CHAPTER 11
RUN. That's all she could think of doing in order to get away from her problems. Where she would go, she had no idea, but as long as she could free herself from his clutches she didn't care. Elliot just wanted to get away from her reality. She couldn't take it anymore, living as a "slave" among non human beings who viewed her as a mouse among lions. Perhaps it was the trauma of being taken away, so far away, from a world she knew and understood all her life, and then arriving on an alien world as the only human. Her mind couldn't process it anymore, from nearly dying after cutting off her leg, to becoming a slave after living the life of a warrior, and then to being raped by her "savior". There was no sense in this anymore and she felt as though her mind and spirit had collapsed into an abyss of unknown. At this point, Elliot just just didn't want to exist anymore. But now the only thing she could do was run with a single lingering thought. What could go wrong now?
Her vision was obscured by tears, blinding her as she ran barefoot through rock and sand, and her heart was pounding in her chest uncontrollably as she tried desperately to suppress her crying. Sharp stones cut into her feet but she ignored the stings as she pressed forward to the unknown jungle that was slowly approaching, never looking back. Sweat began beading on her skin as the air grew more humid and more difficult to breath, and soon a cramp grew in her side that begged her to stop. In mere minutes, she had already ran a mile as she ignored her body's persistent pleas to halt. This was one of the reasons she was thankful for a high pain tolerance. She had never enjoyed running, but it was moments like this when she could run for a long period of time.
With every step she took, and the further away she got, she felt small weights being lifted off her shoulders as her body became lighter. Her breaths became steady, more rhythmic, as her feet created a set beat that guided her breathing into a set pace. Her heart was fast but eventually it too synchronized with her feet as she ran with a new purpose. Freedom was just ahead, so long as she didn't stop and didn't allow him to find her. The silent calls of the jungle beckoned her to press on into their shadowy, sheltering, brush and leaves. Under her feet the ground slowly evolved from a rough layer of rocks, to one of thin grass littered one by one with red and yellow leaves that indicated the early coming of a new season.
When she finally reached the edge of the thick jungle brush, Elliot stopped and looked behind her. Her tears had soon dried but her face was still moist with the mix of sweat and tears. A sigh escaped her lips as she then turned and began trudging through the layer of leaves that formed a blanket on the jungle floor. As she moved, tree limbs and velvet like leaves grasped at her clothes which became restricting to move in. She kicked her legs out to free herself from the clinging limbs but found no remorse as she grew tangled in their grasp. A groan escaped her as irritation overwhelmed her. Even being so far away from him, she still felt trapped. It was as if, that no matter where she went, she could never escape her problems. Her thoughts returned to a prior assumption as she considered the positivity that she may be dead. This entire reality….this entire place, was nothing but a living hell lacking the promise of escape. She was trapped.
Elliot's frustration skyrocketed to the point she used all her might the tear the dress off herself until she stood in nothing but the tube top and skirt. She even rid herself of the annoying metal jewelry that clunked together with every move she made. Her goal was to be silent so that nothing, and no one, would find her out here in the wilderness. Her hand had traveled to her neck in contemplation, feeling the barren dry skin that felt naked in the air. She had forgotten her cross, but as she thought more she began to not care. Since she had arrived here her god had not once helped her escape, and at this point she had given up on him. If he truly loved her, then he would not have put her through this and let her suffer like she had. But then again, he was an earth god….and she wasn't on earth anymore. However, that was no reason for the deity to not be with her. Perhaps he gave up on her? Or perhaps he hated her for all her decisions in life. After a moment of thought and consideration, her hand fell limp to her side and she began trudging through to brush with the belief that she clearly was not wanted by her god and that she would have to live here alone. The only thing to do now was to make a new life and embrace this world, or die as slave in the hands of the devil himself. She would have to evolve.
Halkrath sat with his head in his hands, a dreary and convulsed look painting his face as he thought about where he went wrong in his life up to this point. His leg bounced with apprehension as his thoughts wandered in many directions of what could happen. Her death lingered in his mind and found himself growing frustrated by the fact that he didn't know what to do. Luar-ke, who sat just inches away, saw his display and hesitantly lifted a hand to his shoulder, distracting him from his thought process. He looked up to her, eyes narrow with anger that made silent threats.
Her hand left his shoulder, slowly and gently so not to alarm him. Her mouth opened but she was hesitant to speak."...Do you have any idea where she could have gone?" Luar-ke questioned, her eyes searching him for an answer.
"No. I don't." he growled back to her, making her flinch. "I already told you She could be anywhere by now." His head fell again and he cracked his knuckles in an act to relax some. All this stress was making him tense and it became tedious to even think a clearly.
