Cami

I knew it!  Deep inside I knew he couldn’t take me home!  Hell, even I can’t find my own planet.  It would be like finding a needle in a haystack.  My fists clenched while my blood raced.  I could hear each beat throb in my ears.  Tears pinched at the back of my eyes as I swallowed hard.  I was angry, but not at Zorvak.  I have no doubt he would take me if at all possible.  Why did everything have to go so wrong?  Why couldn’t Lara and the others be here with me?  If the Exploration One had entered the wormhole before the meteor shower, then we would all be here together.

Okay, get over yourself.  If we were all here, then everyone would be fearing for their lives.  If I hadn’t found Munic and Oddle, who knows what would’ve happened to me.  I blew out my worries and shoved everyone from my mind.  I had to concentrate, get back to the house without my cloak.

One thing kept bothering me though.  “What will happen to me when everyone gets home?”

Zorvak kept his eyes on the city that loomed in front of us.  “What do you mean?”

“When you, Munic and Oddle get home, what will happen to me?  Where will I go?”

“Where would you like to go?”

I would like to stay with you.  “I don’t know.”

He never asked me to stay with him, never even offered it as a possibility.  Whatever.  I wasn’t that girl.  I didn’t need anyone to complete me, take care of me, any of that bullshit.  I just needed to get off this damn planet.

The cold air chilled my bones causing an involuntary shiver.  It had to be around 40 degrees--- maybe 45.  All I knew?  Without my cloak, it was cold!

We were close now.  Instead of heading to the main area, we darted around behind one of the buildings.  Keeping more in the shadows.  The adrenaline warmed me a little.  Either that, or I concentrated more on keeping us safe.

Down one alley, only to slip into another.  I could hear the sounds of hearty laughter, hear footsteps as others passed by without notice.  I even got the occasional whiff of whatever they smoked.

Just as we turned a corner… something grinned wickedly, showing razor sharp teeth.   There were four of them.

“Well, what do we have here?”  He stared straight at me, his beady eyes roaming my body.

Zorvak stepped in front of me, blocking their view.  “Leave now and you will not get hurt.”  His voice was a low deadly threat.  Cami, these are Razzst.  They fight viciously--- together--- and will not give up.

Pack animals.  My heart beat double time, my breath hitched.

“What have you found for us tonight?”

I turned sharply at the sound.  Three more came up behind us, boxing us in.  I licked my lips and tried to think.  It was a hard thing to do when you were scared shitless.  Think! 

I will kill you before I let them get their hands on you.  Don’t worry.

Did Zorvak just say he would kill me?  With my back against his, I faced three opponents while Zorvak faced four.  Gee thanks.  But try killing them first.

When they charged at us, without thinking I pointed the gun at the one closest to me and fired.  The other two stopped dead in their tracks and stared at the pile of ashes before widening their eyes at me. 

A little help here Zorvak grunted.

I lifted the gun at another one, but they both turned and ran.  I whipped around, pointed the gun at one that wasn’t touching Zorvak and fired, before turning it on the other one. 

“Lortus! Let’s go!”  He stared unmoving at me while trying to get the other one’s attention.  My gun pointed at his chest.  If he moved.  He died.

What is taking you so long?

He has a knife and I don’t.

What about your whip?

It wouldn’t have worked; they were too close.

If you can throw him off you for a second, I’ll shoot his ass.

Be ready.  On the count of three.  One…two…

Zorvak shoved the guy away and quickly stepped back.  I swung my body around and fired at the same time before quickly turning it back to the other one.  He stood with his hands up, a frightened look on his face.

I have never seen them scared before.

Good, maybe they’ll, I quickly glanced at the ash piles, I mean, maybe he’ll learn a lesson?

Glancing from me to Zorvak, the guy dropped his hands, spun, and ran as fast as he could go.

I dropped my arm to my side.  Tears filled my eyes as my body trembled.  Zorvak must have noticed.  He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me.

How can someone be so strong and so weak at the same time?

He didn’t ask mockingly, but I wasn’t in the mood.  I stepped back, wiped my eyes and said, How can someone be so sweet and such an asshole at the same time?

He smiled and shook his head as though the entire display amused him.  I could feel that it did.

