Page 9 of Obsessed

"Um, hi." I fidget with the hem of my oversized sleep shirt. "Sleep okay?"

He shrugs. "Your couch isn't the worst place I've crashed."

An awkward silence stretches between us. I busy myself making tea, hyper-aware of his presence behind me. My fingers tremble slightly as I pour hot water into my mug.

"So," I start, desperate to fill the quiet, "any plans for today?"

Davrik sets down the mug with a soft clink. "Gonna check out the damage on my ship. Got those tools you mentioned?"

"Right! Yes, of course." I hurry to the storage closet, grateful for something to do. When I return with the toolbox, he's standing by the door, all lean muscle and dangerous grace. My breath catches.

"Thanks," he says, taking the box.

"Good luck," I blurt out. "With the ship, I mean."

He nods, then hesitates. "Listen, I appreciate the help. But it's probably best if I do this on my own. No telling what could happen with the ship."

A chill runs down my spine, but I force a smile. "Right. Of course. I've got my own work to do anyway."

As soon as he's gone, I slump against the wall, heart pounding. What have I gotten myself into? But as I gather my research gear, I can't help but replay the image of his green eyes, the way his dark hair fell across his forehead...

Stop it, Alice, I scold myself. You're a scientist, not some lovestruck teenager. Focus on the plants. They're the reason you're here.

Stepping outside, I take a deep breath of Meltor IV's muggy air. The familiar scent of alien flora centers me. This is what I know. This is where I belong.

As I head toward my research site, I glance back at the station. In the distance, I can just make out Davrik's tall form by his crashed ship.

Don't dwell on him, I tell myself firmly. You've got work to do.

I kneel beside a vibrant bush, its leaves a bright purple. My fingers tremble slightly as I pluck a sample, placing it carefully in my collection bag.

"Steady on, Alice," I mutter to myself. "It's just another day in paradise."

A soft rustling catches my attention. I look up to see a small, fuzzy creature inching its way along a nearby vine. It's about the size of my palm, with six stubby legs and what appears to be a tiny trunk.

"Well, hello there," I coo, momentarily forgetting my worries. "Aren't you just the cutest little... whatever you are?"

The creature pauses, its trunk twitching in my direction. I hold my breath, not wanting to startle it.

"That's right," I whisper. "Just pretend I'm not here. Go about your important vine-crawling business."

As I watch the fuzzy alien continue its slow journey, I can't help but smile. It's moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with xenobotany in the first place. Though sometimes, it also makes me wish I'd gone for straight xenobiology instead.

A shadow flits across the canopy above, and my smile fades. I scan the treetops, my heart rate quickening. There it is again—something large, moving with predatory grace through the upper branches.

"Right," I mutter, gathering my samples with shaking hands. "Time to call it a day, I think."

I stand, my knees popping in protest. As I turn to leave, I cast one last glance at the fuzzy creature. "Stay safe, little guy. Watch out for the big nasties."

My pace quickens as I make my way back to the research station. The jungle seems to press in around me, full of unseen dangers. I try to focus on my breathing, on putting one foot in front of the other.

"This is ridiculous," I chide myself. "You're a scientist, not some scared kid. You should be out there, observing, cataloging?—"

A distant roar cuts through the air, and I break into a run.

By the time I reach the safety of the station, I'm out of breath and drenched in sweat. I lean against the door, panting.

"Another productive day in the field, huh?" I mutter sarcastically.

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