Lara
“Lara? What’s wrong?”
I glanced up just as Cami came rushing through the galley door.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t give me that crap! What’s wrong?”
Everything! My entire world had just fallen apart again, and I didn’t know why. Not that I hadn’t been expecting it—that’s the way my life had always been. Men either disappoint you or leave, most of the time both.
I hadn’t known him very long, but I had begun to think that I loved this man, male, alien... He had been so patient and loving with me. And then to tell me to leave! I tried to get a read on his feelings, but I hit a block. It felt like a wall had been erected around his entire body. I couldn’t feel his pain, nor anything else going on with him, and I knew he had shut me out.
“Lara?” Cami waited, but I didn’t know what to tell her.
Swiping the tears from my eyes, I sniffed. “Nothing.”
“I know better.”
I scoffed. “How about, I don’t want to talk about it?”
“What did he do?”
“Nothing.”
Absolutely nothing except tell me to leave.
Cami’s face softened. “He’s in a lot of pain right now.”
A little pissed off now, I averted my eyes so as not to start an argument. My friend obviously sided with Roark. Yes, I knew he was in pain, but this was when he needed me most, and yet he refused. My heart ached and for a moment, I wished I had never given in and let him help me.
“I know,” I replied, still aggravated at her. But that did not excuse his actions, at least not entirely. “How much longer until we arrive?”
“I’m not sure, but Zorvak says sometime later today.”
Good. The walls were beginning to close in on me, and I just needed to get away from everyone.
Cami kept sneaking peeks at me, and I knew she wanted to say something else. Finally, she did. “You know, if there was any more salve to ease Roark’s pain, Zorvak would’ve given it to you.”
Surprised, my gaze shot to hers. “I never thought otherwise.”
“Okay, good.”
“I’m sorry, Cami. How’s your head?”
“It’s okay. It still hurts a little.”
“Did you like Jaur?”
“It was interesting. I could easily be fat and lazy there,” she chuckled.
“It sounds like an easy life.”
“Easy and boring go hand in hand.”
I scoffed; nothing in life had been easy for me, and it certainly hadn’t been boring.
“I guess they do.”
Glancing at my clothes, Cami sighed. “I guess with everything going on, I forgot to warn you. Ulaya is cold.”
I deflated just a little. “No warm sun?”
“Normal temp on Ulaya is around 40, maybe 45. I wouldn’t throw on a bathing suit.”
“Great.”
This just keeps getting better and better. Why couldn’t I have found a warm planet with sandy beaches and clear water?
“I think I have some things you can wear until we get you some clothes.”
“Thanks, Cami.”
Not that I really cared at the moment. When I was shivering and cold, then I would care.
***
Needing to see him, I stood just outside Roark’s door, trying to get my nerve up. Just as I started to go in, I heard two deep voices…Zorvak and Roark.
I shouldn’t listen, I should turn around and leave right that moment. And I was about to do so…until I heard my name.
“How is Lara?” Roark asked. His voice still sounded pained, and I wanted to help. It killed me to do nothing.
“Reach out and ask her yourself.”
“I cannot.”
Yes he can, I thought, exasperated. I’m right here!
“Where do you expect her to stay?”
My heart hammered away as I listened for his reply. I wanted to stay with Roark, and more importantly, I wanted him to want me to stay with him.
“That is not…” he stopped before trying again. “I am sure she will love getting reacquainted with her friend.”
My hope deflated. Taking a deep breath, I pushed off from the wall and lifted my chin. I could do this.
Standing by the hatch next to Cami, I heard Zorvak helping Roark down the hall. I refused to look. I mean, why would I want him to see how much he had hurt me? And if I looked, he would know.
The hatched opened and a ramp descended. From the corner of my eye, I watched Roark straighten to his full height; he looked like a battle warrior.
Leading the way, he went out first, followed by Zorvak, then Cami. I didn’t want to face whatever awaited me alone.
You were supposed to help! I mentally railed at him. Instead, you’re just like all the other people who abandoned me!
I thought I felt a wave of guilt, but the feeling disappeared just as quickly.
I waited a good five minutes before deciding to peer around the door. I mean, I couldn’t stay here forever. Finally daring to peek, I saw a line of red guards in matching white uniforms standing at attention. One stepped forward and clasped forearms with Roark. I heard the words, “Escort him to Medical,” as they drifted to the top of the ramp.
