Chapter Eight
***
It was near eveningby the time they had visited all of the coastal inlets. The watership was heading toward the nearest isle outer-lots. Rylie fiddled with the gel that covered her cut.
Kepler's sun was on its descent and the heat of the day began to fade into an evening chill. Her shoulders hunched into the towel draped around her.
She and Janet, along with the Cyborgs, had collected samples from every single lot. It made for an exhausting day. If her head hit a pillow, she would be out before her next breath.
She burrowed into the towel further as the night digressed into open cans of beer, seawater all over the ship's floor, bags of snacks and chips scattered about, and the descent into suffocating strain.
Every single nugget had produced a cloudy gem. Every one they had collected today. They had not encountered one large group of swimmers nor had they come any closer to a conclusion to what may be happening.
The men had grown quieter as the day went on, but Janet had gotten more boisterous to make up for it, leaving a trail of silence behind her wherever she went. Rylie was hanging onto the thread of her last nerve.
Her eyes lifted to watch Janet brush out her hair and talk to Da. She sat across from them, not devoting her full attention to either.
Rylie was almost impressed with the Cyborgs for not coming to blows over Janet. It had happened in the past with men, in less time and with far less flirtation.
Her hand tingled. She bit the inside of her cheek and ignored it. She’d been on edge ever since this morning.
“This is our last stop.”
There was a pause before anyone responded.
“Is there any reason for us to check this one? Or do you think this will be different from the rest?” Zeph groused. The tension was thick enough to cut through.
Rylie was far too tired for it.
“You can stay here while Netto and I check it then,” Janet teased.
She's playing with fire. Just stop, Janet, please stop.
Netto hadn't spoken to her since this morning. Not since he had licked and sucked on her hand.
Since he had trapped her into a corner and blocked out the overhead light. She still felt his mouth on her palm, pulling at her skin, sending shockwaves straight through her nerves. Her skin broke out in goosebumps just at the thought of it.
But it died as her sister got up and stretched, thrusting out her chest toward their guests, and cracked her back.
Zeph stood up, “I'll go.”
Janet smiled as Zeph followed on her heels and into the water.
“Anyone hungry?” Da asked.
“No.”
Netto shook his head. He hadn't eaten once since he arrived.
