ã€ŠNew Edenã€‹


 Chapter 1

    As the 21st century began, every member of the human race was aware that their time was soon coming to an end. It was common knowledge that Earth was dying and its inhabitants with it, whether or not they chose to admit it to themselves before the very end. Though, as predicted, the planet began to wind down and some attempt to save the human race had to be made. This attempt came several years into that 21st century, when the world¡¯s governments finally came to an agreement at last. Of course, that agreement was forced by Mother Nature, herself, rather than any other kind of previous attempts at cooperation among the combined nations to save the world before it was indeed, too late for the entire species.

    The only option that the people of Earth were left with was obviously to find a new home, and plans were made to use what resources were left for the mass production of ships that could sustain human life long enough to hopefully find an alternate home for Earth¡¯s inhabitants. In the end it was decided that ninety percent of the population would make their new homes aboard these ships, while ten percent remained on the dying Earth, in the hopes that the reduced strain on what was left of the world¡¯s resources would allow them to survive long enough for even one of these monstrous ships to find the new home that would be the savior of the human race.

    When the journey to find this new home began, it began with a thousand of these new floating homes being created. Each ship was assigned to carry 60,000 humans chosen randomly from the nations of the world by a sort of census based lottery. Some family members managed the luck to remain together upon a certain ship, but that was the exception to the rule. Needless to say, it was a sad time for the entire planet, with friends and lovers being torn from each other and thrust into a whole new way of life, while convinced that they may never actually find themselves in the same room, let alone the same planet, ever again.

    It was hard to decide who had it worse: There were those six million who remained on a planet that they knew was dying, while just waiting for a new hope that may never arrive at all. Then there were the nearly six billion who had to learn to live a life floating through space, just hoping that they would be the lucky ones who somehow managed to not only survive that new life, but to do so long enough to find a new home which might not even exist at all.

    These ships were basically each considered their own nation-state, and were designed to support their 60,000 residents for exactly one earth century, assuming nothing went wrong. Of course, that was quite the assumption when dealing with the relatively new science behind long-term space travel and survival. Then, when adding in the variable of all of them venturing further and further from Earth into completely unknown and unexplored reaches of the galaxy, all of their chances became ever slimmer. Though, they had destroyed their own world, so what choice did they have but to take those odds?

    Twenty years after the E-ships departed from their old home upon the dying Earth, only 466 ships remained. Almost all of the original ships fell prey to the treacherous journey through unexplored reaches of space, or simply disappeared with seemingly no explanations able to be given before losing all contact with what remained of the Earth or any of their distant floating neighbors who continued the journey.

    Of the 466 ships that remained in contact, some were still dying from within. There were those with a crew that were either overly optimistic or just plain in denial, and this caused overstretching of resources and a crew who now had to face the fact that their journey would soon end prematurely because of it. Then there were others still who suffered mass suicides on board of those who had lost their hope and their spirit after two decades with no end in sight for their journey and no hope of returning to their old homes and lives ever again; those who came to view the entire journey as a long, elaborate death sentence.

    Of course there were some exceptions: Those few ships who managed to hold onto hope, and even come close to prospering. Most of these included a cross section of population wherein there were enough natural deaths on board to leave room to do that growing even amongst such limited resources. Those aboard these ships managed to retain their hope due in large part to the rise of an entire new generation who either did not remember the old world, or had never even set foot upon it, at all: They were nicknamed the E-children. These children, aged newborns through those in their early twenties, did not have a home to miss at all; they did not have a reason to have their spirits broken. They had no past to mourn, only a future to hope for, and their hope alone was what kept the entire ship alive and moving forward to find that new home, after all. These children truly were the future: Hope personified.

    <hr>

    The eldest of the E-children were considered those who were no older than twenty-five, meaning they were only five years old when chosen to board their assigned ship, with no clear memories of Earth at all. Among those eldest E-children was a woman called Lili. She was the daughter of the commander of ship E-728, one of those ships which were seemingly prospering.

    Though Lili was easily considered beautiful, standing at a petite 5¡¯4¡± with flowing red hair and nearly turquoise eyes, some still held a bit of animosity towards her, nonetheless. Of course this animosity mostly seemed to be based on nothing the young woman had willfully done. Instead it came from the fact that she was what was referred to as ¡°pre-chosen.¡± This was the term that was used for those members of the ship who were guaranteed a spot before the lottery that had assigned all the others their spots, regardless of family-ties, had even taken place.

    Being the five year old daughter of the ship¡¯s commander was what had gotten her that spot when the ships had taken off on this fateful journey two decades ago. All of the separate commanders who fit the criteria of having preschool age children, earned those young children their spot at the side of at least one parent, and Lili had been fortunate enough to be among this very select group, while other inhabitants of the ship, including other ¡°less important¡± crew members, had been torn from their own families those two decades ago.

    Always uncannily perceptive, Lili knew others thought her to have an unfair advantage going into this entire journey, and she tried to be as helpful as she could, to hopefully dissuade some of that animosity. As she was not mechanically inclined, instead of following in the footsteps of her mother, the ship¡¯s commander, Lili chose to focus her attention on helping to aid the rest of the upcoming generation of E-children to have a fully-rounded upbringing.

    It was not that she had any maternal instincts, really, as she did tend to leave the tiniest children to their parents. It was the adolescents, instead, that she chose to spend her time with, helping them to expand their knowledge beyond the bounds of their ancestors in that faraway home none of them had ever even seen.

    A lot of the way she chose to educate these new human minds came from none other than her mother. Lili¡¯s mother, Miranda, was unconventional in several ways, aside from simply being skilled and educated enough to command a ship of such proportions. Beyond that, Miranda had always taught her own daughter the value of not conforming to most of the beliefs of the world which had since been all but destroyed. The knowledge Lili came to take from her own upbringing and her own unconventional mother and even more unconventional surroundings, was simply that the reason the Earth fell to such a fate was because of the way the people of earth treated each other, repressed one another, forced their own ways and beliefs on one another, and just hoped that their ¡°god¡± would save them from themselves in the end. Of course Lili had lived to see that there was no Christian god saving anyone at all, and, in the end, it was all left in the hands of the humans who created the science which ¡°killed¡± god, to do all the saving, if any was to be done at all.

    Lili spent the first seven years of her adult life there on the nation-state known as E-728 setting up courses in all of the world¡¯s religious systems, rather than the usual 999 classes in Christianity and another course simply named ¡°other religions,¡± as would have been more likely back on their old home. After much research done by all parties, herself especially, she managed to make herself into an expert on all cultures¡¯ religions and also managed to find a few others willing to devote themselves to helping her teach the ways of these cultures to the E-children who were old enough to understand the concept and wished to learn about any of them at all. The only thing she asked of her other teachers was a promise to teach all they knew without any bias whatsoever and to never, ever place one religion on a pedestal, deeming it as the ¡°correct¡± religion or way of life. After all, that type of thinking was responsible for so much of the torture and death that took place in their old world, and Lili wanted desperately to do her part to make sure this next generation of humans would never make those same mistakes again.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    <hr>

    Another of the E-children who was not born on the ship, but still had no real memories of Earth was a twenty-three year old man named Ian. He stood at nearly six foot, with shaggy brown locks and eyes that matched the long-forgotten waters of the old world¡¯s oceans. Muscular and fit, it wasn¡¯t hard to tell that he had been assigned to share his living quarters with the ship¡¯s head security officer, who had become his surrogate father when Ian himself had been pulled from his own family and placed aboard the ship when he had been only three years old.

    In the twenty years since, he had been groomed to take over Charles¡¯ job in coming years, and had already procured a position as the head of the secondary security team. Aboard the ship he simply oversaw daily tasks such as making sure that the supplies were safe and used in accordance with the predicted amounts needed for another eight decades¡¯ survival. This job itself was not very glamorous or demanding, but Ian still kept himself in top condition for utmost survivability in the harshest of surroundings. The reasoning behind his strenuous upkeep of his own body was to always be ready to assume his real responsibility when the time came. He and his adoptive father¡¯s roles were as follows: If and when they reached a new planet, Charles would stay aboard to assure the security of the remaining occupants while a small team would be sent to the planet¡¯s surface to determine whether it held any survivability for the human race at all. This team would have to include security, and Ian had made himself into a soldier of sorts to ensure that team¡¯s security when the time came.

    <hr>

    One of the first children born on the ship had been born during their second summer journeying through the stars. His name was Jared, and he had just turned eighteen that week, or at least he thought he had. Sometimes it was difficult to keep track of one day bleeding into the next up there, without the Earth¡¯s sun and moon to clearly guide their lives as they had guided his parents¡¯ lives upon a planet he had never even known. Jared had been born to a couple who had met after boarding the ship. His father had then worked as one of the assistants to the ship¡¯s science team, which was a job that Jared himself now held.

    Jared¡¯s mother had simply been a lost college girl torn from her own family during the great departure from the old world, and she had then passed away due to unforeseen medical complications brought on by Jared¡¯s birth. Her death left his father to retreat into his own research and Jared to desperately try to be a part of that world to simply hold onto what was left of his family, in a situation where most never even had any family left to know at all.

    Though his attempts to keep his father close weren¡¯t very successful, as now his father resided in a completely different part of the ship and he was lucky if he crossed paths with him during one or two meals a week, if that. But Jared had already began his journey toward becoming one of the brightest scientific minds of the new generation, despite his true reasons for going into that line of work at all, so he simply kept pursuing it, cause what else did he know?

    Perhaps the real reason Jared continued to assist the ship¡¯s scientists was in a subconscious need to make sense of things that seemed to make no sense without first finding some kind of greater knowledge. Ever since hitting puberty, Jared began seeing or experiencing things that made no sense in a black and white version of the world, and he needed them to make sense, if for no other reason than his own sanity. So, science was the first place he turned to try and find that logic, as well as to fill his less logical, and more emotional, need to be near his father. But as his father drifted further and further from his own life, the lanky 6¡¯4¡± brunette with chin-length locks and soulful dark brown eyes, began delving deeper and deeper into searching for some kind of explanation for the things he continued to see, or do, or feel, with no rhyme or reason to any of it at all.

    <hr>

    Lili was making her mark as the cultural soul of the next generation, and Ian was expected to stand as their guardian in whatever new world they came to find, and then there was Jared, who would be among those expected to make sense of that new world. But it was another of the E-children who was the one who already stood out among all four of them. His name was Kyle, and he was born four years into their journey.

    At only sixteen, Kyle was about Ian¡¯s height, with shoulder-length brown waves and gray-blue eyes which were usually hidden behind those locks as he leaned over whatever piece of technology his attention was on that day. Despite his age, Kyle was already considered a part of the ship¡¯s flight crew. He was in charge of updating all the technology aboard the ship and coming up with even newer, better technology to keep all the systems running and hopefully finding even more efficient ways to use the ship¡¯s energy and resources to better predict the locations of possible new homes and to get to them more quickly, efficiently, and safely.

    At first, the flight crew was obviously wary of putting such a young person into such an important role, but when, at only age thirteen, Kyle passed a battery of intellectual and technological tests, registering an IQ higher than any other member of the science team or the existing technology team, despite his age, they owed it to the ship as a whole, to allow him a chance to be a very valuable resource to them. And that was three years ago, now.

    <hr>

    That afternoon, Jared cautiously approached the room of the ship that housed the mainframe; sure that he had a good chance of finding Kyle there. He took a deep breath as he stepped through the door, receiving no visible reaction from the only slightly younger teen whose attention was glued to the console, as it nearly always was.

    ¡°Hey, Kyle,¡± Jared greeted him warily as he held some paperwork in his slightly shaking hand with a nervous biting of his lip, knowing that the younger of the two was renowned for disliking interruptions.

    ¡°Working here,¡± Kyle mumbled as he adjusted a setting without so much as a glance toward the doorway Jared stood in.

    ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± Jared returned, though softly, as he nearly always spoke.

    ¡°You missed the science lab by about a wing,¡± Kyle retorted smartly, his eyes still not leaving the screen in front of him.

    Jared took a deep breath as he tried to ignore the fact that genius almost always seemed to be paid for by a loss of any kind of social skill, and forced himself to move on, ¡°Yeah, we need you to look at this,¡± he said as he took a small step forward, holding the papers slightly out in front of him.

    Kyle sighed heavily as he finally looked up, moving long locks from his eyes, ¡°Do I look like a science geek?¡±

    Jared was caught a bit by that response, not quite sure what his own was meant to be, ¡°Well¡­¡± his voice trailed off as he attempted to find the rest of that sentence.

    ¡°Oh god, fine you got five seconds,¡± Kyle told him in frustration as he gestured for him to bring the papers over to him in quite a bit less than that amount of time.

    Jared swallowed again as he moved to cautiously hand the papers to the younger boy, continuing to bite his lip nervously. The older of the two simply waited uncomfortably as Kyle began inspecting the computer readout with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°The boy genius looks confused. That can¡¯t be good,¡± Ian spoke from the still open doorway where he stopped whilst passing by on his afternoon rounds, smirking at the two younger men as he leaned upon the doorway.

    ¡°Trying to work here. You¡¯re sucking the intelligence out of the room, Neanderthal,¡± Kyle returned sarcastically as he turned slightly away, continuing to leaf through and decipher the pages before him.

    Ian returned a derisive laugh, ¡°And to think, this Neanderthal has to keep your butt alive if and when we go exploring. I¡¯m sure your dazzling personality will really make me think twice about feeding you to the aliens,¡± he mocked as Kyle continued to ignore him and Jared looked down uncomfortably caught between their petty bickering.

    Ian then simply shook his head as he began down the passageway again; ever vigilant of his duties, despite the sarcastic jabs he shared with Kyle. Jared took a slight breath as Ian left. He then turned back to Kyle, ¡°Does it mean what I think it means?¡± Jared dared to ask a moment later.

    ¡°Listen, I have to test and retest these findings, and I can do it a lot quicker without you asking for a running narrative the whole time, so find something else to do. I¡¯ll page the lab when I get through all of it,¡± he stated dismissively as he waved Jared away and continued his study of the papers before him.

    Jared sighed slightly, already knowing what Kyle would find, as he himself had not only tested the findings, but had also dreamed of them, dreamed of the new planet that they were flying towards at that very moment. A new planet: A planet which could spell doom or hope for their entire race. Now if only those eerie, vague dreams of his could make it clear to him which it truly would be, after all.

 Chapter 2

    When Ian made his way around the corner from Kyle¡¯s usual workstation, he came upon Lili heading in his direction. His eyes moved over her while a sly grin curled his mouth as the two took a few more steps toward one another.

    ¡°Hey, Lil,¡± he greeted her with that continued grin, making no attempt to hide the way those pools of blue traveled over the snug fitting black suit that she, like most of the ship¡¯s passengers, wore outside of their own quarters.

    ¡°Hi, Ian,¡± she greeted him with a quiet, nervous breath, despite how accustomed she had grown to the way those ocean colored eyes moved over her each time they had crossed paths in their twenty years aboard E-728. Of course, those occasions only grew more frequent as the years passed, considering who her mother was, and what Ian¡¯s role now was.

    ¡°So, heading off for another round of playing hot little preacher-girl again?¡± he teased as his eyes finally found their way to her face at last.

    Lili scoffed with an awkward smile, never quite sure how to deal with Ian. It was true that she found him just as physically attractive as he seemed to find her, but she wasn¡¯t sure how to take the things he said, not to mention the way he carried himself, especially in her presence. He was intimidating, to say the least, and the problem was, she couldn¡¯t tell if she was more intimidated than she was attracted most times. And of course, Ian did nothing to help anyone to read how he really felt behind all those walls he seemed to live inside of.

    ¡°I teach Agnosticism, Atheism, Wicca, and a general overview of Polytheism and Paganism. Not exactly a ¡®preacher-girl,¡¯¡± she attempted to blow off his comment as she turned her own pools of blue in any direction but his.

    Ian then paused a moment to move his eyes to her chest and back again before responding, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what were you saying? I got distracted by, something or other,¡± he stated, after making another obvious glance toward the exposed portion of her pale skin just above the zipper of her jumpsuit.

    Lili just sighed with another slight shake of her head, still avoiding eye contact, ¡°Why bother asking me what I said, when you obviously don¡¯t care?¡± she retorted, though in a small voice.

    ¡°Aww, I¡¯m hurt. Of course I care. I even heard part of it. Something about Wicca and Pagans? Aren¡¯t they the chicks that danced around fires naked or something? That sounds very interesting. I¡¯d love to learn more,¡± he told her wryly.

    Lili let out another long sigh, and added, in a near mumble, ¡°I think you¡¯ve been on this ship for too long.¡±

    Ian allowed another smirk before continuing, ¡°Haven¡¯t we all? Not like I can just pop out for a look at the scenery or anything, is it?¡± he added smartly.

    ¡°Was there something you wanted?¡± Lili attempted to move the conversation along, then, upon seeing the even more devious glint her question caused in his eyes, she quickly added, ¡°Never mind. Have you seen Jared?¡±

    ¡°Jared?¡± Ian repeated with a raise of his brow, ¡°That tall, skinny lab rat?¡± he asked for further clarification.

    ¡°Yes, that would be the one,¡± she responded with another shake of her head.

    ¡°Somehow I don¡¯t see science boy and religion girl having a lot to talk about,¡± Ian added skeptically rather than answering her inquiry right away.

    ¡°So, does that mean you have or haven¡¯t seen him?¡± she returned some of his own attitude at last.

    Ian then shook his own head before giving in, ¡°Last I saw, he was annoying the big brain,¡± he answered, gesturing back over his shoulder toward the passageway he had just come from.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± was her own brief response as she moved past Ian and headed for the turn in the corridor behind him.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll think of some way you can return the favor. Maybe later tonight even,¡± he teased after her as she continued moving purposefully away with another shake of her long flame-colored locks.

    It took a few moments for Lili to remember to breathe again after her latest sexually tense encounter with Ian. Of course it was only a few moments¡¯ steps later when she spotted Jared leaving the computer hub and starting down the hall.

    ¡°Jared,¡± she called to him as she moved to catch up with him as he turned back toward the sound of her voice with his own nervous smile.

    ¡°Hey, Lili,¡± he greeted her softly as she moved past the doorway to the computer hub and reached his side, where he stood nearly a foot taller than her own tiny frame, his hands nervously tucked into the pockets of the lab coat over his own dark jumpsuit.

    ¡°Were we still supposed to meet for lunch today?¡± she asked as she looked up at him, only to find that he seemed even more nervous than her at the prospect that he had somehow managed to force himself to suggest when they had crossed paths the previous day.

    ¡°Um, yeah if you want to. I mean, if you¡¯re not, like, busy, or anything,¡± he managed to stumble through the words, seeming to avoid eye contact with her as much as she had been avoiding it with Ian only moments earlier.

    ¡°Well, I said I¡¯d go, didn¡¯t I?¡± she managed a smile as she continued to try and catch his gaze.

    ¡°Well, yeah, but you know, that was yesterday, and, well things change sometimes,¡± he attempted.

    Lili let out a small laugh before responding, ¡°They don¡¯t change all that much, here.¡±

    Jared took his own breath, seeming to hold back a more immediate response to her statement before continuing, ¡°So, lunch then?¡±

    ¡°Sure,¡± she smiled and nodded before the two of them then moved uneasily in the direction of the community dining area at the center of the huge ship.

    After several silent moments of getting their food and finding a seat in a quiet corner, Lili began to realize that this boy seemed even shyer than she herself always seemed to be any time she found herself outside of her own personal comfort zone of the ship¡¯s classrooms.

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    ¡°So, uh, you seem worried about¡­something?¡± she asked quietly as she noted his continued quiet demeanor.

    ¡°Yeah, sorry, I just, I haven¡¯t really discussed it with anyone else yet, really,¡± he told her with an apologetic half-smile.

    ¡°Discussed¡­what?¡± she gently prodded with her own nervous smile.

    Jared took a deep breath as he poked at his meal, ¡°Um, ok, how to begin¡­¡± he started as he looked around with another hard swallow to assure himself that no one else was seated close enough to eavesdrop, ¡°So, you teach like New Agey stuff, right?¡±

    Lili let out another nervous chuckle at his statement before seeing that his expression seemed to be quite serious despite the humor of his statement itself, ¡°Well, when you think about it, it¡¯s actually old agey,¡± she allowed another smile.

    ¡°How do you mean?¡± he asked her with the utmost seriousness to his tone.

    She allowed another nervous laugh at his question, not quite sure why someone who was considered to be a follower of pure science rather than any kind of spiritual path seemed to be interested in her answers at all. Though another look across the table at him proved that he seemed quite intent on hearing her answer.

    ¡°Ok, well, uh, look at my name. It¡¯s short for Lilith.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Lilith?¡± he asked in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°Well, in some belief systems, she was the first human. Some say she became the first demon, some say she became the first vampire, and most say that she became the first witch, when the fallen angels taught her their magic. This would make her the mother of all humanity. Meaning that if you follow those beliefs, you have to be willing to accept the part of the bible that was in the original version and then banned from it. That¡¯s the part that told of how the first of our species became a witch, a pagan, a woman who wouldn¡¯t submit to a man, and was cast out of Eden for refusing to consider herself to be subservient and inferior, and a slave to her life-mate. That¡¯s why she was written out of the Christian bible: So followers of that religion would continue to believe that man was first and woman was subservient and inferior and that she was the one who pulled the world into sin, and that women should continue to be punished for it, and simply accept that continued punishment as their fate in life.¡±

    ¡°You believe that then?¡± Jared finally asked after another moment, though no inkling of his own opinion on the matter seeped into his tone.

    Lili let out another small chuckle, taking a sip of her drink before continuing, ¡°I know the story simply because it¡¯s a more realistic take on the story the old world insisted they lived by. And it¡¯s a nice explanation for why magic exists in the world at all. But in order to believe the story of Lilith, you have to believe that some all-powerful Christian god just up and decided to create mankind one day and the rest of the whole world in a week¡¯s time?¡± she allowed a small smirk, ¡°And that¡¯s not a kind of magic I believe in at all. My theories on the beginning of mankind fall a lot more in line with your people¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°My people?¡±

    ¡°The scientists,¡± Lili offered, ¡°I¡¯m a lot more apt to believe that the world slowly evolved and led us to where we are now. There¡¯s a lot more proof of that than there ever was for anything you could find in the bible.¡±

    ¡°But you said that magic exists. You do believe that then?¡± he continued still seeming more serious than argumentative.

    ¡°I believe all people are capable of what might fall under the category of magic, when really it¡¯s just that some people may allow their brains to evolve beyond the limits of what their peers tell them is possible. And, when they do that, many things become possible, if not at first believable. After all, it was a known fact that most of the world rarely used all of their brain¡¯s capabilities. Imagine if some actually found a way to start to use all of that untapped potential: Those would be the people who would find a way to really make ¡®magic¡¯ into a reality.¡±

    After another long, thoughtful pause, Jared responded, ¡°So, you use science to explain magic? And religion doesn¡¯t play a part in it at all?¡±

    Lili allowed another small smile before continuing, ¡°If I was a true believer in any kind of ¡®religion,¡¯ how could I stand behind teaching all of them, equally, including Atheism? If you truly believe in one over all the others, you¡¯ll never be open to all of the possibilities that there truly are.¡±

    ¡°But you believe that so-called magic is possible, simply based on the science of the human brain?¡± he repeated again, seeming drawn to that theory more than any other, himself.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m a scientist in a spiritualist¡¯s clothing, eh?¡± she smiled again before bringing her eyes back up to his, ¡°And I have a feeling that you believe it too, or else you wouldn¡¯t even be asking me at all, would you?¡±

    ¡°I guess,¡± Jared began with another deep breath, ¡°I guess I¡¯ve listened in on a few of your classes. I figured you might be the only one who wouldn¡¯t want to turn me from a lab assistant to a lab rat if I told you¡­things,¡± he finished with, his voice dropping slightly on the final word.

    ¡°What things?¡± she whispered back, curbing the urge to reach across the table and take his hand in her own to comfort his obvious unease, despite how limited their acquaintance with each other really was, considering all of the facts of their own short lives.

    Jared took another ragged breath as he looked at the still empty tables around them once more, before leaning in to speak even more quietly, ¡°I see things I shouldn¡¯t see. Sometimes I even see them when I¡¯m still awake,¡± he took another breath as she held her own, and waited for him to continue, ¡°I can do things other people can¡¯t. I don¡¯t understand how, or why, or what it means at all, Lili. I just know that it scares me,¡± he finally added in a desperate whisper, his eyes pleading with her to help him find those answers that he had been seeking for over a quarter of his entire strange life.

 Chapter 3

    After a long moment to allow herself to maul over what it sounded like Jared was trying to admit to her, Lili finally spoke again, ¡°What sort of things?¡± was her only question.

    Though, Jared didn''t answer her right away. Instead his deep brown eyes moved toward the door just as Ian entered the cafeteria for his own afternoon meal. In response, Jared took a deep, cautious breath as he watched Ian move to collect his lunch.

    ¡°Jared?¡± Lili¡¯s voice interrupted his obvious discomfort a moment later.

    Forcing his attention from Ian back to the woman who sat across from him, ¡°Do you mind if we finish lunch somewhere else?¡±

    Lili¡¯s brow furrowed a bit at his sudden suggestion. But her curiosity concerning the strange things he had begun to tell her about, managed to outweigh her curiosity about his reaction to Ian¡¯s arrival. ¡°Sure, we could uh, go to my cabin?¡± she offered with her own nervousness easily returning at not only the prospect of the secret Jared seemed to want to tell her; but also at the prospect of having anyone else, besides her own mother, ever join her alone in those close living quarters each of the ship¡¯s crew and sub-crew were assigned.

    Jared simply nodded wordlessly and gathered his tray as he stood and quickly moved toward the entrance nearest their table, rather than the one that Ian had come through. Though it seemed Ian still hadn''t noticed either Jared¡¯s or Lili¡¯s presence in the room yet.

    Lili hurried to gather her tray and follow him from the cafeteria, out into the long passageways that led to the other wings of the huge ship. After a few more long, quiet moments they finally arrived at the large wing designated as the living quarters for the ¡°non-civilians¡± such as the flight crew, technology team, science team, and security team. This was one of the most secure wings of the ship, requiring badges, security codes, and retinal scans to even enter.

    She sighed softly after they passed the security measures at the main door of the wing. Then they had to travel down another passageway to her own cabin, where she had to once more scan her ID badge, before entering her security code to activate a retinal scanner. Only then could she access the visitor ID screen, where Jared then had to follow the same steps himself.

    It was a complicated process any time one moved from one wing of the ship to another, and even more complicated when it came to accessing private living areas. But nothing seemed over-cautious when the last remaining members of their race had only the ship¡¯s doors to protect them from the unknown reaches of the galaxy that surrounded them every day of their new lives onboard those E-ships.

    The cabins were the size of a small one bedroom apartment in the old version of the world. After entering, Lili allowed another awkward smile before moving to set her tray upon the tiny table at the corner of the main living space. She then gestured for Jared to take a seat across from her.

    ¡°Sorry about all that. I just... I don¡¯t really want other people knowing about this stuff. At least not until I understand any of it myself,¡± Jared told her apologetically, seeming only the slightest bit more relaxed.

    ¡°Especially, Ian?¡± she asked, the words left her lips before she had allowed herself the time to determine whether they should.

    Jared sighed a bit uncomfortably as he continued to try and hide his nervousness by poking at the food he honestly seemed to have lost all interest in before even taking the first bite. ¡°He is a bit intimidating,¡± he managed to confess with only the slightest hint of a smile. His words caught her a bit, considering her own reactions when she found herself in the presence of a personality as overwhelmingly dominant, and closely guarded, as Ian¡¯s seemed to be.

    ¡°I thought I was the only one who thought that,¡± she smiled slightly, casting her eyes downwards with a blush.

    ¡°Well, I mean he is in charge of security, and assessing security risks, and getting rid of them if there are any, isn¡¯t he?¡± Jared returned quietly.

    ¡°You were planning on being a security risk, then?¡± she asked. Lili had never even entertained the thought of this shy young man being such. Though her encounters with him had been rather limited.

    ¡°No,¡± he laughed uneasily, ¡°but you know how people react to things they don¡¯t understand. It scares them. Believe me, I know it scares me,¡± he repeated more quietly. He then quickly looked back her way, still a bit uncomfortable sharing his secrets just yet. ¡°So your mom is his boss, everybody¡¯s boss, really. So why would you think he¡¯s intimidating?¡± he couldn¡¯t help asking.

    Lili then looked down again with another uneasy chuckle, ¡°It has nothing to do with my mom, honest. She doesn¡¯t really act like anyone¡¯s boss, anyway. She just is,¡± she added with a slight shrug.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t say why you would be intimidated by him, though,¡± Jared reminded her gently, then couldn¡¯t stop himself from adding, ¡°I thought you actually kind of, well, liked him?¡± he dared.

    Lili let out a laugh that was obviously to hide another blush she couldn¡¯t help feeling rush to her cheeks at the sound of someone calling her on the attraction she didn¡¯t even let herself consciously admit to having. And it was even more awkward, when that someone was another boy who she would have had to have been blind not to be at least physically attracted to as well. ¡°Seriously?¡± she continued, ¡°I barely even talk to Ian,¡± she added for weight.

    ¡°Since when do you have to talk to people to think they¡¯re attractive?¡± he pointed out, though did so with a gentle smile before adding, ¡°I mean, I think people are attractive¡­ People that I barely talk to¡­. Maybe because, I¡¯m intimidated by them?¡± he added with a slightly wry smile over at her.

    Lili just shook her head, unable to find much of an argument to oppose his logic. Instead, she attempted a subject change, ¡°I thought we came here to talk about you, not him,¡± she reminded gently.

    ¡°Yeah, I suppose so,¡± he allowed another small smile before taking one more deep breath, trying to find the words to explain the things he needed to find someone to share with; someone who could hopefully help him to make any sense of them at all.

    <hr>

    It was nearing midnight when Ian made the final rounds of his shift, which took him past the lab Jared usually worked in. Instead of finding Jared or the other scientists at the dimly lit desk in the corner, it was Kyle who continued to look down at the papers Jared had given him that afternoon. He was leaning over Jared¡¯s usual desk, running a hand through his shoulder length curls stressfully as Ian appeared to check the lab that night.

    ¡°You switch jobs or something?¡± Ian greeted Kyle with his usual smirk.

    Kyle just rolled his eyes at the greeting before providing any response of his own, ¡°Like there¡¯s any point in even trying to explain this to someone like you?¡± was the teen¡¯s response as he gestured to the readout before him. Though the apprehension that rarely ever seeped into his voice outweighed his usual attempt at sarcasm any time he found himself interacting with Ian.

    ¡°Well whatever it is, it¡¯s obviously had your panties in a bunch for¡­¡± Ian pointedly glanced at his watch, ¡°twelve straight hours now. So it must be something new. Something important.¡±

    ¡°Everything I do is important,¡± Kyle returned smartly.

    ¡°Whoa, junior. I think your ego and that big brain of yours combined, they just might put us over the weight limit of the ship. I might have to file a report,¡± Ian returned smugly.

    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Is there a reason you¡¯re still talking to me?¡± Kyle returned as he continued to keep his attention glued to the desk rather than on Ian.

    Ian sighed impatiently as he moved to lean upon the desk Kyle sat at and craned his neck in an attempt at finally forcing Kyle¡¯s eyes up to meet his own, ¡°So, fess up. What the hell has the genius in such a tizzy?¡±

    Kyle simply looked up at Ian out of the side of those pale blue eyes before conceding to offer some kind of response. ¡°According to this, you and I are going to be forced to spend a lot more time together in coming weeks. I¡¯m thrilled by the prospect, as you can tell,¡± he added.

    ¡°Why would you and I ever spend any time together?¡± Ian returned with the same bite to his tone, only tempered by his curiosity to hear what the explanation might be.

    ¡°We both knew we¡¯d have to, eventually,¡± Kyle shrugged as he pushed the papers away with a sigh.

    ¡°Yeah, eventually. Eventually, if we found a planet to survey,¡± Ian stated, though spoke more slowly as he pondered whether that truly was what the younger of the two was actually telling him.

    ¡°Welcome to eventually,¡± Kyle responded quietly, attempting to hide a nervousness that his self-assured manner never had seemed to display prior to the prospect they now found themselves speaking of.

    ¡°There¡¯s a planet?¡± Ian repeated, his own self-assured demeanor still faltering enough to allow a small stammer to seep into his own voice.

    ¡°Yeah, and you and I are ¡®pre-chosen,¡¯ if you will,¡± Kyle responded with a sarcasm that continued to try and hide the ever so foreign feeling of not knowing what lie ahead. And ¡®not knowing¡¯ was something that Kyle had never been accustomed to.

