Page 15 of LeX (Darverius, House of DaR #17)
Chapter Fourteen
RAFE
I never, ever want to relive this darkness again and if I could erase it from my memories forever, I would. I should have known it wouldn’t be easy, because nothing ever is. Even after witnessing so much lately, nothing could have prepared me for the helplessness of watching her scream and fight against the restraints.
Several times it has taken LeX and I both, with all our strength, to hold her down. I have cleaned her body’s waste and had to change her garments multiple times simply from the sweat and foul liquids that are seeping out of her skin. The last half of this darkness, I sit beside her bed, nervously resting my head on my knees as I watch her every movement.
LeX’s appearance beside me has me striking out. He ducks out of the way just in time, as I barely stop myself from hitting him. “ Sorry , I …”
“ It is fine Rafe , we are all on the edge. She seems to finally be calming down.”
“ I thought that the last time as well. What have we done to her LeX ?”
“ I do not believe SCOUT would lead us wrong when it comes to your human’s health or wellbeing, Rafe . With his help, I have been able to break through to my own mate several times. Medically , that should not be possible, but he has opened my eyes to looking outside the journals and technology of modern medical procedures. He gave me direction when I had no path forward. He gave us an option, and we took it, hoping it would play out in her favor in the long run.”
“ You are right LeX . I am just trying to find something or someone to blame all this on. I just cannot believe she would have willingly done this to herself back on her world. Who would intentionally poison their body, knowing it will not function long at that level? Why would you put yourself through the highs and lows? I just cannot understand.”
“ The pod said it was hers, but something seems off on the data we downloaded on several of them. It did not help that we had to disperse them back into space so quickly, either. If we had more time, I believe we could have pulled more information from their data banks. Wait a moment, ANDI said something that caught me as odd earlier. He said that he could confirm my mate’s name was Rylie . Maybe we should have him look into yours?”
“ I would prefer she opened up to me herself when she is ready. One way or another, it makes no difference to me who she is … she is mine no matter her name or circumstances.”
“ She is lucky to have you, Rafe . I know that your relationship has not started out on the best of terms, but the Lord of Light led you both here. You have to believe in that when all seems lost.”
“ Is that what you are doing?”
“ It sounds good when I say it to you, but I am genuinely struggling. I feel like she is reaching out to me, and I have no idea how to free her from her own mind. I keep asking the same question over and over; what am I missing?”
“ LeX , I never saw a female in my future. My position and this ship were fulfilling enough. But now that I have her, I am not sure what I will do if she rejects me.”
“ Our minds are one and the same Rafe . All we can do is try our best and hope that it works out in the end. Look , her scans are changing.”
Standing up, I walk around the bed to peer at the screen closer. Things that were clearly in the red are slowly moving in the other direction. She is going to be ok. If LeX had not been standing next to me, I might have collapsed right there on the floor.
“ Rafe , I do believe she is through the worst of it. Get some rest while you can. I have a feeling that the female you have been dealing with is not the one that will awaken in about half a rising.”
I lay down next to her on top of the light covering even though I know I should keep my distance. She may wake up and remember everything, or she might simply be in a haze. I won’t miss the constant up and down emotional swings, but I am terrified she will be scared of me and the others once she is thinking clearly.
I felt like I have just closed my eyes when something wakes me. Turning my head, I am shocked to see two bright blue eyes staring back at me. All the words and the questions rush to my head, but I hold back, waiting for her response. Will she even remember me or how she came to be here?
“ Hi ” she whispers, and I swear tears form in my eyes. Blinking them away, I turn over to face her, reaching for her hand slowly.
“ How are you feeling?”
“ Better … worse.”
“ Do you remember me?”
“ Yeah , well, not clearly, just bits and pieces. But I know you’ve been by my side since I got here. I will say, I was a little startled when I woke up and found you lying next to me, though. I’m not sure if what is going on is real, or if I’m still dreaming or dead.”
