Oden (8 page)

I snort, recalling the news of how I had turned down
the
Jayden Hooper and the shock over everyone’s faces. It’s a memory I have not thought about for years.

“I still don’t get why that was such a big deal.”

“Of course you don’t because you’re insane. Do you realise you never really had a boyfriend all through school? I told all my friends that you were a lesbian, and when you sent Mum those photos of you and Lisa when you first got to America, I showed them to the girls and said she was your girlfriend.”

I laugh quietly, knowing she would definitely have done something like that.

“I’ve never seen you with a guy, not unless it was a coach or someone you were not interested in. At some of the games I was forced to go to, I would see guys drooling over you, and you never noticed. I hated you for that because I never got as much attention as you, and
I
actually tried.”

“That’s not true, you always had a boyfriend. I don’t think you’ve been single since you were eight.” I snort again, remembering the heart attack Dad nearly had when she told them she was getting married to a boy she’d decided to start dating that day. They were apparently going to start having kids straight away because she wanted a baby by the weekend to play with. “Remember how much you used to worry Dad with all the boys that would hang around you? He never had to worry about that with me.”

Hannah laughs this time, but I also see her wiping away tears. “I miss Dad so much. Mum, too.”

“So do I.” I wrap my arm over her shoulder, bringing her in close to my side as we walk in silence again for a while.

“Dad would kill the alien for laying a hand on you, and not just because he’s an alien. Half the guys that stared at you longingly were on the receiving end of Dad’s glares, sometimes even his threats.”

“Really?” I smile, easily able to picture Dad doing that.

“Yep. He’d have a field day with that guy.” She nods ahead.

“What makes you think he’s laid any hands on me yet?”

“Because he touched you before and you didn’t even flinch. You’re used to his touch.”

I swallow my nerves, knowing I’m past comfortable with his touch.

“Listen, the point I’m trying to make here is that I’ve never seen you even look twice at a guy. I joked that you were a lesbian, but part of me always wondered. But then you never seemed to look at girls, either. I thought maybe you were broken. Knowing you like someone, even love someone, is sort of nice. I think Mum, after her initial heart attack, would sort of be over the moon right now. She’d be so excited and ask you a million questions.”

I smile sadly, knowing I’ll never get to hear a single one of those questions now.

“I hate that we’re here, I hate that I’m not even on Earth, and I’ll always dislike the aliens, but I can’t hate you. You were always weird to me, Mattie, so it makes sense that you’d fall for an alien.”

I laugh, squeezing her shoulder. “Thanks, Hannah.”

“Besides, you’re all I have left now. Lisa and her family were looking after me, but we’re true family. I can’t really talk shit to them like I can to you. And I can’t talk about Mum and Dad to them because they didn’t know them. They don’t understand.”

“I can’t believe they are gone. I keep seeing them in my mind. They’re back at home, like nothing has changed. I see Dad in the garage, working on his bike. Mum is sitting in the lounge, reading a book in peace. I can’t wrap my head around the fact that they’re gone forever,” I say, fresh tears making their way down my face.

“I know. I wasn’t even there when the invasion first hit us. I was at June’s house, and when we started hearing loud crashes, we raced outside. When I saw those…” a shiver runs over her body, “
robots,
I ran home. Mum was already frantic, looking for me, and Dad was trying to call you, but the phone lines were down. They thought we should stay indoors, but then everyone in the street started to throw things in their cars. They were going to leave their houses and get away from the robots. Mum and Dad decided to do the same.

“We packed some clothes and food. We only took a few minutes and then we jumped in the car. It was chaotic and a mess. People and cars were everywhere, and then suddenly, the robots showed up. Everyone freaked, and the next thing I knew, we collided into a tree. None of us had seatbelts on. It didn’t even occur to us. We just got in the car and raced along.”

She takes a shaky breath before continuing. “I hit the seat in front, got a nasty bruise on my head, and I sprained my wrist since I held it out to stop me from moving forward. That’s it. But Mum and Dad were in the front seat. Mum flew out of the windshield, and she was so bloody and…” Hannah’s voice hitches and we stop walking.

