MINE! [New World Book 8] Read online

  Huck turned and walked into the foliage.

  “What? My death?”

  Becky hesitated for a moment before following. She hated the idea of following someone around like a puppy. He believed there was nothing on the planet more dangerous than him and his tail didn’t grow. Either he was full of himself or correct. It wouldn’t hurt to trail him from a distance. He had also closed the shuttle door and she had no way in but with him. The food he gave her drew her attention, and she fished her hand around in the satchel. Her fingers closed on a hunk of something. She nibbled the cheese she pulled out. He didn’t ask her for anything, and she didn’t offer.

  Huck left his shield down. His broad back rippled with muscles as he moved. Not one scar or tattoo or birth mark was visible to blemish his perfection. His sculpted ass was firm and no doubt rock hard. The tight fitting grey pants weren’t unattractive even if they were the color she loathed; there was something to be said for classic good looks. His arms swayed slightly as he took each step. Huge hands parted swaying ferns near his face. He let them fall back into place without a second glance behind him; it didn’t matter the ferns were over her head.

  A trickle of water caught her attention, and Becky approached the bank of a gently flowing river. He hadn’t given her anything to drink, and she assumed that meant the water was safe. She could see in the water and smiled when she saw shadow fish. A few danced on the water wiggling their tails, but the water made no ripple. They were there and yet not. A huge shadow of a fish five feet in length swam forward as Huck stepped down. Becky couldn’t help herself, she squealed in protest. Huck stepped right through the fish; he turned and grinned at Becky. The fish continued to swim through him, its body parting and rejoining.

  As she watched, the massive fish suddenly disappeared. Becky jumped into the water, peering into tiny rolling waves. The fish was gone. She sent a questioning glance to Huck who smiled.

  “It’s found its new dimension and has been reborn. Look.”

  Huck pointed at a school of fish. They disappeared one by one. Listening closely, Becky swore she heard popping sounds.

  “Them, too?” she asked.

  “Yes. The fish go faster. All amphibians do. Their kind is caught faster. I’m guessing when Earth died, this stream was full to bursting. As well as the oceans. At times a random species is born normally alien to the planet, it happens when this planet has a multitude of excess of creatures. Humans simply thought they discovered new species already on their planet when in fact the species was never there before.”

  “How do you know?”

  “As I said, there is nothing on my planet that can hurt me. Our scientists have open minds about what can and will happen. Long ago we took the approach to make certain different species didn’t suddenly pop up on our planet. Nothing has tried to invade our planet for centuries. When overabundance occurs in the universe, new planets are found, or old ones and new aquatic life is introduced. Who knows, humans could have been made the same way. Suddenly appearing on your planet because of excess death on another such as this planet.”

  “Adam and Eve?” Becky mused. “Stored here and forgotten? The possibility is endless.”

  “Your species could have crawled from the waters.”

  “Indeed.”

  Huck scooped up a handful of water, drank and splashed more onto his chest. Becky took a slower approach. The water was fresh, but her gaze went continuously to the fish. As Becky watched, fish appeared and disappeared. An assembly line of death turned life. Sadness crept through her being. None of these fish would return to Earth. Not for a long time if ever. When she glanced up to ask Huck what he thought would happen to Earth, she noted he was gone. She didn’t panic, simply shrugged and picked a direction. His big ass feet and body left a noticeable trail through bent foliage.

  The sky began to darken. Becky had no idea what direction the shuttle lay; she had been too preoccupied by her surroundings. Overhead, greyish black billowing clouds moved in. She stood still as the cloud movement caught her eye. The dark clouds were flying beasts, long winged creatures gliding through the air, dipping and weaving. Smaller birds she could identify soared on updrafts as the wind bathed her face. A light sprinkling of rain began. When drops reached her lips, she frowned. The rain tasted odd and unpleasant.

  Maybe I should find shelter.

