The next chapter is here! Enjoy :)
It was hard at first, seeing everyone after nearly a year gone.
Even harder than she thought it be to explain her disappearance. When Kayla fist came knocking on her parents' door, she almost thought for sure her mom was about to faint.
But before she went there, she did walk to her friend Jackie's house. The other woman just stood there completely frozen in her doorway. Before she quickly pulled Kayla into a huge bear hug.
It was so constricting to the point Kayla had to tell her to lighten up a bit so she could breathe.
Then afterwards, Jackie must've dished out at least thirty questions in rapid succession in under a minute. Most would agree that's quite impressive.
But instead of answering any of her friend's questions, she told her it be best she come with to her parent's house.
Because she wanted to get everyone together first before explaining everything. That way she won't have to explain it about five different times.
While Jackie still wanted to know at least a couple things right now, she understood. Before they left her house, Kayla requested some warmer clothes before going over to her parents.
As soon as she made it through her parent's front door, they held onto her and cried and refused to let go. It all became so much and soon; Kayla was crying with them.
Just like Jackie, they fired off many questions about her whereabouts. And just like with her friend, Kayla requested they call her siblings to come over with their kids first.
She wanted everyone in her family to come over, so she can explain.
Her mom was able to reach her other two kids. Once they heard Kayla was there, they all came running over with their own kids in tow. And once again, everyone crowded her and pulled her in for a hug.
It was quite clear at this point; they all thought her dead.
Kayla got further confirmation when they informed her that they had a funeral for her a couple months prior. She could barely hold back the tears after they told her that.
It hurt even more, when she saw and heard all the pain they went through when she went missing last Summer.
Once everyone was settled, Kayla tried to explain everything that happened.
She started off with what happened on the path in the woods not long after she got off the phone with her mom. How a group of men approached her and surrounded her.
How they pulled her off the trail and into the woods. And when they did, she said they placed a strange smelling cloth over her mouth and nose, and afterwards everything went dark.
Kayla explained how she awoke to what she thought was a dark room. But she was actually in a container on a truck.
She recalls being moved a few times before they pulled her out. They then shoved her in some kind of cell and kept her there for a while. Then told them how one of them came in the cell and handcuffed her.
All he mentioned to her was something about being sold.
And that's when they all learned she must've been kidnapped and sold into sex trafficking. It was hard for any of them to hear. They looked all over for her.
They got a lot of people involved with her search. Even going as far as to hiring private investigators. But all the searches turned up nothing.
Her family was surprised when she told them of her outcome.
Because once she disappeared, the first thing on their minds that someone dragged her off somewhere and killed her. Then either buried her out in the woods somewhere or left her to be scavenged on by the local animals.
Some even thought that she also could've been attacked by a bear or mountain lion.
But when they searched the path, they didn't find any blood or signs of a struggle. All they found was her phone, that was pretty smashed up. Her keys were lying on the ground a little further away down the path.
The cops were unsure at first if it was foul play or an animal attack. Especially, when there was no blood nor signs of a struggle. They combed the area and didn't find any signs of tracks anywhere in the woods that led away from the path.
Whatever the theory, they all though the worst either way.
And each one just made her feel like crying even more. A small part of her wished she could've told them the truth. But she didn't want to be thrown in the nut house to be evaluated.
The hardest question to answer, was if she were sexually assaulted.
They all let out a sigh of relief when she told them no. Kayla explained how a couple of them tried, but she was able to fight them off. She credits her background in Jui-Jitsu and Self-Defense for keeping her safe.
She did tell them that they did keep her imprisoned for quite some time. And that the person they originally were to sell her too, decided not to take her because she was too much of a fighter.
Her kidnappers were not happy about that. And they showed it by treating her like hell while they held her imprisoned. Going as far as starving her of food and water several times.
They could believe it. She did look a little thinner than usual. Probably because while she was on that planet, Than-guan could only provide her with so much food.
There were still quite a few times she had only a couple meals a day instead of three. And there wasn't much variety to her food.
Kayla told them she eventually was able to escape. But it took her a while to get back here. The real issue though was explaining where she was kept.
At first, she wanted to say Canada. But considering she was found in the same tank top and shorts as she was when she left, that would've been skeptical.
Because how do you explain that you were just over the border in a country that gets colder than the U.S. during winter months.
She couldn't really tell them another country across seas either. Because how would she explain crossing the ocean to get back to them? And she was unsure if it was a good idea to tell them she was in another state.
Because anyone could've reported seeing her.
They did have her picture sent out and told people to be on the lookout and to call if they had any information of her whereabouts. But in the end, she had to tell them something.
It may have not been the best choice. But she did randomly end up telling them she found herself in a very remote area in Texas. And since she didn't have a wallet, it was hard to get any transportation.
The very little money she did have that she claimed she stole from one of her kidnappers, she said she kept it for food.
There were a couple good Samaritans that gave her a lift. But they could only take her so far. A lot of the times, she found herself having to walk a great deal.
