Page 12 of Sky Song
“Emma is not the right name,” he murmured. “Cricket fits you better.”
“Perhaps,” she allowed. “But I choose to go by Emma.”
“Why?” He stopped, forcing Cricket to stop too and turn to him.
“I was Cricket on Earth. Now I’m here, and things have changed. Meeus is all different, and I’m trying to keep up. I’m not sure you understand, but it’s the only explanation I have for you.”
His obsidian eyes briefly flattened before re-acquiring their sheen. A warm pulse of energy bumped against Cricket’s nerve endings.
“I understand,” he said quietly, and Cricket had a distinct impression of their bond strengthening. She didn’t want it. Whatever it was, it wasn’t real, and it wouldn't last.
The last alien of the group disappeared through the doorway.
“Let’s go, Lyle. You already missed most of the lecture.”
He shrugged in a graceful lift of a bulky shoulder. “It’s alright. This Hall of Knowledge has only the history, and I’m not that interested in the old. I’d much rather learn what your medics are working on today.”
“This place does have more current works.”
“How current?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why we need to catch up to Dr. Nura.”
“Are patients’ medical records kept here?”
“No, of course not. That’s privileged information.”
“I thought so.”
Cricket couldn’t even hear the group any longer. Violating professional protocol, she took hold of Lyle’s silvery-sleeved arm and pulled him to the door. “If we don’t hurry, we’ll get lost in the medical archives.”
“Is it such a terrible fate?”
“Yes. That drawing we saw in the book? It comes alive at night and roams these halls searching for its missing guts. It’ll take yours if it catches you.”
Lyle smiled without teeth, twin brackets appearing on both sides of his mouth. “I will fight hard to protect my guts,” he said in all seriousness.
Cricket grinned. “You think you can fight monsters?”
“I am a monster.”
Chapter 3
“Very good. Everything is in order.” Dr. Ragberg smiled with satisfaction as he raised his eyes from the electronic charts he was reviewing. “You look to be in perfectly good health, Emma.”
A huge smile split Cricket’s face and her eyes misted. For many long years, she had dreamed about hearing those words. Dreamed, but heard something very different. “Thanks to you, Dr. Ragberg.”
A small knot formed between his eyebrows. “As your doctor, I’m as pleased with your progress as you are.” In his tactful manner, he was letting her know that it wasn’t a personal matter, but rather a professional success for him. She was one of the countless others he’d helped.
“I just feel…” Euphoric? Like the whole world was at her feet and she could do anything? Emotions choked her. “I feel so fortunate to be here.”
An unreadable something - regret? - flashed across his face. “So do I, Emma. So do I.” He squeezed her shoulder briefly and instructed her to button up. ”Your lungs sound clear. How’s your head? Still dizzy after the shots?”
“A little bit, but nothing like before.”
He nodded. “Great, great. The boosters are at a fraction of the medicine’s full potency, and soon, you won’t even need them anymore. I’ll see you in a month.”
“A month?”
