Page 13 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

“Normally, I’d complain about that. I’m hoping it looks like a toilet back home. Are they universal?” Her jagged sigh echoed in the room. “I bet they’re not. But I can get there on my own. The smell alone will guide me.”

I understood independence, but she was still weak. “It’s to your left, in the corner. If you keep your hand on the wall, you’ll come to it.”

“Can you see any better than me?”

“No.”

“Great. Just great.” She choked back a sob. “I’m sorry I’m not acting brave or strong about this. It’s . . . such a huge adjustment. I’m scared. I don’t know where my sister is, and I’m desperate to find her. I’m not complete if I don’t know where my twin is. We’ve rarely been apart.”

“I’ll help you find her. This I vow.” She couldn’t see that I pressed my fist against my chest, but I did it anyway.

“I appreciate it. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Firion.”

I needed her just as much. My heart would be a big empty lump without her.

The rustle of fabric told me she stood, and I could hear her hand hit the wall.

“There it is,” she said. “Just keep going left. You’llfind it. Ugh.”

I remained with her as she made her way closer. “It’s not far. An arm’s reach beyond the end of the bunk.”

“Alright.” She rounded the end of the bunk and moved closer to the wall, keeping both hands on it as she slowly made her way toward the pot. “I’ll be careful not to stub my toe on it.”

“Good idea.”

“Ah, there it is. Hard. Metal?”

“Probably. Back home, they’re made of stone.”

“Where’s home for you, Firion?” She pawed around. “Yuck. No seat. I’ll perch.” Her clothing shifted and now that my eyes were adjusting to the dark, I could make out her shadowy shape as she lowered herself close to the surface.

I jerked my body around quickly, wanting to give her privacy, as much as I could while standing nearby. “I’m here to make sure you don’t fall. I’m not . . . watching.”

“You’re a good guy, Firion.”

Was I? I tried to be. I made sure everyone in my clan had enough food and a secure shelter, that others were treating them as they should. That everyone was happy. It was only this instant that I realized there was no one to make sure I was equally happy.

It didn’t matter. I was happy enough without someone else watching out for me.

“I’m from the Dastalon Clan,” I said. “As I mentioned, we live on floating islands above the sea.”

“Above?”

“They hoverin the sky.”

“How? Don’t they fall?”

“Not so far.”

“I’m going to take your word on that.” She paused. “Describe it for me?”

“Vines dangle from below, some dipping down into the water. That’s how the vegetation drinks.”

“Salty water?”

“It thrives on it.”

“I assume there’s purple vegetation?” she asked.

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