We’re both sobbing now. I hate that she had to go through this just as much as I hate having to hear it now, but I don’t stop her. I hug her to me and encourage her to keep going because I realise she needs to get this out, and I need to hear it. I need to know about their final moments.

“Dad was still alive. He was stuck, and there was blood pooling over his chest. He asked me if Mum was all right, and I lied and said she was. He told me to take care of her and to never stop searching for you. He said he loved us, and that he was so proud of his girls. Then he shut his eyes and never opened them again.”

Her voice is barely comprehensible by the end. I’m surprised when Lisa’s arms wrap around us both, giving us her support.

Ival’s angry muttering is the only thing that drags us out of our moment. We all look up in time to see Marduke punching him in the arm.

“You guys are breaking my heart over here,” Lisa croaks out.

“Please don’t hate me,” I beg of her.

She shakes her head. “I don’t hate you, Mattie; I’m just disappointed. I don’t understand.” Even though I should be relieved she said she doesn’t hate me, I’m hurt by her disappointment in me.

“Come on, we better keep moving before the aliens grow horns or whatever happens when they get really angry,” Hannah mutters, her hand moving down to hold mine as we start walking again.

Lisa picks up Hope again, who has calmed down from her earlier crying and looks about ready for a sleep.

What I wouldn’t do for a sleep right now. I think I could drop into a coma for months and it still wouldn’t be enough to fight away this exhaustion.

“So what are the chances that we’ll run into a McDonalds down here? I’m starving,” Hannah whispers and my stomach growls in agreement.

This is going to be a long walk.

Chapter 5

Marduke

Hannah’s voice carries down to us—and Mattie’s—as they talk. Initially, I’m sort of embarrassed by their blatant discussion of how “hot” I am, including a comment about my ass. Then I feel pleased about Hannah’s assessment of Mattie’s lack of dating history. I know humans are a lot more open about dating in their culture. Mattie is my first everything, and I like that it feels a little bit like she was waiting for the right person and decided that person is me.

Once they begin speaking of their parents, though, my heart squeezes painfully in my chest. Mattie’s inner strength is so strong I sometimes forget she’s gone through so much already.

When I hear them crying, it feels painful to not go to her and offer her comfort. However, this is something she needs to get out, and I know her sister and her need this time alone together.

I shift Logan’s sleeping form in my arms, feeling right having him back with us. As much as I feel protective over Mattie, I have the same protective instincts for him, too. I feel responsible for him, and even though I told Mattie back on Roth that we might have to leave him behind, I know now that it would have been a mistake.

“What part of…
this tunnel will be filling up with… water at any moment
did they not understand?” Ival growls from next to me.

I know his voice carries back to the girls and interrupts their moment. I punch him in the arm, glaring at him, and stand my ground when he turns his annoyance back to me. I didn’t really hit him hard enough to cause him any pain. However, it’s difficult to put any strength behind it when Logan is asleep in my arms.

“We shouldn’t have brought them… with us. They are already slowing us down.”

“Leave them alone. They have all gone through a lot in the past few months. Give them some time to grieve.”

“How about they grieve after… we are sure we won’t drown?”

“Give them some leeway here, Ival,” I beg.

“Humans are too emotional. We aren’t like them, Marduke. Whatever… you’re feeling for the human, it’s not normal.”

“Just because we’ve been taught not to feel love our whole lives, doesn’t mean we’re not capable of it.”

“So you’re an expert on this now, are you?”

“I’ll admit that I’m still learning some things, but it’s mostly just instinct. I sense when to leave things alone, when to let things go, and when to push. Mattie is incredibly strong, and I’m proud of her, but sometimes, I think she’s too strong. She needs to learn to put herself first sometimes.”

“Her bravery might come out from her inability… to separate her emotions, but it is a quality that I… can almost admire. She is willing to sacrifice. Sometimes, I believe… it is more than you are willing to do,” he sneers at me.

“I love her, and I will do anything for her, even if that means leaving Oden behind.”

“That, to me, just sounds like a coward speaking.”

I grind my jaw, refusing to get into a fight with him.

“So what do you plan to do once we make it to the tunnels under our home in Jyin?”

