Eden (5 page)

Jenny looked across at the spaceship. The door had been left open, and the black hole it exposed only intensified the alarm in Bodie
’s
voice.

His shoulders ached, and the pain in his ankle wasn’t going to subside with rest so easily this time. He sat on the bed and crossed his injured leg over his lap. It was slightly bent as usual, but it wasn’t swollen. He would have to live with the pain. To break it for the second time would weaken it even more, and who was to say it wouldn’t set wrong again?

He lay back, reaching for the bottle absently. His fingers brushed air, and remembering, he grunted.

The knock was so timid it barely registered. When it came again he sat up, then crossed the room and opened the door. It was the female. Who else? She smelled of smoke and river, her hair was a tangle of red fire, and her face was soiled and flushed with exertion, or was it fear?

“H-hello,” she said. She attempted a smile.

He didn’t move. For several long seconds, he simply stared at her, trying to make sense of her daring in coming. But he was glad she had come, and he felt momentarily overwhelmed with pleasure that he hadn’t frightened her away completely.

She held out her hand. “I d-don’t suppose you
’ll
enjoy these as much as the alcohol, b-but they
’re
all I’ve got to replace it.”

He raised his hand, and caught her flinching as if she were expecting a blow. He shook the small computer in his hand to show her the reason for raising it. And although she glanced nervously from the box back to him she seemed to understand his silent request and repeated herself. When she’d finished, her voice was played back in his language.

He failed to respond immediately. There was something in the posture of the woman, so beaten and vulnerable, which helped him arrive at his decision. From where he came from, the weak were always afraid and nervous; the strong, aggressive and powerful. This woman had courage, which she didn’t know she possessed. She was clearly frightened and nervous, yet not weak. And it was plain to see in her expression that she knew she needed him for her survival - and was terrified of the prospect.

“I’ve m-more, a-and I
’ll
trade you for food.”

Her voice was played back.

She looked uncomfortable beneath his stare, but he refused to relieve her of it - wasn’t
able
to relieve her of it.

It was as if he were afraid she would disappear if he blinked. She shifted and took a step back into the corridor. That simple movement pushed him to act, and he reached out to pluck the pouches from her hand. He didn’t want them or need them. The spacecraft still carried an excess of beverages and tasteless dried food. If he wanted he could provide her with everything she needed to stay alive.

He tossed the pouches on the shelf. He knew where she had discovered them, and had himself inspected the human
’s
vehicle, but had found nothing he didn’t already have.

He reached over and, by the front of her spacesuit, pulled her into the cabin, an action soon regretted, for she recoiled violently from the contact. Letting her go quickly, he bent beneath the shelf that jutted out from the wall, and searched in the small cupboard, bringing out a plastic carton.

“I have food,” he said straightening, and testing his knowledge of the female
’s
language without the aid of the computer.

She started, and he wondered if he had said something wrong, but probably she was just surprised that he had spoke without the computer
’s
aid.

When he held out the carton she didn’t immediately take it. When she did he watched, fascinated, as she opened it with the eagerness of an infant.

“It needs hydration.”

She smiled. The relief was so evident on her face that he could be friendly, and her eagerness to appear equally friendly made him feel awkward.

She said, “We have something similar.”

He said nothing, merely watched her. They were alien to one another, yet similar. He had expected to end his days without ever seeing another person like himself again. He hadn’t
realiz
ed how much he ached to hear a voice like his own.

“Well, er, goodbye...”

Her words pulled him back to the present. She was standing back in the doorway, regarding him nervously from her clear green eyes, and fidgeted from one foot to the other.

“I harmed you.” With an outstretched hand, he touched the side of her bruised jaw with his fingertips.

Her fear made her freeze, and he stared with the curiosity of a man watching an unknown emotion unveiling in another species. His gaze didn’t move, and in the dimness the woman
’s
features were a mixture of terror and awe, but it wasn’t that that he found so repugnant. The human was more than terrified. She was repelled.

He lowered his hand, and then his gaze. The rush of held breath released from her body didn’t escape his ears.

“Are you comfortable in the vehicle?” he asked, using the computer.

