stay while he’s here and watching me. I can lose him if I can just get a bit of a head start.
CHAPTER EIGHT
- Jaxtyn
THREE DAYS LATER
Yawning in my perch high above the cabin, I consider phasing into my dimension to get a hot meal. Instead, I peel open another nutrition bar, the portable food that Guardians often have to survive on while working long shifts. Most of our half rotation shifts are similar to Earth’s time.
Last night, the Earth female I’m now positive is called Zoey left her cabin and walked down to the hot pools she uses for bathing. She was carrying her weapon and bathing supplies. The small bottle I returned to her was one of the ones she used as she scrubbed her hair.
She didn’t get completely naked like she was when I found her originally, but the white chest covering and underwear she left on her body did little to hide what was underneath. As she left the water, they were both completely transparent. After watching her now for seven Earth rotations, I’m afraid I released in my pants like an untried youth despite not even touching myself. I haven’t even dared.
Groaning and thoroughly disgusted with myself, I still remained in my gateway, wearing clothing that matched my surroundings. It’d come to my attention after I’d left the bag and weapon that she’d begun scanning the treetops. Looking for me perhaps?
I’m not sure exactly when she managed to see me up here, but it’s clear she’s now onto that trick. I’ve resorted to what every other species must do when hiding from others in the same dimension. Camouflage myself.
It seems excessive, and I know I just need to try and communicate with her. As silly as it sounds, I’m just so worried about making things worse between us. What if I say the wrong thing? Or mispronounce something?
I know I need to at least try to verbally tell her that I’m not here to harm her. She went so many days without bathing. She had to be uncomfortable. She’s been skulking around, even trying to sneak off to dump the bucket she uses for her bathroom waste. Clearly, the tiny dwelling she’s using needs updating.
I want to help her. I’d be happy to let her come and share my dimension. I can’t help but wonder if she feels the same attraction to me that I feel to her. In fact, I can usually tell exactly where she is …
There’s no sign of life in the small cabin, but that’s not unusual. I’m used to her hiding out. But now that I’ve been thinking about it, I don’t “sense” her in the cabin either.
As soon as I think it, I phase down to the outside of the cabin, looking in the one window. The drapes are annoying, and with the brighter light outside, I can’t see through the window very well. Fuck it.
Phasing into the small dwelling, I’m even more appalled at where she’s been hiding from me like a fugitive. The first day or two after we saw each other at the hot springs, she carried on her business as usual, checking her traps and working in a sunny patch of ground beside the cabin where she must be growing edible plants.
But as time wore on, and she saw me periodically, she became more and more reclusive. This made me believe I should leave her alone more. After all, I don’t want to scare her.
Surely, she’ll get used to me? It’s inevitable we’ll talk eventually, right? Although, I still haven’t figured out what that conversation will be like.
Earth Humans don’t have mates. Payak was very concerned about winning over his potential mate Teresa on base. I heard him discussing it with one of the local Taxin there at the base. Someone who was her superior, and he suggested Payak ask her to spend time with him, eating and talking to get to know each other.
I’ve considered bringing her food. But it won’t be today because she’s definitely not here. There’s nowhere to hide in the tiny dwelling. The cooking area, a table, and a bed are all that’s in the one room space.
As I study my surroundings, it becomes clear she didn’t leave anything behind. There is no clothing or toiletries. Even the blanket from the bed is gone. Could she have left?
Damn!
But to where? I’m afraid the last few days have made me complacent. I never imagined she’d leave. There’s nowhere to go around here.