Don't Look Back (Warders of Earth) (28 page)

Yes, please.
I wiggled them wide, raising my lower body, my eyes squeezing shut as he slipped his fingers through my damp folds.

I gasped. Or was it a groan?

His thumb found my nub and he rubbed. Slowly at first then faster and faster. The sound of his heavy breathing was like music. The heat of his body enfolded me. The touch of his hands, so tender and yet demanding spoke to me on a primeval level that made me feel all woman.

Powerful.

Glory waited just over the threshold.

“Quick!” I said clutching his buttocks and pulling him down.

He moved. His sex prodded my opening. I locked my legs over his backside, lifting, clenching, rocking, urging him on.

Alex thrust. “I hope you’ve done this before,” he grunted and filled me to the hilt.

My breathing seized. “Once or twice.” I clenched my inner muscles, loving how he dragged in a strangled breath. “Okay, maybe a few times. What about you? You seem a little out of practice.”

Alex guffawed. “What do you think?”

Withdrawing a bit, Alex thrust again.

We settled into a hungry rhythm. I forgot to breathe as my world shrank to this one precious moment. Pleasure rippled through me as Alex’s mouth settled over my breast and sucked.

“Tara,” Alex mumbled, his voice strained as he thrust into me.

I squirmed, rubbing my nub against his groin. Lights danced behind my eyes. Ecstasy exploded like a million firecrackers. My body one mass of quivering convulsion that pounded through me with every fierce thrust. For one full minute I lost the ability to think, given over to the moment.

Alex stiffened. His breathing hitched then he grunted as he gave three rapid thrusts, joining me in a haze of lust and love.

I came back to Earth slowly and realised my nails were still dug into his back.
Sorry.
I didn’t speak the words.

He chuckled but my ears heard no sound.
That’s okay. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Holy crap! Did I imagine that?
I snapped my eyes open, not that I could see anything. Tentatively I reached out with my mind and found Alex; there, right there, inside my head.

Easy. Don’t freak out. I wasn’t certain it would work.

What would work?

Mind melding.

It’s how you’ll communicate with the aliens – through me. You’re the voice, I’m the vessel.

Then this...us...
Sudden tears pricked my eyes. My silly fantasy imploding before me.

“No!” He shifted suddenly, pulled out of me and rolled onto his back, pulling me with him so I lay on top of him. His hands gripped my face. I knew he was straining to read my expression in the darkness. I could sense the intensity of his stare.

“Mind melding can be done without any physical connection. This, what we did, is something different. Something special.”

When I didn’t speak, he asked hesitantly, “Tara?”

Something special he’d said. He was right. Whatever it was between us was special, fragile even and I had no intention of shattering one of the best moments of my life.
I’ll take my chances with this guy. I’ve got my big girl panties on now.

I sifted my fingers through his hair, smiling. “I’m good. We’re good.”

The tenseness in his body evaporated. He rolled onto his side and spooning against him, I snuggled closer. His arms wrapped round my back hugging me tight in a way that brought those bloody tears back into my eyes.

“Thank you for your faith in me. I won’t let you down,” he vowed.

“I know.”

When he went to move, I stopped him. “Just a little bit longer.”
I could lie here forever.

Yeah, me too.

Closing my eyes, I sighed feeling sated and content. He stroked my back in slow, long movements that evoked a well of tenderness in my heart. We lay there in the dark for some time until a single gunshot cracked through the night.

His hand stopped moving and I knew he was straining his senses seeking the source of any danger. I stirred and lifted my head from where I’d been listening to the steady beat of his heart and day-dreaming of happy-ever-afters in another time.

Another place.

The sound faded away, leaving bleakness in its wake.

Alex had tensed, readying his body for battle. His mind severed its link with mine and the loss was bittersweet when I felt his conscious thoughts focus on the intruding cold reality.

One gentle push but it was all the hint I needed. I never had to be told twice. I wriggled away from him, hunting about for my clothes, my fingers scrabbling over the concrete floor. Finally, I located everything and pulled them on. From the rustling noises beside me, I knew Alex followed suit.

“Dressed?” His voice velvet soft was like the brushstrokes of an artist, discerning and loving. My chest swelled while I railed inwardly at all I was going to lose.

“Yes,” I finally croaked.

His hand found mine unerringly and he helped me to my feet.

“Do you think when we get back to the others, they’ll ...um...you know...know what we’ve been doing?”

His snuffled laugh loosened a little of my anxiety. “Yeah. Will that bother you?”

“I guess not.”

“Lets make a quick dash to the bathroom first.”

“Okay.”

We walked the few metres to the restrooms in silence with Alex holding my hand and leading the way. When he pushed open the door, I blinked to adjust my sight to the moon lit room. Heat burned over my face and throat as I caught sight of our images in the mirror. Swollen lips mouths, mussed hair, a faint rash on my cheeks from his day-old stubble. I dropped his hand and scuttled off to use the facilities.

After washing my hands, I stared at my dim reflection and poked at my hair. I looked the same as always, apart from my love-fest. Why then, did I feel so different?

