The Touch of Infection

Chapter 35: Not afraid of murder

Marnik opened the door with a scowl, crushing the clothes in his hand and seeing the bathroom door still closed. He took a deep breath and regain his composure, putting on a smile on his face and knocking on the door, "Carisa, are you done?"

"Yeah, just don't have anything to wear." She answered shortly.

"Alright, open the door I've got something for you to wear." He waited for a second and she cracked the door open a bit. Sending the clothes in while he looked away to give her privacy.

Getting dressed up quickly and walked out, the clothes she wore now basically identical to the last, wondering if they had any kind of variety. Noticing Amite and Ezhno when she walked our she smiled at them.

Amite stepped towards her, "Let's get you something to eat. I'm sure today you'll find something you'll enjoy here." With that declaration, she grabbed Carisa's hand, "While we're at it you'll also get to see around. Not be stuck in here."

"Where too first?" Her eyes lit up.

"The cafeteria, you need food in your system." Pulling Carisa with her she left the room. Giving Ezhno and Marnik a look mouthing the words, 'I'll take her on my own'.

Marnik was about to protest but Ezhno held him back, "Let's talk."

Seeing Carisa walk off with Amite the  door closing behind them he was anxious, "What is it?"

"The commander came by, you know Fallyn. She asked about you and then heard Carisa was taking a bath, she left soon after. She expects to see you both at an activity she's hosting this afternoon. Gave the understanding that if you don't go there would be consequences. Said it's to 'introduce' Carisa to everyone." Ezhno leaned against his hand while telling this, "And to finish things off, she sent Amite and me already on a new mission. She changed our region and we won't be coming back in a good month or so. I suggest you get yourself new allies. Those who'll be here and won't be sent elsewhere."

Marnik's foot tapped against the floor nervously, "These commanders are driving me crazy. She got here just a couple days ago, she's not going to enjoy being here if they pressure her."

"Well, you did choose a human as your partner. You do love her right? Or are you just, curious Marnik?"

Marnik was quiet a second, his eyes glanced at the floor, "I've brought her this far... so yeah, I do love her."

"You hesitated." Ezhno pointed, "It's true you brought her this far, you've dragged her with you through hoards and now she's safe."

"Of course I love her. It's just, I don't know never thought a human would be my partner. She's small, and... she's vulnerable."

"Then don't take advantage of it. Make your feelings clear, humans work differently from us. You give them gifts, maybe tell them they look nice, say sweet things," Ezhno grumbled, "I can't believe I'm having to help you with something like this."

Getting up Ezhno stretched his hands, "Well, gotta get a ring as well. Humans kinda just use them to symbolize they have a partner. Or husband, wife, whatever they call it."

"A ring?" Marnik question confused.

"Yes, it's just something they do. She'll understand if u do it." Opening the door to walk out Ezhno concluded, "Now, plans for today?"

"We're meeting H. Then I supposed to the commander's activity." Taking mental notes of the ring and everything Ezhno mentioned.

Ezhno pinched the bridge of his nose, his four eyes closed in displeasure, "You do know H along with almost all the animals we've brought to this planet are highly dangerous for humans. H has two heads, one that could bite her arm off while the other would lick her and give a rash," grumbling at Marnik, "Always remember, she's human, she's delicate, and she's small. Like you said... kinda."

Stepping outside Marnik got looks from the others walking around they whispered amongst themselves. When getting to the cafeteria Marnik instantly spotted Carisa and Amite... Fallyn sitting right across from them. She was talking to them so calmly but Marnik couldn't help feel there was something wrong.

Stepping towards them he sat right besides Carisa, "Commander, it's nice seeing you."

"Marnik, hello, I was just speaking to Carisa about what she likes eating. You should have told us she dislikes meat." Fallyn gave Marnik a fake smile before looking back at Carisa, "After all she's the only human we've got here, we should treat her like the honored guest she is."

"I'm sorry to be a bother." Carisa apologized and held onto Marnik feeling uncomfortable about Fallyn.

Marnik felt like just standing up and leaving, but he knew he shouldn't defy the commander, "Carisa and I have plans today, if you excuse us, I'll be taking her. Have a nice day."

"Marnik." Fallyn spoke freezing him in place with her voice, "I've invited you and Carisa to a party I'll be hosting this afternoon, I expect you there... don't be late I'm sure everyone's dying to meet her." She paused but looked at him directly to the eyes, "And don't ignore my questions next time."

"We'll be there." He assured her and wrapped his arms around Carisa protectively. The eyes of everyone there on them as they watched him take her away. The commander laughing as she saw him leave, Amite having stayed sitting calmly.

Falllyn looked at Amite, "I expected you to go with them."

Amite pressed her upper hands together, "I've been serving the commanders many years, many years indeed. You know I am loyal, I am trusted and honored for my achievements... do not lay a finger on Carisa. She's innocent, a sweet young girl who's been through hell and has clawed her way out. What I'm getting at is, Marnik cares about her, and I care about him." She stopped and breathed deeply, looking at her straight into the eyes, "I'm not afraid to shove your reputation to the ground. I'm not afraid of murder, I'm not afraid to bury a body. Have a good day commander, I'll be leaving as requested this night. I expect the things to run smoothly."

Fallyn nodded in acknowledgment, "I hold you in high regards Amite, a good person with a kind heart. I'll take your words into consideration... but never dare speak to me in that tone again." She pointed at Amite, "You and Marnik have gotten quite the tone, maybe the human isn't a good influence." She leaned back in her seat, "We are a kind like none other, we stick together and we fall together, our species is above the food chain for a reason. Number one in all the galaxies, we don't always let outsiders in, so the bare fact we let a useless human girl in should be appreciated by you."

Ezhno stepped in and took a seat besides Amite, looking at the woman with a glare in his eyes, "And we are thankful, but not fools. We don't know what you're planning yet, but if we find out anything out of the ordinary... we'll take it upon ourselves to make things right. So don't ever speak to my partner again commander. Because as you said our species is kind, and we stick together... and when we see a plague..." he inched closer, "We destroy it."