by Arthurs, Nia
The shadows gathered outside my windows as I flipped through the pages. When the blazing sun dipped beneath the horizon I waved my hands. The light switch moved upward and flooded the hall with light.
Without missing a beat, I focused on the work at hand and spread my fingers over the data.
Sterm’s research left me with more questions than answers. Whatever solutions he’d found had not been locked in the information he had disclosed to me.
I gave up in a burst of frustration and headed to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
The barking of a dog rang loudly in my ears. I tuned the sound out and focused on brushing my teeth.
I padded to the bedroom and sat on the mattress, staring despondently out the window.
I spotted the small bungalow house next door. My abilities unconsciously pushed me to eavesdrop on the women.
Instead of the quiet hush of conversation or light snoring, I heard signs of distress. I half-rose from the bed as the sounds became clearer. Someone was moaning in pain.
I peered through my window into the barred windows of the nearest house, but the only things I could spot were appliances.
I sighed in frustration as the tortured sounds of Tess’s frightened yelps clung to me.
The floor was warm beneath my feet as I got up and strode to the record player. Though I put the music to its highest setting, the woman’s cries still pierced my mind.
Suddenly, it stopped. I let out a relieved breath as the sound of the world news filled my head. Tess Hardey was awake. Perhaps I could finally rest.
I returned to my bed and welcomed sleep.
In what felt like minutes later, a song blasted through the still morning air.
“Girl, shake that booty. Shake it, shake it, shake it good. That booty! That booty is what God made so I ap-re-ci-ate it.”
What on earth…
My eyes flew open. Sunlight danced across the plain windows that were curtain-less and bare.
It streaked over my shirtless torso and slammed into the wooden floor. I shaded my eyes with the back of my arms and groaned.
The obnoxious music continued to play as an enthusiastic artist sang in detail about the size and width of a woman’s rear end. I grabbed my pillows and pressed them against either side of my ears.
It was no use. The music continued to ring like harsh bells. I glared at the house across the way and was startled to find someone staring back at me.
My heart thundered and I ducked. Sheepishly, I recalled that our houses were too far apart for anyone to see anything clearly.
The ability of heightened sight was not one easily available to humans.
Feeling foolish, I crawled to the wall and rose to my knees. My eyes scanned my neighbor’s kitchen window.
I had not been mistaken.
Dani Hardey had indeed been staring toward my house. I saw movement and recognized Tess Hardey hopping into the kitchen.
The women exchanged words and then the music stopped abruptly.
I sighed and enjoyed the ringing stillness. In the quiet, their conversation carried easily to my ears.
“Calm yourself, Dani. We are not breaking into that man’s house,” Tess scolded her sister.
I shook my head. This again?
Curious, I listened to the other girl’s response.
“Of course, we’re not.He’s gonna invite us in!”
I laughed aloud. The one called Dani had an incredibly flawed way of thinking. Even without the ties that connected me to Tess Hardey, I had no plans to invite them into my house or my life.
Females were loud and complicated. Two things that I most disliked. Life turned more easily when the interactions between us were kept at a minimum.
I allowed the girls’ conversation to fade to the background as I strolled to the kitchen and prepared food.
Like other human bodies, my flesh needed nutrients to survive.
Though I could easily forget to eat, my body would remind me with painful spasms. I’d learned long ago to pay attention to the signs and consume my meals on time.
I prepared the scrambled eggs, placing vegetables and meat into a heated skillet. While I fried the food, I heard another snippet of conversation from the Hardey residence.
“What exactly is the plan?” Tess said.
Hesitation colored her tone and gave me pause. Just what were they up to now?
“We’re going to walk down the streetthen I’m going to go in after Oreo and knock on the guy’s door. You’re going to pretend that you’re hurt and drop your crutches. I need you to fall on your face.
Make a big deal about it. Foam at the mouth if possible. If he’s half-a decent guy, he’ll have to run out and help you. I’ll grab Oreo and start bawling my eyes out. He’ll take you into his house and nurse you
While the Mystery Man is distracted with you, I’ll search his house for a bill or something so I can get his name. Then you’ll be miraculously healed and we’ll leave.”
Mystery Man?
As I visualized the plan, a smile grew on my face.
Amidst the heaviness of Paul Sterm’s death, the stranger that commissioned the murder and the imminent return of my ship, the flamboyant Hardey mission was a refreshing distraction.
I did not want to interact with them beyond the limits of our neighborly relationship, but watching them try to fool me would be quite entertaining.
Exactly one hour later, I was dressed and waiting patiently in my living room for the knock to come.
This is pathetic…
I brushed the thought away. It had been a while since something this innocently foolish had happened in front of me. I was eager to see how the girls performed.
My beeper vibrated. I glanced at the screen, recognizing Jones’s number. I’d have to call him back. My friend was no doubt replying about the position at the university.
As the head of the Psychology Department, Jones had offered me a temporary position.
It would fill my days and force me to mingle with the masses which was, I believed, what Jones intended.