Luar-ke growled inwardly, angered at his lack of movement. She imagined that he would already be out searching for the girl, but here he sat in loathing. "why are you just sitting here? You are the clans most skillful hunter so there is no reason why you shouldn't be out there looking for that poor girl. I thought you felt something for her…" she trailed off as she stared at him with a penetrating gaze. He didn't move, but his shoulders rose and fell as he took heavy breaths. Her eyes then traveled to his hands which had balled up into boulder like fists. His knuckles were turning white as he began fuming at her accusation. She knew it wasn't wise to anger him any more, but she had to motivate him to get off his ass and search for the helpless human. "Halkrath…..that girl is no ordinary woman, and she is not an object that can be easily replaced. When she is gone, there is no getting her back. She is not a trophy and she sure as hell is not just a slave." Luar-ke continued as she watched him, feasting her eyes on his twitching body. His head turned away, as if resisting the urge to attack her, but she wouldn't care so long as her point was made. "Paya, you are a disgrace. If this is what true skill looks like then I'm ashamed. I could have sworn I helped raise an elite hunter, not some lazy sack of-"
Halkrath stood quickly, emphasizing his anger with a solid kick to the coffee table. His burst of life stunned the woman, cutting her off as she jumped back in fright. She may have gone overboard with the comment, but she was also happy to see him show signs of life. "DAMN IT LUAR-KE I DON'T NEED YOUR INPUT!" He seethed in rage with shallow groans escaping him. His yellow eyes showed no mercy as he scorched her with a death glare. After a moment of taking in her frightened expression he exhaled a heavy breath as he forced himself to relax, turning the table over to return it to its original position as he did. His hands returned to a relaxed position, and he eyed the woman with a narrow gaze.
Luar-ke found herself uncontrollably frozen under his unnerving gaze that seemed to pierce her soul. She did go way to far and it was clear she had offended him, however she knew that he wouldn't harm her. A hard and nervous lump formed high in her throat and she swallow as she shifted her position. Halkrath merely watched her, following her with his eyes but still not moving. He noticed how her mouth hung open as if deciding what to say and he clenched a fist to brace for another insult. After a moment of one on one eye contact, she looked the wall adjacent of them and spoke, "look, i'm sorry. It's just that….she doesn't know this world and she could be killed by anyone or anything." she said and then returned her gaze to him as she continued. "halkrath, I know you feel for her, so you need to get out there and find her."
He looked away with a solemn look as he took in her words to their entirety. The woman was stubborn, able to make him do shit easily by throwing in a few insults with her demands. Perhaps that was why his father allowed her to raise his son. She would be the ideal yautja mother, stubborn and uneasy to sway. Not only that but she was his father's closest friend, a woman that could be trusted unlike many others. She had accepted him the moment he was born, even though he lacked a pure bloodline. He gave a depressing sigh and tilted his head back to gaze at the ceiling in wonder. "...what's the point. She hates me and doesn't want anything to do with me." he trailed off and then looked to Luar-ke for help.
"you're right. After what you did to her, she has all the reason not to want you around. Halkrath, that woman wants you dead, but I think you and she both know that she needs you if she is going to survive here." the other replied, slowly rising to her feet so not to alarm him.
He grit his teeth at her words as he felt regret sink into him. Luar-ke's words were hard to believe and he felt as though she was saying these things to make him feel better. Elliot did not need him, not after what he did. He wanted her to need him but he also knew that she was better off without him. Although, It was no lie to say that he already missed her and worried for her, but it wasn't something he could easily admit without damaging his pride. That was what was wrong with him. He was to prideful to even give a shit about most things and most people, hell, he even used it to push people away from him so that he wouldn't end up in serious relationships. Yet it didn't work because he soon found a little human worming into his life. But he liked it. He loved the feeling of having something to live for and protect. Before, he only lived to hunt and return to horny women that begged him to fuck them, and boy did he hate it. Sure he had gave in to a few, but that was because he needed the release for himself. He never loved or wanted the women of his world. They were to needy. But then one day he came across Elliot, trapped and fighting for survival even though it hurt so damn much. It was that inferno of life and determination that had sent shivers down his spine and made his insides twist. She was perfect.
His thought returned to the matter at hand and looked to Luar-ke. "I hate to admit it, but I think your right. When I first met her, I saw a weak wannabe warrior, but it wasn't until I watched her fight for survival that I found a woman with more strength and courage than a newly blooded warrior..." he trailed softly as he turned to face the other completely. Luar-ke looked deep in his eyes and gave a small smile, happy to finally see that he was coming to terms with his flaws.
"So you admit that you love her?" she voiced, earning a look of surprise.
His ego told him not to answer, but he did. "...yes, Luar-ke, I love her." he said matter of factly.
"good. Now go find her!" she exclaimed and pointed to the door that had never been shut. A cool breeze invaded the room and beckoned him to go forth, yet he was still unsure.
