by Luna Wolf
He rubs his hands over his thighs. “I’ve been in love with you for over a year.”
I blinked. “What? B-but we just met a f-few weeks ago.”
He nodded. “Formally, we met. You see, Echo, Octavius, and I have known each other since we were toddlers. Part of an elite genetics program made by my father. It would later become the reproduction program we’re apart of now. When I was almost seventeen, my father came to me. The females of the program had failed when it came to being fertile. So, a scan was done of all girls who showed signs of being able to become fertile.”
My mouth falls open. “When they did those random uterus and ovary checks, they were testing for that?”
He rubs at his eyes. “In the end, only four girls, who would be of age at the same time as us, came up. You, the twins, and Tibby. There were more who were younger, showing that our kind won’t be sterile forever, but those groups will be coming here later.”
I frown. “So how did you fall in love with me?”
His hand edges towards mine before he pulls it back. “My father wanted more for me, he wanted me to experience love. So, he gave me the files on all four of you. With Echo and Octavius, we began to research you guys, but it was you that captured our attention.”
My tongue breaks the dry seal on my lips. “W-why me?”
“You were quiet, kept to yourself. Even though you were from the reptile sector, you showed compassion when working with agricultural animals. You liked to read, and had a severe stutter. I don’t know what it is about you, but you make me want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I don’t know what to say.
He touches my chin, requesting I look at him. “I know I don’t show affection right. There’s a lot of things I could’ve done differently when we first met. I was just so scared for you, it didn’t come across right.”
I fall back to how I met him. The day Richard almost had his way with me in the shed. If he and Echo hadn’t intervened, I would’ve been raped like so many before.
“How did you know? That day in the shed.” I take his hand.
“We were planning on talking to you after names were shown. To introduce you to the program. Octavius had to go let down a girl that was obsessed with him, but he didn’t feel the same. So, it was just Echo and I. That’s when we noticed Richards took you to the shed. Something didn’t feel right, so we followed. When we got close enough Echo could hear what was happening. Together, we beat down the door and threw him into the wall. I’m sorry we weren’t faster.”
I give him a small kiss. “You were fast enough, it co-could’ve been so much worse. I-I’m so-sorry I ran.”
He shakes his head. “No. I get it. I came onto strong in trying to get you to do something you didn’t want to do.”
I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. “You did nothing wrong. I was afraid of the possible retaliation from Richards if they didn’t believe me. I saw what he did to Octavius and I’d heard many other stories about his anger.”
Arrow wraps a loose arm around my shoulders and laughs. “Octavius did shit like that because he enjoys pain, and getting a rise out of people. With his regenerating abilities, he’s never hurt for long.”
I peer up at his face, while still leaning into him. “But all those scars on his back?”
“From years of it happening. Scar tissue started to build up, but he’s the one that kept going back for more. He didn’t have to antagonize the guards, he chose to.”
My fingers intertwine with his. “But if you grew up with Octavius, wouldn’t Richards have recognized you when you saved me again in the hall?”
His thumb rubs over my hand. “We hung out to learn about you, and the others, but Octavius and I have always butted heads. So, Richards never saw much of me, and when he did, I doubt I stuck in his memory. I was just another inferior creature to him.”
I play with his fingers. “I don’t know why you thought I’d be upset about you being in love with me or knowing who I was before I did you. As I see it, I would’ve ended up here whether you had known about me for a few weeks or a year.”
He lets out a heavy breath. “I guess I built up the idea you’d hate me for so long I let it cloud all reason, and I made the others swear to not tell you. I-I do love you.”
I stare down at the flames, again. Do I love him? “I like you. I-I’m at-attracted to you. But, I’m not in love, yet. Yo-you got to know me, no-now I need to get to know you.”
He grips my hand tighter. “I understand.”
A heaviness overtakes me. I could sleep for days in the darkness next to him.