But she did state she did have some luck when she was able to sneak onto a train somewhere in Oklahoma. And that is what mainly got her up here. Though she did have to jump at least a couple trains for her to get so far.
It was mentally exhausting trying to explain such a huge lie.
But at this point, they were just mostly happy to have her back. And told her she can finally start her life back up again.
Just as she thought, she did lose her apartment when the payments stopped coming in. And obviously, she didn't have her job anymore. So, she was broke and jobless.
At least she wasn't homeless though.
Her parents set her up in the guest room. Where she was still residing at the current time. Kayla was grateful that they collected a lot of her things from her apartment and brought them back to their home.
Surprisingly, they packed most of her clothes away. And here she thought they would've donated them or something.
She joked with her mom and said, it saved her a shopping trip at least. Her parents were a bit surprised that she was being humorous about the whole thing.
Usually, when something goes through something traumatic like that, it changes them. And they tend to be no longer the same person. Or if they are, it takes time for them to fully heal again.
But Kayla's personality still seemed to be the same.
What can she say? Than-guan was great company and kept her sane. Not to mention, saved her life a couple times and kept her safe. If it weren't for him, she would've been dead, and her family would've never saw her again or know what happened to her.
She had been home for a month now. The weather was starting to warm up again now that it was May.
Her parents were spending a lot of time with her. And when her siblings weren't working, they dropped by to see her. And Kayla saw her nephews and niece at least a couple times a week, when her parents baby sat them while her siblings worked.
Kayla still didn't bother looking for a job. There was really no point. Not if she planned on leaving in another month.
Her parents didn't mind that she wasn't actively looking for a job at this time. They figure she just needed time to heal and get back on her feet.
It's funny, while she was elated to be back with her family again, her mind was still elsewhere most of the time. Mainly on Than-guan and what he was doing right now.
She hopes everything went smoothly for him back on his home world.
Whenever she had alone time, Kayla found her gaze wandering up to the sky. She really was starting to miss her hunter. And at times her nerves would get the best of her and she'd worry he may not return to her. Despite the fact he promised he would.
There were even times she'd get bombarded by random thoughts about him. And some of them were not so good ones.
Kayla sometimes had fleeting thoughts about him being imprisoned or dead. Or possibly confined to his home world and unable to leave for a long time.
She's unsure where these random thoughts came from.
He and Vor'metka had clear cut evidence of Lar'nix'va's crime that would've cleared Than-guan. It could be that they knew of her involvement in killing at least one of the bad bloods.
Maybe they didn't want him having ongoing contact with her anymore. And if he did, it would put him in a bad spot again somehow.
All these random what ifs. And they were giving her one hell of a headache. She even found herself getting a little snappy with others at times, because she worried about Than-guan.
At the moment, it was currently nighttime.
The sun had just disappeared over the horizon about an hour earlier. And Kayla found herself out back on one of the free hanging wicker chairs that hung from one of the trees in the backyard.
Her mind deep in thought as she gazed up at the stars.
She was still counting down the days he came back to her. Though she will admit it will be hard to explain to her parents that she was leaving again soon.
Kayla still hadn't thought up a good explanation for that one yet. But she still had some time to do so.
Jackie seemed to be the only one who could see something was still bothering her. But figures that she just went through a lot. She never did admit it out loud to Kayla, but she doesn't think Jackie may have fully bought the story that she told them.
She was a lawyer, and she credited herself with being good at catching others in a lie.
And Kayla does feel at times during the time she was explaining her story that Jackie had thrown her a couple skeptical looks at times. But hasn't said anything to her afterwards.
If she knew her friend well enough, she'd be digging for the truth. It's one of the many reasons why Jackie became a lawyer in the first place. She liked learning the truth and enjoyed the challenge of getting it out of people on the stand.
Kayla wouldn't put it past her to try and coax the real truth out of her at some point.
Though, she doubts if she told Jackie the actual truth that she'd believe it. She probably thought she was either making up stories or has lost her mind at some point while she was missing.
"Hey, back here again, I see." Came a familiar voice behind her.
'Speak of the devil..." Kayla thought.
"Hey, Jackie." She quietly said.
The other young woman came up pulling a lounge chair behind her.
She parked it not far from the free hanging wicker chair that Kayla was currently occupying.
"What brings you out here?" Kayla asks.
Jackie was silent for a moment and didn't say a word.
"I guess, I just still missed you is all. I mean you were gone for nine months, and we all thought the worst. You still haven't gotten a new phone yet. So, I called your parents, and asked if I could swing by and see you." She replied.
She noted Kayla's gaze never really seemed to leave the sky above them.
Jackie's gaze shifted to the clear night sky. There was a bright, beautiful full moon out. It illuminated the whole backyard in a pale white glow.
"Beautiful night out tonight." Jackie stated.
"Yeah, missed nights like this while I was gone." Kayla said.
Jackie's gaze slowly shifted to her friend.
"Is...is there something you wish to talk about?" She inquired.
That's when Kayla finally turned to face her.
"Like what?" She asks.
