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

Chapter 24: Storm

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Lauren
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Strands of my hair whipped into my eyes as we sped down the deserted highway. Dark grey clouds swirl overhead casting shadows on the fields, a tell-tale sign that a storm was brewing in the distance. I picked up our speed in hopes that we might be able to outrun it.

The jet black motorcycle rumbled beneath my body, the vibrations of the machine a comfort in this quiet world. The muscles in my legs had begun to tingle with a familiar numbing sensation which, according to Tobias, was part of the whole roadtripping experience like a badge of honor.

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

Gripping tightly to the leather-bound handlebars, I couldn't help but feel anxious. 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 her seat behind me. 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.