by Anna Lewis
He pulled out a small green pill and placed it on the ground, borrowing Elu's water bottle to add a small drop of liquid. The capsule sizzled and then enlarged rapidly, becoming a nearly full grown watermelon in an instant. Elu smiled and rubbed his hands together.
“Thanks,” he said while procuring a knife from his satchel.
He cut a slice, began munching on it, and then quickly cut another to share with Xander who had long since finished his apple. The two ate in silence, enjoying the hydrating watermelon that stained their fingers. After eating the entire fruit, they wiped their hands and cleaned up their mess to head back to the mine.
“We only need three more,” Xander said as they walked towards the entrance. “And I think I know of a good spot that no one else has hit yet.”
“Where's that?” Elu asked.
“Towards the back. We won't descend, but we might get close. I already took my nausea pills so I don't fall again,” Xander replied.
Elu gave a hearty laugh.
“Well, I'm glad you took the precaution,” he said.
“Unlike you,” Xander joked.
“Hey, let's not get too judgmental here. You might fall. Would you want your last words to me to be judgmental?” Elu asked teasingly.
Xander exploded with laughter, stopping at the entrance of the tunnel in order to hold his stomach.
“Elu, seriously,” he said between gasps for air. “You know I'm joking, right? I'd hate for you to think otherwise.”
Elu patted his shoulder.
“Of course I do!” he replied with a wide grin. “I love you, buddy.”
“You, too, man,” Xander said.
Elu looked down at the ground and kicked up some dirt before stepping over the threshold into the mine. Quietly, he followed Xander to a far corner and helped him set up the laser tool. Elu drilled holes in the ceiling for the straps that would hold him up and used a reaching tool to place the metal prongs inside the holes. They sat in tight and he looped rope through them in order to hoist himself up close enough to the wall to laser through the rock.
As they started drilling, a jarring crash came from deep in the belly of the mineshaft beneath his feet, causing him to stop drilling immediately. A crack formed in the rocks where they were slicing, cutting across the wall and rapidly heading towards the entrance.
“No,” Xander whispered.
“Xan, what was–”
The ceiling shifted, causing Elu to lurch forward. He grabbed the rope hard and yelped, Xander grabbing him without a second thought and yanking him back towards the entrance. An explosion erupted behind them and dust filled the air as leftover black coax crystals ruptured with every sprint forward. Purple crystals, rocks and dust flew in front of Elu as he ran, trying hard to keep up with the shadow of Xander ahead of him.
He coughed violently as they sped towards the opening, their eyes beginning to adjust from darkness to the blinding light ahead. Another wave of explosions knocked him to the ground and he screamed:
“Xander!”
A hand appeared through the soot and grabbed him from the ground, yanking him out of the mine and out into the open field where a number of workers were waiting, horrified at the sight of the mine collapsing. They had barely made it out in time. Xander tripped over a fallen rock and fell forward while pulling Elu down with him.
Chapter 4
While coughing, Xander shoved Elu and then sat up, brushing the dirt from his face. He looked towards the mine that was still smoking, crystal dust lining the opening.
“Elu,” he said while standing up from the ground. “What was that?”
“I don't know. It looks like something exploded deep down in the mine,” Elu replied.
He coughed violently.
“That was wicked close,” Xander said, cradling his head.
“Are you alright?” Elu asked.
“I don't know, man,” Xander replied.
His vision was hazy. The sun was glaring down on his tan skin and causing him to heat up quicker than usual. He stood up as the soot from the mine blew past them. “Damn, all of our tools were in there!” Elu cried while brushing the dirt from his pants and work shirt. “So much for that deposit.”
Xander looked over at the entrance of the mineshaft that was no longer there, the rocks and dirt covering the large hole in the ground. If anyone was trapped under there, the droids would dig them out within the next thirty minutes. He saw a line of them heading from the medical unit along with a number of vehicles carrying nurses.
