My Pet Human {UNDER SERIOUS EDITING}

Chapter Nineteen: 'Memories'

Colton waited patiently until the Laquanians had finished looking for Eve and had slumped back down in their seats staring at half eaten plates of scrambled eggs before he cleared his throat and spoke. "Don't worry about Genesis Eve. She escaped outside to find Adam." He mumbled, cheeks reddening despite his best efforts to control them. There was an uncomfortable silence, though David was quick to break it as he leapt from his chair, causing the table to shudder.

"And you didn't tell us?!" He shouted incredulously, looming over the human with anger written all over his face. Colton collapsed backwards in a fit of scared whimpering and clapped his hands over his ears at the booming tone.

"I... Master..." His throat caught on every word he tried to force out, his efforts to explain himself practically futile. Frazzled thoughts filled his brain. Please don't hurt me... please, please, please, plea-

"David!" Ben yelled, scooping Colton up into his hands and cradling the human's shivering form to his chest. Colton nestled his head in amongst the folds of his owner's t shirt in fright. "Calm down, will you? Colton did the right thing. It was obvious that Eve didn't want to be here, and it isn't like we planned on keeping her as it was! She must've panicked when we mentioned the camping trip and went off to find Genesis Adam."

Lilly nodded in agreement. "He's right, Dave. Colton was just respecting her wishes."

Colton swallowed the lump in his throat in relief that he wasn't going to be punished, though the scathing look David was shooting him didn't exactly settle his nerves.

That guy's bad news, 238821. The voice in his head remarked. Don't make anymore stupid comments, or he might not take it as lightly.

So that was another thing the two of them agreed on.

"I'm going to hook up the caravan. We'll leave in the next hour." David announced acidly. He picked up his plate and placed it beside the filled sink, before walking away with his head down. Lilly pursed her lips at his swift exit, but continued eating all the same.

"We should probably finish packing, mum." Ben said after an awkward pause, setting his knife and fork aside. "What's the time now?"

"Eight-thirty." She swallowed her mouthful of egg. "I'd better get a move on, too."

"Thanks for breakfast, Ms Malross." Malroy piped in with a smile.

"Oh, it's no trouble, honey."

Ben gently transferred Colton to his shoulder during their small talk, before retrieving his empty plate and cutlery to be washed. Malroy followed, with Charlene sitting cross-legged in one of her open hands. Colton felt on edge as they set about scrubbing warm water over their dishes, and only allowed himself to breathe properly again as they entered the bedroom, where both Laquanian's suitcases lay open.

Malroy automatically began fiddling with a small gray device that she explained to be a Blood Sugar Level (BSL) Detector, popping a few jellybeans from a black pouch into her mouth as she did so. Ben sat on his bed and placed Colton gently on the doona cover beside him, a weary expression on his giant face. Colton shifted unsteadily on the uneven surface of fabric, watching the two owners set to work packing Ben's half-filled suitcase. In that moment, they seemed to forget his presence entirely, which was almost relaxing. The young human sat down with his legs drawn to his chest, staring around the room with glassy, half-focussed eyes.

Just like being back at the pet store, isn't it? The voice in his head commented.

You're still here?