Her fear changed to shock. “It
’s
OK. It protects me from the animals. “

He doubted it, but he said nothing. They fell into an uncomfortable silence, which she broke in a faltering voice:

“Thank you f-for the food.” She shifted the carton from hand to hand. “May I keep the container? It
’ll
be useful.”

The small computer crackled and her voice came out distorted.

“Keep it.” He attempted a smile, but the simple gesture was
unpracticed
and his scarred mouth badly distorted, so the harmless smile resembled a snarl. “We will be useful to one another.”

Her facial expressions were amazing. Her face no longer looked hot, instead it seemed to tighten and lose all visible sign of blood. She swallowed heavily, and took another step backwards.

“I -
I’m
sure we could be,” and with those words she fled.

The bland meal was better than any three-course dinner at her
favorite
restaurant, she thought. Better, in fact, than anything she had ever eaten before. She scraped the bottom of the carton with her fingers, smacking her lips, determined to get out every crumb.

Then she wrapped the blanket around herself and climbed into the back of the buggy as though seeking invisibility. Last night she hadn’t slept at all once the wolves began howling, and afterwards her body was too tense for the relaxation of slumber.

She was still able to feel the imprint of the alien
’s
fingers on her face, and although she was sure his touch had meant to be gentle, she could feel his rough skin where he had bitten into her flesh.

She had been aware her fear was apparent, and had even felt his wonder of her. But somehow she knew the fascination had been for something disturbing rather than wonderful; like rubber-necking on a motorway after a high speed crash.

She shivered, snuggling beneath the blanket, and continued to feel as if she had been under an invisible microscope.

SEVEN

When the howling came the night was as its darkest, and she braced herself knowing this sound would haunt her for the rest of her life. She felt as taut as a clockwork mouse, and just as small. The coffee, which she thought might relax her, shook in her hand and she had to abandon the effort it took to hold the carton still.

She curled on the back seat, with the blanket over her head, but she couldn’t block out the noise. The howling continued for the duration of the night. Her head buzzed, and her heart was pounding so heavily she felt weak from its pressure. When daylight came, she was exhausted, and lay on the backseat feeling emotionally wreaked.

Bodie came on air, and as soon as she heard his familiar voice her composure cracked and she began to sob like a small child.

“
I’m
sorry this has happened, Jen, I really am,” he said when her weeping had ended. “I wish I were there instead of you...”

Her chin trembled. She felt so weak, her stomach ached with hunger, and the pain in her head was excruciating. But tears were pointless. She took several deep breaths before speaking, and when she did her voice was calm.

“Sorry, hunger and a few sleepless nights have made me irrational... “

“Plus being stranded on your own with God knows what!
I’m
so sorry this has happened,” he said again. “I made an unforgivable error in leaving Taurus without weapons; without making sure Kate was running properly -”

“I went to see the alien yesterday,” she interrupted. She felt his
shock.

“I told you to stay away!”

“He gave me some food,” she ignored him.

“Oh, God, Jen, be careful.”

“I will.” She changed the subject, asking, “How
’re
the repairs coming along?”

“We’ve repaired the fuel tank, and can now concentrate on getting her to move.”

She felt him hesitating.

“I haven’t told Logan that you
’re
down there -”

“Nothing
should
be said at this stage,” Matt broke in.

“I don’t deserve this to be covered up,” Bodie replied.

“Don’t be a prat, Bo,
she
disobeyed orders. It
’s
her that doesn’t deserve to be rescued.”

“Thank you, Matt,
I’m
well aware that it
’s
mainly my fault
I’m
stuck here,” she butted back in. “Anyway, haven’t you told home about the alien, either?”

“We haven’t told them anything.” Bodie
’s
sigh was long and deep. “To reveal the alien
’s
existence would admit leaving you behind and
I’m
ashamed that I ran off and left you. What do you think of your dad
’s
older brother, now, eh?”

Being reminded they were uncle and niece didn’t rest well on Jenny. Her nerves were on edge, and to reassure Bodie
’s
tender feelings was the last thing she wanted.

“Maybe it
’s
the best way. They
’ll
only want me to follow the alien about, taking snapshots, and collecting skin and hair particles,” this was meant to be a joke but nobody laughed.

