Page 56 of Citrine

"No, no, it's not that. I just wanted to tell you that… I was lying. It doesn't hurt me to be alone. I just… don't like it and it makes me scared."

The emotions in his eyes flicker, but his tense body relaxes. "Scared? The only time someone is safe is when they are alone."

"That's not true," I shake my head. "There's safety in numbers."

"You're all just moving targets," he responds lazily, one of his tentacles coming out of the water.

"You know what, Wroahk? I won't argue with you. All I want is for you to spend time with me and protect me from those… monsters. But I shouldn't trade you my kindtouch for it."

His expression flickers again, so I decide to clear it up right away.

"What I'm saying is that we don't have to bargain for it. Everyone deserves a kind touch, even you. So, what I'm saying is…" I stumble over my words, trying to find the right things to say so he can understand.

So far, he has been doing a good job of understanding.

"What I'm saying is that I'll touch you kindly if you ask. Just stay here and talk with me, so I'm not scared. I'm not saying this asa deal. I'm saying this as a sincere request. I need a companion, and I think you do, too."

He blinks slowly and I wonder if too much was left untranslated. "Do you understand?"

"Yes. You needed me to be with you, though I am not sure exactly why, and you used that to set a trap. You maneuvered me until you got what you wanted, just like a hunter would. I have never been prey before, and I do not like it, but I like to see you showing the ways you are strong."

He sinks back down to the deep, resurfacing a few moments later to look at me before diving back in again.

My mouth is still open in shock when the ripples of his movement disappear.

For some reason, the memories of my exes complaining about my endless drivel come back to my mind, and the contrast is stark. I can't believe it, but I think that's one of the best compliments I've gotten in my adult life.

I want him to come back up so I can tell him that and I look up into the sky at how crazy all of this is.

Without him there, it's silent again. I can't just speak to myself, or I'll go crazy… faster. Sighing, I turn my gaze back to the water. I shouldn't have done that. I hate his excessive staring, but being alone drives my anxiety to a fever pitch.

I hear a growl, probably coming from the farthest part of the lake and spring to my feet. I move away from the surface and run back to the cove, making my way back to my bed.

It feels quieter, more lonely.

The nights I spent on the streets come back to me in hurtful waves of nostalgia. The hot days and cold, barren ground at night, trying to find someone to huddle up with you know won't hurt you, and the impending fear that I'm going to be left to rot with no one knowing I ever existed or loved or lived.

Unfortunately, this fear has become much too real. Stranded on an alien planet, no one could really tell if I exist.

I was already a nobody back on earth. Maybe that's why I was easy to snatch up. All my dreams, my aspirations as a little kid, all gone now in a puff of smoke as an adult.

Before my eyes close, I feel a familiar gaze on me. Wroahk.

As annoying as he is, he sees me. In fact, he won't stop looking. If I went missing, he would definitely notice.

Too bad it took coming to a different planet and meeting the most violent person imaginable to prove those bastard cops wrong.

A smile graces my lips as I slip off to slumber, knowing I'm at least not alone.

28

Wroahk

I returned when she woke, pleased by the look in her eye when she saw me.

She never stops speaking. Even though her words fall like echoes, they are like a never-ending stream flowing relentlessly. I am sure the reason the fish have all disappeared is because of how loud she is.

Noise attracts predators and the reason this prey is still alive is because of me. This does nothing to bother her, as she is still speaking. She pauses sometimes to catch her breath and stares at me for a while before continuing. It is strange to see someone so dedicated to the act of conversation.

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