Jarick: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Warriors of Orba Book 2) Read online

“What’s going on?” I crouched down beside her.

  “We’re in real fucking trouble,” she said as her eyes met mine. “Tell your sister we’ve only got two minutes.”

  “Two minutes until what?”

  “Until we have to be out of here,” she resumed throwing things in her bag.

  “But … why?”

  She ignored me, focusing instead on the task at hand. Then she stopped what she was doing and slumped against the wall. Her eyes look defeated.

  “They’re on their way. They know you’re here, I think.”

  “The people at your work?”

  “Yes,” she grabbed me by the arms. “We need to get away from here.”

  We’re back in the car but this time I’m in the front with Madison. Victorinth is sitting in the back with a pile of candy from the kitchen piled up high on her lap. She’s sucking at some juice through a straw. From a distance you’d be forgiven for thinking she was happy but I could see the way her hands are clenched tight, her fingernails digging into the palm of her hand. I reached around and ruffled her hair.

  “You ok?”

  She nodded.

  Meanwhile, Madison started the engine and sped down the long driveway through the field. I say a mental goodbye to the place that kept us safe for the night.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered out the open window.

  “Did you say something?” Madison glanced over at me.

  “I’m sorry for all this trouble. It’s my fault we have to run away.”

  “No, it’s my fault,” she reached out and squeezed my thigh.

  It felt good and I was comforted by her touch. I reached over awkwardly and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled, then looked back to the road ahead.

  “Where are we going to hide?” I asked.

  “I have no idea,” she shook her head. “But we’ll need to be somewhere really busy, somewhere we can easily get lost in a sea of people.”

  I think of a literal sea of people. The thought seems terrifying. I’d heard about large cities in America where there were so many people they were stacked up in buildings called skyscrapers. They lived side by side, families pressed up together in small apartments. I’d heard of traffic that was so dense it was faster to walk than drive and I’d heard of cities that were so crowded and diverse that anything could happen. I tense up in my seat and look back at Victorinth. Her eyes were wide and worried.

  My head was bouncing off the buzzing window as the car sped down the highway. Opening my eyes, I could see tall buildings in the distance. I’d never seen anything like it. They were clumped together like concrete trees lined with glass. They were beautiful in their own threatening way. As we drive into the city they seem even bigger, towering up over us as though they could topple down at any second.

  “How are you doing that?” Madison asked, snapping me wide awake.

  “Doing what?”

  “That thing with your skin. Like when it’s just the three of us, you revert back to your usual form, all blue and peculiar but when there are other humans around, you instinctively turn your body all human again.”

  “Oh … practice I guess,” I shrugged.

  “Well… I think you look better as an alien. I mean it’s not like you don’t look great as a human, it’s just that…” she turns away and blushes. “I dunno … I like you when you’re just yourself.”

  “By the way!” Victorinth interrupted and spoils our moment. “Your tail was flapping in your sleep. Were you having nightmares again?”

  “I must have been,” I said as I gawped out the window.

  But any memories of my dreams had long disappeared, eclipsed by the new environment we were driving into.

  “Where are we?”

  Madison turns and flashes a wide smile.

  “New York, New York! The city so great they had to name it twice.”

  “They named it twice? It’s really that amazing?”

  “Er … it’s just a little joke.… Never mind.”

  As I peered up at the buildings and looked at the thousands of people that were jostling each other on the street, I could sense the excitement coming off the streets.

  “It would be so easy to get lost here,” I said.

  “Yup! My thoughts exactly.”

  “But where are we going to live?” Victorinth asked with a mouthful of fizzing pop rocks.

  “Erm…” Madison frowned and rubbed at her forehead. “I’ll figure that out in a minute.”

  6 WEEKS LATER

  We’d been living in a cheap hotel, the three of us packed into a family room. If truth be told, I would have loved it if it was just Madison and me in one room and Victorinth in another but I know that would be irresponsible. We all needed to stick together and look out for one another but still, I wish Madison and I could sneak away even if it was just for a couple hours.

  It was blazing hot in the room and the air conditioner was broken. The windows were flapping open, the sound from the traffic drifting up toward us along with all the exhaust fumes. That coupled with our sweat made the room smell sour and musty.

  Madison was sitting by the window in an old wicker chair that looked to be as old as she was. It was fraying at the edge and it sagged in the middle. Lying on the bed, my head against the cool wall, I stared at her, or more specifically I stared at the chair. I wonder how many people have stayed in this room and how many people must have sat down on it, infusing it with their emotions. Right now Madison would be infusing it with stress and anxiety. She bent her neck to look down at the street below.

  She insisted on renting a room that was as high up as possible so that we’d have a better chance of seeing people from the Trojan Group arrive and have more time to run away. This theory had stuck with all of us and we’d taken turns to sit at the lookout post of the wicker chair, staring down at the ground for signs that we’ve been discovered. I hadn’t yet admitted that when I looked down to the floor, all I could see were swarms of people that looked no bigger than dots scurrying across the ground. I wouldn’t know a threat if I saw it. But Madison thought she did.