    ¡°So, have you told Miranda?¡± Ian asked him with a deep breath, their usual sarcastic interactions all but forgotten at that particular moment in time.

    ¡°Yeah, just did,¡± Kyle sighed. ¡°She and Charles want me to choose the other two team members who will go with us when we reach this place,¡± he returned in a quiet, contemplative tone.

    ¡°Only two? And they want you to choose?¡± Ian repeated, matching Kyle''s quiet tone as he raised a brow.

    ¡°I am a genius, remember?¡± Kyle reminded pointedly.

    Ian simply scoffed, ¡°So just because you got a big IQ, you get to decide who might determine the future of our entire race¡­ And who might even lose their lives doing so?¡± Ian had to add on a more serious note.

    ¡°Well if you do your job that shouldn¡¯t be the case,¡± Kyle returned.

    ¡°But still, you get to decide? Do you even know the names of anyone on the ship besides your precious computers?¡±

    ¡°Believe me, I know plenty,¡± Kyle assured, then allowed himself to add, ¡°But don¡¯t worry, my choices will all be subject to approval, of course.¡±

    ¡°Subject to whose approval?¡± Ian asked skeptically.

    Another sigh from Kyle before he answered. ¡°Miranda¡¯s of course, and Charles¡¯.¡± He then took a breath before his voice dropped, ¡°And yours,¡± he forced the words out with a mumble as he looked down once more.

    ¡°So, the Neanderthal has to approve the genius¡¯s choices?¡± Ian had to chuckle.

    ¡°All three of you have to approve,¡± Kyle reminded. He then continued, with the slightest trace of defeat, ¡°So, we may as well save time and choose them, together,¡± he forced himself to suggest, though with a slight cringe.

    Ian allowed his own thoughtful sigh as he moved to take a seat in the dim corner of the lab next to Jared¡¯s desk, ¡°I suppose it¡¯s a given that we¡¯ll also need some sort of medical expert. And there aren¡¯t that many qualified doctors on the ship, aside from Hamil and his team. And they have to stay aboard to take care of everyone left here.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem; I can easily take care of that,¡± Kyle responded.

    ¡°Pray tell how?¡± Ian returned with another raise of the brow.

    Kyle sighed again, as though preparing to share some hidden knowledge with him. ¡°It¡¯s simple. Any of us, the new E-children, we can handle that.¡±

    Ian let out a chuckle, ¡°I gotta hear this.¡±

    Another sigh from Kyle as he glanced around the abandoned lab, ¡°I guess since you¡¯re gonna be the main security guy off-ship, there are a few things you need to know.¡±

    ¡°Like?¡± Ian pressed with continuing skepticism.

    ¡°Why do you think they¡¯re so careful about allowing any births on the ship at all? Why every girl got an IUD with her boarding pass or her first period? And why it¡¯s only removed after it¡¯s approved by the entire science team, your dad, and Miranda?¡±

    ¡°Um, cause we only have enough resources for so many of us to survive for so long?¡± Ian offered with a shrug, as though his answer was common knowledge.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the safer story to tell everyone,¡± Kyle added ominously.

    ¡°There¡¯s another story?¡± Ian returned, wondering if Kyle was being truthful, or just screwing with him, which was their usual form of communication with one another.

    ¡°Think about it, Ian. There¡¯s been approximately two hundred deaths aboard the ship in the last twenty years. And only one birth allowed each year? That¡¯s one-tenth of the people the ship was originally designed to support. Aren¡¯t we supposed to be trying to save the human race? Kind of oddly counter-productive when we have the resources to safely replace each of the ten who die natural deaths each year, but only one birth is allowed each year. It doesn¡¯t take a math genius to see that the numbers don¡¯t quite add up.¡±

    Ian furrowed his brow further at Kyle¡¯s odd statement. He then attempted to find logic in those numbers, ¡°Well, isn¡¯t it safer to have more resources than we need, than to just let people run around popping kids out left and right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the theory: The one that all the civilians are told and that they easily believe, just like you did.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s some other reason behind it then?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head with a knowing smile. It was true that the information he was now sharing with Ian was reserved for only the science team, Miranda, and Charles. But the discovery of this new planet they would be setting foot on soon had more than upgraded Ian¡¯s already high security clearance. After all, Ian had to approve the team that was sent to the planet with the two of them. And in order to do that, he would need to learn the facts that he hadn¡¯t been privy to before.

    ¡°Think about it, Ian. Think about who you¡¯re talking to. I¡¯m only sixteen, and supposedly the most intelligent person on this entire ship.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s that ego again,¡± Ian scoffed with another shake of his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s not ego, it¡¯s fact. And why is it fact? How am I more intelligent than the scientific experts that created the very home we now live on? Me, some sixteen year old kid? Does that make sense to you?¡±

    Another scoff as Ian continued, ¡°There¡¯s always been child prodigies.¡±

    ¡°And I blew all of those so-called geniuses back on earth completely away when they gave me all those tests.¡±

    ¡°You really are this conceited?¡± Ian shook his head at the young man before him.

    ¡°I¡¯m not being conceited; I¡¯m trying to finally tell you what they really don¡¯t want the majority of the people on this ship to know. I wasn¡¯t the only child they tested. They tested the ones who were born on earth, and each of the twenty who were born here, on the ship, away from earth and its pollution and its atmosphere. Like I said, any of the E-children born here could be that medical expert we need for this trip.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and so could I if I decided to take all the courses they used to teach in med schools,¡± Ian pointed out smartly.

    ¡°Yeah, maybe you could, maybe, in eight, ten years. But we need someone who could do it in eight to ten days, hours even,¡± he added more quietly. ¡°And the children like me; we could.¡±

 Chapter 4

    Ian¡¯s discomfort at hearing what it sounded like Kyle seemed to be saying, allowed only a moment¡¯s silence on his part before pressing for more clarity, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying that we could grab any one of these brats, and turn them into a medical genius, overnight?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯ve got it narrowed down to six.¡±

    Ian let out another chuckle of disbelief, ¡°And what brought you to that number in all of the five seconds we¡¯ve been talking about it?¡±

    ¡°The E-children have been tested every year since the ship took off, which you know, considering you are in the pre-ship tier of the group,¡± he then paused only a moment before continuing, ¡°And the tests always came back as saying that the first tier, the ones born on earth, test in the normal range, the same as all the children born on Earth. But the ones born onboard, they all tested above average, until puberty,¡± only another small breath, ¡°Then, their tests, they were off the charts, to put it mildly.¡±

    ¡°So, how come all you little geniuses aren¡¯t in on this meeting then?¡± Ian added, only allowing another moment¡¯s pause.

    ¡°All of us?¡± Kyle repeated with a slight tinge of sarcasm, ¡°There¡¯s only seven of us that fall into the post-pubescent category, myself included. And once they saw our tests, they got real tight-lipped about the results. The other six, they know they¡¯re different, they just don¡¯t know how different.¡±

    ¡°I thought they were geniuses,¡± Ian had to retort.

    ¡°They know they learn things fast and catch on easily, but I¡¯m the only lucky one who knows that there¡¯s a lot more to that story,¡± he then allowed another pause, ¡°Well, maybe Jared suspects part of it too, since he is assisting eight of the only other ten people who know about the stuff I just told you. Though, it¡¯s pretty easy to believe that even his own father, and his own co-workers kept being tight-lipped around him, considering, he is one of us.¡±

    Ian let out another long, thoughtful breath before continuing, ¡°So, does that make Jared your first choice?¡±

    ¡°It would make sense. I mean, he was the second child born here, making him one of the only two actual adults who have the brain power we need.¡±

    ¡°He and Serena, right?¡± Ian asked, referring to the first ever child born aboard the ship.

    ¡°Yeah, and I¡¯m thinking one should take my place on board while I¡¯m out there, and the other should be our medical expert.¡±

    ¡°Wait, are you insinuating that you could ever be replaced?¡± Ian let out an overly dramatic gasp.

    ¡°Temporarily,¡± Kyle reminded with a bit of his own bite to his tone.

    Ian let out another thoughtful breath, too busy taking in the whole of this new situation to place much continued effort in exchanging the usual jabs with Kyle, ¡°So you really have narrowed it down to two then, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Well, even though they¡¯re geniuses waiting to happen, do you really want a thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen year-old being responsible for our health down there? I know how much you already love having a sixteen year old responsible for the technology that will be keeping us alive,¡± Kyle called Ian out wryly.

    ¡°So which is it then, Dr. Serena or Dr. Jared?¡± Ian asked after wrinkling his nose at the prospect Kyle had just put into words, before continuing on with their selection process.

    Kyle thought only a moment before allowing an answer, ¡°Personality-wise, Serena¡¯s a cold bitch. Even if she learned all there is to know about medicine, she really doesn¡¯t seem to think much at all about anyone else, she has no people skills, whatsoever.¡±

    ¡°Wow, she really is the right person to replace you.¡± Ian just had to allow another taunt.

    ¡°Hardy har har,¡± Kyle returned flatly.

    ¡°So, I guess we¡¯ll be making our own little Dr. Jared after all? Cause his people skills, they¡¯re astounding,¡± Ian returned sarcastically.

    ¡°He¡¯s shy, not cold. Just because he¡¯s uncomfortable around loads of people, doesn¡¯t mean he doesn¡¯t care about making sure they¡¯re healthy and safe,¡± Kyle stated, though spoke with more calculation than concern, as was usual for him.

    ¡°Wow, do I sense a boy-crush?¡± Ian had to tease.

    ¡°Not hardly,¡± Kyle scoffed, ¡°I just know he¡¯d be a lot easier to work with in stressful situations than Serena would ever be,¡± he then just had to add, ¡°Besides, I¡¯m not the one I thought you¡¯d be worrying about having a crush on Jared dear.¡±

    Ian just shook his head, a bit taken aback by that comment, ¡°Lost me.¡±

    ¡°Surprise, surprise,¡± Kyle mumbled through his own smirk, ¡°Oh come on, you¡¯re a walking hard on every time Lili moves past ya. Doesn¡¯t take a genius to see that,¡± he had to add.

    ¡°Yeah, well being a genius, you should already know she¡¯s hot,¡± Ian shook his head again, ¡°And what does Lili even have to do with us talking about the good doctor-to-be?¡±

    Kyle raised a brow as he offered Ian his hand-held computer link up to the mainframe, ¡°Check the visitor¡¯s logs lately?¡± he asked Ian smugly as the older man looked down upon the screen as he took the tiny computer from him

    Ian glanced up at him with another furrow of his brow before looking back down at the screen and giving into the insinuation that he should check on their future teammate. After a moment, he looked back up, ¡°There¡¯s no one in Jared¡¯s quarters,¡± Ian pointed out.

    ¡°Including Jared,¡± Kyle returned with a knowing nod, ¡°Maybe you should try doing a search for his badge ID¡±

    Ian sighed in annoyance before calling up Jared¡¯s name and then doing the suggested search, his expression easily changing for the slightest split second as he read the answer the computer fed back to him.

    ¡°I guess I shouldn¡¯t tell you to check on how long he¡¯s been there,¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help answering wryly as he simply began whistling innocently as he leafed through the papers before him once more. Of course, he allowed another sly smile when Ian took the bait, and that crack appeared in his demeanor once more.

    ¡°Why are you even keeping tabs on Jared, anyway?¡± Ian allowed as he gave the handheld computer back to its owner.

    ¡°Remember, he¡¯s the one who handed me the readout. I was about to page him and give it back right when our lovely visit began.¡±

    ¡°So, the fourth person?¡± Ian began a little more loudly than necessary.

    ¡°Nice segu¨¦,¡± Kyle smirked again.

    Not allowing himself to show any more reaction to Kyle so easily baiting him into allowing a few cracks in his thick walls, Ian continued, ¡°Well, tech guy, security guy, medical guy,¡± he added, his voice dropping the slightest on the last choice, ¡°Who else should be included?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head with another knowing smile before allowing Ian to redirect the conversation once more, ¡°Well, I would say science guy, but Jared¡¯s already halfway to being an expert there too,¡± he added.

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s just a great guy all around, ain¡¯t he?¡± Ian scoffed.

    Kyle just shook his head once more before adding, ¡°So, I¡¯m thinking we need a little insurance along for the trip, too.¡±

    ¡°I thought that was me,¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°Different kind of insurance,¡± Kyle returned, causing another furrow to crease Ian¡¯s brow.

    ¡°Meaning?¡±

    ¡°Meaning,¡± Kyle began with another deep breath, ¡°we have to try and predict all possible situations that may arise once we leave the ship, and make sure that those left in control of the ship will do everything they can to get us safely back here, no matter what might happen down there.¡±

    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    ¡°That¡¯s protocol: The team¡¯s safe return.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but in any life or death situation, do we really only want protocol keeping us alive?¡±

    Ian narrowed his eyes once more at Kyle¡¯s words, ¡°So, what are you suggesting, then?¡±

    ¡°We need more of a reason than just protocol to have the people up here do everything in their power to get us back to the ship safely, if anything did go wrong.¡±

    ¡°Like, what reason?¡± Ian dared to ask.

    ¡°I think the fourth should be someone who is way too valuable for the ship¡¯s crew to consider expendable, in any way.¡±

    ¡°Someone more valuable than a computer genius, a security expert, and a medical-slash-science expert?¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°Someone who can¡¯t be replaced by Serena, Charles, Hamil, or our head scientist.¡±

    Ian continued to narrow his eyes as he looked over at the younger man, ¡°And I suppose your big brain has already figured out who that could possibly be?¡±

    ¡°Someone who¡¯s more valuable to Miranda than all of us, combined,¡± Kyle answered, though quietly, eyes turned down as he allowed Ian to process his statement.

    ¡°You mean¡­¡±

    ¡°We can always argue that she is an expert on all the cultures known to the old world, so if we found any traces of civilization at all, we¡¯d need her there to help make sense of it,¡± Kyle answered with a slight shrug.

    Ian shook his head once more, ¡°And you think that would be enough of an argument to convince Miranda to approve of her only child being in the kind of danger that we could all be in out there? That wouldn¡¯t happen, even if she is a fraction as valuable to her mother as we¡¯re assuming,¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thinking that we might not be the ones to have to convince Miranda, at all. Not if Lili is the kind of person she seems to be.¡±

    ¡°You think Lili would want to go? And that she¡¯d be able to convince Miranda to approve of it?¡±

    ¡°I think Lili would have more than a few reasons for wanting to come along. And, I think she¡¯s the only person who would ever be able to convince Miranda of anything.¡±

    Ian sighed heavily as he stood, looking away in thought, ¡°So you basically want to use Lili?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you one to talk?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help smirking at the easily inferred double meaning when the words came from Ian.

    ¡°Not what I mean,¡± Ian scoffed again.

    Kyle let out another sigh before returning, ¡°One, I truly think Lili would want to do this, and two, I¡¯m talking about ¡®using¡¯ her to insure as much of our own safety as possible. Isn¡¯t that supposed to be your only real concern on this entire trip, anyway?¡± Kyle reminded him pointedly.

    Ian shook his head, once more annoyed at the genius that was truly behind Kyle¡¯s otherwise seemingly cool calculation of all of their futures, ¡°I guess we have a team for them to approve then, don¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°I guess we do,¡± Kyle nodded somberly.

    ¡°Fine, you can be the one to tell Miranda who our choices are,¡± another shake of his head as Ian moved back toward the door, ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to find me when you get their answers,¡± he stated simply before heading back out of the lab, leaving Kyle to the task at hand. The younger of the two then took one more long, deep breath after Ian had made his departure, before finally reaching for the intercom.

    <hr>

    It was already past midnight when Lili and Jared found themselves sitting close together, facing one another upon the couch inside her quarters. Jared¡¯s hands were gently cupping hers as the two of them watched as he moved a circle of cups in a near dance circling several inches above where they sat , both smiling up at the amazement of seeing such a thing at all.

    Though the thankfully non-glass cups came quickly tumbling down to the cushions around them, as they heard the door to her quarters buzz to announce the arrival of one of the only other people on board who could actually enter her cabin without Lili having to first activate her own approval of the visitor. Jared quickly pulled his hands from hers as they both turned toward the door moments before Miranda appeared behind it as it slid open.

    ¡°Mom?¡± Lili greeted the still youthful looking fifty year old with short cropped blonde locks as she stepped inside with a deep breath.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it a little late for visitors?¡± was Miranda¡¯s obviously distracted reaction to seeing Jared there atop the couch with her daughter at that hour.

    ¡°Um, yeah, I was just uh, going,¡± he returned awkwardly as he moved to retrieve his lab coat and offered a nervous smile back toward Lili before heading quickly back out into the hallway through the door Miranda had just entered.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t know I still had a curfew, mom,¡± Lili returned uneasily as she stood to gather the cups that had fallen to the cushions around she and Jared only moments earlier.

    ¡°When did you become such good friends with Jared?¡± her mother asked, obviously not yet speaking the reasons behind her apparent worry as she glanced back toward the door which slid tightly closed behind the young man.

    Lili took her own nervous breath as she moved to put the cups away once more before finding a response, ¡°Like you said, it¡¯s a little late. What brings you to my cabin at this hour, anyway? Is something wrong?¡± she asked softly.

    Miranda took another ragged breath as she claimed Jared¡¯s previous seat, moving her own hand through her light locks stressfully as she did so.

    ¡°Something is wrong, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lili asked her mother perceptively as she moved closer.

    ¡°Depends on your definition,¡± Miranda returned with a forced half smile to hide her own worry, though not very successfully.

    ¡°Mom,¡± Lili pressed gently, moving to take her previous seat once more.

    ¡°We finally found something out there,¡± Miranda admitted, trying to force hope into her tone.

    ¡°That¡¯s great, mom! So, why do you seem so upset about it? This is what we¡¯ve all been hoping for, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, now I have to decide, once and for all, who¡¯s going to have to go out there and find out what, if anything, is really waiting for us.¡±

    ¡°Not like you haven¡¯t had twenty years to think about it,¡± Lili offered a small smile.

    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t really get to choose the team who might¡­die some horrible death out there,¡± her voice seemed to break a bit towards the end of the sentence, before forcing herself on, ¡°I just have to be the one who approves of sending someone else¡¯s choices off into that unknown world out there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make the right call, mom. I mean they picked you for a reason,¡± Lili attempted to assure her.

    It was then that Miranda buried her face in her hands, seeming to stifle a sob, and showing a weakness no one else aboard the ship had ever seen her show, ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to make the right call?¡± was her tearful explanation as Lili moved to place an arm around her mother.

    ¡°Mom, what is it? Why are you so upset about this? You always knew it would be up to you to decide who would have to go out there when the time came.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she swallowed again, still not able to look up at the worry in Lili¡¯s beautiful eyes, ¡°but I didn¡¯t always know that you would be one of the people that I¡¯d be expected to send out into that new world.¡±

 Chapter 5

    It wasn¡¯t much later that evening when Ian finished his shift and began heading back down the hall towards his own living quarters. Still lost in deep thought over the conversation he had just had with Kyle, Ian absently began pulling down the top of the zipper on his own suit only to be caught when he stepped around the corner next to his quarters and found Jared about to enter his own nearby cabin.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Ian greeted the younger man with an attempt at an expressionless nod down the hall in Jared¡®s direction.

    ¡°Me?¡± Jared stammered a bit as he turned back from where he was about to swipe his own badge and forced his eyes up to meet Ian¡¯s.

    ¡°You see anyone else here?¡± Ian attempted a short-lived response.

    ¡°Guess not,¡± Jared returned after an uneasy glance around the surrounding hallway.

    ¡°You¡¯re up late,¡± Ian attempted to continue the interaction.

    ¡°Yeah, you too,¡± Jared returned with another uneasy swallow.

    ¡°This is when my shift usually ends,¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess,¡±, Jared allowed a slight shrug, more than a bit confused by this sudden strange attempt at socialization.

    Ian allowed another sigh before managing the next statement, ¡°Well, as long as we¡¯re both up, may as well come in and have a drink, right?¡± Ian offered as he started the entry procedure to his own quarters by swiping his badge.

    ¡°Me?¡± Jared repeated, more than a bit startled by such an invitation.

    Ian just allowed a slight chuckle, ¡°Come on,¡± he prodded as he typed in his own security code as he gestured for Jared to make his way over.

    ¡°Um, ok,¡± Jared swallowed again, wishing his strange psychic tendencies had prepared him for this situation, at all.

    Jared remained dead silent as they went through the entry procedures before gaining access to Ian¡¯s quarters where Ian then gestured for Jared to take a seat while really not sharing any more words of his own just yet either.

    Ian sighed as he finished lowering the suit¡¯s zipper to his waist and moved to open the tiny refrigerator of sorts that was in each of their quarters, ¡°Blue, red, or green? Any preference?¡± he asked over his shoulder as Jared nervously took the offered seat while Ian glanced over the pre-packaged drink mixes inside the small compartment.

    ¡°Um, blue, I guess?¡± Jared responded with a shrug from his awkward place on Ian¡¯s couch.

    ¡°Yeah, I like red myself,¡± Ian returned as he tossed the sealed cup across the tiny counter to the couch, where Jared somehow managed to catch it, despite the odd angle, ¡°Surprising reflexes, for a science guy,¡± Ian returned as he set his own selection on the counter a moment later.

    ¡°Yeah, thanks,¡± Jared offered quietly as he turned his eyes downwards to unseal the container.

    Ian narrowed his eyes a bit at how quickly Jared broke off eye contact, though that was still pretty usual for someone as introverted as this boy seemed to be, ¡°Be right back,¡± Ian stated through a still distracted sigh after another brief moment.

    Ian then moved to head toward the sleeping quarters at the back of the cabin, beginning to pull the black jumpsuit down off his arms as he moved through the doorway to the bedroom. Not bothering to close the door behind him, Ian still remained out of sight around the corner of the room for a few brief moments of continued silence. He then finally returned to the living area a moment later, now dressed simply in a more comfortable pair of black jogging pants below his painstakingly chiseled torso, a reward for his years of physical training there onboard the ship.

    It was another awkward moment after Ian returned to the room, moving to open his own drink as Jared nervously forced down a few sips of his own, ¡°So, how you been, Jared?¡± Ian finally broke the silence as he moved to take a seat at one of the bar stool type chairs on Jared¡¯s side of the small counter.

    ¡°Been?¡± Jared repeated with more than a trace of confusion apparent, ¡°Since, when?¡± he asked, a clear reference to the fact that the two of them had hardly ever included one another in whatever social circle they may have considered themselves to even be a part of at all.

    Ian just smirked again as he took his own sip, ¡°Is it wrong for me to wanna get to know my other shipmates better?¡±

    Jared narrowed his eyes again at that question, but his own hand-held computer, tucked safely into the pocket of his lab coat, then beeped loudly to cut off any response he might have been able to find to Ian¡¯s question, ¡°Pardon me,¡± Jared said quietly as he moved to retrieve the hand-sized computer from his pocket. Jared¡¯s expression only seemed to adopt further confusion as he glanced down at the screen, moving through whatever message the alert had denoted. He then shook his head as he finished reading the message, ¡°Strange,¡± was his only mumbled response as he slowly slid the machine back into his pocket.

    ¡°Let me guess, a message from the boy genius?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Jared swallowed again, not sure how Ian guessed at that fact. Though, before he could question it, Ian spoke again.

    ¡°So, I suppose he sent you some strange message about reading every medical document available on the web, or something?¡± Ian offered as he took another sip.

    ¡°How¡¯d you know that?¡± Jared stammered a bit.

    ¡°Security guy, remember?¡± Ian reminded pointedly, ¡°I¡¯m supposed to know everything that happens on this ship, after all,¡± Ian added, a bit of bitterness apparent in the words, though seemingly not directed at Jared himself, on this particular subject, anyway.

    Jared was a little caught again by the strange comment, but his own curiosity couldn¡¯t stop him from asking, ¡°So, why does Kyle want me to read all that stuff?¡± he then added, ¡°If you know everything that happens on the ship, does that mean you know that?¡±

    ¡°Cause, we need a medical expert. And Kyle¡¯s picked you.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Jared returned, his voice finally rising only a slight decibel over its normal soft tone, ¡°I¡¯m just a lab assistant, and just an eighteen year old kid at that,¡± he had to add.

    ¡°And yet,¡± Ian returned pointedly as he took another swig.

    Jared let out an uneasy scoff as he set the drink aside, ¡°Why the heck would he pick me? And shouldn¡¯t I really be the one to pick my whole career, anyway?¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Guess he thinks you can do it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and so could anyone else, if they decided to spend the next decade studying all the stuff he just told me to read, like he was just ordering lunch or something.¡±

    ¡°And yet,¡± Ian repeated.

    Jared just shook his head at the glib response, before continuing, ¡°Ok, so what am I missing here?¡±

    ¡°You tell me,¡± Ian said with a gesture of concession as he leaned back in his own seat against the counter behind him.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jared scoffed again to cover his own confusion.

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    Ian then sighed again, ¡°According to Kyle, you¡¯re a little genius too, and that¡¯s what we¡¯ll need.¡±

    Jared¡¯s eyes widened a bit at that accusation before making another response, ¡°Since when?¡± he asked with a shake of his head, ¡°And what do you mean, that¡¯s what you¡¯ll need? The ship already has a doctor,¡± Jared reminded.

    ¡°And yet,¡± Ian stated once more.

    ¡°Could you please stop saying that, and just say what you really mean?¡± Jared returned with as much authority as he could muster through his otherwise docile personality.

    Ian tilted his head back a moment before giving into Jared¡¯s request, ¡°Summary: We finally found another planet out there, and we¡¯re gonna need the most brilliant medical, and scientific, mind we can get once we get out there. And you got the golden ticket, according to our current resident genius.¡±

    ¡°Since when?¡± Jared repeated, seeming less shocked by the prospect of a new planet, somehow, than he seemed to be by being told how important of a role they were expecting him to fill at a moment¡¯s notice.

    ¡°Maybe you need to go have a chat with the boy genius too. You¡¯d be amazed at how much shit they don¡¯t tell us here,¡± Ian added with a trace of that bitterness arising once again.

    ¡°Like, what?¡± Jared asked with another hard swallow, his thoughts not able to keep from wondering back to the secrets of his own he had chosen to finally share earlier that very night.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Kyle¡¯s still awake,¡± was Ian¡¯s only offered answer as he stood once more, heading back toward his sleeping quarters again, closing the door behind him to leave Jared to decipher everything he had just told him, and go find those answers, himself.

    <hr>

    It was only several minutes later when Jared found himself taking a deep breath as he stood outside Kyle¡¯s own cabin, waiting for the younger man to allow him inside, ¡°Do you not have a clock on your link up?¡± Kyle greeted him after buzzing Jared inside with a tiresome sigh. Inside, Kyle was now dressed in his own t-shirt and sweats, reclining on the couch with one of his many computers atop his lap.

    ¡°I figured you¡¯d be up. Considering it¡¯s been like ten minutes since you sent me that message,¡± Jared returned as the door slid shut behind him.

    ¡°So why are you here, instead of finishing the first ten books I told you to look up?¡± Kyle returned as he continued to look down at the screen before him, rather than at the distressed looking man who stood inside his door.

    ¡°Ten medical books in ten minutes?¡± Jared returned with a raised eyebrow, ¡°You live in an interesting world, Kyle,¡± Jared allowed his own trace of sarcasm, which usually never breached the surface of his normal demeanor.

    ¡°Please, I was there when they tested us. I know speed-reading is in your vast skill set,¡± Kyle mumbled as he continued tapping away at the keyboard.

    Jared shook his head again before continuing, ¡°Speed-reading aside,¡± he began, not actually denying the claim, ¡°how did you suddenly decide that I¡¯m qualified to be any kind of medical expert, let alone one good enough to be responsible for this entire survey team?¡±

    ¡°Wow, they really have you snowed too, don¡¯t they?¡± was Kyle¡¯s non-answer as he finally looked away from the screen.

    ¡°Who are they and what is that supposed to mean?¡± Jared finally returned.

    ¡°Come on, Jared, you¡¯re too smart not to know how different you are.¡±

    Jared¡¯s breath caught again, forcing him to quickly find some response, ¡°Different, how?¡±

    ¡°You tell me,¡± he repeated Ian¡¯s earlier statement as he actually set the computer aside for once, ¡°What have you tried to do, and then succeeded at?¡±

    Jared just shook his head again as he nervously began pacing the small area, ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to be more specific than that,¡± was his eventual response.

    ¡°I tried to know all there was to know about technology, and then I learned it, and more, just like that,¡± Kyle offered his own answer with a slight snap of his fingers.

    ¡°Well good for you,¡± Jared scoffed, then added, ¡°But we all already know you¡¯re a genius. That doesn¡¯t make me one.¡±

    ¡°Please, you already know plenty about science, and you¡¯re only a couple years older than me,¡± Kyle reminded.

    Another slight scoff as his pacing continued, ¡°I only know what I¡¯ve read, Kyle, and what I¡¯ve learned in the lab. Same as anyone else there.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and have you ever had to read the same theories or documents twice, or take longer than a minute to get through all that sci-babble. Have you ever had to even do an experiment twice cause it didn¡¯t work the first time?¡± Kyle pointed out knowingly.

    Jared shook his head as he turned back, ¡°Have you been spying on me, or what?¡±

    ¡°Call it intuition. Something else I¡¯m sure you¡¯re pretty good at,¡± Kyle added, ¡°Not exactly the ¡®same as anyone else,¡¯ really, are you?¡±

    ¡°What are you really saying, Kyle?¡± Jared finally allowed himself to ask, his pacing finally stopped.

    ¡°I¡¯m saying you¡¯re the same as me. Or at least your brain works just as much as mine does. And way more than any of theirs do,¡± he added more quietly, ¡°And that¡¯s why I know you¡¯d be one of the people we¡¯d need out there.¡±

    ¡°But, why? Why am I like you?¡±

    ¡°Admittedly, it¡¯s not just you. There¡¯s a few of us that are like this. But you and Serena are the ones with the most potential right now, out of all of us.¡±

    ¡°All of who?¡± Jared had to ask.

    ¡°Us, the ones born up here,¡± Kyle answered before allowing another breath, ¡°It all really begins when our bodies start aging to adulthood, then our brains catch up, real quick, and keep going. You and Serena are the oldest, the ones who are finally adults. And frankly, between the two of you, she¡¯s not the one I¡¯d wanna trust with my life. It¡¯s hard enough to trust her with my baby,¡± he added with a gentle pat upon the computer that still sat next to him.

    Jared was silent for another long moment before managing to digest enough of Kyle¡¯s words to continue, ¡°So we¡¯re all a bunch of super-geniuses, like you? And we just didn¡¯t know it?¡± Jared raised an eyebrow again.

    ¡°Something like that. And they didn¡¯t want you to know it. Not until we needed you to, anyway.¡±

    Another shake of his head, ¡°That doesn¡¯t make a lot of sense, Kyle. I mean, wouldn¡¯t they want as much brainpower as possible trying to get us to this new world?¡±

    Kyle ran his hand through his hair once more, ¡°Not at the risk of losing what control they still could have over us. That¡¯s just the way they are, the way they¡¯ve always been.¡±

    ¡°They who?¡± Jared had to press for more of an explanation.

    ¡°The human race, of course.¡±

    Another shake of his own lengthy locks before Jared responded, ¡°You almost talk like you don¡¯t think that we¡¯re part of that race, ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Tell me, Jared, how often do you think that you actually are just like the rest of them, honestly?¡±

 Chapter 6

    It took a long moment for Lili to process what Miranda had just told her, before she finally mustered some kind of response through the muddle of thoughts and emotions that were racing through her brain right then, ¡°Me?¡± she finally stated breathily, ¡°Someone chose me?¡± she asked with a bit more than her fair share of shock at the prospect.

    ¡°Obviously,¡± Miranda sniffled through her response.

    ¡°How is that obvious, at all, mom? Why would anyone ever pick me for something as important as this?¡± she then shook her head and quickly added, ¡°Who would pick me?¡±

    Miranda took a breath before deciding to answer the easier of her daughter¡¯s two questions, ¡°The other half of the team picked you,¡± she swallowed hard, trying not to sound bitter as she offered her answer, though it was difficult.

    ¡°And, who is that, exactly?¡± she asked, despite already knowing the names of a couple of the people who had always been intended to go. She still needed to hear for sure.

    ¡°Well,¡± another slight sniffle, ¡°the two who proposed the choices are Kyle and Ian. Charles and I are just the ones who have to approve of them,¡± Miranda finished.

    ¡°Kyle¡­and Ian?¡± Lili returned with a raised brow. She then just shook her head, ¡°Ok, so why would someone as intelligent as Kyle, ever think that I could be the right person to be part of this?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not surprised that Ian chose you too, then?¡± Miranda asked, finally turning slightly back toward her daughter.

