Chapter 10
They had been trekking carefully through the jungle for hours now, and Miria wondered if they would rest for the night as the afternoon sun began to dip below the tree line. She had kept on the hunters heels the whole time, and she knew he was setting the pace to suit her. He had her mind in quite a puzzled state. She knew she wasn't here for the mere company. He had a plan for her, she was sure of it. She had yet to see what possible use she could be, however. And the fact that he had made her appear as if she was battle hardened with a victory against the Yautja had her worried.
He paused in his path once again, thrusting the canteen of water in her face when he turned to face her, as he had done over a dozen times now. The first few times she had thought the gesture almost sweet as he had considered her well-being. But suspicion quickly dashed any previous thoughts as he continued to do so. He had worn his bio helmet the whole time, giving no hint of his expressions and the meaning behind his gestures. Miria watched him carefully as he continued on once more. He moved with ease through the jungle. He was in his element, and despite the fact that he restricted himself for her own benefit, he still made the trek seem easier than it actually was.
Miria was growing weary, and was caught off guard when the Hunter pushed through a thicket of brush, causing a branch to fling back and scratch Miria across the face. She grumbled as she touched her fingers to her already bruised cheek, and as she bought her hand away, blood stained her fingers. The hunter stopped then as they emerged into a clearing, and Miria was relieved to recognise her surroundings. They were at the site of the shipping container, though it wasn't as they had last left it. They supply creates were now empty, and strewn around the clearing. Rubbish caught in the surrounding bushes and plant life. Human weapons had been destroyed and thrown about carelessly. The Hunter seemed annoyed as he took in the scene, his short growls unnerving Miria somewhat.
He punched a few buttons on the device on his arm, and he shimmered as he disappeared into a mirage like haze. She heard his clicking trills, and he touched her shoulder lightly before disappearing from her sight altogether. Miria knew better than to try and follow him. He had obviously cloaked for a reason, and if he wanted to remain visible he would have. So instead she took the opportunity to see if anything remained salvageable amongst the debris. The light was fast disappearing from the sky now. Miria always dreaded the night, even more so without the protection of the hunter. She felt safer with him now. He had proven that he had obviously been trying to keep her alive for a reason. And though she was yet to figure out what that reason was, the thought was still comforting.
An hour or so more passed, and the hunter had yet to return. Darkness had engulfed the jungle and Miria dared not venture out on her own. Not now that she knew what else lay out there waiting. She guessed that it was the other Yautja that had scavenged through what was left in the shipping container in which she was now sheltered. Fear was beginning to creep into Mirias mind as the jungle came alive with creatures of the night. She was familiar with the sounds now, however she scolded herself for becoming too accustomed to the hunters protection.
Sitting in the far end of the container Miria placed the spear within easy reach. She was tired, worn out from the long journey they had made over the afternoon. Her skin was slick with perspiration, and as the temperature dropped with the encroaching darkness she began to feel cold. Her chin rested on her knees, and she gazed out at the vague shadows in the darkness as she hugged her legs tight to her chest.
She wasn't aware she had drifted off, and was startled when the hunters trilling roused her. He was crouched in front of her, and reached out the place a hand on the top of her head as she tried to calm her racing heart. The soft red light emitting from the device on his arm illuminated the container, which calmed her also. After a moment, he took a seat in the corner across from where she sat, and tossed the water canteen to the ground in front of Miria. She smiled as he seemed to relax in her presence also, as she did in his.
'I didn't think you were coming back' Miria admittedly softly, finding the anxiety of the last few hours slip away.
'Rest' The hunter mimicked the human word as he removed his bio and let his head fall back against the cold steel wall of the container. It didn't take long for Mirias eye lids to grow heavy again as she drifted off into a much more restful slumber with her hunter close by.
The smothering darkness was overwhelming, and she could only choke on sobs as she tried and tried again to call out. She knew naught where she was, but knew immediately she was trapped. Her hands flailing out in the darkness she could feel nothing. No constraints, just a smothering blackness that penetrated all the way to her soul. But something was reaching out to her. Someone was coming for her, to help her, trying to push away the smothering blanket.
As Miria opened her eyes she was relieved to discover she had once again been dreaming. The hunters soft trills had woken her, and she glanced up at him from the floor where she was curled up in a tight ball. He observed her now, and she met his penetrating amber gaze as she righted herself. Her muscles ached and embarrassment washed over her as the hunter continued to stare. She was surprised though when he extended his arm, palm facing upwards in a welcoming gesture. She eyed him warily, curious as to why he was offering the comfort. She sighed, scolding herself for feeling so comfortable with this creature she knew so little about. She could admit to herself however, that they had an odd connection of sorts. And she needed him. Her survival depended on it. For brief moments, he had needed her also.
Reluctantly, Miria crawled on her hands and knees to where the hunter sat. She sighed as she made herself comfortable in his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her protectively. His odd purrs rumbled within his chest, soothing away the chill of her nightmare. Her mixed emotions left her feeling wide awake now, disturbed by the fact that the hunters affections comforted her so.
'Miria' The hunters voice mimicked her own, and she lifted her head to meet his eyes. 'Rest' He said again, gently pushing her head to tuck it under his chin. Pushing aside all her thoughts and roiling emotions she let his soft chirruping lull her into sleep once more.
When Miria next awoke she felt comfortable and well rested. The low growl was the first thing she became aware of, though it wasn't a menacing one. She opened her eyes to discover the dim light of dawn was illuminating the container now. She shivered as the large claws trailed down the arm she still had wrapped around the hunters thick neck.
She was jolted awake when she became fully aware of his caresses. She scrambled away from him, and forced her sleepy limbs into a standing position, feeling the blood flood to her cheeks. His barking laughter did little to ease her embarrassment as he stood also, shaking his arms as he did so. Miria backed away as he replaced his bio and approached her slowly. She didn't like it when she couldn't read his face, and his posture was now an intimidating one as he approached her. He lifted his arm, and punched a few buttons on the device that had so many functions. Once again, his image disappeared from in front of her, and in the dim light she could make out the vague outline of his figure. She gulped, trying to calm herself, and jumped when the translucent hunter grabbed her hand. An invisible object was placed in her palm and she watched as the spear materialized in her grasp.
The hunter was making sure she was armed, and dread began to fill her once again. With one hand enclosing over her shoulder she felt his other bump her under the chin, and she had the odd feeling that he was about to leave her once again.
'You're leaving again now aren't you?' She asked, and the soft trill was his only response. But it was enough to confirm her worries as he released her shoulder slowly. Miria sighed, trying to muster her courage once again. She was still unsure of her purpose, but she knew her mere aide in treating his wounds wasn't all she was here for. Or was it? Was he treating this closer location as a base camp for Miria while he set out to track down the bad Yautja? She pondered over this latest thought as the hunter disappeared from her view once again.
'Good luck' She whispered, as much to herself as it was intended for the hunter.