  “They have these big, white trucks and vans,” she had explained. “They said they’re a radio repair service on the side to avert suspicion but I know,” she’d tapped her head. “I know that they’re really the Trojan Group.”

  It had all sounded so crazy to me but wasn’t this whole situation bizarre and insane? Still looking at Madison I could see that she was exhausted. She’d also developed a nasty habit of smoking that she insisted she’d quit as a teenager but occasionally craved during times when she’s nervous. She must be constantly nervous because since she took her position on lookout this morning, she’s smoked at least ten cigarettes, the purpose of which I was still unfamiliar with.

  “Can I have one?” I asked a little too suddenly.

  My voice made her jump.

  “What?”

  “One of those cigarettes,” I pointed to the pack on the floor. “You seem to really like them and I think I might too.”

  She hesitated for a moment.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t think you would.”

  “Maybe I’d like them!” Victorinth sat upright.

  I thought she was asleep.

  “I don’t think either of you will like them,” Madison insisted.

  “Oh ok…”

  “Don’t look so sad about it, Jarick. I don’t want you to get addicted to cigarettes,” she said as she sucked on her own. “They can kill you.”

  “They can kill you!” Victorinth and I both shouted in unison.

  “So why do you do it then?”

  “Are you trying to kill yourself?” Victorinth jumps up and snatched the pack of cigarettes.

  “Hey, stop that!” Madison said, trying to steal it back.

  But it was too late. Victorinth hurled it out the window and the three of us watched as it tumbled through the air, disappearing into a speck the lower it fell. Madison clutched a hand to her head and groaned.
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  “Why did you do that?”

  “Because we don’t want you to commit suicide,” Victorinth flung her arms around her. “I had no idea you were so miserable,” she cried. “Please don’t hurt yourself again,” she said as she hugged her tight.

  Then she pulled the half smoked cigarette from between Madison’s fingers and threw that out the window too.

  “I’m sorry,” Madison lowered her head although if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a childish look of amusement in her eyes. “I won’t do it again.”

  I had to admit that I too feel sad about Madison hurting herself with the cigarettes. Why would she do something like that? I leaned over and joined in the hug, the wicker chair squeaking with the burden of our weight.

  1 WEEK LATER

  We were back in the car, the sound of the engine whirring so fast I thought we might take off. We had a flat tire but somehow we were still going, the noise of the punctured rubber grating against my nerves.

  “Victorinth, are they still behind us?”

  She’s in the back seat facing out the rear window, her hands gripping the head rests.

  “I think so,” she said with her voice strained. “But they’re a few cars behind us now. I think we’re losing them.”

  A few hours ago we were in the hotel, this time with Victorinth at the lookout post. Everything seemed so normal, so boring, but then the radio repair van had pulled up outside, and my sister had noticed it right away. She had her new pair of binoculars gripped between her sweaty fingers, a look of grim determination on her face.

  “Guys,” she’d said in little more than a whisper. “They’re here, they’ve found us.”

  Running down the fire escape at the back of the building, we’d raced to the car and sped out the city. But our freedom didn’t last long, they were soon behind us, inches off the bumper as we found our way onto the highway.

  The chase had been going on for hours and it was getting late now, the sun setting and leaving behind a purplish/pink sky. It would be beautiful if I had the time to look at it but right now I’m too busy trying to calm down my racing heart.

  I look over at Madison and saw, to my surprise that she didn’t look as stressed out as she had earlier. Instead, she had a focused look on her face as though her life depended on looking straight ahead on the road. She looked down at the dashboard for a second then the look on her face completely changed.

  “Oh, God. Oh shit,” she grimaced.

  “What is it?” Victorinth says over her shoulder.

  “Fuel, we’re running out of fuel.”

  “How long have we got?” I asked.

  She doesn’t reply. We both know that means we haven’t long left until the car reaches a standstill and we’re sitting targets for the Trojan Group employees behind us.

  Suddenly there’s a crash, a commotion behind us.

  “What just happened, Victorinth?”

  “Looks like a car ran into the person behind us. Nothing serious though.”

  I turn around in my seat and looked out the rear window. The people were climbing out of their cars with their hands in the air ready to argue. Behind them I could see the white roof of the radio repair van. We’re on a two lane country road and the traffic in the opposite direction was fast and constant. The radio van had no chance of overtaking the crash.

  “Looks like a fender bender,” Madison said, looking into the rearview mirror as she drove away. “Guys, I think a miracle just happened.”

  We all stared at each other.

  “They can’t reach us. It’s our last chance to escape.”

  She stepped on the pedal and the car zoomed down the road, the wind roaring through the open windows with the sound almost deafening.

  “We haven’t got long until the fuel runs out and we can’t go much further with this stupid flat tire. I can, however, drive like a maniac until we get as far away from those fuckers as possible.”

  We were speeding hard, the engine sounding pained as it struggles to carry us. It wasn’t long until it began to stutter.

  “Oh no, just a little bit further,” Madison tries to plead with it. “Just another mile, come on!” she slammed her hands into the steering wheel.

