by Ella Maven
Anna
* * *
After Tark left, I fretted for a while. Older Blue, who I learned was named Shep after an awkward and long conversation, remained patient with me. He showed me how to bathe, which blew my mind. Essentially, I stood in a cylinder, like a standup tanning booth, as hot air blasted me. And it worked.
After I emerged and pulled the old gross dress over my head, I discovered that Shep was gone. I took another nap, because why not? And when I awoke, I was still alone. I wandered around the back room for a while, which reminded me of a doctor’s office exam room. I didn’t dare touch any gadgets, for fear I’d blow up either myself or the hut. Then I sat on the bedding, pulled my knees to my chest, and forced myself to work through my feelings.
I’d been so focused on surviving, and I finally had time to process. Or at least, process what I was capable of. I still wasn’t sure I’d quite fully wrapped my brain around where I was. Or how I got here. Or what the hell I was going to do.
It amazed me how quickly I’d come to rely on Tark and process my new surroundings. Growing up, I’d never really had a home base. I was an only child, and we moved often for my father’s job, mainly in the South. Then my parents divorced when I was a preteen, and my new normal was an overworked mom and an absent dad. I’d been relatively close with my mom, but she died of a heart attack when I was in college. After that, I moved several more times as better-paying library jobs opened up. I’d been in South Carolina for only about a year and half before… Well, before I’d woken up on a spaceship.
I had a few friends who would miss me, but probably not anyone who would actively push to find me. I hadn’t talked to my dad in three years. I’d learned to adapt quickly to new circumstances, but those circumstances still had boundaries and certain parameters since they were all on… well… Earth. I’d always been a curious person. As a kid, I loved fantasy books and used to analyze the black and white maps in the front of the books. Tracing my fingers over the little triangle mountains and the squiggly line oceans, I’d close my eyes and picture another world. Of course, that’d been from the safety of my bedroom where the only stars were the glow-in-the-dark ones on my ceiling.
Yet now that another world was my reality, I wasn’t losing my mind, only mildly freaking out inside. I could only surmise that the source of my semi-calm was Tark. Something about him made me feel safe, and I wanted to explore that. Maybe that made me a little loony, but if focusing on Tark helped me cope with my current situation, then I was going to go with it. Anything was preferable to losing my mind.
Deciding to explore a bit more, I left the bed and crept to the front room of the hut. The walls reminded me of a log cabin—thick, rounded trunks held together by a blackened substance. A table stood off to one side with a few chairs, and in the other corner was a smaller set of bedding. This looked to be more like Shep’s living quarters. A pair of boots stood in one corner, and some pants hung over the back of a chair. I wondered what Tark’s home looked like.
I wrapped my fingers around the door’s handle and pulled. The door gave way, a bit of light spilling inside. I gasped and quickly shoved it shut. I had assumed they’d locked me inside. I could open this and just… walk out. Maybe escape. But the thought of striking out on my own on an unknown planet sounded like a terrible idea. Even though I had no idea what awaited me in my future, Tark seemed like my best bet. Not that I was ever good at betting.
I sighed and slipped over to a window. Earlier, I’d heard noises outside, so I didn’t think we were in a secluded area. I peered out, hiding in the shadows as best as I could. I wasn’t risking the chance of walking out there alone and getting snatched up by Ponytail or worse. Was there worse? Probably.
From what I could see, we were in some sort of encampment or settlement. Except it looked like it’d been through a war. At the end of a cracked road stood a large apartment building. The top floor was shorn off and half of the floor below it. Through a hole in the bottom floor, I could see more blue aliens milling about. A lot more. Many walked along the road or stood outside a large garage structure, where they knelt next to dozens of hover bikes. The Blues were strapped with weapons and had multiple piercings on their faces. I thought about Tark’s tongue…and wondered where else these aliens had hidden piercings.