  Her footsteps were cautious, her movements slow. The path Huck was leaving ended and she frowned. A slice of lightning zipped overhead and thunder crashed. The clouds made giant funnels to her left and right. The plant life waved in the breeze created, and she realized the storm was real if the weather moved things. Two shadow figures skipped through her body holding hands. The beings were no more than waist high, obviously dead and sported three horns. Hollow black sockets for eyes gazed in her direction not seeing her.

  The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Rain dotted her shirt then arms. Soon the entire sky would open, and her heart rate picked up speed. Becky shrieked when she was grabbed and pulled into a dark cave. She turned to smash her assailant two handed in the chest. Huck groaned but stayed put. He captured her wrists in one hand.

  “Be calm, Becky ass kicker. You don’t want to be out in this rain. When the birds come, many have been downed in a severe storm. The death of rain comes with them, carrying them here. A special delivery with pollutants, Earth wasn’t the only zoo quality planet. Other aliens on different planets evolved, though not humanoid. Those beings create toxins to destroy annoying creatures. When an animal is taken by storm, the storm delivers them to this planet with a message. A storm of this magnitude means many dimensions have opened meaning many copies of the same exact creature died at the same time and have come to combine. Watch.”

  Becky peeked around him out the mouth of the cave. A huge winged creature plummeted in a wild mass of wind, hail and now sleet. The creature disappeared. Then reappeared. Then disappeared. Each exploded both into and out of the sky. Wings flailing, black masses rolling, tumbling.

  “What the?” Becky whispered. There was a war going on above her head.

  “The creature has met with several dimensions. They are killed and collide and join. The last death of any being is the strongest and most volatile. Sometimes the creatures die shortly after birth, their recreation too exhausting.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I can call up the images from my ancestors, to a degree; it’s the way of life. It goes back to my beginning of time. It’s how we knew this planet existed; my ancestors were already here long ago. We only returned to see if human females could be sustained but not all females can be ass kickers. Some would die of fright here. Watch this one.”

  The creature reappeared. Its wings flapped, its pointed talons curled as though fighting the storm. Beast and nature did battle in the air. The beast turned solid as it smashed, folded wings first into a solid cloud. Both cloud and beast burst into pieces and was gone.

  “Did it die?” Becky whispered.

  “No. It was reborn. So was the storm. At least that’s what some Tonans say. Personally, I have no clue. There is a memory that nags from my stepfather’s side, he was curious and was prone to acquire new knowledge. My bio father didn’t care. The memories are distorted, there and gone. And, Tonans lie, even to each other.”

  “I think humans would call it a fairy-tale, or myth. But I’d like to believe it. Simply disappearing after death sounds so sad. Like living was meaningless. Learning, earning wisdom your entire life only to have everything you know die with you. It would be nice to have the knowledge of my ancestors in my mind. I suppose humans leave, left and will leave again, their mark on history remains through artifacts and paintings, no matter where we end up. Then again, part of the aspect of being human is the intriguing wonder in putting things together. I guess that’s why so many enjoy puzzles. Except me. Puzzles are a pain in the ass and if one piece is missing, it totally screws it up.

  “My dad liked puzzles. He could solve any kind of d
ilemma. When the world fell apart, he didn’t panic, he said life was an adventure. He had one adventure too many.”

  Her words trailed to a whisper. The battle in the sky calmed. The rain continued to fall, but the smell was different. She swallowed hard. The scent of the rain was a reminder of when her father fought his last battle, and lost. The color grey brought so many memories to the surface. For a moment, the dampness on Huck’s hand warmed and she relaxed. Remembering her father caused her so much pain, and that made her furious. She wanted to recall the fun, the happiness.

  “Maybe there is truth to myth, some, I think. Not sure though,” Huck stumbled over the words. She could tell it was his strange way of trying to make her feel better.

  His attempts at truths were admirable; she sensed it wasn’t from concern of a tail. The idea was odd, but his touch made him seem thoughtful. Whenever he touched her, strange emotions swirled within, and she wondered if Tonan skin was a drug.

