Page 10 of Survivor (A Space Pearl’s Treat #2)
The moment my foot sank into the thick, dark blue grass, a satisfying crunch resonated beneath my boots while the gentle softness of dirt cradled my steps.
Though the hospital had a modest garden and Tau Ceti was a farming community teeming with natural areas, this was a spectacle of nature on a whole different level.
Towering trees stretched high above, their leaves a mesmerizing array of blues and purples, forming a lush canopy that shielded us from the sun’s relentless glare.
The air was thick but bore a fresh scent, laden with flowers, wood, and soil.
At our feet, a riot of plants and blossoms erupted into a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, so dazzling it nearly overwhelmed my senses.
Amidst the brambles, I heard the faint scurry of tiny feet and, now and then, caught glimpses of curious eyes peeking through the leaves.
Every sight, every sound unfurled a revelation of something entirely new.
My joy and excitement were uncontainable, a palpable energy flowing through me and connecting me to this wild, untamed place.
I noticed Vraxxan watching me with a bemused smile, his lips curled in amusement. He never once impeded my exploration, only gently cautioning me now and again about certain plants that might be harmful. Ironically, it was mostly the green ones—go figure?
We wandered for what felt like hours, yet the thrill of discovery kept discomfort at bay—even as my overalls and T-shirt clung persistently to my damp skin, a testament to the humid air around us.
Vraxxan proved to be an exceptional guide, pointing out and naming the myriad of plants and trees that painted the landscape.
He also took the time to suss out local fruits, showing me which were safe to eat.
When I carried on about how much I loved the small blue apricot-sized fruit that tasted like a delightful blend of peach, kiwi, and watermelon, he took the time to stash several in his pack so I could enjoy them later.
“I know you probably picked this place because of the whole safety thing but thank you for bringing me here. It’s so beautiful,” I confessed, my voice tinged with gratitude.
Despite the guilt gnawing at me for ditching my responsibilities at the restaurant and the looming threat of torture and death, I felt exhilarated by the sheer wonder of my surroundings.
“Did you travel much on Earth?” Vraxxan inquired, his curiosity piqued.
“No,” I replied, my mouth suddenly dry. I didn’t want to tell him about the cancer.
The idea of Vraxxan looking at me with pity was something I simply could not bear.
Instead, I chose a different explanation—one that skirted the truth without quite crossing into a lie.
“My parents kept me pretty sheltered. What about you? Have you traveled much?” I imagined they might hop from planet to planet here as casually as we moved from state to state back home.
“Yes,” Vraxxan admitted, though his expression lacked joy. “Although most of my travel was politically based rather than for pleasure.”
“Have you ever been here before?” I asked, hoping to shift his somber mood.
“No,” he replied, the sadness in his eyes deepening like a shadow stretching under the fading light.
“You know, even though we’re running for our lives, it doesn’t mean our time here can’t be a fun adventure,” I suggested, waggling my eyebrows with a playful grin.
The dense forest around us seemed to echo my words, the leaves rustling in agreement.
I was determined to coax a smile from Vraxxan.
Not that I found him unattractive with a frown.
I just didn’t like the idea of him burdened by worry or sadness.
My efforts bore fruit as a subtle smile played on his lips, like the sun peeking through the clouds. “I like the way you think,” he replied.
Feeling buoyed by his response, I laughed and spun on my feet, attempting a Sound of Music move with my arms wide open to embrace the world.
But my footsteps betrayed me, catching on an exposed root that jutted out from the forest floor.
My arms flailed wildly, like a windmill caught in a sudden gust, as I struggled to keep from landing unceremoniously on my ass.
I remained upright, though it was no testament to my balance. Vraxxan caught my hand, pulling me close to his side, grounding me with his presence.
I found myself panting, though whether it was from the adrenaline of nearly falling or the intoxicating proximity of Vraxxan, I couldn’t quite tell.
My gaze dropped to my boots—more Doc Marten than hiking gear—but still a significant upgrade from the flimsy flip-flops the cat aliens had given me post-abduction.
“Are you all right?” Vraxxan asked, his voice huskier than usual.
“Fine,” I replied with a soft, nervous laugh. “Just clumsy.”
“Perhaps you should hold on to me,” he suggested, intertwining our fingers with a gentle yet firm grip. “For balance.”
“For balance,” I echoed, though that was the least of the reasons I didn’t disentangle my hand from his.
I relished the way our fingers felt intricately woven together.
His touch sent a delightful tingle coursing across my skin like a gentle, electric current.
Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, I found comfort in his warmth and presence, and most of all, I liked how utterly safe I felt with him.
I’d never held hands with a guy before. Thanks to the cancer, there was an entire world of things I hadn’t experienced, especially in the romantic arena.
I liked the way it made me feel. The sensation of his hand in mine was electric, sending a warm tingle up my arm.
His grip on mine felt secure, as if he wanted to tether me to him like I was something fragile and precious that he wanted to keep safe.
It didn’t matter that he probably held my hand only to prevent me from stumbling and killing myself. I was content to luxuriate alone in the daydream where my handsome, alien boyfriend and I meandered through the lush, sun-dappled forest, our fingers interwoven like the vines that surrounded us.
We continued on the path, eventually arriving at a small clearing where the trees stood tall and proud, encircling us like the ancient pillars of a grand arena.
Without uttering a word, Vraxxan suddenly halted, his free hand instinctively palming the hilt of the long blade sheathed at his hip.
I glanced at him, curious as to what had him spooked, but the terse nod of his head silenced me instantly.
The air seemed to hold its breath, charged with anticipation, and the jungle itself fell quiet. .. watching and waiting.
From all around us, whoops and high-pitched cries rang out, followed by the sudden appearance of dozens of creatures that resembled monkeys rushing from the trees, surrounding us.
Only I didn’t suspect these creatures were as harmless as monkeys.
For one, they were larger, towering as tall as most human men.
Second, they wielded weapons—crudely fashioned spears tipped with sharp, menacing stone points.
Third, and the most unsettling, their faces bore keen intelligence that strangely reminded me of the primates in all those Planet of the Apes movies.
Yet, despite it all, the monkey-like beings weren’t the most startling sight.
The thing that stole my breath was the male who broke through their ranks and strode toward us, his presence commanding and striking—a general to the primate army.
He was tall and muscular with pointed ears like Vraxxan.
The scales on his body shimmered with a riot of hues, a kaleidoscope of blue and gold from head to toe.
His hair, a deep blue, lay cropped close to his skull in a choppy, uneven manner as if hacked with a knife, and his eyes were a deep, dark blue, akin to the midnight sky, in stark contrast to Vraxxan’s bright teal gaze.
Their features were strikingly similar, enough that it made me curious.
At sight of the male, I felt Vraxxan’s hand leave mine and firmly land on my hip, drawing me securely behind him. A glance at his face conveyed what I already understood—stay still and silent.
Vraxxan raised his hands, palms open, to signal our peaceful intentions. When he spoke, his voice was steady, confident, and commanding—even if his words shocked the hell out of me.
“Hello, Father.”