    Lili just shook her head before speaking again, ¡°Ian¡¯s a completely different story. Kyle¡¯s the genius. And why would a genius think that I was important enough for this? I mean, who else did he include? I really would like to know, now.¡±

    ¡°The three who are already approved to go are Kyle and Ian of course, and your new friend apparently,¡± Miranda informed as she glanced back toward the door once more.

    ¡°My who?¡± Lili asked, caught once again by that statement.

    ¡°You know, the boy who you just had in your cabin after midnight: Jared.¡±

    Lili looked even further shocked by that answer as she looked back at the older woman, ¡°They picked Jared? And all three of them have been approved for sure, already?¡± she swallowed slightly, that bevy of emotions still swirling around her brain at all of this new information.

    ¡°Yeah, well, Kyle argued that Jared is just as intelligent as he is, so, yeah all three of them have been approved.¡±

    ¡°Kyle actually said that he thinks someone else is just as intelligent as him? Is that even possible, in his world?¡± Lili had to ask, trying to push back her own relatively new knowledge about exactly how much brain power Jared did indeed seem to have.

    ¡°Yeah, hence why we had to take his word for it. It had to be the truth, cause why else would Kyle ever say it, otherwise?¡± Miranda answered, attempting to sound innocent of any reason she, herself, might actually have to believe in the possibility of Jared sharing the same kind of mental facilities that Kyle was also known to have.

    Lili spent another few moments in silent contemplation before continuing, ¡°So, I¡¯m the only one who hasn¡¯t been approved by everyone else yet, then?¡±

    ¡°Well, honey there was no way I was just gonna say, sure send her away, she¡¯s only my baby,¡± Miranda answered, her voice breaking again at the end of the sentence.

    Lili looked down quietly before returning, ¡°Well, Charles said that about sending Ian didn¡¯t he?¡±

    Miranda just shook her head, ¡°Lili, Ian¡¯s not even Charles¡¯ real son, and they¡¯re men,¡± she added, then also threw in, ¡°Besides, Ian¡¯s a soldier, baby. He¡¯s trained for this for his entire life. How could Charles not send him?¡±

    Lili swallowed again before speaking softly, ¡°So, did Charles approve of me going, too?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Miranda admitted with another downwards glance, ¡°He seems to think it would make sense, too,¡± she allowed, her voice breaking once more.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re really the only one who didn¡¯t think I should go?¡±

    Miranda shook her head sadly once more, ¡°You don¡¯t get it honey. The real reason they all think you should go is¡­it¡¯s because of me.¡±

    Lili furrowed her brow as she looked back up at Miranda, ¡°You?¡± was her only response.

    ¡°It¡¯s the same reason you were allowed to come aboard the ship with me, at all. They know that when it¡¯s my own daughter¡¯s life that¡¯s at stake, I would do everything in my power to protect her, and keep her safe,¡± she then took a deep breath, ¡°Only in this case¡­¡± her voice then trailed off as she shook her head once more.

    ¡°They¡¯re right though, aren¡¯t they? They¡¯ll all be safer out there, if I¡¯m with them.¡±

    ¡°Like I said, maybe I don¡¯t wanna make the right call, not this time.¡±

    ¡°But, don¡¯t you owe it to them, to make that call. I mean they are risking their lives to save you and all the people up here with you. Doesn¡¯t that earn them the right choice?¡± Lili whispered, her own voice breaking softly.

    Miranda shook her head, astounded at her own daughter¡¯s logic when facing this kind of choice, herself, ¡°But I never thought it would mean sacrificing my little girl.¡±

    Lili offered a tiny smile as she squeezed her mother¡¯s shoulders, ¡°Then don¡¯t let it,¡± she stated simply, ¡°I mean, that¡¯s what they¡¯re counting on you for, to get us back here safely, aren¡¯t they? It¡¯s what we¡¯re all counting on, our entire race.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    <hr>

    It didn¡¯t take much more than about twenty-four hours for the four of them to begin preparing for the history-making trip that they would all be part of once they reached this new planet¡¯s orbit in less than one week¡¯s time, none of them sure exactly what would truly be waiting for them there at all.

    Kyle sighed as he checked his LU, which was short for the small link up computer each crew member carried aboard the ship. Of course, Kyle¡¯s had access to quite a few more functions than most anyone else¡¯s, though right now, he simply needed to do a search for the current passenger locations, as all were recorded each time any had to move through one of the many secured doorways aboard the ship. Upon finding his target, he nodded briefly to his current assistant and finally made his way from the main computer hub of the ship to begin making his own preparations, grudgingly so, as this particular one was.

    Several moments later, he entered one of the many common areas of the ship, where he rarely ever was found, himself. This particular area was most often looked upon as a hybrid of the old world¡¯s libraries and internet cafes. After a moment he spied the person he had been looking for and let out a tiresome sigh before forcing his feet to carry him in the direction of the young brunette woman who didn¡¯t look a day over twenty, if that. She was currently studying her own computer screen atop one of the plush couches in a more secluded corner of the large room.

    ¡°Hey,¡± he managed a remotely civil greeting as he reached her.

    She scowled up at him out of the corner of her dark eyes despite Kyle¡¯s own attractiveness, which somehow didn¡¯t seem to faze this girl, ¡°What?¡± was her gruff response to his greeting.

    ¡°Wow Serena, such a warm greeting,¡± he returned, faking his own smile down at the nineteen year old.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± was her own response, in much the same tone as her first question.

    ¡°Yeah, why bother with small talk? It seems to be the one thing neither of us is good at, obviously.¡±

    ¡°Then get to the point,¡± she stated plainly and without any hesitation.

    Kyle simply shook his head as he continued, unruffled by her coolness, ¡°You always thought you should have my job, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, either me or some trained monkey. Either would be an improvement.¡±

    ¡°Mmm, can¡¯t imagine why they chose me over you, in the end,¡± he just had to get that jab in.

    Serena¡¯s eyes narrowed at his statement, but only the slightest moment passed before she retaliated, ¡°Cause you were more willing to give head for a job than I was?¡± she shrugged with feigned innocence behind the bite to her words.

    Kyle forced an obvious fake chuckle before returning, ¡°That¡¯s a good one, Serena. You¡¯re such a witty little ray of sunshine, aren¡¯t ya?¡±

    ¡°What the hell do you want, Kyle?¡± she repeated.

    Kyle let out a slight sigh as he moved to lean upon the back of the couch she still sat upon, ¡°Well, you finally get your chance to try and prove you can do my job, after all. No head required,¡± he just had to add.

    Serena was quick to expertly hide what was almost a grin before allowing herself to continue this particular conversation, ¡°What, they finally fire your ass, after all?¡±

    Kyle allowed a smirk before answering, ¡°Actually, they need me to do something more important.¡±

    ¡°More important than running the ship¡¯s entire computer system? What, Miranda finally retiring?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m getting shore leave, now that there finally is a shore out there.¡±

    Serena narrowed her eyes once more before allowing, ¡°You actually managed to find some planet out there, finally?¡±

    ¡°Actually two. But one¡¯s all we need. And I get to be among the lucky few that actually get to go there,¡± only a slight pause, ¡°But look at it this way, you get a fancy new temp job at my old desk, and you can now start seething over yet another opportunity that I got handed, instead of you,¡± he allowed another smug smile, ¡°Study up, and meet me when you¡¯re done so I can show you the ropes. Have a nice day,¡± he finished with another smirk as he headed out of the room once more.

    <hr>

    It was late afternoon, now less than six days until their projected arrival at that new planet, when Miranda sat in her office, adjacent to the flight deck and the computer hub, trying to force her way through the endless forms she was expected to plow through previous to the mission.

    Her door buzzed to interrupt her work as she sighed and pressed the button to allow entry into her office, assuming it would be Charles pointing her in the direction of yet another batch of electronic paperwork. Instead, she was a bit startled when she looked up to see two other faces.

    Her visitors were a couple in their upper thirties who had married shortly into the journey, and then, after having to jump through several hoops, had managed to conceive a son, there on board the ship, three years later.

    ¡°Samantha, Colin,¡± Miranda greeted them with a strained breath as she stiffly gestured for them to take seats across from her.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way we can change your mind, is there?¡± Samantha offered as her greeting, her voice shaking with emotional distress.

    ¡°I suppose you mean about Kyle?¡± Miranda offered in her own quiet voice as she glanced downward.

    ¡°You may have picked him because he¡¯s some kind of genius, but he¡¯s still a boy: A sixteen year old boy, Miranda!¡± Samantha continued to plead with the older woman while her husband remained silent, though held her hand tightly as he sat next to her.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t just my decision, Samantha,¡± Miranda attempted, her own heart still sick about her impending parting with her own child.

    ¡°Please,¡± Samantha scoffed, ¡°Nothing happens here without you allowing it to happen.¡±

    Miranda just shook her head again, ¡°We¡¯ve all known that Kyle would most likely have to be included when the time came. It hasn¡¯t been a secret,¡± Miranda returned, though softly.

    Finally, Colin spoke up, ¡°Yeah, when the time came. But we didn¡¯t know if the time would ever come. And we sure as hell didn¡¯t think it would come when he¡¯s still this young.¡±

    ¡°No one could have known when it would happen. We all just had to wait until it did. And now it has,¡± Miranda attempted, finding it quite difficult to try and convince another set of parents to accept having their only child placed in this situation, as well.

    ¡°He¡¯s sixteen!¡± Colin repeated more loudly, ¡°He¡¯s been so wrapped up in being your little pet genius; he hasn¡¯t even started to live yet! And now¡­¡± the man simply shook his head rather than finishing the sentence.

    ¡°We¡¯re all scared Colin, but try to remember, if things go the way that we hope they do, your son will be a huge part of that. A part of saving every one of us,¡± Miranda argued, almost seeming to be trying to convince herself even more than the two distraught parents before her.

    Samantha just scoffed, ¡°I didn¡¯t fight you tooth and nail so I could finally be allowed to give birth to a martyr. I wanted a son. And then, you ran all your little tests, and took him away from us, and we barely even know him anymore¡­And now, you just wanna take him away from us again? Why are you doing this to us, Miranda? Haven¡¯t we all suffered enough?¡± she added with a heavy, tearful breath.

    Miranda had to take a moment to keep her own composure right then, before attempting any kind of response, ¡°I¡¯m doing this, to hopefully stop the suffering, for all of us. Please try to understand that I want it to stop, so badly, that I have no choice but to send our best possible hopes of finding a way out of this. And, Kyle is easily, the right choice, as difficult as it was to make, it¡¯s still the right one, which I¡¯m sure you both know too, as hard as it may be to admit that, right now.¡±

    Samantha just shook her head in disbelief as a tear trailed down her cheek. She then rushed to stand, her husband easily following as she headed toward the door before turning back once more, ¡°I just wonder if you¡¯d still think it was the right choice if it was your child getting sent out there,¡± she added bitingly, turning on her heel and both of them heading back out the door too quickly to see the tears that rose to Miranda¡¯s eyes right then, as well.

 Chapter 7

    It was nearing eight p.m. when Kyle was just finishing up the ten minute break he called his supper and heading back toward his main workstation. He had just turned the corner before the computer hub when he saw his parents heading his way and attempted to stifle a sigh as they purposefully moved toward him.

    ¡°Kyle, can we talk?¡± his mother greeted him sadly.

    ¡°Probably not,¡± was his mumbled response as he glanced toward the door to the hub impatiently.

    ¡°Why did we have to hear this from Charles, instead of you?¡± she continued with a shake of her head up at where her son already stood a few inches taller than she, herself.

    ¡°Cause, I¡¯m a little busy, this week?¡± was his only given answer, which just caused her to shake her head, eyes cast downwards once more.

    Then his father finally spoke up, as his wife was obviously too upset to form much in the way of full sentences right then. ¡°You¡¯ve been ¡®busy¡¯ for three straight years, Kyle. You don¡¯t even live in the same part of the ship as us anymore. And now, you were too busy to tell us they¡¯re sending you out onto some unknown planet? We¡¯re your parents, Kyle. Don¡¯t you think we should have some say in this?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head as he tossed another glance toward the nearby door before responding simply, ¡°no.¡±

    His father scoffed, stunned into a moment of silence by that particular response. ¡°No? Just like that? No? How can you say that we don¡¯t have a say in our own son¡¯s life?¡±

    ¡°Because you don¡¯t,¡± Kyle stated, forcing any emotion out of his voice. ¡°You¡¯re not qualified to have a say, not in this,¡± he told them with a sad shake of his head.

    Though, Kyle had no time to go into any further explanation, as his mother gasped at his words and moved to slap him hard across the face, before tearfully dragging his father away with her, neither of them able to muster any more words for their son, right then.

    A moment later, Kyle looked up again from painfully rubbing the side of his jaw, only to see that Ian had appeared in the last few moments, looking a bit thrown, himself, as he looked off after where Kyle¡¯s parents moved away in obvious upset.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Ian attempted as he looked back over at Kyle once more. ¡°Do you want me to uh¡­¡± another glance after the younger boy¡¯s parents, ¡°do something?¡± Ian offered, not quite sure exactly what to say, himself, right then.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± was Kyle¡¯s nearly whispered response as he squared his shoulders and turned away to head back toward the door to the computer hub once more.

    As Kyle disappeared behind the door once again, Ian let out the breath he had seemed to be holding and glanced after Kyle¡¯s parents once more with another ragged sigh, before making himself continue on his way once again.

    <hr>

    Working shorter shifts that week, Ian was actually just finishing up his rounds for the evening when he had run across Kyle and his parents earlier. It was about half an hour afterwards when he was making his way through yet another of his regular workouts there in the ship¡¯s gym.

    ¡°How much longer you planning on going, tonight?¡± Charles¡¯ voice interrupted once he appeared at the door behind where Ian was continuing his weight training.

    Not breaking his momentum, Ian only glanced at the older man¡¯s arrival from the corner of his eyes, ¡°As long as I can,¡± was his simple answer through measured breaths as he continued his workout.

    Charles just allowed a slight chuckle, which didn¡¯t actually sound all that jolly, ¡°The point in giving you shorter shifts this week is so you wouldn¡¯t be as stressed going into this.¡±

    ¡°Why would I be stressed?¡± Ian responded simply, continuing to pull the weighted arms of the machine to meet in front of him before allowing them to return to his side, only to repeat the motion in the next moment.

    ¡°You actually trying to tell me you¡¯re not?¡± Charles asked with a raised brow as he moved the slightest bit closer.

    ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle,¡± was Ian¡¯s only response, continuing to stare straight ahead as he spoke.

    ¡°Odd, I always thought it was easier to handle something when you had any clue what it was you were about to face,¡± he told him pointedly.

    ¡°Well, who says life is supposed to be ¡®easy¡¯?¡± was Ian¡¯s brief response, quieter though it was spoken than the last.

    ¡°Ian, you only have a little over five days before you¡¯ll be risking your own life, and responsible for three other peoples¡¯ lives too. No one is expecting you to not be afraid. Not even me,¡± he added more gently as he tried to establish some kind of eye contact with the boy he had raised as his own, though it had hardly been a conventional upbringing, in any way.

    Ian finally let out a long sigh as he allowed the arms of the machine to finally fall back into their rightful place before silently reaching for a nearby towel to wipe a bit of sweat away from his brow, arms and chest.

    After another moment, the younger man finally spoke up, ¡°And what good is me being afraid gonna do any of us, really?¡±

    Charles just shook his head as he began to realize exactly what effect the way he had chosen to raise the man who now sat before him had had. He had succeeded at making him into a soldier, that much was obvious. However, Ian would have to be much more than that when it came to making it through the situation that Charles had been greatly responsible for placing these four young people into now.

    Charles sighed slightly as he tried to find the right words then, ¡°Ian, I know you think you¡¯re just meant to be a good soldier, and I¡¯m sure that most of that was put in your head by me,¡± another small breath, ¡°But just remember, when you¡¯re out there, you can¡¯t only be that. It¡¯ll take a lot more than that to make the right decisions to keep all of you alive. Please always try to remember that,¡± he added in a near whisper as he moved to place his hand gently over Ian¡¯s shoulder with a slight squeeze before silently leaving the room once more.

    <hr>

    As the hour grew later, Jared had to take a break from force-feeding his already reeling brain every medical document or study that the ship¡¯s computers would allow him access to. He pushed away the keyboard with a sigh and he rubbed at his eyes.

    Upon opening those deep pools of hazel again, he noted the time with yet another sigh and finally came to the decision that his newly assigned studies could wait until he made at least one more attempt at making sense of his own apparent mental abilities. On that thought, he pushed himself up from the desk in the corner of his own quarters and took another breath before heading through the door.

    Several minutes later, he arrived at a wing known as the commons. This area of the ship was basically like a much larger scale version of the crew¡¯s quarters, where his own cabin was. And of course, there was slightly less security here, the doors only requiring an ID code to get through, rather than all the hoops he had to jump through just to get to his own work area or living quarters each day.

    Jared moved down several connecting halls nodding to this person or that politely as he made his way to the cabin he was looking for at last. He took a deep breath as he waited outside the door a moment before finally buzzing in his visitor request at the small panel that graced each door of the commons.

    There was a lengthy pause before the door finally slid open to allow him entry. Inside, his father looked up at his arrival with more than a bit of wariness rather than any other kind of emotion upon receiving a visit from his son.

    ¡°Hey, dad,¡± Jared attempted a smile as he stepped inside.

    ¡°Jared,¡± his father returned as more a question than a greeting.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t seen you in a couple weeks,¡± Jared attempted as he took an awkward seat at the counter that created the border between the tiny kitchen and the living area of the cabin.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s the beauty of early retirement. I can operate on my own hours, instead of anyone else¡¯s, now,¡± was his father¡¯s simple response as he focused most of his attention on the book in front of him, rather than his son.

    ¡°Oh, so we¡¯ve just been missing each other, I guess,¡± Jared returned, though the waver in his voice belied the idea that he believed his own words.

    ¡°Guess so,¡± his father returned quietly as he flipped the page.

    Jared just nodded as he bit a lip with a nervous glance around his father¡¯s reasonably new living area, then couldn¡¯t help having to add, ¡°Good, was beginning to worry that you were, like, avoiding me or something,¡± he attempted to sound like he wasn¡¯t all that serious as he proposed the idea, but his emotions easily peered through his voice.

    His father just scoffed at the statement before returning, ¡°I opened the door, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    Jared just shook his head at that, ¡°And you seem so happy to see me, too,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Then his father sighed in what almost sounded like annoyance, ¡°Did you just come here to try and pick a fight or something, Jared?¡±

    Jared let out a scoff of disbelief before responding, ¡°Hardly. But I can¡¯t help it. You don¡¯t seem very happy to see me, at all. You haven¡¯t in a long time,¡± he added more quietly, ¡°I was even starting to think you quit working in the lab, just to get away from me. I came here to hopefully find out that that wasn¡¯t really the case.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never said anything resembling that, Jared,¡± was his father¡¯s only partial denial of the accusation.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°You never said anything, at all, dad. You just up and cut me off. I mean, you weren¡¯t really there all that much in the beginning, but at least you pretended, for a while. Then I got older, and you just couldn¡¯t seem to get away from me fast enough,¡± Jared stated with breaking voice, all of the feelings he had been holding inside, wanting desperately to get out at that moment.

    His father just shook his head silently at the accusation before finding some response, ¡°I don¡¯t know where you¡¯re getting this, Jared. I mean, I got you the job in the lab there with me, didn¡¯t I?¡± he offered with a shrug.

    ¡°Yeah, and as soon as you did, you ran the other direction. I mean you¡¯re barely forty-five, and you decide to retire from your spot as one of the leading scientists we had left? Who does that? Is it any wonder that I think it was because of me just trying to share the part of your life that¡­that you actually seemed to care about.¡±

    His father, Karl, just shook his head once more, continuing to avoid any eye contact, ¡°So, you just came here to share these delusions of yours and try to lay some kind of guilt trip on me?¡±

    Jared just scoffed again, looking down as he rubbed at his brow, ¡°No, I came here cause I thought you might know things about me that would make my life start to make even the slightest bit of sense again, and that maybe, you¡¯d finally be willing to share those things with me, while you still could,¡± he had to add, ¡°But I¡¯m thinking, now, that even if you did know how to make this stuff make sense to me, that you probably just couldn¡¯t even be bothered, could you?¡± he added with a hopeless shrug before moving to leave the room once more, feeling even more lost now than he had felt going into that room in the first place, even.

    <hr>

    It was the morning of their last full day aboard the ship before it would be close enough for them to finally make their attempt at changing history, in one way or another. Early that morning, the four of them each received messages directing them to go to the medical wing in order to have their pre-mission physicals.

    The four arrived outside Dr. Hamil¡¯s office within a few minutes of one another, where his assistant told them to simply take seats, as if they weren¡¯t all already nervous enough that day.

    None of them seemed to have much at all to say as their wait began, as it was too noisy inside all of their heads right then. It wasn¡¯t until Hamil poked his head out and gestured for Jared to come inside first, that any of them even looked up from the blank stares they had all been wearing that morning.

    As the door closed behind Jared, who was wearing his usual worried look, Kyle let out a small sigh and shook his head.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Ian was the first to ask, though both he and Lili, who were seated on either side of Kyle, were both jarred from their previous silence by Kyle¡¯s slight sigh.

    ¡°She¡¯s gonna kill it,¡± Kyle stated distraughtly, seeming to have started that conversation without them, inside his own head, where he spent so much of his time, anyway.

    ¡°Somethin¡¯s gettin killed?¡± Ian had to ask with a raised brow.

    ¡°Serena, she¡¯ll kill it. I know she will. She¡¯s just that big of a bitch,¡± Kyle muttered under his breath.

    ¡°I thought she was taking care of your computer for ya, not your puppy,¡± Ian had to retort smartly, causing Lili to have to hide her own slightly amused grin behind a more befitting scowl of disapproval at Ian being less than sympathetic to Kyle¡¯s apparent worries.

    ¡°Please, it¡¯s not just a computer. It¡¯s the ship¡¯s entire brain! And it¡¯ll be in the hands of hers!¡± Kyle argued in all seriousness.

    ¡°Her brain has hands now, too?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help another jibe, which did almost receive a smile from Lili, almost.

    ¡°Oh, fuck off, Ian. This is important shit I¡¯m talking about here!¡±

    ¡°Hence the fucking and the shitting, I guess,¡± Ian returned in his continued glib manner, finding it just as easy to push Kyle¡®s buttons as Kyle had found it to push his a week earlier.

    Lili tried to swallow any amusement at their interaction to attempt to comfort Kyle, ¡°What is it that¡¯s got you so worried? I thought you said that Serena is super-intelligent. She should know how to keep things running smoothly enough while we¡¯re gone, shouldn¡¯t she?¡± Lili told him with some combination of hoping as well as asking for her own reassurances at the same time.

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°I¡¯m not worried about her being intelligent enough to run it, I¡¯m worried about her getting bored and deciding to feed it a pet virus or something, just to see what happens,¡± he complained.

    Lili looked a little startled by the idea, but attempted to write it off as exaggeration brought on by Kyle¡¯s nerves, ¡°Do you really think she would risk her big chance at proving herself by doing something like that? Come on. She¡¯s supposed to be intelligent, right?¡±

    ¡°Wow, he¡¯s just like a new mommy fretting over leavin her brat with a sitter for the first time ever,¡± Ian had to interject with a smirk, ¡°At least I can¡¯t accuse you of never providing any amusement, Kyle,¡± he told him with a condescending pat on the younger man¡¯s back, which caused Kyle to simply scoff once again.

    The conversation didn¡¯t go on much longer though, as Hamil then emerged from the exam room to return to his assistant¡¯s desk, handing her the results from Jared¡¯s physical, while Jared apparently still waited inside the other room, ¡°Go ahead and file that, and then send me their forms to sign off on when he gets done with them,¡± he instructed the young woman as he began removing his own lab coat in preparation to go off in search of his morning¡¯s breakfast.

    ¡°Wait, when who¡¯s done with us?¡± Lili spoke up as Hamil started toward the door.

    ¡°Jared, he¡¯s finishing up the physicals for you three.¡±

    ¡°Pardon me?¡± she stammered, hoping that the others couldn¡¯t see the blush she could feel rise to her cheeks at that particular moment.

    ¡°No need to worry Lili, he¡¯s gotta get at least some hands on experience before you guys get down there,¡± he then leaned in to speak more furtively, ¡°Besides, this kid seems to know even more than me, as hard as it is for me to admit that, myself,¡± he told her with a slight wink and a pat on the shoulder before heading from the room at last.

    ¡°Um, I guess you¡¯re next, Ian,¡± Jared interjected with a deep breath as he poked his head back out of the exam room he had somehow inherited in the last ten minutes.

    Ian raised a brow as he stood, not able to keep from making one last comment that somehow seemed to be directed at Lili, this time, ¡°Hope he doesn¡¯t have cold hands,¡± with that he moved to follow Jared into the other room as well.

    Lili just shook her head, not wanting to try and decipher any hidden meanings in Ian¡¯s comment right then, and instead turned back to Kyle, who, despite his earlier mood, seemed to find Ian¡¯s last allusion somehow amusing, himself.

    ¡°Jared¡¯s giving us our physicals?¡± she asked Kyle in an ever so slightly accusatory manner.

    ¡°Seems like,¡± Kyle shrugged as he checked his LU again, just in case he had missed anything in the last five seconds.

    ¡°Jared?¡± she repeated pointedly.

    Kyle simply smirked again as he moved through his recent messages.

    ¡°And you seem to be finding it quite amusing, somehow.¡±

    Kyle just shook his head, ¡°What¡¯s the big, Lili?¡± was his only response.

    ¡°Well, maybe it¡¯s not quite as weird for you two, but it¡¯s just a little weird for me!¡± she insisted.

    Kyle scoffed, ¡°You¡¯ve had a male doctor all your life, Lil. I believe he¡¯s having a bagel right now,¡± Kyle returned smartly.

    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s Hamil, he¡¯s like, a doctor,¡± were the only words she could find.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get you, Lili. You knew Jared was gonna be our doctor when we went on this trip. Why the flaking out about it, now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I thought that maybe he¡¯d have to bandage my ankle if I twisted it or something, or maybe, possibly give me CPR if I fell in some water, but¡­I wasn¡¯t really planning on¡­¡± she just shook her head.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help looking over at her with further amusement, ¡°Oh come on,¡± he scoffed.

    Lili narrowed her eyes back at him, ¡°Come on, what?¡±

    ¡°You can drop the act, Lil. As long as you both still do your jobs down there. That¡¯s all I care about, now.¡±

    ¡°Drop what act?¡± she asked slowly, obviously confused by that comment.

    ¡°Come on, the night we found out we were all going?¡± Kyle nudged.

    ¡°What about it?¡± she asked with further confusion.

    ¡°Come on, me and Ian both saw the logs.¡±

    ¡°What logs?¡±

    ¡°The visitor¡¯s log¡­for your cabin¡­any of this sound familiar?¡±

    ¡°What are you even talking about, Kyle?¡± she asked with another shake of her long locks.

    Kyle let out a chuckle before speaking furtively, ¡°Please, I thought you already kinda liked playin doctor with Jared.¡±

    ¡°Wh--what?¡± she exclaimed.

    ¡°Come on, we¡¯ve been stuck on this ship together all our lives. You¡¯re both hot, young, bored. And he¡¯s got that ¡®oh I¡¯m so shy no girl would ever think I had unsavory intentions¡¯ thing goin for him. I mean, I¡¯m surprised he hasn¡¯t used that to get to every other girl on the ship. Maybe he actually likes ya. I mean, he¡¯s a nice enough guy. You could do worse.¡±

    ¡°So¡­¡± she took a breath to compose herself, ¡°you¡¯re basing all of this on the fact that Jared happened to be in my cabin for a few hours one night?¡±

    Kyle just looked back down at the screen with a shrug, ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like you ever seemed to notice any other guys, right?¡± he told her quietly as he bit his lip and silently went about moving through his computer screens once again.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°So, how¡¯s his bedside manner?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help asking Ian with a wry smile over at Lili¡¯s scowl, as the older man returned to where they still waited.

    Ian stepped out of the exam room with a shake of his head as he finished zipping up his suit again, ¡°Horrible, really. I mean, I kept telling him, move your hand a bit if you wanna see a better reaction than me just coughing,¡± Ian snickered, ¡°But he¡¯s hopeless. Kids today, I tell ya.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something so wrong with you, Ian,¡± Lili couldn¡¯t help mumbling with a shake of her own head.

    ¡°Hey some of us aren¡¯t getting it as often as others. Gotta make due,¡± he added with an accusing smirk.

    ¡°Oh, would you stop? I¡¯ve already had this ridiculous conversation one too many times today,¡± she complained, as both he and Kyle couldn¡¯t help chuckling at her annoyance.

    ¡°Oh well, maybe you¡¯ll have better luck, junior. You¡¯re up next,¡± Ian told Kyle with another little grin.

    ¡°Anything he likes having whispered in his ear, or anything?¡± Kyle just had to tease back to Lili as he stood.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you start,¡± she warned with a glare, which was only greeted with another chuckle from both of them as Kyle headed off through the door as well.

    Thankfully, Ian headed off on his daily duties after Kyle headed inside, so Lili was spared any more of their comments as she continued biting almost clean through her nails while she awaited her own turn as one of Jared¡¯s first ever patients.

    ¡°All yours,¡± was Kyle¡¯s simple return greeting as he exited the room several minutes later and proceeded to quickly head off to spend his last twenty-four hours with his favorite toys. Lili let out a long breath before forcing herself to her feet as she moved to peek inside the door.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Jared greeted her, seeming to be feeling even more awkward than her right then, somehow.

    Lili swallowed hard, eyes down, ¡°You ready for me?¡± she asked, thankfully not looking up to see Jared¡¯s own slight blush rising to his cheeks.

    ¡°Yeah, um, come on in,¡± he managed, though the words almost seemed choked as he tried to force his attention back to the forms in front of him, rather than watching her as she moved slowly to close the door behind her and force her feet to carry her over to the exam table.

    Jared sighed slightly as he located her own medical history forms on the computer to center his concentration on glancing over them before the actual exam.

    ¡°That good, huh?¡± she attempted lightness as she managed to force her arms to pull her up to a seat atop the cool, thinly cushioned and papered table behind her.

    ¡°No, they¡¯re just, different,¡± he managed, still focusing his eyes on her charts rather than on her.

    ¡°Different than what?¡± she asked a little worriedly.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s¡­ nothing bad, it¡¯s just¡­¡± he attempted a glance over at her, ¡°it¡¯s different than theirs,¡± he offered as he gestured to the now closed door at the side of the room.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± she said a little warily.

    ¡°It just, it says you¡¯ve, you know, had some¡­procedures.¡±

    ¡°Procedures?¡± she asked with a slight raise of her brow.

    ¡°Well, you know, that they haven¡¯t had, obviously,¡± Jared managed as he took another deep breath, looking back down once more.

    ¡°Ok,¡± she repeated again, with her own continued worry.

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s nothing to be worried about or anything. It¡¯s not like something I don¡¯t understand or anything, it¡¯s just¡­yeah,¡± he took another breath as he set the computer aside once more.

    ¡°Ok,¡± she repeated again as she bit her lip.

    ¡°Um, ok, so the last time you had that done was when you were twenty-two, right?¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°Had what done?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°Um, the third IUD, uh, put in.¡±

    Lili couldn¡¯t help the slight blush rising to her cheeks again, before she managed an answer, ¡°Yeah, when I was twenty-two, seventeen, and twelve, that uh, was the first one.¡±

    ¡°Ok, good. That means that it took that first time and everything, and we don¡¯t have to worry about it again for another two years, unless you know, you were having complications or anything.¡±

    ¡°Complications?¡± she asked with another raise of her brow.

    ¡°You know like any kind of infections or pain, or anything.¡±

    ¡°Well it hurt like hell all the times it was first put in. But I guess that¡¯s normal?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s, uh, understandable. But I mean, like no other pain with it any other time? Like uh, during that time of the month, or like, during sex?¡± he managed to force that question out as if he were in pain himself right then.

    Another blush as Lili allowed a nervous laugh before managing an answer, ¡°No, no pain during that time of the month.¡±

    ¡°And, uh, the other times?¡± Jared forced the question again.

    Another nervous chuckle before she returned, ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to ask me if I¡¯m even sexually active, first?¡±

    Jared allowed his own nervous smile then, ¡°Sorry, still new at this, remember?¡± another breath, ¡°I guess I just assumed that since you got it put in when you were only like twelve, and then, you know, kept repeating the procedure every five years¡­¡±

    Lili allowed a more sincere smile that time, ¡°You mean, they didn¡¯t tell you about that?¡±

    ¡°About¡­what?¡± he asked, thrown enough to look back up at her at last.

