Page 5 of The Danger Kiss

The brown eyes gave a start, and softened again.

Yes.

They ran after me and I ran too. There were twenty-one of them. Believe me. I can count, you know.

She felt herself being wrapped by something soft. It was several years later that she realized she had been hugged, and that the scent that had smelled so wonderfully was incense.

I'm here, miss, said the pretty voice. They won't hurt you again.

***

Sounds first. Something was humming, quietly.

Then scents. Something freshly washed. The scent of soap.

And colors. White. White and pale blue.

Then shapes. Flowing, curving. And something geometric. Squares and diamonds. Circles, too.

She blinked and struggled to a sitting position.

The air-conditioner.

Fresh linen.

White curtains and pale blue patterned wallpaper.

She was in her room at the Dome.

Memories rushed to her brain, crowding. She was running. She was so thirsty. She was afraid.

She was filled with so much warmth. Heat.

The soft brown eyes.

I'm nobody.

She got off the bed and looked frantically around the room, her legs still shaky but her will providing her great balance.

Anyone else in here? Anybody?

She repeated this many times, searching through the bathroom, the closets, behind the curtains, under the bed.

She was alone and, inexplicably, afraid.

It was an empty, unfamiliar sensation she did not like.

Don't be afraid, the voice had said.

Don't be afraid.

one

The Truth

"So. You're back.”

I didn't turn to face the entrance of the greenhouse, nor did I even look up, as I spoke the words. There were many things a Zola did not do and this was one of them.

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