She signed off, and gingerly opened the door. At once her eyes fell onto two cartons of alien food, and a bunch of green fruit. She stepped out, and looked around half expecting to see the alien somewhere. She looked at the food, and almost began to cry again, but this time the tears would have been for a different emotion.

He must have placed them by the buggy while she was asleep. How incredibly
nice
of him. How humane, she thought. Might they be friends after all? It cheered her. She ate one carton, saving the other for later, and devoured two of the fruits in quick succession.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the bulk of a wolf- creature ambling through the trees away from her. Although she felt safe in the buggy, she was also trapped.

When the animal had disappeared from sight she slipped out of the vehicle, but she dare not go far. Just enough for a pee, stretch her legs and wash her face and hands in the river.

Another nightfall came, and Jenny, however hard she mentally prepared herself for the sinister howling it took her completely by surprise once again. But this time she didn’t try to sleep, she sat in the front of the buggy, with the blanket over her shoulders and looked out into the eerie twilight for signs of the alien.

He came, his tread silent. When he passed the buggy
’s
window, Jenny gave a small shriek of alarm. He held up the cartons of food in a sign of surrender, before lowering them to the ground, and backing away as if she were diseased.

Jenny kicked herself for not being ready and startling at the smallest sound outside. All she had wanted to do was show the alien that she appreciated his kindness - she was sure it didn’t come naturally to him.

The next day was spent as she spent the other. It was ridiculous, she told herself on countless occasions.

And finally, with frustration overcoming fear, she stepped out of the buggy, and began to walk along the riverbank. If she saw a wolf, she’d jump in and swim was her plan. Taking a look at the fast- flowing river, it wasn’t a very good plan, but it was all she had.

Along her way she picked up various sticks and sharp-edged stones, and once back inside the safety of the buggy she began to make herself a spear - or a sharpened stick. Whatever she called it, the tip was sharp enough to cause serious harm to any wolf that tried
to attack her.

She was ready when the alien came this time. As he approached the buggy, she opened the door and climbed out, with a tentative smile on her lips. “Thank you for the food,” she began.

But the alien raised a hand to silence her. He took out the computer tied around his thigh by twine, and she repeated her gratitude so it could be played back to him.

“We will be friends,” he said. His voice was robotic, and he spoke in single syllables. He didn’t attempt to smile, and his face was void of any warmth or welcome expression. It was cold, and Jenny shivered. “You are not safe here.”

Jenny blinked up at him.

“You stay with me,” he said.

“No!” She didn’t mean to shout, or panic the way she did. But she scuttled back into the buggy, and banged the door shut, and sat staring at him from the inside.

The alien stood for a moment, probably wandering on her state of mind, she thought gloomily as he turned and disappeared into the trees.

“Oh, God.” Jenny held her head in her hands. “Now I’ve just about lost the only help I have.”

Bodie came on air, and she told him what had happened. But instead of being sympathetic, he’d been glad. Stay right away from the alien, were his signing off words.

That morning, Jenny drove the buggy to the top of the hill where the spaceship was nestled. The doorway to the spaceship was tightly closed.

She climbed out and stood looking around. She’d wait for him, say her apologies for last night and leave. It seemed simple. But it didn’t feel simple.

Jenny peered towards the edge of the forest, wondering
if
he was in there somewhere. She looked back towards the spaceship. He could be inside, but she’d never be able to push up the door on her own to find out.

A movement in the trees almost made her scurry back towards the buggy, but the shadowy figure was tall and two-legged.

Him.

She forced herself to remain still, and waited as he came
nearer.

“I come t-to say
I’m
s-sorry,” she said as he neared. She cursed herself for stammering but under his strange eyes, she couldn’t do anything else.

His gaze touched hers as he drew level. Black, bottomless, and unlike the dry orbs of before, this time they glittered like crystals. The dark pink of his lower gum was exposed, and his teeth, white and sharp, were in a continuous snarl.

Ice streaked her spine, and a sudden panic tightened around her lungs so she couldn’t breathe. Her fingers found the latch to the door of the buggy and curled around it; she watched as his eyes fell to her movement. She felt his disdain, and pulled her hand away as if the latch had grown hot.

