Page 18

18

Full Dark

*Jalen*

T he sun eased its way toward the horizon, lengthening the shadows shading the overgrown footpath. We’d made good time that afternoon despite finding a few spots that were so densely packed with vegetation I’d had to dig out my machete for the first time. Luckily, it wouldn’t be long until we reached our campsite for the night.

“You still hanging in there?” I tilted my head, eyeing Ren for any signs of fatigue.

“I’m good.” She slapped her neck. “But I might need some more of that insect repellent.”

I swung the heavy pack off my back. “The bugs come out in force around twilight. Here.”

“Thanks.” She slowed to a stop and twisted the top off the ointment bottle. “Mosquitos back on Earth like to come out at twilight, too. I wonder if this stuff would work for them?”

I shrugged. “It might.”

“If it does, you could make a killing manufacturing this as an export.” She glanced up at my face and her eyes widened. “Something wrong?”

I forced the look of displeasure off my face, though I couldn’t completely hide my cool tone. “Dionions don’t have any interest in the export business.”

She twisted her lips. “Was just a suggestion.”

With a sigh, I explained, “Dionus was once invaded for our natural resources. The invaders had no respect for the jungle, even causing the extinction of an endangered species that lived in only one small area. We knew back then that we needed to protect the bounty of our planet.”

“That’s really sad. And I kind of get it.” She shook the ointment at me. “But this stuff has the potential to save a lot of lives. Diseases spread by mosquitoes kill thousands of Terrans each year. Mostly the poor, who don’t have access to med-bots.”

“Sounds like you already have technology that cures those diseases. Why don’t you share that with the ones in need?”

Ren’s lips pursed. “I don’t know. I guess some of it is greed from the companies that manufacture the equipment. They value their profits more than making the tech available to everyone.”

“There’s no guarantee this ointment wouldn’t end up the same.” I took the tube back from her. “Someone with power could hoard it. Then more would come, hunting for the secret. They’d tear down the jungle in their ignorance.”

“Huh. I didn’t consider it from that angle.” She started walking again but only made it two steps before stopping abruptly. “Jalen, look!”

I glanced off the path where she pointed. “Another rider.”

She clapped her hands together, and her eyes sparkled. “I might be able to fix this one!”

I couldn’t say no when the excitement pouring off of her was this palpable. “Let’s check it out.”

She barreled off the path, crunching through the underbrush, her gaze glued to the rusted machine. “Give me your pack. I need my tools and the spare parts.”

I handed the bag over and leaned against a tree while she popped the hood. “Will this take long?” I glanced at the sky, my brows dipping.

“Hopefully not. Won’t know for sure until I test a few things.” With that, she proceeded to ignore me like I wasn’t there.

It wasn’t long before I realized I wasn’t needed. “Ren.” She didn’t look up or acknowledge me. “Hey, Ren.”

“Hm?”

“While you’re working, I’m going to hike up the trail to our campsite. Get everything set up for the night. That all right with you?”

She nodded absentmindedly, her hands still moving within the old vehicle. “Okay.”

Was it foolish leaving her alone when she was deaf to the world? I doubted it. Travelers had rarely ventured through this stretch of jungle back when I’d frequented these trails. And judging by how overgrown the footpath was, that was still the case.

We still had a couple hours before full night descended and the real danger arrived. Dradhowlers weren’t an animal you wanted to cross—ever.

I just hoped that when we needed to head in for the night, I’d be able to drag Ren away from her new toy.

*Jalen*

A dull ache settled in my shoulder blades as I trudged down the trail to where I’d left Ren. I’d been forced to clear more brush on the way to the cave, including a particularly stubborn patch of weeds laced with thick vines.

Now the long day began to compound with the lack of sleep I’d gotten last night, making yawns split my lips frequently. Two moons graced the sky, lighting the way nicely, but in a few moments, the larger moon would set, washing the trees in near darkness. Then less than an hour later, the second would follow, bringing on full night.

The moons orbited Dionus at varying orbits, which meant full night didn’t always come at the same time. Some nights, one moon or another graced the sky the entire evening. Unfortunately, tonight was one of the rare nights when full dark lasted most of the night.

Luckily, the moons’ path was predictable. I’d memorized them long ago, same as most Dionions with a fondness for travel.

A bit of my tiredness washed away when I rounded a corner and spotted Ren ahead, still busy tinkering with the rider’s engine. “You ready to go?”

“I need a few more minutes.”

Great… this will be fun. “I’m sorry, but we have to head inside now.”

Ren scowled. “But I’m almost done.” She brightened. “At first, I thought this was a lost cause, like the last one. I’d almost given up and scrapped it for parts when I realized—”

Though I hated to stop her when she was speaking so animatedly, I had to. “That’s great, but if we don’t go inside, we’ll be in danger. Remember the dradhowlers.”

“How far is our campsite? I don’t mind jogging—”

Harlx’s bane! She just wasn’t getting it. “Ren, get your pretty ass moving or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you to safety.”

Her jaw dropped for a split second before her expression shifted to a glare. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

I advanced on her, stopping just shy of her personal space when she retreated a step warily. “I’m not joking. This is serious, Ren. The rider is worthless if we’re torn apart by a dradhowler before we can use it.”

The universe picked the perfect time to highlight the gravity of my words. Just then, the first moon set completely, washing the forest in deepening shadows.

She sighed. “Fine. I guess you’re right.”

I scooped my pack off the ground, thankful she’d kept her tools contained within it. “Come on.” I stretched out a hand, which Ren ignored, electing to pick her way through the underbrush unaided.

We hiked in silence, with Ren tossing icy glares at me every few steps. I didn’t bother trying to thaw her disdain. She’d get over it eventually—I hoped.

Perhaps it wasn’t the smartest move to threaten a female who hated to be touched with throwing her over my shoulder. But I had to do something. She’d been determined to keep working, even when she’d be endangering herself.

She kept up the silent treatment all the way to the cave. Once we were in and the door firmly closed behind us, the tension in my shoulders finally subsided.

Ren glanced around the cave, which was pretty similar to the last one we’d stayed in, but her gaze zeroed in on the pool before long.

“Why don’t you wash first?” I suggested. “You must want to clean that grease off your hands.”

She thrust out a palm expectantly. “Fine. Towel and soap.”

Guess the short-clipped sentences are a step up from complete silence. “Here you go.” I handed them to her with a smile—one she didn’t return.

As she spun on her heel and disappeared behind the screen, I sighed. It seemed Ren still wasn’t ready to forgive me for barking at her earlier. But I might know one way to get back on her good side… Quietly, I slid out of the boulder door and took off running.