It really was close to our camp site. After 15 minutes, we were there. First, I didn’t even notice the machinery. Avry stepped forward, tapped around a bit, grabbed something, and opened its door. I was amazed by its optic camouflage. If I focused on it, I only noticed the small distortions it caused around its edges.
Inside, it really looked like a machine fit for space travel—at least as much as I could determine that. There were two seats inside and some buttons. It was obviously constructed in such a way that even those who weren’t knowledgeable about it could use it.
The glider made her tale somewhat believable, although I still doubted if everything she said was true. I surprised myself with these thoughts, since yesterday it was as if I took all of her words as facts. I couldn’t really put a lid on the idea that she was a spy, either. And other fictitious things my brain came up with. I turned to her and questioned her:
„Did you come to spy on us?"
„Me? No way.” she said, seeming genuinely surprised. „I told you yesterday what happened, remember?”
„You did. But everything feels so unrealistic. As if I were dreaming. Maybe you only drank from my blood to control me.” I surprised myself a little; I didn’t want to sound so crude, but it slipped out and can’t be taken back.
„W-where did you... B-but I wouldn’t do such a thing.” She said it with hesitation in her voice, then tears appeared in her eyes. „I mean, I didn’t do anything like that out of practice.” She corrected herself: „This is a side effect when we drink someone’s blood.” She couldn’t take it anymore and started crying. „But if... I couldn’t do anything against it... I would have starved. And... I don’t... really remember it.” She couldn’t continue anymore; she just cried while her eyes reflected sadness and guilt.
I took her out and gave her a handkerchief. I felt sorry for her, but this time maybe from my own choice. So apparently what I thought yesterday, even if just part of it, was true. The control came to me from an old story. I didn’t plan to accuse her of it, but as it appears, I hit the nail on that. This isn’t simple.
„Sorry. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I just felt that something was weird last night. I know that you might know many people who you knew, and now you are on an unknown planet with some stranger.” I said, then stepped up to her to hug her.
She reciprocated. Our body heat and the feeling of both of our heartbeats slowly calmed her down. I calmed down as well, and then Avry’s crying stopped as well. I asked around, with some fear in me.
„Anyway, yesterday you wanted to ’control’ me?” Now I say it a lot more softly. „So I take the situation is better? Do you plan to try doing that later as well?”
„I understand that I don’t have much credibility, so I only ask you to trust me.” she said while wiping her eyes. „And yes, I did try, but it didn’t work. I hadn’t tried it many times before, but usually it did. And...” she looked at me before looking down. „...I don’t want to control you, but I have to drink blood.”
„I understand.” Maybe I wasn’t as calm as I believed, and my voice gave it away since Avry looked at me. „But we will solve that somehow. „I cut it short, then turned towards the glider. „And what will we do with this? Is there anything useful inside? How long can it camouflage itself? Maybe it’s not good if someone finds it.”
Avry thought for a moment, then answered:
„I don’t know. The food is gone; I don’t know what else is inside of it. And I don't know how long the camoflage lasts. But I hope for a long time.” Obviously, she just speculated, „What do you think?”
I hadn’t expected the question. It’s true that I work at a place whose whole job is space research, but I don’t know anything about how my work is done. I can’t imagine how a spaceship might work, more so an alien one, so I just shrugged.
„We can’t do much then. For now, let’s get home; maybe there is something in the news.” I turned to walk away but suddenly remembered, „Oh, right. We have to do something with your appearance.”
„Why?” She asked back in quite a sulking voice. „Do I not meet your standards or something?”
„God, if she knew what I thought about her figure and appearance... but anyway, I have to solve this misunderstanding.” I thought to myself.
„No way. I don’t talk about that. But if you appear in these clothes, they will immediately think that something’s not right. Bringing attention to yourself while from one side you are being chased and from the other... I don’t know what would happen, but surely nothing good. We have to do something with your clothes. Your hair is fine, and your skin color is...” I stopped here for a moment because I didn’t know if she knew what racism was; hopefully she didn’t misunderstand. „...we will do something with it.” As the anger disappeared from her face, I calmed down.
„But I don’t have other clothes.” She said sadly.
„I thought so. Luckily, I have some change clothes. Most likely, it’s big for you, and it’s male clothes, but better than nothing.” As soon as I finished, I put down my backpack and dug into it. What I took out was a spare pair of pants and a sweater, then gave them to Avry. „Easier if you just use it over what you have on.”
„Not necessarily. These clothes accommodate outside temperatures, so if I put something over them, it might confuse the sensors.” She said it, blushing.
I knew why, but I hope she doesn’t think that she has to change in front of me. And also, what the hell kind of high-tech stuff is that?
