"Fine, Drasuk," I say, rolling the name around in my mouth. "I'm Kira."
"Kira," it repeats. "Interesting."
We keep moving, the tension between us easing slightly. I'm still wary, still on edge, but at least we're not at each other's throats. For now, that's enough.
As we walk, I keep my senses sharp, listening for any sign of the aliens, looking for flashes of silver that might lead me to other women. The forest is dense, and every shadow seems to hide a potential threat. I glance at Drasuk occasionally, watching for any signs of betrayal. But so far, it seems content to follow my lead.
"What's your story?" I ask eventually, unable to keep my curiosity at bay. "Why were you hunting me?"
Drasuk's eyes flicker with something I can't quite read. "I was brought here against my will, it's only fitting I hunted down those foolish enough to hunt me. I simply confused you to be one of them."
"No excrement," I mutter.
"You are right. I didn't smell that. You smell like a genali."
"I didn't mean that's what I smell like. I meant... Forget it. Genali?"
"Gray and covered in mucus. Three legs. Obsessed with all things wet."
I shudder. "Yes, they changed me, so it makes sense I smell like them, not to mention I killed one. But why were you hunting them in the first place?"
It hesitates, its gaze distant. "Revenge, of course," it says finally. "Dying on my side without a fight is not a lifestyle I am accustomed to."
I nod, understanding all too well. "Same here," I say quietly. "They took...”
I almost sayusand I'm glad I stopped myself. If I come across another woman, then he'll get to know who I'm searching for, but for now I don't want to let him know.
"Me. Took me and experimented on me. I'm not going to let them get away with it."
Drasuk's eyes meet mine, a spark of recognition passing between us. I'm relieved when I see something other than a predator in its gaze. There's a shared pain, a mutual understanding.
It's a small thing, but it's enough to cement our uneasy alliance.
We move through the forest, our pace steady. Every now and then, I catch Drasuk glancing at me, its expression thoughtful. I wonder what it's thinking, but I don't ask. We're both carrying our own burdens and I don't want to shoulder any of those for it.
Eventually, we come to a clearing. I pause, scanning the area for any sign of danger. It seems safe enough, and I motion for Drasuk to follow me. We make our way to the center, and I take a moment to catch my breath.
Drasuk watches me, its eyes sharp. "What's the plan?" it asks.
"We rest," I say simply. "And then we figure out our next move."
It nods, settling down beside me.
The silence between us is companionable, a stark contrast to our earlier hostility. I lean back against a tree, letting my eyes drift shut for a moment. The exhaustion is overwhelming, but I can't afford to let my guard down completely.
As I rest, I think about everything that's happened. The experiments, the escape, and the constant fight for survival. It's a lot to process, and I feel a pang of homesickness. But there's no going back, not now.
All I can do is keep moving.
Beside me, Drasuk shifts, its presence a comforting weight. For all its bluster and aggression, there's a growing sense of camaraderie between us. We're both survivors, both fighting against the odds.
I open my eyes, meeting Drasuk's gaze. "Thank you," I say quietly. "For not killing me, I mean."
It snorts, a sound that's almost a laugh. "Don't thank me yet, little one. We're not out of this place."
I roll my eyes. "No excrement. Damn the thing, that isn't as satisfying in your language."
I let my head flop back again, annoyed that I can't even curse properly.
