Aphelion

by L. J. Higgins

  “I didn’t even know it was an option until a few minutes ago.”

  “You don’t understand…”

  “Then make me understand, Reece. Otherwise I’m going in there to get my pendant.”

  “Your pendant?” He paused for a moment in thought. “It’s that important to you you’d risk everything to have it?”

  “That pendant has been the only link to my past I’ve had for the past two years. I can’t explain why, and I know to you it’s just a silly trinket, but to me it’s important.”

  He dug into his utility belt and pulled out a small pin with a strange symbol on it in black and gold. “I understand. This is all I have left of my family and my home. I’ll come with you. But you need to make sure no one notices we’re back. If Commander Kane or Agent Rickson get a whiff of what I am and that you’re leaving, they’ll do everything in their power to make sure you don’t get back to Tyson. You’re all they’ve got to stop him from doing anything crazy.”

  It was hard to believe I was such an integral part of their plan. Could my nerdy brother and a band of aliens really be that much of a threat to them?

  “I can’t be that important,” I said. “They’d never let me out of their sight.”

  “Yeah, and that’d go down like a tonne of bricks. Look how you took being put off missions because of me. They waited until you were trained and were convinced you believed every word they said, then they knew it was safe to send you out.”

  “No wonder the Commander freaked out when I told him Mr. Barth talked to me. He told me everything he said was to turn me against Skywatchers, but he was trying to tell me the truth.”

  “A truth you weren’t ready to hear,” said Reece. “They’ll pay for everything they’ve done to you and to my people, but we can’t do anything until I get you back to your brother. Tyson won’t do a thing until he knows you’re safe and out of their clutches.”

  My heart sank heavy in my chest. For the past two years, I’d been no more than a pawn in the sick game Skywatchers was playing with my brother and a bunch of aliens. They’d made me believe I was special, the best and youngest alien hunter that’d ever graced the halls of Skywatchers. And I’d lapped up every compliment. Believed every word.

  “We better get moving if you want to get your pendant. I can answer all your questions once we’re well away from that horrible place,” said Reece. “Do you know what it was like spending all that time with people who’d murdered my friends and family?”

  People like me. I shuddered at his words. How had he wanted to kiss me instead of slitting my throat in my sleep?

  “Maybe you should wait out here? Keep watch or something?” I suggested, suddenly uncomfortable in his presence.

  He shook his head. “I’m not letting you out of my sight. Your brother would never forgive me if anything happened to you. Especially now that you know everything.”

  I hated how he talked about my brother, how he knew more about Tyson than I did. All the times I’d talked to him about Tyson and said how much I missed him. Never once did Reece hint that he was alive.

  “I’m guessing all that ‘I’m a clumsy oaf’ crap was to scare off aliens, so let’s just make sure you don’t screw this up right?” I said.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  We stashed our guns beneath a hedge that lined a shopfront two buildings away from Skywatchers, away from any streetlights. When I was sure they couldn’t be seen, I made my way towards Skywatchers with Reece right behind me. My stomach clenched as I spotted the tall building, but I pushed myself forward, unable to leave behind the only connection I’d had to my family. The number of times I’d gripped that pendant and wished I could talk to Tyson one last time. Now Reece was giving me what I’d been hoping for and had believed could never happen. But I couldn’t forget the lies and secrets he’d kept from me. He could tell me until he was blue in the face that I wasn’t ready to hear what he’d had to say, but all he’d needed to do was show me the video of Tyson and I would’ve believed every word.

  I kept my head low as I strode through the main foyer of Skywatchers, not making eye contact with the lady with the ponytail behind the front desk or any of the staff passing by. I pressed the button beside the elevator and rested my back against the wall, arms crossed over my chest, waiting for the lift to arrive.

  Reece’s eyes darted back and forth across the room as he stood anxiously waiting for the door.

  “Can you stop it?” I spat at him.

  “What?”

  “Looking so dodgy. If you can’t keep your nerve, you can stay right here.”

  “I’m fine,” he said semi-convincingly.

  The elevator dinged and the door slid open.

  “Ladies first,” Reece offered.

  I shook my head and stepped inside, pressing level five for what would I hoped be the last time. I’d given two years of my life to these people. I’d murdered aliens because I’d believed they were evil, something to be feared. Gritting my teeth, I forced back the hurt, anger and sadness that accompanied my thoughts. The time would come to deal with what I’d done. Right now, I needed my pendant and to find my brother.

  We arrived on floor five and I made my way to my room, sliding my card to unlock it and stepping through the door with Reece behind me. He closed it and flicked the lock.

  I went straight to my side table and pulled out the small box that held my pendant. I sighed in relief when I opened the lid to find it was nestled neatly inside. Without ceremony, I clasped it around my neck.

  “Should I grab clothes or something?” I asked.

  “No. We need to travel as light as possible. I’ll be able to get you whatever you need. You’ll freak people out if you rock up looking like a hunter.”

  “I am a hunter.”

  “Ky…”

  “What? You can’t just pretend I haven’t spent the past few years murdering your people. They aren’t exactly going to welcome me with open arms, are they?” I swallowed down the hurt that accompanied my words.

