Essentially Human (10 page)

She turned her head and blinked. Sam’s grey eyes opened as she recognized him and he smiled with a lazy cockiness. Then the sleep fled those eyes and his hand froze, the flexing of his hips stopped and he swallowed.

She attempted to hold onto the languid pleasantness her body hummed with, but he pulled away and sat up, turning away from her. The sense of missing something filled her.

She sighed. “I had a nightmare again?”

“Oh, worse than that.” He yawned. “I apologize…”

“Don’t. You can’t help your body’s reactions.” She turned her head. “This is your bed.”

“Yup. You were walking in your sleep. And talking.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.” She slid to the edge of the bed and placed her feet on the floor. A sudden buzzing sounded at the table. “What is that?”

“Testa fixed a phone for messages. I better get that.” As he walked to the table, he belted the short robe tight about his waist. Ria found herself regretting the chance to see the impressive length she’d felt when waking. Looking around, she spied her skirt draped at the edge of her bed and rose to collect it.

She inhaled and wrinkled her nose at the scent of sweat.  She strolled toward the shower area.

“T’talin needs to see me. I’ll be in the cafeteria. Come find me, Ria. I want to tell you about last night.”

She paused. “Last night? Did something happen I don’t remember? Other than sleep walking?”

“Yes, but don’t worry. We haven’t talked in days, honey. I want to visit. Find me?”

He sounded sincere. With a nod, she proceeded to see herself cleaned up. While the water ran down her hair, her hand slid down to cup her breast.

Honey?

His palm had been rough compared to hers. She could still feel the pinch where her nipple had rested between two of his fingers. She hadn’t thought about sexual arousal in decades. The Aleena had asked her about reproduction and she’d done her best to answer them, even attempting to speak of the emotional bond and physical pleasure of sex. She’d described how some humans had sex, some fucked and some made love. She didn’t think she’d done a very good job, but they’d been too polite to mention it. Even to her, the words she used didn’t communicate anywhere near the full spectrum of physical intimacy. But they had been all she could find.

For a few minutes, she’d been able to remember the cool warmth of foreplay. At least she thought it was foreplay. Glancing down at her hand, she squeezed her breast, but it didn’t affect her the same way. She dropped her fingers to her bush and explored. Yes, she’d been excited. Her body understood, even if she didn’t. Maybe she could explore online…

With a sigh, she finished her shower, took care of her hair and pulled on the skirt. Her stomach growled and she acknowledged neglecting it the last few days. Sam waited for her.

Had she changed? Would any man’s touch spark her memories or just his?

As she entered the cafeteria, she looked around, surprised at how many Aleena occupied the tables. They noise level rose higher than she’d ever recalled as they chattered, gestured and appeared to bubble with excitement. She searched for Sam, only then realizing that many of them wore clothing. Had he started a trend?

Finally, a hand waved at her as Sam stood to get her attention. She nodded, then gathered provisions before joining him and T’talin. The commander had managed to all but perfect a human male. At first glance, he’d fool anyone. Only upon closer examination would the differences be noted. Just a bit too long in the torso, arms, neck, all just a bit too stretched. He’d be noticed and thought of as just odd. She wondered if he could sustain the look in motion. He would need to do something about facial hair. Eyelashes and eyebrows, at least.

The thought crossed her mind and she focused on Sam. “Why haven’t you grown a beard or mustache? You’ve been here long enough for that.”

“Just noticed?” He shook his head. “I use a commercial cream that stops the growth of facial hair for three months. I’m not due another treatment for another six weeks. They also have the product for women.”

“Women grow beards?” T’talin asked, expressing surprise.

“Oh, no. But women generally remove hair on their legs and underarms. Sometimes…uh…”

“Sometimes they also remove pubic hair, T’talin.” She answered without hesitation as she sat down. “That must be handy. Those who chose to grow a beard can, but those who don’t, can skip the morning ritual of shaving.”

Another change in the world for her to figure out.

Sam and T’talin sat across from each other, she took the seat between them. “From all the excitement, I assume something new has been discovered?”

“Everything is new, N’sila.” The commander touched her hand where it rested near the bowl. “Ria, I have been discussing with Sam the need for the two of you to seek shelter on the surface.”

The tremor that ran up her spine confused her. Did the idea scare her or excite her? Eyes wide, she stared at him. “Me? Shelter from what?”

“We don’t know what this weapon is that Hammer threatens us with. Our only recourse is to descend to depths where neither of you could survive, until he reveals it. It will take us days to slowly reach sanctuary so time is of the essence. You two must return to the land.”

“We’ve been talking about it. I have a place off the radar. No one knows about it and we’ll be safe until I can connect with my team and set up better.” Her head swiveled to see Sam studying her as he spoke. “I will not let him find you.”

