Page 2 of Fated to the Alien Protector

With all our supplies in hand, we head outside. I scan the settlement, keeping my eye out for Lewis. Lucky for me, he’s a lazy bastard who sleeps half the morning away, so the chances of him being up this early are slim. Still, I watch as my brother and I make our way to the front gate.

It’s not manned, so there’s no one to question us leaving. Ever since most of the Krijese were killed by the Tavikhi, security around here has been pretty lax. Not that it was all that great before. It’s why so many of the people here—my father included—were slaughtered by those beady-eyed fuckers with their mouths full of razor-sharp teeth and their serpentine-like hair.

“Do you think we’ll catch anything?” Carter asks, breaking up the silence as well as the memories I long to forget.

“We should. The weather’s been nice and warm, which means the local critters ought to be coming out of hiding.”

The sun is low in the sky, but it shines brightly and burns off any lingering coolness the night brought. It’s not hot by any means, but it’s comfortable. At least for now. Another couple months, and it will be a lot hotter. I’ll enjoy the mild temperatures while I can.

We walk across the field of ankle-high yellow grass that spreads out beyond the settlement and leads into the purple and black forest. The first time I ever saw it, I freaked out a bit. Leaves are not supposed to be deep purple, and the wood of the trunks and branches is not meant to be coal black. The colors of everything here are justwrong.

Carter keeps up the conversation and I nod or make a random noise of agreement when I think it’s appropriate, but my attention is elsewhere. I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of predators—not just four-legged ones, either. The air cools as we stride through the trees. The sun’s rays struggle to make it through the branches and leaves so there’s not only a drop in temperature, but also in visibility.

I step along the man-made path and search for signs of prey. The yellow alien birds that roost high up in the trees sing to each other, and there’s the faint sound of tiny claws scratching along the ground. Carter and I dodge trees as we weave our way through the forest, until finally I spot a small burrow beside a tree whose trunk we couldn’t circle with our arms even if we held hands with each other.

Carefully, I work to set up the snare. My fingers fumble for a second.

“No, you have to do it this way.” My brother reaches in front of me, and I lightly smack his hand.

“This isn’t my first snare, Carter. I know what I’m doing.” I try to keep the annoyance out of my tone, but based on his mulish expression, I don’t succeed.

It takes me a few tries and far too long, but I finally get the thing rigged and ready for whatever poor critter decides to wander out of the little hole. Together, we back away and hide behind one of the bushes, forgetting it’s one of the stupid ones with the thorny leaves that sting like a bitch.

Carter hisses and rubs his arm where he brushed up against the prickled needles.

“Shh.” We don’t need to scare away any potential meal.

He glares at me, but zips his mouth closed. We sit there and sit there as the minutes—then hours—pass. I should have given up a long time ago, but I keep hoping something—anything—will come creeping out.

“Fuck.” What a waste of time.

“I thought you told me swearing was bad,” Carter scolds.

Technically I said swearing was bad forhim, but I don’t correct him. Pissed that I’ve lost half the day, I stand up.

Lewis steps out from behind a nearby tree. His shifty eyes scan me.

“What are you two doing out here alone?” he asks, coming closer before stopping a short distance away. “I told you I’d come along.”

Son of a bitch.

“I didn’t want to inconvenience you.” I lie and nudge Carter—who’s also risen—behind me to take any attention off him. “Carter and I are doing just fine. I appreciate your offer, though.”

If I’ve learned nothing else since somehow catching the attention of Lewis, it’s not to let him see fear. Still, I can’t let loose of the tension that grips me at the way his gaze lingers far too long in certain places on my body. He creeps me out.

“It’s not safe being outside the settlement walls,” he says. “You need someone to look after you, Abby. A protector.”

Yeah, and I bet you’ll be the first to volunteer.

“I’ve already told you Lewis, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.” I keep my voice from wavering. “It’s perfectly safe as well. Those creepy aliens stopped attacking months ago, and the purple alien leader told Gary and Adam that most of them had been killed anyway.”

He moves closer and closer without taking his eyes off me. “What about wild animals? You know there are any number of predators out here who are just looking for easy prey to snap up.”

I do the one thing I know I shouldn’t do. I step back, keeping Carter behind me as I try and put distance between us and the man who’s finally making me realize I could have a true reason to be afraid.

Behind me a twig snaps.

“The female is correct. They do not need you as a protector because they already have me.”

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