I would head out and find a phone booth sometime during the day. Hopefully, Jones’s matter was not too pressing. I did not want to miss my neighbor’s visit.
A dog yipped. The thud of shoes against the sidewalk and the hushed sound of giggles permeated the air. I found myself sitting at the edge of my seat.
What could this be?
A strange feeling that seemed a lot like anticipation melted the edges of my heart. Though I found it nearly impossible to believe, I faced the naked truth of my emotions.
I was excited for the first time in centuries.
Chapter 9
Before I could analyze the feeling, a knock sounded at the door.
“Hello?”
Given how in tune I was to the activity of the neighboring house, I was familiar with the differences in the tone and inflection of the Hardey sisters.
The person on the other side of the door was Dani. From the rushing pace of her heart, I guessed that she was as excited by this silly prospect as I.
Taking a deep breath, I massaged the muscles of my face. My smile faded and my lips settled into the grim line that I wore on a regular basis.
No matter how lively the Hardey sisters were, I could not allow myself to be swayed.
My participation in this drama was simply an experiment to see how human girls carried out their machinations.
That was it.
I waited a beat, drawing out the length of time to see how long Dani would stand outside my door.
“Hello?” she repeated and followed the call with heavy thuds against the wooden entrance.
When her heartbeat slowed and I sensed she was about to give up, I hauled the door open. Dani stepped back in fright.
The Belizean beauty wore a short white dress that played against her dark skin. Her face was once again done seamlessly and loose curls framed the effect.
It was very apparent that Dani Hardey was used to the admiration of men. I
wondered at her sudden fixation on getting to know me.
I’d lived on earth long enough to know human patterns. Surely someone this attractive would have a significant other.
“I’m sorry to disturb you on this lovely morning,” Dani began with a sheepish toss of her head.
I narrowed my eyes at the dragging pull of her words. She was speaking with a slightly British accent and an atrocious one at that.
“Well,” Dani rushed to fill the silence, “you see, my dog ran away and got into your yard. So... here I am.”
I didn’t recall asking her for an explanation. My eyes moved away from hers and caught on Tess. I was glad to see the woman looked better today.
I recalled her tortured cries into the wee hours of the morning. Whatever memories she’d been reliving in her dreams had disturbed her sleep. Even so, she looked rested and revived.
Returning my eyes to Dani Hardey’s, I quirked an eyebrow. Had she really tried so flimsy an excuse on me? I’d expected more from her.
“How is that my problem?” I said. “Take your dog and get out.”
Visibly taken aback, Dani’s eyes darted to and fro as she searched for a better explanation.
“But he pooped!” she yelled.
I froze with my hand on the doorknob and turned slowly around. Was she speaking the truth? The animal yipped, happily sniffing around my fence.
“Yes, he pooped and I just didn’t feel right leaving it there. Could I just go in for a plastic bag to scoop it up?” Dani pushed her lips out and widened her eyes.
The expression reminded me that this was a set up. I stood firm.
“No.”
Though my tone was resolute, Dani did not seem discouraged. She gestured to her sister, who frowned in concentration.
With the speed of a snail, Tess Hardey set her crutches on the ground and lowered herself to the floor.
From my understanding of their plan, her fall was meant to appear natural and painful. The only painful thing about her act was watching it.
When the young woman had let herself comfortably to the floor, she held her ankle.
“O-u-ow!” Tess cried.
In the most stilted voice known to man, Dani implored.
“Oh, lookie! My be-loved sister is on that there patch of grass!”
Their attempt was too exaggerated to be believable. Disgusted with myself for even looking forward to the exchange, I glared at the sisters.
“Please don’t disturb me anymore.”
Their mouths dropped open in shock as I turned my backs on them and returned to my house. I slammed the door shut and pressed a fist against my chest.
My return home was eminent. Why had I chosen now to become interested in the affairs of human girls?
Even as I scolded myself for my folly, I slipped to the window and brushed the curtains aside.
Dani was helping Tess to her feet. The girls discussed the success of their act.
While they conversed the charming black and white puppy began to dance around their ankles. I saw Tess Hardey waver.
“Stay back, Oreo,” the woman commanded.
Oreo? What a strange name for an animal.
Oreo pretended to lack understanding and continued to dance around Ms. Hardey’s crutches.
My fingers fisted around the curtains as I predicted what would happen if the girls didn’t get a handle on the animal.
Don’t do it, River.
“Yip, yip, yip!”
Dani stooped to her knees and extended her arms to capture the pet as Tess struggled to maintain her balance.
“Stay back, Oreo.”
I winced, recognizing the look of intent in the dog’s eyes. Dani’s efforts to subdue him were being misconstrued as a game. Oreo seemed the type that applied himself enthusiastically.
“Oreo!” Dani called.
Tess leaned to the right, but the move disrupted her hold on the cane that supported her raised ankle.
Don’t do it, River. Don’t-
I was outside before the thought could materialize. Tess was already heading for the ground when I appeared beside her.
