Page 80 of Ava Greasemonkey

Using her free hand, Ava gestured to the engine room. “I don’t want to leave here for a bit.”

“You don’t have to.”

Ava felt up his arm where he still had the tracker to her wound tightly to his bicep. He hadn’t taken it off since they got back. “Did this help?”

“It led me to you.”

“And the females?”

“Yes, them as well. It helped me find you in the vent.”

Ava pressed on her arm where the locator was embedded. It was irrational, but she felt safer having it in, remembering the fear of being alone in the vents. “I don’t want it removed for a while.”

“It will need to come out at some point. Xai is a safe place. No one from the stars will breach it again. But it is your decision as to when to have it removed.”

She nodded, head on his chest. It was calm here in the engine hall, listening to the engine whirl. She could hear some resistance on a few of the gears. Ava made plans to go up and grease it shortly.

“Eat.” Vox pushed the plate in her direction. “You have not eaten enough during the time you were off the ship, nor have you since coming back.”

Her stomach felt off, but Ava tried anyway. With Vox watching and these familiar halls, she only had her mind to fear.

Chapter 30

Rhutg was in the solarium when Ava finally asked Vox where he was. She wanted to find him. After she showered, ate, and slept, her mind turned to her last glimpse of him. His sad expression while closing the cargo bay doors came roaring back. The memory hung in her mind, guiltily pricking her to go find him.

Vox walked her there himself, a guard in the silent halls.

“Where did all the women settle?” Ava asked as they walked. It was the first bit of curiosity she had about them since being assured they were all unharmed the cycle before.

“They took over the Phor queen’s habitat as their temporary home. Although they spend most of their time in the solarium.”

“Are they there now?” Ava’s steps faltered, forehead wrinkling.

“No. It is just Rhutg.”

Ava sighed in relief. She wanted to see Rhutg alone. She didn’t want to see the other females. She couldn’t piece together why she didn’t want to see them other than she had an association with them of the fear she’d felt.

A sour feeling and anxiety churned in her stomach when she thought of them. No matter how she rationalized their actions to herself, and she had come to terms that it was not directed or malicious toward her, she still felt sick when thinking about visiting them. She knew they were just defending themselves. She hated that she felt this way. More than anything, she hated that the fear was winning in keeping her trapped.

Vox didn’t press her, letting her know that the females were fine with giving her time.Time. Is that what I need?Vox seemed to think so. He was probably right, as now she was venturing out to find Rhutg when she couldn’t have imagined doing so earlier.

Rhutg, however, Ava wanted to see. She knew Vox could have called him to her in the engine room, but Rhutg was hurting himself in a way that was more permanent and lasting than Ava was. Ava had Vox by her side. Rhutg now was alone, his hopes of reuniting with his Violie gone. The shock must have worn off, and Ava knew how lonely the grief afterward could be.

So Ava had left to find him, walking out of the engine room for the first time in two cycles. Her mind felt clearer than when she first got on the ship, but she was still jumpy. Still, it was good for her to get out and not keep herself closed in. She knew this even without Vox reminding her.

At the door to the solarium she turned to Vox, hand on the pinpad.

“Are you wanting to speak with him alone?” he asked before she could express the wish.

Ava nodded.

Vox hummed, connecting his forehead with hers before turning to flank the doorway. “I will guard outside.” Even though no threats could exist out here in space—she knew the only threats were in her mind—she appreciated the gesture. “Call for me if you need me.”

Ava rubbed his hand in thanks and went in, door closing behind her.

Her eyes stung as they adjusted to the bright artificial sun. Blinking, she walked ahead, rubbing her arms and feeling the warmth on them while she looked around the room for him.

She found him almost immediately. Rhutg was sitting on a bench next to the artificial pond, head down, watching the recirculating water rippling through the rocks, constantly being recycled. His large frame took up almost the entirety of the small bench.

---