Coughing nervously, Xander looked around at the group of comrades standing around them. Had they seen what happened? He quickly sat down, his head growing heavy and his vision getting worse.
I don't feel right, he thought.
Xander hung his head down low, shielding himself from the sun. Elu sat next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Hey, are you alright?” he asked. “Medic! I need a medic over here!”
“I'm fine, Elu,” Xander claimed. “I'm just dizzy, that's all.”
“We should still get you checked out. You might have a concussion and not be aware of it,” Elu explained.
“Seriously, don't worry about it,” Xander claimed while holding his head between his knees.
His head was spinning. He just wanted the dizziness to pass, but it seemed to get worse from the heat. Having Elu touch his back didn't seem to help. A medic dressed in white approached and knelt down next to Xander with a small white briefcase. He pulled on a pair of white gloves and then carefully touched Xander's face.
“Look at me for a moment,” the medic instructed. “And follow this light with your eyes.”
Xander did as instructed and didn't say a word, following whatever directions the medic gave him. The medic pulled a white packet out of his briefcase, cracked it, and then shook it a few times before handing it to Xander.
“You have a mild concussion. I would suggest plenty of rest and fluids over the next six hours, but try not to nap any time soon. You should be fine to sleep tonight,” the medic explained and then turned to Elu. “Will you be able to keep an eye on him?”
Elu nodded.
“Of course. We're log station mates,” he replied.
“Good. Just make sure he gets enough fluids and rest, okay?” the medic said.
“Sure thing,” Elu replied. “Let's get you up, buddy.”
Xander stood timidly and looked down at the ground that was still spinning a bit. As they made their way to their log station, Anna Leigh appeared in their path.
“Hey, guys,” she said with a bright smile outlined with red lips. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I'm fine,” Xander replied.
Her eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunlight, swirling like stars. The night before came back in pieces as he remembered the way she had caressed his body on the dance floor.
“He's just got a mild concussion,” Elu explained. “We're getting him back to the log station where he can rest.”
“I can give you a lift in my transporter,” Anna Leigh offered while motioning to her vehicle.
“That's very kind of you,” Elu said. “Thanks.”
Anna Leigh helped Xander into the transporter and secured him in the back, inviting Elu to sit up front with her. She looked at him in her rear view mirror and smiled. He blushed.
“I'm really okay,” he insisted. “Seriously.”
“It's no problem at all,” Anna Leigh explained. “I had such a good time with you guys last night. I figured I could repay you for the drinks.”
Anna Leigh pulled away from the mine and headed towards the log station, dust kicking up behind the vehicle.
“I was a bit worried when the alarm went off,” Anna Leigh admitted from the front seat. “I'm used to dealing with casualties in this line of work, but I still get incredibly worried.”
“I can understand that. This definitely isn't our first mine collapse,” Elu said.
“We had a horrible one two summers
ago where I broke my leg,” Xander called from the back seat. “I've seen worse days, for sure.”
Anna Leigh laughed nervously.
“Oh, wow,” she said. “Yeah, I'd say so.”
She pulled up to the log station and parked as close to the door as possible.
“Here you go, guys,” she said. “Please, don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else.”
“Of course. We appreciate it,” Elu said. “Thanks again, Anna Leigh.”
“You're so welcome,” she said with a grin. “Call me later.”
She waved as she drove away and Xander stood leaning against Elu who eventually turned him to walk inside. They went straight to Xander's room where he was laid on the bed with the ice pack pressed firmly to his forehead.
“Are you hungry?” Elu asked.
“No,” Xander replied. “I just feel funny.”
“You probably will for a bit. I can get you something if you want,” Elu offered.
“No, I'll be fine,” Xander insisted.
“I'm still going to get you some water,” Elu said.
Xander smiled.
“Thanks, chief,” he said.
Elu shot him a dirty look, the grin still plastered to his face.
“I might poison your water if you keep saying that,” he warned.
Xander chuckled lightly, leaning back against his pillow and placing the ice pack over his eyelids.
