Page 14 of Stowaway to the Stars: A Duet
“Seph-e-knee,” Ee-rah tried again. He shot A-rec a look of absolute loathing. “Yes, I knew about the Transporter- but I did not think it was an option because it is too dangerous. I still do not think it’s an option. As A-rec said, the bridge is constantly manned by many of my people. I… I don’t know how it would be possible to take you there without being discovered.”
A-rec opened his mouth to speak, but Ee-rah growled a low, menacing sound that stopped him in his tracks.
“Okay, seriously,” Darcy began pacing in front of the bed. “What the hell is going on between you two? Stephenie, don’t tell me you’re banging an alien.”
“There is absolutely NOTHING going on between the two of us,” Stephenie said, glaring at Ee-rah. “He’s just some dumb, blue alien that thinks I’m his Mate. Even though I’ve told him repeatedly that I’M NOT. I never will be. I’m not going to give up my life on Earth for some…bone headed monster! We’re not even the same species.” She paused to catch her breath, though there was so much more she wanted to say.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Stephenie was starting to regret her outburst- after all, Ee-rah was the one who had found her, protected her, and saved her best friend… and she did kind of lead him on.
Darcy finally spoke up. “That’s…kind of rape-y,” she said carefully.
“He’s not a rapist,” Stephenie quickly snapped back. “He’s just…different than us, I guess. His people mate for life. And he needs to learn to take no for an answer.”
A-rec turned to Ee-rah. “Your Mate has denied you.” He said thoughtfully. “I did not know that could be done.”
“Um, yeah,” Darcy said. “A man can’t just decide when a woman is his Mate and her have no say in the situation at all. That’s so sexist!”
A-rec blinked at her. “That’s not how it works, human. A Mating bond is created when-”
“Okay,” Stephenie interrupted quickly. “Moving on. How the hell do we get to the Transporter without being spotted? Because Darcy and I would like to go home now.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at Ee-rah. She knew she had hurt him deep…and she was afraid that if she looked at him, she would also shatter.
“I think I know a way.” Ee-rah finally said.
Chapter 10
Itwasn’t a foolproof plan, but it was better than nothing. At least that’s what Stephenie told herself while she and Darcy followed behind A-rec. The white hallway seemed to grow smaller and closer together the deeper into the ship they went. Other than that, everything remained the same. It was like being stuck in a never ending nightmare, a house of mirrors that went on forever. It was unsettling and frightening to say the least, and Stephenie found herself having to swallow down her anxiety more often than not.
“Are you sure this is going to work?” Darcy asked, skipping ahead so she was side by side with the gray alien leading the way.
“I would not have suggested it if I thought it would not work,” A-rec replied gruffly. He glanced down at the human at his side, and his gaze softened. “I would not put you or your friend at risk.” He spoke with a strange softness Stephenie had not thought the alien capable of.
Stephenie watched the interaction carefully. A-rec was staring down at Darcy in a very familiar way… It reminded her of how Ee-rah looked at her.
Ee-rah.
She hadn’t had a chance to apologize for her outburst earlier. Once he had explained his idea, they got started on forming a plan… And after that, Ee-rah had left them to do his part of the whole scheme. Stephenie hadn’t even had a chance to saygoodbye to him. Her heart ached when she realized later that that may very well have been the last time she ever saw him.
She periodically glanced over her shoulder as they made their way through the hallway, hoping that she would see him coming up behind them… She never did.
Stephenie bumped into A-rec. She hadn’t noticed he had stopped.
He scanned his handprint on a computer pad on the wall. A door slid open with a whooshing sound. He gestured for them to head inside.
Stephenie shot one final glance in the way that they came, and her heart sunk. Still no Ee-rah. She followed Darcy and ducked into the room.
A-rec stood just outside the door. “I shall return when it is time, humans.”
“Thanks, big guy,” Darcy said, reaching up to pat the alien on the shoulder. “We owe you one.”
“Do not thank me yet,” A-rec replied. He reached up and scanned his palm again, and the door closed.
It was dark in the small room. Stephenie could barely see her hands outstretched in front of her. Darcy disappeared beside her in the darkness.
“Do you think this will work?” Darcy whispered. Her voice filled the darkness. It was much too loud in the quiet room. Goosebumps peppered Stephenie’s arms at the sound.
“I don’t know,” Stephenie said. “I…really hope so.” Actually, she really hoped to see Ee-rah again before they got on the Transporter and were sent back home, so she could say goodbye and that she was grateful for everything he had done for her and Darcy, but she wasn’t going to tell Darcy that.