I shook myself. It’s not the time to daydream, Anna! I craned my neck to look outside as far as I dared. In front of another building, racks of what looked to be animal skins dried in the sun, while more aliens knelt over buckets of liquid, dunking clothing and scrubbing them clean. In a larger courtyard area to my left was a large fire, and many aliens stood around, stirring things in pots and eating.
Their technology interested me. Many had a gun-like device strapped to their belt. Their medicines were superior to ours, and that shower thing was definitely like nothing I’d ever seen before. I still couldn’t figure out how that air had cleaned me, but it had. My hair shone, and my skin nearly glowed. But their camp seemed on the primitive side—hand-washing clothes and cooking over an open fire. How did they get their tech? If they stole it, I was curious who they stole it from.
One thing I didn’t see: Females. Unless this species had no distinguishing features between males and females, which I kind of doubted. No females with breasts, no couples who looked to be together. Nothing. Just an entire camp of about fifty big blue males. Plus little ol’ me.
I sucked in a breath and slid back farther into Shep’s house. This was… even worse than I thought. What did they plan to do with me? And now I’d pissed off Tark. The thing was, I was less upset that I’d hurt the only male who’d been nice to me, and more upset that I’d hurt him. The sweet, gentle protector who’d kissed me until I didn’t know my name.
The door swung open with a bang, and I jumped back, expecting Shep, but instead Tark’s wide frame entered the room. His brow was furrowed, lips thinned, and all my hopes that his anger had cooled during the time he was gone were dashed.
“Tark?” I said softly, stepping out from the darkness of the corner.
His head turned to me. His great chest heaved, and then his face softened. “Enna,” he said, holding out a bundle. He placed it on the table and pushed it toward me, then gestured to it with his hand.
I unfolded the fabric to reveal a pair of pants and a shirt. Both were crudely sewn, but they looked like they’d fit. I hadn’t seen a single male out there even close to my size, which meant he would have had to make these himself or have someone else make them. Either way, he’d made the effort to find me clothes that fit, enabling me to wear something other than this horrid dress that made me think of those Blow Hole jerks.
Beneath the clothes were a pair of boots. Real actual boots with soles. And just like when he’d given me something to drink, I burst into big, fat, ugly sobs, right there in Shep’s living room.
He rushed to me immediately, hefting me into his strong arms and depositing me on his lap, settling us both into a soft chair tucked into the corner of the room. “Ch-ch-ch, Enna,” he murmured into my hair.
I wondered if he understood tears. I’d only cried when he did nice things for me, and they were kind of happy tears, but only because there’d been so much crap before this act of kindness. I had worried I’d never eat or have real clothes again.
I got myself under control, wiping the tears from under my eyes and giving him a watery smile. “Thank you, Tark,” I said.
He seemed to like when I said his name, and surely enough, he returned my smile. And maybe the oxygen on this planet had something in it, because I did an insane thing. I kissed him. Just a quick press on the lips. I didn’t stop to think how he’d take it, or if he’d try for more. All I knew was that I wanted to thank him, and I wanted to do it with a kiss.
His hands, which had been wrapped around my waist, flexed, but remained where they were. He didn’t try to take it further. He seemed content with the kiss, leaning back in the chair and giving me a self-satisfied look. Ah, so males from this species were
n’t so different than human males in some ways.
I slowly climbed off his lap and grabbed the clothes he’d brought me. I pointed to the back room to indicate I was going to get dressed, and he nodded, those dark eyes trained on me. Once out of his sight, I hurriedly tore off the dress, tossing it into the corner of the room. They could burn it for all I cared. I slid the pants on, which fit a bit like leggings. The fabric was unfamiliar, of course, and when it came into contact with my body heat, it almost seemed to conform to my curves. Interesting. And comfy. The shirt was a little big and hung off one shoulder. I mourned the lack of a bra, but there was nothing I could do about that.
The boots were awesome. I slipped my feet into them, and like the pants, they formed to my feet. The soles were thick but not too cumbersome. I smoothed my hands down my legs, smiling and feeling more like myself than I had since I left Earth. I skipped out of the back room feeling like a new woman. I twirled in front of Tark, my hands out, like I was trying on wedding dresses for him. “What do you think?”
