Page 2 of Nyanine's Divide

“Just for the moment?” My eyes well with tears as Vahru tugs me against his chest, holding me steady.

“You know as well as I do that these things can take a turn for the worse unexpectedly. Just be here for him, now; that’s all you can do, Willa.”

I sob into his chest, clinging to his arms for security and stability, as I break apart. Through my tears, I see Kari crumbled on the floor in Kosiiba’s arms as she weeps, her eyes locked on Jeff, her face and hands still bloody and dirty. The other hunters mill around, watching through windows, blocking the door, checking comms to make sure all is safe.

Turning my face into Vahru’s chest, I soak in his comfort, his strength, and the fact that I’m not alone in this. As I attempt to calm myself, I realize something else. The bond in my chest is still alive, I can still feel him. Opening the bond, I realize it’s duller than I’d like, but it’s there, so I close it back down, unwilling to feel his pain on top of my own. All I know is that I won’t be walking away until I know for sure that he’ll pull through and be here with me. I can’t live without him.

Chapter 2

Kari

4 Weeks Earlier

Walking along the path to our cabin with Kosiiba close behind later in the day, I drop my gaze from Vahru’s face to my comm. His arm is tightly tucked around my shoulders, keeping me to his side, and I enjoy the comfort his touch brings both of us. The fear he radiated as he warned me about the city was strong, overpowering, and I worry that this mission to save this planet may be more dangerous than I originally thought. Only one way to find out, I suppose.

Pulling up Charlie’s contact information, I send him a message to reach out to me when he has time; I have another home for the children he’s housing. I also request additional comms and a secure laptop if he has time to work on such a thing. Sending the message, I slide my comm into my pocket and wrap my arms around Vahru’s middle.

“I know it makes you nervous, but could we go to the lab for a bit and try to get started on this research? I’d like to see what I can find, if there’s any differences between your story and the city’s.”

His feet pause in front of our house, his gaze turning to Kosiiba. “You willing to come with us? The more eyes looking for danger, the better.”

Kosiiba’s loose ponytail blows in the light breeze, the wisps framing his face dancing across it. His expression is serious, his hands gripping the hilts of his knives across his bare chest as he nods. “Of course. I vowed to protect you, I will. Captain, should we alert the others that we’re leaving?” He turns his green gaze to me, and I nod, pulling out my comm once more to send a group message to the hunters and Jeff.

Once that’s done, we climb into the vehicle and make the drive out. We don’t speak, opting to simply watch around us and soak in the cool breeze. I stare at the sister planet above, wondering once more just what kind of world it is. With so much blue, it’s much like Earth in the sense that it’s covered in water. There are a few small landmasses, and I wonder what sorts of creatures survive there. Hopefully, I’ll find out one day. The sun is setting below it, bathing everything in an orange glow that soothes my soul. I’m not sure why, but I love it.

As the city looms closer, my skin begins to itch. I feel watched, stalked, by unseen eyes, and I know that whoever it is that’s after me is here somewhere, somehow. They’re watching us all, eyes everywhere, and nothing is safe. The lab may be the only safeplace in the city, and even then, is it safe from the prying eyes of my enemy? Doubtful, but I’ll feel better once I’m secure in Vahru’s office. It always feels safe, despite being in the city.

Arriving at the lab, I stand on the edge of the lot and stare down at the sea behind it, catching sight of the first few konokos to scuttle along the shore in the dark, their bright colors attracting the eye. This place is like magic, especially at night, and despite having been here for a while now, I’m still finding myself surprised by the little things. It’s simply amazing the diversity in life across the universe.

I smile as Vahru wraps his arms around me. His lips lower to my ear as he murmurs, “One night, we’ll go swimming with them. You’ll love it beneath the waves. It’s even more beautiful than this.”

“Does anything get more beautiful than this? A perfect sunset, cool breeze, and the glowing creatures in the surf?”

“You’ve barely seen a fraction of the planet, Princess. We’ll explore it all when things are settled down. You, me, and perhaps our future children.” His hands slide around to cup my lower belly, and I look down at the sight, my eyes welling with tears of conflicting emotions.

Kids are something I always vowed to never have. What if I end up being like my parents, careless and rude, making my children feel as if they’re insignificant. What if I can’t give them the life they desire? What if I can’t keep them safe? Am I doomed to become like them because of the genes we share or can I make my own future, fighting against that which I was taught?

I’m not sure I’m ready to handle motherhood, the fear of messing it up is simply too great to quash right now. Even if I know I will never be like my parents because of what I felt growing up, I still can’t help but fear that I will screw up somehow, if not that way, then another. No one is perfect, but I don’t want to accidentally ruin someone else’s life the way minewas, scarring them for life. I’m only human, after all, I’m bound to make mistakes.

“Don’t fret, Princess. All in the right time. And I’ll be right here with you to help you. You aren’t alone in any of this journey, not with me and my family. You have the village to help you. And because of the big heart you have, you’ll be the best mom.” He kisses my cheek, drying the tear that slipped from my eye. “But one thing at a time, huh? Let’s get this research underway so we can fix this problem once and for all.”

Heading inside, Kosiiba stands sentry at the door like last time as we get to work. Vahru works on some of his own things for the lab, filing information and whatnot, while I work on learning all I can about their history. We spend hours in there, our fingers clicking along the keys, our eyes burning from the screens, until we can take no more. It’s well into the night, and we need to get some rest.

Calling it, Vahru scoops me into his arms as I rub at my eyes. “Come on, my little warrior. It’s time for bed. You can do more reading another day.”

I yawn and relax into his arms as Kosiiba leads us out, his head whipping this way and that to watch for threats. “I don’t get it, Vahru. Everything I read says the stories between you are identical. It’s as simple as technology being wanted and unwanted, creating a divide.”

He grunts in confirmation as he settles me into the seat and buckles me in like a child. “But you don’t think it’s that straightforward?”

“Hell no! Nothing is ever that simple, that straightforward. Differing opinions learn to get along all the time. There’s something else at play here. Someone or something is instigating this hatred and attack attitude. In my experience, people with differing opinions either simply avoid each other unless provoked by something or have been taught this type ofbehavior from someone or something. What’s provoking the city dwellers or teaching this hatred?”

Vahru climbs into the driver’s seat as Kosiiba yawns behind me. “I agree with the captain, Vahru. I always thought it was dumb that we couldn’t learn to find a balance. The hatred is too deep for it to be something so easily resolved. Someone is hiding something.”

“We can worry more about it tomorrow, hm? We all need rest. We’re no longer thinking clearly.” Vahru throws the vehicle into gear and heads down the road to the village. I choose to ignore his final comment as I feel like I’m thinking plenty clearly, but if it helps him feel better about something we don’t understand, then I’ll leave it. I’ll eventually prove my point.

As we cruise through the city, I look around, noting the amount of people with devices in hand or headphones in. They’re constantly watching, listening, playing on something. No one is truly watching where they’re going. There are billboards and screens all over the buildings showing ads and other things. The businesses are what I expect, restaurants, stores of all kinds, but I also notice some other things that bother me. There are way too many lingerie and sex stores, too many weapons stores, and other shady-looking businesses for my taste, for a city of this size. Something doesn’t add up.

I get the feeling that we’re being manipulated, but I just don’t understand how. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched, that something isn’t right. If only I knew what it was, who it was, to get to the source.

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