“Just make it quick,” he joked.
Elu chuckled from the wall next to the bathroom, the sound echoing across the white tile.
“Could you turn on the hologram? I want to hear the ocean,” Xander asked.
“Sure,” Elu replied.
Xander listened to Elu walk across the room to the window where the hologram was located and tap the keys on the touch pad to open the ocean app. He sighed contentedly as the sounds of seagulls chirping and ocean waves came through the speakers, instantly putting him into a state of relaxation. A hand touched his and he jumped.
“Sorry,” Elu said. “Here.”
He handed Xander a glass of water.
“Oh, thank you,” Xander said while accepting it.
He took a sip, setting the cold pack aside on the bed and staring off into space. There was more he wanted to say, the words dancing on the tip of his tongue as he recalled how exciting the previous night had been. Having Anna Leigh sandwiched between them was exhilarating and he wanted to repeat it.
“Do you want to have a picnic tomorrow?” Xander asked.
Elu turned to him, smiling.
“Sure. That sounds really nice,” he replied.
“And maybe we could invite Anna Leigh?” Xander asked.
“That sounds really nice,” Elu replied. “She seems like she favors you.”
Xander shrugged.
“She seems to like you, too,” he said.
“Yeah, I guess so. I wouldn't want to step on your game though,” Elu said.
“No, you were fine. I actually really liked having her between us,” Xander admitted.
“Yeah? I thought it was pretty hot,” Elu commented.
“You think she'll accept the invitation?” Xander asked, reaching for his phone that was sitting on the bedside table.
“Only one way to find out, right?” Elu replied.
“Yeah. I'm just nervous,” Xander said.
“You shouldn't be. She totally likes you,” Elu said.
“It would be good for our day off. We could check out the ridge and maybe take a hike,” Xander explained as he opened up his messaging app.
He scrolled down to Anna Leigh's name and typed out a text before setting his phone back down on the table. It vibrated almost immediately, causing his stomach to flip. Elu motioned towards the phone with a grin.
“Well?” he asked.
Xander smiled and shook his head, picking his phone back up and looking at the response. It said, “Sure, I'd love that!” His smile widened.
“I'll take that as a yes,” Elu said. “Awesome. I'll make a basket for us.”
Xander nodded, his heart racing from the excitement.
“You really think she'll like it?” Xander asked.
“Of course,” Elu replied. “Why wouldn't she?”
Xander shrugged with a smile.
As Elu stood from the bed, a knock came from the door. He looked at Xander who shrugged and then walked to the door to open it. Anna Leigh stood on the other side with a vase full of synthetic flowers, a little white bag in her hand.
“Hey,” she said. “How's Xander doing?”
Elu stepped aside to let her in and she walked to the bed, her heels clicking against the tile floor.
“I'm doing fine,” he said.
“That's good. I figured I would bring you something to cheer you up,” she said while setting down the vase. “These were made in a laboratory on the other side of the compound. Dr. Marques is great with synthetics. They never die.”
“That's so kind of you,” Xander said, reaching over to caress the soft petals. “It's really quiet a work of art.”
Anna Leigh smiled and sat on the bed, taking Xander's face between her hands and checking his eyes.
“You look like you're doing alright,” she said.
Elu was still standing near the door. He pointed at it and raised his eyebrows. Xander shook his head. Confused, Anna Leigh turned around to look at Elu who shoved his hands in his pockets nervously.
“I think I need to go take a shower,” he said while heading for the door.
“I understand,” she said. “I'll see you tomorrow, Elu.”
Elu smiled and waved, then exited the room. Anna Leigh turned back to Xander who lifted the ice pack and placed it back on his head.
“Would you like me to stay?” she asked.
Xander smiled, looking down at his pants where an erection was poking up against the fabric. He quickly grabbed his blanket to hide it.
“Yeah, that would be great,” he said.
As Anna Leigh curled up with him on the bed, he timidly wrapped an arm around her and sighed.
