Page 5 of Healer
We’d taken about fifty steps when the sudden blare of an alarm shattered the silence.
“Shit!” Agnes hissed, freezing at my side.
The once-darkened landscape flooded with bright lights, giving us mere seconds to react before being spotted.
“Hold on,” I muttered, scooping up Agnes and throwing her over my shoulder as I sprinted towards the jungle.
Chapter 3 – Agnes
“Never let a stranger get too close to you.”
“Never go into deserted places with a stranger.”
“Never let yourself get taken to a secondary location.”
My southern grandmother’s voice rang in my head, along with a faint whirring noise that was most likely her spinning in the grave.
Grandma might have had a point back on Earth, but this wasn’t Kansas anymore. The one thing I felt for sure was that whatever this handsome alien—Hakkar—had in store for me wouldn’t be nearly as bad as what the ugly gray bastards planned.
Besides, he knew Emmy’s name… mine too, for that matter.
He’d slung me over his broad shoulder, the hardness of his muscular frame pressing against my stomach with each powerful stride. But despite the discomfort, I couldn’t help but marvel at his speed as we raced through the dense jungle, the trees blurring together in a darkened whirlwind around us. He moved with precision and control, navigating the terrain without a single misstep. It felt both exhilarating and unnerving to fly through the unknown at such a breakneck pace.
Despite the jostling, I couldn’t help but admire the view from my vantage point. I had the perfect visibility of his gorgeous ass and thighs—muscles flexing as he moved with grace and agility. His attire comprised form-fitting leather pants and a vest that clung to every flex and ripple. As he ran andleaped through the night, I became more captivated by the stunning sight than any discomfort I might have felt. It was like watching a skilled dancer perform, each movement fluid and hypnotic.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally slowed his pace. I raised my head to take in my surroundings, only able to discern thick, dark foliage, and no sign of the concrete Twinkie that had held me captive.
As the uncomfortable bouncing stopped, I became acutely aware of my position draped across his shoulder. My stomach rested against a solid mass that would have been a clavicle on a human, but on him, it was just one more bulging muscle. In an attempt to steady myself, I wrapped my hands around his waist but found my fingers far from meeting—this guy was massive. But what caught my attention most was the feel of his hand pressed firmly against my upper thigh, especially since the aliens that dressed me didn’t believe in underwear.
“Um. Hello?” I ventured after he continued for a few more minutes, apparently not intending to put me down. “I can walk, you know. My legs are one of the few things those ugly bastards didn’t touch.”
He took a few more steps before stopping, his hands moving to grip my waist. The world spun madly as he flipped me off his shoulder, my body twisting and turning in the air like a circus trapeze artist. I braced myself for an inevitable fall, but his firm hands steadied me, and I hit my feet gracefully. My heart raced as I tried to catch my breath, exhilarated and relieved simultaneously.
Eyes the color of liquid gold swept over me, taking in not only my presence but also our surroundings. The jungle enveloped us, a cacophony of greens, browns, and shadows that danced on the edge of my vision. The air was thick with humidityand the scents of earth and life. My heart raced, realizing how truly alone we were in this vast, alien landscape.
As if he sensed my apprehension, the hands at my shoulders loosened their grip, gliding down my arms in a calming gesture. A wave of electricity shot through my skin, sending tingles of sensation that were unfamiliar and not entirely unpleasant.
“It would be better if I carried you, tiny human,” he said, frowning at my attire. “Your feet are not dressed for walking in the jungle.”
Glancing down at myself, I realizednoneof me was jungle-worthy. I wore what was tantamount to a hospital gown. Thankfully, it was a solid piece without the ass flap. My shoes were the flimsy paper and terrycloth kind that barely held up to walk across linoleum, much less a jungle. Still, I’d had enough of the sack of potatoes treatment, at least for now.
“I would like to walk.”
Hakkar pursed his lips, golden eyes flickering from my feet to our surroundings. Finally, he acquiesced with a sigh. “Of course. But you must let me guide you. My eyesight is much better than yours.”
I didn’t doubt it. His sun-gold irises swimming in a cobalt sea appeared otherworldly in the darkness. He took a step ahead of me, holding out his arm to me like a gentleman of old.
Hell, my grandmother might actually like this guy.
“Where exactly are we?” I asked, slipping my hand into the crook of his arm as we set off through the undergrowth. He moved slowly, scouting the path, and making sure my feet touched nothing but soft dirt.
“We are on the planet Arstan in the Proxima system.” He spoke normally, making me think we left danger far behind. “It is a large jungle planet, but there are many settlements. We must travel to a village east of here to rendezvous with the Bardaga.”
“Did it take you long to find me?” He’d mention something back at the bunker, but I’d been too befuddled to consider it at the time.
“Long enough.” His deep breath dripped with regret. “I am sorry, tiny human, that I could not rescue you earlier. It is my fault the Ulkommanian caused you pain.”
The regret and sincerity of his words squeezed my heart.
