Page 37

37

Olivia

When I wake up, I’m trapped. It takes me a moment to work out that it’s Kroaicho. We are both on our sides, zha pulling me close. I try to wake Kroaicho up, but zha is like an immovable object. I manage to free one arm and give a gentle push against zha’s chest, which only makes zha’s other arm tighten around me.

Great. Just great. I consider using my new strength, but it would be a rude awakening.

"Alright, buddy. Time to let go," I whisper, half-heartedly trying not to laugh. Kroaicho's skin is a soft, warm hue—somewhere between orange and white—but the big lunk is dead asleep, zha’s breathing slow and steady, entirely oblivious to my struggle.

After a few more awkward tugs and some serious contortionist-level maneuvering, I manage to extricate myself. Finally free, I stretch my arms high above my head, muscles protesting from the odd sleeping position.

"Not sure how I'm alive after that," I mumble, a little bemused at myself for managing to escape what felt like a living weighted blanket. A very, very big one.

Once my limbs stop aching from the stretch, I glance around. Not sure how or when… but I can see a pile of treasure starting up in a far corner of the cave and I snort.

That didn’t take long.

I shift my gaze to Kroaicho, still peacefully asleep. Zha’s long, muscular arms are curled slightly, massive forelimbs resting gently against the ground. There's something oddly serene about watching the lumbering oaf rest like this, the soft glow of zha’s orange hue radiating warmth.

I creep closer, cautious not to wake zha just yet now that I extracted myself. Leaning over zha’s face, I find myself staring at the soft rise and fall of zha’s chest, the gentle flutter of zha’s spiked head with each breath. It's strangely captivating, to watch this powerful alien creature at rest. For a moment, it's easy to forget just how dangerous everything on this planet is, Kroaicho included.

I start to prop my chin on the back of a hand, then have to reassess when claws are in the way. Then I’m back to watching him for a few minutes.

Soon the boredom starts to creep in. Sure, watching an alien sleep is fascinating for about thirty seconds, but then it's just… sleeping. My mind drifts, and I consider exploring the island again. I glance toward the cave's dark mouth, curiosity stirring inside me.

But then, the memory of getting lost in endless passages slithers into my brain, and a shudder runs down my spine. Yeah, nope. I'm not wandering alone right now.

With a sigh, I turn back to Kroaicho. There's really nothing else to do, and boredom is quickly turning into impatience. I cross my arms, tapping my foot. "Alright, big zha," I mutter under my breath, "time to wake up."

It’s not really needed, I know… I could just go find someone to talk to, but once I get something in my head it’s hard to change direction. I poke zha’s chest. Nothing.

"Hey, Kroaicho," I whisper, jabbing zha again, harder this time.

Zha doesn't move, just continues zha’s steady breathing, oblivious to my poking. I huff in frustration, but I'm not giving up that easily. Leaning closer, I give zha another series of pokes, one after the other, right in zha’s side.

"Come on," I grumble, now poking zha like I'm trying to win a carnival game. "Wake up!"

Kroaicho groans softly, shifting slightly, but still refuses to open zha’s eyes. I grin mischievously. If this glow stick thinks zha can out-sleep me, zha has got another think coming.

"Alright, fine," I say, poking zha once more for good measure. "You asked for it."

I poke zha’s nose this time. Zha finally stirs, eyes fluttering open slowly, blinking up at me with a look that could only be described as alien irritation. Kroaicho’s skin flushes a deep violet and I can't help but laugh at the sight of it.

"There you are," I say, giving the alien a cheeky grin. "Good morning, sunshine."

Kroaicho glares at me… or, well, zha’s version of a glare, but it's hard to take the big zha seriously when zha is still glowing a soft orange from contentment. "Why?" zha’s voice is low, groggy, and mildly accusatory. “That is an incredibly rude place to…” zha trails off, then repeats the question. “Why?”

I raise an eyebrow. "Why what?"

"Why wake me?" the alien grumbles, sitting up with a groan, Zha’s massive arms stretching out beside zha. Kroaicho gives me a curious look, eyes flicking over my face, then lower to my glowing skin.

I roll my eyes, then hiss out in pain, clutching at my face and blinking hard.

Kroaicho's glow shifts to white—amusement. "Did I not say that it wasn’t natural to roll your eyes about?"

I feel my skin heat up, the glow from my own body deepening to a dark purple—annoyance. I glare at the overgrown candle stick, then take a deep breath, letting out a huff. "I woke you up because I'm bored, okay?"

Kroaicho blinks at me, tilting zha’s head in confusion. "Bored?"

"We talked about this. Yeah, you know, that feeling where you're sitting around doing nothing for so long that you start to go insane?" I wave my hands for emphasis. "That."

The alien's amused glow brightens, the white practically jumping off zha’s skin. Zha leans back on zha’s massive arms, giving me a look that's somewhere between smug and curious. "We have talked about this, yes. And you need… me?"

I scowl, crossing my arms tighter over my chest. "Yes, I need someone to talk to. Is that so hard to believe?"

For a moment, Kroaicho just stares at me, and then zha blinks again, this time faster, before zha straightens up. Zha’s glow shifts from white back to a soft orange, and zha leans in slightly, eyes wide with sudden interest. "What do you wish to talk about?"

I freeze for a second, taken aback by the sudden shift in zha’s mood. Kroaicho looks almost… eager? I wasn't expecting that.

"Well, uh…" I start, but my words trail off as I try to think of where to even begin. The glow of my eyes reflects in zha’s now attentive gaze, and I feel my pulse quicken at the intensity in zha’s gaze.

Is it just me or did the temperature just skyrocket?

Shit, what did I want to talk about again? I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind.

“Want to go for a swim?”

Zha’s skin flares purple and then I remember the incident when we got to the lake and suddenly I can’t stop laughing.