“I'm sorry I smell like the mine,” he said with a chuckle.
“No, it's fine. Really,” she said. “The guys in the nurse station smell pretty bad, too.”
“So, I smell bad?” Xander asked.
“Oh, no. I didn't mean that,” Anna Leigh said quickly.
Xander laughed.
“I'm just kidding,” he said.
Anna Leigh shook her head with a smile.
“You're silly. I like that,” she said. “You sure you don't mind me staying? I just want to keep an eye on you.”
“Of course not,” he said. “Stay as long as you want.”
Chapter 5
“It's beautiful out here,” Elu commented.
A lush landscape appeared in the distance, a reprieve from the usual purple dust that settled on their clothes after a long day mining. Elu took a deep breath of the oxygen-rich air and exhaled loudly, readjusting the satchel on his shoulder.
“Absolutely,” Anna Leigh said. “I really needed this and I'm glad my boss gave me the day off.”
“We're glad, too,” Xander said, inhaling from a pen.
“What's that?” Elu asked.
“It's one of those pens with flavors. You want to try it?” he asked.
“Sure,” Elu replied while holding out his hand. “What's the flavor?”
“It's eucalyptus,” Xander said as Elu took a drag.
Elu coughed and handed the pen back to him.
“Oh, wow. That's a bit strong. What's in it?” Elu asked.
“It's just flavoring. It's supposed to have a calming effect,” Xander said. “I like it. I also have lavender and vanilla.”
“I have a vanilla pen back in my room. It's one of my favorite things to smoke after a long day,” Anna Leigh said.
“Oh, I bet,” Xander said.
“Lavender sounds like it would be heavenly,” Elu commented.
“It is,”
Xander said.
“There's the ridge over there,” said Anna Leigh while pointing ahead. Elu smiled.
“We should see what's on the other side,” he suggested.
The three walked up the small path and started climbing. Xander reached down to help Anna Leigh climb over a rock. Anna Leigh smiled and continued walking up the trail until they reached a small clearing tucked away between some trees. A steaming hot spring beckoned for them to take a dip and Elu immediately began removing his shoes. Xander knelt down to inspect the water, dipping his fingers into it.
“Looks nice,” Anna Leigh said.
“Feels nice,” he commented.
“We should jump in,” Elu said while peeling off his shirt.
Anna Leigh blushed, covering her red lips with a green hand.
“I'm a little hungry, actually,” Xander admitted.
“We can always eat first,” Elu said while setting down his satchel. “What would you like?”
“How about some baked chicken and mashed potatoes?” Xander asked.
“Now that sounds heavenly,” Anna Leigh said while taking a seat next to Xander.
Xander nodded excitedly.
“Coming right up, my friends,” Elu said as he set out a blanket for them to sit.
While Elu set up the capsules with water, Xander grabbed two plates from his bag. He set out a couple of water bottles and then took another drag of his pen while watching Elu work. As soon as the food was ready, Xander helped set it out on plates and they dug in immediately, nodding as they chewed the delicious hot food.
“This is amazing. Thank you,” Xander said between bites of chicken.
“It's very fresh,” said Anna Leigh.
“Thank the company for that,” Elu said. “These are the capsules we get weekly.”
They ate quietly. A silence formed between them as they finished eating. They wiped their hands on their clothes before taking swigs of water.
“Ready for the spring?” Elu asked while standing.
He started removing his pants and Xander stared, seeming to be frozen in his sitting position. Anna Leigh stood without hesitation and began to strip down.
“Yeah, of course,” Xander said quickly as he stood up.
While Anna Leigh peeled off her shirt, Elu admired the slim form hiding underneath. Sweat glistened on her upper chest. He sighed heavily, wanting desperately to reach over and touch her. It was nearly uncontrollable until Anna Leigh's face came into view. He pulled his hand back and smiled shyly. Within moments, Xander's pants were on the ground and the three were carefully wading into the hot spring while hissing.