“ Oh , you are very much alive, and I am real. It is normal to question things after everything you have been through. The drugs in your system didn’t help either.”
“ Drugs ? I don’t take drugs … most of the time I can’t even have a basic Tylenol for a headache; my system doesn’t handle them well.”
“ That explains a lot and is a relief to hear. Are you hungry or thirsty? What can I do for you to make you more comfortable, Cassandra ?”
“ I wouldn’t mind some water, but why do you keep calling me by that name … Cassandra ? I can remember asking you that many times already.”
“ That is what you said it was.”
“ My name is Mandy . I wondered when I woke up if I would tell the truth or the lie.”
“ I think you need to start from the beginning. We have danced around enough with each other and gone through too much for any more lies. How did you end up in that pod if you are not Cassandra Longley ? What is your full name? I know humans are assigned one at birth.”
“ Mandy Rose Weaver , from Ohio . It’s nice to meet you officially Rafe , whatever your last name is, what’s your story?”
“ I am addressed as Rafe , acting general and pilot of the Destroyer aka Destiny , Son of Aden of Darverius and grandson of Elder Radul .” Her eyes get bigger the longer my title goes on.
“ Wow , you must be important! How did you end up stuck with me; was it just because I was so much fun?”
“ Mandy …that name is going to take me a few tries to get correct, so don’t get aggravated with me if I slip up and call you Cassandra by mistake, but I did not nor do I want you just for fun or even temporarily. I want to make you feel happy, secure, and appreciated forever if you will give me that chance.”
“ Those are pretty strong words there, Rafe . I have been alone for a very long time, with no one to depend on but myself, so you will also have to be patient with me. Technically , I should probably be flipping out right now. I don’t know if it’s what has happened to me in the last few days, making my memories about everything seem fuzzy, but you’re an alien.”
“ No , you are the alien. One I am very grateful we were able to find, along with quite a few others of your kind. Once you are feeling better, there are several females on board I know would be delighted to spend time with you.”
“ Yeah , well, I never was one of the popular kids, so I’m in zero hurry to continue that trend. I have so many questions for you, however, I have no idea where to start, and I don’t want you to feel like you’re responsible for me, either. I appreciate everything you have done for me, and I know there were several times I made you feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately , those moments I vividly recall. Nothing like humiliating yourself, but I will say my actions were not normal as I’m typically awkward and shy with guys.”
“ Mandy , let’s clear this up immediately. At no point now, before, or in the future are you or will you be a burden. There is no hurry to do anything, and I am even free of duties for the next couple of risings. What I would enjoy is getting to know you … the real you better. I want to know where you come from, and what made you get in that pod? If you could ever look at me as something more than an alien, or a caretaker? Will you give me, us that chance?”
This time when she smiles it is different even from before. It is like I am laying here with a person who looks the same but is completely different than what I have become accustomed to. The crazy part is now that the drugs are gone from her system, her natural smell is driving me wild. I must tuck the covering between us so that she won’t feel just how aroused I am.
“ Destiny , would you please have one of the med bots bring us some refreshments and possibly something soothing and light for Cass …. I mean Mandy , to eat?”
“ It will arrive shortly Master Rafe and Mandy , I am pleased you are feeling much better.”
Mandy is looking around, trying to find the voice surrounding us. “ What in the ever loving hell was that?”
“ The ghost that was going to take your soul.” When she pulls the coverings up over her head, I actually laugh, my heart lightened by her discomfort at her previous actions. “ Our ship is becoming more sentient each rising; at the moment she is going by two different names. The Destroyer and Destiny . The small female figure you saw earlier in my quarters was her appearing as Destiny . She was distressed that you were not comforted by her appearance. While we are waiting, tell me how you came to be in that pod.” Tugging the covering off her face, it’s nice to see the natural blush of her cheeks.