Let’s go!  I headed out in front of him.  We were getting father from the fight club and soon, we could move to the main street.

Female, it is not in me to follow.

I stopped, threw my hands in the air before letting them hit my thighs.  It’s Cami, and fine.  Take me to Munic’s house.  My now crossed arms and pursed lips only added to the effect.  Hopefully.

I waited.

And waited.

Fine, you lead the way, but I refuse to walk behind you.

I started walking, and this time, he walked beside me.  My behavior was erratic, but if I let myself think about what happened, I’d break down and cry.  When I saw them leering at me--- and there were so many--- all I could picture was a brutal gang rape.  I used anger--- humor--- anything at my disposal not to picture those images in my head. 

A few more alleys, and as much as I wanted to be brave, I found myself letting Zorvak turn the corners first. 

Now we can head to the main area.

There were no voices, no sounds of footsteps, and I could picture in my mind exactly where we were.   We turned, and when we stepped out of the now very dark alley, I recognized the area.  I was right!

About ten minutes later, I smiled when Munic and Oddle’s little cottage came into view.  There it is!  We made it!

I tore off running toward the front door, anxious to see my friends.  They must have been watching.  The door flew open before I could knock. 

“Cami!”  Munic and Oddle both hugged me.  I was officially a Jell-O sandwich.  I snickered with relief.

When they stepped back, I grinned. “Hi Munic, hi Oddle.”  They would never know just how happy seeing them made me.

Zorvak filled the entire entrance, causing my friends to take a step back as their wide eyes stared at him.  At somewhere around six-feet-six, and two eighty-five, his entrance certainly demanded attention.

“Munic, Oddle, I’d like for you to meet Zorvak.”  Looking at Zorvak, I continued.  “This is Munic and Oddle, the ones I told you about.”

Everyone stared silently until Zorvak inclined his head.  “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

“Where are my manners.  Come in.  The two of you must be starving.”  Oddle waved us to some chairs before she hurried from the room.

Now you’ve done it.

What?

She went after the soup.  For you it may be alright, but I have had that soup every day since crashing here.  In fact, I haven’t had anything else.  That’s reason enough to leave this planet.

When we get to Ulaya, I will feed you some real food.

I froze.  Did he just say he wanted me with him?  To stay on Ulaya?

Cami?  I feel your confusion.  What’s wrong?

You want me to stay with you on Ulaya?

Silence.

More silence.

“Come.  Come.  I have your soup ready.”  Oddle ushered us to the small kitchen where two bowls of steaming yellow soup waited in front of empty chairs.  I slid into one and almost laughed when Zorvak tried to squeeze into the other.

“Here, trade with me.  This one doesn’t have arms.”

He slid into my now empty chair while I sat down in his.  He cupped his bowl, and as I bit my lower lip in anticipation, I couldn’t look away.  I stared at the bowl as he slowly lifted it to his lips.  Just before it reached his mouth… it stopped.  I stared.  I waited, my eyes never leaving the bowl until I finally lifted them to his smiling face.  He was staring at me.

“Oh, come on!”  I laughed at being caught.

You need to hide your feelings better.  Or should I say, your excitement.

He swallowed the soup, kept his features neutral, and cursed inside my mind.  What is this blasted stuff?  It tastes worse than muddy water trampled by a Giopa.

I laughed.  How could I not with that vivid description?  I just thought it finished with a bitter aftertaste, and, I’d had way too much of it.  A what?

Gi-opa.  A large beast we hunt for sport.

“When you two finish, meet us in the main room.”

I glanced at Munic, nodded slightly and smiled as I sipped my soup.  It wasn’t tasty, but my hunger pains disappeared. 

He is always no-nonsense?

Always.  They are great people, but very to the point.

He is different than the other Jaurians I have met.

Good or bad?

Neither.  Just different.  Hmm…I can’t believe this small bowl has taken away my hunger pains.  I feel full now.

I know, it’s amazing.  If only it would taste better.

The last swallow of soup slid down my throat just as Zorvak set his empty bowl on the table.  He stood, then reached his hand out to me.  I hesitated.  He seemed hot and cold and I wasn’t sure I liked that very much.  I finally placed my hand in his, letting him lead me to the main sitting area where Munic and Oddle waited.