Chapter 17 – CONVERSATIONS

Alex emerged from the stall, zipping up his pants. He used the taps then dried his hands on the back of his pants.

“Ready?” His steady gaze settled the galloping fear clomping about inside me.

Hand in hand, we left the bathroom and hurried across the workshop floor.

Three oil lamps had been lit to alleviate the gloom and their meagre, yellowy light revealed Garroway pacing in a tight circle.

“Where have you been?” His lips curled downwards as he examined us.

“Busy.”

Garroway sighed. “With me, Alex.” He marched off.

“Later, okay?” Alex brushed my cheek with his knuckles before following.

I stood there, thinking and still glowing inside. I was glad I’d taken a leap of faith straight into his arms.

“Sis? I need to talk to you.” Dan touched my arm.

When I opened my mouth to speak, he cut in quickly, “Not here.”

“Okay. Let’s head to the bathroom.”

As soon as I moved, Alex looked over.

Our gazes tangled together.   

I read the question in his gaze as if he was speaking right beside me and shook my head.
No, I’m not making another escape through the roof.

Satisfied he resumed his conversation with his father.

The encounter, the way our minds had meshed, tilted my soul on its axis. My knees wobbled as I walked across the workshop floor. I hardly knew what to make of this mind-melding thing but it was pretty awesome.

As soon as we entered the bathroom, my brother closed the door in an exaggerated manner that made me smile. He grinned as he inspected the hole in the ceiling plasterboard.

“Did you really climb out through the roof?”

“Yes and I don’t recommend it. I nearly lost it. The tiles were so slippery I almost slid off.”

“Good one, Sis.” He joined me at the basins and we stared at each other in the spotted mirror. “Do you think we’re aliens?”

I shook my head. “No, Mum would have said so. I did ask if we had monkeys or rats in us.” And as I’d hoped, Dan laughed.

His shoulders straightened. “A tail would have been cool.”

“What’s up?” I jerked my chin in the direction of the door. “Someone’s bound to come looking if we’re in here too long.”

“This whole setup worries me.” He peered at me through his flop of soft brown hair.

My fingers twitched. I wanted badly to soothe it back out of his eyes but knew he’d outgrown my big sister habits. It was time I stopped treating him like a little boy
. If I don’t make it, it’ll be down to him.

Instead I said, “Me, too.”

“I feel like we’re trapped in here.”

“Agree. I can’t work out whether we’re being protected or imprisoned.” I turned on the tap and splashed cool water over my face. How long before the water tank ran dry? I made sure I only used the bare minimum, subconsciously adhering to Garroway's ultimatum about one basin-full of water per person per day for cleaning purposes. Plus, Mum and Dad had always made us conserve water, no matter where we were living at the time.

“I checked my laptop a few minutes ago. The government is broadcasting emergency warnings and instructions. About this virus?”

My gut churned. In the mirror, my little bro’s face was pale and serious.

“There are reports coming in on various international forums. It turns people mad, makes them attack each other.”

The breath froze in my chest, turned leaden. Hoarsely I asked, “Attack? As in...kill?”

Dan nodded.

Air whooshed out from my lungs. Every horror movie I'd ever watched flashed across my mind. I blurted, “That’s the perfect way to get rid of your enemy. Have him kill his own people, then stroll in and mop up the few that remain. Bloody hell. This is awful. Does anyone else know?”

“I haven’t said anything but that doesn’t mean no one else has used their mobile. I saw Emma using hers behind the ute about an hour ago.”

I sighed. “There’s no way Em would be able to keep something as mind-boggling as that to herself. My guess is she was trying to contact one of her adoptive parents. Let them know she was okay.” Gripping the edge of the basin I leaned forward and rested my aching forehead on the cool glass.

“According to Mr Garroway, this virus spreads fast. How much time before the next strike?”

“Um.” Dan checked his watch. “Tomorrow morning sometime, I think.”

That didn’t give us much time.
What could we do?
Nausea churned in my belly. I pushed away and paced up and down. “The observatory. Is there anything there we could use to contact these sons-of-bitches and try to negotiate a kind of truce?”

“It’s a possibility.” Dan’s face brightened.

“I can’t think of any other way. We’ll have to hurry. We’re not going to achieve anything by skulking about here. At least, I’m not.”

“I’m going with you this time.”

“Dan...”

“We were made,
made Sis
, specifically to these aliens’ requirements. Both of us. You for communication and I suspect, I’m for inventing engines capable of flying beyond this solar system.”

“I knew about me but you? Wow. Not that I’m surprised, that drawing I found in your room was amazing.” I enclosed his hand gently in mine. “We can’t remain together. If we’re both caught, it’s over. Not just for us but for Earth.”

Releasing him, I swung away to pace the room. “I can’t believe I’m saying all this stuff. It’s like I’m stuck inside a sci fi movie.”

“I know. What are we going to do?”