„Then best if you get inside and change there, no? Is there enough space inside?” I said, closing the problem short.
„I think there is.” She said she was shy, then hopped in and closed the door.
Minutes passed. There was no noise coming from the glider. While waiting, I started thinking. I had to realize that I had stumbled into a weird situation. I don’t want to leave her alone, but that she needs blood and can control mine or others thoughts might become a problem later. She might even be a spy or something, but we will see. And okay, we go home, but then what? I have work tomorrow; maybe it’s not the best idea to leave her alone.
My thoughts were cut short by the clicking of the door. Avry came out, using the clothes I gave her. She didn’t look as weird in it as I thought she would.
„You were right. There really were some things inside.” She put her back into the cabin and pulled out two clothes, the same as what she had just worn before. „One of them is mine, but you can have the other.”
She gave them to me, and I put them away in my bag. They were pretty light, and while the texture was interesting, it seemed comfortable to the touch. Around the collar, there was something hard, but I didn’t care enough and just put the clothes away.
„And there is this as well.” She leaned back into the cabin once more and took out some tablet-like thing. „It’s a PDA that we used on the ship. I didn’t know there was one here as well. But it doesn’t work without the network.” I put that away as well and stood back up.
„Would those clothes even fit me?” I asked. If I have the chance, I want to try it out.
„Yes. When you put it on, it will accommodate your figure.”
„So that’s why it fits you so well. Understandable; I just didn’t expect it. Alright, let’s go.” Finally, we turned away from the glider and started our way towards the village.
Going down from the mountain was a lot easier than going uphill. We had a good tempo; by noon, we were at the border of the trees. The view didn’t change from two days ago. The yellow-leaf trees show the change of the season. The signal came back to my phone.
I got some notification from work that they want me back as soon as I can go. They didn’t go into details, but I expect it to be something related to Avry and what happened to her. I had a bad feeling about it.
„What’s wrong?” Asked Avry „Your face turned gloomy, when you looked at your communicator.”
I sighed.
„Something is happening, and most likely nothing good.” I answered, then I closed this chat from my side. I didn’t have much idea what might happen or what could be done against it. And with empty speculations, you just waste time.” We should get home fast.
Nothing noteworthy happened on the way back to the village. Avry stopped sometimes to look at some interesting plant or animal. Since it was Sunday, we met no one. After leaving the village, it was the same. One or two people walked by but didn’t even look at us. The streets were empty. As we reached the train station, you could hear the happy chatter that came from houses over mealtime.
The station was different, though. Many people were out and inside the station. A lot most likely goes to work in the city and only comes back on the weekends to meet the family, then on Sunday they go back to work. The crowd was as positive to us as it was negative. It’s easier to disappear in crowds, but there are also more eyes that could look at us.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
I go purchase the tickets; you just stay here.” I said, then got in line before the counter. The line wasn’t long and moved at a good tempo. As I stepped forward, I always looked at Avry to make sure if anything happened, I could get there on time. As soon as I purchased the tickets, I got back to Avry.
We walked out to the platform and sat on an empty bench. There were only a few minutes until the train arrived, and we got here on time. While sitting, I drifted away into my thoughts. Everything went okay; I don’t know why I was so afraid something would happen. I noticed from the corner of my eyes that Avry was slightly swaying.
Avry’s gray skin was white as snow. I found it funny that even with that color, they can turn pale, but surely this didn’t mean anything good. She slowly looked at me; her whole body was shaking. She didn’t speak. I grabbed her hand, which was ice cold, and when I put it over her forehead, it was hot. She had a fever—a quite high one.
The train arrived at the station. I tried to pull her up as discreetly as I could, and then we slowly got up to the train. After a short search, we could find an empty cabin at the end of the train. I made her sit inside, then looked over her. She looked pretty sick. I took off my sweater, put it on her, and sat beside her.
„How do you feel?” I asked softly.
„N-not good. I hope this isn’t some specific illness.” She said it with a cracked voice.
„Specific? What do you mean?”
„That it’s not something that is usual for earthlings but deadly to an outsider race.”
„I hope not. Try to take a rest; the road is a few hours long.”
It sounded pretty bad. I hadn’t even thought of such a thing, but it was true and not a good thing. Avry moved around, and then she was fast asleep a few minutes later. I stood up, careful not to wake her up, and got out to the toilet. In there, I called Andrex; maybe he can tell me something about what’s happening at work.
„Hey! What’s up? Is there a problem?” I started, but I only got an answer after a long silence.
„Sup! Everyone’s out of their minds. There’s a news blackout; no one can say anything, so once you come in, you will see.” said Andrex, then ended the call.