    ¡°We all have to get it done. It¡¯s policy.¡±

    ¡°We all, who?¡± Jared asked, thrown once more.

    ¡°All the women on the ship, at least the ones who could have kids at all.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± he just shook his head, his own existence seeming to counter the policy she spoke of.

    ¡°Your mom, and the other mothers, they all had to go through a ton and a half of proceedings and tests and votes and whatever else before they were even given the go ahead to have it removed long enough to give birth to any of you,¡± she informed him, though gently.

    ¡°I see,¡± he said, blinking slowly as he mauled over that new piece of information.

    ¡°They probably just didn¡¯t get around to telling you yet, since they were really only planning on you having about three patients right now, only one of which is even female,¡± she added with a slight smile once more.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re probably right,¡± he allowed his own ghost of a smile, not letting himself dwell on that information at the moment ¡°So, um, I guess this is where I ask you if you are sexually active, so I know whether or not to ask you if you have any pain then.¡±

    Lili allowed another nervous chuckle before responding, ¡°Well I¡¯m glad you¡¯re actually asking me instead of listening to your other two patients. Might get slightly different answers,¡± she added with a tinge of annoyance remaining.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± he asked with a raise of his own brow.

    ¡°It¡¯s just stupid crap,¡± she shook her head.

    ¡°What is?¡± Jared managed, seeming to switch back out of doctor mode and into friend mode once more.

    Another shake of her head, ¡°Kyle and Ian, just saying stupid shit.¡±

    Jared creased his brow once more at the first sign he had seen of her saying a bad word about anyone, ever, ¡°Like?¡±

    She just turned her eyes down again, running a hand through her own locks, ¡°Just their stupid male hormones assuming things that aren¡¯t true, when they don¡¯t even have any real proof, like, at all.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sensing I missed something.¡± he responded, a play on the facts of their last extended conversation.

    ¡°Yeah, you and me both,¡± she scoffed.

    ¡°Lil?¡± he asked gently with a slight tilt of his head, actually trying to meet her eyes for once.

    She just shook her head again, but seemed to forget the situation at hand as the stress of the week was forcing her to try and reach out to any friend she could find right then, ¡°Just, the night you told me about, you know,¡± she said more quietly as she cast a glance toward the closed door Hamil¡¯s assistant, Nancy, still waited outside of.

    ¡°Yeah, what about it?¡± he asked, his own voice dropping quite a bit then as well.

    ¡°Just, they apparently were trying to find you that night to tell you about this whole trip, I guess,¡± she shrugged ¡°and they saw that you were in my room for like, a long time. And they¡¯re guys, and guys¡¯ brains are just¡­¡±she shook her head.

    Jared swallowed a bit as he nodded slowly, ¡°So, they think that you and I, like, did something, then?¡± he asked, thinking back to that night and his odd encounter with Ian after he had left Lili¡¯s room, which now seemed to take on a whole new dimension, when placed next to Jared¡¯s theory on Ian¡¯s and Lili¡¯s possible attraction to one another even before that night.

    ¡°Yeah, they had a real field day with the fact that you had to give me a physical today,¡± she scoffed again.

    Jared sighed slightly before continuing, ¡°Do you want me to like, say something to them?¡±

    She just shook her head, ¡°Please don¡®t.¡±

    Jared narrowed his eyes again, ¡°Well, you seem pretty upset by them, you know, thinking that something like that would, ever, happen between us.¡±

    Lili shook her head again, ¡°It¡¯s not that, Jared. It¡¯s just¡­if you go and say something to them, then they¡¯ll know that I said something to you.¡±

    ¡°Well, they are insinuating stuff about me that isn¡¯t true, too,¡± he pointed out.

    Lili let out another derisive chuckle, ¡°Please, you¡¯re a guy. Since when do you think it¡¯s a bad thing for someone to spread rumors about you getting laid?¡±

    Jared looked up at her quickly, as though almost hurt by her words, somehow, ¡°Listen, um, this is obviously uncomfortable, for both of us. So, I¡¯ll just tell Hamil to finish up your physical later today. I still have a lot more books to read anyway. See ya tomorrow, Lili,¡± he finished under his breath before heading out of the room without another word.

 Chapter 9

    It was just passing ten o¡¯clock that night, now less than twenty-four hours before their impending departure from the ship that they had never ventured off of once in twenty years; a period longer than half of them had even been alive. As his watch beeped the hour, Jared continued to stare blankly at the computerized version of yet another medical book that he had memorized days ago. Though he still found himself now pretending to re-read it once more, as sleep was not going to happen any time that night, he was sure.

    He was then startled from his staring at the screen when his door buzzed a visitor request, causing him to look up from his desk quickly. Looking at the badge ID of his visitor, he couldn¡¯t help taking a deep breath and an extra moment to click the button to approve her request.

    ¡°Hey,¡± he greeted Lili softly as she stepped in to find him stiffly sitting up in his desk chair.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she returned with a shy, almost guilty smile as the door slid closed behind her again.

    ¡°Guess you had as much luck sleeping as I did, then?¡± he managed with his own smile as he gestured for her to take a seat upon the couch, which was still a few feet off from the chair he seemed too nervous to leave, himself.

    ¡°To put it mildly,¡± she offered her own slight smile again, biting her lip as she took the seat.

    ¡°Um,¡± he began, looking around distractedly, ¡°you want anything?¡± he offered quietly.

    ¡°What? Like a prescription?¡± she had to tease.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m a brilliant doctor, I know,¡± he scoffed, though managed his own slight smile.

    Lili just looked away with her own smile, ¡°I don¡¯t think you were the problem in there, Jared.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t?¡± he asked, seeming surprised by the words enough so to look back her way once again.

    ¡°No, not really,¡± she offered.

    ¡°You got a different diagnosis for what it was, then?¡± he smiled over at her, though nervously.

    ¡°My best guess is the disease known as subtext?¡± she attempted with a slightly guilty shrug.

    ¡°We have subtext?¡± he returned, trying not to sound hopeful as he repeated her theory.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m as surprised as you,¡± she smiled again, finally managing to move her eyes back to him.

    Jared allowed a small breath, and then added, ¡°I don¡¯t seem to remember reading up on the cure for that one.¡±

    Lili allowed another shrug, ¡°I guess most would say, de-subbing the text?¡± she attempted, another even louder, question in her eyes.

    Jared took another breath, ¡°And how do we do that?¡±

    Lili just shook her head as she looked down again, ¡°Good question.¡±

    Jared just let out another long breath as he finally stood, ¡°You want a drink or anything?¡±

    Lili shook her head once again, seeming to bite back some kind of emotional outpouring in order to speak at all, ¡°Honestly, I can¡¯t even fathom what, if anything, I might even want right now.¡±

    Jared let out another empathetic sigh as he moved to take a seat next to her, ¡°You¡¯re having that problem too, huh?¡±

    ¡°When I was first told about this trip, I just let myself assume that Kyle, and everyone else; they had good enough reasons for including me, after all. But now¡­¡± another deep breath, not allowing herself to look up at Jared as he took that seat next to her. ¡°Now, all I can think is, what the hell am I doing? How am I supposed to¡­¡± another shake of her head. ¡°I¡¯m not a genius, I¡¯m not a soldier, I can¡¯t do the stuff you can do¡­I just¡­how am I supposed to be important enough, intelligent enough, strong enough¡­to be someone who could even come close to saving, anyone, let alone everyone?¡± she sniffled as she finally spoke aloud all the fears that had been silently tearing at her for a week straight, now.

    Jared looked down in thought a moment, trying to find the right words to attempt to comfort her, ¡°I guess, I just try to think of it like the four of us are kind of part of bigger whole. Like, Kyle¡¯s the brain, and Ian¡¯s the body, and so on,¡± he offered.

    Lili allowed a tiny smile at the thought, ¡°So, what does that make you and me?¡±

    Another small sigh as he forced his eyes back up to her face again, ¡°I guess that makes us the heart and the soul.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t those two usually inseparable?¡± she whispered back.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t see anyone else here with us, right now,¡± he offered his answer.

    Lili allowed another small smile as tears seemed to well up in her eyes at the same time.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to make you cry,¡± he teased her, allowing himself to reach over to give her hand the slightest squeeze.

    ¡°God, Jared, I¡¯m so scared,¡± she finally allowed herself to admit, though in a whisper.

    ¡°I think we all are,¡± he whispered back, before moving to pull her across what little expanse of cushioning still separated them, and into a warm, close embrace.

    Lili stayed there in his arms for several long moments, as Jared held her tight, caressing her hair through her sniffles and seeming as though he needed someone to hold onto just as badly as she did right then.

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    Finally, after several more moments of that long embrace, Lili managed to find her voice again, ¡°The answer¡¯s no, by the way.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked, a bit thrown, though still didn¡¯t loosen his grip on her just yet.

    Lili only moved back enough to allow herself to glance up at him, ¡°I never answered you, earlier today, when you asked if I was sexually active.¡±

    Jared let out an only slightly relieved breath before responding, ¡°I think I only really needed to know that if I had actually finished examining you,¡± he attempted.

    ¡°It¡¯s true though,¡± she stated sadly as she moved gently out of his arms with another look downward. ¡°I¡¯ve spent my whole life just waiting: Just waiting to actually have a chance to live at all,¡± she sniffled slightly again. ¡°Only problem is, I spent so much time waiting that I didn¡¯t seem to notice that that was the only thing I was really doing at all.¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s true for a lot of us, here. I think it¡¯s definitely true for most of the E-children. We were raised hearing that someday we might get to have a life. And hearing that every day, I guess it convinced us that all we could do was wait for that life, instead of realizing that we still had to live in the meantime.¡±

    ¡°And now, we might not even still be alive at all, at this time tomorrow,¡± Lili admitted in a hoarse whisper as a new wave of tears welled up. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna have to face that possible death, without even having a chance to live any of my life at all, first.¡±

    ¡°Lili,¡± he whispered her name as he moved toward her once more, ¡°Believe me; I know exactly how scary that feels.¡±

    ¡°And I just want to stop feeling that scared, for at least a little while,¡± she whispered back as she moved to fall into his arms once again, covering his lips with hers as they pulled each other closer still, both seeming to want the exact same thing right then. At that exact moment the two were truly, inseparable, after all.

    <hr>

    It was somewhere in the pre-dawn hours when Jared sprung awake from his already restless slumber, his heart pounding and sweat covering his bare chest as he bolted upwards next to where Lili had finally fallen asleep next to him only a few hours earlier.

    Lili was also startled awake, as the sound of a glass suddenly smashing against the wall of his bedroom had accompanied his sudden return to consciousness, ¡°Jared?¡± she asked hoarsely, worriedly moving to sit up in the bed next to him, holding the sheet loosely over her chest

    ¡°Oh god,¡± he breathed heavily, moving his hands to his face as if trying to wipe away those recent images from his brain.

    ¡°Nightmare?¡± she asked the obvious, swallowing a bit as the dim light from the bathroom reflected off of the shattered glass that now covered the floor of the opposite side of the small bedroom.

    ¡°Yeah, I hope so,¡± was his only response as he swallowed as well, his eyes finally following hers to the scattered pieces of glass. ¡°Are you ok?¡± he asked with sudden concern as he turned back to her.

    ¡°Me? Yeah,¡± she shook her head. ¡°What about you?¡± she asked, trying not to sound like the words held any kind of accusation to them.

    ¡°I¡¯ll uh, clean that up,¡± he offered quietly.

    ¡°It¡¯s like four a.m.,¡± was the only response she managed.

    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t feel much like sleeping right now,¡± he managed under his breath as he moved to rise from the mattress.

    Lili watched him in a tense silence as he cautiously stood to reach for the boxers that had been discarded on the floor next to the bed earlier, and slid into them wordlessly before moving to turn on the small bedside light to allow him to tend to the thousands of pieces of shattered glass.

    Several long minutes later, he had finally disposed of the last of the tiny pieces of glass and took a deep breath before moving back toward the bed, to turn off the light once more.

    Still sitting up, holding the sheet against her, Lili finally spoke up again, ¡°So, was it actually a nightmare?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°What else would it be?¡± he returned, making a failed attempt at a smile before taking a breath to reach for the corner of the sheet once more.

    ¡°This is me, Jared,¡± she whispered as she lifted the sheet next to her still nude body to let him join her once more before she then gently moved close to him once again, laying her head against his shoulder.

    He sighed, forcing back his immediate urge to assure her that that was all it was, and instead, decided to answer more truthfully, ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know what it was, Lili. That¡¯s the bad part about this thing I have. I never know what¡¯s a dream and what¡¯s¡­not. At least not until the dream comes true.¡±

    Lili sighed shakily as she held him about the waist even more tightly then, ¡°Have you dreamt anything about this trip of ours, yet?¡± she dared.

    ¡°Not enough to give me any real clue what might actually happen down there,¡± was the most honest answer he could give her, as he pulled her even closer to him.

 Chapter 10

    It was nearing noon when the ship¡¯s mainframe sent out a loud beep throughout the entire ship to announce that they had finally entered the planet¡¯s orbit at last. Hearing that beep cut through the literally tangible tension of the seemingly endless morning, Kyle sat up in his chair with a deep breath.

    ¡°I believe that¡¯s for you,¡± Serena couldn¡¯t resist commenting from her current place sitting beside him at his station, just waiting for her own moment to come, which it seemed it now had, at last.

    Kyle forced himself to his feet with another long breath before responding, ¡°Just don¡¯t take out your hatred for me on her, ok?¡± he managed.

    ¡°Hey, we¡¯re both professionals here, right?¡± was her only attempt at consolation, while wearing a smug grin as she pulled her chair forward, kicking his out of the way with a bit more deliberateness than was truly necessary.

    ¡°Yeah, I sure as hell hope so,¡± he mumbled more to himself as he forced his feet to carry him from where Serena offered one last little self-satisfied wave at his departure.

    Several minutes later, the four strikingly silent team members found themselves slowly sliding into flight suits. They then forced their feet to carry them to the boarding deck that had been practically abandoned for nearly twenty years. The pod itself actually hadn''t seen use since the countless trips to load the original passengers onto the E-ship so long ago.

    Forcing herself to try and maintain a steely composure long enough to get through this moment, Miranda began speaking to all of them, following a loud a clearing of her throat, ¡°Now, as you know, this pod wasn¡¯t originally meant for this particular use. However, Kyle and the rest of the tech team have spent a great deal of time redesigning it to safely get you all through this,¡± another pause as she forced herself to hand the conversation over to him, ¡°Kyle, care to explain exactly what you all will be able to expect?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, ok,¡± he began as he cleared his throat as well, ¡°Flight wise, it was already perfectly capable of making it the distance from the ship to the surface. It just wasn¡¯t originally designed to move from one atmosphere to another, so it had to be tweaked a bit.¡±

    ¡°Tweaked?¡± Ian had to ask with his own deep breath.

    ¡°It just means that the jump from one atmosphere to another had to be compensated for, as it would most likely be, somewhat unpleasant,¡± Kyle attempted to continue on.

    ¡°Unpleasant?¡± Lili couldn¡¯t help interjecting, attempting to sound much calmer than she truly was.

    Kyle sighed at the interruptions, but couldn¡¯t really blame them for their nervousness, considering his own, ¡°What we did was we slowed her down, for a very gradual decline from this atmosphere up here, surrounding the ship, to the one down there, surrounding the planet. And since it will be so gradual, we¡¯re all going to be out for all but the first and last few minutes of the trip.¡±

    ¡°Out?¡± Ian interjected again.

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll be put under for the duration of the trip. Kind of like a really long dental appointment,¡± Kyle attempted to make some kind of comparison.

    ¡°How long, exactly?¡± Jared finally had to add his own worries to the bunch.

    ¡°The trip to the surface is going to take approximately twelve hours,¡± Kyle answered, though quietly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Lili added.

    ¡°You won¡¯t even notice it. It¡¯ll be like a really good, long, nap,¡± Kyle shrugged.

    ¡°Um, this may be the dumb question,¡± Jared swallowed a bit before continuing, ¡°But if we¡¯re all knocked out, who exactly is gonna be steering the pod?¡± he asked slowly, but his question was easily repeated on the faces of both Ian and Lili upon hearing it, as they all turned back to Kyle for his answer.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help his own little grin, ¡°And you all thought she was ¡®just a computer.¡¯¡±

    ¡°The computer¡¯s steering?¡± Ian repeated in disbelief.

    ¡°You should be used to that by now, I mean, who do you think is doing the driving right now? Miranda¡¯s right here,¡± he reminded as he gestured to where she still stood in the corner, trying very hard to continue to hold herself together through this entire endeavor.

    ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s other people up on the flight deck, right now. Conscious people,¡± Ian had to add pointedly.

    ¡°Please, do you think I would be getting into this pod if I didn¡¯t trust my baby to get us there?¡± Kyle attempted to offer some assurance.

    ¡°Your baby?¡± Ian repeated cynically, ¡°The one that¡¯s currently in the hands of, what did you call her, a cold bitch?¡±

    Then Serena¡¯s less than amused voice came through the overhead intercom speakers, ¡°You know, I can hear you guys,¡± she pointed out bluntly.

    Kyle glanced away guiltily as Ian then looked quickly up at the speaker¡¯s above them, ¡°Hey he said it. I love you to bits, Serena. Get us there and back safe and I¡¯ll even offer my deflowering services if you want. I know how hard it is for smart chicks to get a date, and all.¡±

    Lili and Jared quickly looked away as Kyle failed at holding back another smirk and Miranda and Charles just shook their heads in disbelief.

    ¡°Yeah, sounds real tempting, Ian,¡± she responded sarcastically. ¡°I think I¡¯d rather take my chances with whatever life forms you find down there.¡±

    ¡°Hey, offer¡¯s still open,¡± Ian added.

    ¡°Moving on?¡± Miranda interrupted pointedly.

    Kyle swallowed again as he tried to regain his composure, ¡°Well, all the supplies and stuff have already been loaded into the pod, so that¡¯s really about it, until we wake up and, well, get out there.¡±

    Almost all of them then let out a nearly consecutive sigh as Kyle and Jared steeled themselves to get into the pod at last. Charles then moved over to place a hand over Ian¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Remember what I told you the other night, ok?¡± he told Ian quietly, the slightest stammer to his voice as he pulled the younger man in to wrap his arms tightly around him for the briefest moment. Once the embrace ended, Ian just nodded to him and took yet another breath before moving to claim his own seat inside.

    Then when Miranda looked up at her daughter again is when the tears started in both their eyes once more, ¡°I love you so much, baby,¡± Miranda whispered as she pulled Lili tightly against her, where the younger of them allowed herself to literally cling to the older for a seemingly endless moment.

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    ¡°You can tell me that again, when I get back, ok?¡± she forced a smile up at her mother and wiped away her own tears before forcing her legs to carry her into the pod as well.

    Charles then took another breath and secured the doors behind the four of them before turning to pull Miranda into yet another embrace of his own as the engines started up to carry their children off into some great unknown, leaving them with only their hopes to get through any of it, somehow.

    <hr>

    As predicted, it did only seem like a fleeting moment passed before the four of them began making their slow, groggy crawl back into awareness. Jared was among the first to manage some comprehension of his surroundings as he slowly opened his eyes to take in his immediate environment. He swallowed a bit as the first thing he noticed was that the pod¡¯s interior lights were now off, as well as all the myriad computer controls and screens in front of them. He took a deep, somewhat pained breath, quickly reminding himself of the theory behind decompression and its effect on the lungs, then moved his eyes first to Lili¡¯s seat, and then the other two, all three of whom were slowly regaining their own bearings.

    ¡°Are we done?¡± Ian managed as he too opened his eyes, looking around the cabin with a bit of confusion, before centering his question on Kyle, who had now also crawled back to at least a somewhat lucid state.

    ¡°We don¡¯t seem like we¡¯re moving anymore,¡± Lili added hoarsely.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t we supposed to wake up, before we landed?¡± Jared finally put the question into words, casting yet another glance at the darkened control console in front of them.

    ¡°Well, we seem to be in one piece, so I guess my baby landed us all right, after all,¡± Kyle attempted to sound confident in his response, though there was confusion in his eyes as they moved over the flight panel as well.

    ¡°And then decided to take a nap, herself?¡± Ian had to ask.

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t wake up to say good morning to her, you know,¡± Kyle attempted a light-hearted shrug as he moved forward to inspect the controls.

    ¡°Which brings us back to, why didn¡¯t we wake up before we landed?¡± Jared had to ask.

    ¡°Could you take a second to be happy we did wake up? And, as stated, all in one piece,¡± Kyle complained as he flipped a few switches without receiving any obvious response from them.

    ¡°And should we be happy about that, too?¡± Ian nodded towards the unresponsive controls with a worried raise of the brow.

    Kyle just shook his head, ¡°She probably just needed to be rebooted after the flight program ran through, and like I said, I was still napping,¡± he attempted a theory.

    ¡°Probably?¡± Ian repeated. ¡°Probably?¡± he added more loudly.

    ¡°Could you please stop prodding long enough for me to get to the ¡®not probably¡¯ part of the day?¡± Kyle shook his head again, now reaching for his LU once more to attempt to tend to the problem at hand that way.

    They all then attempted to remain quiet for several moments as Kyle continued to do whatever it was he was trying to do through the small link up computer that never left his side. Forcing back the urge to do any more ¡®prodding,¡¯ Jared spoke to the other two instead, ¡°Well it is about twelve-thirty, which is the time the gas was supposed to shut off again on its own, right?¡± he attempted to offer them what assurance he could.

    Lili nodded as she glanced down at her own watch as well, only then took a more than ragged breath a moment later.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Jared asked, seeming even more aware of Lili¡¯s body language at that point then even Ian usually was.

    Lili took a deep breath as even Kyle glanced up from his computer to hear her response, ¡°Ok, I apologize now, if I¡¯m wrong, but it¡¯s been a really crazy week,¡± she stammered a bit behind the glass casing at the front of her helmet.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian repeated Jared¡¯s question.

    ¡°Ok, um, but didn¡¯t we leave on a Saturday afternoon?¡± she managed, somehow hoping she was so disoriented that she was wrong.

    Already beating her to the end of that sentence, Kyle turned to look down at the gas tanks that were strapped in next to them, only taking a moment to swallow hard.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian repeated, seeming to turn the question to both of them.

    ¡°Ok, that¡¯s weird,¡± Kyle said, though under his breath.

    ¡°Weird? No, no weird. I vote vehemently against weird,¡± Ian returned loudly.

    ¡°What¡¯s weird?¡± Jared forced himself to ask instead, though his voice shook as he did.

    ¡®Um, these tanks, they uh, had seventy-two hours¡¯ worth of gas in them. That¡¯s just the way they¡¯re made,¡± he swallowed again, still staring down at the gauge.

    ¡°Had?¡± Ian had to ask.

    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re a bit empty now,¡± Kyle swallowed again.

    ¡°They leaked?¡± Ian asked worriedly as he looked around the cabin, thankful none of them had removed their helmets yet, or lit up a cigarette.

    ¡°No, Ian,¡± Lili answered him softly. ¡°It¡¯s Tuesday afternoon, according to my watch,¡± she answered with her own voice shaking.

    ¡°So, we left three days ago, and have been completely out of contact for that whole time?¡± Ian restated her admission as he looked back at Kyle, ¡°Get the fucking ship on the line already, would you?¡±

    ¡°Um, yeah, working on it,¡± Kyle whispered back as he forced his eyes back to the computer he held in slightly shaking hands.

    ¡°Working on it?¡± Ian repeated. ¡°Since when does it take you more than two seconds to send anyone on that ship some annoying order?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, not today,¡± he managed, biting his lip as he refused to look up from where he quickly moved through screen after screen.

    ¡°What? It isn¡¯t like letting you send a message, or something?¡± Jared tried to ask gently, though his own worry made the words sound just a bit rough.

    Kyle let out his own ragged, nearly defeated sounding breath, before he finally forced an answer, ¡°It¡¯s trying to keep telling me that¡­ that there¡¯s nothing up there to send a message to.¡±

 Chapter 11

    All three of Kyle¡¯s companions let out their own worried breaths upon hearing his words. Ian finally stood and determinedly began pacing, trying to fathom what little was still known about the entire magnitude of this situation, before finally speaking up, ¡°Ok, so right now, Kyle, I need you to give me the best case scenario possible to explain exactly why the hell it¡¯s saying it can¡¯t find a huge-ass fucking ship.¡±

    Kyle allowed a small sigh, ¡°The best?¡±

    ¡°Yes, call me an optimist,¡± Ian returned sarcastically, as he continued his pacing there inside the already small quarters of the pod, despite the fact that most of their current light was coming from the lights inside their helmets, and the tiny amount provided by Kyle¡¯s computer screen.

    ¡°Best¡­a temporary malfunction?¡± Kyle managed, but couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°But she doesn¡¯t ever malfunction.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d say that this would pretty much qualify as a malfunction!¡± Ian argued with an angry scoff.

    ¡°And the worst¡­scenario?¡± Lili forced herself to shakily interject into the middle of their rising debate, not really sure she wanted to hear the answer as she saw them all turn their upset expressions back towards her own. ¡°Call me a realist?¡± was her only defense.

    Kyle shook his head again as he looked back down, ¡°Worst¡­We all actually crashed here and died, and this is hell?¡± Kyle added with his own still defeated scoff.

    ¡°A little less Twilight Zone, please,¡± Ian bit back as he shook his head, only to add, ¡°and can someone please tell me if we can take these damn things off, yet?¡± he asked in angry reference to the bulky helmets they all still wore.

    ¡°Um, does the computer still do everything else, aside from communicating with the ship?¡± Jared managed, trying to force calm into his own voice.

    ¡°What, you got an urge to play minesweeper?¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°I mean,¡± Jared attempted to shrug off Ian¡¯s redirected anger and try to make any sense out of the things that he, himself could, ¡°do all the other programs still work?¡±

    ¡°Yes. There¡¯s nothing wrong with my LU¡­she just, can¡¯t find the ship,¡± he repeated, though his voice trailed off as he finished.

    ¡°Just,¡± Ian shook his head again as he mockingly repeated that part of the sentence.

    Jared took another deep breath as he reached for his own handheld and began moving through multiple computer screens as well. Kyle just raised a brow before returning his attention to his own screen, while Lili couldn¡¯t help leaning over to try and get an idea of whatever it was that Jared was attempting as well. Though, he moved through the screens so fast, she couldn¡¯t really make sense of much of it herself, but somehow, watching him try to do anything at all, made her feel the slightest bit better.

    ¡°Ok,¡± Jared began with a breath. ¡°How much self-contained air supply was in these suits, Kyle?¡± he attempted.

    ¡°Three days, same as the tanks,¡± Kyle mumbled, his attention still on his own computer.

    ¡°Then shouldn¡¯t we all already be dead?¡± Ian had to pipe up.

    ¡°Like Twilight Zone, after all,¡± Lili mumbled worriedly.

    ¡°No, don¡¯t worry, the stasis slowed down all of our body functions, including breathing,¡± Jared attempted. ¡°So we should still have about twelve hours¡¯ air left in the suits,¡± he stated, though with seeming calm.

    ¡°And you¡¯re trying to make that sound like a reason not to worry?¡± Ian shook his head with continued disbelief.

    Jared shook his head, and attempted to move forward in the face of Ian¡¯s understandable upset, ¡°No, the good news is that I just ran the air inside the pod. It¡¯s airtight, and breathable, just like the air on the ship.¡±

    Ian just shook his head again, though with the slightest bit more calmness to his voice, ¡°So all that just to say that we can take this crap off, after all?¡± he attempted a summary.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Kyle interrupted.

    ¡°God, what now?¡± Ian said tiresomely, dropping his hands back down from his attempt to move them up toward the helmet¡¯s release a moment earlier.

    Ignoring Ian, Kyle spoke to Jared, instead, ¡°I know the pod was designed to keep the air the same composition as it was on the ship, but with the ventilation system down, how would the air in here still be breathable?¡±

    ¡°Oh, fuck me,¡± Ian exclaimed as he looked away, shaking his head with further annoyance.

    Jared just shook his head at Ian again, before attempting to respond, ¡°I¡¯m just telling you what the results say,¡± he offered a slight shrug. ¡°And, they say we can still breathe in here,¡± he repeated more quietly.

    ¡°So, science boy,¡± Kyle began, ¡°any theory on how that could be possible?¡±

    ¡°Cause your precious LU is a lying little bitch?¡± Ian offered.

    ¡°There is nothing wrong with the computer,¡± Kyle repeated more forcefully.

    ¡°Ok, guys, let¡¯s think,¡± Jared attempted to keep the peace. ¡°The bots we sent ahead tested the air on the planet when they were down here at the beginning of the week, when LU was just fine,¡± he had to add before continuing. ¡°So if, without the ship or the pod keeping the air breathable, then it must mean that the air in here is the same as the air out there, on the surface,¡± he swallowed a bit. ¡°And according to this, it¡¯s a little thinner but still, breathable,¡± he added, though softly.

    ¡°So, if we believe the computer, then our lungs won¡¯t explode when we take the helmets off?¡± Ian summarized once more. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s only a small ¡®if,¡¯¡± he added with another shake of his head.

    ¡°The bots said we could breathe here,¡± Jared repeated, though quietly.

    ¡°Oh my god,¡± Ian spoke again, though at his normal volume, for once. ¡°So we really are expected to trust more computer generated crap, when it can¡¯t even seem to make a phone call, anymore?¡±

    ¡°Again, I tell you, there¡¯s nothing wrong with the computer,¡± Kyle repeated, though with slightly gritted teeth.

    ¡°Ok, so a disappearing ship, that¡¯s easier to believe than a computer not working? Sure, why not? May as well spend my last twelve hours in fantasy-land,¡± Ian scoffed as he sat down once again.

    Lili then let out a heavy sigh, ¡°Or, we could spend them trying to figure out what really happened. And if there is still a ship up there, with all the people on it, just trying desperately to figure this all out and find a way to reach us, too,¡± she stated softly, her eyes cast down.

    They all sighed softly at her words, though none really moved to offer any other arguments to oppose her suggestion right then. Instead, Kyle moved his eyes back to the computer screen, while Ian looked away quietly, and Jared cast a glance over at Lili that said much more than any words did, right then.

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    Finally, with her own deep sigh, Lili moved to reach for the release on her helmet, and that motion definitely got their full attention, as Ian quickly spoke up again, ¡°Wait, just like that, you¡¯re gonna trust this computer?¡± he exclaimed in an attempt to slow down her hand.

    Lili sighed again, as she turned to look Jared in the eyes, ¡°Tell me what you think, not what the computer thinks,¡± she asked Jared softly, hoping desperately that she could safely place her trust in him at that precise moment, when hope was suddenly such a rare commodity for any of them at that moment.

    ¡°He¡¯s supposed to be psychic now?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help retorting, as the only effort he could still try and make to stop Lili from endangering herself in such a way.

    Though, the way Kyle also glanced over at where Jared and Lili now both looked quickly downwards, gave a bit more of an answer than any words would have. Jared sighed slightly as he moved his eyes back to Lili instead of allowing a look toward the other men, and stated, softly, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s the air here that is our biggest problem right now, honest,¡± he added, even more softly.

    With a deep sigh, Lili then slowly reached upwards and placed her gloved fingers upon the helmet release once more, before finally pulling that latch loose in a moment when none of them seemed to even be breathing any air at all for what almost seemed like an endless split second.

    She coughed a bit at first but held her hand up to stop them from rushing to her aid, and soon managed a few short breaths on her own, once her lungs finally managed to readjust, causing them all to breathe their own relieved sighs once she eventually managed to pull the helmet completely free after a few brief, but utterly terrifying moments for all involved.

    After a few more tense moments, the other three also managed to remove their helmets and allow their lungs to readjust as well, before finally all relaxing for a moment. Or relaxing as much as they could, all things considered.

    ¡°So,¡± Ian began slowly, his voice a bit hoarse from his own recent readjustment to the thinner air, ¡°either the computer is working, or we apparently do have a psychic among us,.¡± he finished, casting a pointed look at Jared.

    ¡°Or, maybe both?¡± Kyle stated, seeming only slightly less thrown by the idea than Ian obviously was.

    ¡°So, what do you all want our next step to be?¡± Ian said with a slight drop in volume, not able to keep from glancing back toward Jared again as he posed the question. ¡°You guys wanna all stay in here, just waiting for Kyle to hopefully get through, or¡­¡± he finished by simply glancing toward the outer doors.

