her—to make sure that there aren’t any bites or scratches on her skin—but I know that I’d scare her to death. If she can’t even look at me, there’s no way she’d take kindly to me forcing her to remove her clothing.
I’ll just have to take my chances. If she gets sick, she’ll be too weak to fight me when I strip her down and haul her into my dimension. I’ll do exactly what Mavin did until she gets better.
According to the submitted record I viewed just before logging out, I’d found out that Mavin hadn’t realized why he was so attracted to Amy. He just felt he couldn’t leave her there in the pen. The records say he was worried about the Earth males in her pen waking up from their transition and eating her—that he just couldn’t bear the fear and pain she’d suffer at their hands before she turned herself. Then, while they were in his bunk resting, he phased, and she went with him effortlessly.
As I stare at Zoey, I wonder … is that how it’ll be for us?
Zoey’s already looking at the plate of food in my hands, and even I’ll admit it smells delicious. Sinking down onto the ground just off from the blackened area, I set down the plate and walk back around to the other side of the portable heater. Picking up my spoon, I take a healthy bite to show it’s fine to eat.
She’s still crouched on the ground where she dropped out of the tree, holding her hands in front of her and wringing them. One hand falls to the ground where she fingers the seared surface curiously. Maybe she’s never seen this kind of application used for communicable diseases?
Lifting her hand up to check her fingers, she rubs them together. It’s left a sticky, dark residue from the process, but I wave at the plate still sitting on the ground. “Do you want to eat?”
My words sound ridiculous, but she doesn’t laugh. Instead, I watch her bite her lip as she lifts herself to her feet, taking tiny shuffling steps toward me. It’s something.
I’m almost done with my plate by the time she’s brave enough to have walked over and picked up hers. I don’t say anything else as I finish in silence and try not to stare. I’d love to watch her all day—and have been— but for now, I’ll have to satisfy myself with just being in her presence.
There’s so much I want to tell her, but I know now isn’t the time. She doesn’t say anything as she starts to eat, and I try not to stare as I study her face. Her hair is short and dark, sitting tight to her head in soft waves. Her pale skin is flushed pink while she eats, and as time passes without me moving, she finally lands on her butt, crossing her legs to relax.
Everything about her is small, from her hands to her ears. I watch in fascination as her plump, coral lips chew the meal. The heat from the portable heater is filling the immediate area, and I can tell she’s tired. Her eyes droop slightly, and I’m honored that she feels comfortable enough to relax here with me.
Licking her lips, I almost groan before she clears her throat slightly and whispers, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Reaching to my hip, I pass over my water flask and notice her hands are still shaking as she grips the thin container filled with water. I consider going to get her backpack, but then think maybe this is for the best? If she has that, I have all the more reason to think she may take off during the night. As it is right now, she’s quite dependent on me.
Shrugging off my coat, I fold it neatly before passing it over. “Do you want to rest?” Gesturing at the area where she’s sitting, I wonder if she feels as tired as she looks.
Yawning, she tilts over on the dirty ground, propping my donated clothing under her head. Sniffing loudly, she throws one arm over her head. I watch in wonder as her eyes close. It takes only a minute or two before I see and hear her breathing even out. She must have started the day very early. It isn’t surprising that after the craziness of the day, she’s too exhausted to stay awake.
CHAPTER TWELVE
- Jaxtyn
Once Zoey’s definitely asleep, I take the liberty of phasing back and forth to make