Chapter 34
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
The dream was surreal.
The darkness swirling around like hands pressing to keep her down. Fear rose in her . . . the instinct of any creature for survival. Trapped in a corner, she wanted to get out . . . but it was endless.
She tried to blink in the hopes that she would see the light. But there was nothing and it got worse when she started to hear voices. The same ones . . .
We made you . . . You obey us . . .
She shook her head. No . . .
She knew who it was. She didn't need to see but it made it worse. Their voices coming closer as if pushing through the darkness. She thrashed harder than before. But it was futile.
You belong to us. You will do as we tell you.
Appearing in front of her, a small being was curled on the bottomless ground. Cat-like whimpers screeched in her ears. A little focus and she could see a pool of yellowish blood. The smell it brought was foul and she tried to plug her nose.
Finish what you started.
Another figure appeared but more like a floating head. Her eyes widened in despair when she saw it was an Engineer. Their expressionless face, added with the dark void they had for eyes, was enough to make her body shake. The Engineer looked down at the fetal form and she followed. It raised its head from its clawed hands and looked up.
Her heart dropped like a rock into the sea. The cat humanoid was covered in blood, decorating all over its fur. The source of it was no question as she saw its eyes were gone, plucked out in pieces. Still, it felt like it was staring at her. Her skin began to crawl.
Why . . ?
The being called. She opened her mouth but she couldn't speak. Her voice refused to answer like she swallowed something large.
I didn't do anything to you . . . Why are you doing this?
She shook her head.
The Engineer's head grew bigger, getting closer and overwhelming her senses. She was frozen in terror.
Finish it. Do what you were made to do.
"No . . ." She whispered. But her body began to move of its own accord. Her legs moved her closer. Her hands reached like claws. She saw a glimpse of the same yellow blood soaking her fingertips. The cat humanoid curled back like a trapped animal. The Engineer's breath came like a vortex.
Kill it.
She moved closer, reaching further to the small being.
No . . .
Coming closer . . . she couldn't stop.
Kill it!
She screamed.
NO!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"A'stea!"
She snapped her eyes wide open, meeting Kaail's. He had his hands on her shoulders, shaking her slightly. Her body was covered in sweat and her chest felt so tight. It took almost a few minutes to get her breath back. "Wha . . ?"
"Are you alright?" He clicked his mandibles nervously.
A'stea didn't answer. Her body was shaking uncontrollably. When she pressed her fingers to her forehead, she felt something wet and warm. As soon as she pulled it back, she gasped as she saw red blood smeared over her skin. Tugging away from Kaail, she glanced at her arms, realizing she inflicted wounds on herself. Some scratches were still oozing. Oh no . . . Not again. Scared, she moved away from the bed and kneeled at the farthest corner. Her back facing him.
"A'stea. What's wrong?"
She held herself tighter. "It's nothing. Just leave me be."
"You need to get treated." He sounded more and more worried.
"I'm fine." She made her voice louder. "They'll heal. I . . . just need a moment."
She didn't know what to say that would make him understand. This wasn't the first time this has happened. There have been nights where she had nightmares of her pasts while others she didn't dream at all. No good dreams have come. She didn't feel like she deserved them anyway. After everything she'd done . . . This was her comeuppance.
Kaail watched her curled into a ball. This was the opposite of what A'stea had shown him of herself. Before she was brave and stubborn. Now . . . she was no more than a frightened pup.
That must have been some nightmare. He glanced at her arms, seeing old scars that were too similar to the new ones. This isn't the first time.
"A'stea." He called again. And like before, she didn't move. It worried him a lot but this scene was far too familiar . . . of a time he wished he'd forgotten. He closed his eyes, remembering his vague past that was almost gone from his mind but still there.
You are ours.
Kaail opened his eyes and with strong conviction, he walked over to her. At first, she tried to meld into the tent wall as if she could disappear right then and there. He was only two or three feet away that she swiped her arm at him.
"Just go away!"
She swiped again before turning back around. "I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
Before she could yell at him again, his arms covered her like steel bars. A'stea tried to fight it off, scrambling to get freed. She clawed at him but it was useless. He didn't try to retaliate, only staying still and waiting for her to quiet down. Eventually, she did. With her body exhausted, she slumped against him but breathing heavily. Kaail smelled something metallic in the air, wondering if it was her blood that was making it.
"Calm down, A'stea." He pulled her closer to him. "Breathe."
As much as she wanted to protest, his words were sound. A'stea closed her eyes and took deep breaths. That, along with the warmth from his body, got her to finally relax but exhausted. She swiped beads of sweat from her forehead. Damn it.
"Did you have a nightmare?" Kaail asked. She nodded.
"What was it about?"
She shook her head this time. "It's nothing. But I'm fine now. I need some rest."
A'stea tried to go back to the bed but Kaail had other plans. He carried her to the bed like she was weightless and laid her down. She was too stunned to do anything, even more, when Kaail moved to lay next to her, keeping her back to him as he held her. Her mind was going in different directions. What is he doing?
"Get some rest. I'll stay until you fall asleep."
Again, some part of him was at a loss. Putting her to bed was one thing but lying with her . . . he shook his head. But deep down, she needed comfort. It was . . . natural. At first, he could feel her tense into a rock against him but after a while, she softens. It fueled his desire to be close to her, tightening his grip just enough not to crush her. He glanced at her arms, noting that most were starting to coagulate.
That's good . . . He sighed.