    Lili took a deep breath before offering her input, ¡°I guess, since we are here, and we can breathe, we should at least attempt to see what, if anything, we came here to find, right?¡± she asked shakily, her own eyes watching for Jared¡¯s reaction to the idea.

    ¡°So, what do you think, Jared?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help speaking aloud the question in all of their eyes.

    Jared just shook his head, suddenly feeling a lot more pressure than he ever wanted at that particular moment, especially in relation to a secret gift that he himself hadn¡¯t even really been able to truly decipher at all. Finally, he looked back up at Lili, whispering some form of response, ¡°They¡¯re just flashes. Really brief, nonsensical, flashes,¡± he admitted sadly.

    ¡°But enough to know that we could breathe?¡± Ian had to call him on his apologetically spoken words.

    Jared sighed as he looked down, ¡°I just know that in the flashes we¡­we were out there, and we were able to breathe,¡± he allowed, though in a whisper.

    ¡°So, what did you see?¡± Ian continued, the conversation even having pulled Kyle away from his computer screen, as well.

    ¡°Like I was saying, they¡¯re so choppy, and short, and non-chronological that I just, I can¡¯t even put anything into words at all, really,¡± Jared insisted with another sad shake of his head.

    Ian just shook his head as well, before he stood once more to begin pulling away the flight suit that he currently wore over his usual black jumpsuit. As he finished pulling free of the hindrance of the huge suit, he finally turned his gaze back toward Kyle, ¡°So, did you know about this, too?¡±

    ¡°About what?¡± Kyle stammered as he looked up again.

    ¡°About him being the amazing psychic boy, too,¡± Ian returned, causing Jared and Lili to both cast their eyes downwards once more.

    ¡°Depends on your definition, of ¡®know,¡¯¡± Kyle stated quietly, as he slowly stood to remove his flight suit also.

    Ian just scoffed, ¡°How many definitions are there, really?¡±

    Kyle let out a sigh as he finished sliding out of that monstrosity as well, ¡°I knew that it was possible, in theory, that some of us could develop¡­abilities,¡± he decided on, which only caused the others to look up at him with the slightest bit of accusation on their faces

    Ian just rubbed his eyes in a more silent type of frustration, now, ¡°And you didn¡¯t think that was worth mentioning, say, before you told me all the other so-called reasons for picking this team.¡±

    Kyle sighed once more, ¡°Like I said, I knew it was possible, in theory.¡±

    ¡°So, you got any parlor tricks up your sleeve, too, Ky?¡± Ian pressed.

    ¡°Abilities like that,¡± Kyle began as he cast another glance back at where Jared still held his gaze tight to the floor, ¡°They¡¯re a lot more likely, and stronger, the older we get. More likely the further we get into adulthood,¡± he added quietly.

    ¡°You forgot to say ¡®in theory,¡¯ this time,¡± Ian reminded him with another scoff.

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°Why are you getting angry at me? I only thought it was a theory. Seems like some other people here knew a bit more about that particular subject,¡± he stated with a bit of coolness directed to the two more silent members of the group.

    Jared finally forced words in his own defense, ¡°I didn¡¯t understand any of this, Kyle. Half the time, I thought I was going insane; imagining the shit I saw. I only told Lili, cause¡­.I needed to tell someone,¡± he finally finished, as he looked down once more.

    ¡°Neither of us understood it, this thing he¡¯s got,¡± Lili offered in her own quiet tone. ¡°All we can do now is try and help Jared to make sense of it, himself. No one¡¯s ever even tried to do that for him,¡± she whispered, ¡°And right now, all of our lives might even depend on finding a way to do so.¡±

 Chapter 12

    Their discovery that they could at least breathe, among other startling discoveries, was followed by several long, silent moments spent going through the supply compartment at the back of the pod. Jared and Lili began taking an account of what had been brought along in order to sustain them for the seven days the mission had been intended to last after their initial arrival on the planet¡¯s surface. They were sorting out one day¡¯s worth of clothing and food as well as gathering the most useful of the medical and research equipment, while Kyle stayed at the front of the still cramped pod, going through every tech trick he had in that amazing brain of his to try and re-establish some kind of contact.

    Ian had chosen a different supply crate to sort through, himself. Though, when he began choosing the supplies he deemed necessary, all three couldn¡¯t help but move their eyes to him. He began removing and expertly assembling various sorts of guns, knives, and even what looked like a few explosive devices and loading them onto a belt and holster he had also claimed, and even going so far as to tuck a few of the smaller items into the sides of his high boots as well.

    They all couldn¡¯t help watching wordlessly, forgetting their own tasks for the moment as Ian continued his preparations without casting a glance back towards the three sets of eyes that now followed his every move unblinkingly.

    Several moments later, Ian had still not turned back towards where they all watched him, and spoke flatly as he peered further into the crate, ¡°So, anyone else here know how to use a gun at all, or do you wanna try for something less complicated?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s more in there?¡± Lili managed with a bit of disbelief in her own voice.

    ¡°Just a few lit--¡± Ian began, finally then turning back to see all their shocked expressions. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You planning a war, or something?¡± Kyle stated with a shake of his head.

    Ian scoffed, ¡°You never know,¡± he shrugged his statement, and then added, ¡°Why are you all looking at me, like that?¡±

    ¡°I wonder,¡± Jared managed quietly, with his own slight tinge of sarcasm.

    ¡°What? You¡¯re all in awe of how big my gun is, huh?¡± he smirked as he patted the largest of the weapons.

    ¡°Oh good, he is still in there,¡± Kyle scoffed as he shook his head again, before turning back to the computer once more.

    ¡°I knew you loved me, Kyle,¡± he smirked again.

    Jared and Lili just shook their heads again before she finally managed, ¡°You seem to be coping better, now,¡± she couldn¡¯t help pointing out quietly.

    ¡°Hey, Kyle has his favorite toys, and now I have mine,¡± he added as Jared just shook his head again, which obviously brought Ian¡¯s attention back to him. ¡°You bring any favorite toys along, Jar?¡± he asked with another pointed look at Lili, which simply caused them both to roll their eyes, though each with a blush as they did so, now.

    ¡°Instead of speculating about what may or may not have happened any time before this trip, we need to develop a plan of some sort. Things were completely different when we were up there. It was a completely different life than the one we¡¯re facing now¡­especially if we actually can¡¯t get a hold of the ship again,¡± she finished, her own upset not allowing her to just then notice as Jared looked down with his own ragged breath in response to the entirety of her statements.

    ¡°Ok, that glaring optimism aside,¡± Ian began under his breath before continuing at normal volume, ¡°I guess we need to start scouting the area around the pod, and see what actually might be out there.¡±

    ¡°So, any plan for if we¡¯re still here once it¡¯s night-time?¡± Kyle attempted to help formulate the plan, since Jared didn¡¯t seem to be too talkative right then, not that he often was, anyway.

    ¡°Still here like if we don¡¯t get in contact with the ship, or still here like if we don¡¯t get eaten out there?¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°Either or,¡± Kyle returned with another shake of his head, which just caused Lili to hang her head once more, attempting to wipe at her eyes without them noticing. Though, the resigned sighs that came from the three males in the same moment insinuated that they did easily notice her obvious upset.

    Forcing himself back into a serious tone, instead of continuing with his usual defense mechanisms right then, Ian finally spoke up, ¡°Until we have the surrounding area scouted, we should probably plan on sleeping in the pod, if we have to, I mean,¡± he added more quietly as he moved his eyes ever so briefly toward where Lili still kept her own eyes on the floor rather than looking up to note the concern that Ian did truly seem to have on his face.

    ¡°In which three feet of space?¡± Kyle had to ask.

    Ian sighed again as he looked around where they now had a few industrial strength flashlights lighting the interior of the pod, ¡°Well, the most secure part is probably back here, in the supply compartment, away from the outer doors.¡±

    Kyle looked around the area in question with a shake of his head, ¡°We¡¯d have to throw out all the supply crates to even come close to all being able to sleep back there. And I¡¯m thinking separating ourselves from everything we brought to keep us alive, probably not highly intelligent.¡±

    ¡°Well, neither would all of us being back here asleep, all at the same time,¡± Ian added, ¡°But at least two would be able to sleep back here, and the other two could keep watch up front at night.¡±

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Though, upon hearing that plan, Lili did finally look up again, ¡°Two of us on watch, while two of us sleep, closed in back here?¡± she repeated softly.

    ¡°It does sound like the smartest plan,¡± Kyle replied.

    ¡°And it didn¡¯t even come from one of the geniuses.¡± Ian chided.

    ¡°Just cause I didn¡¯t say it first¡­¡± Kyle began.

    ¡°Oh, I forgot to ask,¡± Ian interrupted, ¡°any opposition to that plan from the psychic wonder there?¡± he turned his attention back to where Jared had been startlingly silent since Lili¡¯s previous comment.

    Jared just shook his head, but forced a response, quiet though it was, ¡°I can¡¯t see anything bad about that particular plan, or at least not life-threatening,¡± he had to add even more quietly as he looked away once more.

    ¡°But otherwise bad?¡± Lili asked him worriedly.

    Jared just shook his head again, but didn¡¯t offer her any direct response to that question, ¡°So, how do we decide which two get first watch, and which two get to try and¡­sleep¡­back here?¡±

    Ian let out a short breath before offering his response, ¡°Well, I guess it would make sense for Lili to stay back here while the three of us take rotating shifts sleeping or staying on guard, for as many nights as we might need to, anyway.¡±

    ¡°How does that make sense?¡± Lili finally spoke up more loudly than was usual for her.

    ¡°How does it¡­not?¡± Ian asked with a confused look back her way.

    Lili just scoffed loudly, ¡°Or, how¡¯s this?¡± she began, ¡°How about you three big, strong men, find a nice cave to drag me to by my hair. I¡¯m sure I¡¯d be much safer there while you go out and hit things with big sticks!¡± she finished, angrily turning away from him as she stood, arms, closed over her chest.

    Ian looked a little more than dumbfounded by an outburst from the girl who never even talked back to most of his pointed, but still playful, sexually based taunts in nearly twenty years, ¡°Um¡­¡± he began, looking to the other two men who both simply looked away without offering any words of their own, which just caused Ian to scoff at them before trying to find a response on his own, ¡°Actually, Lilith,¡± he began, pointedly stressing her full name, ¡°What I was insinuating, apparently not well enough, was that the three of us have more situation-dependent skills to keep watch; be it guns, or suped up brains, or psychic visions. And notice, contrary to some people¡¯s interpretations, I did not include our penises as part of our pre-requisites for guard duty. Kay?¡±

    Lili just let out another deep sigh, while still not turning back toward him before finally speaking up again, ¡°So, that¡¯s really why you think you guys should be guarding against whatever unseen danger might be out there, instead of me doing so?¡± she asked, though much more quietly than her previous outburst.

    ¡°Yeah, Lil, that¡¯s what I meant,¡± he assured her with an attempted smile.

    She took another deep breath then, as though trying to gain the strength for her next statement, ¡°So, you really mean that I actually was right, before we even left. I am the one who brings absolutely nothing, no real skills, at all, to this entire mission, right?¡± she asked with shaking voice, still not looking back at any of them.

    They all then looked up at her obvious hurt, all three trying to find any words to react with, though Ian felt the need to offer the first response, ¡°Lili, that is so, not true. I mean, skills yeah, who cares, but you are the person me and Kyle both agreed was the most valuable person out of all four of us,¡± he stated softly, moving towards her slightly, as though wanting to reach out for her, though he forced back that urge right then.

    ¡°Yeah, cause of my mother, right?¡± she sniffed a bit.

    ¡°As long as you¡¯re here, and we keep you as safe as we can, it could be the thing that gets all of us saved in the long run,¡± Ian assured.

    She just sniffled again, ¡°Saved by who, Ian?¡±

    They all then narrowed their eyes as they looked her way, ¡°Your mom, my dad, everyone up there on that ship,¡± he stated plainly.

    ¡°The ship that¡¯s not there anymore?¡± she asked tearfully.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know that, for sure,¡± Kyle attempted to add some reassurance.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s what LU seems to keep telling you over and over,¡± she sniffled again, ¡°And she doesn¡¯t make mistakes, right?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s gotta be some explanation. We just haven¡¯t found it yet, that¡¯s all,¡± Kyle continued, attempting to sound reassuring, despite the wavering of his voice.

    ¡°And if there¡¯s not? If the ship really isn¡¯t there anymore¡­then I really am the least important person here. And none of you should have to risk yourselves, for that. For me. For any reason,¡± she finished sadly, still unable to turn back to let any of them see the tears that were obvious in her voice.

    Kyle finally let out a long sigh, before forcing his next statement, ¡°If it is true though, if the ship, and all the people on it, all of our families, and all of our friends, and everyone¡­if they¡¯re actually not up there anymore¡­if that is an absolute fact and an undeniable truth¡­¡± a deep breath, ¡°Then Lili, you are easily, the most important person here, without any doubt, whatsoever.¡±

 Chapter 13

    Lili gave Kyle a look of puzzlement as he finished his declaration. After a long pause, she finally had to ask, ¡°Ok, this time you¡¯re really gonna have to explain exactly how you came to that particular conclusion.¡±

    Though it wasn¡¯t Kyle who responded first. Instead, Jared let out a slightly pained sigh before speaking up, ¡°He means, that if the ship really is gone, and all of the people with it, then that means we¡¯re stranded here. And that would mean, that for all purposes, we¡¯re the last four humans on the planet, which may as well be the whole world. That would make you, the last woman in the world,¡± he finished breathily as he stood.

    Ian and Kyle both looked downwards as Lili¡¯s breath caught at all of the implications of the statement. Though none of them said anything more before Jared stood and headed for the door of the increasingly claustrophobic pod. Before any of them could fully react, he had already opened it to whatever new world was waiting right outside.

    ¡°Jared!¡± Lili exclaimed as she moved to follow him as he stiffly, slowly stepped out of the pod into the odd gray light of their brand new surroundings, and quite possibly, their brand new home.

    Forgetting what she had originally planned on even saying to him as the hatch opened, Lili stepped out into the gray lit forest around them as well, her eyes trying to take in everything in the span of one quick second, while Ian rushed to move after them as well, weapon at the ready.

    Jared took a long breath as his eyes also attempted to take in all of the strangely colored plants and trees that now surrounded them in that eerie light. Simultaneously, he tried to take in the sensation of having solid ground under his feet for the first time ever, in his entire eighteen years of life. But more startling than even the feel of that ground beneath his feet, was the fact that he had truly seen all of this before.

    ¡°What the hell, Jared?¡± Ian finally managed after several long moments to get over his own awe at all of these new surroundings, as well. After allowing another swallow to try and center his concentration in the midst of the magnitude of the very moment, he forced his words onwards, ¡°I always go first, got it?¡± he told him, though shakily as his eyes continued to scan the woods surrounding them as well.

    With her own overwhelming awe plaguing her as well, Lili finally managed to turn her blue eyes up toward the gray skies above them, searching desperately through those strangely shaped clouds for any sign whatsoever that maybe someone was still up there looking down at them, after all.

    Kyle also swallowed hard as he stepped out of the pod next to where Lili still stood just outside the door, her sad, scared eyes scanning those skies, still, ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be able to see it from here, anyway,¡± he attempted to assure her with a whisper as he gently squeezed her shoulder before stepping out onto the ground next to Ian and Jared.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see anything moving or anything, yet,¡± Ian managed, trying to force down his own awe-inspired reactions in favor of the vigilance he would need to focus from that moment on, as if their lives all depended on it.

    ¡°So, is this where we try and still fulfill our mission, just in case?¡± Kyle attempted with still wavering breath as his eyes moved around them.

    ¡°What else can we do?¡± Jared stated with his own remaining distraction, brought on by too many things to even try and count, right then.

    <hr>

    After forcing themselves to remember to go back and gather that first day¡¯s supplies from the pod, the four of them then spent nearly the next two hours moving with deadly slowness through all the plants of blue and red and pink, and trees of equally strange hues, Jared attempting to concentrate on logging each and every one into his own computer as best he could. Ian continued leading the way, always moving no more than five to ten feet ahead of them at any given time, his weapon always at the ready. Each time Jared stopped to inspect, profile and catalog any piece of plant life, Kyle took that pause in their forward motion to attempt to make any kind of contact, once again.

    By the time they reached that two hour mark, Lili finally sighed softly, ¡°Has anyone else noticed that we haven¡¯t eaten¡­in three days?¡± she managed, causing them to all look back at her words as if they too just realized the fact as well.

    ¡°I guess the stasis is finally wearing off,¡± Jared offered, as he had not been very hungry himself until just recently.

    ¡°Anyone bring smores?¡± Ian had to offer with a bit of his wryness finally slipping through his unwavering fa?ade of the last couple hours.

    ¡°No, but we have silver vacuum sealed packages one through four,¡± Lili offered with a somewhat forced attempt at lightness.

    ¡°Sounds tasty,¡± Ian returned as he glanced at a nearby fallen tree behind where they had stopped, ¡°So, is it like safe to sit on that? Or like, touch anything?¡± he asked Jared cautiously as Lili began moving to sort through her backpack where the day¡¯s food had been stored before their tour began.

    Jared moved over to Ian and ran the computerized analysis on the fallen tree as well, ¡°Despite the colors, they¡¯re all coming up with the same types of organic makeup the ones on Earth supposedly had,¡± he told them with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Still, there were some poisonous plants and trees and stuff on Earth,¡± Ian returned, ¡°Not that I remember much from any nursery school camping trips or anything,¡± he scoffed, which almost produced the tiniest trace of a smile from Lili, almost. It was difficult for her to smile at all though, considering the still missing ship, not to mention that last revelation Jared had made before they all got more than a bit sidetracked. Though, sidetracked or not, she knew it was most likely running through all of their heads, nearly as much as it kept repeating in her own.

    After they had all finished eating, Ian and Kyle moved off in search of a still nearby tree to take care of nature¡¯s call, but only after Ian insisted on leaving both a gun and a knife with Jared and Lili ¡®just in case.¡¯

    A moment after the others moved off, Lili couldn¡¯t take the silence anymore, especially considering the way Jared had made his statement and then stepped right out into this new world a moment later, almost as though he would rather face whatever was waiting outside that door, than the reactions of those who were inside it, including her.

    ¡°So, do you think the ship¡¯s actually still up there?¡± she asked quietly.

    Jared sighed softly as he moved his now empty food carton away, as his stomach had insisted that he force himself to eat, despite the knot it was otherwise tied into right then, ¡°Are you asking for my psychic input again?¡±

    She matched his sigh before answering, ¡°Well, if you have any you can give,¡± she returned in a near whisper.

    ¡°Everything that I can see with any clarity at all, which isn¡¯t much: None of it involves any of the four of us, being anywhere near that ship anymore, or with any of those people anymore, either. Not that I even know if that means a damn thing, anyway,¡± he whispered back, with a sullen shake of his head.

    Lili took a moment to try and deal with the possible ramifications of that statement before she couldn¡¯t help making another of her own, ¡°So, then I guess we have to prepare for the possibility that you were right about something else, then,¡± she attempted, though her voice shook the entire time.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, his normal gentleness finally tinting his tone once again.

    ¡°There have been other ships out there that disappeared without a trace. I, myself, know that over five hundred are no longer up in that sky anymore, themselves. And a lot of those five hundred, no one knows what happened to a lot of them, either. And if the same thing happened to my mom¡¯s ship now, then that means that we actually could be the only people in this whole new world.¡±

    <hr>

    ~3 days earlier~

    When Miranda finally made her way back to the computer hub, looking more than a bit wracked with worry, she found Serena sitting at Kyle¡¯s old station with a menacing grin to greet her. Miranda narrowed her eyes a bit at that particular expression, but tried to move past it, as she spoke up, ¡°We¡¯re not going to be able to talk with them at all now, for at least twelve hours, right?¡± she asked with concern as she moved a few steps closer.

    ¡°And then some,¡± Serena stated with an obvious glee.

    Miranda just shook her head at the young woman, ¡°I realize you¡¯re happy to finally get a chance to do this job, but the rest of us are still just a bit apprehensive, so could you not say things like that without explaining them a bit, first?¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s this: Do you know how easy it is to switch two simple little computer commands, when you know what you¡¯re doing?¡±

    ¡°Not sure I follow,¡± Miranda stated a little slowly as she watched the girl warily.

    ¡°Like, say a command to shut off some gas, or leave on an engine. One little switch-up here or there, and who knows what would happen?¡± she shrugged with an obvious insincere innocence to her tone.

    Miranda swallowed a bit, ¡°I think you need to tell me exactly what it is that you¡¯re trying to say here,¡± Miranda told her, placing a roughness into her tone as she stood up straighter.

    ¡°I think that I don¡¯t really need to do anything you say,¡± Serena returned as she stood again, looking around the room like a child with a brand new box of toys.

    ¡°I think you need to remember who¡¯s in charge he---¡± Miranda began, only to have her words suddenly stopped, through no seeming will of her own, as she froze in place just as she was about to reach for her own link up.

    ¡°I was talking here, Miranda. No need to be rude,¡± she told her as the older woman looked at her with widened eyes, obviously having no idea of exactly why she, and the few others in the room seemed to all be frozen in place, suddenly and without warning.

    Serena then glanced up at the alarm panels and the doors surrounding them with a slight smile as they all simultaneously went into lockdown, seemingly of their own accord.

    ¡°I sense you want an explanation. Am I right?¡± she teased as she glanced back at where Miranda still seemed frozen in place, ¡°All right, considering the ship is already moving forward on its new flight path, away from that precious little planet down there, and considering the whole ship is already completely cloaked as well¡­¡± she began as she looked back at Miranda¡¯s panicked expression once more, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, I guess I should also explain that there¡¯s two kinds of cloaking that this little darling is capable of. No one can see her on any kind of radar, nor is there any contact allowed in or out, unless of course, I initiate it,¡± she had to add with another grin.

    Miranda and the others in the room all continued to watch in growing fear, inspired more by their continuing group paralysis than by Serena going about her nearly singsong recital of the facts of the matter.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know, nothing but a bunch of little hacker tricks, that I could pull off once I got access to the mainframe¡¯s admin codes, right? But then there¡¯s the fact of, well gee, why didn¡¯t she do this before? No, no, I¡¯m not a slacker, really. Honestly, I wasjust a hacker, before: Before I found out about all that dirty, dirty laundry you¡¯ve been hiding all these years. I mean, it¡¯s all there, right in the computer, you know, once you actually have the codes to get in. Which of course I could never get past, until they were finally just given to me at last, this very week. So, Kyle tells me, go learn about computers. Yeah got that one covered, so what else did I have to do except look at all those shiny little confidential files once I was finally in. I mean, one of them had my goddamn name on it. Please, you were just begging me to look at that!¡± she told Miranda with a lighthearted giggle.

    Serena then turned back mid-rant to glance at her primary audience member, whose eyes had now turned toward the surveillance screens, which clearly showed Charles and the security team working to get past the locked down doors on their way to the computer hub.

    ¡°Well that¡¯s no fun. I¡¯m trying to tell a story here,¡± she sighed as she looked back at Miranda with a shake of her head, ¡°Why must people always be in such a rush?¡± another sigh, ¡°Oh well, they¡¯re forcing my hand you know.¡±

    On that eerie statement Serena glanced pointedly toward the computer screen that she still stood a few feet from, then, in the next moment, the screen started changing rapidly, all on its own.

    ¡°I know. That¡¯s pretty cool,¡± she told Miranda as she gestured to the computer screen, ¡°but you really don¡¯t wanna miss this. Watch!¡± she told Miranda in an almost playful manner as she pointed toward the surveillance screens which now showed the ship¡¯s inner defense system kick on in the form of clouds of hazy gas pouring into the hallway around Charles and his team as they were attempting to breach the next door, before quickly beginning to cough and gasp and fall to the floor, ¡°See, I told ya didn¡¯t I?¡± she smiled back at Miranda as tears welled up in the blonde woman¡¯s eyes, ¡°Hey, hurrying never got anyone anywhere, now did it?

    ¡°Anywho, where was I?¡± Serena continued on without a moment¡¯s thought to the tragic scene of only a moment earlier, ¡°Oh yeah, the file about me. Ok, so you obviously know that we¡¯re all geniuses, right? Well, did you know that the only one of us who you actually chose not to lie to for his whole entire life, did you know about his whole aging theory?¡± she asked.

    Though Miranda could do nothing in the way of answering the girl, if she even had an answer right then. All she really could do was continue to look at Serena in horror as she herself remained frozen in place.

    ¡°Oh, right you can¡¯t talk. Sorry, I am new at this whole super-power stuff, but I¡¯m a real quick learner, aren¡¯t I?¡± she smiled sweetly, ¡°Anyway, according to your little pet Kyle¡¯s file...He did some self-editing of it before I stumbled upon it, you see. Well, according to his new little notes, he had this really nifty theory that the older we got, the more we figured out how to do. See, this is exciting stuff! Anyway, he says that puberty is only when this lovely freak-show begins, and the older we get, the smarter we get, and the more powerful our brains get. Still with me? I know, I¡¯m fast. Can¡¯t help it, was born that way. But the point behind this obviously correct theory of his is¡­let¡¯s see, how to put this¡­¡± she feigned deep thought for a moment, ¡°Oh yeah, I¡¯m the oldest one out of all of us! Hmm, I wonder what that makes me, now, I wonder¡­¡±

    Serena then moved around the room looking up at the ceiling in overdramatic thought once more before finally turning back to Miranda.

    ¡°You have an answer yet? Do ya?¡± she just shook her head pitifully at Miranda¡¯s continued silence, involuntary though it was, ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll be nice and give you the answer. Now, I believe the question was, what does that make me, and the answer is¡­drum roll¡­Oh yeah, that¡¯s right! That makes me God, bitch.¡±

 Chapter 14

    ~Present~

    The team easily came to the agreement to turn back again the way they had first come in order to make it back to the pod by approximately six o¡¯clock that evening, at least until they had a better idea of when this planet¡¯s sun may even set.

    Not aware of how cold the nights would be either, they decided first to place a small battery operated heating source both inside, near the door that separated the supplies compartment and the tiny cockpit, as well as right next to the small steps that led from the door to the purplish colored dirt of the ground. They all then finished another silent pre-packaged meal that evening, before taking their turns at slipping behind the closed door of that tiny supplies compartment to change out of the jumpsuits, into the more casual attire that they each usually had only worn inside their own quarters late at night, when they had still resided aboard the only home they had really known.

    Jared had taken a quiet seat on the step outside the pod door as he again went through the files of each sample he had recorded that day. Just as quiet as the others that evening, Kyle took a seat inside the cockpit, making yet another attempt at any kind of contact with any other computer, besides just Jared¡¯s, which he of course, had no trouble sending any signal too, which only further proved that both he and Jared¡¯s computers were working correctly. Though, he wasn¡¯t sure exactly how much better that made them feel, all things considered.

    Ian took a resigned seat on the step next to Jared as he finally took a moment to look at the truly strange beauty that now surrounded him, as he had spent the last five hours only watching for signs of any kind of danger, instead of truly being able to even take a moment to take in any of this new world.

    He finally pulled his eyes from the strange array of clouds slowly making their way for the stars and sighed softly as he glanced at where Jared was forcing his own concentration to the study of the information he had managed to gather that day.

    ¡°So, what all did we find?¡± Ian finally asked him in reference to the screens Jared continued to move through.

    ¡°Don¡¯t really have names for any of it, yet,¡± Jared admitted quietly.

    ¡°Well, did you find anything other than just plants, really?¡± Ian attempted to continue the conversation, if for no other reason than to keep from dwelling on things that couldn¡¯t be fixed right then.

    ¡°A few insects here and there,¡± the younger of the two answered. Lili then moved slowly across the pod behind the open door they sat in, and took one of the other seats in the cockpit, leaning her head sadly against the seat in a melancholy silence of her own as Jared softly answered Ian¡¯s question.

    ¡°Plants and bugs, huh?¡± Ian sighed.

    ¡°Well, we only covered about a square mile today, if that,¡± Jared offered, though still didn¡¯t look up from his screen as he spoke.

    ¡°Do we know if we really wanna meet anything more complex than that right now, really?¡± Kyle offered his own quiet comment, which only caused slight sighs as Lili turned her eyes even tighter to the floor in her own continued silence.

    ¡°So,¡± Ian continued to Jared with his own breath, ¡°do we think any of those plants are edible, or anything, just in case?¡±

    Lili then allowed a more broken sigh, before standing again, to return to the supplies compartment. She then wordlessly retrieved some of the bedding they had brought along for their supposed seven night stay, and curled into a blanket against one of the supply crates, pulling the door of the compartment shut behind her.

    ¡°Guess she¡¯s tired?¡± Kyle allowed with his own sad shrug, despite how early in the evening it still was, and the fact that it had only really been about six hours since their involuntary three day ¡®nap.¡¯

    Jared swallowed a bit, as he moved his eyes from where they had automatically followed the closing of the compartment door, and back to his computer screen, ¡°Considering the make-up of most of them, there¡¯s a few in there that could very well be edible.¡±

    ¡°Is that the computer¡¯s theory, or the psychic network¡¯s?¡± Ian asked, though his words sounded more sad than bitter, right then.

    ¡°Computer¡¯s,¡± was Jared¡¯s simple answer, not even bothering to try voicing any more denial of his trust in his own abilities right then.

    ¡°So, I guess that¡¯s our plan for tomorrow?¡± Kyle put in from his seat nearest that outer door where they sat, though only after another long, quiet moment, ¡°More cautious exploring, while trying to deem what, if anything, we could possibly live on, down here?¡± he offered, trying not to let his voice show any emotion through the words, as difficult as that was rapidly becoming, for all of them.

    ¡°Depends on how long we¡¯re planning on being here,¡± Jared offered his own vague answer.

    ¡°Well, if the ship¡¯s really gone,¡± Kyle began, forcing back his own emotions in response to saying that out loud once more, ¡°then I guess as long as we can¡­survive here,¡± he finished, in a near whisper, as he looked down as well, taking a deep breath to hold back any other reaction he himself had to the reality of the matter.

    ¡°And what does that mean?¡± Jared asked simply, finally looking away from his screen to allow his dark eyes to sadly take in their surroundings once more.

    ¡°What does what mean?¡± Ian asked slowly, a slight furrow to his brow.

    ¡°Well, do we mean, as long as we can keep breathing, and functioning at all, or are we actually talking about how long we can survive?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a difference?¡± Ian asked in the same slow, questioning tone.

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a big difference between four people, just staying alive, and four people actually¡­surviving,¡± he stated in the same forced flat, emotionless tone as his eyes stayed on anything but his companions.

    ¡°Not sure I follow,¡± Ian admitted with only a decibel more volume.

    ¡°He means¡­¡± Kyle attempted, ¡°People stay alive. Races survive.¡±

    <hr>

    None of them said much else after that particular statement, all of their minds thinking on it silently, instead. Finally, several long moments passed following the sun eventually disappearing behind this planet¡¯s horizon, before Jared eventually stood as he cast another glance up at the now visible stars above.

    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Have we decided which two of us are taking the first night¡¯s watch, yet?¡± Jared finally asked his two companions, though nearly under his breath.

    ¡°Well, I definitely wanna be on the first watch,¡± Ian put in, then added, ¡°So, I guess whichever one of you is more tired can try and get some sleep, while the other stays up here with me,¡± he stated, only accenting the words with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Well,¡± Kyle sat up, not able to help casting a glance back at the rear compartment where Lili had remained alone, for almost the entire time since they returned to the pod. He then cast the same glance up at where Jared awaited their answer, while keeping his eyes focused on the forest, still, ¡°I¡¯m not even close to sleeping right now. I think I¡¯m gonna keep trying to get through, for a while, anyway.¡±

    Jared simply swallowed and nodded as he steeled himself to head back inside the pod, taking a deep breath before finally reaching down to open the compartment door, slowly, silently joining Lili inside, as the two cast each other the briefest glance, before he moved to close the door to the cramped compartment behind them once again.

    <hr>

    As that first night lingered on, Kyle finally set aside the computer with a resigned sigh before leaning further back in the cockpit seats, running his hands through his hair once more.

    ¡°Finally give up?¡± Ian asked, wishing the words hadn¡¯t sounded as final in his own head as they did on his lips.

    ¡°Even I can only stare at that screen for so long without a break,¡± Kyle answered with more than a slight tinge of defeat in his voice.

    Without the computer screen to stare at, Kyle had to find some other place to focus his blue-gray eyes. He finally allowed them to first move around the cockpit, then back outside, through the window behind the visor he and Ian had managed to pry into opening so they could secure the door for the night. Then he moved them back to the closed compartment at the rear of the pod, with a slight biting of his lip.