She took a slow, deep breath and held it a moment. It made sense. She knew the ship could only protect her from depth to a certain degree. They must be meaning to submerge too far. Milaar told her once of great caverns found in the trenches at the very bottom of the sea. They’d be safe there.

“How long will you need to hide?” She lifted a cube of food, then let it drop.

“You need to eat.” Sam urged her.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Eat anyway.” He pushed the bowl toward her.

With a sigh, she put a cube in her mouth and chewed.

“You agree?” T’talin sounded confused.

“I do need to eat.” She nodded. “Oh, about leaving with Sam. I’m sure you know what is best. I don’t want the ship damaged. But how long will have to be gone? When will you know if it’s safe?” She shook her head. “If Hammer is so astute with computers and security, how will I stay hidden? From what I understand, the world is covered with cameras and connections.”

“This cabin is isolated, near a very small town with limited contact. And I do know how to stay off the grid. You’ll have to trust me, Ria. I’m a wanted man, this isn’t just about you. My team is good at what they do.”

His voice reassured her. To walk on the grass again, hear wind in trees…she looked at the protein cube, flavored to almost, but not quite, taste like cheese. Or what she remembered cheese tasted like. “I could have a real pizza again?”

Sam chuckled. “Yeah, honey. Whatever you want. T’talin has recovered enough bits of treasure that money won’t be a problem. I’ll contact Hermione and set up a meet. When?”

She heard T’talin reply and tried not to shake. Two days? Her breathing sped up and she stood, taking the bowl with her. “I need to find Testa. He was going to cobble together a music player for me. I want to take it with me.”

“Yes, and we’ll need more items of clothing. Her hair will need to be cut, it’s too distinctive.”

She nodded. “I’ll get Milaar to help me.” Without looking back, she nearly ran, cradling the food bowl against her chest.

Sam watched her and sighed. “Why not tell her about the settlement?”

“It’s enough that you know. You are more adept at hiding the truth than Ria. What I told her is part of the truth. I am concerned about this weapon Hammer threatens us with. We will be safer in the depths. I also need to consult with the elders. The subterranean settlement is somewhere humans will never walk. I cannot take either of you.” T’talin stood. “I will speak to the new seamstress about clothing for both of you and collect valuables to barter.”

“Nothing identifiable. Gold, silver, gems. It won’t take much, keep it simple.”

“The device Testa gave you. It will be the way we contact you again. While you slept, we improved the system.”

Sam reached out and grasped T’talin’s arm. “You want my teams cooperation, you need to come with us long enough to meet my second-in-command.”

“I understand and will be the one to see you to this safe house.” He turned his wrist in a fashion no human could do so and grasped Sam’s forearm. “Keep her safe. She is precious to us.”

“I will.”

Twenty eight hours later, Sam found Ria in the music room, along with the abandoned bowl of protein cubes. He stood in the back watching her, his ear inserts muting the blaring music. She stood, hunched over, holding herself tightly. He scanned the list of what she’d been listening to for the last few hours. One group. The name sounded familiar. He recalled several students citing them as they researched under Professor Jarveski, the father of Music Therapy. He’d been Jarveski’s student teacher and checked the citations.

He called up the lyrics and read through several. No wonder she found them compelling. For a woman in search of her past, they probably addressed the greatest questions of life before the Aleena. He fast forwarded to what she presently listened to. Glancing up he saw she’d pulled free from the stillness and danced, arms swaying, hips gyrating. Then her hands, once more to a piano keyboard.

He wondered if she’d actually played.

He gradually opened his filters to the music.

A woman’s plaintive voice cried out

…taking over me!

The music faded and another song began. He listened and wondered how much this music may have contributed to her jumping from that ship.

…ends here tonight!

Song after song, full of a hopeless angst with a ray of light now and then offering belief and salvation.  Powerful music that shouted the truth of how painful life could be. Yet its very beauty echoed with the glory of life and experience. A superb vocalist. He scanned the lyrics of the song just starting and knew he needed to intervene, disrupt this harmony Ria built with the words.

He set his tablet down and slid closer to her. Words regarding being missed…missing something… Too close to what worries her.

He swayed, letting the beat tell him what to do and how to move. He danced forward and set hands gently at her shoulders, swaying in tune with her, so slowly he didn’t interrupt her reverie.

The song faded to silence on the question of being missed and he wrapped arms around her and whispered into her ear. “I am missing you. Come, time for bed.”

She nodded, her body sagging. He kissed her cheek and turned her around to face him. Her eyes were full of tears. He brushed them away. “You were missed.”

“I want to believe…”

“You will.” He embraced her, just rocking her. Clearly exhausted, she let him lead her from the room as the next song began to fill the space.

Fabulous voice…soaring and asking to be woken up. Terribly fitting.

