Page 19 of Zinnia and the Zombie
Carefully carrying the fish and the water-filled bulb, she turned back toward their shelter. The route seemed different on the return journey, the shadows cast by the crumbling skyscrapers creating an ever-changing maze. She paused at an intersection, trying to get her bearings.
A soft scrabbling, like claws on stone, made her freeze, scanning her surroundings. Nothing moved in the plaza ahead. The sound came again, closer now, from somewhere to her right.
She backed away slowly, remembering her promise to Jaxx. If there was danger, she would return immediately. But curiosity warred with caution. What creatures called this dead city home?
The decision was made for her when a small shape darted from behind a fallen column. About the size of a large cat, it moved with a strange hopping gait on six limbs. Its body was covered in what looked like overlapping scales in mottled green and brown. A pair of antenna-like appendages waved from its triangular head.
It stopped, seeming to sense her presence, and a pair of multifaceted eyes swiveled in her direction.
Even though it didn’t look dangerous she held her breath, not daring to move.
The creature made a chirruping sound, its antennae quivering. Then, apparently deciding she posed no threat, it continued on its way, disappearing into the underbrush.
She released her breath in a shaky laugh, then hurried back to the shelter. The trip had taken longer than she’d thought and the sun was almost directly overhead. Jaxx would be worried about her.
When she rounded the edge of the last building, she found him leaning against the exterior wall of the shelter, clearly waiting for her. He gave a relieved smile as she approached.
“You’ve returned unharmed.” It wasn’t quite a question.
“And victorious!” She held up her bounty with pride. “Water, food, and the good news that both seem plentiful.”
He studied them approvingly. “You’ve done well, my Zinnia.”
The genuine admiration in his voice warmed her more than she cared to admit.
“I found a whole network of fountains and water channels,” she explained, handing him the water-filled bulb. “Still functioning after who knows how long. There are fish in the deeper pools, and all sorts of plants growing around them.”
He took a sip with obvious relief. “The water tastes clean.”
“I thought so too. The plants probably help to filter it. And there’s plenty more of these fish.” She sat down, spreading her catch on a flat piece of fallen stone. “I also met one of the locals. Some kind of six-legged lizard thing. It didn’t seem interested in eating me, which is fine by me. I’m not sure how palatable I am.”
“I am sure you would be delicious.”
His tone was mild enough but his eyes glowed in a way that sent heat rushing to her cheeks, and she quickly changed the subject, pointing at the fish.
“I suppose we’re going to have to eat these raw?”
“I can build a fire,” he said calmly. “With your permission, I will prepare them.”
“Be my guest. My wilderness survival skills stop at ‘catch the fish.’“
She watched as he set about cleaning the fish, struck by the domesticity of the moment. Here they were, stranded on an alien planet under the post primitive conditions, yet something aboutit felt… right. She found herself smiling as she went to gather materials for a fire.
CHAPTER TEN
Zinnia studied Jaxx’s face, thinking about what he’d said. A permanent shelter. The finality of his words confirmed what she’d been avoiding since they crashed.
“You don’t think there’s any way off this planet, do you?” she asked quietly.
He met her gaze directly. “I inspected the ship while you were gone. It is beyond salvage.”
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. Earth seemed impossibly distant now, a memory growing fainter with each passing hour.
“I suspected as much.” She hugged her knees to her chest. “Strange, but it doesn’t terrify me like it should.”
“Why is that?”
She glanced over at him, his golden skin gleaming in the firelight.
