“I should probably check on both of them, and then on the plants that I was collecting. I’m sure we lost most of them if it got as cold as you said it did. There’s no way the heaters could have kept up in the tent.”
“I will bring that up to Father. We have become so focused on the housing pods that other needs have been set aside. I believe a secure medical facility must be considered and prioritized. We were not prepared for this, and according to HaL, this happens frequently in this sector.”
Looking around, I realize I don’t really have anything I need to take with me, but I’m still uneasy about leaving. “MeK, can one of you bring me back here after I’m done? I don’t want KyT to wake up worried.”
“Vedece, I will show you how to operate the sled so you can come and go, but only if you agree to pack a weapon and check in the moment you are safely inside the ship.”
“I have no issues with that.”
MeK and BuK step through the vines, but the moment I lift my leg over the large branch at the bottom, a smaller vine wraps gently around my waist, lifting me gently back inside. “What the hell?!” The entrance we had made so the others could come inside closes right before my eyes.
“Vedece, you alright?”
“Yes, but it looks like KyT is more aware than we all realized because he has made it clear that I’m not leaving.”
“Do you want us to try to get through again?”
“No, I have a feeling he’s not gonna allow me out of here until it warms up some, so you two go on.” I can hear their voices on the other side of the vines, but it’s MeK who finally addresses me directly.
“Vedece, I will comm you later, and if you change your mind, just reach out. Father is on his way planetside now, so if KyT is not responsive by next rising, then I will bring him out and see if KyT will listen to him.”
Before I can say anything back, I hear their footsteps heading away and the sound of the outer door closing. Suddenly, the place is way too quiet again, and I swear I can hear my own heartbeat in my head. Frustrated, I turn toward the bed only to realize the vine is still wrapped around my waist.
“Okay KyT, you can let go now. I’m not going anywhere.”
A small screech leaves my lips when I’m suddenly lifted a few feet off the ground and pulled toward the area where KyT had been completely absorbed by his ship. It opens slightly, showing me the outline of KyT’s face. The vine sets me down, then gently unwraps itself. I reach up, tracing the smooth bark that is holding the man I swore to myself that I would not get attached to. His eyes are closed, but I don’t feel so alone now that I can see him.
“KyT, can you hear me? Is all of this just my imagination?”
A smaller vine reaches out of the wall and wraps itself around my wrist, lifting my hand up so that I can press it against his face. Then I hear his voice in my head. “You stayed?”
“Well sweet thing, you didn’t give me much of a choice and all of your little friends here are quite touchy-feely.”
“Cold, hurt … dangerous.”
“I didn’t understand then, but I do now. I have no idea how I’m hearing you. Is this some sort of vine voodoo? It doesn’t matter now, but it does my heart good to know you are still here with me. You scared me.”
“MINE, safe … protect.”
“I don’t know about all that, but I understand you saved my life. Rest, KyT, I will be here when you wake up.”
When I go to move my hand away from his face, the small branch that was holding onto my wrist breaks, and I gasp, thinking I’ve hurt him. Before I can get it off, it curls up and around my arm on its own, and there’s a slight pinch where the broken off end pokes my skin, making a small pool of blood appear. “Oww!” To my own horror, I watch as the vine seals completely over the small cut. When I try to tug it free, it holds firmly.
“Okay Vedece, no flipping the hell out! There’s a rational reason why this vine is now attached to you, and as soon as KyT wakes up, he’ll fix this. No reason to stress over the little things since it’s not hurting you. Maybe you should be more worried about talking to yourself.”
I’m still having a conversation with myself when I start walking around the room looking for the clip I use for my hair, only tocome to a dead stop when I catch a glimpse of myself in the long mirror in the bathroom. Holding my arm out, I look at the vine that I swear seems like it’s embedding itself deeper into my skin. Small buds have begun to form along the back, but I can’t tell whether they are leaves or flowers.
“Looking at it is not going to make it go away, Vedece. Everything is all right … you know to expect the unexpected here, so no freaking out.” Clipping my hair up, I practically run out of the room. “KyT, you need to wake the hell up and tell me what’s going on here! Because the rational Vedece and the psycho one are talking way too much right now.”
“Safe … MINE!”
I wonder if I scream, stomp my foot, and throw a small temper tantrum, if I’ll get more than a few words from him? KyT must be more aware than I realize because the next thing I know, I’m being swept up off the floor once again, only to be lowered down into what I’m assuming is a hammock that has simply appeared out of nowhere. Just as the hammock begins to sway gently back and forth, the scent of lavender and something odd surrounds me. Instantly, my body relaxes, and I can no longer figure out what had me upset in the first place. Lying back fully, I let my mind quiet as I’m rocked slowly.
“Tell me, why are you scared?”
“Scared … such a small word for so many big things.” I close my eyes, fighting the tears I thought were long gone. I know what KyT really wants to know. He sees how hesitant I am around all the guys here, how I keep myself apart not only from him, but everyone else as well. I can tell he cares about me, but I no longer trust my own senses. This is a lesson I learned the hard way.
“Trust.”
