Page 99 of Border Control
“They’re… considering those orders,” he reports, as if he’s commenting on the weather.
How is he so serene? I catch his lilac gaze. Dom’s impossibly calm, as if the fact they're planning to shoot him doesn’t matter at all. He's given his entire life over to me, placing his trust in my hands without hesitation.
It’s the ultimate commitment. I can't let him down.
Turning back to the Parthiastocks, I steady myself. I need to say something, anything, that will get through to them. The gang said that by speaking, the alien’s nanites will start to understand English. Right now, I can say whatever I want.
“You’re not allowed to shoot Dom,” I tell them firmly. “He’s with me.”
Finally saying it out loud makes a thrill roll through me.
“But he’s more than that,” I continue. “Dom’s kind, understanding, and empathetic. If you ask him to, he'll move mountains for the people he cares about. He always gives to others, never thinking about himself.”
Beside me, Dom’s breath catches. I glance at him and find his eyes shining.
“So no shooting, got it?” I demand of the others.
Their eyes meet mine, each of them echoing that same awe, as if they’ve never heard someone speak this way before.
“I wonder how many of you are as kind as he is. I bet a few of you are.”
A world of Dom’s. Thoughtful, loyal, patient. It’s… actually kind of wonderful to imagine.
Because he's seen every side of me, the hard-working professional and the messy, emotional, real me. The terrified and broken parts of me, the jagged edges I hide. He's accepted it all, without judgement. Accepted me.
Taking a deep breath, I step forward and descend the ramp, one slow step after another. The Parthiastocks remain still, watching me with rapt attention, their weapons at their hips.
I’m about to set foot on alien ground when one of them swings up his gun. Gunshot cracks through the air, and a flash of pain in my head sparks briefly, quickly snuffed out.
A heavy thump behind me sends dread tearing through my stomach like acid.
No.
Turning around takes way too long. When I do, Dom lies crumpled on his front on the ramp, his arms outstretched. As if he’s reaching for me.
Blood trickles from a small hole in his temple. A tiny wound. Too small to take down such a big, warm, caring guy.
“Dom.” I croak.
There's silence in my head. I thought it'd be a calm quiet open space, like a wide meadow, but it's actually like the dark depths of the sea. Lonely, empty. Alien and crushing.
My feet rush me up the ramp without conscious thought. I have to do something, but what, I don't know. Why don't I know what to do? Why didn't I get pointers on alien first aid? Why did I insist to him and myself that I could handle this? My chest clenches; the words never said are daggers now.
Dom's eyes are closed and he’s… still. No, he can’t be.
“Dom, wake up right now!” My voice cracks. I'm aware ordering him is futile, but it's the only thing I can think of to do.
I failed him. The bond echoes like an empty corridor; his presence, always warm, always there, torn away, leaving only cold walls.
Hot tears blur my vision. “I failed you,” I whisper, choking on the words. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t leave me. Please.”
Boxy alien vehicles tear through the sky, sirens whooping, clearing the crowd. They land in a wider circle surrounding us and more guys pile out, scales all flashing different colors, blue, red, gold, purple.
Two long sleek cars with eights sets of shining wheels glide up to the scene, one silver and one gold, smooth as liquid metal. Out of the silver one steps a female with an air of authority, her gaze locking onto me. She strides over with silver curls bouncing behind her and hands me a pair of headphones without a word, gesturing to my head before going to her knees at Dom's side.
Immediately the Parthiastocks gasp, staring at her like she's a magnet.
She must be the All-Mother.