I sit back beside Avry. I felt like a storm was building over my head. I don’t know what I really stumbled into, nor do I know how I will get out of it. I checked my watch; most of the train ride was still in front of us, so I made myself comfortable and tried to take a nap.
The nap went well. When I woke up, we were already in the suburbs. The sun was still visible on the horizon. While the train filled up with people, no one really cared about us. I made my sleepiness go away, then stretched myself. That’s when I noticed that Avry had given up her previous position, and now she leaned against my shoulder. Her forehead was sweaty, and sometimes her body shook.
The train slowly arrived at the station. I warily woke up Avry, who slowly opened her eyes, then smiled at me.
„There will be no problem.” I said it silently, then stood up and picked up my bag. I helped her up, then slowly got off the train. The station’s noisy crowd helped us safely reach the taxi waiting area. Normally I wouldn’t use it, but right now it seemed like the best solution. I chose the closest car, motioned with my arm to the driver, and then we got in. I told him my address, and we were on our way.
The minutes passed slowly. Luckily, the driver didn’t really take an interest in us. His face showed that he was tired and wasn’t in the mood for anything. Normally, maybe it would bother me, but this time I was thankful. The traffic wasn’t busy. After 15 minutes, we arrived at my place. I paid for the taxi, and we walked up.
When I closed the house door behind me, a sudden, big relief washed over me. We got home without any problems. I made Avry sit on the couch, then I pulled down the shutters. After that, I went to the kitchen for some water and medicine. When I was back, I sat down beside Avry.
„I don’t know what effects the medicine will have on you, but this is what I have.” I said, then showed her the boxes. „Antipyretic and antibiotic.”
„We aren’t so different; it should work.” She said it with a weak, muffled voice.
„I hope they work.” I gave her one of each, and then the water.
Avry gulped them down, then laid down on the couch. I sat there for a few minutes until I was sure she was sleeping, then went to do my things.
First, I unpacked my bag. I put the two overalls into a box and slid them into the lower half of the cabinet, making sure they weren't in front of prying eyes. Then I focused my attention on the tablet-like thing. It looked a lot more advanced than ours. The display, when turned off, was slightly transparent; the bezel was thin, and only one side was wider. That side was thicker, which helped hold it easier. I sadly couldn’t come up with how it works, so I just put it in one of the drawers of my writing table.
I was tired and hungry. I wasn’t in the mood to cook something, so I decided to order pizza. I thought about Avry as well, but I didn’t know what kind she would like or if she even knew what it was, so I ordered two different ones; one of them might just be to her liking. While I was waiting for the delivery guy, I decided to wash off the dirt and grime from me. I undressed, then went into the bathroom. I spent a lot of time in the shower because it felt too good. The notification that the delivery guy was slowly here put my wandering mind back in place, and I finished up fast.
I dressed up, and then, as usual, I made myself comfortable on the couch. Avry gave out some groans as a sign of dislike. For a moment, I totally forgot about her. I turned on the TV, set the volume to low so she wouldn’t wake up, and watched it until the delivery arrived.
Around 5 minutes later, I heard ringing. It was the delivery guy. I paid for them and wished him the best. I put down the pizzas on the table in front of the couch, then went to the kitchen for some knives and drinks. Then I noticed how all the last week’s stuff was in the sink. So I put them in the dishwasher and then went back.
Avry was awake; she was watching TV. She must have heard that I was coming, since she turned towards me and smiled. The color returned to her face, and she looked much better. I looked at my watch. Nearly an hour passed, and the medicine might be doing its job.
„Feeling better?” I ask as I sit down.
„Absolutely.” She answered happily, then pointed at the pizza boxes.
„I ordered dinner; you must be hungry. There are two kinds." I said this as I opened the boxes and turned to her. I noticed that she unzipped her sweater. She was leaning forward and wasn’t really hiding what she was doing; I felt a little embarrassed. I looked higher, and she was looking at me, slightly confused.
„Ohh, one of them has four kinds of cheese, and the other has ham. I don’t know which one you want, mire, so I ordered two; maybe you like one.” I said hastily, turning my eyes elsewhere, hoping we take it like nothing happened. Luckily, Avry didn’t really care. She put her hand in the box and took a slice out. She slowly bit into it first, then her face brightened up.
„It was a long time ago that I ate something this tasty. On the Proxomus, the food was mostly flavoured later.” In the middle of the sentence, she was already reaching for another one.
„Proxo... mus?”
„The name of our ship. Didn’t I tell you?” She said it between bites with a full mouth.
„It didn’t come up yet. But nevermind. Enjoy your meal!”
The pizza was gone fast. Avry had a good appetite; she ate most of it. After dinner, she went to shower as well. While she was gone, I prepared clean clothes, although I could only do mine. I opened the couch and prepared it for bed. Not long after Avry finished showering, she stepped up to me.