He left it, taking her to the room they shared. She didn’t object or say another word as he stripped the skirt from her and stepped into the shower, washing her carefully. He knew she cried, feeling the small sobs as she fought to catch her breath. He considered a song to counter the sorrow. He’d always had a superior memory for song lyrics and slowly he began to hum, then softly sing.

Here comes the sun…

She sighed. “I’m going to see the sun again. And shade.”

“Yup.”

She sang the last line with him, then smiled. He watched her step from the shower to dry her hair. He took care of himself. By the time he entered the greater room she’d put on the cream colored negligee and fallen asleep. She likely hadn’t noticed the sack on the table. He’d seen the clothing already, three dresses, another skirt and two shirts. They were put together roughly, but had a homespun charm to them. The Aleena didn’t have needles and thread, but they had a sort of adhesive that proved far superior. The music player Testa found for her, with more memory than he’d ever seen a portable carry, was tucked inside the bag. Her ear filters would act as speakers. They’d been unable to find shoes for her, but Hermione had promised to bring something she could use, along with an untraceable identification card.

Sam just hoped Jake’s cabin hadn’t been invaded by squatters. The Shakes had left a great many vacation homes vacant and unclaimed. The area around Cape Hatterass had grown less populated as the ocean levels rose. Not so much from direct ocean intrusion, but storms saw tidal surges reach much further inland as the decades passed. A bad economy and bankrupt insurance industry meant no money to rebuild. Jake loved his family cabin and had the attitude that when a storm took it, then he’d give it up.

It rose on a small bluff and the last time Sam checked on it, the walls still stood firm. He’d stocked it and tried to convince his sisters to bring their families for a nice long visit. By the time they’d prepared, the borders were closed and not long after they were dead.

Merry and Rosie would approve of his actions. He only hoped he’d get a chance to punch Hammer himself.

*****

Hermione collected the items Sam had requested, setting up a distraction to enable her slipping away. The last week she’d felt eyes on her but hadn’t been able to figure out where her watcher lurked. Out of concern, she entrusted the evidence her old teacher had given her with Drum. His secret underground shelter would provide the best security for the information.

She still had her job but an indefinite suspension without pay signaled they expected her to resign. Damned if she would. Let them fire her.

It took the better part of an entire day to shake her tail. She borrowed a car from a contact she’d made after following Terry’s leads, switching cars again in Raleigh and slowly drove back roads toward the coast. She parked up the road from the meeting place, taking the backpack with her. Anxious to see Sam, she tried not to hurry. Now she’d find out if he was crazy or being forced along this path. Or if aliens really had abducted him.

The bar and grill sign had three burned out letters. S ile ’s Pl ce. She remembered it from five years earlier, when she’d met Sam’s sisters. The parking lot held three cars. He’d probably walked, it only being a mile from the cabin. She wiped the sudden sweat from her face, wicked humidity pulled it straight from the pores. Her shirt already stuck to her back.

Opening the door, she stepped inside to feel a faint bit of cooler air hitting her, along with the smell of frying hamburger meat, and hot French fries. She remembered those fries. Her belly rumbled. Glancing around she saw him, sitting across from a smaller figure, bent over something on the table between them. She hoped it would be a big basket of fries.

She ordered herself a large coke at the counter, gratefully took it and downed several swallows, waiting for Sam to signal her. A sharp nod of his head saw her wander over to look down at his company. It was their phantom author. There were two empty old fashioned milk shake glasses in front of her while she worked on a third, a look of pure bliss on her face. Her mass of hair was gone, cut to a shoulder length, probably by someone who didn’t know what they were doing. But the idea was a good one.

She pulled up a chair and sat down, reaching over to snag a handful of fries from in front of Sam.

“She talking now?”

“When she isn’t sucking up the best of Smiley’s ice cream. Been a while since she’s had any.”

A long
mmm mmm
came from the woman and Hermione had to laugh. “Well, if they are as good as the fries, I don’t blame her.”

“That what I asked you to get?” Sam eyed the backpack, slipped down between them.

“Yeah. Sam, your hair.” She’d never seen the man looking so disheveled. Thick strands fell past his shoulders.

“I know, but since any photos of me have it cut short, this will serve to help me hide. Luckily, Jake left a stash of bills so I could keep Ria in milkshakes until you got here.”

A platter was set down on the table. Three hamburgers and another large basket of fries.

“Sam, I love you.” She reached for one of the burgers and dug in with gusto. She’d been too nervous to eat and hadn’t had anything since a pastry at her normal cafe. So, now their escaped captive had a name. Ria. She’d thought it nothing more than the author’s initials when Sam mentioned her online.

Ria finished her shake and studied the remaining burger, Sam having snatched the other. She daintily picked it up, closed her eyes, lifted it to her face and did nothing but inhale for nearly a minute.

