When Aliens Weep (12 page)

Abby stood swiftly, the pain on her face infused in her words. “I didn’t come here to fight, Jose. If that’s what you have in mind, we’ll leave.”

He raised his hands in supplication. “All right. Please . . . sit back down and tell me why Forbation sent you, of all people.” He let loose a bitter laugh. “Does this mean he trusts me?”

Abby sat down slowly, her voice faltering. “I don’t rightly know what
Forbation thinks. I volunteered.” Her voice slowed. “I want to . . . to . . . apologize.”

Jose forced a vapid smile to his lips, the pressure from his grinding teeth a welcome tonic. His golden eyes generated a laser glint, brighter than any seen before.

“But my love . . .” the words came out like honey, soft, pliant and sweet, “I’m the one that should apologize. I had no business raising a hand to you. It was just the . . . the shock . . . of hearing of your impending . . .” His eyes pointedly lingered on her abdomen. Unconsciously, her hand went to her belly protectively.

“Well, yes . . . erm . . .” With a self-conscious gesture, she adjusted her hair. “I guess that is understandable. You should have been the first to know. Cobby and I . . .”

“
Please
. Don’t even think
of mentioning that bastard’s name in my presence.” Jose tried to suppress the bile from his voice. He stood up from the bed and advanced toward her. He could see her shrink from him. Reining himself in, he extended his arms, a gesture warm and friendly, a fresh grin on his face. “Are you happy? Do you feel well? In your condition . . . you’re not a spring chicken, after all.”

Abby relaxed a sigh of relief and hope lit her face. She rose to meet his embrace. “You know I will always love you, Jose.”

“And I
you
, Abby. I’m here, if and when you need me. I’ll always be here.” He looked around the room. “Well, not
here
. . . but you know what I mean.”

She glanced up into his face. “Then you really do understand?”

“Understand what?”

She glanced down at her feet. “You know . . . about us. Falling out of love . . .” She returned to his face. “It was bound to happen, you know. We were just kids.” She smiled, gently. “My first love. It was only natural that we would cling to one another, under the circumstances.” Pain radiated across her face. “So much horror, so much death.” She laid her head on his shoulder as he held her tight, gripping her back.

“Shhh, shhhh. It’s okay.” He bit down, the pain from his tongue helping him to think straight. “Everything will work out just fine. By the way, did Forbation say anything to you about me? Can I come back now?”

Her eyes looked sorrowful. “I’m afraid not, Jose.” He tasted the saltiness of his own blood as he bit harder.

“I was told to tell you a minion will fetch you in the morning. We’re all getting a tour to help us decide where we will best fit.”

He gave her hand a squeeze. “Well then . . . I’ll see you tomorrow on the tour.”

As they reached the door, they were confronted by an amazing sight. Hovering in the air on a chair was a disheveled Chloe. Alongside her transport floated a trio of minions with dozens of fluffy white nooglets fluttering above, their comically vicious canine faces anxious not to miss a thing. Golden light waltzed with every color of the spectrum and flooded the huge hallway.

“What the heck?” exclaimed Abby, her hand to her mouth in laughter.

“You can put me down now, boys.” Chloe’s eyes were wide with trepidation and mirth. Underneath the platform where Chloe’s chair rested was a smaller version of the anti-gravitational device the minions used on the spheres that held the aliens captured on other planets as they emerged from the portals.

“Boys, can you please put me down?” They moved to accommodate. “Yes, thank you . . . thank you.” Chloe breathed deeply, her relief palpable. Cupping her arm around her enormous belly, she gingerly stood up from the chair and stepped off the platform. She nodded her head gratefully as the minions lowered the device to the floor and backed away to find a spot to wait, sitting with legs crossed and backs touching, faces looking at Chloe in worship.

“They really like me. Isn’t that cute?” announced Chloe, pride and wonder mixing with amazement. “Let’s go inside.”

Jose rushed to Chloe’s side, his arms outstretched to help her walk. Over his shoulder he cast one last glance at Abby who enclosed herself in her wings and disappeared.

Chloe patted him softly on the arm. “Come on, Jose. She’s gone.” Together they entered Jose’s room, ensconcing Chloe on the bed where she curled up. Making room on the bed, she directed him to join her.