"You know I love you right? You're my best friend. But I can't help but feel there is more than what you told us. When you explained your story, you seemed to hesitate or pause before you talk. Like you had to think about what you were going to say first.
I know you well enough that when you do something like that, it means your hiding something or not being completely honest. Is there more to it?" Jackie asked.
Kayla closes her eyes, and lets out a sigh.
"Jackie, believe me when I say, this is one of those times that the truth may be hard to believe or take in. And I doubt you would believe me." She replied.
"What? Did you run off and join the circus or something? Join a gang? Get abducted by aliens? Whatever it is, I won't judge you. I'm just glad your back either way." She flat out said.
The woman did notice Kayla did become a little tense with that random line of questioning. Even though Jackie kind of did mean them to be a joke. All she was doing was stating a point, that she wouldn't judge, no matter what.
"Please, just let this one go, Jackie. You would just thing I'm crazy." Kayla said.
"Sweetie, you weren't just kidnapped. You flat out disappeared without a trace. Beside just finding your phone and keys, the police could not find any other evidence of where you could've gone.
There was no blood, no sign of a struggle, no footprints or drag marks in the dirt or grass, no tire tracks, or traces of weapons or drugs left behind. Just...nothing. No one knows what happened or where you'd gone. Except for you." She pushed.
"You want the truth. But I guarantee you won't believe a word of it. You would either think I suffered hallucinations or went crazy. Even though I haven't." Kayla quipped.
"How farfetched can it possibly be, Kayla? Because believe me when I say, I heard it all in the courtroom. Some of which, it was hard to keep a straight face." Jackie said, with a small, amused smirk.
"Please, can't we just...let it go? Just be thankful I'm back and I'm alive and leave it at that. Why do you even feel the need to pry?" Kayla said.
"Because it's clear that you're not as happy to be here as you claim to be. Your folks may not see it. But I do. There is something that is bothering you or clearly on your mind.
Every time we hung out, I'd find your attention drifting to the sky like you are right now, with a sad look about you. Just wanted to know why that is. That's all." Jackie countered.
Kayla was silent for a moment. She figures it may not hurt to reveal some truth.
"The truth is, I did find myself in danger. And someone did save me. He stuck with me and made sure I was safe. We separated not long if I got back here. And...I really miss him." She confessed.
"Do you know where he went? Did he give you an idea of where he was going?" Her friend asked.
"He had to go home and make some things right. I wasn't lying when I said I was kidnapped. I really was. And he saved me from them. Ironically, one of the ones he saved me from, was a criminal that had framed him for a crime he didn't commit.
He was finally able to get the evidence he needed. And he needed to go back home and present it to the authorities so he could clear his name. But I couldn't go with him. I missed my family and wanted to go home.
He traveled with me most of the way and helped me get back here. And that is the truth. I just was in so much shock from everything that happened, I didn't know how to tell my parents and siblings the actual truth. I'm sorry." Kayla told her.
Jackie didn't see hesitation in her words this time. And she never once paused before giving her answers. So, she feels there was some definite truth there.
"Did he ever mention that he would come back once everything was in the clear?" She inquired.
Kayla nodded, "Yes, and when he does, I had plans to go and stay with him."
"Wait, what? Why? Why would you do that? I get that he saved you and all. But it's not like you knew him for very long, Kayla. So, it doesn't make much sense that you would go with him." Jackie said, clearly surprised.
The young woman shook her head.
"You're wrong. I've gotten to know him well enough. They were after him too. We stuck with each other, looked out for each other. He risked his life for me. And I did the same for him.
The months we were together, we developed a deep bond. And found out that we are more alike than we thought. I've never felt a connection or closer to any man then what I had with him. And he feels the same about me." Kayla explained.
A part of Jackie wanted to write it off as some twisted variation of Stockholm Syndrome. But this man apparently wasn't one of her kidnappers. He saved her from them. And in some bizarre twist, they committed a crime and pinned it on him.
And apparently, it wasn't just Kayla's life that was in danger, but his too. She made it sound like they had to rely on each other to survive. And somewhere along the way, something else formed between them.
"When do you think he will be coming back to you?" Jackie asks.
Kayla's eyes drifted back to the starry sky.
"Hopefully, soon." She replied.
"Will you at least introduce me to him? Would definitely like to thank him for saving you and help bringing you back to us." Her friend said.
A faint smile appeared on Kayla's face.
"Someday, maybe." Was all she said.
Though, she is unsure about it happening. It seems like life was continuing to throw more challenges her way as they went along.
Just how in the hell could she explain to her parents that her love was an alien? Even if they were to meet him, they would freak. More so if and when they find out that she is involved with him.
'Why does life have to be so fucking complicated?' She thought.
At least, she was relieved when Jackie finally dropped the subject and decided to talk about other things.
They must've spent the next few hours going back and forth on more things Kayla missed out on these last several months. Like how Jackie got a promotion and started dating a guy at a separate law firm on the other side of town.
It was a nice piece of normalcy for a change.
Until Next Time ;)