“What is she doing?” Hermione swallowed her fifth bite and wiped her face.

“Savoring the experience. Not a lot of hamburgers where she’s been.” Sam chuckled.

Hermione left off studying the woman and looked at her boss. He smiled crookedly, admiring Ria as she finally took a bite of the burger.

“Good?”

“Oh. My. God.” Ria mumbled before taking another bite.

“Monty?”

“Yeah, I know. Let’s finish and you come back with us. T’talin is waiting. I wanted a beer but didn’t want to risk my facilities. I need to stay sharp. Have you heard from Dancer?”

“I know he’s safe. I’m pretty sure he’s heading back. His family is settled.”

“I don’t like Jermaine being involved, H.”

“I know, neither do I. If it’s any consolation, he’s so far from anything sensitive he was bitching to his dad about bailing on the internship.” She attacked the fries, finding herself looking curiously at what Ria wore. Seams gaped and the fabric twisted oddly. Her hair, released from the weight of its former length, coiled with loose curls. Suddenly, she glanced up and met Hermione’s eyes.

“What?”

“The curls look good on you.”

“Oh. Thank you. Are you really in love with Sam?”

Well, she could talk and evidently believed in being direct. “No, it’s just an expression. I hadn’t eaten all day.”

“Me, neither.” She set the fry down that she’d bitten in half. “I feel really full now.” She burped. “Oh, better. Can I have another milkshake?”

“I don’t think you should. Let the food settle and maybe we’ll grab you an ice cream bar on the way out. Okay?”

“Sure. I’m going to go look at the juke box. That is a juke box, right?” She nodded toward the brightly colored old fashioned bar item.

“Yeah, but it probably doesn’t take coins. You find something you like go ask Smiley for a token.”

She nodded and stood. Pausing, she held out a hand to Hermione. “I’m Ria. Thank you for helping…me. It’s been so long since I’ve been around humans. I should have introduced myself. I apologize.”

“No, I’ve had Smiley’s milkshakes, I totally understand.” Taking the woman’s hand, she squeezed it slightly, then released it. As Ria walked over to the juke, she noted the lack of shoes. “She walked over here without shoes?”

“No. But they were tight so she took them off once we got here. They belonged to my sister but are too small for Ria. Tell me where Hammer is.” Sam leaned forward and she bent to share what she knew, which didn’t amount to much. “My source says he’s preparing to oversee the testing of a new type of sonar off the coast. I don’t know where particularly, it’s very hush-hush. He’s in Norfolk, I hope. He recently flew to and back from a marine research lab he runs in Maine. Celeste Pritchard has a home in Maine and I believe she is a trustworthy ally. You might consider heading that way, Sam. What sort of transportation do you have?”

He grinned at her. “Jake left his electric bike in the shed. I hooked up the battery, it’s charged. He loved that bike. It has solar skin and will continually repower itself.”

“An electric bike? That going to be enough, even with the solar hook up?” She imagined the two of them on a 50cc bike. That wouldn’t work.

“This is one of the old MotoGP bikes, H. He raced professionally, remember? Yeah, it will be perfect. All Ria has to do is hold on. I’m just glad it’s summer.” He glanced at the plates of food, all but empty. “She is the author, H. They repaired the damage from the fall, took them years. Her memory is compromised. And emotionally? She’s been living with aliens for fifteen years and they aren’t like us. Much more analytical and emotional outbursts are considered a sign of illness. She’s struggling with all of it.”

“Aliens.” She frowned. “Monty.”

“I know, come on. Let’s head for Jake’s. I promised T’talin he’d make the midnight tide. Where did you park?”

“In front of the liquor store.”

“You good to leave it there? The road to the cabin has gotten worse.” He waited for her reply before standing. She stared a moment at his baggy shorts, then shrugged and got to her feet.

He called Ria back to his side as he pointed to a pair of shoes sitting on the bench next to him. She grimaced, but slipped them on. At the counter he grabbed three ice cream bars, handed them each one and they left the bar. The humidity hit them all over again. Ria stood, staring up into the sky. There were few streetlights in the little town, with more than half of them not working.

She tilted her head, holding one hand up to block the light from Smiley’s sign. “I can almost make out the Big Dipper.”

“You’ll be able to see it from the cabin. Come on.” He led the way. Hermione knew the man had eyes that could see the path, so she simply followed. She heard Ria at her back, appreciating the ice cream bar, soft murmurs rose behind her.

T’talin wandered through the cabin, a bit discomforted by the quiet. If he shifted his auditory perception, he could hear insects and the soft lapping of water down at the ramshackle dock. But he missed the deep thrumming of his ship and the high pitched communication squeaks and squawks of the Aleena.