CristOF growled low. “I’m dangerous too. He dared to hurt and frighten my female. He will meet justice for that…or die.”
Tera wanted to argue with him further, but the sound of branches crushed beneath boots had them both turning to look in the direction Tera had come from. CristOF pushed her behind him protectively.
The rebel leader came into view and he had his blaster raised and pointed at them. “Tracker...you’ve caused me enough problems. It will be my pleasure to destroy you. Know that once you’re dead, I will deal with your female slowly torturing her over and over before ending her life as well.”
“LazarUS is it? You are bold with your blaster in your hand. Are you too afraid to face me like an honorable male, hand to hand?”
The rebel leader put his blaster in a side holster and spread his arms. “I am more than happy to kill you with my bare hands.”
Tera was shoved back. It was clear that CristOF wanted her to flee while he fought the other man but she stood there, frozen in fear for him. The rebel leader had no honor and she was positive that he would not be fighting fair. The least she could do was be there to help if the man pulled any tricks on CristOF.
It was the worst feeling to stand there and watch the whole thing unfolding. I had never been witnessed a fight except in elementary school. Two boys got into a fight on the playground over who would play the superhero and who would play the villain. She had never felt so helpless as she could do nothing but stand back and watch.
They circled around each other, their hands to their sides ready for a strike, each waiting for the other to make the first move. She knew instinctively that it wouldn’t be CristOF who moved first.
CristOF had slow smooth movements. Every move had purpose. He was clearly comfortable watching, waiting for the perfect moment. She could see the hunter in him, stalking his prey, reserving his strength and energy, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
In contrast, the rebel leader tried to attack with quick choppy movements, easily dodged. He was already sweating profusely. His hands shook, and he kept moving toward his blaster nervously. When he’d threatened Tera he was much more sure of himself, but facing an equal or someone more experienced had him acting clumsily.
The rebel leader tried to punch CristOF, but he easily stepped out of the way.
“You move too predictably.” CristOF told him making the rebel leader kick out with his right leg. That made contact with CristOF’s hip, forcing him to step backward.
Tera gasped, but CristOF showed no sign of emotion, no expression except the raising of his eyebrow. He was taking note of his opponent’s every move, every weakness. CristOF missed nothing.
Then, like lightning, he made his first move, jumping in the air and coming down on the rebel’s leg. She cringed at the sound of the bone snapping. It was broken and the pain that shot up the other man’s face looked excruciating. He fell to the ground. CristOF turned to glance at her briefly.
Was it over? She made to move toward CristOF but saw that the rebel leader now held a blade. “No!”
She didn’t even remember doing it but she moved forward to place her body between CristOF and the rebel leader. The rebel threw the knife and she felt the sharp blade hit her in the back.
CristOF shot his blaster at the man on the ground and caught her as she started to fall to the ground. Sounds of others coming toward them were drowned out. All she could see and hear was the sound of her heart and CristOF’s. He was so beautiful to her, even now with the expression of worry on his handsome face.
“No! Tera no!” He held her in his arms, gently turning her to look at the blade stuck in her back. It must be bad; his hands were shaking.
She gasped from the pain when he tried to pull the blade out. “CristOF…”
“Don’t talk, the medic is coming. I can’t pull the blade out until he’s here with the nanos and a skin sealant. Stay with me, don’t fall asleep honey. Stay with me.”
Tera reached up to touch his cheek and found that it was wet. “Are you crying?”
“I can’t lose you, not now that I have found you.”
She smiled at him trying to hide her pain. She might have complained about the pain but she was feeling weak, so weak. The importance struck her that she may never get another chance to tell him how she felt about him.
“You’re so handsome. I love you. I didn’t get to tell you. I should have told you that I was falling...love...you.” Everything went dark.