    Ian¡¯s own eyes followed to see Kyle¡¯s eventually pausing on the compartment door, though the younger spoke no words to accompany his choice in focal point.

    ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡± Ian had to speak up.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kyle returned, a bit startled by the question.

    Ian just shook his head, ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t have a penny anyway.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Kyle asked with his own crease of the brow.

    Ian allowed only a slight chuckle, ¡°I was just asking if you cared to share any of those zillions of thoughts your big brain is probably busy juggling right now.¡±

    ¡°No, not really,¡± Kyle mumbled with a lack of believability as his eyes turned toward the back of the pod once more. Finally, after another long moment, he belied his own previous statement, and spoke up again, ¡°Wow, we can¡¯t hear them at all.¡±

    ¡°Hear them?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help repeating with his own smirk.

    ¡°I meant hear them talking,¡± Kyle denied, though his words continued to lack credibility.

    ¡°Sure you did,¡± Ian snickered.

    ¡°Just because you think about sex twenty four hours a day¡­¡± Kyle started the sentence, then just let his voice trail off anyway.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s just my thing. Cause you know, sex never enters the mind of any sixteen year old guy. Nope, not ever,¡± he returned with obvious sarcasm, though a continued smile.

    Instead of continuing to argue his denial further though, Kyle just looked down, as though lost in quite a deep, possibly even dark, thought right then.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian asked, his own attempt at his usual playfulness stunted by Kyle¡¯s expression.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Kyle returned, though that lie was more than obvious.

    ¡°Seriously, what?¡± Ian asked in a seemingly sincere tone.

    ¡°You¡¯ll just take another dig. It¡¯s what you do.¡±

    Ian looked down again then, though allowed himself to continue in the same sincere tone, ¡°Try me.¡±

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°Guess it doesn¡¯t really matter now, anyway.¡±

    ¡°What doesn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°The sarcastic little back and forth taunts,¡± he offered. ¡°Those are way down on the list of things to bother even worrying about, anymore.¡± he finished quietly.

    Ian looked down in silent agreement, ¡°So why would I even bother making one, if you honestly wanted to talk to me about something, for real?¡±

    Kyle sighed in a bit of concession to that logic, ¡°I was just¡­¡± another glance back at the compartment door, ¡°I guess I just was gonna ask, you know, since it¡¯s probably one of the only things you actually do know more about than me. It¡¯s actually something I probably won¡¯t ever be able to learn on my own at all now, surprising as that would be about anything¡­¡± he swallowed again, ¡°I guess, I just wanted to know,¡± a deep breath, ¡°is it as great as it¡¯s supposed to be?¡±

    Instead of making any feared sarcastic retort to Kyle¡¯s confession, Ian looked down with a quiet breath before finally struggling a long moment to find the proper answer, ¡°Depends.¡±

    ¡°Depends?¡± Kyle repeated, looking up in quite a bit of surprise at the fact that Ian did truly seem to be offering a real attempt at answering his own painfully formed question, after all.

    ¡°I suppose it can be,¡± Ian offered quietly.

    ¡°You suppose?¡± Kyle asked, a little thrown by that answer.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s possible for it to be as great as it¡¯s made out to be.¡±

    ¡°You saying you don¡¯t know?¡± Kyle asked with a bit of shock.

    ¡°I¡¯m saying that most often, it only feels really great, for about one fleeting second¡­then there¡¯s the rest of the time.¡±

    ¡°The rest of the time?¡± Kyle repeated in further confusion.

    ¡°The rest of the time¡­ when you look at the other person, that you just shared that perfect second with, and you¡¯re both just wondering the same thing.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡±

    ¡°Why couldn¡¯t they have finally been the one person that could have made that second actually last?¡± he took a breath. ¡°And then, you just feel like shit, knowing that you weren¡¯t that person for them, either,¡± he scoffed as he looked away to hide whatever emotion was written on his face right then. He then reached for his remaining drink, and summarily returned to his vigilance of the strange woods surrounding them, making it clear that he had said all he could bear to on that subject right then.

 Chapter 15

    Upon first closing the compartment door behind him, Jared took another shallow breath before moving warily back to take a seat, his back against the wall of the cabin where Lili also sat, leaning against a pillow, a blanket wrapped around her.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she softly greeted him as he took that seat next to her in the dim glow of a battery powered lantern she had earlier turned on at the opposite side of the compartment, near where their feet now were.

    ¡°Hi,¡± he returned in a matching tone as Lili then moved to offer him a pillow from the crate on her opposite side, at the back of the compartment. ¡°Thanks,¡± he managed, taking the pillow and placing it at his own back, before moving his eyes to continue focusing on the lantern rather than allowing himself to look over at her.

    ¡°Getting a little colder,¡± she managed a moment later.

    ¡°Little bit,¡± he offered his own agreement in the same near whisper they both spoke in.

    ¡°Here ya go,¡± she offered as she lifted the side of the cover for him to share with her in a moment shockingly reminiscent of their last night on the ship, following that terrible nightmare/vision of his. Of course, rather than his mind staying on those terrible indecipherable images, he couldn¡¯t help thinking back to the earlier, much more pleasant hours of that same night.

    He allowed himself to take a deep breath as he took the offered half of the blanket, while somehow still attempting to remain out of contact with her body, despite the only about five inches of space there was on either side of them there in that tiny room.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help a sad smile as she noted the way he kept his body tensely glued to his own space despite the cover they now shared, ¡°You know, if it does actually get colder still, we might eventually have to let at least our legs touch,¡± she couldn¡¯t help calling him on his obvious attempt to avoid contact.

    Jared¡¯s breath caught a bit at her bringing attention to his obvious body language, while he was trying very hard not to bring any to it himself, ¡°It¡¯s ok, Lili. I did hear what you said.¡±

    Her eyes then narrowed a bit at that response before finding her own, ¡°What I said¡­when?¡±

    ¡°You know, about the different life,¡± he managed, though couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes from the lantern to instead focus downwards, blankly staring at the fibers of the blanket that now covered them.

    ¡°The different life?¡± she repeated, still asking for a further explanation of his sadly spoken words.

    ¡°How it was a completely different life when we were up there on the ship, together,¡± he answered, practically swallowing the final word.

    She just shook her head, trying to decipher exactly what he was implying about her possible hidden meaning behind the words, ¡°What does that comment even have to do with the general theory of us staying close together to keep warm?¡±

    ¡°I just mean, that once you said that, I let myself remember what else you said, when we were still up there. And I get it now. And I¡¯m saying I¡¯m¡­ok with it,¡± he repeated, trying to sound like he meant the assurance.

    ¡°What do you mean? What else did I say, that you are apparently, ok with?¡± she had to ask.

    ¡°You know, when you came to my room that last night,¡± he began with another ragged breath, ¡°You explained it all, before anything even happened,¡± he managed to add, ¡°I guess I just kinda blocked out that part, for a while. Until I heard you again, today, and then I let myself remember. Sorry if it seemed like I had forgotten, at first.¡±

    ¡°Exactly which thing that I said, before ¡®anything¡¯ happened?¡± she asked, looking over at him with a further crease of her brow.

    ¡°Remember, we both said it actually,¡± he allowed with a tiny scoff that seemed to hide just a bit of his own shred of self-loathing, somehow.

    ¡°What did we both say?¡± she shook her head again, only speaking slightly more loudly, growing a bit weary of his increasing vagueness.

    Jared let out a long breath, ¡°You know, that that night, we were both so scared, that we didn¡¯t even really know what we wanted¡­And that we both just wanted to stop being scared, for at least a little while,¡± he responded, almost repeating her own words verbatim.

    Lili shook her head once more, a sad breath catching in her own throat, ¡°So, you think that I meant that¡­¡±

    ¡°Like you said, that was a different life then. And you¡¯re right, that¡¯s all I¡¯m saying.¡±

    ¡°Jared¡­what we shared, that night¡­¡±

    ¡°I understand, honest Lili, especially in light of all of this, right now.¡±

    ¡°In light of all what?¡± she asked, her own brain going in a million directions, just trying to follow along with all of his half-spoken thoughts.

    ¡°This--The fact that we really are most likely trapped on a strange new planet, with no other humans, at all. Just the four of us. Just the one of you, and the three of us,¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Now you¡¯re really losing me, Jared,¡± she told him, almost pleading for him to just say all of what he meant for once.

    He let out another nervous breath, continuing to force his eyes to avoid hers, ¡°I mean, if we really want to try and survive here, to make a new life here at all, I know that I¡¯m the most fucked up one out of all of us. I admit that,¡± another breath, ¡°I mean, Kyle always knows exactly what he¡¯s doing, and Ian, yeah he may not have a two-hundred IQ, but at least he knows what he is. And he¡¯s not some questionably sane freak of nature. I mean, I accept those facts, and I don¡¯t want you to feel like you¡¯d ever owe me any kind of explanation for accepting them too, ok?¡±

    Lili was stunned into silence for a long moment, her own breaths coming shakily as she thought on his words, before finally having to speak again, ¡°So, you understand?¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he repeated, seeming to force back quite a bit of emotion as he got the word out.

    Lili just scoffed, ¡°I really doubt that you understand anything, Jared,¡± she told him, which did cause him to look back up at her statement, ¡°You sure as hell don¡¯t seem to understand that, fucked up or not, you¡¯re the first person I ever connected with, and I don¡¯t just mean physically. You¡¯re the only person I ever connected with, in any way,¡± she stated through her own breaking voice. ¡°Or at least that¡¯s what I thought. Sorry if I was wrong after all,¡± she managed to add before moving to switch off the lantern and curling down into the cover, attempting to bury her face in the pillow just to avoid having to try and make him truly understand anything at all, right then.

    <hr>

    When Lili awoke the next morning, she spent countless minutes just lying there, staring up at the roof of the supply compartment in thought, rather than letting herself look over at Jared, who still lay next to her, though on his side, facing away from her. Not even sure her companion was even awake yet, Lili at last forced herself to sit up, trying not to jar the cover enough to wake him, if he were still asleep. She then looked around the compartment, coming to the conclusion that in order to open the door at all, let alone make her way out, she would still have to crawl over where he had slept just inside the door. Another sigh as she braced herself to try and lean over him, without disturbing him, and open the door at last.

    Though she succeeded in getting the door open, the sound it made as it slid upwards, did do well to startle Jared out of his continued slumber, as he moved his eyes up to where she had had to awkwardly lean across him just to get the door open.

    ¡°You coulda asked me to move,¡± he attempted to offer politely, through his sleep hoarsened voice.

    ¡°Move,¡± Ian was the one who responded to Jared¡¯s statement, from where he and Kyle slowly made their way to stand up from the seats they had already spent too many hours in that night.

    ¡°Morning to you too,¡± Lili muttered as she did move to purposefully crawl over Jared¡¯s body before bothering to wait for him to heed Ian¡¯s ¡®request,¡¯ himself.

    Jared swallowed with a bit of a blush as she crawled across his legs, but chose to say nothing else before waiting for her to clear the compartment, and then moving to follow as well.

    ¡°So, I guess nothing attacked us in the middle of the night?¡± he finally asked Ian and Kyle once they moved past him a moment later.

    ¡°Yeah, we fought ¡¯em all off all by ourselves. We¡¯re badass like that,¡± Ian returned with a smirk, ¡°Now, come cuddle with me, Kyle,¡± he had to add as Kyle just shook his head over at Ian before making his way back to the recently vacated compartment.

    ¡°So, is this cover, uh safe?¡± Kyle attempted as he reached the compartment.

    ¡°Safe?¡± Jared asked with a raised eyebrow.

    Though it was then Lili who spoke up, ¡°He wants to know if we were fucking on it all night. No, but thanks for asking, this time,¡± she told Kyle bluntly as she moved to take a seat in the cockpit, paying no heed to all three of the expressions that particular statement caused.

    ¡°Ok, then,¡± Ian stated with his own deep breath a moment later, ¡°See you two lovebirds in a few hours,¡± he added with a shake of his head, before moving to close the compartment door behind him and the still stunned looking youngest of the team.

    As the door closed, Jared finally reminded himself to breathe again, as he turned back toward where Lili busied herself looking through the food stores next to the cockpit seats, rather than looking back his way as of yet.

    ¡°So, I guess I don¡¯t really need to guess at whether or not you¡¯re still upset then, huh?¡± he managed as he forced a few cautious steps in her direction.

    ¡°Upset about what? You insinuating that I waited twenty-five years before finally giving someone my virginity because I was apparently afraid of dying, and since we¡¯re still alive, that that means that I now have to backtrack from that apparently horrible mistake you seem to think I now believe it was? How would I be upset by that?¡±

    ¡°Lili¡­¡± he began, not even sure what he had meant to follow the word with.

    ¡°Jared, some advice: Try to use those psychic abilities to decide whether or not you should keep talking right now.¡±

    Her statement more than easily did silence him though, as he somberly moved to take a place in another of the seats near the window where she continued to sort out the food in an obviously annoyed manner.

    Several painfully long moments after they had each forced down their breakfast, both now simply staring out the window in silence, Lili finally made some attempt at communication once more, ¡°So, even if Kyle got the engines to work again, and even if the ship is really still up there¡­¡± she began quietly.

    Though that was hardly an easy subject she was making an attempt at speaking about, Jared was still thankful for the change from the previous one, ¡°What about it?¡± he asked with as much gentleness as he could muster.

    ¡°Even if all of that happened, there¡¯s still not enough air in the suits to get us back up there, is there?¡± she asked in a near whisper.

    Jared took a deep breath, knowing that the last thing in the world he should do right then is lie to her in any way, ¡°No, there¡¯s not.¡±

    Lili closed her eyes tightly, choking a bit on her own tears before speaking again, ¡°So, if they aren¡¯t up there, or even if they are, and they still can¡¯t get to us¡­¡± a deep breath, ¡°Then we really are gonna die here, aren¡¯t we?¡± she breathed the question rather than spoke it.

    ¡°Yeah, we are,¡± he admitted softly as her eyes immediately flew back to him, in utter shock that he would so easily make such a damning statement, especially considering it was him making it, ¡°But,¡± he managed, ¡°I can pretty much assure that it won¡¯t be as soon as we all might think, right now.¡±

    Her eyes widened a bit at that statement. ¡°Explain, please,¡± she begged.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to decipher the things I¡¯ve seen. A lot of them, just last night. And I know that at least one of us is going to still be here, still alive, several months from right now, possibly years.¡±

    Lili let out a tiny scoff, ¡°There was a calendar in your vision?¡±

    ¡°In some form.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Just trust me when I say, I know that you¡¯re not going to die any time in the immediate future, anyway.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to give me more than that, Jared.¡±

    ¡°In the visions I saw, you were still alive, Lili, at least several months from now, possibly longer.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t get it. How could you tell it was several months away, and not just several days, or even hours?¡± Lili pressed.

    ¡°It was pretty obvious,¡± he said quietly, his eyes still glued to the forests outside.

    ¡°Maybe to you,¡± she denied. ¡°But remember, I can¡¯t see inside your head, now can I?¡±

    ¡°Because, Lili, you were¡­you were about to¡­about to become a mother.¡±

    The shocked silence that followed seemed to go on endlessly before she finally managed any kind of response at all, ¡°Um, you couldn¡¯t see any more than that?¡±

    ¡°I thought that was a whole lot in itself,¡± he sighed heavily.

    ¡°I mean, you didn¡¯t see if me, or this baby, actually survive that; the birth I mean?¡±

    He just shook his head, ¡°All I can really get right now is you, in labor, here, in this place, this planet, that we¡¯re on right now.¡±

    Then she thought of yet another truth to factor in, ¡°But¡­but I can¡¯t have children, at least right now I can¡¯t, remember?¡±

    ¡°Then, maybe what it means is that at least two of us do manage to survive, for at least another three years, right?¡± he attempted to sound like that was some reason to continue to hope, after all.

    ¡°And¡­.you couldn¡¯t see which two?¡± she whispered sadly.

    ¡°No. I only saw you, having a child¡­having someone¡¯s child,¡± he added more quietly, his own eyes turned downwards, not able to help thinking of how far away he had felt like he had actually pushed her only hours before the most recent of these eerie dreams had decided to come to him once again.

    Lili took another breath, ¡°Still, you told me, that night, that you could never be sure what was a dream, and what was actually a vision, right? So, none of this may even be a vision at all. Right?¡±

    Jared sighed again, ¡°Like Kyle said, the older we get, the more we figure out. The easier it gets to do things¡­ like telling the difference now, between a dream and¡­ not a dream.¡±

 Chapter 16

    After Ian and Kyle had managed to get their few hours¡¯ sleep that morning, the four of them then steeled themselves to scout the next section of forest. However, this time they had a slightly clearer goal of finding means to survive, rather than simply finding out what was there at all. They all agreed that finding a drinkable water source was at the top of the list, second only to getting back to the pod once more, before nightfall, just in case.

    Though, their exploring did produce more scientifically relevant discoveries that day, such as a few small animals or birds scurrying away as they moved through the woods around them. Though none of these smaller animals seemed that shockingly different from various species found on Earth, rather than a few miniscule differences in size or color or markings. Though, as ground-breaking as finding these similar signs of life were at all, all of them seemed much more intent on survival than science, the further out of reach that old life of theirs seemed to be getting as the minutes and hours passed.

    After they had been walking for a good while that day, it became increasingly obvious that Lili had been falling behind, causing them to have to stop and wait for her more than a couple times. As they waited for her to catch up, they all glanced at each other, trying to fathom what, if anything, had changed since their admittedly shorter scouting trip the previous day.

    Taking a breath as she caught up with them once more, Jared dared to vocalize their shared concern, ¡°Are you ok?¡± he asked Lili as he noted her gently holding her hand against herself, the way that would have been likely after running too long, despite the extremely slow pace they were deliberately moving at, for safety reasons, alone.

    ¡°Huh?¡± she asked, trying to keep any discomfort out of her voice.

    ¡°You ok?¡± he asked again, pointedly looking down at the hand she held against her abdomen.

    Lili attempted a scoff of indifference as she saw them all move their eyes to her, awaiting her answer, ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she attempted a smile, though the more she spoke, the easier the pain in her voice could be heard.

    ¡°You don¡¯t really seem¡­all that fine,¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help adding to Jared¡¯s spoken concerns.

    ¡°Have I said a word? God, guys,¡± she said as she looked off at some random tree to avoid having to look back at the three sets of eyes that moved over her.

    Then Jared allowed a step closer to her as he spoke more softly, ¡°Seriously, I need to know if you are in some kind of pain.¡±

    She just shook her head, ¡°I think we got bigger problems, right now, ok?¡±

    Jared shook his head, ¡°So, you are in pain?¡±

    ¡°Oh my god!¡± she complained in irritation. ¡°Must this be a production? Ok, so I¡¯m having some cramps, if you must know. Oh no, the girl¡¯s having cramps. Aren¡¯t you glad I shared that with the three of you now?¡± she scoffed, still not looking back toward them as she spoke.

    Ian and Kyle looked down, though said nothing more, while Jared took a breath of his own before forcing a response, ¡°Is it like the same kind that you normally get?¡±

    ¡°Jared, please. Could we stop with the sisterly discussion and find the damn water?¡± she complained, her irritation mounting with the pain that she attempted to assure them was nothing of note.

    ¡°Tell us if you wanna stop, please. Ok?¡± Jared returned, ¡°And try to remember, I¡¯m your doctor too, not just the guy who you happen to be royally pissed off at right now, ok?¡± he managed before nodding to the guys to continue their walk, trying to ignore the expressions they each adopted in reaction to the last part of Jared¡¯s comment.

    As they continued their walk, all of them casting glances back toward where Lili still moved slowly, several paces behind them, Ian just had to furtively ask Jared, ¡°So, why is she royally pissed off at you?¡± though he spoke too quietly for Lili to make out the question.

    ¡°And me answering that will help us find water, how?¡± Jared mumbled under his breath.

    ¡°I¡¯m just sayin,¡± Ian began, still speaking under his breath, ¡°last woman in the world, and she already had a thing for you before that¡­May not be too, uh, genius, too piss her off, now.¡±

    Jared scoffed at Ian¡¯s statement, as the stress of the very situation forced him to act against his own docile nature at that moment, ¡°Please. This is you, Ian. Shouldn¡¯t you be having a mini-celebration about me pissing her off? God knows you¡¯ve wanted to be with her for like, ever!¡±

    Ian and Kyle both looked a little stunned by Jared¡¯s outburst, ¡°What the hell did you say to him, Kyle?¡± Ian turned his accusation back toward the youngest one, who had already called Ian on that attraction once before.

    ¡°Me? I didn¡¯t say a damn thing,¡± Kyle retorted.

    ¡°Oh so he¡¯s just assuming that he knows who I¡¯ve wanted, and for how long?¡± Ian continued the accusation as Jared just shook his head.

    ¡°Well, he is psychic,¡± Kyle shot back.

    ¡°Oh shut the fuck up, Kyle,¡± Ian returned in his own growl. Though all their words were soon cut short as, still several feet behind them, Lili collapsed to the ground without warning.

    <hr>

    Once Lili did return to consciousness, due in large part to the foul odor coming from a vial Jared now held near her nose, she found herself still lying there upon the ground, only now with the long-sleeved shirt Jared had worn over his t-shirt, having since been bunched up and placed beneath her head, as he kneeled beside her worriedly.

    ¡°God, what is that?¡± she coughed a bit in reaction to the smell, then in further reaction to the pain caused by the cough as well.

    ¡°Kind of like smelling salts,¡± he whispered to her quietly as she also noted Ian and Kyle standing over her with the same worry upon their faces as well.

    ¡°I passed out?¡± she returned with her own shock, as she had never been the fainting type, ever.

    ¡°Lili, don¡¯t tell me this is cramps. You¡¯re burning up too.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she insisted as she attempted to push herself up to her elbows.

    ¡°You¡¯re lying on the ground, in the middle of the woods, burning up, and in pain. How is any of that fine?¡± he told her with some odd mixture of forceful gentleness.

    She scoffed once more, though she didn¡¯t yet try to finish sitting up on her own again, ¡°Listen, we both know I¡¯m gonna be fine. So can we just help me up and get on with this day?¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Ian interrupted in response to her comment.

    ¡°Yeah, is she delirious or something?¡± Kyle added.

    ¡°No, she is not delirious. Nor is she deaf,¡± Lili returned roughly, though winced again as she spoke.

    Jared sighed as well, trying to ignore the looks Kyle and Ian both turned toward him, ¡°Lili, just because I saw that, doesn¡¯t mean that this isn¡¯t important. Very important.¡±

    ¡°Saw¡­what?¡± Ian asked warily.

    Ignoring Ian¡¯s question, Jared continued speaking to Lili, ¡°Right now, I have to figure out what¡¯s wrong with you, Lili. And don¡¯t tell me that nothing is.¡±

    ¡°God, just stop fussing over me and let¡¯s get on with the day. You know damn well that this isn¡¯t life-threatening, whatever it is,¡± Lili continued as she did then try to sit fully up, despite the pain.

    ¡°That. What is that? What is she talking about, Jared? Did you have another vision or something?¡± Ian prodded.

    Though Jared didn¡¯t answer, instead he just cast his eyes downwards, before Lili spoke up again, ¡°Fine, if you won¡¯t tell them, I will. We need any hope we can get, at this point,¡± she spoke up, continuing to breathe shallowly with a hand at her abdomen, ¡°Yes, he had a vision. And in it, there was¡­proof¡­that I was still alive, nearly three years from now, if not more. And, at least two years from now, at least one of the three of you will still be alive, too, if not all three. He couldn¡¯t see any of your faces. But all of us have a fifty-fifty chance of still being here in two years. And, we also know that I am definitely included in that. Me, he did see. So, again I say, this is not life-threatening, ok?¡±

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Ian and Kyle both looked more than a little thrown by her statements, before Ian just had to speak up, ¡°That¡¯s a whole hell of a lot to get from ¡®nonsensical flashes,¡¯¡± Ian pointed out.

    ¡°The visions are getting a little clearer, longer, making a little more sense now: A little,¡± Jared stressed, upset by her stubbornness, but glad she didn¡¯t then go into the most startling part of those visions of his, right then.

    ¡°When did that start?¡± Kyle asked, wanting that question answered for a lot more than his curiosity about the vision itself.

    ¡°Last night. They all just seemed a lot clearer,¡± Jared admitted, still worriedly keeping his eyes glued to where Lili¡¯s breathing was still much shallower than usual, a sure sign that she was still in a great deal of pain.

    ¡°Just like that, overnight? They started making more sense?¡± Kyle continued, his own worried eyes staying on Lili too, despite his continued questions.

    ¡°The only theory I have for why it changed so quick is,¡± Jared sighed again, ¡°that the chemical make-up of the air here, it does make it thinner, but some of the elements in it, they¡¯re also known to make miniscule, tiny changes to brain chemistry, in the proper amounts.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re getting brain damage from, fucking breathing?¡± Ian exclaimed.

    ¡°The opposite, Ian,¡± Jared sighed. ¡°Some of the elements here, in the air on this planet, they actually repair tissue, therefore changing it, on a very basic level: Making it better. And when we¡¯re talking about the brain, I guess¡­.that translates as making it easier for me to make sense of the things I see, and see them longer, and with more clarity,¡± he attempted to explain in terms that would make the slightest bit of sense to a non-scientist.

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°But it doesn¡¯t really seem to be making Lili better, now does it?¡±

    Jared sighed again as he gently touched her overheated forehead once again, ¡°If it changes brain chemistry, it can change body chemistry, too. So, her body could be reacting differently to certain factors than it ever did up on the ship,¡± he stated softly, as he continued to look down at her.

    ¡°Factors?¡± Ian repeated.

    ¡°Whatever that means,¡± Lili interrupted, ¡°It still doesn¡¯t change the fact that we know this doesn¡¯t kill me, even if it does kinda suck a whole lot, right now,¡± she added more quietly.

    Jared then let out an exasperated sigh, ¡°You ever think that maybe this doesn¡¯t kill you because we fix it before it does? So would you shut up and at least let me try to do that?¡± he asked her more loudly, his outburst seeming to shock all three of them.

    Lili swallowed a bit, before finally finding her voice again, ¡°So, how do you do that?¡± she finally began to give in, though in a tiny voice.

    Jared then let out a more relieved sigh, ¡°Well we did bring some medical equipment out here with us, so I guess first I have to find out exactly what it is that¡¯s doing this to you.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Well how any doctor does,¡± he allowed a slight smile, worried though it was, ¡°You guys mind?¡± he asked as he looked up at their companions.

    ¡°Mind what?¡± Ian returned.

    Jared shook his head, ¡°Could you go find something to do while I try to figure out what¡¯s wrong, please?¡± he told them pointedly. Taking the hint quicker than Ian seemed to want to, Kyle grabbed the older man¡¯s sleeve and began pulling him off toward a large boulder they had passed about thirty feet back.

    ¡°Wow, now they have incontrovertible proof that we do indeed play doctor together,¡± Lili couldn¡¯t help offering as they moved away, attempting to keep her own mood light, despite all other factors. Jared had to force back his own smile at her comment before pulling his full attention back to the task at hand.

    ¡°So, where your hand is, that¡¯s where the pain is?¡± he asked quietly. Lili simply nodded, ¡°Could you let me have a look, please?¡± he offered with his own nervous smile.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t even have to say please, last time,¡± she returned with her own devious smile.

    ¡°Now¡¯s really not a good time to break my concentration, Lili,¡± he managed with another shake of his head, though a more sincere smile.

    Finally giving into his request to allow him some guise of professional detachment, as impossible as that was for either of them, Lili laid back again, moving her arms away with another shallow breath of her own.

    Jared slowly slid her t-shirt up toward her chest, while leaving it still low enough to remain covering her bra, before taking another deep breath and moving his hand to the snap of her jeans for only the second attempt he had ever made at undressing a woman, despite the fact that it was, indeed, the same woman once again.

    Another shaky breath of his own as he unzipped the jeans as well and pulled them away from the scarce material of her panties to get a better view of the portion of her abdomen that the pain seemed to be originating from.

    Though seeing how swollen and red her pale skin was, did do well to halt the arousal that had begun in him against his will, when he had first begun to undress her. He swallowed hard as his dark eyes moved over the area again.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to x-ray, just to be sure that it¡¯s what I think it is.¡±

    ¡°And can you do that?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we brought the handheld imager,¡± he said more quietly as he moved to his own pack to retrieve it.

    ¡°And, what do you think it is?¡± she couldn¡¯t help asking as he returned to her side.

    ¡°It seems like,¡± he began with another breath as he started up the small machine, ¡°like the minute changes in your body chemistry seem to make it now think that there¡¯s a foreign object inside you, which there technically, well, is. Before the chemical make-up of your body changed, it could interpret what this object was and now it no longer can. It only sees it as not natural, and not natural equals bad. And your body only interprets that one way, and is now attacking it, but obviously, can¡¯t kill it, so it keeps trying, and trying, and that¡¯s what¡¯s wearing you down, and causing you pain. And your body will keep doing that,¡± he continued as he finished taking the pictures, ¡°until the object is either gone,¡± another swallow, ¡°or ¡¯til your body just can¡¯t keep trying to fight it anymore.¡±

    Lili swallowed a bit as he put the machine away somberly, ¡°I guess this would fall under, ¡®complications,¡¯ huh?¡± she whispered sadly.

    ¡°You could say that,¡± he offered in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°So, what happens now?¡± she finally managed to ask.

    ¡°Now, we gotta get it out, before your body basically kills you by trying to,¡± he returned, his voice breaking a bit on the thought.

    Lili took a deep breath, ¡°So, I guess we don¡¯t get a free two years of life guarantee at the beginning of that vision of yours anymore, do we?¡± she asked with a bit of a sniffle.

    Jared swallowed as he looked down again, ¡°Gotta remember, you¡¯ve still got a guaranteed nine months, at least, most likely a bit longer, since I doubt you¡¯re really ¡®in the mood¡¯ right now,¡± he attempted lightness, through his own sad tone.

    ¡°Yeah, so I have nine months. But where does that leave any of you? And if I let all of this happen, and then I do somehow lose you guys, where does that leave me, or my baby?¡±

 Chapter 17

    It didn¡¯t take very long at all for them to get Lili back to the pod where Jared had access to the rest of the medical supplies that he would need. Though, it took a quite a bit longer for the removal and for Lili to finally become lucid once more. It was now early evening. Kyle and Ian were worriedly waiting outside the compartment which had now doubled as not only a bedroom the previous night, but now as an operating area too, as well. Once her turquoise eyes finally opened again, Lili found Jared lying next to her, having watched her as she made her way back to consciousness.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she said a little hoarsely, as her eyes focused on him.

    ¡°Hi,¡± he repeated, not bothering moving any further back from where he had laid close to her while she recovered.

    ¡°Is it done?¡± she managed.

    Jared couldn¡¯t help a small smile, ¡°Do you feel better?¡±

    ¡°Physically, you mean?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll start with that,¡± he told her as he offered another smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m kinda groggy, and a little sore, but,¡± she moved her eyes downwards from where they had managed to hold his for those few moments, ¡°better.¡±

    ¡°Then I guess I did my job,¡± he smiled as he gently placed a kiss over her forehead, which thankfully was no longer burning to the touch.

    ¡°So, they¡¯re out there?¡± she managed a moment later.

    ¡°Yeah, neither of them are really the medical assistant types,¡± he smiled again.

    ¡°Do they know what¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°They know what I told them: Your body chemistry was changed by breathing the air here for the last twenty-four hours, and it caused a reaction, and I had to fix that,¡± he answered, ¡°Do you want me to tell them anymore?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s good,¡± she returned softly.

    Another long pause before he spoke again, ¡°You know, while you slept, I had time to do a lot of thinking.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s never a good thing. Even if you are a genius,¡± she added with her own small smile.

    Another slight smile, ¡°Out there, when you told them about my vision, you assured them both, all three of us, really, that we each had at least a fifty-fifty chance.¡±

    ¡°Well, you all do, even if the time frame has now changed a bit,¡± she added more softly.

    ¡°See, you just did it again.¡±

    ¡°Did what? Agreed that yes, I said what I said?¡±

    ¡°No, I mean, without even thinking about it, without even questioning it, you¡¯re sure that all three of us, that we all have an equal chance. There was no trace of doubt in your eyes, even.¡±

    ¡°Ok, and that means what?¡±

    ¡°It means that you believe it: You already feel it. You already know that it could be any of us that could truly become the father of that child. Being here like we are, despite the jabs, arguments, worries, fears, unknowns, you already feel that¡­bond¡­with all three of us who are trapped here too, in this same situation. You already feel that connection with each of us. Or, in some cases, you still feel that connection,¡± he smiled again. ¡°And I feel it too. No bullshit, no neurosis about it, no real jealousy about it, honestly¡­I feel like all four of us, we really are part of a bigger whole, truly,¡± he repeated again, as he added another kiss to her forehead once more before pushing himself up to slide the door open, an honestly sincere smile back her way before he stepped back out to greet the other men¡¯s worried faces.