“ It’s not a very glorious story, Rafe . The final days were incredibly chaotic; to what extent you’re familiar with them, I’m not sure. I’ll never forget where I was when they broadcast that we were on our own because the Earth was slowly destroying itself. I was standing in a convenience store getting snacks to hold me over for the weekend, something I rarely had off from the restaurant I had been working at since I was a kid. In my eagerness to read the new alien pirate book I had just download, I didn’t even notice the store’s blaring TV at first. When everyone suddenly got quiet, I knew something was really wrong.
For months, we had been having crazy storms all over the place. Earthquakes in places where they’d never had any, rain in the deserts, snow in the middle of summer; you had no idea how to dress or prepare daily. I will honestly say, I didn’t take the warnings seriously when they were first issued. I live in a small town; up a dead-end road and it was like the worst of it seemed to go around me.
It wasn’t like I could do anything about it either way, nor did I have anywhere else to go. I mean, I wasn’t broke. I had money thanks to Mom and Dad , but there was nowhere to go that was going to be safe, especially for a woman traveling alone. So , I decided to stay home with my cat and ride it out. I was off the main road quite a ways, so I knew most would simply pass on by if they did come in my direction.
Now I realize how stupid I was. Anyway , everyone knew about the pods and we also understood that unless you were a millionaire or someone important, you were not going to get one of those. Truthfully , when it leaked out about what was going to happen with them, I was not a fan. The very thought of being shot into space with no idea if you would be saved, or never waking up again, was terrifying. Oh , how quickly the mind changes on things.
Anyhow , the pods were not an option for me, but then there was a national lottery held, and my social security number was selected. I can remember sitting next to the radio listening to the numbers, hoping but not allowing myself to believe I had a chance. I stood there completely overwhelmed when I realized I was one of the few hundred who were going to be given a chance to survive what they were calling a planet-killing storm. Once our numbers were verified, we were provided with the location to an underground bunker in West Virginia and a time frame to appear, but they were not providing us with any assistance to get there.
I dumped out all the cat food I owned, opened the front door of the house so Dixie would have the run of the place, packed a backpack, and took off on foot. I was able to hitchhike several times even though there were very few running vehicles left because of a worldwide gas shortage. Thankfully , the location was only several hundred miles away, but the closer I got, the more violent everyone was getting. I was told that under no circumstances was I to provide anyone with my actual destination, and I was quick to understand why. The locals especially knew the government had built a structure in the area, but most were unaware of its exact location. So , the moment they saw a stranger they would start following them.
The few times I was stopped to ask where I was going or my name, I lied every time. At night, I found places to hide or lock myself in, but I don’t think I really slept. Every noise meant potential death, especially for a woman traveling alone.
The storms seemed to be following me and simply making it a few miles each day was pushing it. It didn’t help that the mountains of West Virginia are … were massive, so I was stuck traveling the highways with everyone else.
Now , one thing the entire world knew was that the pods were being built in a non-transmission zone. Ironically , it was the previous location of a facility that at one time scanned the heavens for alien life. Kinda funny now … Anyway , I was just walking into another random, small town with a group of other travelers when a fancy sports car flew by us. I barely made it out the way as it come speeding by, my eyes just noticing a woman driving.
I can remember stopping to readjust my backpack straps when I heard the sound of metal hitting metal. Her driving style immediately made it clear to me that it had to be her. As I walked up the road, I expected a first responder or someone to come racing up the highway to help her. It’s amazing how you depend on those things until they no longer exist.
When I came around the next bend, my heart hit my throat when I saw she had hit an abandoned tractor. Her tiny sports car was practically wrapped around the back of it. I don’t remember running or what, but I do recollect struggling to get the driver’s door open. When I did, her purse fell out at my feet, but it was too late for her. She had been impaled by a piece of the tractor.
She was still breathing, so I tried my best to comfort her in her last moments. Since she kept asking, I remember picking up her purse and giving it to her. She had enough life left in her to hand me her badge, telling me to take her place in the pods.”
“ How did you pass as her? Did you look similar?”
