Survivor Planet Series 2-Book Box Set (28 page)

"That way," Aris shouted. Firing us a trail, we bolted for the tunnel. Down the long narrow passage we ran, the route taking us on a snaking, turning, twisting path. The battle-axe lit up our way, but from the dim glow I could tell we'd soon run out of light. The thought of those creatures all around us, hunting us in the dark, terrified me. To my relief the tunnel appeared free of them, but when I looked back over my shoulder I could see they streamed in after us.

"They're coming," I cried.

"Keep running." Aris reached back and grabbed my hand, pulling me along to keep up with his faster speed. To my surprise, I could see light ahead. The tunnel widened, and before us yawned the gaping mouth of an opening to outside. The light of three half-moons glowed before us.

An exit! Thank God. We'd escape this labyrinth of hell. But as we neared the opening, Aris threw out his hand, halting me just at the edge. I looked out and gasped, seeing the way down appeared a mile long and ended in a pile of rocks. A ledge across from us and down by about ten feet offered salvation. If only we could reach it. Back over my shoulder I saw the creatures slithering closer and closer, the clacking of their teeth getting louder and louder.

"We'll have to jump," Aris said. He passed me the battle-axe. "I'll go first."

I looked down at the sheer drop and gaped at him. "Jump?"

He stared at me grimly. "You have a choice. Take your chances jumping across, or wind up spider food." He moved back to get a running start. I held my breath, my grip tight on the weapon as I saw him sail over the great divide and land with a thud on the opposite ledge.

"Throw me the weapon," he called.

I aimed the battle-axe like a spear and threw it to the other side. Aris watched it land then stared up at me. "Jump, Danni," he yelled. "I'll catch you."

Yeah, right.

I had no choice. The spiders were getting closer.

I moved back into the cave to get a running start like Aris had. The sound of the clacking teeth behind me spurred me on. I began to run...hard. And then, thinking only of reaching the other side, I leapt toward Aris' outstretched arms. I felt the entire planet hold its breath as the ground beneath my feet disappeared. I moved my arms and legs in a swimming motion, trying to increase my distance, concentrating on Aris' face. He watched me intently. Time seemed to stop as I saw his lips curl into an encouraging smile. I practically felt his arms around me.

Then time sped up again and I began to fall.

Aris reached out, standing as close to the edge as he dared, desperately trying to get to me.

But it was no use.

I was falling. And falling...

I looked up and saw Aris on his hands and knees staring over the ledge, watching my descent, his face a mask of horror. Time seemed to slow again. I reached up my hands to him, wishing I could touch him one last time.

"I'm sorry," he cried.

"I love you," I screamed. It was the end for me, so what did it matter that I lay my heart bare to him? Our eyes locked and held as I dropped, the moon giving us this gift of light for our final farewell.

Suddenly, something grabbed me round my underarms. I jerked, and lurched upward with the force.

What the...?

I was moving.

And my underarms felt like they were on fire. In front of my face I saw a feather flutter past. I peered over and saw large claws hooked onto my shoulders, encircled under my arms, carrying me. The ground far beneath me flew by at an alarming pace. My belly lurched and my limbs tingled. My head grew dizzy and my heart pounded in fright.

"You are all right," said a voice over my head. "I have you."

A female.

Though I couldn't see her entirely, I knew suddenly, without a doubt, who had saved me. A Dreger. The baby's sister. She must have been watching over us. We swooped upward and I saw the ledge where Aris was. He now stood, and his face was lit up with awe and amazement.

Overtop the ledge, I felt the grip on my shoulders loosen and then I was dropping. Aris caught me in his arms and held me tight. Both of us peered up and watched the Dreger circle us, ensuring I was unharmed. Then, with a nod of her head, she flew off into the night.

"Thank you," I cried.

Aris rested his head atop of mine and squeezed me again. "That was too close," he said.

I nodded and cuddled closer to him, letting him hold me for some time. I remembered what I'd said to him in what I thought were my last moments, and now I felt like a dolt. Looking up I could see the spider-creatures clamoring around the opposite ledge, anxious to get us. Unless they could fly, we were safe.