A'stea stayed still as he moved against her. It was shocking but he felt nice. Despite having tough scales, there were soft parts of his body that entice her to be closer. His dreadlocks fell over her shoulder like a warm coat. He's such a strange creature. But it was welcomed. The uneasy feeling disappeared and she felt at peace. Before sleep took over, she reached for his hand draped over her stomach, and held it tightly. He tensed against her but then relaxed. She closed her eyes and smiled.
As she slept, Kaail was hoping to leave as soon as he could. Although he promised to stay with her, he needed to get out of here, or else someone will suspect something. But when he looked down at her sleeping form, he didn't know what to think. She was warm . . . soft . . . and beautiful. No matter what everyone else said.
Kaail lowered his head slowly, making sure not to disturb her until he was looking at the back of her head. At such proximity, he could smell the honey on her. He hesitated for a moment but he couldn't hold back. He buried his face into her hair and inhaled deeply. His body trembled immediately. Her scent was potent and lovely. It had a strange effect, causing his body to heat up but also allowed sleep to take over. He didn't fight it this time and let out a soft purr that grew in intensity. Kaail closed his eyes and drifted into a deep slumber, holding her small hand in his while his other moved of its own accord, wrapping around her waist to pull her closer.
In his opinion, it was the best night he'd ever slept. And for her as well.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A figure stood watching them from outside of the tent. He'd heard the scream of A'stea from not far away, knowing she was having a nightmare. She clearly expressed that she didn't want to be disturbed whenever it happened. It was a common occurrence but it bothered him.
Little did he know that the Hish male . . . Kaail . . . was inside, holding her in a tight embrace as they slept. His chest stung badly. He debated whether to go in and confront them. Maybe I should . . . but not?
"Nu'kha!"
It was a hushed yell but it drew his attention to his back. He grunted in annoyance, realizing it was Fi'ka. She didn't look happy, crossing her arms and tapping a foot on the ground. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
"A'stea was screaming again."
"Yeah, I know. She had the nightmare again but she stopped. I'm assuming she went to sleep?"
Nu'kha turned around, growling softly.
"She's with Kaail?"
His body tensed. "Yeah."
He heard her come closer. The temptation to turn around and roar to get her away was high. He knew what was coming and Fi'ka wasn't about to let him off the hook. She stopped a few inches behind him, glancing through the slit of the tent and seeing A'stea and Kaail sleeping together.
"She's okay." She sighed in relief. "Good."
Nu'kha growled. "How is that good? He's the Great White Warrior and she'd allowed him not only in the hideout but also in her bed. Don't you think she's being irrational?"
"I don't think 'she's' the one being irrational." She emphasized the 'she' part.
Nu'kha puffed, hearing Fi'ka move closer.
"If she trusts him enough to allow him this close, there's a good reason for it. A'stea would never allow someone she distrusts to introduce us. He earned it, just as well all had to."
She rattled her mandibles. "But you don't seem to know how to let go."
Nu'kha couldn't take it anymore. With a swift turn, he forced his face inches in hers and opened his mandibles in a silent growl. But Fi'ka wasn't going to back down so easily. Instead of cowering, she glares into his eyes with her arms crossed over her chest. "You're not dissuading me that easily."
"You only knew him for a short time and you already trust him?" He growled. "He'll hurt her."
"And you haven't?"
Nu'kha froze in shock. He pulled slowly away as Fi'ka kept her eyes on him.
She sighed in frustration. "I know that you worry because you still care about A'stea. I get it. But you had your chance and blew it. I thought you agreed with her to be friends from now on. What you had between you and A'stea didn't work out but that doesn't give you an excuse to berate and stalk her when she's with another male."
Nu'kha walked past her and took a few steps until stopping. His head hung low and his shoulder slumped. "What does he have that I don't?"
It was a question that he didn't expect to get a clear answer, especially from Fi'ka. But she tried anyway.
"I don't know. But A'stea sees it. And if she's happy with him, then I'll support her as best as I can. Who knows? Maybe they might find a way to be free together and help us achieve the same."
Fi'ka walks to his side and pats his shoulder, smiling a little. "Only time will tell. Get to know him more and you might find out."
With that, she walks past him and heads for the tents in the darkness, leaving Nu'kha by himself to think.
Get to know him? He huffed. I know too much already . . . what he's capable of.
He glanced behind him once more and almost regretted it. His chest stung once more and he decided to leave before he does something stupid. He knew A'stea better than everyone else. That male claims to understand her? Does she know everything?
He tightens his fists, digging into his palms until it leaves a trail of green blood behind him.
We will see.
Hi everyone!
Some nightmare they both have. Kaail had one that seemed all too real and A'stea had one that she seemed all too familiar. Could it be her past catching up to her? What has she done that was so horrible? Will Kaail know?
But at least, it brought them together. Such a sweet moment between them as they comfort each other in such rough times. Their bond is growing stronger and stronger as time passes by.
But of course, it's never without its troubles. Nu'kha is very suspicious of Kaail but it seems that there's something else to it. Fi'ka comes to defend them both. Such a good friend . . . to willingly accept Kaail in such a short time and know how deep their bond is.
But I'm scared of what Nu'kha is plotting. What is he going to do?
Why can't Kaail and A'stea get a break? In the world they live in, there may not be such a thing. Only time will tell.
Find out when Chapter 35 comes tomorrow! ;)
Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, and NeverNeverLady (for both previous chapters))! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)
And more love scenes are coming. This week will be dedicated to giving some hope for the two characters. I hope you enjoy it! ;)))
Happy Hunting! :))))