“We need to find our guards and figure… out where our defences are at. The hinemas are obviously fighting, but what about… our soldiers? What situation are our people in? Why can’t… we bypass their systems and get our spaceships in the air?” He takes a sharp breath. “I tried to use a tamdet portal earlier, but they have managed to disable that as well.”

“What about what he said about our mother? Do you really think she is dead?”

“I don’t see why he would lie.” He shrugs, not displaying any grief or concern, only a wince when it jars his ribs.

“And our father?”

“Getting Father out will be a priority, but if it… endangers getting the upper hand in the war, then he… would not want us to risk it. We all know, as… leader, you take an oath to protect our people and put… them first. He will do what he has to do with… Jeprow, and we will do the same.”

“As the oldest child, you will become leader if he is dead. You might already be our leader.”

“I’m aware of that. I realise how… important my role is and how much weight is… on my shoulders for me to survive this. There is no way that you can be… expected to take over if I were to also die. Oden would be in shambles, and no doubt, it would be… the most embarrassing chapter in our family’s history.”

“Thanks for the confidence, brother.” I roll my eyes at him without really feeling the sting from his words.

“Your actions have already proved me correct. If… this war was not happening right now, you would not be on Oden because you would have… already left with your
human
. That is a cowards action right there. You’re a disgrace.”

“But we
are
at war, and I am here on Oden—next to you—and willing to fight. So lay off me,” I snap.

“You’re here because Jeprow forced the issue. If… you had been given the option to flee and not come here, you would have chosen that.”

“I would have chosen whatever was best for Mattie and my child. Furthermore, she would have chosen to come here because Logan and her sister are here. She wouldn’t have allowed them to be left behind.”

“Then she has more character and loyalty for… her own family than you have for yours.”

“You know, when I mentioned that our father might be dead, you didn’t even blink. You are the closest to him. Does it not concern you that he might be dead?”

“I would like for him to be alive because he… still has much to teach me about becoming a leader.”

“But he’s our Father. Shouldn’t his children care about whether he is alive or dead? Not because of a job, but because he’s our blood?”

“We honour our father by remembering the work he has… done for Oden and the sacrifices he has made.”

“Do you know this little guy,” I lift Logan up in my arms, his eyes still closed as he sleeps soundly in my arms, completely trusting me to keep him safe, “lost his father during the invasion. He had already lost his mother, and he is an only child. Mattie helped save his life, and we both took responsibility of protecting him. He depends on us like we’re his parents, and already, I love him. I would die for this boy. I would kill for him. I know that, if anything were to happen to him, I’d never fully recover. I also know that he would be devastated if anything happened to me or Mattie. He trusts me and loves me, and right now, I’m holding him in my arms, giving him support and comfort while he sleeps. That is how most humans view their parents at this age. They have freedom to be a kid. They have the unconditional love of their parents, and a trust that hasn’t been stolen or broken. Did you ever feel that way with our father? Did you even know the man when you were five-years-old?”

“You say all of that as if it is a good thing.”

“I’ve never felt so much before, Ival. I’ve gone through life like I’ve been asleep, just following orders and training. I didn’t know there was more to life, but then I saw Mattie. She woke me up inside. She made me feel things, and suddenly, everything was better.”

“Better for whom? Not your family, not… your home, and definitely not for that human back there you claim to love. You have… put a target on her head for life. And if that child gets the… chance to be born, it will be forever an outcast, an abomination. If… you want to start feeling things, then start feeling the guilt and responsibility your actions have… brought upon you and us.”

I shake my head at him, knowing I’m not ever going to get him to see things my way, knowing the longer I stay and try to get through to him, the more he will twist things around until I don’t know anything.

“Hurry up!” Ival screams back at the girls, his voice loudly echoing off the walls, jolting Logan awake.

He shakes when he sees Ival, therefore I quickly pull back, giving him some space from him. I think I could use the space, too.

***

There is no way to tell time in these tunnels. I would estimate we have been walking for at least ten hours. I’m starving, I’m thirsty, and I’m exhausted. Even Ival appears to be suffering, and his limp is more pronounced now, his arm glued to his side. He was speaking easier before, given our slower pace, but even now, it doesn’t matter. He can’t catch his breath enough to speak, which is a good thing. Everything he says isn’t helping us; it only adds fear, resentment, and anger to any discussion.