Halkrath looked outside for a moment, contemplating, before bowing his head in submission. "...I can't. I have already hurt her so much. She is better off without me, Luar-ke." he said quietly as he looked at his hands, wondering who they really belong to. It was these hands that laid waste to her body, that hurt her and defiled her. Although he had suffered a blind rage, it was the hands attached to HIS body that caused the woman so much pain. "Luar-ke, I can't stand letting her suffer near me. She doesn't belong with me. She was right, Luar-ke….she was right. I don't have-"
She cut him off with a finger and opened her mouth to speak. "Have what? Honor?" She said in annoyance, feeling irked by his pathetic expression and helpless words. "I'll have you know that you do have more honor than the majority of these fuckers who call themselves elites. And don't you even deny that. You and I both know that some of them have done worse. Hell, Bakub has ties with the black market. I know he spends all the time he gets at silent auctions buying and selling exotics but you haven't even said anything because you owe the man for saving your own life." Her eyes bore into him like daggers to the heart and she couldn't help but clench her own fists in anger. " ...I am just as upset as you right now. I don't even know how I could live with myself if I let her become victim to some sick fuck's torture. And let me tell you, she will be killed soon if you don't stop her from doing something insane."
He looked to her in surprise, eyes wide in shock. Damn she was pushy. But she was right. He had to find her before someone else did, otherwise she would be kidnapped, sold in the black market, or even killed. The were worse fates awaiting her than him. He was nothing compared to the beasts that lurked out beyond. "your right. It's just that, I fear that I will be the one to finish her. Luar-ke….I'm scared for her."
As his voice trailed off, so did his eyes and luar-ke fought the urge to pull him into a tight embrace upon seeing his expression return to one of sadness. Those words were the ones that she thought she would never hear. He had never admitted to being scared, scratch that, he never was scared. He had always charged into battle with bravery and determination, and he always succeeded. Luar-ke gave him a moment before finally opening her mouth to speak. "...if you wish to fix all of this, then you need to start by finding her and protecting her from the real dangers of this world." The woman said quietly in a hushed voice as not to disturb him. "...Paya only knows what could come of her..."
A veil of silence befell them as Halkrath contemplated her words and glanced at her with regard. How was he to fix any of this? To fix her and regain her trust? The task itself was easier said than done given the damage he had already inflicted. However, he wasn't one to just give up, especially not on his female. A moment passed as his thoughts wandered until he finally made up his mind. Without a word he stood and marched with purpose towards his armory where he dressed himself in combat armor and armed himself with deadly weapons. He was ready now, determined, to find the woman that had ensnared his heart and left him lost and confused. The one that gave him purpose in this life.
Upon returning to the living room, he received a questioning look from the female but ignored her as he continued his journey towards the front door. It wasn't until Luar-ke spoke quietly that he stopped but never looking back.
"What are you doing?" She asked, confused by his demeanor. Luar-ke was convinced that he would need more motivation, but now here he was ready to go forth. He just stood there in silence and she looked at him with keen observation, taking note to his ready appearance. He had gone all out, dressing in full armor and arming himself with weapons she didn't know he had. He looked….like a force to be reckoned with.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to find her and bring her home." He finally said after a few seconds of leaving her wondering.
Halkrath left without another word, leaving the other to continue questioning. She wanted to say something more, but in no time at all he had disappeared without a trace. Luar-ke continued staring out the door with a dumbfounded expression, watching as his tracks faded into the distance. He was gone now, on a mission to find his human.
Elliot trudged onward, her legs moving quickly to carry her to someplace safe. She had continued walking through this thick jungle for nearly an hour, never turning in fear that she would encounter some sort of monster. The air was thick with moisture and she found herself panting like a dog to inhale more oxygen. Even her heart raced in order to move oxygenated blood to her muscles that begged her to stop and rest.
As tempting as it was, rest was not an option right now. She wanted to keep moving. She had to.
As she moved about, Elliot paid no attention to the ambience of the jungle. It was restless, even long after the sun had set and the multiple moon's illuminated the jungle foliage with a pale glow.
High in the trees, a vast variety of bugs and reptilian creatures sang their songs of the night. Their dull tone seemed ominous yet strangely beautiful, like something that would drive you insane after hearing it for so long, but the hypnotic song only fell on deaf ears. No matter how enticing and enchanting this planet's nature was, Elliot found no interest in it whatsoever. She only wished to escape the god forsaken planet. To return to her home world where she belonged.
Up ahead she could faintly make out a light penetrating the darkness from which she emerged. As she neared, she began to recognize flickering flames from which heat radiated. Elliot's head tilted in curiosity, wondering who would be out here this late.
The trees opened to reveal a camp sight. As she approached she pushed branches out of her way to gain entry to the crude and carelessly formed camp. Her eyes jumped around from the area, noting the lack of tents or any shelter for that matter. Scanning the area more only made her heart speed up and her stomach drop. This was not the ordinary camp she new. This was a territory.
