The layer of grit on the concrete path crunched under his boots as he prowled toward the front of the building. Maybe he could make himself useful by finding more appropriate clothing to wear. He sighed, anger quickly dissipating as he reached the front office. He went past the reception desk and into the laundry room behind. This time, in the dawning light of day, he could see what he missed the night before in the dark. There were a series of baskets, all with folded clothing, ready to be returned to their owners.
Domik went to the first basket and upended it on the table in the middle of the workspace. Quickly sorting through the clothing, he pulled out what he hoped would be appropriate-sized pants for CJ. Then a shirt and a sweater and socks and underwear.
Finding clothing for himself was much harder, but he found a tee-shirt and a jacket, and some socks he hoped would fit. The rest he could make do with.
He was just stuffing the items into a backpack he had found under the bench when a distant noise had him freezing.
Once heard, you never forgot the sound of a Xakul ship.
His head whipped up to look in the direction of the room he had shared with CJ, as if he could see through the bricks and reassure himself she was safe.
Domik’s hands shook as he forced himself to finish stuffing the clothes into the bag, before grabbing the handles in one hand and sliding from the room on silent feet.
I have to get back to her.
The noise of the ship was getting louder with every beat of his heart. He cursed his stupidity for leaving the pistol behind in the hotel room, and leaving wearing what? Sweatpants? Did he have a death wish? He knew better than that. He tilted his head, listening. The ship moved closer and closer, and now was almost directly overhead. Domik pressed himself against the wall of the motel, praying to gods he had long since given up believing in, as he moved as fast as he dared back to the room.
Please, just let her stay safe. Don’t let her come out here.
As Domik looked up, the ship appeared, gleaming in the sunlight, the dark hull glinting every color and yet no color, like oil on water. But there was something different about this ship. A thought niggled at the back of his mind.
His hand was slicked with nervous sweat, and he growled, the door handle twisting in his grip. Yelling in frustration, he slammed his body against the door, falling into the room as the upper hinge tore from the frame. He fell to the floor, landing hard on his side.
“CJ!” he bellowed, scrambling to his hands and knees. He had barely gained his feet when he tripped over the fallen door, falling to his knees on the floor.
He struggled to hear anything over the sound of the Xakul ship overhead. He had to get to her.
He made his way to the bathroom, half crawling, half dragging himself with unsteady arms. The door was only partly closed, and he paused, breathing heavily.
If he pushed the door open and she wasn’t there, his life would be over.
Lips thinned, he pushed gently, opening the door.
A soft whimper reached him, and he pulled himself into the room to see her curled into a ball inside the bathtub, her head buried in her hands, lying on her side.
Domik climbed into the tub, pulling her onto his lap. Her hands balled into fists and she flailed as he lifted her.
“Don’t touch me! Let me go!” Her eyes were wild and unfocused, sobs wracking her chest, tears pouring down her face.
Domik smoothed a hand over her hair, murmuring soothing noises as he held her gently in his arms.
“Dom?” she whispered.
“I’m here. You’re safe.”
She relaxed, the tension leaving her body. She drooped, limp in his arms, sighing and burrowing into his chest.
Domik glanced through the partially open door into the room. The door to the outside hung from its hinges, daylight streaming into the room. The noise from the Xakul ship quietened, the ship moving away.
They had been lucky.
He wasn’t sure how long they sat there, his large form wrapped around hers, but she gradually settled and lifted her head from his chest.
“I was back there,” she said, hazel eyes filled with tears.
Domik shifted, lifting her to her feet on the bathroom floor. “Where?”
“On Mars. The Xakul ships. You never forget that noise, you know?”
