Page 20

Nell

“How was your retreat?” Zand asked two days later after Nell, Maklr and Philtan climbed onto his shuttle and settled into their seats.

“I had a great time,” Phil said, his voice boisterous. “I met a lot of wonderful females.”

“I bet you did,” Zand said.

“I think every time we saw you, you had a different woman with you,” Maklr said.

“At least one,” Phil teased. “Sometimes there were two or three.”

“Good for you,” Nell said under her breath.

Philtan held out his hands. “Who am I to deny a woman their pleasure? Especially if they want it? Sudabians are a passionate bunch. Most are excited to spend the night with me. They usually want to know if I’m large everywhere. The only right thing to do is oblige, right?” He waggled his eyebrows.

Nell chuckled, used to his antics.

“For the record, I am.”

“You are what? Annoying?” Maklr teased. “We knew that.”

“Large all over,” Phil bragged.

“Whoever gets you is going to have their hands full,” Nell said. “Good luck to her.”

“In more ways than one.” Phil waggled his eyebrows.

Maklr and Zand groaned at the same time. Nell rolled her eyes.

“Only you, Philtan. Only you,” Zand said.

The three chatted the entire trip back to Dorbound. “It’s good to see a change in everyone,” Zand said. “I’ve noticed that place tends to bring out the best in everyone. Must be the water there. Or something in the air.”

“It was a fantastic place to relax. No one pressured anyone to participate in activities,” Maklr said. “I got some work done. Went ziplining. Had fun.”

“Maklr? You let loose?”

“I did.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe it,” Zand said.

“He did,” Nell said. “He accompanied me because I was scared.”

“Wow. You’re good for him,” Zand said. “In case you’re curious, Maklr, I went to the center yesterday.

Things are coming along nicely. It needs a coat of paint or two, and I’m not sure what some of the carpenters and blacksmiths are building, but it looks interesting.

It looks like an obstacle course, but not. ”

“That was all Nell’s idea.”

“What is it?” Zand asked.

“It’s a playground for children,” Nell said.

“Tell me about the purpose of a playground. Does it teach human children to fight?” Zand asked. “Does it train them for war?”

“No.” Nell nudged Maklr. “I might need your help,” she said. She described the different apparatus, and Maklr tried to explain their purpose.

Zand’s face scrunched in confusion. “I’m still not understanding.”

“I have a general idea what she’s talking about, but since I haven’t seen the playground in person, I can’t visualize it,” Maklr said.

“Well, whatever it is, I’ll be too big for it,” Philtan boasted.

“Very true. Human children are much smaller than me,” Nell said.

“And you’re tiny,” Phil said.

“Anyone’s tiny compared to you.”

Unlike the journey to Ashuk, the trip back to Eoris and Dorbound felt like it had passed in the blink of an eye. Zand landed in the outcropping behind the rehabilitation center.

Charlie waited on the ground, waving her arms in a wide arc. “Nell,” she cried, rushing toward her friend, embracing her tightly.

Nell returned the hug. “Thank you for sending me,” she said. “I had a wonderful time.”

Charlie held her hand. “You look fantastic. Lighter than I’ve ever seen you. Wait until Ivy sees you.”

Nell smiled. “Where are we going first?” she asked.

“Would you like to see the progress at the center?”

“Naturally,” Maklr said, slinging his and Nell’s bag on his back. He glanced at Nell, who was holding her hands folded in front of her body. “I’m sure you want to see your designs, right?”

“Please,” Nell said.

“I brought a land conveyance,” Charlotte said. “We can take that, since you’ve got the bags.”

“I’d like to stretch,” Nell said.

“Philtan, you can take the conveyance,” Charlotte called.

He waved in acknowledgement.

Maklr walked next to Nell and gasped at the transformation the center had undergone while they were away. “Wow,” Nell said.

The trio walked around the center. Charlotte showed Maklr and Nell the new rooms, painted with a quick-dry formula. Shelves lined one wall, full of original, custom-made supplies. Nell pointed out the swing set and climbing frame.

“Oh, that’s what it is,” Maklr said.

“As soon as we get children here, I’ll show you how it works. There’s a bunch of different ways people can use it.”

