Page 40 of Stranded with the Alien

She didn’t have the strength to argue.

“Fine. Let’s get the magic tent up and pretend we’re eating a fabulous dinner. What I wouldn’t give for a cheeseburger right now.”

“Is that a delicacy on Earth?”

“More comfort food than delicacy. What’s good to eat on Vraxos?”

“Grilledvinetyawithsharlikgrains andmadanisksauce,” Vahn said promptly.

Kara’s stomach clenched painfully.I’d eat anything right now,she thought.Even alien food.

She watched him activate the shelter as she took a small sip of water. Her head had begun to throb persistently at the temples. It wouldn’t be long before the more severe symptoms of thirst set in.

The only good thing was that she didn’t need to pee. One of the plus points of dehydration: no awkward toilet breaks necessary.

She’d noticed the alien had relieved himself a couple of times, tactfully letting her pull ahead before he did it. So he wasn’t feeling the lack of water, not yet at least.

But he was probably much hungrier than she was. A body that big with that many muscles, he obviously needed major calories to function.

He must be starving. Yet he hadn’t said anything.

“Your turn in the tent tonight,” she told him briskly. She pulled on her jacket against the encroaching chill.

“I am happy to spend another night under the stars,” he replied. “I enjoy it.”

Kara was ready for this. She drew her blaster and pointed it at him.

“I insist. Get in the tent. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He knew there was no point arguing.

“And tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow we carry on. We have to climb into the hills to set the beacon, so that’s where we’ll head.”

He nodded curtly and disappeared into the tent.

Neither of them said what they were thinking.

That they still didn’t know if the beacon would work. And even if it did, it wouldn’t help them unless they found food and water.

Because they’d both be dead long before they were rescued.

Twenty One

They ran out of water towards the end of the next day. Their journey had been conducted mostly in silence as they tried to conserve energy. Both of them were feeling the strain. It was all they could do just to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

When dusk fell, they were too tired even to make a fire. Kara crawled into the tent and tried to ignore her dry mouth and empty stomach. She slept badly, her dreams disjointed and fitful.

The next day they set off at dawn, estimating they would reach the woodland by midday. Kara trudged behind Vahn, taking refuge in his long shadow.

She spent most of the morning fantasizing about biting into a sweet peach, imagining the juice dribbling over her chin.

Her daydream was interrupted when she walked into the alien. He’d stopped abruptly.

“What is it?” she croaked. Her throat was parched.

“There is something on the ground. It looks like an animal. It might be dead.”

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