Making a motion with his hand towards the spaceship, the alien began to walk down the hill. He didn’t give Jenny another glance, but beside his vessel began to deftly build a mound of broken branches, which he surrounded with loose rocks. He was building a base for a fire, and making it quickly, Jenny thought.

Leaving the safety of her vehicle, Jenny followed him to the bottom of the hill, and stood watching as he built up a sizeable fire.

Soon he had erected a spit above the fire, and lit it using something akin to matches. And still without looking in her direction he went into the spaceship and came out with a bloodied creature over his shoulder. He skinned and gutted the animal, and had it on the spit in moments. He was very mechanical in his actions like he’d done it a thousand times before - which of course he had.

Jenny stood watching from a short distance, ready to scurry up the hill and into the buggy if he as much as looked at her.

He didn’t. It was as if he knew how frightened she was of him. She felt thankful for his awareness. And whilst thinking about his consideration and willingness to help her she didn’t see him approach until he was a few feet away.

Jenny jumped, and looked up at him dumbly. The thoughts of fleeing emptied from her mind as the muscles in her legs went on a sabbatical and refused to move.

“Not kill you,” he said.

Jenny was certain he meant his words to be of comfort. She hoped so anyway. She forced her tight mouth into a smile.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She sounded ridiculous. She
felt
ridiculous. She was being appreciative for him not killing her like she was saying thanks for a trivial
favor
.

The alien walked over to the fire, and sat down. He looked at her, and Jenny
realiz
ed she was meant to follow him. She did. But sat on the other side of the fire, with her back against the spaceship and keeping her eye on the safety of her buggy which was looking, at that moment, too far away for comfort.

Jenny was offered a generous portion of meat wrapped in yellow leaves. Watching him bite into his meat and leaf sandwich, Jenny copied. It was delicious. The meat was tender, slightly salty, but hot and heaven to her empty stomach. The leaves were a strange buttery taste. She ate, while keeping a careful watch on him. But the only attention he gave her was when he offered more food.

It was warm by the fire and Jenny watched as the alien pulled off his animal hide poncho, and rags beneath, and sat naked from the waist up.

Jenny noticed two things about him - irrelevant and significant at the same time - he had the most breathtakingly gorgeous body she’d ever seen and he was looking straight at her. His scarred mouth curved into a strange smile, then he leaned back against the tree, his long legs stretched out before him.

They’d eaten their fill, and sat either side of the fire. Jenny had inched a little closer, liking the warmth and
realiz
ing the alien was not going to hurt her as he’d promised.

“
I’m
sorry for last night,” she said, after a while. “I’ve never been in a situation like this before when
I’m
the vulnerable one.” She gave a small laugh. “
I’m
usually accused of being too aggressive or harsh. Maybe this is my punishment.”

He didn’t attempt to understand her words using the computer, but just sat and listened to her voice like he were listening to fine music. He even closed his eyes.

Jenny watched his face. He sat against the fire damaged tree, his face tilted back as if enjoying the warmth of the suns on his face. He was a powerfully built man - alien - she corrected. His black hair, blowing slightly in the wind, hung around his shoulders.

She eyed his bare chest and had to forcefully avert her eyes from the splendid ridges of muscle that played there. But without any conscious effect, they drifted back again. In the end, she gave up trying to look away and
scrutinized
him, telling herself she was a scientist and was obtaining important research.

With his eyes closed, she could pretend he was an ordinary man and she was back in England.

She sucked in her breath. Her eyes were open, and on her. His alien gaze was sleepy. He stretched with the self-indulgent grace of a cat, and yawed loudly.

Jenny yawned too, it being infectious.

The alien smiled - at least she thought it was a smile. The twisted mouth, the exposed lower gum and white teeth resembled a smile - or a sneer. The glittering black eyes were on her face and held an unmistakable masculine interest in her.

Had he been aware of her furtive scrutiny of him? Jenny
’s
face
burned.

“Thank you for the food,” she said, for want of saying something.

He inclined his head. “Thank you for the.” he said, and replaced the last of the sentence with a word from his own language. Watching her, he spoke several more words in his native tongue.