His grin was huge, and his dimple piercings flashed in the light of the room. He murmured something in his deep voice. I pretended he’d said, “You look amazing.”
He looked kissable. Lickable. And I was about two seconds away from giving in to my urges when the door opened and Shep walked inside.
Five
Tark
* * *
I reluctantly tore my gaze away from Enna. Her smile was captivating, and I vowed to make her smile as much as I could. I hadn’t expected her to be so happy about new clothes. They weren’t made as well as I would have liked, but they were the best Hilo could sew on such short notice. I made a mental note she liked gifts.
Shep cleared his throat and raised his brows at me. “One of Bult’s seconds is guarding my door. You know anything about that?”
My mood immediately soured. They were taking shifts, so I’d be guarded all night. “Bult’s orders. He doesn’t trust me.”
The corner of Shep’s mouth lifted, and he plunked down a packet of meat on the table. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “He shouldn’t trust you.”
“I wish he was stupid,” I muttered.
“If he was stupid, he wouldn’t be our drexel,” Shep said. “Now how about we feed your female.” He turned away from me and powered up his cooking device.
Enna had been listening to our exchange, her face pinched in concentration, as if she was trying to guess what we were saying. I couldn’t get this translator implant fixed fast enough. I longed to talk to her.
“Enna,” I called to her. I sat down at the table, beckoning her with my fingers. She took a few cautious steps toward me, her cute little nose in the air, sniffing as Shep seared our meat. Despite the empty chairs, Enna perched herself on my lap, and my chest nearly burst with pride. I wrapped my arms around her and inhaled the scent of her clean hair.
In minutes, the three of us had plates of antella meat with some vegetables from the clavas’s garden.
“What’s your plan?” Shep asked, his voice pitched low so our guard couldn’t hear.
I jerked my chin toward my bag in the corner. “Supplies are all packed. While Hilo made her clothes, I was busy.”
“Oh yeah?”
“The supply hut along the back wall. I dug a tunnel leading under the wall to the other side. Didn’t take near as long as I’d expected.” I glanced at Enna. “I guess I was motivated.”
Shep smirked. “You don’t say? I’m assuming you need something from me? Like a distraction for your guard?”
I nodded. “Any ideas?”
“Sure. I know Blusser can’t resist spirits. I’ll provide him with some and add a little sleep aide. He’ll be passed out and snoring in no time.”
I smiled. “Perfect. But will they suspect you?”
Shep shook his head. “Stop worrying about me. Worry about yourself and your Enna.”
I glanced down at my empty plate. My stomach was a mass of nerves, but I’d forced myself to eat because I needed the energy. “I won’t be able to take my bike.”
“I figured that.”
I placed a hand on Shep’s shoulder as I already mourned the loss of my bike. “Take care of her for me?”
He smiled and clasped my shoulder. “She will be in good hands.”
* * *
Later that night, I sat in the darkness listening as the sounds of the clavas faded. When I was sure they were all either asleep or passed out, I crept to the window and glanced outside at my guard. I smiled. The sleep aid Shep had covertly given him had worked. Blusser was slumped over, asleep. Soft snores left his mouth.
This was my chance. I gathered my pack and slung it over my shoulder. I’d checked it three times to be sure I had everything I needed, including a few extra clothes I had Hilo make for Enna. The translator implant was tucked away in the pouch at my belt.
With one last look at Shep, I turned toward the back room to retrieve Enna and pulled up short. She stood in the doorway, big eyes illuminated by the starlight creeping in through the windows, her gaze on my pack. Her mouth opened, and closed, and she spoke. “Urrrr leeeevin meh?”
I didn’t bother to answer her, since I didn’t know what she was asking. All I knew was she looked incredibly sad. Did she not want to leave? I wished I could explain to her that I was doing what was best. She was fully dressed, but barefoot. I grabbed her shoes and knelt at her feet, gesturing for her to put them on. Her expression cleared, confusion replacing the sadness. “Um cumming wit uuu? Waree?”