„What are you doing?” She asked interestedly.
„Just preparing the bed.” I answered. „Do you want to sleep in or out here?”
Avry was deep in thought for a moment.
„I-I don’t want to sleep alone. This world is so scary and unfamiliar. I was scared in the forest as well.” She said it with a somewhat scared expression, then closed her eyes.
„W-Well, why not? We can sleep together.” I said it with some hesitation, somewhat uncertainly, but Avry’s face brightened up.
Leaving the couch behind, we went into my room, where she happily hopped onto the bed. I was anxious. I turned off the lights, then slowly tumbled onto the bed with the help of the lights from outside. I stopped beside it and carefully sat down on the edge. When I started lying down, Avry suddenly grabbed me and pulled me beside her in the bed. It was scary, but at the same time, it was funny. Her childish behavior helped me calm myself. For a moment, I only looked at the ceiling, then turned towards her.
„Good night.” I said, but she was already sleeping. I put a blanket over us and fell into deep sleep too.
The vibration of my phone signaled that morning had come. It was wiggling on the nightstand, the wood making the vibration louder. Out of habit, I was already leaning to turn it off, but my body suddenly felt heavy. Avry was lying half on top of me. Her left arm was wrapped around my neck, while her head rested on my chest. For a second, I froze, then leaned for my phone again, but failed. I gave up and laid back again. It was unusual, but a comfortable feeling.
In the end, the phone’s adamant ringing ended this situation. Avry slowly opened her eyes, and then, without lifting her head, she looked at me and smiled.
“Good morning.” She said it softly, in a still-sleepy voice.
I answered with an embarrassed smile and stuttering words. But it seems it didn’t surprise her; instead, she found it funny. Avry chuckled a little, then pushed herself up from the elbow. A big, solid saliva mark signaled to me that she was in deep sleep. I didn’t hesitate and finally turned off the phone, then jumped out of bed. From behind me, I heard a laidback yawn.
„Do you want coffee?” I asked with a somewhat awkward voice, and then without waiting for an answer, I went into the kitchen.
„I don’t know.” I got the answer when I reached the door.
„What do you don’t know?”
„I don’t know what’s a ’coffee’.” She was slightly taken aback.
„Do your kind don’t drink it?” I was surprised, but then a thought came up: maybe she just doesn’t know our term for it. „I will make you one then.”
I prepared it and then turned on the coffee machine. While it boiled, I escaped into my thoughts. Quite fantastical things happened to me in the last few days, and today morning wasn’t an exception. I’m not used to such things in any way you look at them. Despite how chaste her behavior was at the glider, right now she seems like a different person. Or spacekind. The machine poured out the last drop of coffee and pulled me out of my mind. Our culture is different, that’s for sure. I closed the chain of thought inside me.
I finished up the coffee and turned around to put it on the table. Avry was standing beside the kitchen table and looked at it with great interest to see what I was doing. Her expression was sleepy, and her hair was a little messy, but maybe that’s exactly what made her look cute at that moment. As I saw, only the shirt was on her from the clothes I gave her. I slowly put the mugs down and sat at the table, then, with a hesitant hand gesture, I tried to make her sit down as well.
„It smells good.” She said as she sat down.
„I hope it’s good. I’m not a professional barista.” I said this as my hand reached for the sugar. Which wasn’t there, nor the milk. „Oh, I forgot the sugar and milk.”
I jumped up from my chair and picked them out of the fridge and shelf. As I turned back to the table, out of my control, thanks to the size of the shirt, I could take a peek at what was under it. I stopped for a moment, and exactly just for a moment, with some guilt building up inside me, but I enjoyed the view that blessed my eyes. Avry looked up at me and wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.
„H-Hey!” She said it with a pouty face as her face turned faintly red. But she didn’t seem mad about it.
I turned my gaze away as soon as I could, and my face flushed a little too. „S-Sorry.” I said it repentantly, then sat back down. I put down the sugar and milk, then, with habitual movements, started flavoring my coffee. Avry was still a little red, but her expression showed great interest in what I was doing.
„I don’t know how you would like it better; this makes it sweeter, and this makes the taste softer.” I said as I pointed at the sugar, then the milk. „Try out what you prefer.”
After this, my morning was uneventful. I looked for minutes at how Avry familiarized herself with the art of coffee flavoring. Time passed by quickly. I dressed up, then showed Avry where she could find what was in the house. There was food; I thought not much, but we can order again tonight.
„Bye! Be careful!” I said as I stepped out of the door.
„Bye. Come back fast!” Said Avry kindly.
I closed the door behind me, and I was on my way.