Page 19 of Stranded with the Alien

The next time she heard the growls, she was ready. She aimed in their general direction and loosed off another shot without stopping. She had no idea if she hit anything, but she had to assume not.

The sound of claws scratching across stones came from her right. Again she aimed and fired without stopping.

“Just fuck off, will you?” she screamed. A snarl came from directly behind her. She began to turn, finger tightening on the trigger, but it was too late.

The beast took her down. She landed on her stomach, the breath knocked from her as she was slammed into the dirt. The blaster flew from her hand.

The animal sank its teeth into the backpack and dragged it off her, shaking it viciously left and right. Kara used the distraction to push herself onto hands and feet, trying to scuttle away, but the beast was already bored with its prize.

It dropped the bag and seized her arm. Pain ripped through her as its jaws closed on her elbow. Only the resilience of her flight jacket saved her from serious injury.

It was the pack-leader, she realized. Dizzy with shock, she heard the snarls of its companions as they circled around, watching and waiting for their chance.

She rolled onto her back and managed to dislodge the creature’s grip. Drool dripped into her face as it prepared to bite again, this time going for exposed skin. In the light of the torch she caught the flash of its teeth and a sob rose in her throat.

And then it was lifted clean off her and hurled into the darkness. She heard the nauseating crunch of bones snapping as it landed heavily. Bewildered, she shone the torch into the darkness. A shadow loomed over her.

“Tai shalam,hooman.”

Eleven

He’d woken to find her gone. For a moment, he’d considered not following her. If she was foolish enough to try to make it across hostile territory in the dark, she deserved a messy death.

She hadn’t even stopped to pick up food and water. She wouldn’t last long.

Then he saw she’d taken her bag and an unwelcome suspicion formed. Why take an empty bag? Unless… unless it wasn’t empty.

Drek.

The human had a way to communicate. That was what she was on her way to do. And it would bring more of her vile compatriots to the planet.

She couldn’t have gone far. She didn’t have the night vision of a Vraxian and she was minus one boot. Nevertheless, she was out of range of theyashakcollar.He would have to go after her. If she had a communication device, he’d take it off her and use it for himself.

Is that the only reason you want to chase her? Or is it… something else?

He tried to ignore the inner voice which had been getting increasingly loud of late. Just like he’d tried to ignore the female’s scent whenever she was close.

It didn’t matter what other odors were present: the pungency of sweat, the sulfurous steam from the springs, even the stench ofziftshe’d had to wash out of her clothes, he could always detect her underlying aroma.

He didn’t understand why it was affecting him so. But it was driving him mad.

With his enhanced sight he was easily able to follow her trail. At one point he came across spots of blood and his stomach tightened. She was injured.

When he saw the pawprints travelling in the same direction, he started running. Using his tentacles as extra legs, he was able to reach speeds of more than twice that of a human sprinter. Even so, he was nearly too late.

When he finally caught up to the female, she was on the point of being eviscerated by another of the planet’s savage inhabitants. He acted without thinking.

Using one of his tentacles like a club, he swung it violently into the hound-beast, injecting it with a full dose ofarakas he batted it from her. It flew through the air, paralyzed and dying before it even hit the ground. The alien strode to her side, trying not to acknowledge his relief that she was still alive.

“You’re safe, human,” he told her.

He spoke too soon.

Two more large animals erupted from the shadows without warning. They launched themselves at him, snapping and snarling, piercing flesh and crushing bone with their powerful jaws. One clung to his arm and the other bit down on his thigh.

The Vraxian beat at their heads and shoulders, trying to get them to loosen their grip. He touched a tentacle to one of their backs but his supply of toxin was depleted. The creature twisted and sank its teeth into the limb.

Kara gasped as blood spurted. She saw the alien’s face crease in pain. He managed to knock one animal off him but it immediately charged back and closed its fangs round his calf.

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