Chapter 20

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

Hours had passed before Sara had enough strength to stand on her own and even after, it was no less of a struggle when it came to moving. Each fiber of muscle fought to not work and she had to will herself to make a single step. I'koh was helpful, staying close to her side as she recovered but never interfered which she appreciated. Embarrassed enough as it is and to seek help and pity would only make things worse.

Although it was an agonizing, slow pace, only days had passed before Sara was almost fully recovered and decided to leave the safety of their hideout. They couldn't stay there forever and they had a mission to carry out, not to mention they needed to regroup with any survivors of the crash.

If there are any.

Sara sighed as she weaved through a patch of dead bushes, carefully moving through the damp ground of the forest but still struggling. I'koh moved ahead of her and cut down branches and foliage to help her since his offer to carry her was declined. The thought of it was embarrassing and she wasn't some damsel in distress in need of an alien to get through muddy piles and trees. Although it was a nice gesture.

She shook her head. What are you thinking?

"Is everything okay?"

Sara froze, nothing he stopped by a tree, looking back in a worried posture, "I'm fine. Are we close to the mark?"

I'koh checked her gauntlet, "The signal is still faint but we're only a few meters away."

Sara nodded, "Good. Let's keep going."

She didn't want to pause for even a moment despite the protest that she felt from his tense stare under his bio mask. The signal they were following was barely picked up and registered by I'koh's gauntlet and was going in and out of the transmission, either from the weak pulse or interference from the trees. She feared that if they didn't continue, they would lose whatever trail they had to go on since their other means of communication was damaged beyond repair from the crash.

Sara tinkered with the broken radio on her hip with no response. Stupid technology.

"Sara," I'koh called her, "Rest . . . Need . . . relax. You're . . . still—"

"I'm fine!"

She shouted louder than she wanted due to frustration and froze immediately. I'koh didn't flinch but it wasn't hard to notice his fist clinching on his hip as if holding something back. Did I piss him off?

She sighed, "I'm sorry . . . I just want to return to the others and like you said, I'm not at a hundred percent but we can't stop now."

Sara lifted her leg to climb over a fallen log but right as she was halfway across, her back leg cramped with such pain that she faltered. She winched when her hands met the sharp ground, pieces of hard rock pierced into them and almost broke the skin. She mustered her willpower to not only keep herself from showing her pain but use the remainder to get back up but it was easier said and done.

She managed to get back on her knees and then move to place a foot on the ground before a shadow looked over her, no surprise to her that I'koh came back to help. I don't need help.

Sara prepared to repeat the words she spoke in her mind until she lifted her face and realized I'koh kneeled with his back turned to her. She had no idea what he was doing and after a minute of nothing, he glanced from the side, his mask glinting from the sun at that angle.

"Get . . . on . . ."

She blinked her eyes, realization hitting her, "You gotta be kidding me."

He softly shook his head and motioned a finger to his back, an indication that Sara dreaded. He's not going to give up. Is he?

She contemplated both sides; it would be embarrassing for her to ask for help to carry the rest of the way and she felt her injuries weren't that bad but when she leaned back and the painful ache from before crawled up her spine, she began to doubt herself.

After the uncomfortable stare from I'koh and the silence that was exchanged, she relented, "Alright. But if you tell anyone about this . . ."

I'koh raised a hand to stop her and then lowered it, nodding softly afterward before he returned to kneeling. She swallowed deeply as the tang of nervousness emerged from inside her chest.

Well . . . He's being nice about it. What are you to reject him now?

With a heavy sigh, Sara pushed through the aches and pains, holding in any sound as she wrapped her arms around his neck followed by her legs although it was tougher when she tried. His torso was twice the size of any man that her ankles barely touched each other, let alone held together. Luckily, I'koh grabbed her legs, holding them firmly on the sides as he stood with little effort and resumed the journey.

With nothing much to do now, Sara took the moment to observe their surroundings, watching the sunlight peek through the few openings of leaves and branches. It was strange . . . although their situation was less than okay, the tranquility of the forest was enough to soothe her deep anxieties. The wind faintly brushed against her cheeks, and the rustling of plants rang like soft bells that nature could provide, making her body relax even more.

And then, something potent caught her nose, a sweet scent mixed with the tanginess of another. At first, she thought some plant or flower was the source until the wind brought it once more and her eyes followed . . . until it pointed right at I'koh.

Her cheeks involuntarily began to warm. Really?

Sara swallowed and it caught I'koh's attention. She had to calm herself just as he turned his head toward his left to look at her, "Something . . . wrong . . ? Alright . . . you . . ?"

She nodded quickly, "Yeah. Everything's fine."

He didn't move for a second longer than anticipated, making her worry he wasn't convinced of her words. Change the subject before he notices!

"So . . ." She spoke, "We're still heading in the right direction?"

He groaned. Stupid of you, Sara. What a ridiculous question.

He nodded and looked back. At least he's not staring at you. But the low rumble shaking through his back and into his chest made her pause. It had a low tone, almost a growl but more depressed than aggressive like he was sighing to himself or worried. The guilt in her came but wasn't sure how to alleviate this issue.

Remember what you have to do. Don't think too hard. Let it flow.

She calculated and utilized the only topic that might break the ice, "Do you think your brother and everyone else are alright?"

I'koh was slow to respond, "Brother . . . Stubborn but . . . strong . . . Oomans . . . unsure . . ."

"Oomans?"

He pointed his finger straight at her, "Oh. You mean humans?"

He nodded, "Yes . . ."

Huh.

"You don't seem worried for your brother."

"No . . ." The translator started to crackle, going in and out before I'koh growled and suddenly changed into his native tongue. She had no idea what he was saying but she knew he wasn't pleased with the series of growls and clicks.

"Are . . . you okay?"