I glanced in both directions. We were in the center of some sort of organized clearing, surrounded by a white mansion.
No one had noticed me yet; hell, the other three had apparently forgotten me. Zorvak, I understood, but Cami and Roark? Now I was pissed at both of them.
On the other hand, Cami probably thought I was right behind her, but if she’d glanced back, she would’ve known I wasn’t. I should probably catch up to them.
Slowly walking down the steps, my breath hitched as one by one, the guards turned my way, staring. Even though the others had disappeared from sight, I headed the same direction.
Someone stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
“Who are you?” he half asked, half demanded.
“Lara. I’m with…Cami. Can you show me where they went?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I do not understand you.”
Why couldn’t he understand me? Dread almost made me hyperventilate. The last time I couldn’t understand others…
My translator isn’t working properly, I told myself. That must be it.
“Do you have a translator?” He scrunched his nose, wrinkled his brow and I knew my words landed on deaf ears.
Oh shit!
Should I reach out to Roark? Would he listen? Probably not. Damn him!
The guard stared intensely, looking me over. Surely, he knew I wasn’t a threat. Maybe he knew that I was Human, like Cami. I mean, how could he not?
“Come with me,” he practically ordered in a deep baritone voice.
He took my upper arm and led me inside the mansion, hopefully to find Zorvak or Cami.
Everyone who passed the two of us stared openly. I tried to ignore them and look around. Everything looked clean and very alien as he led me through the maze of corridors.
Finally I spotted Zorvak standing down the hallway, but he was alone. Where was Cami?
“Lord La’qa,” the guard said as we approached.
My gaze quickly swung his direction. Did he just say Lord? I knew Cami had said Zorvak was in charge, but I didn’t register the importance until hearing the word Lord.
Zorvak turned and stalked over upon spotting me. “Thank you, Voth. She is with us.”
“Very well, my Lord.”
“Where is Cami?” I asked.
“I made her go lay down. She will not admit it, but she still is not feeling very well.”
He turned and started walking, and I automatically did the same. “Will Cami be alright?”
“Yes. Once she adjusts to the lack of the implant. I think she is unconsciously still trying to access it, which will cause headaches.”
“So it will just take time?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good.” After another moment, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“Roark is in Medical. The healer is assessing the extent of his nerve damage, and then they will repair what they can.”
“That’s good,” I choked out, my voice strained.
As much as I was trying to act unaffected, my heart hurt knowing even a little of the pain he felt.
We stopped just short of Medical when an official-looking man dressed in a white coat drifted out.
“Lord La’qa,” he said, clearly surprised. “How may I help you?”
“Jasok,” Zorvak acknowledged. “How is the Captain?”
“I have given him something to relieve the pain, until I can access the severity of his injury.”
“Keep me updated.”
“Of course, my Lord.” And then the doctor walked away.
A few more steps and I stood outside of Medical, peering through the door. Immediately, Roark’s gaze locked with mine before he quickly averted it.
“Here you go,” a female voice said as she stepped into view, carrying a cup of something to drink.
Long flowing black hair and a kind face, with a caring voice. Perhaps she was his sister. And then her fingers lightly grazed his unaffected right cheek. I knew from the way she looked at him, the way she touched and cared for him, that she was most certainly not his sister.
“Kiah,” Zorvak hissed under his breath, clearly unhappy about her presence.
My heart shattered that very moment, but instead of leaving, I walked inside. Too many times I had needed closure and never gotten it; this time, I would say what I needed to say.
The woman saw me first. A wave of emotions crossed her face—surprise, understanding, and then sadness. She never said a word as she backed away to give me some privacy. I gave her a tiny thank-you smile. She wasn’t the one I had a beef with; he was laying on the bed.
Determined not to make a scene, I leaned down to whisper in his ear: “You are an alien to me, and I never fell in love with your looks. I fell in love with the caring man who made me feel so special, protected, and loved. I would’ve moved heaven and Earth for you.”
You win, Roark.
After leaving me alone when we arrived and letting some other woman take care of you…you win.
I will not beg, and I will not bother you again. Heal well, and have a happy life.
And then I turned and drifted away, not looking at Zorvak as I passed by, just staring straight ahead. I felt numb to everything.
