Page 12 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“Are you in such a great hurry to return to the human settlement?” I call out to Abby.

She continues walking without slowing down or answering. I vow before the day is over that I will get her to speak to me. Even if it is in anger. I do not like the silence she gives.

“If it’s any consolation, she usually doesn’t stay mad at me for longer than a day,” Carter notes. “Give her a little time and her temper should cool.”

Perhaps.

At last, the settlement is visible through a break in the trees. The sun has risen higher in the sky and shines brightly down on the bari field that lies between the forest and the place where the humans reside. This is the spot where the ships that bring the humans to Tavikh land. The center of the field is bare, and indentions have been left in the ground. Three ships have arrived on our planet since the initial one. Which one of them held Abby and Carter?

“How long have you and your sister been on Tavikh?”

“About a year, I think. Maybe less. Maybe more. Time is different here than it is on Earth.”

It is? This is not something I knew but find fascinating. I have only heard a few stories from Evren who heard them from Jodah about what life had been like on Terra. One of them being that the humans are divided by what material things they possess. Those who have much and those who do not, and those who have much do not share with those who do not. It would appear that humans are a selfish species.

Abby has already opened the gate and disappeared through it. Carter steps over the threshold and I follow. Like every time I have been here, people stare. I have never understood why. It is not as though I am a stranger to them. It is as though I am the enemy. It should not hurt that often it feels as though Abby looks at me the same way, but it does.

“Our tent is this way.” Carter directs.

I trail him through the entire settlement until we reach a small dwelling at the far back wall. It sits beneath one of the few trees that stands within the borders. A small fire pit lies in front of each dwellings. I had forgotten how disconnected each unit is from the next. There is no central gathering place where the humans meet to discuss settlement business. They do not exist harmoniously with one another.

Abby has disappeared inside and the sound of her moving around within spills from the opening.

“I will wait out here.”

Carter nods and enters as well. Their hushed voices reach my ears, but I cannot make out the words. It is perhaps for the best. I am sure she has harsh things to say to the kit. Most likely about me.

“You just couldn’t mind your own fucking business, could you?” Lewis stands nearby with a sneer on his lips. His face is a similar shade to Abby’s hair and at his sides, his fists are clenched.

Without a response, I rest my hand on my sword hilt and the male’s gaze is drawn to it. The bright color leaves his cheeks, but he holds his ground. Hatred spews from his eyes and he darts a glance at the tent behind me.

“That cunt thinks she’s too good for me, but she’ll spread her legs for some alien?” Lewis spits on the dirt.

“Do not speak of the female like that again.” He should heed my warning.

He scoffs. “Or what?”

Four slow steps bring me face-to-face with him. I take great satisfaction in the fact he must tilt his head back to maintain eye contact with me. He shrinks back a fraction, but must find a bit of courage, because he straightens to his full height, which still leaves me staring down at him. I lean close because I do not want him to mistake my meaning.

“Or I will kill you.”

Chapter 7

Abby

I know I’m being completely unreasonable, but I can’t seem to stop myself. It’s like I’m trapped in this cycle of cynicism, thinking the worst of people. Even if they haven’t done anything to deserve it. I need to try harder, but life has taught me some powerful lessons that aren’t so easy to unlearn.

Carter tosses his things in his bag, while I move much slower. All I’m doing is postponing the inevitable, though. If I don’t give in, he’s going to just continue running off to the Tavikhi village. I suppose there is a small part of me that’s…relieved to get away from Lewis. But there’s the other part that feels like this is giving up and taking the coward’s way out. Like I’m hiding.

“I’m done,” Carter announces.

I glance over my shoulder. Sure enough, his entire side of the tent is bare. All the way down to the blankets and bedroll. His bag bulges and isn’t even zipped fully closed.

“You should probably say bye to Felix.” Mostly because I need a few minutes by myself.

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

I shake my head and shoo him off. “I’ll be fine.”

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