Page 115 of Treasure of the Abyss

Chapter 23

Aymee pressedthe booster gun to Macy’s calf and pulled thetrigger.

It pierced Macy’s skin with apop, and she flinched, hissing through her teeth. The shots had become a daily occurrence over the last few days, and they seemed to be working — her pain had diminished to tolerable levels. It still hurt every time she was forced to roll out of bed and walk, but Macy didn’t complain. Every step was one closer to seeing Jaxagain.

Tonight.

Macy would have already gone to see him, if not for her leg; she couldn’t manage more than twenty or so steps before it was too much for her damaged muscles. These days apart from him had been the longest of her life. Only the knowledge that Jax wasn’t being harmed had afforded her anypatience.

“I’ll pack a few of these with your other supplies,” Aymee said, removing the cartridge from the dispenser and tossing it in abin.

“Thank you, Aymee.” Macy said massaged her calf. “More than you’ll everknow.”

Aymee smiled and pecked a kiss on Macy’s cheek. “As crazy as all of this is, I’m happy for you, and fascinated byhim.”

Macy arched abrow.

“Oh, stop! You know what I mean. We thought we wereiton this planet. I mean, even if they weren’t here before us, they’re still alien beings who can think and talk like us.” Aymee sat beside Macy on the bed. “And there’s something…alluring about him. I mean, he’s frightening and all, too, but…he’sbeautiful.”

“He is.” Macy chuckled; the sparkle in Aymee’s eyes meant she was already envisioning how she’d paint Jax’spicture.

Aymee’s features grew suddenly somber. “I’m going to miss you,Mace.”

Macy’s eyes stung. “I’m going to miss you,too.”

“At least I’ll know you’re alive this time.” She looked down at Macy’s stomach. “And you’re not going to get out of letting me meet yourbaby.”

Macy embraced Aymee, holding her close. “We’re supposed to grow old together, right? Even if I live somewhere else, we’ll still see eachother.”

“I know. And we can leave letters for each other in the supply case. Do you remember theplace?”

“Near the rock that looks like a krull drinking from the water.” Macy smiled to herself. “Where we used to build little houses in the sand, and you’d paint the stones prettycolors.”

Aymee pulled back and grinned. “The veryplace.”

There was a knock on the door; it opened before either of them could respond. Doctor Kent Rhodes, Amy’s father, peeredin.

“How are you feeling, Macy?” heasked.

“Anxious, but good.” Macy had been fearful when Aymee said she’d told Doctor Rhodes everything, but her fears were unfounded. His warm demeanor — which she’d known since she was a little girl — hadn’t changed, and he’d shown nothing but concern for herwellbeing.

It had been his decision to erase Macy’s scans. While no one else was likely to see them, he didn’t want to take the chance of them getting into the wrong hands and stirring up trouble for Macy andJax.

“Good, good. You need to exercise that leg, but don’t push it too hard, okay?” He cleared his throat and glanced behind him. “You have anothervisitor.”

Doctor Rhodes opened the door wider to revealCamrin.

“Can I talk to you, Macy?” Camrinasked.

Macy nodded when Aymee gave her a questioningglance.

“Okay,” Aymee said. “I’ll go find your dad, and I want you up and walking when we getback.”

“I will. Thank you,Aymee.”

With a nod, Aymee moved toward the door. “Be nice, Cam. If you upsether—”

He held up his hands. “I won’t. Ipromise.”

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