“What? That makes no sense. How can you have a home you’ve never seen?” Drayven was definitely an oddball, but I felt comfortable around him. Normally, I couldn’t stand to be near people. In a matter of minutes, he’d piqued my interest with his strange accent and even stranger comments.
“Perhaps I misspoke.” He set the empty can on the dirt and propped an elbow on his thigh, setting his chin into his hand to stare at the fire. “Idohave a place to live, but it is not my home. We have finally accomplished our goal after many, many years. Now, we are turning our attention to the journey back to whence we came.” His face tipped up to the stars. “And I must ensure we get there in one piece with sound minds. We are pragmatic and serious, which is great for the short term, but the voyage promises to be long and dull. I came here to find inspiration for my design, to breathe life into a sterile environment, to bring beauty to bleakness.”
He talks like a scientist or a doctor.
“You said your people? Are you a refugee?” Sometimes a city would be designated as a haven for refugees from other countries.Though he doesn’t really come across like he’s from a different country.I didn’t add this thought, though, because I didn’t wish to dive any deeper into what he’d said. A tinyniggling festered at the back of my mind, that he was something other than human, and I shut down the thought.
Overactive imagination, just as Momma had always proclaimed.
My words must’ve broken him from his reverie, because he swiveled his attention to me and grinned. Though his face was handsome, something in his smile seemed tight, strained. “I doubt you would have heard of my people. We keep to ourselves.”
“Fair enough. Well,” I stood. “Thank you for not letting me fall into the fire. I’ve got an early day tomorrow, so…”
“Oh, yes.” He rose to his six foot and a half height. “Thank you for the beer. It was…interesting.”
I gave a genuine laugh. “You’re welcome. If you’re still here tomorrow, swing by for dinner. I make some mean grilled hotdogs.”Wait. What did I just do?Why did I invite him to join me for dinner?That’s the beer talking, you idiot.I immediately poured the rest out of the can onto the thirsty ground.
“That would be wonderful. Can you teach me how to paint?”
My mouth opened and closed in the manner of a fish gulping for air.
“I am sorry. Brax always says I am his most impulsive engineer.”
Engineer?I put a hand on my hip and gave my new acquaintance a closer look. His jeans, though faded, didn’t have a smudge of dirt and his button-down shirt hung straight, no creases or signs of distress from spending a day in the woods.
So, not a doctor, but an engineer.It explained why he spoke with such intelligence.Good for him.I hadn’t even finished high school.
He pursed his lips. “Perhaps another day, then. Goodbye, Gerri Johnson. It truly has been a pleasure to meet such an interesting, beautiful woman.”
An urge to apologize for my silence, to tell him of course I’d love to teach him art, rose within, but then I squashed it down.Maybe it’s better this way.I’d been on my own for years. No sense in screwing it up now. And if I was lucky, he’d forget about the dinner invitation I’d so blatantly given out.
“Goodnight, Drayven.” Without another glance his way, I pivoted and kicked dirt over the flames, helping the fire to die down before I went to sleep.
I felt his eyes on my back for another thirty seconds or so, then the sound of crunching rocks under his feet until they faded into the distance.
A little part inside of me regretted my sudden coldness.It’s what I’m good at—driving people away. The fewer people in my life means the fewer chances of being hurt.
With a heavy heart, I pulled out my traveling backpack, retrieved my toothbrush, and started my wind-down process before sleeping.
It’s better this way. Really.
Chapter 3
Instead of transporting to my ship, I walked through the trees. Even though the gravity of Earth was stronger than Mars, I enjoyed the extra pull on my muscles. According to the old-timers, Voldera could have been the sister to Earth in almost every way. This reminder should have kept me focused on the reason I had gone on this lone adventure, but Gerri Johnson had not been what I had expected of humans.
Most Volderens who had been to Earth were not impressed with humanity, citing arrogance, selfishness, and laziness. But Gerri?
I had sensed none of that in her. Maybe standoffish, but I could understand. I read their social media chatter about human men and bears, and if the females felt safer with wild animals, it completely explained her hesitation.
Now back at the Sparrow, I ascended the ramp and made my way to the cockpit. A message light blinked on the console and I frowned.I bet I know who that’s from.
Seating myself in the chair, I tapped the screen. The message started with a recording of Baraxen. “I did not give you authorization to visit Earth. You are putting yourself in grave danger. If the US military gets their hands on another one of our ships…” He took a long breath and closed his bright eyes. “You know the consequences. I expect more from you, Drayven. We need you on Mars working on thePerseverence. The countdown clock is ticking. The sooner we can leave, the better. It’s not only humans we should be worried about. We have detected strange signals over the past few days thatare notfrom Earth. You have sixteen hours to get your ass back. Do not make me send Voren. You know how he is. Out.”
The monitor went dark.
I reached up and rubbed one of my horns, the unblemished surface against my fingertip a self-soothing gesture. Even though I looked human thanks to the lifecord, I could still feel my true body.
Sixteen hours.Okay, I can live with that.I glanced at the time on the device, which was synced to Earth time. As long as I get into orbit by two tomorrow afternoon, I should be safe from Brax’s grumpy brother, Voren.
