted Savannah onto the hood. She grabbed his scarf. For a split second, panic twisted his stomach. Mandy’s voice whispered in his head. Can he cover up? The fabric fell from his face, and her lips trailed along his chin, kissing away his fear. His eyelids closed. The world disappeared, leaving just a boy and a girl.
Chapter: Savannah
The dorm door opened, and Mandy walked into the living room. She paused when she saw Savannah and Evan together on the couch. Her gaze landed on Evan’s scarf. Savannah felt him stiffen. Quickly, Mandy turned away and hurried to her room.
Go talk to her.
Savannah scoffed and slumped lower.
Evan grabbed the remote and paused the movie. She tried to snatch it back, but he kept it out of reach. “Come on.” His voice was soft in her head. “She’s your friend, and she’s obviously as hurt as you are.”
“Don’t want to talk.” Savannah’s lower lip couldn’t jut out any farther if she tried.
“Yeah, you do. Even before she returned, you kept looking at the door. You want to fix your friendship.” He pushed and prodded until she stood. “Go. I’ll be right here.” He kicked his feet onto the couch and laced his fingers behind his head.
Savannah walked toward the bedrooms. The hallway felt a million miles long. Evan was right, she wanted to patch things up between her and Mandy, but she wasn’t sure she could forgive her roommate. Her words still echoed in Savannah’s head. At Mandy’s door, she froze. The only sound was Mandy’s steady heartbeat.
Go on.
“I am,” she muttered and knocked.
“Come in.”
The hinges moaned, as if dreading the confrontation. Savannah edged inside, not bothering to shut the door. Evan’s hearing was too good. No matter what, he’d know what was said. She hoped Mandy didn’t say anything stupid. Again.
Mandy sat at her desk. Her books and notebook were closed.
“Working on Lit homework?” Savannah asked.
Mandy shrugged. “Essay due tomorrow. I kept putting it off.”
“I’ve slacked off a few times. Keep saying I won’t, but procrastinating is so much easier.”
“Yeah.”
Her anger toward Mandy dissolved like salt in water. Yes, what she said about Evan was cruel and wrong, but Mandy wasn’t a mean person. Savannah knew she was guilty of insensitive thoughts about a handicapped person; pitying them when they deserved to be treated normally. Her father would be ashamed of her. He was proof a disability wasn’t a hindrance.
Savannah knelt before Mandy. “I’m sorry for yelling at you.”
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing,” Mandy swiveled her chair to face Savannah. “What I said was horrible, and I’ve felt guilty about it ever since. I know you’re not shallow. If you get with a guy, it’s because you like him. I was shell-shocked, and I forgot I was talking about a person. I hope I can apologize to Evan again.”
Savannah smiled. “He knows.” She held out her arms. “Forgive and move on?”
“Forgive and move on.” Mandy hugged her. She leaned back with a sigh. “What a weight off my chest. Hopefully I can get this stupid essay done now.”
“I’ll leave you alone then.”
“Hey,” Mandy called when Savannah reached the door. She winked. “I better not walk out and find you two half naked on the couch.”
“Well, it’d be fair since I’ve found you that way a few times.”
“Point taken.”
Savannah felt lighter as she rejoined Evan. She folded her arms, refusing to accept his embrace. His eyes twinkled at her. “Wipe that smug look off your face.”
His expression switched to sad-eyed puppy dog.
She melted against him, letting out a sigh. “And don’t even think it.”
What? I told you so?
****
Red, orange, and yellow splashed the trees. A chill rode on the wind, promising winter. Savannah tugged her coat tighter and gnawed on the inside of her cheek. Snow was a couple months away, but she couldn’t stop thinking about how Evan would be out in the cold. No protection but a rusty car. No warmth but his coat. Alone. She wanted to insist he stay in her apartment, but the risk of someone else seeing him uncovered was too great.
She considered skipping class and going to make sure he was okay, but she forced herself to remain on campus. As twilight dawned, she packed up blankets and her pillow—she’d buy a new one tomorrow—and headed to the dump.
“Evan?”
An eerie silence hung in the forest. Despite her coat and fingerless gloves, she shivered. A rustling made her jump, but it was a rabbit hopping out of a bush. Nose twitching, it rose on its hind legs. After a moment, it crouched back down and began nibbling the grass. She shifted her weight, and the rabbit froze. It assessed her before resuming eating.
“You and I are both on edge, eh, bunny?”
Savannah leaned on the hood of the car. The cold metal bit through her clothing. She tried settling on the grass, but the ground wasn’t much warmer, and she swore bugs were crawling up her pant legs. Getting up, she paced. The movement warmed her. Nearby, the rabbit continued to graze.
A branch snapping set the animal racing away. Evan appeared like a phantom out of the trees. Blood dripped down his chin and chest. She yelped and raced to him.
“Are you all right?”
“You know, it’s kind of shocking how fast you can move now. Like a cheetah.” Pushing past her, he strode to the car and pulled out a bloodstained towel.
Panic jammed into Savannah’s stomach like a knife. “OH MY GOD!”
Evan paused. “What?”
Savannah flapped her hands at him. “Did something attack you?”
His shoulders slumped, and he turned away. “You’re not making it easy to act casual.” He wiped his face and hands and tossed the towel back into the car. The scarf was secured first, and then he put on his shirt and trench coat. Finally, he said, “I’m okay. I just ate.”
Still, he didn’t look at her. A lump clogged Savannah’s throat. She was an idiot. He told her they made him into a vampire
of sorts, and here she was making a fuss about it. She closed the distance between them and lifted his chin. “Sorry for making you uncomfortable. But you gotta admit, showing up covered in blood is more than a little worrying. I thought a bear had tried to maul you.”
He weakly laughed. “I suppose I can see your point. Sorry for scaring you. Eating isn’t the easiest thing to do. It gets messy, and I own one shirt. I’d rather not get blood on it.”
“How do you get blood? Do you sneak up on unsuspecting women and say, I vant to suck your blood?”
He shook his head. Some cheer brightened his eyes. “No. I usually catch a small animal.” The happiness turned to uncertainty, and he glanced at her to gauge her reaction.
“Aww, you mean the poor bunny I saw was dinner? Bambi, too?”
“Deer are too large for me to handle, but yeah, Thumper’s on the menu. You can see why I don’t invite you to dinner.”
“Yeah, but at least you can get away with talking with food in your mouth.”
Evan burst out laughing, although it sounded more like a cough. “I guess there’s a bright side to everything.”
“You should go after raccoons only. Rabies infested, dog killing pests.” Savannah scowled at the forest as if a group of them was going to burst from the trees. Her childhood pet, a sweet golden lab named Sassy, had been bit by a rabid raccoon and had to be put down. Ever since, she loathed the furry bandits.
“They can put up a fight if I don’t surprise them.”
“Because they’re jerks.”
“I doubt that.”
“Beady-eyed assholes out to murder cute puppies. You’re my revenge. Raccoon revenge. Kill my dog, you bastards, and I’ll sic my alien-vampire-boyfriend on you.”
“Okay, time to change the subject.” He picked up the bag. “What’s this?”
“Some things for you to stay warm in the winter.”
He pulled out the pillow and blanket. His fingers ran over the fabric, as if he had just been handed a priceless treasure. A rumbled piece of black fabric fell to the ground. He picked it up and smoothed it. “This, too?”
Abducted Life Page 9