  Huck pulled her further into the cave. Becky gazed around. The entire interior was a soft yellow. Stalagmites and stalactites near the opening resembled fangs; the pointed tips were blood red. They were in a cave leading to caverns and hollows, some tunnels led left and others right. Inside the caverns were intricate drawings when she moved to inspect the walls. There was something alluring about the markings.

  Becky went to stand near a glowing black design that caught her attention. The image swirled in a circular motion and shapes formed. For a moment, she thought letters would appear but the lines changed color and grew larger surrounded by a dull mist. She was intrigued as the mist settled near the ground. Soon a story was unfolding of a pair of lovers meeting, giggling behind hands, under a huge mound of vines. The vines spread back with a flourish inviting her to come inside and witness the metaphors. Enchanted, Becky followed in her mind. She blinked in wonder when the scene played out life-like. The beings were in front of her, not five feet and real. The sweet smell of the room where flowers sat tickled her nostrils. The pleasant warmth surrounding her dried the few rain spots on her shirt.

  This is so real. How is this possible?

  The couple were green in color, a beautiful vivid hunter green while their eyes shone florescent. Their telltale intimate parts were bathed in soft green highlights and when the male creature ran his hand over the female’s mound, shimmering sparks danced across their flesh. The greater the touch, the more lively the light show.

  Becky felt her face burn when the couple joined in a heated embrace, illuminated, exposed and so breathtaking. Their lips sizzled red as they pressed together, their heat for one another so intense. She sucked in her breath as for a second their faces lit up, burning from desire. Passion on display while their actions told their story. She wanted to clear her throat to let them know they weren’t alone, but there were no sounds she realized. Becky was there and yet not. She was spellbound and unable to move to pull from the trance. She wasn’t afraid, simply mystified.

  The couple floated as they loved, lifting higher, turning as they ground against one another. Tongues entwined, both beings were completely bald, thin, but heart stopping the way they gave of themselves. They were loving each other, their radiant glances bathed each lover’s face, shining their hopes and dreams. She could see the female’s question of children hover in the air, and the male laughed with his face, all smiles and nodded. Their happiness made Becky smile in delight. Her heart filled for them, young love, so sweet and innocent.

  Beauty danced before her eyes as they loved. She filled with joy, hearing in her mind their laughter, their adoration. Magic, she witnessed the magic of becoming one with another. The female suddenly looked past Becky, terrified, and the couple crashed to the ground, parting. The male raised his hands in supplication, as if pleading for the female’s life, but she clutched her midriff and writhed for a moment before falling and settling; she lay still. All of her beautiful colors faded. Grey, she became the hated grey Becky loathed, making her breath catch. The little elfin creature’s ghost moved from her body and went to sit in a far corner hovering above the ground. Lost and alone she wept in silence.

  The male raced to her prone body, not seeing the ghost she became and he gathered her close. Florescent green tears trailed down his cheeks. Becky knew his lover, his life was dead. The sheer weight of a heavy stone settled in her belly. Tragedy consumed her.

  Anger engulfed the male; he jumped to his feet to face five males. The largest looked smug until the angered grieving male gripped a band at his wrist and tugged. The grieving male and the band hit the ground at the same time while an older male screamed in agony. Becky knew he was in anguish by his open-mouthed expression. The older male raced to the young male’s side and it was his turn to gather a loved one to his chest. The emotion of heart wrenching loss assaulted Becky. The pain in her chest shot daggers through her sides. She wanted to scream in outraged disbelief. The young male was dead, he had reached for the female’s hand as he fell, and in death they touched for the last time.

  Becky stood waiting for his ghost to rise, and when he did her heart leapt. When he rose from his body, he didn’t go to the female. Instead, he went to the other side of the room, slumped and he, too, sobbed. They didn’t see one another. Why can’t they see each other? Becky wanted to scream at them to turn and face the other. She pressed a hand to her mouth and sobbed uncontrollably at the image. Love and death had hit her in the face and heart when she never expected it. The blow was recoiling.