  “They brainwashed you into believing we were evil,” he argued. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “No clothes then?” I was done with the conversation and the guilt that went with it. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Reece opened the door a crack, peering out into the corridor.

  “Oh, for God’s sake. Let me.” I tore the door from his hands and stepped into the corridor.

  “Ky?”

  Ricko’s voice sent my body rigid, but only for a moment. My feet carried me towards the elevator as though they had a mind of their own. I wasn’t even sure if Reece was following, but I didn’t dare turn to look.

  I pressed the button, and Reece arrived beside me moments before Ricko did.

  “Are you two finished with your mission?” he asked.

  “Not exactly,” I replied.

  “Yes,” said Reece.

  “Well, which one is it?” Ricko looked between us.

  “Yes,” I said. “The not exactly part is because we haven’t filed our paperwork yet. We’re off to do it now.”

  Ricko’s shoulders relaxed. “I thought you were going to tell me you freaked out. Commander Kane would’ve had my ass. How did it go?”

  “Exactly as planned,” I lied. “Reece turned off the power, the target exited the premises to investigate, and I took him out. Reece even helped me clean up the mess when we were done.”

  Suspicion flashed across Ricko’s face. “You don’t seem like a couple of hunters who just took out a target.”

  “Reece hadn’t seen something die before,” I said evenly. “I’m just letting it all sink in for him.”

  “Right. Sorry. I forgot it was your first kill. Trust me, it’ll get easier.” He squeezed Reece’s shoulder.

  Reece managed a weak smile. I didn’t know how he’d managed to keep a straight face over the past month. How he’d kept his cool around all these murderers.

  “I wish I could’ve been there to see you both in action. E
specially seeing as it was your first kill,” said Ricko.

  “So, did you get whatever kept you away sorted?” I asked, attempting to change the subject.

  “No, I just had to grab something from my room.” He held up a USB. “Things are a bit crazy here at the moment. I’m glad I could count on the both of you to get the job done without me tonight.”

  “Are you saying you doubted us?” I asked, desperately hoping to sound like the Kylah who didn’t know he was a lying piece of crap.

  The elevator finally sounded, and the doors slid open. I tried not to show my relief.

  “Of course not. I’ve got to go. I have another meeting with Commander Kane. Good job, you two.”

  “Thanks, Agent Rickson,” said Reece.

  “Thanks, Ricko,” I added.

  Reece and I stepped inside the elevator and Ricko started to follow before his eyes landed on the chain around my neck.

  “You’re wearing your pendant?” he said, eyebrows creasing in the middle.

  My fingers traced along the chain as I struggled to keep a brave face. “I showed it to Reece and I guess I forgot to take it off.”

  Ricko reached out and touched my shoulder, squeezing as though in support. Every inch of me wanted to pull away from his touch, but I gritted my teeth until he let go.

  “I might grab the next lift,” he said. “I just realised I’ve left one of my folders behind. I look forward to reading your report.”

  “I look forward to showing it to you,” I said.

  Ricko let the door slide closed. Reece and I exhaled in relief.

  “That was too close,” said Reece.

  “Well it’s done now.” I leaned against the elevator wall, mentally exhausted from the day’s revelations. “Let’s just get out of here and you can take me to my brother.”

  “I hope I never have to step foot back into this evil place again,” he replied.

  For the first time I could see the disdain and hatred he had for Skywatchers. Another thing we now shared.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  After retrieving our hidden weapons, Reece led me down street after street until we arrived at a new estate that’d only just been cleared. Several houses had been built in the distance. A row of excavators lay abandoned for the night, but for the most part the estate was empty. Beyond it lay bushland, which I assumed was where Reece was taking me.

  “So, I guess it’s asking too much to talk about us?” Reece asked, breaking the silence.

  “You’d be guessing right. Maybe you’re not as stupid as you look.” Each word made my throat clench tighter.

  “But you know we’ll have to deal with it at some point, right?”

  “Deal with what?” I asked, doing my best to sound like it didn’t bother me in the slightest. “You’ve been lying to me for months, convinced me to like you against all odds, and wooed me so you could get to me and tell me the truth about my brother and Skywatchers. I get it. It was your mission. I don’t know what else there is to talk about.”

  “It wasn’t just a mission, Ky. I was supposed to find out how deep inside you were and tell you the truth when you were ready. The rest just happened.”

  I remained silent, unsure what to say next. Part of me believed him, or at least wanted to, but he reminded me of the awful things I’d done and how stupid I’d been.

  “Ky, say something,” he pushed.

  “What, Reece?” I stopped and whisper-yelled at him as we approached the tree line. “What do you want me to say? I was a stupid young girl who blindly followed people who taught me how to kill innocent beings? That the fact you’re an alien, one of the beings I was trained to hunt, doesn’t change anything? It does. It changes everything. Everything I’ve been told was a lie, and now I’m blindly trusting you in the hope you’ll take me to my brother and not leading me to my death.”

  “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”

  “Too late.” With that, I stormed off towards the bush.