Once her shoes were on, I grabbed her hand. Even though she couldn’t understand me, I spoke anyway. “I’m taking you away from here so I know you’ll be safe. I’ll protect you, Enna.”
She studied my face, and lifted her hand to cup my cheek, slight tremors shaking her hand. I nuzzled into her palm and kissed her wrist. Flushing, she drew her hand back. She bit her lip, eyes still huge and a little wet. She nodded.
I opened the front door slowly. Blusser was still snoring, and the camp was deserted. The clavas fire was merely embers, and a few passed-out bodies were scattered around it with nearby spirits bottles empty.
I turned around and placed my hand over her mouth gently, a sign that I needed her to be quiet. She jerked at my touch, but then seemed to understand and nodded. I took a step outside, pulling her behind me. Once the door was shut, I slipped around the side of Shep’s hut, seeking the safety of the dark shadows.
We headed for the supply hut. I’d placed bedding over the newly dug tunnel in case anyone ventured inside. The tunnel led outside our walls, and branches covered the opening in the dense forest. I hated that I had to make Enna crawl through dirt like an animal, but it was the best option we had to escape.
It took us longer to get to the hut than I wanted, but Enna’s legs were much shorter than mine. She wouldn’t be able to keep up with my walking pace, even if she were running. I would have to carry her once we made it outside these walls. Crouched to remain in the shadows, we didn’t have that option inside the gates.
When we reached the hut, I hefted her into a window, then quickly followed her. She clung to me in the darkened hut with groping hands, and I wondered how well she could see. My eyes had long adjusted to the darkness. I pulled a small solar light from my belt and turned it on. Enna blinked at it, then grabbed it from me with an excited noise.
I shoved the bedding aside to reveal the hole in the floorboards. Enna gasped and shined the light into the inky blackness. “Weer gooin en derr?”
It took some awkward hand motions, but I convinced her to crawl into the hole. I followed her inside, and after grabbing the bedding and recovering the hole with it, I urged her ahead. She looked nervous and kept glancing back at me like she was afraid I didn’t plan to follow. I wished I could tell her I’d never leave her.
When we reached the other side, I pushed through the leafy covering and pulled Enna out. I held her to me. “You did great, Enna.”
Face streaked with dirt, she bea
med at me and patted my cheek. She brushed off her clothes as best as she could. “Ware too nau?”
I gripped her hand and knelt for her to get on my back. The leaves above me rustled. I shoved Enna behind me and rolled to the side just as two feet landed on the ground where I’d been kneeling. Enna muffled a scream, and I jumped to my feet. Juster, Bult’s third, stood with his feet braced and machets lifted.
“I knew you’d try to steal her,” he said, his lips curled into a snarl. “You thought only Blusser was on guard?” He cricked his neck and flexed his arms. “Your mistake. I’ve been watching you this whole time sneaking around. It wasn’t that hard to find your exit hole. And now I have to kill you for stealing Bult’s property. Or I’ll just hurt you real bad and drag you back so Bult can make an example of you. But probably not until you hear the female screaming for what Bult has planned for her.”
Protectiveness surged within me as I unleashed my machets. The bone blades lifted from under my scales, the black shining under the moonlight along my forearms, the top of my head, and down my back to the base of my tail. My nails lengthened into claws. We were bred for fighting, us Drixonians, with razor-sharp weapons just below our skin waiting to be unfurled. We could skin an antella in seconds with just our claws.
“Ooo mah gawwsh.” Enna gasped, but I couldn’t turn to comfort her. My focus had to be entirely on my adversary.
Juster was one of Bult’s best, because he was a good fighter. But he wasn’t me. Juster had tried for the element of surprise, dropping in on me from the trees, but he’d failed. As he watched me ready my armor, the first flicker of fear entered his eyes. I was bigger. Older. What he didn’t know—and what he should fear the most—was that I had something to fight for. Enna. I’d do anything for her, even kill a fellow Drixonian.
