Chapter 4-Protection
We walked in awkward silence. I was surprised with how well he was able to hold his balance on his two hind legs, since his kind were more use to walking on all fours. He was definitely a specimen that any scientist would want.
“Don’t you humans get cold at night?” he asked me suddenly. The air did have a crisp chill too it.
“Yes, but as long as we keep walking, I’ll be fine. How about your kind. How do you handle the cold?” I wondered. There was many questions that filled my mind, but I knew to save those for when needed.
“The planet we come from is initially frozen over, so we are use to the cold. Of course, we are use to the heat as well, because of our skin. It reflects off the heat so that we don’t get too hot.” he explained. It made sense enough for me, and I took it as an answer.
The silence took over again. Our footsteps created a rhythm that never seemed to fade, but it felt uneasy. I’ve been alone these past couple of years, so being around someone was an uneasy feeling. I wished more to be home, in my bed with my gun next to me on the other side. I was also hungry as well, along with a small bit of thirst that was held in the back of my throat.
“Wait,” he said, holding out his claw in front of me. I glanced up at him to see a concentrated look. His ears began to twitch and his nostrils flared. “It doesn’t smell right here.”
I took a whiff of the air to try to catch what he smelled. Of course, I instantly recognized it and began to giggle.
“All you are smelling is a fire. Someone must have a campfire going.”
“Fire? But isn’t that dangerous?” he asked.
“It can be, but it is also used for warmth and to cook.” I said. We began to walk towards the smell, but I could sense the unease from his presence. In the distance, we could see the glow from the fire we were searching for, and I quickened my pace, my stomach already beginning to lightly growl.
When we made it, through the bushes, we could see a figure lying on its side on the ground. It was a grown man, sleeping next to the fire without a care. By his side was a pistol, loaded and with the safety off.
Because of the fire, Kybe kept his distance. His kind was afraid of fire, and wouldn’t dare go near it. I noticed a piece of meat that was being held above the heat of the fire, being cooked, and looking done. My mouth began to water, and I turned to look at Kybe.
“I’m going to grab that meat and make a run for it, I want you to follow me when I begin to run, okay?” I planned. He quickly gave a nod of his head, hunger roaming through his eyes as well. So, with boldness, I began to tiptoe out of the bushes as quietly as I could. I was able to walk around the man and get close to the meat, but I stopped when a clicking sound was heard behind me. Turning slightly to looking over my shoulder, I noticed the man had cocked his gun and was pointing it at me, still lying on the ground. His eyes were wide open, but with anger.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” he spat. I gulped, unarmed and hungry. I could see Kybe’s glowing eyes in the bushes, watching the scene as it played out.
“I’m hungry,” I said, knowing that I had nothing else to hide.
“And you think that you can just walk up here and take my food?” He began to stand up, still pointing the pistol at me. I stood, stiffening my back and facing him. He walked up closer to me, letting his face stay inches from mine while he held the gun under my chin. “You know, I do seem a little hungry. I haven’t seen a pretty face with a sexy body like yours in a long time. Tell ya’ what, you let me have your body, and I’ll let you have that meat, what do you say?”
I tried to push him away, but he grabbed ahold of my wrist and turned me around, pinning me now to the ground. I could still feel the metal of his gun which was now placed on the back of my head. I could feel him rub against my rear as he growled with pleasure. It was sickening, but I was too weak, and the position we were in put me at a disadvantage.
His hand began to touch my back, trailing to go under my shirt as it made its way to my stomach. I gulped, breathing hard, and I tried to struggle free. He held me tighter down, trying to reach for the button of my shorts.
“Get the fuck off of me!” I yelped, trying harder, but instead, he twisted my wrist, snapping it hard to the side. I screamed in pain, knowing what had happened just by the sound of the bone popping out of place. He began to laugh, then bent down for his breath to be in my ear.
“You are a rough one, aren’t you?”
“Get off of her!” I heard Kybe’s voice growl. I turned around just in time to see him grab ahold of the mans hair, and rip him off of me. The man began to instinctively try shooting at him, but Kybe immediately ripped it out of his hand, and threw it out into the forest. Dropping the man, who landed on his back, stared up at Kybe in awe and fear. Kybe hovered over him like a giant, fire and anger filled his eyes as he looked down at him.
“Kybe,” I said, holding my wrist in shock of the look on his face. He was protecting me, but also seemed pissed. I almost began to laugh at the ironic situation, but held my breath as the two men had a stare down. The man began to scurry away in the forest though, fright taking over his actions. When he disappeared into the blackness, I let out my laughter, and sighed with relief as Kybe kneeled to be eye level with me.
“Sorry I didn’t come out sooner. The fire-”
“It’s fine, thank you.” I snapped my wrist back in place, yelping at the pain that went through my arm. He watched me carefully, backing away from the fire that was flickering behind me. I then grabbed the piece of meat and ripped it in half, giving one of the halves to him.
“Thanks,” he said, and began to eat. I sighed, my heart still pumping loudly from the situation that happened not too long ago. To be protected was something different. I actually thought the whole situation was funny, and we both began to laugh with no reason for a long time.
