Rokan

ROKAN

M y eyes, now fully adjusted to the darkness, scanned our surroundings. Everything appeared clear. The crystal night sky had provided perfect conditions for the hunt.

The stars shimmered brilliantly in the expanse of the Crimson Sands. I could trace the faint outline of the galaxy cutting through clusters of distant planets. As much as I despised this desolate world, its nocturnal beauty was its sole redeeming quality.

As I began arranging kindling and striking matches to ignite our fire, a soft voice broke the silence behind me.

"What are you cooking?" She spoke quietly, as if accustomed to remaining unheard.

I exhaled slowly. "Steazel. A small one. It'll be enough for us for the night."

"You killed that thing by yourself?"

"What alternative did I have?" I replied, my tone clipped.

"You're not concerned about its safety for consumption?"

I kept my expression impassive, focusing on nurturing the nascent flames. "We require sustenance. I slayed a beast. We will eat. And face another day."

"We? You're providing me with food as well?"

I paused momentarily.

I saw no reason to starve her. Besides, Gorin had been clear. He wanted her alive. "Yes."

"Why return me then? If you're displaying such kindness?"

I sighed. This is why getting involved was always a mistake. "This is my profession. I was contracted to locate you and return you, so that is precisely what I shall do."

I carved out two substantial portions of meat from the carcass.

She furrowed her brow, meeting my gaze. "You're not obligated to return me, though."

"It's a job." I broke the meat into smaller morsels to cook over the diminutive fire. Just enough heat to thoroughly cook, while minimizing light emission. I remained vigilant, ears attuned to any potential predators lurking nearby. But there was nothing save for us and the natural silence of the desert.

I divided the food as it finished cooking, allocating more to myself out of necessity. She was, after all, the reason for this prolonged pursuit.

"So," she ventured again. "Where do you hail from?"

I hesitated briefly. "Irrelevant," I replied flatly.

"Very well," her voice trailed off. "What's your name?"

"Also irrelevant."

I heard her eyes roll in the darkness. "C'mon. Gimme somethin' to call you besides ‘hey, asshole.'"

"."

"I'm Arilee."

I knew.

"Pleasure's all mine," she quipped, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "And since you asked so nicely, nope, got zero interest in goin' back to Gorin."

"Noted." The meat sizzled as I passed her a portion.

"He ain't exactly Mr. Congeniality."

"I'm aware." Juice trickled down my chin as I tore into my share.

"This is heavenly." Arilee gnawed her piece, then licked her digits clean. "Got any more?"

I tossed another chunk over the flames. Looked like she needed a few more good meals, anyway.

"Eat up. We've got a hell of a trek ahead, thanks to your little stunt."

We devoured the beast without a word. I forced down every last morsel, knowing tomorrow's march would be brutal. I guzzled from my canister as Arilee watched, hawk-eyed.

I offered her the container, keeping tabs to make sure she didn't drain it. Her fingers grazed mine as she took it. She paused, those big blue eyes boring into me. At first, I thought she sought permission, but no.

She probed for something deeper.

Too bad.

Whatever she hoped to unearth was long gone, courtesy of the Krelaxians. But I couldn't fault her for trying.

I also couldn't help but notice how soft her hands felt, despite days in this unforgiving wasteland. Unbidden images of those hands exploring my body flooded my mind. I quickly shoved them aside, filing them away for later use.

Arilee gulped greedily.

I snatched back the canister, screwing the lid tight. Its heft had diminished drastically. I'd need to ration my water for the rest of this damn mission.

After snuffing out the fire, I fashioned my pack into a pillow. Night brought a welcome chill to the Crimson Sands. A cool breeze caressed my skin. Sleep would come easy without a blanket in this mild air.

"Can't you at least loosen these ropes so I can get comfy?" She shuffled closer as she settled onto the bedroll. "My hands are tied and I'm stuck to this rock. Can't even roll over."

"Then I'll take back the pillow and you can cuddle up to your new friend," I countered.

"Never mind."

My mind began to drift, then- "How much is he shelling out for this little adventure?"

I cracked an eye as Arilee sidled up, her gaze dissecting my face. My eyes flicked down, confirming her bonds remained secure.

"What's it to you?" I growled.

"Just curious what price he's put on my head."

"Not enough to make this worth my while."

"Ballpark figure?" A hint of desperation crept into her voice.

"Why fixate on that bastard's opinion? I thought you despised him."

She glanced away. Her silence felt like victory, so I let my mind drift toward slumber.

The breeze whispered past. Insects chirped in the distance. Sand hissed across my skin.

Arilee shuffled again moments later, exhaling softly before stillness returned. I assumed she'd finally settled down. Hauling her exhausted carcass tomorrow would've been a chore.

"It's not about his opinion," she murmured.

My brain, half-asleep, took its time responding.

"At least, not how you think." Arilee paused.

I pried my eyes open reluctantly. "Enlighten me."

"I don't give a damn what Gorin thinks of me personally. I just want to know where I stand in this new world." She turned to face me.

I eyed her sideways. "You don't stand anywhere. You're human."

"Ouch." Arilee sighed. "I get it. Sometimes I wish I'd stayed on Earth to die."

"Then climb the ladder. Quit whining," I snapped. She acted like the only one facing hardship. Everyone fends for themselves - always has, always will. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you move on.

"I'm not whining!" Arilee protested.

She softened her tone. "It's not that simple. There's no debt to work off. I'm enslaved for life. What's left to strive for?"

"Tough luck," I mumbled, drifting off again.

"That's all you've got?"

I kept quiet.

"Fine," she huffed. "Pleasant dreams, then."

Sleep finally claimed me.

Later, something tickled my ear, rousing me.

The sensation crept down my back. My hand lazily swatted at the air. I rolled to my side, and it ceased.

Then it resumed just as swiftly.

My eyes snapped open. I reached back, realizing an insect was crawling on me. I crushed it in my palm, flinging it as far as I could.

"Damn nuisance," I grumbled, attempting to settle back down.

I tossed about, now wide awake and restless. The earth felt like stone beneath me, and my makeshift pillow had flattened to nothing. A dull ache began to throb in my skull.

After a minute, the silence struck me as odd.

I glanced over. Arilee was nowhere to be seen.

"Blast it!" I yelped, leaping up and gathering my things. I examined the rope.

Throughout the night, she'd gnawed at her bindings. Bit by bit, the human woman had worked them loose and slipped away.

My quarry had made her move. She'd resumed the hunt.

What a worthy adversary. What a captivating woman. If she weren't bounty, I'd have relished the pursuit. The challenge of capturing and taming such a fiery spirit. My blood surged at the thought of getting close to her again.

I briefly considered returning to my shuttle. But that would give her even more time to get farther from me. And… I hated to admit it, but the desert was too dangerous for her to be roaming around alone.

No, this chase would have to continue on foot, through every twist and turn of the unforgiving desert.

Time to give chase once more.

For the first time in years I kinda felt like laughing.

What the hell?