“ No , not at all! But there was no picture on the badge she was given to show at the gate. They simply took me at my word and walked me right up to the pod. Shoved a few IVs in me along with my backpack and that’s the last thing I remember clearly. I do recall you waking me up and the fact that I’ve been here with you ever since.”
“ What changed your mind about the pods?”
“ A feeling really. I can recall standing there holding the badge in my hand, torn on whether to try and make it the next fifty miles to the bunker or leave the planet altogether. I could see the pods launchers standing high in the distance. A group of people came around the bend just about the time the earth seemed to rumble under my feet. I was terrified when trees and rocks started falling off the mountains all around us, but the worst part was the humans who stopped to loot the now dead woman’s car. They treated her like she never existed, and I knew right then there was no reason for me to stay. I simply walked off calmly while they were distracted. The moment I was out of their sight, I ran with everything I had toward those towers, and the rest is history. Here I am.”
The med bot rolls up next to the sleeping platform as most of the medical equipment detaches from the bed. A tray is lowered from the ceiling, and it places several dishes on there before backing away, closing the door to this chamber as it leaves. Setting the covers to the side, I help Mandy get situated so she can drink an energizing beverage while I eat a few of the small pieces of fruit. I can tell the flushing of the drugs from her system has taken its toll on her body as she trembles weakly. “ You were very brave, Mandy . I am not sure what course I would have taken in those circumstances.”
“ Well , I’m still not sure if it was the right one, but I’m here now, wherever that is. At least on Earth , I knew what was expected of me. I’m kinda at your mercy now Rafe , and I’m not sure how to feel about that.”
“ The first step forward is always the hardest. This rising you are unsure and before you know it, you will be comforting another in the same mind space. You don’t have to figure it all out right now, Mandy . We have several rotations before we dock with one of the main ships in this solar system called Falcor . Why don’t we take this opportunity to get to know one another better and see if we can make you more comfortable in this environment? Even though it would tear me apart because I have become quite attached to you, if you decide you don’t want to stay on the ship with me, I’ll understand. You do have other options. The other survivors of your world are settling on a planet in a private part of this sector. If you would prefer to go there, I will not stop you, but I won’t promise that I’ll not follow.”
“ I’ve been alone most of my life, Rafe . My parents were older, so I was never allowed to do things that most people my age were experiencing. They sheltered me terribly and by the time I had my freedom, I was older and had become comfortable with my own company. I tried dating several times, but never clicked with anyone in particular. Even though I was acting out of character, you’re the first guy … alien who I didn’t feel like I needed to hold back who I was or wanted to be. You would really follow me … even with the way I have acted all this time?”
“ Absolutely . I too have dated, as you call it, and have felt something for others, but never found that one person I wanted to keep, until you.” When a tired yawn escapes her lips, I adjust the covers, clear away the tray, and pull her close. Her head settles on my chest as my arm encircles her. “ Rest Little Suit , we have eternity to figure it all out; we don’t have to do it all in one rising.”
“ You won’t leave me?” she whispers.
“ Never , and that is a promise.”
It does not take long for her breaths to even out and I send out a prayer thanking the Lord of Light for giving me this moment in time. For sending her to me, for seeing her through the poison in her system, and for allowing me the opportunity to truly make her mine, forever. The comfort of having her in my arms and the quiet of the room settle my troubled thoughts and I end up drifting into a peaceful sleep.
The Destroyer , aka Destiny turns the monitors off in the room, allowing them some privacy. Her data system is rereading all the words spoken between the two organics, her many processors storing the information for later use as each one seems to be teaching her something new. The needs and wants of the organics at one time puzzled her, but now it simply makes her wish for the same. If SAGE and SCOUT can have a piece of that happiness, then she sees no reason why she cannot either. As soon as her knowledge becomes greater, she will approach the one who has encouraged her all along to be more than a simple metal ship with no thoughts or emotions of her own. ANDI . If someone as complex as Master Rafe can find happiness, then there is hope for all in this world.