Chapter Seventeen
Transition
The rev of a saw stirs me from sleep. I sit up, inside of the room the others slept in. When did I fall asleep? I remember sitting with Arrow and telling him I didn’t love him yet. How long have I been out?
Glancing around, Rosie lays near the door to the room, out cold. Creeping to the ledge I peer out. Several of the others break down more trees for lumber.
Time to get to work. I climb out of the tree.
“Good morning, beautiful! Did you sleep well?” King slips his arms around my waist, as I step off the ladder, he leans down, his chin rests on my shoulder.
A grin spreads across my face as I lean into his hard pecs. “I did. I’m s-sorry I slept so long.”
He kisses my shoulder before letting me go. “Arrow let us know you didn’t sleep until a little bit before the light came back.”
My eyes widen. “How long was I out?”
He shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. You needed you’re sleep, just like Rosie does.”
“What can I help with?”
“We almost have the floor done in the third room, and we’re creating a hallway for another. Herc and Arrow are discussing the design. We want to make the rooms larger and create supports to go beyond the trees.”
I nod. “I agree. The droids did okay with starting it out, but it’s a bit cramped on how they laid it out.”
He grabs my hand. “C’mon, we can go make food. I’m starving.”
I laugh. “You’re always hungry”
“I’m a growing boy.”
I quicken my steps to keep up with his long strides. “If you grow any taller I’m going to need a ladder just to give you kisses.”
We come to stand in front the rehydrator, it sits within the confines of the fire circle. Solar panels cover its top and sides. Arrow’s idea to make it work. Bach connected the two technologies with some coding. I didn’t understand any of it, but at least we can use it for the food that comes from Earth. We’ll have to trek back to the ship later for more, but at least those tentacle beasts won’t try to kill us.
He takes out two steak packets from a food bag. I personally could go for some fruit or vegetables, but I’m not going to seem picky.
It’ll be a few minutes before they’re ready to eat. He pulls me back into his arms. “You smell different today.”
A flush rises in my cheeks. “We-well, I haven’t showered in almost a day, and I sweated a lot yes-yesterday.”
He leans down to nuzzle my neck. “You don’t smell bad, just different. I like it, a lot.”
His fangs scrape along the back of where my neck meets my shoulder. A shiver runs along my spine. I spin to face him, capturing his face with my hands before pulling him down to kiss me. His arms encircle my waist, lifting me off the ground, my legs wrap around his torso; the tips of my fingers grip at his chest through his shirt.
The tip of his tongue curves under my upper lip before pulling back. I follow, swiping the tip of his tongue with mine before retreating. He smiles into the kiss, as we continue to play tag.
The rehydrator dings. He groans as he pulls away and places me back on the dirt and root covered ground. We can’t leave the steaks in there, or they will go bad from being over-processed.
Grabbing two metal plates and a fork and knife for each of us from a utensil bag, he takes out the steaks, and leads
me over to the edge of the waterfall. He sits on the ground before pulling me into his lap. Stabbing his steak with is fork, he takes a bite out of it.
I balance the plate on my lap and cut my steak into bite-size pieces. My stomach grumbles, a sharp pain hitting me below the navel. I’m hungrier than I thought I was. “So, after we eat, what can I help with? I feel bad for sleeping during working hours.”
He shrugs. “You hadn’t slept last night, and we’re going to be here for the rest of our lives, we don’t need to be doing something at all light hours. I bet soon, we’ll be able to work during the darkness as well, we just have to get brave enough to fight the predators of this jungle.”
I nod. I suppose he’s right. Eventually our curiosity will get the better of us, and we’ll want to know everything we can about this place. We eat next to the small waterfall, the rush of it hitting the plunge basin calms my nerves over the unknown darkness.
King sets his plate down and nuzzles my neck again. “You smell so good, I can’t get over it.”
I giggle as his breath tickles my ear. “I don’t kn-know why.”
“Fuck it!”
We both glance up as Octavius runs towards us, stripping. What in the world is he doing? Streaking past, he leaps high into the air and lands in the basin; water rains over us.