“Sounds good,” Maklr said.

“Maklr? Is that you?” another medic called. “I didn’t know you were back, but I’m glad. I’ve got a case that needs your expertise.”

Maklr’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t deny aid. I’m sorry, duty calls.”

“No, of course not,” Nell said. “I’ll be back later.”

Maklr handed Nell her bag. “I’ll take it,” Charlotte said.

“I’m not an invalid,” Nell protested.

Maklr stuck out his hand to shake Nell’s. She leaned in for a hug.

“Awkward,” Charlie teased.

Maklr change his arms, accepting Nell’s hug. “I’ll see you soon,” he said, his voice deep.

“Yes.”

As soon as Maklr disappeared into the main area of the rehab center, Charlie turned to Nell. “Okay. Girl, spill the details. What happened on Ashuk?”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“I call bullshit.”

Nell shook her head. “No, really.”

“Uh huh.” Charlotte shot her a look of disbelief. Back in the human transition center, Nell headed up to her room. “Where are you going?”

Nell’s lips twitched. “I’m going to put my clothes in the refresher. Maybe do a little journaling.”

“Before you go, can I see your tablet?” Charlotte asked.

“Sure,” Nell handed it to her. “Please tell me you’re not sending me away again. I’ve only been back for a few hours. I only went because you forced me to.”

“I knew what was best for you.”

“Right.” Nell rolled her eyes. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“I will. I’m just that good,” Charlotte teased. She handed Nell her tablet back.

“What did you do to it?”

“I added a file.”

“Which one?”

“You’ll know it when you see it.”

“Cryptic much?” Nell walked up the flight of stairs to her room greeting other residents and leaving small treats in front of their rooms from her trip.

Her room remained the same as before she left for the resort.

She placed her stuffed caton in his place of honor in the center of her bed.

“We had a good run, didn’t we?” she said to the stuffed cat.

She talked to the plush as she unpacked her clothes and put them in the refresher, the Klagan equivalent of a laundry machine.

Then she lay back on the bed, cuddling it to her chest. “I love you and all, but you’re not Maklr. ” She sighed.

“Coming down for dinner?” Charlie called later. She knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure, and no, not feeling hungry right now.”

“Are you alright? Do you want to talk? We can have a therapy session now?”

Nell shook her head. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“What were you up to?”

“Writing. Documenting my vacation. Your suggestion helps me get my feelings out.”

Charlie nodded. “I’ll make sure there’s a plate of leftovers for you for later.”

“Thank you.”

Charlotte closed the door behind her. Nell turned her attention back to the tablet.

“Open when you’re lonely.” She smirked. “Damn it.”

“I miss Maklr,” she said to the caton . “I got used to having him around.” Nell’s finger hovered over the button. The cat’s face remained impassive, but Nell nevertheless pretended it did. “Exactly. I should press it.”

Inside the file was a code of mixed numbers and letters. “Should I?” Nell asked the ever-silent plush. “Do it? Why not?” she said, pressing the button.

A video screen popped up. “Nell?” Maklr’s voice came through. “Is everything okay?”

“I swear, I didn’t know this was your communication code.”

Maklr shook his head, his shoulders rising and falling with laughter. “Damn it, Charlie. She’s meddling again, isn’t she?”

“She is.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“I know your ‘nothing.’ What is it?” Maklr’s voice filled with concern.

“I can’t sleep. I’ve tried for hours, but all I’ve done is toss and turn. I even hugged the plush.” Nell waved the caton in front of the camera. “But it’s not the same. I got used to sleeping with you, and how safe I felt.”

“Do you want me over there?” he asked. “I can be there in ten minutes.”

“I’ll wait by the door.”

They hung up. Nell raced downstairs, punched in the alarm code for the center, and opened it so Maklr could slip inside when he arrived. “Come in.” She headed toward the stairs.

“No, I shouldn’t,” he said.

“Fine.” She walked over to the couch in the communal living room and sat. “Sit next to me. I think we get that show we watched on Ashuk here.” She handed Maklr the control.

He experimented with the control, searching for the show. Nell leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder, his arm wrapped around her. Nell bent her knees, putting her feet on the other cushion. She sighed contentedly and fell asleep.