  The car stopped. The smell of hot diesel hung in the air.

  “We’re fucked,” Madison sighed and rubbed at her temples.

  “What now?” Victorinth looks panicked, glancing out the back of the car to make sure they hadn’t caught up with us.

  “We have two choices,” Madison said as we all looked at the road behind, “We can hide in there,” she said, pointing to a field beside the road, “Or we can hitchhike. Both sound freakin’ awful to me right now.”

  “It’s corn,” she explained.

  “What is corn?”

  “It’s a type of food. Have you not tried creamed corn since you got here?”

  I shake my head.

  “I used to get given it all the time as a kid. It’s gross.”

  “How can this be cream?” Victorinth pulled a cob to her face and touched the roughness to her skin.

  “It just … doesn’t matter right now,” Madison shook her head.

  We’re crouching in the field beside the road. We decided to pick both of our choices. We’re going to hide here until the radio repair van passes, then we’re going to hitch hike. Madison told us this was a corn field. I don’t like it. It was scratchy and poked through my clothes. The corn didn’t look tasty. I asked her what pizza plants looked like but she just laughed at me and didn’t answer. She did that a lot.

  It’s was dark now and although we were huddled together, I still couldn’t see the girls clearly.

  “Victo, you’re on my foot. Get off.”

  “I was here first,” she shoved at my arm.

  I tumbled over and pushed her back.

  “Jesus Christ!” Madison kneels in between us. “You’re both acting like children. Calm down. Anyway, look!” she points. “The white roof of the van.”

  “Why have they stopped?”

  I stared at the whiteness in the distance. The roof of the van was illuminated by the headlights of passing cars. Through the corn looked as though it was strobing.

  “They’ve seen my car,” Madison whispers. “They must have realized we’re still nearby.”

  Her voice was trembling as much as her hand was. She grips my wrist as she spoke, her nails digging into me. I tried to pull away but she wouldn’t let me.

  “I can hear them coming.”

  “Me too.”

  The beam of a flashlight shone over in our direction and the three of us shuffled away from it, terrified that it would enlighten them to our position.

  “Hey, Garry!” a male voice called through the darkness. “I think I hear something.”

  The three of us looked at one another then looked over in the direction of the men.

  “That way,” Madison mouths silently, pointing further into the field. “But don’t make a sound.”

  On our hands and knees we edged our way as quickly but quietly as possible through the undergrowth. The plants were prickly and the grass was damp. Behind us, we could still hear the guys shout to one another. The flashlight beams shone over our way once more then disappeared into the distance.

  “I think they’re going back to the van,” Madison said before holding her breath.

  I closed my eyes and tried to hone in on the sound of their footsteps. They were crunching their way through the corn, their voices dissolving into the night. Faintly, I heard one of them say:

  “I think they went that way, toward the woods.”

  Then there was the bang of the van door and the start of the engine.

  “They’re leaving,” I smile.

  “Thank God,” Madison said as she was suddenly by my side. “I thought we were done for.”

  The three of us were squashed into the back of a car. Victorinth was asleep against my shoulder and Madison was pressed into my side. I should be annoyed at being so squashe
d but I relished the opportunity to be so close to her. Our hands brushed against each other but she pulled away and looked out the window.

  “So what are you guys doing out here at this time of night?” the driver asked.

  I parted my lips to speak by Madison interrupts me.

  “We were making our way north west, trying to get to Boston by tomorrow.”

  “Nice,” the guy nodded. “You know it’s unusual to see hitch hikers any more. That’s why I stopped. Had a lot of fun back in the day hiking across country.”

  He seems friendly and was the first person to stop to see if we were ok on the long, dark country road. Everyone else seemed to swerve around us as though they were suspicious of Madison with her thumb stuck in the air. She assured me it was the international sign to ask for a ride but it took hours until we actually got one. Thankfully, this nice man, David picked us up along with his wife. He’s been smiling the entire journey and is eager to chat although we’re all too tired to talk.

  “Looks like you’ve all had a rough day,” he said with his hands drumming out of time on the steering wheel.

  “You can say that again,” Madison sighs.

  “Well,” he continued. “I don’t know if I can take you all the way to Boston but I can certainly drop you at the next motel if that’s ok. It’s about three miles from here. I’m afraid I’m heading east from there, visiting my dear old mom in hospital. Having a hip operation,” he frowns. “Poor old dear.”

  He spoke about his mother for a long while, telling us everything there was to know about her but nobody cares because we’re all preoccupied with our own situation.

  “The motel is fine,” Madison said. “Sounds great.”

  “Jesus! I thought that guy would never stop talking!” she said as she flung her bag down on the bed.

  The motel wasn’t as nice as the apartment I had once shared with my crewmates and it was definitely not as nice as Madison’s house. In fact, it wasn’t even as nice as the hotel room in New York. At best, it was slightly cleaner than the railway car Victorinth and I hid in. The surfaces were grimy and I could smell the previous inhabitants on the bed sheets. Every piece of furniture is red, for some reason, and the only bed in the room was heart shaped and vibrated if you flicked a switch on the wall.