King stands, pulling me up with him. “I like the way he thinks. I could use a cool dip.” He strips next, jumping into the water with no hesitation.
Octavius swims close to the shore. “Come in, Squeaks, the water’s amazing!”
More of the other guys come to the water. Arrow and Echo included. Seems like everyone needs a break. I glance around. Where’s Pansy?
I pull off my shirt and shimmy out of my pants, leaving on my underwear as I jump into the water. The cool water surrounds me, instantly making me feel better from the heat and the irritation in my stomach. Soon everyone but the twins swim around. Even Echo sits in the shallow end.
Octavius sends a wave in my direction, splashing me in the face. I scream, hitting my hands against the surface to spray him back. An all-out war takes over, everyone trying to best the other with the biggest splash.
The pain below my navel intensifies. Shouldn’t it be gone by now? I ate. Nausea washes over me, my cheeks tingle and my hands feel clammy even in the cool water. I turn away as someone else splashes me, suppressing the urge to puke then and there.
I make my way out of the water.
“Where are you going, Squeaks?”
I shake my head and place my hand over my mouth. After a second of reassurance nothing will come up, I mutter, “Give me a sec.”
Echo turns his head in my direction. “Are you okay? You don’t sound like you feel good.”
“Velma! Velma, come quick!” Pansy shouts from the treehouse.
I grab my t-shirt, throwing it on before going to the treehouse, the urgency in her voice quickens my steps. Emerson, and Mikala are not far behind me, even though they weren’t called.
The pain below my navel sharpens as I climb the ladder, I grip the sides, forcing myself to stay coherent enough to get to the top without slipping. The guys follow, but Pansy pushes them back before they can climb onto the deck. “No, Rosie just wants us girls. You stay down there for a minute, I’ll come talk to you in a second. I’m fine, Emerson, don’t worry.”
I frown. Why doesn’t Rosie want Mikala with her? I’m pretty sure she likes him the most.
They grumble, but don’t fight her as they leave to wait on the ground.
I push a strand of wet purple hair out of my face. “What’s going on?”
She motions for me to follow her into the second room.
Rosie sits in the corner, wiping something off her inner-thighs with a soaked cloth. My eyes widen. “Is that blood? What ha-happened?” I kneel next to her.
Rosie glances up at me before returning to her task. “I can’t be certain, but I think I started my period. I mean, this is like how those documentaries they showed us explained it. Do you know if any of the guys grabbed those pads they sent with us?”
I thought back to yesterday when I took mental inventory of all the medical supplies. “Yes, a couple bo-boxes. I’ll go get some.”
“Thank goodness! Could you also grab something for a migraine? My head is killing me still. I don’t even want to leave the shade of this room.”
I nod and glance at Pansy, she couldn’t grab those things for her twin? I move to stand when another sharp pain hits me square in the abdomen. I double over with a groan.
Rosie sits forward, placing a hand on my back. “What’s wrong?”
I curl into a ball. “So-something hurts below my na-navel. I-it mi-might be my-my uterus.” A tear runs down my cheek, I’ve never experienced a pain that feels quite like this.
She rubs her hand over my back. “Maybe we’re starting at the same time! How neat is that!”
Pansy huffs. “Well, I don’t feel any different, and I have no blood gushing down my leg. Neither does she.”
Rosie pauses in her back rubs. “I do see a bit of red in your underwear, Velma. We both need to change and get one of those pads. We can start trying to have babies! I’m sure yours will be here soon, Pan, don’t worry. Could you get those pads, a change of underwear, and something for my migraine, please?”
Pansy stays silent for a moment longer than necessary. “Where are the pads?”
“In the ba-bag with th-the red cla-clasps, un-underneath the unfin-unfished room.”
Pansy stomps her way out of the treehouse.
I try to sit up, but that only makes the cramp worse. “I-I didn’t mean to make her ma-mad.”
