Crewmate

5

The lights cut off exactly on cue, dousing the world around me in complete darkness. Then I hear the footsteps coming down the hall from the cafeteria into the upper engine where I am hidden around the corner, waiting to pounce. I feel a body enter the room, and that's enough for me to attack.

I whip my arms out and catch the victim around the chest and wrestle him to the ground, putting my knee on his back. Then I see who it is. It's white, struggling against my hold and trying to twist out from below me. What a poor helpless thing. He didn't even expect it, so it was so easy for me to restrain him. He never stood a chance.

I feel him take in a deep breath from underneath me, preparing to scream, but before he can even open his mouth, I grab the sides of his head and twist sharply, evoking a rather satisfying cracking sound. White's body goes limp below me as I relax my grip on him, and I start to come down from my adrenaline high. What a thrill, but I'm still not safe quite yet.

I take a quick look around before I vent from here into the reactor. Then, I feel a vibration in my pocket as I pull myself out of the ventilation. After I stand up and close the vent, I take my device out and scan over the notification with a knowing smile. "Dead body reported" scrolls across the screen in large bold letters. I sigh, content with my work.

I take the long way back to the cafeteria for the meeting, going through the lower engine and up the admin hall. As soon as I walk into the large open room, my sight falls on Ezra. He's got his helmet off, giving me a fantastic view of his perfectly shaped lips; long, lush hair; and absolutely stunning eyes. It's the most amazing sight I could ask for.

He makes eye contact with me then immediately runs over to me. I expect him to kiss me again, so I take off my headgear and tuck it under my arm. To my surprise though, he grabs me into a fierce hug, and the sudden impact forces all the air from my lungs. I honestly would have preferred another passionate osculation instead of this unyielding hug. Hugs make me feel awkward, and I never know what to do with my hands. I want to touch him and hold him, but I don't know how. With kissing, I can touch wherever I want to, if you get what I mean, but hugs aren't like that. Aren't they supposed to be—I don't know—loving? I'm not very good at that. I get sex; I don't get romantics. I don't understand how to feelings.

It's new, and I don't like new. I don't like change.

I feel his hot breath on my neck as he tucks his head into my shoulder, and the air rushing across my exposed skin makes me shiver. I bring the arm not holding my helmet around his back and pull his body into me.

"Thank my luck you're okay," he whispers, his lips brushing my neck tenderly. I dig my fingertips into his back. Then I close my eyes and nuzzle my face into the warmth of his collar, breathing in his intoxicating scent. He just smells and feels so amazing.

He's so fucking perfect. He knows just what to do to make me writhe and make me crave him, even if he's not trying to. I feel like I just can't get enough. I could never be satisfied. I just want his body against mine—his lips against my skin—his being with mine. I just want him for myself. I don't want anyone to even look at him. I just... He's just...

Mine.

I open my eyes and peer over Ezra's shoulder as he holds me. My gaze falls down the hall and to white's lifeless body. Dare I say that I feel a bit guilty? Not because white is dead but because I feel as if I'm betraying Ezra. Would he hold me like this if he knew I was responsible? That's why I have to do everything to keep him from finding out, but it's not like I didn't have to before.

Although, this does give me an advantage. He trusts me. Ezra could be blinded by his own feelings for me. He'll be so convinced that I'm innocent just because I let him kiss on me that he'll deny any suspicions about me.

I take back what I said earlier; this is good. It's better than good; it's perfect. Everything is just so perfect.

Then yellow and pink walk in, and Ezra lets go of me. We step away from each other and go to stand around the center table with the other two. The glowing red button sits between us all, taunting me still, but it's still covered by the clear case that keeps it safe from the reach of anyone around me.

Pink is the first to speak up, "Where?"

"Upper engine," Ezra answers him.

I don't want to look sus, so I jump in too, "Where was everyone?"

Their eyes turn towards me, and they look between each other suspiciously.

"Medbay; doing scan," Ezra answers first.

"Comm," the lie slips off my tongue.

"Nav," yellow says, and pink goes after her, "Storage; wiring."

We all pass looks to one another, trying to deduce who's lying. Of course, I already know, but they don't need to know that I know. They don't need to know it's me. Red, though, he doesn't even glance at me. He's certain it's not me, and I feel a sense of pride at that. My greatest threat is wrapped around my pinky finger, and it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere. I don't want him too either.

"Skip?" yellow suggests to us with a hesitant quaver in her voice, and we all nod in agreement.

We cast our votes on our tablets. Then after we finish, we all look up again, and it's a tense moment where we are all staring at each other, trying to break through others' poker faces. Did they do it? Are they relieved voting is over? Who seems the happiest that we skipped?

I feel Ezra grab my hand discreetly, and I squeeze it to reassure him that he can trust me. He squeezes my hand back as if telling me the same. I look to him out of the corner of my eye, and he reciprocates once again, showing me those beautiful eyes, gray like fresh ash. He puts so much trust in me, and it's only going to hurt him in the end.

Finally, we get the notification.

No one was ejected.