    ¡°So¡­is she better?¡± Ian asked upon Jared¡¯s return from the hours he had spent in there with Lili, who looked floored by whatever had just transpired between them a moment earlier. But she still looked healthy and even almost¡­relieved.

    Jared smiled as he looked back at her again, ¡°Tired, a little sore, and I¡¯m guessing hungry, too, but better,¡± he offered.

    ¡°You really are a fuckin genius,¡± Ian offered as he grabbed Jared and placed a wet kiss over his lips before letting go of the shocked teen. ¡°I¡¯ll get the food.¡± he stated simply as he moved to Lili¡¯s bag and began searching for the food, paying no real heed to any of the slightly startled looks around him.

    ¡°Um...¡± Kyle began as Ian offered him another of those pre-packaged delights, ¡°You know, I¡¯m a genius, too,¡± he stated with such an innocent tone to his voice that all three of them couldn¡¯t help laughing out loud at the statement, before going about the most relieved meal any of them had had in a long time.

    <hr>

    With Lili feeling greatly better than the previous day, the four began preparing for another very cautious foray into the wilderness early the next afternoon. As Jared and Ian gathered most of the supplies that day, she waited in the cockpit with Kyle, casting a glance at her watch as the other two finished gathering the chosen items. She looked over at where Kyle silently tinkered with the computer once more.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s August 2nd,¡± she offered, pointedly looking to see Kyle¡¯s reaction.

    ¡°And?¡± Ian asked as he offered her the lightest bag.

    ¡°Anything special you want any of us to try and do tomorrow, Kyle?¡± she pointedly stated his name to get a reaction at last.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± he asked, looking up with an attempt at indifference.

    ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s your birthday, Kyle,¡± she smiled. ¡°Anything in particular you want us to try and do, or anything?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head as he looked down once more, ¡°Not really a lot of options in this place, Lili. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t even bother saying anything.¡±

    Then Ian just scoffed loudly as he moved to stoop in front of Kyle¡¯s seat, ¡°Ky,¡± he began pointedly, ¡°the last woman, on the planet, just asked you if you wanted anything special for your seventeenth birthday. Did you happen to hear that, at all?¡±

    Kyle scoffed with a bright blush as he shook his head, ¡°Shut up, Ian. For cryin out loud, Jared is sitting right there,¡± he stated plainly.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok Ky. It was actually pretty amusing,¡± Jared offered with his own little smile and simply went about gathering together his supplies for the day, as the other three looked just a bit shocked by his seemingly sincere calm.

    ¡°Dammit, we apparently are in the Twilight Zone after all,¡± Ian stated as he shook his head and stood upright again. Then he turned back to Lili. ¡°So, what¡¯s up with memorizing birthdays of people you barely talked to before last week? You a stalker, Lil? Cause if so, I¡¯m offended. I¡¯ve been like, begging you to stalk me since he was in like first grade.¡±

    Kyle just shook his head again, ¡°Did you find that one amusing too, Jar?¡± Though Jared¡¯s only response was a smile that was, seemingly, amused.

    ¡°And, don¡¯t worry Ian, I¡¯ll tell you happy birthday on December 8th, too,¡± she assured him smartly.

    He just shook his own head then, ¡°Well, do I get any special surprises on my twenty-fourth, too?¡± he couldn¡¯t help asking as he gave her another pointed up and down glance.

    Lili just smirked, ¡°Well, that¡¯s four months away. It wouldn¡¯t be a surprise if I told you, now, would it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s ok, I¡¯ll act as fuckin surprised as you want me to,¡± he told her with another devious grin.

    ¡°Are you proud of what you¡¯ve done now, Jared? You just green-lighted him to go back to sexually harassing her as much as he did on the ship,¡± Kyle warned, trying not to concentrate on that implied offer, after all.

    ¡°If it bugs Lili then I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll tell him,¡± was Jared¡¯s only response, as he still seemed quite unruffled by any of Ian¡¯s comments.

    ¡°I think he¡¯s getting into his own medicinal supplies, now. That¡¯s gotta be it,¡± Kyle returned with a shake of his head.

    ¡°Well, I would contend that maybe he got laid, but Lili was a bit out of commission last night, so it is rather odd,¡± Ian agreed as he gave Jared a puzzled look of his own.

    Jared just shook his own head with another amused chuckle, ¡°I was in a really bad mood the other day, when I jumped down your throat about liking Lili. Sorry, ok?¡± he told Ian simply.

    Lili smiled up at Jared, with a bit less shock than the other two as Kyle looked up at Ian in disbelief, ¡°What the hell kinda kisser are you?¡±

    ¡°Jealous?¡± he teased Kyle with his own content smirk as he moved to open the hatch to begin yet another unknown adventure for the day, figuring it couldn¡¯t get much more shocking, anyway.

    <hr>

    A good ways into their walk, Jared continued to remain vigilantly at Lili¡¯s side, just in case any pain came back. Though, after a bit, he couldn¡¯t help breaking the silence of the woods as he looked down at her, ¡°So what is up with the birthday stuff?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she asked with her own small smile.

    ¡°Well, Ian¡¯s right: Other than the couple of nights you and I¡­had,¡± he began softly, though quickly continued on, ¡°None of us really hung out that much together, before.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but when I found out who all was going, I looked up your birthdates on the computer.¡±

    ¡°Um, ok¡­so you are a stalker?¡± he asked her with a playful caution.

    ¡°Yes, yes, this was all a big part of my master plan. See, I had it all figured out: Find a planet, then find the three hottest guys on the ship, and then get stranded here with them. Then all I had to do, was almost die, and hey, putty in my hands,¡± she teased with a little laugh.

    He couldn¡¯t help chuckling back before returning, ¡°Actually, I believe my people were the ones that found the planet.¡±

    ¡°Details,¡± she scoffed playfully.

    Then another quiet moment before he had to speak up again, ¡°So, you think the three of us are the hottest guys on the ship, huh?¡± he couldn¡¯t resist calling her on that.

    A bit of a blush rose to her cheeks before she responded, ¡°Can we go back to talking about birthdates again, or something?¡±

    Jared just chuckled, but allowed her the subject change, ¡°So, why did you look ¡¯em up though, honestly?¡±

    ¡°Like you said, I¡¯m all ¡®new agey,¡¯¡± she teased.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Remember, I believe in science, and astrology is a science.¡±

    ¡°You looked them up to find out our signs?¡±

    ¡°Had to know what I was getting into,¡± she pointed out.

    ¡°Ok, so what are you getting into with the three of us¡­sign-wise,¡± he just had to add as a disclaimer.

    ¡°Kyle, Leo. Ian, Sagittarius. You, Cancer.¡±

    ¡°Well yeah, but what useful information did that give you?¡± he continued.

    ¡°Kyle: Leo. He seems full of himself, always thinks he knows what¡¯s best, and will always make sure you know it too,¡± she chuckled, then added, more softly, ¡°but it¡¯s because he really is that good, and too fragile, inside, to ever let anyone see any of the weakness behind all the bravado.¡±

    Jared nodded thoughtfully, ¡°Ok, one for one, I¡¯ll give you that.¡±

    She chuckled as she continued, ¡°Ian: Sagittarius. Bold, brave, fearless, complete class clown, hardly any tolerance whatsoever for boredom, or any patience to be had, bursting with more energy than he knows what to do with, very sexual, but always in a playful way, too likeable for you to hold it against him for long,¡± she finished as she smiled fondly up at the men she described.

    Jared just shook his head in concession, ¡°Ok, I guess you are pretty good at this.¡±

    ¡°What, you¡¯re not gonna ask about your rundown?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I think I can live with the suspense,¡± he told her with a slight bit of unease, though still wore a smile.

    ¡°Jared: Cancer. Very emotional, shy, very deep, too caring for his own heart¡¯s good most of the time, always in tune with things that other people don¡¯t even notice half the time, sensitive, sensual, very loving, very fragile.¡±

    Jared looked down in a bit of his own embarrassment at such a description, ¡°When you put it that way, I¡¯m practically a girl.¡±

    ¡°Yet, which one of you was the first to get the girl, in every way?¡± she reminded him with a gentle kiss upon his cheek before moving to catch up to her other companions, leaving Jared to those deep, deep thoughts of his own, once more.

 Chapter 18

    Still having not found a water source within the immediate vicinity of three of the four sides of the pod, they all started the next day with a bit of nervous silence as they prepared to scout the fourth direction away from the pod before having to finally admit that they may have to seriously consider venturing further than one day¡¯s walking distance from their current comfort zone.

    When Kyle moved to open the hatch to let in the early afternoon sun, Lili moved to follow him, ¡°Hey birthday boy.¡±

    ¡°At least you didn¡¯t say happy birthday,¡± Kyle replied with a bit of bitterness in reference to the whole of their current situation, their slightly improved relationships aside.

    ¡°Hey, come with me a minute. I wanna show you something,¡± she told him with a breath, causing the other two to allow brief glances toward her.

    ¡°He¡¯s the science guy¡­¡± Kyle replied a bit warily as he cast his own glance toward Jared, who quickly turned his own eyes away.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware. Now would you come on?¡± she smiled as she gently tugged at his arm.

    ¡°Hey. Hey. Hey!¡± Ian interrupted their continued departure from the pod, increasing the loudness with each repetition.

    ¡°What? What? What?¡± Lili returned, mocking his own impatience for a reaction, once she finally did turn back his way.

    ¡°No more than twenty feet without me, got it? And a gun, take a fucking gun would you?¡± he ordered as he pointed to where he had left a few just inside the door.

    Lili just rolled her eyes as she moved back to grudgingly take the smallest one and turned to shove it into the back of Kyle¡¯s jeans which caused him to tense up nearly visibly, ¡°Anything else daddy?¡± she retorted to Ian smartly.

    ¡°Could ya call me daddy again?¡± he told her with a devious grin, which only caused her to scoff loudly before continuing to drag Kyle off away from the pod with her. Ian just smirked as he turned back away from the door, his eyes catching Jared¡¯s as he did, the younger of the two just shaking his head as he looked away, ¡°What? You can¡¯t tell me that the way she said that didn¡¯t get you halfway to hard too.¡±

    ¡°You are so very damaged,¡± Jared mumbled, though didn¡¯t say much else as he continued with their preparations.

    After a moment, Ian just had to speak up after glancing out the door after their two now departed companions, ¡°So, did you two, or didn¡¯t you, honestly?¡±

    ¡°Should I pretend I know what you¡¯re talking about?¡± Jared returned, placing more disinterest in his voice than any obvious annoyance.

    Ian just shook his head, ¡°Ok, lemme try asking in a less direct way¡­think Lili might actually give birthday boy a present to remember, after all?¡±

    Jared just scoffed again, ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe?¡±

    ¡°Maybe?¡± Ian repeated, sounding a bit more than surprised by that response, but had to get more then, ¡°So, tell me, how does that make you feel, Jared?¡± he asked, mocking the deep concerned tone used by most psychotherapists.

    ¡°You guys: I love how you just assume that something or other happened and go with it, even when no one has ever validated said assumption.¡±

    ¡°Big words, wow,¡± Ian teased, then added, ¡°and I love how you two try to play all innocent, but have never actually, honestly denied it,¡± he told him smartly.

    Jared just shook his head again, ¡°I thought you were more concerned with guessing at what she might do with Kyle now, not me.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯m most interested in hearing what you think she might do or not do with¡­anyone else.¡±

    ¡°Well, considering you and Kyle are the only ¡®anyone elses¡¯ here...¡± Jared shook his head again.

    ¡°Well?¡±

    Jared scoffed again, ¡°So you¡¯re asking me to tell you what I think about the girl that you think that I slept with, possibly ever sleeping with either you, or Kyle?¡±

    ¡°Ow, that hurt my head too,¡± Ian complained as he put his hand to his temple. ¡°No but seriously, do you think she actually would do anything with Kyle?¡±

    Jared sighed again, ¡°Fine, if it¡¯ll get you to stop asking:¡± he began as he finally took a resigned seat next to the one Ian had now also claimed, ¡°I can only assume that Kyle is probably a virgin, right?¡± Jared began.

    ¡°Did you get that from the physical or something?¡± Ian had to ask with a smirk.

    ¡°I got that from the fact that I¡¯m only a little older than him. I only turned eighteen like two weeks ago. And I, myself was a virgin, until very recently,¡± Jared swallowed again, not looking directly up at Ian just yet. ¡°And Kyle¡¯s life was a lot more hectic, and his brain a lot more in demand than mine, ever since he hit puberty at all. So, it¡¯s a valid assumption that he never really got around to dating much up there. I know I didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°So, you think Lili might actually, uh, help him out with that?¡± Ian raised a brow at that thought.

    ¡°I think Lili knows all too well, what it¡¯s like to realize that life is very short, and facing a very possible death, without ever having a chance to live, it sucks a whole lot. That¡¯s what I think,¡± he stated simply.

    ¡°Damn, I guess I shouldn¡¯t have fucked all those people up there, after all. Then I coulda played the virgin card, too,¡± Ian shook his head.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sure you regret every second of all that sex, Ian,¡± Jared told him with an obvious sarcasm before again returning to his previous task.

    After a few more moments of checking his own supplies, Ian just had to add, ¡°It does kinda suck, though.¡±

    ¡°What sucks?¡± Jared gave in and asked.

    ¡°Like you said the other day, I myself, have actually wanted her since the two of you were in grade school. But hey, it is what it is,¡± he shrugged as he moved to get some air of his own, in silence.

    <hr>

    After the two of them arrived at a particularly large tree, Lili stopped next to it as she looked around, ¡°I¡¯d say this is about as far as we¡¯ll get without him coming hunting for us,¡± she smiled back at Kyle, as he nervously leaned upon the tree, attempting to focus his eyes on the woods around him as well.

    ¡°So, what¡¯d you wanna¡­ show me?¡± he asked quietly. Lili simply smiled as she turned back to him before moving in close to him, causing Kyle to take a nervous step back only to have the tree come in contact with his back. ¡°Hi,¡± he stammered a bit as her face was now mere millimeters from his own as he was basically pinned between her and the tree.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°So, you were actually wrong about something, up there.¡±

    ¡°Um, what might that have been?¡± he asked, trying very hard to keep his voice level, but it was increasingly difficult the longer she stood that close to him.

    ¡°About me never noticing any other guys but Jared.¡±

    ¡°I, uh, was?¡± he asked innocently.

    ¡°Kyle, you were the only one up there who was too busy to notice anyone, or at least let anyone know that you noticed them,¡± she corrected.

    ¡°I w--was?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, a bit,¡± she whispered with another smile as she moved in to trace her lips over his neck gently.

    ¡°S--Sorry?¡± he managed as her hands moved to the bottom of his t-shirt.

    ¡°You¡¯re not busy now, are you?¡± she asked in her own whisper as she traced her fingers over his stomach.

    ¡°Nah, I, uh, got time,¡± he choked a bit on the words, which only caused her lips to smile against his neck before she moved to kneel in front of where he already stood about six inches taller than her, and then began tracing her lips over his stomach as well.

    As her kisses spread over his stomach, her fingers simultaneously moved to the front of his jeans, causing him to arch his back against the tree, his nails digging slightly into the bark when he felt her fingers move to the snap and zipper of the jeans that had become painfully tight the very moment she had moved close to him at all.

    After the next several moments that Lili spent fully completing that task, Kyle allowed his now limp body to slide down the base of the tree, where he took a seat on the ground as she wiped at her smiling lips, while he didn¡¯t even close his pants right then, as he was now just too spent to even bother.

    ¡°Now am I allowed to say happy birthday?¡± she asked innocently, which did indeed produce a loud laugh from him in response, rather than any words right then. Though hearing any of them able to laugh at all, that was the real present, and hopefully a lot less fleeting than the simple orgasm she had allowed him to feel at her touch.

    ¡°Oh believe me, you can say whatever you want,¡± he told her in the same breathless tone.

    She blushed a bit as she moved in to zip his pants back up for him with a smile, ¡°Sorry, though, I¡¯m sure you may have wanted another sort of ¡®present,¡¯ but I¡¯m still not feeling quite up to that after the other day, you know,¡± she told him with an apologetic smile as she finished fastening his pants for him.

    Kyle swallowed a bit and clasped her wrist as she was about to move it away, ¡°You mean¡­¡± his voice trailed off as he attempted to put his question into words, ¡°You mean, you actually would, you know, do that with me, too?¡± he managed in a whisper.

    ¡°It¡¯s a different world, a different life, and no one should be deprived of feeling all the good parts of that life¡­while they still can,¡± she told him in a hoarse whisper.

    In that simple statement, Lili¡¯s words almost identically reflected the very concerns Kyle had shared with Ian the previous evening, in regards to his fear of missing out on such a huge part of his life now that they all seemed trapped here in their current situation. Lili then placed a tender kiss over his lips, and finally pushed herself up off the ground with a smile before moving back toward their strange new home of sorts.

    <hr>

    Once she returned to the pod a few moments ahead of Kyle, Lili simply offered a silent smile to where Ian was leaning back just inside the door while Jared updated some of the findings on his own computer. Ian pointedly looked out the door behind her, where Kyle was slowly, but surely making his way back as well.

    ¡°Jeez, he¡¯s even havin trouble walking now?¡± Ian scoffed as he looked back her way accusingly.

    ¡°Yes, Ian, I¡¯m just that good,¡± she teased with a total lack of seriousness, before grabbing her bag for the day as she awaited the beginning of their continued search for water.

    Amazingly though, neither Jared nor Ian said anything about her earlier ¡®walk¡¯ with Kyle, or at least not to her. After several minutes walking in the only unexplored direction, Jared pointed out a plant that did indeed seem to bear a type of small edible berry. Lili moved to Jared¡¯s side to inspect the plant as well, leaving Ian on guard several feet off, where Kyle leaned upon a tree next to him.

    ¡°Come on, already, I am the one who pointed out your need to take advantage of her, offer of generosity, shall we say,¡± Ian finally gave in to curiosity, prodding the younger man.

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Kyle smiled, but said nothing else.

    ¡°Oh you better fuckin fess up,¡± Ian shook his head.

    ¡°God Ian. No, her and I didn¡¯t go off and have sex¡­exactly,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    ¡°Exactly?¡± he asked more loudly.

    ¡°No, we didn¡¯t,¡± Kyle admitted, though still wore the smile.

    ¡°Exactly?¡± Ian repeated more pointedly.

    Kyle just shook his head with the continued smile, ¡°She did kiss me, ok?¡± he allowed himself to admit, ¡°But it is my birthday.¡± he had to add.

    ¡°Kissed you, huh?¡± Ian returned as he looked the younger man up and down.

    ¡°Yeah. It was nice,¡± Kyle admitted with a thoughtful look down.

    ¡°Nice?¡± Ian repeated as he nodded his head as if satisfied with the answer, then quickly continued, ¡°Nice like a sister kiss or nice like, an ¡®oh my god, my pants are about to burst¡¯ kiss?¡±

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help chuckling with the slightest blush, ¡°Actually, I think the kiss actually happened, after my pants were zipped back up,¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help, ¡°It was a bit of a blur.¡±

    ¡°Back up?¡± Ian asked more loudly, obviously only hearing that part of the statement.

    ¡°Yeah, but like I said, we didn¡¯t have actual sex¡­ least not yet,¡± Kyle had to add with his own grin before moving off to join Jared and Lili those several feet away, leaving Ian to only look after him with another look of disbelief.

 Chapter 19

    After nearly an hour of making their way through a slowly thinning out portion of forest south of the pod, Ian finally paused. Kyle and Lili had been hanging back with Jared, picking out a selection of fruits or berries that Jared¡¯s analysis reported as safe for consumption. They looked up as Ian stopped, looking around with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Jared was the first to ask.

    ¡°You guys hear that?¡± Ian responded distractedly, his eyes still scanning the progressively less and less wooded area in front of them.

    ¡°Hear what?¡± Lili couldn¡¯t help asking with a bit of nervousness to her tone.

    ¡°Is that¡­¡± Jared began as he stepped forward to stand near Ian.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Kyle offered as he too stepped forward, while Lili still hung back a few feet.

    ¡°It sounds like¡­Lili come here.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± she swallowed a bit as she moved to join them.

    ¡°What does that sound like to you?¡± Ian asked her.

    ¡°Um, like a low rumble, sort of?¡± she shook her head as she bit her lip.

    ¡°Like maybe, running water, you think?¡± Ian returned to her with a raised brow, his words causing her face to light up in agreement.

    ¡°God, I think you¡¯re right!¡± she smiled as she moved toward the sound, only to have Ian grab her arm and cut in front of her first, to make his own way toward the sound, which only caused her to roll her eyes before hurrying to follow him. Kyle and Jared simply exchanged a glance of pending hopefulness before also moving to follow their two older companions, as well.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be damned,¡± Ian muttered as a large river did come into view a few minutes later, causing them all to grin in relief.

    ¡°Maybe we¡¯re all not, after all,¡± Lili smiled up at him as she gently squeezed his arm before taking a few more steps toward the water¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Could you hold up just a second, Lil?¡± Jared called after her with his own cautious smile as he and Kyle moved to follow her.

    ¡°It¡¯s water!¡± she chimed the discovery back at the two younger men as they reached her.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Jared stated quietly as the four of them stopped about ten feet from the edge, before he cautiously moved closer.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s water?¡± she scoffed with a teasing grin.

    ¡°No, I mean, maybe it¡¯s safe. I have to check before any of us start celebrating,¡± he reminded her as he approached.

    ¡°Did he actually make you come? I mean, seriously?¡± Ian had to ask as Lili just blushed brightly and gently smacked his arm, while Kyle looked away to avoid making any comment on that particular question, ¡°Ow,¡± Ian feigned pain at the gentle smack. ¡°And was that a yes or a no?¡± he prodded with a continued smirk down at her.

    Shaking her head up at him in exasperation, Lili couldn¡¯t resist providing an answer, ¡°You¡¯d be amazed at how good a guy can be in bed ¡­especially if he¡¯s psychic,¡± she retorted smartly.

    Satisfied that she had silenced Ian for the moment, she moved away from him and Kyle to go and wait behind where Jared had to force his concentration back to the task at hand, despite the bright blush he couldn¡¯t help forming in reaction to her review, of sorts.

    Moving a few feet further from the water¡¯s edge, Ian finally did speak to Kyle again, a few moments later, ¡°So, did she uh, just admit it, finally?¡± Ian asked Kyle, who looked more than a little disturbed by her statement, as well.

    ¡°Um, sounded like it,¡± Kyle stammered in return.

    ¡°And she actually told you she¡¯d take your virginity for ya?¡± Ian repeated, only a fraction more quietly.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Kyle returned with his own blush, ¡°And she just kind of, implied it,¡± he admitted as he cast another worried glance over at where Lili now kneeled beside Jared at the water¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Implied? Ooh, you¡¯re as good as laid.¡± Ian couldn¡¯t resist teasing back.

    ¡°At least I¡¯m already a blowjob ahead of you,¡± Kyle¡¯s pride forced him to retort with his own smirk before also moving back toward the water¡¯s edge once more, as Ian just swallowed any further response and shook his head silently before turning to take in more of their surroundings, instead.

    ¡°There¡¯s fish!¡± Lili called back to Ian loudly a moment later, pointing down at the water with a smile.

    ¡°Is there anything in there with teeth?¡± Ian called back as he started toward a nearby incline at the river¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Not that I¡¯ve seen, yet,¡± Lili scowled at such a less than celebratory question in the midst of their most useful discovery yet.

    ¡°Then, not my concern,¡± he returned as he started up the incline to get a better view of the surrounding banks of the river.

    ¡°What? You don¡¯t like fish, or something?¡± Lili called back to him.

    ¡°So not going there,¡± Ian retorted as he continued his climb.

    ¡°So very damaged,¡± Jared mumbled in return to Ian¡¯s comment as he continued to run the analysis on the water as Kyle and Lili watched for him to make his declaration.

    After several moments of running the sample through his own computer while Kyle looked around for a low hanging branch on one of the nearby trees, Jared¡¯s computer finally gave him his conclusion, causing Lili to speak up before Jared even could, ¡°So, what¡¯s it say?¡± she asked impatiently.

    ¡°Well, it seems like it might actually be ok,¡± Jared smiled over at her.

    ¡°You mean, we can actually like swim, and stuff in there?¡± she asked, which did seem to cause a slight break in the concentration of all her companions, including Ian, who had now moved to a post upon a boulder at the top of the slight incline he had just made his way up to.

    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t know what kind of fish these are yet, so I wanna get a couple samples of them if I can, before we go diving in head first.¡±

    ¡°Samples? Of fish?¡± she asked with a raised eyebrow.

    Jared smiled back at her, ¡°One, to see which would be a good food source, and two, to make sure there aren¡¯t any in there that are too dangerous or aggressive. Though most fish aren¡¯t, but then again, that¡¯s on Earth.¡±

    Lili just shook her head at more pessimism, though she knew it was honestly caution, but still, ¡°So, how does one get samples of fish?¡±

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Not going there either,¡± Ian called back down to them, causing all three of them to just shake their heads again.

    ¡°Probably with one of these,¡± Kyle offered an answer as he brought a few thick branches over to the water¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Limbs?¡± Lili asked as she looked up at his response.

    ¡°Well, they will be spears¡­as in spear-fishing?¡± he offered with a pointed raise of the brow. ¡°All I need is a knife,¡± he added as he looked up at Ian. ¡°Think you could find, say a dozen of those anywhere?¡± he asked the older man, who had now claimed a seat on that boulder to survey the area more efficiently.

    ¡°A knife, huh?¡± he called back down to them.

    ¡°Well you¡¯re the one who¡¯s always trying to arm us,¡± Kyle returned.

    ¡°So, where you want it?¡± Ian returned smartly as he pulled one out of his boot.

    ¡°Preferably not imbedded in my flesh?¡± Kyle returned as Ian absently tossed it into the air a few times before just smirking and hurling it down to impale the ground in front of Kyle¡¯s feet, causing them all to jump a bit.

    ¡°Fuck! Ian!¡± Lili exclaimed as she looked up at him exasperatedly.

    ¡°Is that an offer? Cause, any time you want, Lil.¡± he just had to tease.

    ¡°You coulda killed him!¡± she complained as she stood upright again as Jared shook his head while Kyle let out a deep breath and bent down to pry the blade out of the ground.

    ¡°Please, I never miss the spot. And I¡¯m not even psychic,¡± he just had to add with another smirk. The other three then sighed before Jared and Kyle moved to begin sharpening the branches, Jared more than a bit thankful that he had held onto the knife that Ian had given him on their first day there. Lili just shook her head again, as she moved to leave the younger members of the team to their task and instead, started up the incline as well.

    Once she reached his side after several moments of making the climb, ¡°No, don¡¯t get up,¡± she told Ian smartly as she took a seat next to him.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t wanna imply you need a man¡¯s help or anything, Lilith,¡± he told her smartly.

    She just scoffed as she brushed some dirt from her hands and looked around, ¡°So, we found it.¡±

    ¡°What would that be?¡± he told her disinterestedly.

    ¡°Plants, animals, frigging running water. These are all good things, last I checked,¡± she stated slowly as if leading him to the obvious reaction.

    ¡°Go team go,¡± he returned sarcastically.

    ¡°Gee, I¡¯m getting the impression you¡¯re not in a very good mood today, Ian,¡± she stated the obvious.

    ¡°Damn, I guess I forgot to start the day with a blowjob. I hear that¡¯s good for the spirit, or something.¡±

    Only another slight blush as she shook her head, ¡°And you guys thought Jared was the one who¡¯d be pissed about any type of ¡®birthday present,¡¯ huh?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t say I was pissed, just cause, like every other guy on the planet seems to have gotten your ¡®attention,¡¯ besides me.¡±

    ¡°Oh lord, Ian¡­are you serious here?¡±

    ¡°Whatever Lil, it¡¯s cool. I can live with it.¡± he scoffed.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it, do you?¡± Lili returned with a soft smile.

    ¡°Yeah, I believe I just mentioned that,¡± he returned smartly.

    Lili just took a breath as she glanced down at the two men in question before dropping her volume a great deal to begin an attempt at explaining herself to the one who now sat next to her, ¡°Jared and Kyle, they are a completely different story than you.¡±

    ¡°Obviously,¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°First of all, I¡¯ve never even slept with Kyle. It was his birthday, and¡­we¡¯re all stuck in this horrible situation, and¡­¡± she just shook her head, ¡°And secondly, me and Jared were together one time: One time when we were both too scared about what was about to happen, that it just¡­we both just really needed that,¡± she told him more quietly. ¡°You gotta remember, they are so different from you. I mean, Kyle got put in a position of so much responsibility and pressure and demands, at only thirteen years old that he never even had a chance to be close to anyone at all. And Jared, the stuff in his head, it scared him so bad, he was afraid to even try to get close to anyone, ever.¡±

    ¡°You saying you just felt sorry for them?¡± he scoffed with a raised brow, though at least spoke too quietly for either of the boys in question to hear.

    ¡°No, Ian. I do care greatly about Jared, and even Kyle too. It¡¯s not about feeling sorry for them. I mean, my life wasn¡¯t much better, but my life was what I made it. Theirs were pretty much made for them, by things they couldn¡¯t control,¡± she took a breath. ¡°The reason I let myself get close to them, while holding you at arm¡¯s length for so long, it¡¯s just because¡­¡± she sighed, trying to find the right words.

    ¡°Because¡­?¡± he had to prod after she took another moment trying to find her own words.

    ¡°Because, I wasn¡¯t as afraid, with either of them.¡±

    ¡°Afraid?¡± he asked with a bit more than his fair share of confusion.

    ¡°Just¡­with them¡­I didn¡¯t feel like, like I would get¡­hurt.¡±

    Ian¡¯s breath then caught in his throat as he looked over at where she cast her eyes downwards in fear of seeing his reaction to her confession, ¡°Hurt?¡± was all he could say, though softly as he tried to capture her gaze for even a moment.

    ¡°Come on Ian, I know how it was up there. You had a different lover every time I turned around. None ever seemed to last for more than a weekend, if that. I mean, I was not like that, like at all. I mean, how could I have ever been any different, lasted any longer than any of them? I didn¡¯t just wanna be another casualty of your love life. It scared me,¡± another shallow breath. ¡°Especially, considering how much I really did wanna be with you, Ian. It was just too scary to think I¡¯d lose you just as fast as I could give myself to you¡­so I just¡­never let myself.¡± she whispered with a slight sniffle.

    Ian looked down as he took his own breath, taking in her words, ¡°I guess you didn¡¯t get it either,¡± he finally stated, softly.

    ¡°Get what?¡± she stammered, finally looking slightly towards him.

    ¡°That the reason I pushed them all away, so fast, it was because none of them were you.¡±

 Chapter 20

    Not allowing himself to wait for Lili to react to the shock of his confession, of sorts, Ian stood, ¡°I guess, as the security guy, this is my next task?¡± he called down to the other men as he stood up from his seat next to her.

    ¡°What would that be, then?¡± Jared called back as he and Kyle looked up toward Ian.

    Rather than answering with words, Ian began removing the holster and dropping it to a spot next to where Lili looked up at him, obviously still taking in his words of only a moment earlier. He then dropped the weapon belt as well and proceeded to begin removing his boots.

    ¡°You¡¯re going in?¡± Lili asked shakily as he finished removing the boots, setting them atop the pile of artillery as well.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s a nice enough day, and it¡¯ll be a lot quicker way of discovering if the water¡¯s safe, than waiting on the boy fishermen down there.¡±

    ¡°But, you just took off all your guns,¡± Lili pointed out worriedly as she gestured to the pile next to her.

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry, I always have a gun,¡± he smirked before turning away from her and beginning to pull off his t-shirt as the other two just looked up at him in disbelief as he dropped the t-shirt to the ground by Lili too, once again exposing that impossibly chiseled torso.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help keeping her eyes on him as he then proceeded to undo the jeans as well, before pulling them away from the rest of that perfect body with a lack of any and all self-consciousness, not that he had any reason for even an iota of such a trait.

    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re not gonna¡­¡± Lili began, only to be cut short as he began ridding himself of the black boxer-briefs. ¡°Oh god, you are,¡± she swallowed the last bit of her sentence as he finished pulling them off his legs, giving her more than an up close and personal view of that equally perfect behind of his.