Rosie shakes her head, and winces. “You didn’t make her mad. She’s upset this isn’t happening to her, too, right now. We normally experience everything at the same time together. She’s just jealous you and I are going through the same thing, but she isn’t.”
More nausea threatens to make the steak come up. “I-I fe-feel like sh-shit. She’s not mi-missing out on mu-much.”
She lifts her hand away from me and applies pressure to her temple. “Trust me, I get it. But it’s worth it. Now we can have babies. You can have another Forrest.”
My heart flutters at his name. I miss him. I’d give anything to have him back for cuddles.
Pansy comes back. Her hands full of pads, white underwear, and pain relief strips. Sitting up with a wince, I take the one of the pain strips from her and lift my shirt to stick it under my navel. Warmth radiates through the patch, instantly the sharp pain dies away, I can breathe. “Thank you. I can move again.”
Pansy nods and hands me a new pair of underwear and pad. I stare at the long, cotton-like thing. Supposedly it will dissolve several days after use, so we don’t need to worry about finding a way of disposing them without creating a trash heap.
Rosie changes first, wiping away all the blood. Just before she pulls the underwear up, “We just put this thing along here, right?”
I nod. “That’s how that clip explained it.”
Taking off my underwear, sure enough there’s several red spots. No where near as much as Rosie. Putting in the pad, I shimmy the material up and pull the cotton-pillow flush with my body. I frown, as does Rosie.
“This feels bulky.” We say in unison before glancing at each other and laughing.
I try to walk, but it’s awkward at first. “This is go-going to take some getting used to.”
Pansy folds her arms over his chest. “This isn’t fair, why isn’t it happening to me, too?”
Rosie pats her sister on the back. “Don’t worry, Pan, I’m sure it’ll happen soon. Your body just needs more time.”
“I need to go find my pants. I don’t really want the guys seeing me wearing this thing.” I cross the treehouse, wanting to give them some space. I’m not sure if Pansy likes me or not.
A droid chimes off in the distance as I step off the ladder to sprint across the land for my pants. Mostly everyone continues to play in the
water, a few sit off on the shore, sun bathing. I get my pants on hopefully before anyone could get a good look at me.
Arrow jogs over to the droid who chimes again. “You have an incoming message, what is it?”
The droids permeant smile lights up. “Dr. Langsting says: ‘Have received your message. Will be sending replacement supplies they will be there in one week’s time. Implant communication will not work, was explained.”
Arrow frowns. “Explained? When was it explained communication would be this slow?”
Echo clicks his way over to Arrow, placing a hand on his back. “It seems a lot of things were kept from us. Maybe they thought we would do something drastic if we knew the truth beforehand?”
Arrow shakes his head and balls his hands into fists. “I guess I put too much trust into him.”
Echo sighs. “You always have.”
I take a step away from them, feeling intrusive. Echo turns his head in my direction. “Velma, are you okay? You didn’t sound like you felt good earlier, and now I swear I smell blood.”
Arrow now peers at me, too. “Did something happen? Why did Pansy want you earlier?”
I Clear my throat. “You se-see, Rosie and I, we-we’ve—”
“Realized your undying attraction to each other and want to make out in front of us?” Octavius wraps his arms around my waist as he walks up from behind. He rests his chin on my shoulder. “You smell different.”
I sigh. “If one more of you comment on how I smell, I’m going to fucking lose it.” That came out harsher than I intended it.
Octavius’s grip on my waist loosens, but he doesn’t let go. “You doing okay?”
More ire rises into my chest. “Yes, I’m fine. Rosie and I started our periods.”
Octavius stiffens against me. Arrow raises and eyebrow, as Echo stays neutral. Too bad King isn’t here to tell him at the same time.
“So, that means you can get pregnant now, right?” Octavius’s warm hands linger on my stomach.
I nod. “Yeah, I guess. I was hoping to get breasts first though.” I stare down at the barely round bumps on my chest.