“It is an insulting reference to a carnal act.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want there to be any misunderstanding in the future.”
He had a hunch she just insulted him now.
“Do you have a specific town in mind?”
“No. That’s what I need you for.”
“The town of Big Creek is up the road a few miles. We can start there.”
“If that’s what you think is best,” he said.
Chapter Eleven
She doubted the alien told the truth about only desiring to find his brother and that he’d let her go at the end of a month. He acted sincere, but she’d learned the hard way people weren’t what they seemed, and he was the enemy. But while he could force her to accompany him, he couldn’t force her to betray her people. Anybody they encountered would run like hell—she’d see to that!
She might end up dead, but she owed it to Annabelle, Mike, Bill, and Duncan. She grieved for them even though they’d just met. Survivor’s guilt weighed heavily on her conscience. Because the Progg had gone after them, she’d been able to escape. Worse, she felt responsible for their deaths. Most likely the foursome would have died whether she was there or not, but she felt like her presence had caused them to let their guard down. If she hadn’t been there, maybe they wouldn’t have let Caleb into the store. Maybe Billwould have been better positioned to take the shot and would have killed the Progg. So many maybes.
Going with the alien scared her, but she didn’t have a choice, and maybe she could atone for her role in the foursome’s death. She’d steer him away from likely hiding places and make lots of noise. Engage him in conversation so any human in the vicinity would hear his Progg voice. And at the first opportunity, she’d run like hell.
Surreptitiously she studied him. Like the others, he was silver all over and bald, except for a bristly, stiff mohawk. If he hadn’t been an alien invader, she might have thought his smile was engaging, if subtly odd because of the lack of canine teeth. He hadn’t lied about being vegan. As a veterinary assistant, she’d seen enough animal choppers to recognize herbivore teeth.
It wasn’t the alien features that disconcerted her, but the human ones—his beguiling, baby-blue eyes.
The most amusing aspect was his appetite. He ate with gusto and a grin.He sure seems to be enjoying the oatmeal.
Fresh, hot oatmeal beat stale processed potato chips, but it was still just oatmeal. He swallowed the last spoonful and eyed the empty bowl as if he mightlick it but then pushed it away with a satisfied sigh. “I enjoyed that. Thank you.”
Thank you?Her jaw dropped.
“You are surprised?”
“You thanked me.”
“You provided me with a delicious meal. Isn’t it customary to express gratitude for a favor?”
“It’s customary to respond to a favor with a favor.”
“I’m not letting you go.” He caught her drift right away.
She gathered up the dirty dishes and carried them inside. After washing them, she made the bed. Probably, no one would ever sleep here again, but cleaning up seemed like the respectful, honorable thing to do. This had been someone’s home.
She secured the bedroom window then moved into the living room where the window was wide open, the screen propped against the wall.That’s how he got in.I pretty much rolled out the welcome mat.
“Why did you pick this house?” she asked.
He leaned against the doorjamb between the living room and the kitchen. “I was tired, and it was here.”
Same reasons she did.Lesson learned. Avoid the obvious.
She eyed the bicycle. Bring it or leave it? If she got a chance to flee, she could better outrun him on the bike. However, it wasn’t likely she would ride while he walked, so she’d be stuck pushing it.Leave it.If someone did happen by, they might appreciate having a bike.
They exited through the kitchen door. She locked up the house and returned the key under the flower pot. He motioned for her to go, and they tromped around the side, through the weeds toward the road.
“Ruff! Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!” A dog bounded out of the brush—the first and only one she’d seen since the invasion. Her entire body lit up with joy.A dog!
“Stand back!” Rok shouted and grabbed his weapon.
