Page 15 of Larz

Chapter

Six

Larz

The morning air of Oumtera nipped at my scales as I made my way to the gathering point for the reconnaissance mission. My breaths, visible in the chill, rose rhythmically, merging with the mist that hovered over the lush undergrowth. Today’s task was simple—survey the damage caused by the alien ship and scout for any resources that might be salvageable.

Upon arriving, I saw a group of my kin, their armor glinting in the rising sun. Among them stood Hailee, her stature small compared to ours, yet her presence was anything but insignificant. She was inspecting a piece of equipment, a tool foreign to our ways. Her brow furrowed in concentration, unaware of my approach.

“Our paths cross once more,” I said as I stepped beside her.

Hailee jumped slightly, her hand going instinctively to a small device on her belt. Her eyes met mine—wide, ocean blue and brimming with unspoken words. “Larz,” she exhaled my name like it was a discovery.

“Your leaders have placed you with us today,” I continued, motioning toward the other Zorvians.

“Yeah,” she nodded slowly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “They think it’s important we learn from each other.”

Silence settled between us like dew on leaves. It was not uncomfortable, but thick with uncharted territory. We set off with the others, trekking into the scarred landscape where once proud forests now lay splintered by the impact of Hailee’s ship.

As we walked, Hailee kept pace beside me. Her boots crunched on the underbrush while I moved silently—a predator in its element.

“Your people move so quietly,” she remarked without looking at me.

“We are one with our surroundings.”

“I’m trying not to be too much of a... well, an Earthling.”

I glanced at her. “Being an Earthling is not a weakness here.”

Her lips curved upward briefly. We continued in silence.

Hours into our journey, we reached a ravine split open by the crash. The path across had crumbled away, leaving only jagged edges and uncertainty.

“We must find another way,” one of my kin announced.

“There might not be time,” Hailee countered. “These readings—” she gestured to her device “—show there could be a storm approaching.”

My eyes narrowed at the darkening sky she pointed to. Time was indeed against us.

“We cross here,” I decided and stepped toward the ravine’s edge.

“But how?” Hailee questioned.

I extended my arm toward her. “We trust each other.”

Her gaze flickered from my hand to my eyes before placing hers in mine—a feather’s weight in my grasp.

Together we leaped, our combined momentum carrying us across the void to plop on the other side. Her hand squeezed mine before she let go, an unspoken thank you hanging in the air.

The land grew more treacherous as we advanced—the earth torn and angry from the violence inflicted upon it. The wind picked up its pace as if to chase us back whence we came.

Hailee stumbled over a hidden root, her balance lost for a moment before finding it again without aid.

“You must watch your step,” I said without looking back at her.

“I’m okay,” she called out breathlessly.

A rustling above caught our attention—an unstable tree groaning against the wind’s caress. Before thought could become action, it gave way crashing toward Hailey, who stood frozen beneath its shadow.

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