The cool night air urged us on our way. Aris, one arm anchored around my waist, reached over and picked up the battle-axe. Without looking back, he led us off into the dark night.

Through the night we walked. The cold air surrounding us felt more intense since both of us had to leave our jackets behind in the caves. There was no way we were going back to get them. We finally broke free of the jungle once the sun began to rise, and only then, when we entered into a wide green valley, did we stop to rest. A little stream trickled beside us and fruit bloomed on the widely spaced trees. Beneath the canopy of one of the trees we fell asleep in each other's arms, both of us exhausted from the night we'd had. We didn't begin on our way again until it was late afternoon. We crossed the valley and entered a forest where the trees weren't nearly so big.

Aris frowned. He stopped walking and looked around.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Have you noticed how cold it's getting?"

Come to think of it, it had grown awfully dark and dreary. "Yeah, looks like we're in for it again." Unfortunately, there didn't appear to be any snug little alcoves or steamy caves around. Despite the awful spiders, I couldn't help but remember what'd gone on in the hot pool before we fell asleep. Just the thought of it made me feel all warm and fuzzy.

It didn't last long.

The wind picked up. So much so that I had to walk behind Aris and grip his shirt. We plowed on as the land around us grew cold and dim. The rapid change in light and temperature amazed me considering it'd been such a beautiful, warm day. Now it looked like the middle of the night. And felt like it too.

Holding tight to Aris, I peered up at the sky, which was virtually blackened by dark clouds. Bare glimpses of our big star appeared off in the distance when the clouds broke up as they rushed past. But then, as my gaze moved across the
sky I detected something else. To my shock and horror I saw what appeared to be a tiny bluish light. Dodging round the clouds the way it did, I knew this was not a fixed point in the heavens, but a fast moving object.

"Oh, no."

"Did you say something?" Aris had to raise his voice above the howl of the wind to be heard.

I let go his shirt and slowed my pace to a crawl, my eyes riveted above. He must have felt me release him, for he stopped and turned around. Following my line of sight, he tipped back his head and stared up at the sky. The blue light was growing larger, which meant it was getting closer.

"Oh shit," he exclaimed.

I stared at him in dismay. "We've got to get out of here," I said.

He gestured around with a toss of his hand. "And go where?"

"Anywhere but here. Please, we have to go. Now!"

"There's nowhere to hide. Not from them."

Seeing him standing there still as stone, despite the force of the wind on his stubborn back made me have a terrible feeling of deja vu. Unfortunately, I remembered all too well how this had turned out before. This time I didn't cower and run, hoping that Aris would follow me. Side by side we stood as the small ship slowly began its descent. I realized we'd come full circle. Not many people get the chance to relive the worst moment of their lives. This time I vowed to do better.

I allowed the force of the wind to push me back several feet. Aris, looking over his shoulder, saw me latch onto a tree for leverage. Despite our predicament, he grinned. "Lightweight," he said with a wink.

Amusing as he found me, I had a reason for getting behind him. Peering up into the dark sky I could see the light growing larger and larger. How those slimy bastards continued to find me was a mystery. I guess Aris' show of strength hadn't scared them off after all. Even if I ever did manage to make it back to Earth someday, the Akkadians would still come for me. This would never end. All I'd done all these years was delay the inevitable.

At my feet lay a rock. I bent down and picked it up. Hiding it behind my back, I approached my unsuspecting companion. Now I could clearly make out the ship, which had aimed for a clearing to hover over, several yards ahead of us. I gazed up at Aris' profile, admiring his strong jawline, his sexy mouth, the scruff on his face, and those ever-watchful eyes. My heart felt a physical pain, matching the one in my gut. I hadn't been yelling out sentimental rubbish when I told him I loved him. I'd meant it.

Aris may not have been able to call for his ship this time, but he was far from defenseless. In one hand he hefted up the long, steel battle-axe and held it on an angle so it crossed over the front of his body like a shield. The blade—all recharged—lit up like a beacon, and in that moment I didn't feel afraid. A wave of gratitude passed over me and I knew that however much he may revile me, this man would protect me with his life.

But this would never be over. Not unless I ended it once and for all.

