You Don't Belong Here

Chapter Seventy Eight

Brielle approached her apartment building and pushed through the entrance before habitually stepping toward the stairwell and redirected her body toward the elevator. When she pushed the button for the twelfth floor, it lit up with a soft blue glow before beginning the ascent.

A cold numbness began to spread throughout her body as her thoughts began to race through her mind. The spare bedroom could be for the baby; it wouldn't take much to acquire a crib...but what if Yautja don't use cribs? Do their offspring just sleep on fur pelts? What do they eat? Why hadn't she thought to learn more about their youth while she had lived among them for so long?

She was pulled from her thoughts when the metallic door slid open to allow her passage to the hallway and she quickly made her way to her door while pulling the keys from her pocket. Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door and stepped inside the living room before reaching over to turn on the lights.

This whole situation was quite sobering and Brielle could hardly feel the affects of the day's alcohol anymore. She tossed her keys onto the kitchen counter and moved to open the window in the living room; the smell of approaching rain reached her nostrils and she could almost feel the abundant stress leaving her body.

Next she moved to the spare bedroom where a large, blue futon was backed against the far wall. She laid it flat and began to prepare the room for her guests that would be soon arriving. She even pulled a soft throw blanket from the closet which could be used to swaddle the pup.

Just as she was finishing up she heard a heavy thud outside near the fire escape. Brielle's heart rate kicked into high gear and she jogged back to the living room where she saw the falling rain outlining the silhouette of a massive, invisible creature that began to climb through the open window. It was followed by a heavier thud and then the cloaked form of T'ahrou. Lastly Dhadtoudi ducked, clearly visible, with the pup cradled tightly against her chest. Her hair was soaked and her skin glistened with droplets of rain.

The mother took in the sight of her surroundings, her silver mask hiding her expression.

Brielle noticed the bio mask had noticeable damage, including four scratches that spanned from the upper left corner to the bottom right corner. This had not been there when Brielle had left to return to her home world, and she couldn't help but wonder what might have caused it.

"This place is...nice." Brielle blinked a few times, caught off guard by Dhadtoudi's statement. The tone with which she ended the phrase was one blended with confusion and forced kindness. Nevertheless the smaller woman decided it best to just accept the "compliment".

"Thanks. I try to make it feel like home."

"Is this what your home looked like before you came with us?" Her tone seemed to be edging closer to annoyance and O'kaor deactivated his cloak before crossing between the two females to make his way to the kitchen.

"Keep in mind that we are guests. Remember your father's teachings, Dhadtoudi." Dhadtoudi shot him a stern look, one that could be felt despite the barrier that her mask provided from her eyes, but O'kaor did not seem to be affected by it. "When will you acquire the medicine for the pup?"

"It will be ready to pick up first thing in the morning. Tonight just try to rest and stay dry and warm, and I'll pick up the medication from the pharmacy as soon as they open." T'ahrou let loose a trail of clicks as the pup began to fuss in his mother's arms. "You can stay in the room down the hallway on the right. There's a warm blanket in there for the baby...I don't have a crib or anything, so I'm sorry. I've never had children here so I've never stocked up on furniture or supplies for them."

Dhadtoudi sighed before removing her mask. "Your hospitality is gracious enough." Brielle fought the urge to gawk at the horrid scars that adorned the woman's face. Aside from the recognizable clan mark that stood out on her forehead, several divots littered her cheeks as if chunks of flesh had been torn from them, and her right eye appeared discolored...blindness had consumed it.

Dhadtoudi's attention focused on Brielle and pulled her from the thoughts that were swirling about her mind. "I-it's no problem. Uh...if you want to take a shower, the bathroom is directly across from your room."

"We thank you." Dhadtoudi turned to T'ahrou now. Her mate grumbled and they ventured down the hallway to leave Brielle alone with O'kaor.

Before she could say anything, the Yautja spoke up. "It happened shortly after she gave birth." He must have noticed Brielle's confused expression because he explained further. "They were on a hunt. There was word of a kiande-amedha outbreak that a group of youngbloods had failed to eradicate during their chiva. The swarm grew out of control so they were sent with three others to exterminate the creatures. During the battle one of the creatures was wounded - the tip of its tail was removed but it was not killed. As it thrashed its blood was thrown and Dhadtoudi was injured. Her scarred face is a constant reminder of just how dangerous they can be, and that you cannot let your guard down even for a moment."

"How did she survive? Their blood eats away at anything it touches..!"

O'kaor nodded once as he looked down at the human, his eyes taking in the details of her own face from behind his bio-mask. Aichu was able to counteract the acid before it did more damage. If it had not been for the reinforced metal that T'ahrou used when he forged her armor, she never would have made it out of the hive."

A cold chill crept along Brielle's spine. It didn't take much to imagine what had caused the gashes on her mask, and she tried hard to force the images out of her mind.

"You know...when I had to fight her in the arena, she was intimidating enough; especially before I knew she was human. But if she'd have looked like that back then..." She shuddered at the thought.

"What does her being human have to do with anything?"

"Fighting humans is fine. It's basically a sport. But your kind? No. No, that's a whole new ball game. Your kind are terrifying. You're all just so massive and instinctual...your thoughts and emotions don't distract you like with humans, and that makes you so much more dangerous. Not to mention your raw power. God, you could snap a human like a twig if you wanted to."

"I have." Brielle's heart sank at the thought of Ezekiel's dismembered body. O'kaor stepped closer to the coffee table that was positioned a few feet in front of the sofa and removed his mask before placing it on said table. "The hour is late. You should rest."

"I don't know that I'd be able to..." He clicked questioningly as he glanced over his shoulder. His eyes appeared so intense, and his features were more aged than she remembered. "Nothing. It's nothing. Are you going to sleep in there with Dhadtoudi and T'ahrou?"

He shook his head which caused his tresses to sway against the middle of his back. "No. They require their own space, especially with the pup. I will stay here for now." He sat on the sofa, the cushioned furniture bowing beneath his extreme weight - though it did not cave in on itself.

"Okay...well, if you need anything just let me know."

"I doubt I will."

Brielle nodded before forcing a smile and turning toward her own bedroom. "Goodnight, Ghost." He clicked in response but said nothing as she went.