  “Becky?”

  A hard grip to her arm and Becky was yanked to Huck’s chest. The scene before her faded until she stared at a blank wall. With an awkward motion, his hand trailed up and down over her head and hair. She clung to him as she sobbed.

  “Why can’t other people allow love when it comes?” she whispered gaining control. “They were so happy.”

  “Males and females of that species aren’t allowed to be together. It’s taboo. Males with males and females with females. It’s been like that forever. Males give birth to males and females to females. The father chose his son’s mate; he was off to the side while his father ran for his son.”

  “You mean the shit smiling?”

  “Yes. He would prefer his supposed mate dead to the shame and stigma of being mated to a male who would go against belief and tradition. It’s inconceivable he would want a female. Their offspring would be considered abominations.”

  “The universe is perverted.”

  Huck took her to a darker space and sat her down by his side, keeping her next to him. “Do you prefer females over males?” Huck asked.

  “I haven’t been around other females in a long time.” Her words were thoughtful. She ground at the tears in her eyes surprised so many fell; she saw his chest glisten where her cheek pressed against him. She pulled back and ran her hands over her face. She resisted the urge to wipe his chest, to wipe her weakness from him. Becky took a deep breath fighting for composure while he waited for her response.

  “I like women but not in a sexual way. Women can understand other women better sometimes with certain things. Then again Ray was easy to talk to and he preferred women over men. We talked a lot until we met up with the others. He changed, as though he had to be manly. Funny thing was before we met the others, he was manly. He was strong and funny, caring. Safe, Ray was safe. He felt the need to be rude and rough on the shuttle to fit in. He will never fit in with the others. Ray’s too much of a man.”

  “You think a male should be caring and not rough?”

  “Depends on the situation.”

  “I’m a warrior.”

  Becky sighed. “I believe you’ve mentioned that, about a zillion times.”

  Huck traced the wetness on his chest, his features intense. “You do know how to cry.”

  “Of course I know how. I don’t like to.” She was annoyed.

  “My shield says you were coerced into tears. The sadness is real but it wasn’t fair. You’ll have to be strong and keep away from the images.�
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  Huck’s fingers began smoothing over her shoulders and arms, and he turned her from the wall as it taunted and swirled from six feet away. She gazed at him and he seemed to be deep in concentration. He wasn’t hurting her, and she didn’t think he was trying to provoke a sexual response. His caress was gentle, sweet even. After a while he stopped and smiled.

  “Is that a male’s touch? A man’s touch?” he asked.

  “Yes, Huck. That is a man’s touch.”

  “I think I can do this.”

  “Have you been with a woman, a female before?”

  “Of course.” He sounded offended.

  “Didn’t they want a man’s touch?”

  “No. They were Tonan females wanting sex, a male warrior, nothing more. They wanted strength, power to envelope them.”

  “I don’t.”

  Huck frowned. Becky curled up on her side away from him. For a second another spiraling picture on the wall caught her attention. Before she could be sucked into tragedy, Becky turned and buried her face into Huck’s chest as he lay down beside her.

  With awkward movements, he pulled her closer. “Go to sleep, Becky. I didn’t realize how susceptible you are to the images. I don’t care that those on the wall died or how they died. In you, they find an emotional audience. Don’t worry about the others outside. This cavern keeps the other shadows out, the ones wandering the planet. If they come in, their stories will be imprinted on the walls forever. They won’t move on. In here, in death, they can’t connect. Tragedy calls to those outside, the ones who died in rage of betrayal. Until the betrayer can atone, the image is engraved for all to see as a life’s lesson. I’m not certain what other images you might be susceptible to. Your people have stories and books that should have lived forever. These beings had no such release. Their stories are written on the walls.”

  “I hate it here.”

  “Me, too.”

  Huck sounded confused. He gazed for a moment at the hand touching her. He made a fist then opened his fingers and wiggled them. For a moment he trailed his thumb across her shoulder and sighed. His skin touched the last wetness of her tears against his chest.