He sighed deeply, making himself comfortable. “So I guess you heard?”

She rolled her eyes. “The minute you slapped Abby, everyone knew. They’re linked mentally, you know. They each know everything as soon as another forms a thought. You know how it works. If you and Abby thought you could keep anything a secret here, you’re crazy. You might as well know they’ve all known about the baby since we got here.”

Jose ran his hand through his unkempt hair. “Well, isn’t that just ducky?”

“Come on, Jose. You must have had an idea. All this time and you never knew Cobby had something for Abby?”

He shook his head. “Great . . . that makes it even worse, kiddo.” Jose propped his chin up with his hand. “How convenient Karen just happened to not make into the portal. I don’t recall seeing her that morning, do you?”

Chloe startled, not wanting to share what she knew about Karen from the story given to her by Kenya the morning they’d found her dead in the bathing cave.
No sense giving Jose more to chew on and rile himself up over
.

“No, I didn’t see her,” she declared. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, Jose. I just want you to face facts so you can get on with your life. We have so much uncertainty in our lives as it is. I was hoping you might find a purpose working here with the Oolahans.” She smiled shyly, rubbing her belly. “And I know a little someone that is just dying to meet his uncle.” Her eyes welled up with glistening tears. “It might make up for what we missed when we were little. I can’t even remember Mama and Papa.”

Jose smiled, his eyes far way.

Her face crumbled, her voice broken. “And Scotty . . . my Scotty.”

Laying her head down on the pillow, she sobbed. Jose waited until she cried herself out, his hand rubbing her back to quietly let her know he understood. Her sobs stopping, Chloe punched the pillow and sat up, her complexion wan, but her eyes flashing.

“Sorry . . . I just can’t seem to stop myself. I thought I was all cried out.” She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her smock. “I just can’t help wondering if things would have turned out differently if Echo had been with us instead of flying off with the nooglets without a word to anyone. Barney wouldn’t have run away and we wouldn’t have been caught out in that field for the flamer to find. If . . . if . . . if.” She clenched her fist. “It’s entirely the Womb’s fault,” she stated resentfully.

Jerking her head up, she clasped a hand to her mouth and looked around quickly. “I didn’t mean that, Jose.” Tears began to slip from her eyes again. “I’m sorry . . . the Womb has been good to us and I’m very grateful. It’s just . . .”

He took his sister into his arms. “Shhhh . . . I understand, hon. So much has happened. And you’re pregnant. That’s enough to push anyone off their rocker. I’m sure the Womb will cut you a break. We’re all still in mourning. Very little is expected of us right away. Although Forbation seems to have plans for us.”

Chloe swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “Well, maybe that will help. I’m going to be in the nursery with Maya and the babies but everyone else will start some kind of job. It’ll be interesting, I’m sure.”

“Have you heard what Abby and Cobby will be doing?” Jose asked innocently.

Chloe gave him a sharp look. “Does it matter right now? You can bet it will be far away from anything Forbation might have
you
do.”

“I know where I’ll be working. The intake and quarantine labs. Forbation said it’s a prestigious position, not without its dangers,” he exaggerated.

Giving Jose a deep searching glance, Chloe took a gulp of air. “I can’t afford to lose you too, Jose. Please don’t do anything foolish.” She reached out to clasp his hand in hers. “Promise me.”

Jose laughed.

“No, I mean it. I want you to promise me you won’t do anything to put yourself or anyone else in jeopardy.

“Okay. I promise.” He squeezed her hand. “I know I need to be here for the bambino.”

“And for me too, Jose. We
both
will need you. Just because Abby has moved on doesn’t mean others don’t love and need you.” She hugged her brother tight, feeling his arms around her but missing the hard glint in his eyes at the mention of Abby’s name.

“Well, I better get back. My entourage awaits.” She extended a smile. “I just wanted to check on you.”

Slipping off the bed, he helped her waddle to the door.

“I think you could use a house Kreyven here, don’t you? Can I send you some more comfortable items? Just in case you’re here for a while?”

Jose laughed, the confidence back in his voice. “Don’t worry, Chloe. I love you for thinking of me but I won’t be here for much longer.” He turned to kiss his sister goodnight without the slightest idea how sadly prophetic his flippant words would be.