Logan and Hope have three various states of mind, which are whining, distressed, or sleeping. Neither of them has the energy to walk, subsequently we take turns carrying them, except Ival. Seeing Logan suffering is driving me mental. I feel useless and like a failure watching him ask for food and water. We didn’t have any time to get supplies before we came here, and now we are suffering because of it.

Mattie hasn’t complained, but I know she’s suffering, too. She often winces when she thinks no one is looking, and she refuses to say no to Logan when he wants her to hold him. I know his added weight is too much for her. I don’t comment about this, though, because the one time I did, she snapped at me that she could handle it.

Now we are all tired, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight. We’re walking at a slow pace, and twice, Hannah has nearly fallen asleep standing. It’s during the third time this happens that I insist we all sit down and rest for a short while. Even with the looming threat of drowning in here, no one appears currently too concerned in the face of their exhaustion. I think, right now, we would welcome the water to drink.

Ival grunts and grumbles, but he does sit down, leaning against the wall then wincing as he jolts his side. Whatever has been done to him, he hasn’t had time to fully heal from it. Our bodies heal a lot faster than humans, but it doesn’t help when we’re sleep deprived, starving, and dehydrated.

Mattie has been holding Logan, and she keeps him in her arms. The tunnels are cold, but with our constant moving, we’ve been able to keep the chill away. As soon as we sit down, however, I feel it creeping up.

Once she’s settled, I sit down next to her, moving in close enough that her head rests against my chest and I wrap my arm around her and Logan. I kiss the top of her head as she instantly falls asleep.

I close my eyes, too, feeling myself drifting off to a much needed sleep when someone taps me on my arm.

I reluctantly open my eyes, seeing Hannah crouching down beside me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, glancing around us to find Ival passed out farther down, and in the opposite direction, Lisa is holding Hope, both already asleep.

“I want to talk to you about Mattie,” she whispers in reply.

“Now?”

“This is the first time Mattie’s been asleep. Now is as good as any, I think.”

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Mattie likes you, a lot. I can see it, and I know you probably can tell, too. She’s never liked a guy before, and I don’t want you to mess her up. So I need to know your intentions.”

“My intentions?”

“Yeah, like, what is your long term plan with my sister? And if you say you have no long term plan, I’ll kill you right now.”

I frown at her, not understanding why she’s threatening me. Or at least, why it’s not a threat caused by me not being from Earth.

“I plan on spending forever with Mattie. I love her, and I want us to be a family,” I say honestly.

As she stares at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, I feel sweat building up over my forehead. I suddenly have the impression that this conversation is important and I’m taking a test, one that will affect my future with Mattie if I fail.

“Good answer. How did you get her to notice you? Boys have tried and failed before you. What did you do that was different?”

“I don’t know. I saw your sister and something inside me lit up. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and I knew I had to keep her safe and protect her. I first saw a beautiful woman, but then I saw her fiery attitude, her bravery, and strength. She makes me feel alive and terrified, and happy. I knew instantly she is special. I don’t know if she felt similar to that when she first saw me.” I shrug, moving Mattie’s head with me. She is still sleeping as I reach out with my free hand and move a strand of hair away from her face, stroking my fingers over her cheek and smiling when she leans into my touch.

“Okay, barf. Next question. You guys look like us; is everything about you the same?”

“Basically, we are very similar. There are some differences, but only very minor. We have implants put into our neck, which are able to deliver information directly to our brains. Our medicines are more advanced than yours, so our bodies are healthier and disease free.”

“What about down there.” When she pointedly looks downwards, I try to follow her gaze, but I don’t understand. She rolls her eyes at me. “Can you have sex? Have you and Mattie done it yet?”

My mouth drops open in shock at the blatant question, and I suddenly feel unsure if I’m meant to answer. I don’t want to fail whatever this is with Hannah, yet I also don’t want to say something I shouldn’t.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes. Hmm…” She taps her chin. “I think I’ll have to ask Mattie for those details. What a slut.” She smiles, but the word doesn’t match the light way she says it.