I'koh bantered for a second longer until he got his senses back, "Yes . . . Brother . . . be well but . . . oomans . . . might . . ."

Sara sighed, "Might not get along with Ma'dti."

I'koh nodded.

Sara sighed before leaning her forehead, an overwhelming sensation grew in her chest before she could no longer hold it in. Slowly, she smiled and then chuckled, growing louder the more she thought about the conversation.

"Something . . . wrong . . . funny . . ?"

She shut her mouth, "Nothing. It's just . . . thinking about your brother with the soldiers. I could only imagine them losing their tempers and fighting like children. If the situation was different, it would have been hilarious."

She expected him to respond the same way but he made no sound, only giving a glance as he moved branches out of their path, "Would be . . . Brother . . . Different before . . . not the same . . . now . . ."

Sara hummed, "How so? If you don't mind me asking."

He shook his head, "Back then . . . We came . . . only wanted to help . . . but . . ."

I'koh's body stiffened and his grip around her legs became too uncomfortable. Sara grunted and shifted against him and he must have realized because he loosened immediately but pulled her closer to him, "Sorry . . ."

Sara smiled, "It's okay. Must be a sore subject for you."

She took a breath, feeling uneasy, "But . . . if you need to talk about it, I'm here for you."

Suddenly, he stopped in the middle of the walk and stared at her. Sara held in her stomach, a knot tightening right at the junction between her throat and stomach as I'koh tilted his head. Wha . . ?

And again, he let out a soft purr and her cheeks burned hotter than before, "Uh . . ."

I'koh stopped and resumed the walk so quickly that she almost lost grip of him and would have fallen flat on the ground if she didn't react the way she did. What was that for?

"I'koh?"

When he didn't reply, she began to worry. Did I overstep it?

"I'm . . . sorry," She looked away.

But then, I'koh's throat crackled, his mandibles scratching against the underside of his mask as if struggling to move until a faint voice was heard, not of the translator but of himself.

"Thank . . . you."

As if embarrassed, he quickly turned around and fastened his pace, almost tripping on a tree root when he moved around. Sara had to suppress a chuckle at the unusual reaction. What a fool. But then again, he's not human or ooman as he calls us.

The exhaustion from everything made her eyes feel heavy, the ache of her arms and legs was getting to her so that she couldn't keep herself upright. She leaned forward and gently pressed her cheek onto his back. He flinched for a mere millisecond but relaxed and slowed his pace to not rock their bodies which she silently appreciated it.

His skin was unexpectedly soft despite the rough patches of scales and protruding spikes that lay above and the warmth of his body soothed the pain she felt earlier. This is nice.

Sara closed his eyes and took in the sensations until she inhaled through her nose and an odor made the hairs on her arms stand up underneath her clothing. It had an earthy scent but was mixed with something similar to cinnamon and other spices. It was potent but not overpowering so it was right in the perfect middle. At first, Sara looked around with her eyes to see if there was another source but it led back to I'koh, aware of what she was doing.

She closed her eyes once more, relishing this moment when she felt peace. How long has it been since I felt like this?

She smiled softly. He feels good . . .

But just as she was about to fall asleep, I'koh came to an abrupt stop, causing her to lift her head fast, "I'koh. What's—"

I'koh growled without warning, a deep one that was like a clear warning, his body tightened and shoulders hunched as he lowered to the ground. Why is he . . ?

Sara looked in the same direction he was facing but saw nothing, not even the rustling of leaves or anything that gave an indication there was danger. Still, she couldn't ignore I'koh's sudden change in behavior, who probably had far superior senses than she did. She slowly let go of one hand from his neck and reached for her weapon attached to her side.

And then, something smashed them from the left, sending both I'koh and Sara across the field and almost hitting a tree if I'koh didn't twist them in time. He roared as he took the brute force when they crashed to the ground but he never let her go, wrapping himself to give her protection . . . until something else hit them from the other direction.

Everything went dark, her body went numb as she felt tearing on her left side before the hit and cold sensation seeped into her veins. I'koh, who she felt was still around him was gone in a second, only the abyss remained.

I'koh?

She tried to reach for him, searching everything with her fingers but with the numbness, she didn't know what she was feeling. Soon, the fear and memories of her past flashed in her mind, the overwhelming dread was getting to her before it turned into panic as the air in her lungs escaped her and she couldn't breathe.

I'koh! She tried screaming but her voice cracked, nothing was coming.

I'koh!

She tried again.

I'koh!

Nothing.

I'KOH!

Sara gasped and her eyes went wide open as she stared into the sky above the forest. Her heart raced as she gathered herself, trying to make sense of what happened. I'koh! Where is he!?

She heard his roars and screams from far away followed by wood splintering and something else hissing and screeching in sync with him. I'koh!

She tried to get up but her body refused to respond. Come on! Get up!

She moved her right arm in position to lift herself to her knees at least but when she tried to move her left one, nothing was there.

Huh?

Sara grabbed it with her hand but instead of skin, she was met with something warm and sticky oozing from an end. Her fingertips trembled and she froze. Oh no . . .

She didn't want to look but she had to confirm so she swallowed, took a deep breath, and turned her head to where her left arm should be, a mistake she would regret for the rest of her life.

As soon as the realization hit her, she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

Hello everyone.

First off, I wanted to address my late absence in updating my stories. It has been a tough few weeks with personal issues and other woes happening all at once so it has been difficult for me to keep up with my updates promptly.

But I love you guys too much to just give up as I made a promise I would finish these stories no matter what. So without further delay, here is the new chapter for Rise Up and I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you all so much and more will come as the end of the year approaches.

Happy Holidays and Good Hunting! :)

Normal = Human speaking human language

Bold = Yautja speaking ooman (human) language

Bold and Italics = Yautja speaking Yautja language