Nine Days AE (After Earth)

Chapter 10

Dezi sat in his seat near the stove, taking a break. He stared at the blank sheets of paper that sat begging on the table in front of him.

“I think you can find a good use for these, my boy,” Forbation had said when he plonked the empty sheaves of paper down next to the chartreuse mixture he’d been beating to death with a wooden spoon. He knew he could have worked out a fancy gadget with the help from a home Kreyven and his job would have been easier but Dezi prided himself on the old-fashioned methods from when Salina taught him to cook so long ago on Earth.

“What the heck do ya expect me to do with this pile of paper, Mr. Forbation? Use it in a new recipe?”

Forbation’s aura caressed Dezi’s mind, finding delight in the simple, loyal mind of the cocky man. The wise minion raised his head to the shelf Dezi had attached to the wall days ago. There rested the dog-eared copy of the
Holy Bible
that he found to be most useful only as ancient fables from a forgotten past.

Dezi followed Forbation’s gaze. “You have an objection to the last known book from Earth, Mr. Forbation?”

The wise minion winced. “
Brother
Forbation, if you don’t mind, Brother Dezi. As to the book . . . I am not as offended as you most likely think. I admire any artifact from a lost civilization.”

Dezi’s face darkened with blood. “Lost civilization? Last time I looked we were all here for breakfast and none of us are lost. We just live in a new location, that all. With all due respect, Mr. Forbation, I trust you not to use those words around any of my family if ya please.”

Silence ticked by slowly as Dezi waited for an aura in response. Forbation cocked his head and stared into Dezi’s face. He raised a golden, crinkled hand and caressed the blank and crisp papers on the table. He nodded his head a few times and smiled at Dezi. Without sending another aura, he calmly patted the paper and left the kitchen, his wings clasped tightly to his back and his lion-like tail held high.

What the heck was that all about
? Dezi wondered.

“Hey, Dez,” Cobby shouted from the kitchen entrance. He was shadowed closely by Abby.

Dezi looked up.
They certainly have been thick as thieves lately
. “What’s up guys?”

The couple hurried over, Cobby dropping a small, slender amber metal cylinder on the sheaf of paper Dezi had pushed aside. As it landed, it made a mark on the paper.

“What’s this, a pen?” Dezi picked up the metal object. It sat in his hand just like a pen. He turned it to and fro, not seeing what end to write with. Quickly dropping it back on the paper, he rubbed his arm as a flush of warmth infused his skin and traveled up to his shoulder.

“What’s the matter, Dezi?” asked Abby.

Brushing the strange sensation off, Dezi resorted to his usual bravado. “Nothin’ babe. What could be wrong?” He gave Abby his best grin. “We’re all alive aren’t we?” Turning back to the metal object, he nodded his head toward it. “So what’s with that?”

Cobby bent down and picked it up. “It looks like a pen but I don’t see where the point is.” He glanced at Dezi’s blank papers. “It made a mark.” He reached down and tried to scribble on the paper. The metal object left no marks.

“So what’s the big deal about a pen that doesn’t work?” asked Dezi.

I don’t
know
if it’s a pen, Dezi. Forbation didn’t say.”

“Forbation?”

“Yeah, He stopped us in the hallway and asked us to pass this on to you.” Abby’s brows drew tight, furrows on her brow causing her skin to tighten. “He also asked us to make sure you guard it with your life.”

Dezi drew back. “What the heck is all the mystery about? Why can’t he just tell me straight out what he wants?” Dezi slapped his hand on the paper, causing the cylinder to roll off the table. Cobby caught it before it hit the floor.

“I don’t know, Dezi, but I’m sure Forbation has a reason he wants you to have this.” Abby slipped her hand over Dezi’s.

“He did say one other thing.”

“Well,
give,
girl.”

“He said you’ll be the one to make it happen. You’re the one with the recipes.” She looked blankly at Dezi. “What do you think he means?”

“Damned if I know.” Rising, Dezi slipped the cylinder into his apron, rolling the papers and adding them to his bottomless pockets. “All I know is, ya better not be late for dinner.” Dismissing the subject, Dezi rose and headed to his new supply chest. There were chores to be done and dishes to prepare. And if anyone should avoid being late, he knew it was him. Not with this hungry crew on his hands.

***