FORTY-TWO
THE END OF SOMETHING, THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER
Krellix
The next morning,the clouds have spread across the sky, creating a veil of rain in the distance. Around me, the soldiers and a few brave refugees are laying out anything that can contain water. They side-eye me as I help haul some of their heavy machinery back within the encampment walls.
Since many of the machines no longer work the bigger ones like the loggers have been relegated to being stripped down for parts, while the smaller ones, the drones and flyers, are being brought back into the camp to be reprogrammed. Transporting them is the first task given to Nepsh and I, by suggestion of several of the soldiers—and Julia’s say as well—to show off our strength and to get people used to seeing us within and around the walls. I am glad to do whatever Julia needs, as long as I can be near her where I can keep her safe.
And as for Nepsh, he is desperate to learn more about the humans, in any way it seems possible. When the few soldiers remaining accepted Julia—and me—back into the camp, Nepsh was not far behind. Kodyx, I have asked to remain in theforest with the rest of the nagas. Someone must keep an eye on them. Their patterns and colors are forming more everyday and many have already begun to cluster together into clans. But so far, keeping them as together as possible has encouraged community. Those that decide to break away are allowed to leave, as long as they leave peacefully. Those that have stayed are refining their hunting skills and learning to live off what the land provides, as well as learning how to communicate from their orbs. A skill they will need if our hopes are to be fulfilled.
I want what Julia wants. I want it to be possible for nagas and humans to live together. I want the forest to be safer for her, but also for my friends, and for their young… Formyfuture young.
The rain starts that day.
Soft, light kisses from the sky, water drips down gently at first, barely pinging the plastic sheets making up the many tents. Leaving the machines behind, I head out into the open path where several humans have gathered, including Julia, all covering their eyes and gazing up at the sky.
“It’s not bad at all,” one of them says.
“When you said water was going to start falling last night, I was expecting a lot worse,” Benjamin adds.
“Krellix said there could be a lot. That we should watch how dark the clouds get.” Julia blinks and meets my eyes over the others. She smiles.
I watch as several raindrops land on her long hair, tied loosely down her back. The thick dampness in the air pulls a little bit of frizz from the strands. I’d like to streak my claws through them and remove the band, let it fall free and wild, but I wait for her to come to me instead.
She does.
“Well, the clouds are pretty dark and the rain is beginning to pick up.” Benjamin drops his hand and looks away from the sky. When he notices Julia crossing towards me, his shoulders jump,but then he faces me outright. “How bad do you think it’s going to get?” he asks. The rest of the group turns to face me at the same time.
“If you are done setting out your buckets, I recommend seeking shelter,” I say as a large drop of rain runs down the side of my brow and cheek. “It only takessss seconds for it to get bad.” I coil my tailtip around Julia’s boots.
“Want to come back to my tent?” she asks, her voice soft enough for only me to hear. “Come.” She steps over my tail and starts walking away but waves me after her. “Your tail should mostly fit.”
I have not visited Julia’s tent yet. Last evening, after she and I arrived, we were up late into the night talking to the soldiers and other members of the camp who assembled to hear Julia’s proposals. It had not gone well until Olivia spoke on my behalf. And then Benjamin, Quinton, and even some of the soldiers, convinced the rest to give me the“benefit of the doubt.”But after the argument had settled, it was late and I needed to get back to Kodyx. Fortunately, Julia remained in the encampment overnight while I returned to the forest, and I was able to do what I needed to do without worrying about her safety.
We can make this work.
Water soaks Julia and I on our way to the haphazard double-tent she has created for herself. Her new home is tucked in the shallow confines of the ruins of one of the old facility buildings, set off to the side, more private than the rest, though not nearly as large as some of the tents in the encampment. I lean down and duck inside when she lifts the wide flap for me. Inside, I am able to rise upright, and I find the ground is covered in more plastic and the space is mostly enclosed.
She pulls out her hair, then reties it as she crouches on the ground to push off her boots. “We should have some amount of privacy here. Only Olivia’s tent is nearby.”
The rain thuds the top of the plastic tarp, covering some of the sound we are making.
There is a small, low table in the back of the space next to two floor cushions set side-by-side. At the top of the cushions is a smaller cushion for her head—a thin-looking pillow. Her pack is on the ground next to the table and on the table itself is a single cup, partially filled with water, and a lantern. It is sparse and less than she deserves. But it is a start.
I coil my tail under me and take over the space outside the floor cushions, quickly filling it up. She has to step over me several times to turn the light on within the lantern.
I peer around the small but cozy space, relaxed by her scent, andonlyher scent, all around. The rain hums heavier on the plastic.
She sits on the cushion across from me and, grabbing my lower tail to pull onto the cushion with her, begins caressing my scales. “I took the tent of a soldier who fled. They’re bigger than the emergency ones that a lot of the refugees have. They were being redistributed this morning to those with families. This one is missing an anchor, which is why it’s mine and why it’s pinned under the building in the back there. I kept my first tent and repurposed it to extend the side of this one. I needed more space… for you.”
“My female has a nesssst,” I say, appraising the thin blanket folded over the cushions. She must have something warmer before the cold season.
Julia’s brow lifts. “I do.” She levels her eyes with mine. “And now it’s yours too.” Shuffling over, she pats the nearest cushion with her hand. “I laid out two for a reason.” I eye the thin floor bed warily, but shift onto it, into the space she has made for me. “Lie back, try out the pillow.”
Though dubious, I do as she says, lying out and resting my head on the pillow.
“What do you think?” she asks, searching my face like my answer means everything.
