Setting Fire to the Stars (a MM Sci-Fi Romance)

Chapter 24: Storm

————————————————————-
Lauren
————————————————————-

Strands of my brown hair stung my eyes as we sped down the deserted highway. Dark grey clouds swirled overhead, casting shadows on the wheat fields. The jet black motorcycle rumbled beneath my body, the vibrations of the machine a comfort in this quiet world. The tendons in my legs had gone numb long ago which, according to Tobias, was part of the whole touring experience.

With half my limbs asleep, I shifted on the uncomfortable leather, attempting to massage some feeling back into my quads. We had been driving for a while now, leaving the cover of the dense forest far behind us. The graphite strip we traversed crossed a vast field of gold, the smell of wheat and sweetgrass heavy in the air. Although I didn't have a GPS or Google Maps, I knew a bit about the surrounding cities and major highways. One had to lead back to Elyria eventually.

Gripping tightly to the handlebars, I couldn't ignore the tension lacing my body as my anxiety grew. Every second without knowing the truth hoisted my fear higher, blood bolting to the logical part of my brain.

He's fine, I told myself over and over. He. Is. Fine. Focus on not getting spotted.

It was a risk crossing this long strip of farmland. We were too exposed, too vulnerable to an attack that neither of us would be able to fight.

As though she could sense my perturbed sanity fracturing, Synth's grip around my middle tightened as she shuffled in the seat. I knew she was probably thinking the same thing, watching the sky in case any enemy ships decided to make an appearance.

My brows formed together when another wave of pain crashed through me, the pressure building, stabbing, leaving me nauseous. What had started as an uncomfortable headache from earlier had become so intense that I was struggling to see straight. My throat felt parched and I realized that I hadn't eaten in what felt like days, nor had I had a single sip of water since escaping the Vesphirae.

Fucking Christ, I feel like my head is gonna explode.

It registered to me that Synth was calling my name over the wind, patting my arm to get my attention. "Lauren, can you pull over?"

I shook my head, revving the bike faster. We needed to keep moving, needed to get away. Who knew when the aliens would catch us? I couldn't afford to be weak right now. Better to suck it up and get someplace safe than stop now.

"Something is wrong. You are swerving all over the place," she shouted, her hold tightening around my waist. "Stop for a second."

Shaking my head, my eyes remained locked on the road.

"I mean it. Pull over or I am jumping off," she threatened.

"Oh, for the love of—" An angry grunt left me as I begrudgingly slammed on the brake. The tires wailed at the sudden deceleration while the engine thundered like a great discontented beast.

Screeching to a stop in the middle of the barren road, I beat down on the kickstand with my heel and tore the key out of the slot. The machine instantly quieted, leaving only the chittering of birds and moans of the wind to fill the dreaded silence.

Stepping astride the black machine, I closed my eyes, the dismal sensation of falling overwhelming my sense of self. White-knuckling the handles, I held on as the world tilted beneath my feet. This sensation was the same as when the Hunters had previously pursued Peter and I through the woods. The first attempt to capture me had resulted in the pursuing creatures being bound where they stood, unable to move thanks to my unexplained powers. I'd lost consciousness that time, remembering the sharp waves of pain that stabbed into me like knives as I'd slumped into Peter's muscular arms. Now, that same dizzying agony pulsed through my body with an animosity that was difficult to bear.