*****
The cold air of Ulaya brushed my skin, prickling it with goosebumps. But walking outside without a particulate mask…it was what I had dreamed of for years, the reason I had studied so hard to be on the first space mission.
To the left of the mansion were high-steaming volcanic mountains, magnificent to behold with the sun glinting off black, crystalized rock. I wanted to explore, see the wonders denied to all Humans on Earth.
But the other direction was just as magnificent. High-rise buildings with flying cars, and unlike Earth, the air even looked and smelled clean. Tears glossed my eyes. As much as Roark had hurt me, the happiness of finding a safe planet to live on was a dream come true.
As I headed toward the city, my mind turned back to Roark and his lady friend. Logic told me that the encounter could’ve been innocent, and, I had no doubt that Roark was a good man and wouldn’t cheat on anyone. He had opened himself up too many times for me to think otherwise.
Flowers! Oh, my heavens, there were beautiful pink flowers with large petals dotting the ground, and a yellow diamond-shaped center set it off. I kneeled, wanting to touch the beauty, but too afraid to damage the radiant plant. I knew how fragile they really were, in a way that no one else on this world—save perhaps Cami—ever could.
From the corner of my eye, I would catch guards stationed at a wall staring as they drifted in and out of sight. I needed to get away from prying eyes, so I headed for the city.
A path (a trail?) led me through a high-stoned gate. I threw my hand up to the guard and smiled, at least as best I could, considering the circumstances. He didn’t try to stop me.
Trees and other plants lined the way toward the city, and I took my time to savor the beauty of each one. Every now and then, I stopped and inhaled the clean crisp air, the fragrance of the flowers, and the smells of Ulaya.
When I made it to the city, I spread my arms wide, lifted my face and turned circles. Cars zipped by overhead, people stopped and stared, but I just laughed before continuing on.
The further I walked, the smaller the buildings became, until they were about three or four stories high.
The sun dropped behind the volcanic mountain and a shiver ran the length of my arms and down my body. Crossing my arms, I started shaking uncontrollably. My long-sleeved T-shirt and pants just weren’t cutting it anymore.
Taking off on my own didn’t seem like a great idea now that I needed to find a place to sleep. The crowded streets now held only one or two people occasionally. I had just hunkered down beside a building when I heard footsteps.
“Oh my!” a feminine voice gasped. I turned to see an older lady with blackish silver hair and slightly aging skin hurrying over. “You look like you’re freezing to death! You must come inside.”
Still in a happy but numb state, I smiled.
“Thank you,” I said, and when she turned, I followed her inside a small apartment on the ground floor of a three-story building.
The apartment was small, but very homey.
“Please, sit,” she said, rushing into another room. I could still hear her voice as she added, “I will get you something hot to drink. That should help the shivering.”
I heard giggling and tilted my head, trying to see. A small child peeked around the corner, and then there were two heads bobbing around. Both of them giggled.
“Idlon, Girgia, stop being rude to our guest!”
One of the girls looked up at the older lady. “But she looks funny.”
“She is different, that is all. Now be nice,” the older lady scolded.
Then she walked over and smiled, handing me a steaming cup.
“Thank you,” I said, and sniffed the contents.
I didn’t really detect a smell, but when I lifted it to my mouth, a sweetness coated my tongue. It tasted like cinnamon cake, or with perhaps a touch of hot cider.
“This is delicious!” I said, and took another gulp.
Her eyebrows drew together, and I knew she didn’t understand me.
Thanks guys! I thought irritably.
Slowly sipping, I glanced around. There was a mint green chair, and a few pictures on the wall scrolling through various photos. The frames were even more computerized, shuffling through several images and projecting one at a time. The walls were nothing fancy, just a simple gossamer white. The floor was light polished wood, etched with a lot of old character. Beautiful, yet simple.
The older lady returned carrying a folded yellow blanket, which she handed to me. “I do not have extra space, but you are welcome to sleep in here.”
“Thank you,” I replied with a smile.
“Maybe we can find out where you came from tomorrow.” She turned, glanced at the children, and clapped her hands. “Time for bed.”
“Oh, Grada, we want to stay up longer!” one of them protested.
“You always want to stay up longer,” she teased, making them giggle. “But it is still time for bed.”
Just as the kids ran off, the lady glanced over her shoulder.
“It seems that you know what I am saying,” she said, and I nodded. “If you need anything, please let me know.” And then she disappeared down the hallway.