Strung up in the trees were a multitude of corpses which lacked skin, concealing their identity, but it was obvious they were alien. The bodies were drenched with fluorescent blood that drizzled in a steady stream, painting the leaves of which it landed on. Elliot rubbed her arms and suppressed a gag as uneasiness overwhelmed her in the form of nausea. It was a sick sight, and whoever lived here clearly didn't like visitors. Never in her life had she experienced something this horrifying. Her heart had sped up and she felt like she had entered a meat locker, the lair of butcher.
She pressed forward and observed the area, her body trembling with each step. Her breath was shaky and her conscience pleaded for her to leave but her curiosity wanted her to investigate further. Who,or rather, what would do such a thing? Elliot had heard stories of the Xenomorphs doing some pretty scary stuff, though she never witnessed it, but this was just horrendous. She circled the the fire where a carcass slowly roasted over the open flames. The smell of burning flesh filled her nose and she covered her air ways to filter the scent. Her stomach was twisting and turning and her legs were shaking with the rest of her body, making it difficult to walk straight. Instead she found herself stumbling all over as she walked. Her eyes then shifted to some steaks protruding from the moist flooring. On them were a series of skulls, cleaned and polished like trophies and looking strangely familiar. She recognized the large billboard like cranium and the mandibles that looked like spider legs.
They were yautja skulls.
Her thoughts turned to questions as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. She assumed that the yautja were the perfect predator on this world, so why would they be brutally killed and their skulls displayed like this? It didn't make sense….unless there was some kind of blood feud between the races or clans.
The sound of rustling leaves startled her from her thoughts and her eyes returned to a hanging corpse that twitched with remnants of life. The small movements sickened her and forced her to step back as blood splashed in her direction. A squeal and a gasp escaped her and she wiped her arm in a panic to get the thick substance off of her. It was disgusting and it smelled atrocious. More sounds distracted her and she peered into the trees behind the body. In the shadows a soft clicking sounds sent a shiver down her spine and she watched as a pair of eyes manifested in the darkness, glowing a dull shade of gold and looking foreboding. Her breath hitched as she realized that she was being watched the entire time and without warning she turned to run away, only to be stopped abruptly as she was met with a solid invisible barrier that repelled her back and into the ground.
She watched in apprehension as the invisible figure slowly took shape to that of an alien which eyed her with intent as a crude sounding laugh echoed from it. He wore a metal mask but removed it as if to get a better look of the female before him. He snapped the mask to his belt with an eerily soft click, and then remained motionless as he eyed the woman in silence.
Elliot shuffled backwards only to be met with yet another form that lurked behind her. The alien in front of her started approaching slowly until it kneeled in front of her to take in her small frail form in full detail.
He was so close that she had to turn her head away in order the avoid the foul odor of his mouth. Elliot's fingers frantically searched the ground for anything worthy to defend her, yet nothing could be found.
The male before her lifted a clawed hand and raked it through her hair to feel its softness and delicacy. Her eyes squeezed shut at his touch as she tried not the move in fear that he would take her cowardice as a threat. His claws then found their way to her jaw where they traced down to her chin before he grasped it and turned her head in many directions to inspect her pale and frightened expression. Clicks and growls escaped him and she watched his eyes trail up to the other behind her. They were communicating. contemplating. She didn't understand what they were saying but she knew they were talking about her, a thought that scared her more when he looked back to her and appeared more ominous.
His head glanced down as he took in more of her form, surveying her and making her feel uncomfortable under his gaze. She flinched at the sound of his sharp inhale and it didn't take long to realize he was smelling her. An escaped purr resonated from his chest but was stopped by force. Elliot could only assume that whatever he smelled he enjoyed it.
Elliot's eyes soon flashed open when his claws gently grazed down the length of her leg teasingly. Without a warning she was quick to draw her leg in but was startled when he reacted with cat like reflexes by grasping her ankle in an iron grip and yanking her leg towards him to inspect a faint line of demarcation just below her knee. She watched in fear as he regarded it while clicking some unknown words to the other. Looking behind her at the other male, she watched carefully as he typed on a computer device on his wrist. Soft beeps and buzzes could be heard from the device but were soon drowned out by a metallic sound that came from further behind. She peered past him to find a stage ship manifesting behind some trees. It was then her gut told her to panic as the other male forced her up and over his shoulder where she began to resist.
With all her might, she squirmed kicked and punched at him in order to free herself but his grip on her tightened the moment she would relax after a failed attack. As a last resort she cried out for any help possible, only none came.
So here she was, slumped over a massive shoulder and being taken away as the insides of a metallic ship filled her view. Elliot attempted to fight again but failed as a laughing voice echoed another's and penetrated her eardrums to the point of agonizing realizations.
She was being taken away again...to some unknown world to be God knows what.