  Reece jogged up beside me. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t expect to fall for you. I hate that I had to lie to you for so long. But you know now. You can hate me if you like, but please don’t hate yourself. This isn’t your fault.”

  “Can we go back to being silent?” I replied, not bothering to look his way.

  “As long as you promise to stop beating yourself up.”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re not in any place to be making me do anything right now,” I replied. “So, silence?”

  “Sure,” he replied.

  I focused on each footfall as we made our way along the bitumen until we stepped up the gutter and onto the crunch of dry grass and rocks. As we passed the first few trees, I pushed away any random or unnecessary thoughts that attempted to enter my mind. If there was one thing I was good at, it was pushing my feelings aside and getting things done. I just wished it’d stop the ache in my chest and the twist in my stomach.

  “Do you want to stop for a rest?” asked Reece.

  The sun had risen high into the sky above us, my stomach grumbled after hours of walking, but I had no desire to tell Reece I was starving. The monotony of walking had helped keep my thoughts at bay as I concentrated on each step, each inward and outward breath.

  “I’m good. Just get me to my brother,” I replied.

  “He’s not around the corner, Ky. It’s a good three days’ walk to our first stop over point. Then another three from there.”

  My steps faltered. “Six days? You never mentioned I’d have to walk for six days.”

  “You told me to be quiet, so I respected your wishes,” he said. “Did you honestly think he lived down the road?”

  I gritted my teeth.

  “It’s not all walking. When we get to my first stop over point, I have a motorbike.”

  “I have to get on the back of a motorbike?” I asked.

  “You sure do. Unless you’d rather walk for days in silence.”

  “What about a helmet?”

  “I’ve taken care of everything. You just have to climb onto the back. You’re not scared, are you?”

  “No. I’m not scared of anything.”

  Reece laughed. Actually laughed. I wanted to punch him in the nose and then in the throat for good measure. And then somewhere lower, assuming alien men had…those.

  “An alien hunter scared of riding on a motorbike,” he mused.

  “In case you haven’t worked it out yet, I’m no longer an alien hunter. And I’m not scared. I just want to be certain my skull won’t end up crushed on the ground because if your driving is anything like your hunting, we’ll be street pizza before we make it to my brother.”

  “Ready for a rest now?” Reece asked as we approached a fallen tree.

  It’d been hours since he’d last asked and the sun had risen in the distance casting an orange glow. Part of me wanted to marvel in its beauty, but the burning in my legs and the aching in my feet took any enjoyment away. It did, however, keep my mind occupied.

  “I guess a quick rest wouldn’t hurt,” I conceded.

  We approached the fallen tree and sat on its smooth, warm trunk, my body appreciating the break.

  “Sorry, I don’t have any food or water,” Reece said. “A few more hours and we’ll be at a safe point. I’ve stashed some things there for our trip.”

  I rubbed my tongue over my dry lips. What I’d have given for a drink of water at that moment.

  “Are we still not talking?” he asked.

  “Still not talking,” I confirmed.

  A sound caught my attention, different from the chirp of crickets and singing of birds. I snapped my head in its direction.

  I rose from the fallen tree and looked to the top of the tree line. “What is that?”

  “I thought we weren’t talking?” Reece stretched his legs out in front of him, first one than the other.

  The sound grew louder, a thwopping, whooshing sound I couldn’t put a name to.

  “Can you hear that?” I asked, resisting the u
rge to pull my weapon.

  Reece sat still for a moment before his eyes widened. “It’s a helicopter.”

  The fear that laced his voice put me immediately on edge.

  “Should we be worried?” I asked.

  “Let’s keep moving. Just in case,” he said.

  We took off at a quicker pace away from the fallen tree as the helicopter drew nearer. Soon the thunderous sound pushed us to pick our pace up to a run through the underbrush. The din continued to grow in volume, filling the air around us with its incessant noise, the racket reverberating through my chest.

  “Hide!” called Reece.

  I followed him between two large shrubs. We squatted down, hoping it hid us from the occupants of that helicopter. It appeared overhead, its blades whipping in a flurry above its sleek black body. It hovered above us, its tail turning this way and that. They knew we were here.

  Reece pulled his gun from his back. I did the same. He leant forward touching my arms and running his hand over my shoulders. I pulled away a little before I noticed he held a small device in his hand. Ricko. He’d attached a tracker to my arm before we stepped into the elevator. He’d known we were acting suspicious all along. My jaw clenched tight.

  Reece threw the tracker to the ground and hit it hard with the butt of his gun, smashing it. Scanning the area around us through the branches and leaves of the bush I spotted a large boulder not far away. If we could keep behind trees and bushes for long enough, we might be able to shake them.

  I pointed towards the boulder. Reece nodded in understanding, gripping his gun tighter. I held up three fingers. Dropping one, two, then three before bounding across the clearing towards the boulder.

  Shots rang through the air from above us, but we made it behind the boulder unscathed. I leant back against it, my heart hammering in my chest.

  Kneeling and resting my elbow on my knee I peered around the side of our hiding spot. The helicopter hovered only a few hundred feet away. Through the open door I spotted the hunter who’d shot at us and took aim through my scope. The shooter reloaded his weapon.