Foreword:
This chapter took a long time to finish due to vacation and manic beforehand preparations for said vacation, but it's finally done, and I hope to finish chapters faster from now on. Hope you all enjoy. :)
Aposiopesis [ap-uh-sahy-uh-pee-sis] – a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.
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Captain's Log, Scout Mission 72, Day 3
All is well for the moment, but I am uneasy. I can't relax knowing how quickly danger could manifest if I make the wrong move, and having so little information to plan my moves is disconcerting to say the least.
On the bright side, I feel almost irrationally safe with the alien couple. Their hospitality is somehow unhindered by the language barrier, and they have made me feel so at home that I almost don't want to leave. They are, I daresay, the kindest people I have ever met.
Perhaps that's just my stomach talking, though. After the breakfast they fed me this morning, I can't think of a compliment that I wouldn't say they deserve. I was a bit nervous what the food on this planet would be like, but I knew I'd have to risk trying it, so I didn't waste any time being skeptical. I wish I could give an accurate report of the things I ate and what they were like, but truthfully my memory is a blur after I put the first bite in my mouth. All I remember clearly is that everything was absolutely delicious and I was allowed to eat my fill, which was a lot. The two watched me with a look of fascination as I ate and they never once motioned to stop me. In fact, Tim seemed happy to see that I was enjoying myself so much.
On that note, I've determined that their names are in fact Tim and Sally, and as I am growing increasingly fond of them, they are quickly becoming very attached to the Lexiconian girl. I'm both relieved and concerned by that—relieved because it means I will have no shortage of help taking care of the child, and concerned because I know that she and I will eventually have to leave this planet, and we will inevitably cause worry and pain for these wonderful people who have been so kind to us.
Some days I really hate my job. To be fair, though, none of this was in my job description.
On a side note, I really need to train the baby not to float around at will. I have no idea how I'll do that, but I must figure out a way. I've had to pull her down at least a dozen times just today, and several of those times she was nearly seen. I've learned to make a show of how attached I am to her, and the ruse has worked well so far to misdirect Tim and Sally. Whenever I grab the child and pull her into my arms to cover for her, they both put their hands on their cheeks and make the same gawking face and adoring noise in such perfect unison that it's a little unnerving.
Could they be reading each other's minds? If so, that would be an ability they have over Lexiconians. This morning I saw Tim pressing his lips to the baby's face and making funny noises, and at the time I thought he was just trying to make her laugh (since she was laughing), but now I wonder if he was trying to initiate some kind of telepathic communication with her.
That could be a problem. They would probably worry that something is wrong with the child before they would suspect she isn't one of their race, but either way could pose a threat to her anonymity. I don't want her to be examined by a doctor any more than I want her to be evaluated in a laboratory.
I'll have to keep an eye on Tim and Sally until I can determine if my hypothesis is correct. I must not let anyone from this planet find out the girl is an alien. That is paramount.
At the same time, I can't let myself forget the ultimate goal, which is to get my ship fixed. Unfortunately, with each passing day I am realizing just how difficult that will be to accomplish.
I'd hoped to return to the ship today and begin making repairs, but when I checked the homing beacon on my data pad, I learned that the ship is at least 15 miles away. It would take me hours to reach it on foot, especially if I'm to conserve any energy for the actual work waiting for me there. I can't leave the baby for that long—at least, not until I have a better understanding of this planet, it's people, and the particulars of Tim and Sally's living situation. If my luck holds out, I may be able to start work on the ship sometime next week.
Wait a minute, I'm just making excuses. What am I thinking? I can't count on luck to keep us safe and hidden while I dawdle around learning about the planet. Next week? Any number of terrible things could happen in a week. Every day we stay here we're in danger. I need to get us back to Lexicon as soon as I possibly can.
That's it! I'm going back to the ship. I don't care if it takes all d
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"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?"
— John 14:1-2
Author's Notes:
No author's notes this time! Whuuuuuh? o.0