Forgive me.
I raised the rock and cracked him on the back of his head. Despite his great size, he slunk to the ground. His weapon fell over and lay beside him, the glow slowly dimming to nothing. I dropped the rock and knelt down, checking to make sure he was still breathing. Then I kissed him once on the lips and got to my feet.

I got to the clearing just as a beam of light descended to the ground. The Akkadian exited its ship and wobbled up before me, a long green finger extended.

"You...come."

I nodded.

The Akkadian reached for me, but remembering how it'd burned me the last time, I eluded its grasp. I stared at the beam of light as though it were the hangman's noose and slowly began to walk forward. Yet, with every step I took I felt a weight dropping away. The guilt I'd gathered over the years hadn't rested lightly, instead it'd dug itself deep and created a cold, unfeeling shield around me. Aris had been the one to break through. In our short time together he'd shown me how it was to feel, to care, to love. Emotions I never knew existed began bubbling up from inside of me. Funny, now that I knew how much I wanted to live, to laugh, and to love, I was walking toward my doom.

The Akkadian waddled behind me so close it suddenly walked right into me. A searing retort about to fly from my mouth fizzled out when I turned around and saw the alien staring up at the sky. It appeared mesmerized, and as its big eyes bulged, I saw it grow fearful. I followed its line of sight and gasped. Another ship was descending rapidly. Within moments it hovered only meters away from the Akkadian ship.

Seeing my nemesis frozen with shock, I began to slink away, not stopping until I was a good distance, and then hid out in the thick brush. I wasn't about to sacrifice myself to a doomed cause. The dolt didn't even realize I was gone. My gaze focused on the new ship. It didn't appear to be Aris' lightwing. The shape and size of it was all wrong. The ship hovered just a few feet over the ground. From its sides four legs sprung out to anchor it. A wide door opened up and two men jumped out. Both of them were huge, with shorn hair and dressed all in black. I wondered if they might be from Calixtus.

The Akkadian regained its senses and rushed for the light beam of its ship, ascending up into its belly. The two men, who I could see held gun-like weapons, spread out to circle around beneath the Akkadian ship. Knowing the Akkadian's to be chicken shits, I figured they'd just fly off in a hurry. I was greatly surprised when four of them, in rapid succession, emerged from the beam of light. Each of them was armed. Laser bolts began flashing in every direction. All I could think about now was the safety of Aris. He was out cold and defenseless not far from all the action. I began scrambling through the forest, moving from tree to tree for cover, circling around trying to get to him. The fight waged on all around me. Laser bolts swirled and flashed and got caught in the wind, tossing them in every direction.

Finally, I reached Aris' side. I knelt down and latched onto his broad shoulders and attempted to shake him awake. It took several moments, but he finally came to. He sat up and shook his head. Wincing, he put his hands up to touch the place where I'd conked him.

"You knocked me out," he snapped.

"I'm sorry. I had no choice."

He gazed around and noticed the chaos. "What the hell's going on?"

"A battle. I was going with the Akkadian when suddenly another ship just showed up out of nowhere. Two big guys jumped out. Four Akkadians came down from their ship, armed with ray guns, or whatever the hell you call them, and now they're all fighting."

He stared at me, processing what I'd said. "You were going with the Akkadian?"

I nodded.

"Why?"

"They're never going to stop coming for me," I said. "It's obvious they can find me anywhere."

"I have a weapon. I could have stopped them"

"This time, maybe. Maybe not. I couldn't take the chance."

"So you decided to sacrifice yourself? What the hell, Danni?"

I felt cursed tears well up in my eyes. I dropped my head so he couldn't see my shame. "It's what I deserve. I'm not worth saving."

He grabbed hold of my arms and forced me to look at him. "Don't say that. You are worth it." He frowned when he saw the unmistakable resolve in my face. "I heard what you said...when you were falling. You said you loved me. Did you mean it?"

I nodded, unable to voice my feelings.

"I love you too."

"What?" He couldn't possibly.

He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. "I love you, Danni. And I'm not letting anyone take you from me. Not now. Not ever." He gave me a squeeze and then let me go. Reaching for his weapon, he got to his feet. "Stay here."