Page 15 of Obsessed

"No," I say quickly, surprising myself. "I mean, sure. That sounds... interesting."

She beams at me, and my heart does a backflip. "Really? Great! Let me grab my tablet."

As she bustles around, I can't help but wonder. How long can I keep this to myself? And what happens when she inevitably finds out?

For now, I'll have to play it cool. But as Alice settles next to me, her scent washing over me, I know it's going to be the hardest job I've ever taken.

The next day, I wake before the sun, my body still on courier time. The research station is quiet, save for the soft hum of equipment and Alice's gentle breathing from her room. My skin tingles with the knowledge that she's so close, yet so far.

Shaking off the thought, I make my way to the kitchenette and brew some of the strong, bitter liquid Alice calls coffee. The scent fills the air, and I hear movement from her room.

"Morning," Alice yawns, shuffling into the common area. Her hair's a mess, and she's wearing oversized pajamas with little cartoon atoms on them. It's oddly endearing.

"Hey," I reply, trying to keep my voice neutral. "Sleep well?"

She nods, grabbing a mug. "Like a log. You?"

"Fine," I lie. In truth, I'd tossed and turned all night, my mind racing with possibilities and fears.

Alice takes a sip of coffee, eyeing me over the rim of her mug. "So, what's on your agenda today? More ship repairs?"

I clear my throat. "Actually, I was wondering if I could tag along with you. See what this research of yours is all about."

Her eyes widen, and a smile breaks across her face like a supernova. "Really? You want to come with me?"

"Sure," I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Beats sitting around here all day."

"That's great!" She's practically bouncing now. "I mean, um, cool. Yeah, that'd be... that'd be nice."

I hide a smile behind my mug. "Just don't expect me to be much help. My plant knowledge starts and ends with 'don't eat the ones that look like they want to eat you first.'"

Alice laughs, a sound that sends warmth spreading through my chest. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe from the big bad flowers."

An hour later, we're trekking through the dense jungle. Alice chatters away, pointing out various plants and explaining their properties. I half-listen, more focused on scanning our surroundings for threats.

"Oh, watch out for that vine," Alice warns, pointing to a innocuous-looking tendril. "It's got barbs that'll go right through your suit."

I nod, making a mental note. How many times has she been out here alone, surrounded by deadly flora and fauna? The thought makes my stomach churn.

"So," I say, changing the subject, "what exactly are we looking for today?"

Alice's eyes light up. "There's a clearing about a klick from here where I've been tracking the growth patterns of a particularly interesting fungus. It seems to have symbiotic relationships with multiple plant species, which could have huge implications for?—"

She cuts off as a low growl echoes through the trees. I tense, moving closer to Alice without thinking.

"What was that?" I whisper, scanning the foliage.

"Something we don't want to have lunch with," Alice whispers, a tremble in her voice. It seems she's been introduced to this beast before.

I nod, my eyes still scanning the dense foliage. "Yeah, let's move. I'd rather not meet whatever's making that noise."

Alice grabs my arm, her touch sending a jolt through me. "This way. Stay close. We're in its territory, if we leave it'll leave us alone too."

We move swiftly through the jungle, Alice leading with surprising agility. I keep my senses on high alert, ready for any threat. The growling fades, but I don't relax.

"There," Alice whispers, pointing ahead. "That's the clearing."

As we break through the treeline, I'm struck by the sight. The ground is carpeted in a patchwork of vibrant colors - purples, blues, and greens that seem to pulse with life.

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