Without thinking it through, I grasped her around the waist and pulled her upright, mindful of her bound ankle. Her nose pressed against my chest.
I could feel every exhale like little hammers against the cloth. Her heart beat wildly against mine. My own pulse sped up the longer I held her.
When I leaned away, Tess Hardey was not looking me but at something just beyond my shoulder. I followed the line of her sight and nearly cursed.
The door was locked.
I set her away and then appeared inside of the house. Quickly, I pushed the door open and returned to her side. In the space of three seconds she was back in my arms.
Tess was confused, but I managed to distract her when I offered her crutches. She stared at me and then at the door.
I fisted my hands at my sides, unable to speak. In order to facilitate Mrs. Sterm’s escape, I had revealed my secret. The limit of those I trusted peaked at two.
I couldn’t unveil myself to Tess Hardey. Even if she did have a habit of putting herself in dangerous situations.
This had to be the last time I stepped in for her. Rushing to her rescue was putting my secret in jeapordy.
“Thank you,” she said quietly.
The soft-spoken words disturbed my thoughts. I focused on her guileless eyes. My heart beat an erratic rhythm in my chest.
What was this? These reactions… they couldn’t be because of her?
“Oh, my sister! My sister!” Dani’s shrieks destroyed whatever spell held me frozen in place. “Come on, Tess! You need to sit down.”
Dani tugged her sister’s arm and darted across the yard. Tess followed after the enigmatic woman. Her dazed expression was no doubt a mirror of my own.
I stared as they brazenly stepped into my house. My mind registered everything in slow motion. Oreo barked at my feet and snapped my world back to place.
I patted the dog’s head in thanks and took off after the Hardey girls.
“Hey!” I called after the women.
They were already inside. I followed after them.
Both women stood in the middle of my living room with surveying faces. I wondered what they were looking for. The arrangement was like any other human dwelling.
Perhaps… had they discovered my true origins?
I cleared my throat and stood between them. I spoke in a firm tone.
“Excuse me, you can’t just walk in here!”
I expected the sisters to meekly apologize and leave. That was, of course, the polite way to react when one storms uninvited into someone else’s home.
I was quite surprised when not Dani, but her sister, whirled on me.
“How dare you!”
Tess thrust her finger into the air.
I could only stare at her. Her big brown eyes glared fiercely. The sun played against the dark brown irises, brandishing them to a soft, resolute coffee color. She continued to scold me.
“Can’t you see that I’m shaken? I could have seriously hurt myself back there! Don’t you have a heart?”
“I’m sorry,” I said. “But you stormed in here without my permission and...”
“I don’t want to hear it!” she sassily held a hand up in my face, cutting off further words. “What’s your name, sir?”
I narrowed my eyes at her behavior. Who did this little human girl think she was to demand anything from me? I debated using my abilities to cart them home, but refrained.
Grudgingly, I muttered.
“River.”
A smile played on the pretty set of her mouth, but it did not form. She held on to her stern expression and arched an eyebrow.
“River, I’m going to sit in that sofa until I’ve gotten my bearings. Is that alright with you?”
It was a rhetorical question. I sensed Tess Hardey’s request was not an inquiry but an order.
The little punk…
I stuffed
a hand into my pockets to keep the annoyance at bay.
“I guess so.”
It seemed I had no choice in the matter.
Stiffly, I strode to the front door and closed it. I didn’t want the dog to run in and out of the house.
When I turned around, I caught the wink the sisters shared as they both sat comfortably in the couch.
How much longer would I have to endure this?
Slowly, I lowered myself into the armchair and appraised both women.
Dani Hardey was still looking around as if searching for a secret treasure. A large grin cut her face in half. She was clearly enjoying herself.
I glanced at Tess Hardey. She caught my eye and quickly ducked her head.
I could tell already that she was the sensible one of the two. I wondered what had convinced her to go along with her sister.
Tess’s hand trembled as it darted out. She tucked a lock of curly hair behind her ear. The curve of her ears was suddenly on display. I watched the move, mesmerized.
Dani made a sound and I came to my senses. Hoping that my reactions were simply the effect of losing my abilities lately, I turned to the girl in the white dress.
“Did your dog really make a mess in my yard?”
“Oh no,” Dani waved her hand breezily, “that was just an excu...” she froze as realization spread across her face. “I mean, I must have been mistaken about that.”
The woman couldn’t even keep her cover for more than a second.
“Right,” I grumbled.
Tess sighed and relaxed into the couch. She closed her eyes and a peaceful look crossed her face.
“By the way,” she said, “thanks for saving me.”
“What?”
Had she somehow recalled the events of Friday night? Was she taunting me with her connection to Paul? Had the binds around my secret finally come undone?
“Just now,” she tilted my head and looked at me in concern, “when Oreo pushed my crutches.”
“Oh.”
Relief coursed through my veins. Tess Hardey’s careless words had brought me back to reality.
Whatever these girls did in their own property was their business. I would no longer allow myself to become distracted.
I had a short time left on this planet. In that period, my only mission was avenging Paul and returning home.