Drawing a deep breath, I looked at Dan. “I have to get to the observatory, it’s the only place I can think that may be of some use to us. You stay with Mum and the others. You should be safe here. And don’t worry about me. I’ll have a Warder watching my back.”

Upon returning to the others, I found some leftovers which Bartholomew happily demolished and gave him a fresh bowl of water. Lurid and nightmarish visions of what was happening outside these walls and the sight of congealed meat made my stomach turnover.

I remained close to Mum, helping her pack food stuffs back into the eskies, saying little but soaking up the familiarity of her presence, storing all the little things deep inside my memory banks.

Who knew if I’d ever see her again? The terrifying possibility that Mum and my friends might contract the illness striking down the world’s population spewed poison into my soul.

“Tara? Can I talk to you for a second?”

Deep in thought, I hadn’t noticed Marnie approach until she’d spoken. She cast a quick glance around the workshop as if noting everyone’s position. An action that sent my eyebrows shooting to my hairline. Maybe, paranoia was catching on, like a new phase.

“Sure. I can’t believe how popular I am today.” I grinned glad of a diversion from my depressing thoughts. “I’ll be back in a minute, Mum.”

She nodded and reaching for a blanket began to fold it neatly.

Linking her arm in mine Marnie steered me over to the side wall where we sat on large cans with red lettering proclaiming they contained, Grease.

“How’s it going? Has Dan found that address for you?”

“He’s working on it whenever Mr Garroway isn’t looking.” She looked over to her family. “I’m scared.”

“Me too.”

She gripped my hand and I squeezed back.

“It’s more than that, Tara,” she whispered, her voice thick as if she held back tears.

I tensed. My skin prickled in the sudden graveyard chill that crept along my spine.

“I think I’m sick.”

“What?”
I gasped.

“I think I’ve caught the virus.” The words poured from her. “I’m so hot I feel like I’m burning up inside. My head pounds and I have visions of ripping into people’s flesh. All I can see is blood.”

“
Jeeze.
Fuck. Marnie.”

“You have to help me get out of here. I can’t stay, I might infect Nic, Nonna, your mum. I couldn’t bear it if I caused someone’s death.”

“Oh, Marnie.” Hot tears boiled behind my eyes.

“Please say you’ll help me.”

“What about…?”

She finished the question I couldn’t force out of my mouth. “My daughter? Dad will find her for me and keep her safe.” She began to weep. Silent tears that shuddered through her body and that tore at my heart.

I bounded to my feet and tugged at my hair. “When? How? Do you have any idea?”

“Yeah, some.” She sounded exhausted, like even the simple act of speaking was a huge effort and my stomach clenched. She blew her nose with a tissue taken from her pocket. “When you guys split so we could lose the soldiers, we stopped to fill up our spare jerry cans with petrol. I needed some tampons so I ran into the servo. Inside was an attendant. He was lying on the floor and I went over to see if I could help. There was blood seeping from his mouth and nose. And when I touched his hand, he tried to sit up and started coughing. Suddenly there’s all this shit flying everywhere. I know some got on my face. My father came in and pulled me away from him, saying there was nothing we could do for the poor man.”

Shoulders hunched, she stared at her hands busy shredding the tissue into tiny pieces. “I cleaned up in the restroom and we piled back into the car. Found Alex’s car and followed.”

What to do? How could I help her?

I thought of the soldiers who'd chased us down earlier that day. They didn't act as if they were the least bit concerned about a virus. None had worn masks. They could have been vaccinated against the virus or possibly be carrying vaccines with them. If so, what if I could steal a few vials?

Images flashed into my mind.

The camp.

The trucks.

Dad on the ground.

Don’t go there.
I concentrated on freeing my mind from bits and pieces of clogging crap that wasn’t important. I pushed aside the bitter memories I didn’t have the luxury of indulging in, deliberately relaxed my clenched hands, thinking hard. And the more I thought, the more positive I became that Garroway was right; the soldiers had vaccines.

And if they had vaccines, they could well have antidotes. I hoped.

“How long have you felt sick?”

“A couple of hours.”

“Then there’s still time.”

“Time for what?”

I hesitated then said, “I’m not sure yet, so I’d rather not say. Come on, you need to rest.”

“I was going to leave.” The purpose in her voice rang like cold steel.

“Wait a bit, let me talk to Alex.”

“I don’t see why.”

“Trust me. Give me a little time.”

“I guess but I’ll quarantine myself.”

I remembered how she’d kept to herself during the afternoon. “Fine, you do that, let’s go back to the others.” I tugged her upright and we walked over to the pit. Grabbing a bottle of water, I settled Marnie over in the corner with her father’s dog for company.

Hands in pocket, I chewed my lip.

What to do first: flee to the observatory and hope to make contact or go for the medicine? But if I got caught, it was over. Not just for me, but for everyone.

But Marnie needed help now.

Every second I delayed, meant her chance to live diminished.

Of course there was nothing to say I’d even find the vaccines, let alone anything to treat the symptoms. Logic told me though, it made good sense to have both.

Round and round went my thoughts until I thought my head would split wide open.

What if I did both?