    ¡°What?¡± he scoffed as he glanced back at her over his shoulder. ¡°I mean, you¡¯ve already seen every other dick on this planet. Just want you to be able to have options,¡± he teased before dropping the last of his clothing next to her and moving to leap off of the rock they had sat upon, to land with a huge splash into the water below, despite all the looks of disbelief his companions currently wore.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± Jared began as he wiped away a few drops of water he had gotten hit with upon Ian¡¯s landing, ¡°guess we can save the fishing for later,¡± he added under his breath as he shook his head at Ian once more.

    ¡°So, anything tryin to kill ya in there?¡± Kyle asked as Ian moved through the water a few moments later.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sound so disappointed, Kyle,¡± he teased.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s a no,¡± Jared returned to the younger teen.

    ¡°Well hell, I could use a bath anyway,¡± Kyle shrugged as he also discarded his previous task to move toward the water, removing his own shoes as he did, which just caused Jared to shake his head again as he glanced at where Lili had now moved to lay upon her stomach up above them, grinning down at the water below, where Ian continued his swim.

    ¡°So, I guess that¡¯s the consensus? Nice day for a swim-slash-bath?¡± Jared shrugged as he looked back at where Kyle was also dropping his t-shirt to the ground.

    ¡°Seems like a nice enough way to spend the afternoon,¡± Lili smiled her approval down at them, though, she herself, was still laying atop the boulder, seeming to enjoy the show, rather than joining in on it just yet.Kyle then finished pulling off his jeans, before glancing back up toward Lili with a bit of a nervous breath.¡°What?¡± she smiled down at his pause in removing the last of his clothes.

    ¡°You¡¯re just gonna watch?¡± he asked her with a nervous grin.

    ¡°Not like she hasn¡¯t seen it before Kyle, right?¡± Ian had to tease, as Kyle¡¯s cheeks reddened a bit. ¡°And that goes for you too, Mr. Sensitive. May as well join us in feeling like a couple pieces of meat, here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I¡¯m sure you performed that striptease earlier cause you hate being exploited like that,¡± Lili teased Ian right back.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve wanted to take my clothes off for you for years. I claim no innocence here,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Speaking of innocence, get your ass in here Kyle.¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Kyle shook his head, then took a deep breath before forcing himself to finish undressing before quickly heading into the water as well.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going in?¡± Lili called down to Jared a moment later.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you one to talk, up there, all fully clothed and everything,¡± Jared smiled up at her.

    ¡°I¡¯m allowed to be shy. Only one of you has seen me naked,¡± she teased again, which of course caused another blush in Jared.

    ¡°Yeah, ditto,¡± he chuckled.

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t worry, Jar¡¯, we¡¯ll be gentle with you,¡± Ian smirked.

    Jared just shook his head as he looked at all three of the expectant looks, ¡°God, such peer pressure,¡± though he allowed another small laugh.

    ¡°Oh lord,¡± Lili snickered as she finally pushed herself back up from the rock, and started down the incline once again.

    ¡°Wait, is she actually coming in?¡± Kyle asked as he saw her make her way down to the water¡¯s edge, next to where Jared also watched her approach with a bit of his own anticipation.

    ¡°I¡¯m here to pressure Jared,¡± she teased as she stepped in close to him, allowing herself to move to her tiptoes to place a gentle kiss upon his cheek.

    Jared swallowed a bit as she continued standing close to him, her fingers moving over his arms lightly, ¡°Going in the water with them, or staying here with you? Exactly which result do you think you might be more likely to get, honestly?¡± he asked her with a bit of deviousness to his own smile.

    She smiled up at him before moving to begin pulling his own shirt up from his waist, ¡°If you won¡¯t get undressed on your own¡­¡± she told him with a playful condescension.

    ¡°When did you get so dominant?¡± he asked her with a smiled whisper as she finished removing his shirt a moment later.

    ¡°Just cause I let you be on top the first time¡­¡± she teased back, causing a blush in him, and even more attentive expressions from the two who waited at the nearest bank of the river¡¯s waters.

    ¡°Ok, ok. I give up,¡± Jared smiled as he stepped back.

    ¡°Give up?¡± she asked innocently.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead and undress myself, if for no other reason, than in the interest of still being able to walk once I do,¡± he added with a nervous laugh as he finally moved to begin taking off his shoes as she just chuckled at his easily gained submission.

    <hr>

    As evening came around on their fourth night there, the group agreed to attempt making a secondary camp by the river. It was the consensus that that would be where they would most likely be spending much of their time, while also not being too terribly far from the pod, in case a need for shelter did arise.

    It was nearing ten that night when Ian and Kyle had gone to get the last of the supplies they assumed would be needed there at the new camp. Lili had found a seat between the fire they had made upon the river bank and the water¡¯s edge, where Jared was currently attempting to spear a late dinner for the group.

    As a thought occurred to her while she watched his latest attempt, she couldn¡¯t help letting out a small giggle, which of course caused Jared to turn back to her with a raised brow, ¡°I told you not to eat that blue mushroom,¡± he teased.

    Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°Ha ha,¡± she returned flatly, though still wore a small smile. ¡°I was just thinking, I¡¯ve watched movies and stuff from Earth where people went camping, never thought I¡¯d be doing it, like, ever.¡±

    ¡°Me neither,¡± Jared agreed. ¡°I just hope that camping trips don¡¯t all honestly come with bears, or what else was popular? Guys in hockey masks?¡± he offered.

    ¡°Well, my psychic abilities, what little I have, are leaning away from the possibility of deformed, masked killers, at least,¡± she assured.

    ¡°Oh no, that still leaves the bears,¡± he returned with mock seriousness. ¡°Guess I better get another vision quick,¡± he added with a small even if slightly unsure smile.

    Lili then looked down briefly at his statement, before speaking up a moment later, ¡°I never apologized to you.¡±

    That easily drew Jared¡¯s attention away from where he was standing at the water¡¯s edge in his boxers, following their earlier swim, and making another failed attempt at spearing a fish. ¡°For?¡± he offered warily.

    Continuing to look down guiltily, ¡°I know you didn¡¯t want anyone else to know about the visions¡­and stuff...¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°Well, the visions are at least getting clearer, and somewhat helpful¡­in a very stress-inducing way,¡± he added with his own sigh.

    ¡°I definitely hear ya about the stress,¡± she agreed in a near whisper, as the facts of his latest vision of the future never had left her mind for more than three seconds since hearing them.

    Seeing her obvious worry about those very facts of her future, Jared attempted to do what he could to assure her of all of their chances at surviving. ¡°Guess I haven¡¯t really tested out the other ¡®stuff¡¯ to see if it¡¯s improved too,¡± he offered, looking back at her for moral support in the face of the source of a great deal of his own apprehension in recent years.

    ¡°The other stuff?¡± she asked quietly, her eyes finally turning back his way in the fire light.

    ¡°Come on,¡± he smiled as he set the spear aside and gestured for her to join him in taking a seat at the water¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you,¡± he smiled back at where she slowly made her way toward him. ¡°In case you hadn¡¯t noticed, I had a bit more luck when you were my anchor than¡­other times,¡± he decided on, in reference to instances of randomly shattered glasses that tended to get that way when he didn¡¯t have a so-called anchor, even if only mentally.

    ¡°Ok,¡± she swallowed a little nervously as she moved to take a seat next to him. ¡°So what exactly are we tryin to move? A rock or something?¡± she asked warily.

    ¡°I was thinking something more useful,¡± he offered as he looked back to see if Kyle and Ian were any closer to returning yet, before taking a deep breath and covering her hand with his.

    ¡°Like?¡±

    ¡°Well, the spears obviously aren¡¯t working,¡± he smiled before turning his eyes toward the gentle flow of the dark water in front of them.

    ¡°You mean a¡­¡± she smiled wider as she looked over at him.

    ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± he answered with a deep breath before focusing his concentration on the water as he gripped her hand more tightly.

    After several moments one of the strange greenish colored fish that patrolled the waters did finally rise slowly to the surface, and then above, Jared¡¯s eyes following it intently on its journey from the water to a resting place on the shore near them, where it gasped for its last few breaths before finally giving in, as Lili just watched in amazement.

    ¡°Oh my god,¡± she giggled as she let go of his hand to move around him and get a better look at the creature.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Jared sighed in relief. ¡°And to think, that was way easier than the last three hours I spent poking the riverbed,¡± he chuckled.

    ¡°No kidding: Magic does tend to be easier,¡± she smiled back at him.

    ¡°Or is it science?¡± he grinned back as he moved to pick up the fish and take it back to the fire.

    ¡°Either way, it¡¯s fucking amazing,¡± she exclaimed as she moved to place another kiss over his cheek.

    ¡°What¡¯s amazing? What kind of fun did we miss?¡± Ian had to ask as the two finally appeared at the tree line.

    ¡°Jared finally got a fish!¡± Lili offered.

    ¡°Shut up, Ian,¡± Kyle beat Ian to the words he was about to speak.

    ¡°Like I was gonna say anything?¡± Ian returned with mock innocence.

    ¡°Oh no, not you,¡± Kyle returned smartly, before dropping another tent and pile of bedding several feet off from the fire, then going to take a look at the elusive fish.

    ¡°Nice, huh?¡± Jared smiled as Kyle moved to inspect the nearly twelve inch long amphibian.

    ¡°So what was the trick, finally?¡± Kyle asked as Ian went about setting up the first tent.

    ¡°Lili¡¯s a good luck charm I guess,¡± Jared smiled back at her knowingly.

    ¡°And, why is there no hole in the fish?¡± Kyle asked more slowly.

    ¡°Cause it¡¯s dark,¡± Jared mumbled as he took the fish back and moved to find a spot to attempt to prepare it.

    ¡°Kay then,¡± Kyle returned with a raise of his brow as Lili bit her lip with the same knowing glance back toward Jared, and then moved to follow him to a place to begin operating on their late supper.

    Kyle shook his head back at them before returning to help Ian with the tent. After a moment, Ian looked up at his companion, ¡°Why the perplexed look, young one, it¡¯s only a tent.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kyle asked as he looked up. ¡°No, it¡¯s not about the tent,¡± he scoffed as he cast another look back at where Lili made a disgusted groan as she watched Jared begin gutting the fish several feet off.

    ¡°Care to share?¡± Ian prodded.

    ¡°Seriously, there was not a mark on that fish,¡± Kyle told him furtively.

    ¡°You so need a hobby, man.¡±

    ¡°Gee, I thought you¡¯d say I needed to get laid,¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°What other hobby could you find around here?¡± Ian chuckled.

    ¡°So you¡¯re not even slightly worried that he¡¯s like the fish whisperer now, too?¡± Kyle attempted to ignore Ian¡¯s latest comment and continue with his previous concern.

    ¡°The fish whisperer?¡± Ian just had to repeat with a mocking grin. ¡°Does sound kind of dirty,¡± Ian offered.

    Kyle sighed heavily as they finished setting up the tent, ¡°Just figured, security guy, might wanna know a thing like that.¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡± Ian just had to laugh.

    ¡°He caught a fish without actually even using the spear, apparently,¡± Kyle repeated pointedly.

    ¡°Oh my god. We¡¯re all doomed,¡± Ian told him with feigned terror.

    ¡°You mean that that doesn¡¯t strike you as the slightest bit odd, like at all?¡± Kyle returned in frustration at Ian¡¯s lackluster reaction.

    ¡°You¡¯ve both gotten more action than me in the last week.So, I think that fact has now made me completely unshockable,¡± Ian stated with conviction as he moved to reach for the bedding.

    Kyle just shook his head as he watched Ian continue preparing the first of the night¡¯s sleeping quarters. Then the younger just had to speak up again. ¡°I never thought you would be the one so affected by my first blowjob. Damn you must really like her,¡± he stated plainly before moving off to join the dinner preparation, leaving Ian to sigh loudly after him, before forcing his attention back to his own task, as difficult as that truly was at that point.

 Chapter 21

    It was nearing midnight when they had successfully finished their dinner and had now set up all four of the tents that had been stored in the supplies back at the pod. Three of them were set up down on the fire lit river bank, while Ian chose to place the fourth up at the top of the incline, as well as a lantern and a heater, so as to be better aware of anything that might approach the camp at any time.

    Two of the team had already decided to attempt a nap by that hour. Jared was apparently up for a break after allowing himself to use a little more mental power than he had really willingly used in two weeks, so he curled up inside one of the river bank tents. Ian¡¯s relentless energy regardless of his lack of much sleep at all in the last four days, apparently encouraged his own vacation from consciousness as he placed himself atop the incline, heater and lantern on one side, artillery on the other.

    ¡°Lightweights,¡± Kyle attempted to break the silence between himself and Lili as he added a few twigs to the fire, and she trailed her fingers over the surface of the water which still felt warm from the previously humid day.

    ¡°Uh oh, how will we ever survive with our big, bad protector asleep?¡± Lili teased quietly as Kyle managed to let his feet carry him over to her place at the water¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Guess we¡¯ll have to hope my superpowers kick in soon, now that I¡¯m only a year away from the big one-eight,¡± Kyle teased as he kept his eyes on the water rather than on her.

    ¡°Oh that¡¯s right, you have less than an hour left of your birthday,¡± Lili smiled. ¡°I think it was a pretty good day for you, considering,¡± she added as she gestured at their surroundings, though Kyle¡¯s blush proved that he wasn¡¯t really thinking about the discovery of their new camp when he took account of the day as a whole.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess so,¡± he agreed with his own slight grin, while still keeping his eyes averted.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help smiling at his obvious awkwardness, before she couldn¡¯t resist taking advantage of their semi-aloneness to further the feeling in the young man. ¡°Guess it¡¯s my turn,¡± she offered as she finally stood.

    ¡°Turn?¡± he asked, finally looking over as she stood.

    ¡°For my own swim,¡± she told him with a sly smile before beginning to remove her own boots.

    ¡°At this hour?¡± was all Kyle managed, a nervous glance back toward the two tents containing their still sleeping companions.

    ¡°Not all that tired, yet,¡± she offered as she reached for the bottom of her own t-shirt. ¡°Are you?¡± she added as she pulled the shirt free, exposing her bra to his now seemingly glued gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling, uh, oddly alert,¡± he managed under his breath, which only caught again once her hands moved to the snap of her own jeans rather than his, this time.

    Not able to help the smirk inspired by his last comment, Lili took her own glance backwards, before taking a breath and beginning to unhook the bra and drop it to the ground as well.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help a response, ¡°Ok, you¡¯re definitely allowed to say happy birthday,¡± he stammered, only to forget his voice altogether when she hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her panties and began pulling them away in the dim firelight as well. ¡°Very happy,¡± he breathed as the last of her clothing was dropped to the ground next to him before she giggled a bit and finally gave him the tiniest bit of relief as she entered the water at last.

    Once she immersed herself in the water to help heat her body evenly there under the light of this planet¡¯s nearly blue moon, she finally returned to the surface, pushing wet red locks from her face as she looked back toward his continued watchful gaze. ¡°Happy enough to come in too?¡± she chided.

    ¡°Uh,¡± he began, his concentration just barely returning as she was now only exposed from the neck up, ¡°wasn¡¯t I already in there today?¡± he swallowed.

    ¡°Your point?¡± she chuckled back.

    ¡°Ok, you make a valid argument, I guess,¡± he allowed his own chuckle as he stood to remove his own t-shirt once more, blushing sideways at her before beginning to remove his jeans again as well. ¡°So, should I be a gentleman, or something, and leave these on?¡± he finally managed when he was down to his own snug boxers.

    ¡°Only if you really wanna sleep in wet underwear¡­¡± then she couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°I know I didn¡¯t want to.¡±

    Another deep breath as he tried to force his own currently raging hormones not to interpret her comment the way Ian would have, though he wasn¡¯t honestly sure that wasn¡¯t how she meant it. On that disturbing thought, he just had to shake his head before finally pulling the boxers free once again.

    ¡°You do seem to be having a remarkably happy birthday,¡± she couldn¡¯t help teasing him as her eyes pointedly moved down over him as he entered the water.

    ¡°You are very evil, woman,¡± he chuckled with another blush, before moving the rest of the way into the water, hindering any further appraisal she may have had of his current mood.

    ¡°Yet, you still came in,¡± she teased as she swam closer to him.

    ¡°Yeah, not a lot of blood in the brain right now,¡± he admitted as he attempted to splash some water over his face, for more reasons than adjusting the temp difference between the warm water and cooler air.

    ¡°Oh, Kyle,¡± she told him with a teasing, yet sincere smile as she made her way over to him. ¡°It¡¯s just a naked body.¡±

    ¡°No, that logic is really not helping right now,¡± he stated with feigned thoughtfulness as she moved around behind him to wrap her arms around his waist with another giggle. ¡°Not helping a damn bit,¡± he breathed in reaction to her body now pressing against him from behind.

    She let out another chuckle at his reactions before moving around in front of him. ¡°So, would that mean that you want to, Kyle?¡±

    ¡°W-want to?¡± he managed as she finished moving to that spot now in front of him.

    ¡°Seems like you want to,¡± she smiled, pointedly glancing down at the water between them. ¡°And I¡¯d hate to have our genius as distracted as you so obviously are.¡±

    ¡°Um, if you¡¯re talking about¡­¡± she just nodded. ¡°Um, didn¡¯t you say that you like, weren¡¯t feeling up to it, or something?¡± he managed, choking on nearly every word.

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    ¡°Well, that was twelve hours ago,¡± she smiled as she placed another gentle kiss on his neck. ¡°And the water¡¯s helping.¡±

    ¡°It¡­is?¡± he managed, not able to stop his hands from inadvertently reaching for her waist.

    ¡°Like I said earlier, water¡¯s a very good thing,¡± she smiled back up at him, her hands holding onto his shoulders as she remained pressed against him under that water running gently past them.

    ¡°Yeah, I officially love it,¡± he managed.

    ¡°Yeah, I think we definitely need to find a cure for this distraction of yours,¡± she agreed once more.

    ¡°Oh, definitely,¡± he agreed as more of a breath than a statement.

    Allowing only another small smile as she glanced back up at the still silent tents, Lili moved to pull herself up to wrap her legs around his waist, still bracing her now weightless body with a remaining hand on his shoulder before moving the other down between them. It took only another brief moment, and a long breath on both their parts, before she easily slid him inside her, before beginning to move against him, giving him that present after all: That perfect second that he had only previously heard about, and now, had his chance to experience, at last.

    <hr>

    ¡°Up and at ¡¯em, kids,¡± Ian called out at the next morning¡¯s dawn as he started down the incline toward the tents, where they slowly stirred inside.

    ¡°What time is it, even?¡± Jared complained as he poked his head out of his own tent while Ian made his way over to the fire.

    ¡°Like six,¡± Ian shrugged as he reached the fire.

    ¡°A.M.?¡± was Jared¡¯s response as he pushed some sleep-tangled locks from his eyes as Lili and Kyle each crawled out of their own tents.

    ¡°Please, you were out before me,¡± Ian scoffed as he narrowed his eyes at the still high flames.

    ¡°The fire¡¯s still going?¡± Lili managed her own greeting as she stepped out of the tent, only taking a moment to exchange a brief smile and blush with Kyle.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I was gonna say. Who kept it going all night?¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°Like you said, I was out before you,¡± Jared responded as he stood and stretched.

    ¡°When¡¯d you two go to sleep?¡± Ian turned the question on Lili and the remarkably silent youngest of the group.

    ¡°Um, like around one, or so?¡± Kyle warily answered as he glanced over at Lili to confirm his statement.

    ¡°Yeah, somewhere around there,¡± she agreed, turning her eyes quickly downward as she did.

    Ian¡¯s brow rose a bit as he looked between the two of them and just sighed loudly and shook his head, ¡°Anyway,¡± he began, his voice sounding a bit rougher than a moment ago, ¡°you gonna fish us up some breakfast, or is it another tasty freeze-dried morning snack before I head out?¡± Ian turned the question to Jared, deliberately not looking back toward Lili or Kyle right then.

    ¡°Me?¡± Jared asked, finally turning his attention back from where he had been sliding back into his t-shirt as Ian had spoken.

    ¡°Well, you apparently have the magic touch.¡± Ian returned, only casting another brief sideways glance at Kyle and Lili, while Jared cast his own nervous glance at Lili, for an entirely different set of reasons than the ones in Ian¡¯s ocean-colored eyes on her.

    ¡°Well,¡± Jared swallowed a bit, ¡°if you¡¯re hungry now, may as well grab another of the meals from the pod, the fish may take a while,¡± he attempted to reason.

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Ian repeated, as he moved to go and find his breakfast.

    After a few moments into the otherwise silent meal, Lili turned her eyes toward Ian, ¡°So, you said, before you head out?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I did,¡± he stated simply as he took another bite.

    ¡°Um, head out, where?¡± she asked, trying not to read much into his seeming coolness, as Kyle tried not to do as well, from his own nearby seat.

    Ian sighed, ¡°I was going to go hunting for some of those deer-lookin things we saw the other day. Cause this is day five, food¡¯s running out, and I doubt if we only wanna decide between fish and fruit for the next twenty years. Oh, sorry, what was it, two years?¡± he added as an afterthought.

    ¡°Not quite,¡± she whispered quietly, as she and Jared both exchanged a downwards glance.She then had to speak up with a bit of worry, ¡°Are you sure you wanna go hunting out there all alone, though?¡±

    Ian couldn¡¯t help a loud chuckle, ¡°You forget who you¡¯re talkin to, darlin?¡±

    ¡°I know, but still, something could happen,¡± Lili continued, trying not to sound too pleading, but it was difficult.

    ¡°Odd, I thought I still had a good two years,¡± he returned smartly.

    ¡°I said you all might have a chance at being here in two years still¡­and the time frame, well, it wasn¡¯t as accurate as we first thought,¡± she attempted, looking to Jared for some kind of support, though he couldn¡¯t really offer any without going into way more detail than the two already had.

    ¡°The concern is touching, really Lil. But I¡¯m gonna find us some real food,¡± he nodded as he set aside his empty food carton, and headed off toward the woods, despite the look of continued worry on Lili¡¯s face.

    ¡°I¡¯ll uh, go with,¡± Kyle offered with a deep breath as he moved to quickly retrieve his own knife before attempting to catch up with Ian.

    Once they were out of hearing range, Jared gave her a slightly puzzled look as she continued to look off after them, an obvious fear on her face, ¡°Why are you so worried, Lili? It is Ian we¡¯re talking about.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know but...¡± she just shook her head, ¡°but it¡¯s not two years anymore, remember?¡±

    ¡°I know, but you can relax a little.We still know that at least one of us is still gonna be here to, uh, start that nine months, remember?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but we don¡¯t know which one, and¡­¡± she looked down, swallowing hard.

    ¡°And what?¡± he asked perceptively.

    ¡°And any one of you could still have something terrible happen to you at any moment.Especially¡­if that nine months has already started,¡± she sniffled, trying not to look up at whatever shock may be on his face at hearing her confession.¡°And if it has, and if I lose any one of you¡­I just can¡¯t deal with that.¡±

 Chapter 22

    After hurrying to finally catch up with Ian quite a few feet into the tree line, ¡°No, don¡¯t wait for me or anything,¡± Kyle returned with a tad of sarcasm, now that he had actually caught up on his own.

    ¡°Was quite content to handle this myself, Ky,¡± Ian returned distractedly, his light blue eyes scanning the woods in front of them.

    ¡°Yeah, speaking of, since when do you have the urge to go take off on your own? Thought you always wanted us all within like thirty feet of each other.¡±

    ¡°Oh well, times they change,¡± he mumbled as he continued his slow movement through the forest in search of a target.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Kyle asked with a bit of worry.

    ¡°Hunting is not really a chatty time, ¡¯kay?¡±

    ¡°No, seriously, what did that mean?¡± Kyle asked more forcefully.

    ¡°That, uh, things change?¡± Ian responded flatly.

    ¡°Meaning?¡±

    ¡°How many more definitions you need, honestly?¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°No, does that like mean, that you think we¡¯re perfectly safe all of the sudden, or does it mean that you¡­just don¡¯t care, anymore?¡± he asked more quietly.

    Ian let out a slight sigh, still refusing to look back toward the younger man, ¡°It means that the three of you are just fine without me,¡± was his only response.

    Kyle let out his own sigh of disbelief, ¡°And when did you suddenly come to that conclusion?¡± he finally asked, though quietly.

    ¡°It¡¯s become increasingly obvious,¡± was Ian¡¯s mumbled response as he took a few more steps.

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°Really?Was that before or after you saw how terrified Lili just looked about the prospect of losing you?¡±

    Ian let out his own soft sigh, ¡°I¡¯m just going hunting, Kyle.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t change what I just said. She seemed terrified. I mean, what if Jared had another vision or something, and they didn¡¯t tell us yet? It took ¡¯em long enough to mention the other one,¡± Kyle pointed out.

    ¡°Yeah, and when would he have told her about this alleged new vision? Wasn¡¯t she a little busy with you last night?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help retorting.

    ¡°Wow,¡± was Kyle¡¯s breathed response, though the tone to it did cause a bit of a crack in Ian¡¯s walls.

    ¡°Don¡¯t even go there, Kyle,¡± Ian mumbled again.

    ¡°Too late,¡± Kyle returned in the same soft tone.

    ¡°Just¡­whatever.Drop it, ok?¡± Ian returned as he moved further into the woods.

    ¡°How can I drop it, Ian? This is, obviously, getting to you.¡±

    ¡°I wonder why I wanted to come out here alone,¡± he muttered impatiently, as he forced his concentration to the task at hand.

    ¡°All the comments and insinuations, this whole time I thought you were just being you,¡± Kyle stated softly.¡°But there¡¯s a lot more to it than that, isn¡¯t there?¡±

    ¡°What part of ¡®drop it¡¯ didn¡¯t you understand?¡± Ian mumbled once more, still refusing to look back his way.

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°Even if I never mentioned it again, it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I¡¯ve finally seen past the cracks in the walls, Ian.¡±

    ¡°What? You want a fuckin prize or something?¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°Listen, I know I¡¯m the last person in the world to even talk about being able to make any kind of real human connections, but maybe if you actually told her¡­¡±

    ¡°Told her?¡± Ian scoffed more loudly, ¡°Told her fucking what?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe that it¡¯s about a lot more than just getting into her pants. That you actually do ca--¡±

    ¡°Well, oh wise one, for your information, I have already told her¡­I believe it was a few hours before she jumped you. So, you got any other brilliant ideas?¡± he shot back before purposefully moving off through the woods again.Though, at the sound of Ian¡¯s statement, it was now Kyle¡¯s walls that developed that crack.

    <hr>

    Jared sighed heavily at her last statement, trying very hard to only concentrate on the latter part right then.¡°Lili, I think that maybe you¡¯re looking at this whole vision of mine the wrong way.¡±

    Lili just scoffed and sniffled, ¡°I¡¯m trapped here, on some strange new planet, knowing that sometime in the foreseeable future, I¡¯m going to have a child who is going to be trapped here too. And there are only three people in the whole wide world that me or my child will ever be able to depend on, and none of those three people were in that vision¡­How am I supposed to look at that?¡± she asked tearfully.

    Another deep sigh as he moved to take a seat close to her, an arm around her shoulder, ¡°For starters, you can look at it this way: Just because the three of us weren¡¯t in the vision, it doesn¡¯t mean that we¡¯re not going to be here then. Honestly, we all still could be. There¡¯s no way to be sure yet. So, maybe instead of assuming that we won¡¯t be, you could try assuming we will be. After all, either option has a fifty-fifty chance, remember?¡±

    ¡°Maybe I¡­¡± she began with a deep breath, ¡°maybe I can fix this.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked warily.

    ¡°Ok, so if I¡¯m not pregnant yet, which is still pretty possible, then I can just never have this baby at all. Then I¡¯ll never have to worry about the vision coming true, right?¡±

    Jared sighed solemnly as he looked down.¡°And we didn¡¯t even originally think the baby was going to be possible at all, for at least two years.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± she asked, as she looked up at him worriedly.

    ¡°I mean, things tend to have a way of kind of forcing us in the direction of these visions, don¡¯t they?¡± he returned, though in a whisper.

    She swallowed hard, ¡°You think I¡¯m already pregnant then?¡± she breathed the words.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t say that. I¡¯m just saying that these visions, they still tend to happen, even if we think we can change them,¡± he answered softly.

    After a long pause, ¡°So, what other visions have you had come true?¡± she asked, wondering if she truly wanted to hear his answers.

    Jared took a deep breath as he attempted to offer his answers, ¡°For starters, I was dreaming about this place¡­the trees, the plants, the animals, even the damn river and the stupid rock up there¡­long before I saw the computer saying that there was something here at all, and way before I ever thought I¡¯d be someone who¡¯d get picked to come here.¡±

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    ¡°Did you see any of us?¡± she dared.

    ¡°Flashes¡­which, I guess is another reason I reached out to you the day the computer finally caught up with my dreams. I already knew that somehow, you were going to be important to me, in some very big way,¡± he allowed.

    ¡°And the guys?¡± she asked more quietly.

    ¡°Even shorter flashes. Remember, this was before the things I saw started making any sense at all,¡± he reminded.

    ¡°And did you ever see anyone else at all?¡± she asked as her eyes turned toward the fire which was now, finally dying down.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± was the only response he could offer.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± she asked as she looked back up at him.

    ¡°That¡¯s the part that¡¯s still¡­shaky.¡±

    ¡°Shaky how?¡± she asked a little more loudly as she looked around.

    Another deep sigh, ¡°There is one other¡­person¡­that I sometimes get a flash of.¡±

    ¡°Here?¡± she almost choked on the word.

    ¡°Yes, but I can¡¯t even tell if it¡¯s a male or a female, and I never see them with any of us, so¡­¡±

    ¡°So¡­what does that even mean?¡± she asked with a nervous swallow.

    ¡°So, my best guess, which is only a guess at all so far, is that maybe¡­maybe the child does live, and maybe, just possibly, that¡¯s who I¡¯m seeing. I honestly don¡¯t know,¡± he added with a desperate kind of frustration.

    She looked down again, ¡°And if this other person is actually¡­from me¡­from me and one of you guys, then they end up all alone, after all?¡± she asked worriedly.

    ¡°Like I said to you earlier, just because there¡¯s no one else in the visions, it doesn¡¯t mean that there¡¯s no one else in actuality,¡± another deep breath.¡°You can¡¯t assume that it means we¡¯re not going to be here. If you do that, you¡¯ll spend the rest of your life here feeling even more paralyzed than you feel right now. You¡¯ve gotta remember not to do that, please,¡± he told her as he pulled her close, placing another kiss over her forehead.

    <hr>

    It was early evening before Kyle and Ian finally returned to camp, though they did indeed have one of those deer type creatures with them.¡°I killed it, someone else can cook it,¡± Ian offered as his only greeting as he tossed the animal¡¯s body to the ground near the fire that Jared and Lili had just started building back up.

    ¡°So, you guys are ok then?¡± Lili returned as she met Kyle¡¯s own worried look, while Ian simply started up the incline to his own tent.

    ¡°Looks like,¡± was Ian¡¯s only answer as he moved away, not really doing much to foster any kind of communication with any of them on his own.

    Jared swallowed as well, also looking back at Lili¡¯s sad eyes watching Ian take a spot up there once again, ¡°I got some more fish too, just in case,¡± Jared offered as he gestured to the small refrigerated box that the remaining food and drink from the pod was stored in.

    Though neither Ian nor Kyle offered any response as Ian began busying himself sharpening one of his knives. Jared sighed slightly before moving to examine and hopefully find a way to prepare the meal. Kyle allowed his own sigh as he moved back toward where Lili was adding the last few branches to the fire while still wearing that worried look.

    ¡°So, what did I miss?¡± she asked Kyle softly as he reached her side.

    ¡°Odd, I was gonna ask you that question,¡± Kyle responded, matching her quiet tone.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    ¡°Well, as worried as you seemed this morning, I thought that maybe Jared had another vision, or something,¡± Kyle allowed.

    Lili swallowed a bit as she attempted to approach that subject once more.¡°Actually, I¡¯m still stuck on the last one: The one where he saw the future, but only saw me, alone,¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°Well, does he think that means that we¡¯ll all be gone?¡±

    Another sniffle, ¡°Results: Inconclusive.¡± she answered under her breath.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re just assuming the worst then?¡± Kyle returned gently, though pointedly.

    ¡°How can I not? Look at this world: This life we¡¯re all stuck in now. Don¡¯t know how much worse it can get,¡± she offered with a broken breath.

    Though her words caused Kyle to look downwards with his own bit of sadness right then.¡°Odd, I thought that it had been going remarkably well, all things considered. Of course, I know I¡¯m obviously not speaking for everyone,¡± he added with a pointed look toward both she and then Ian, before quietly moving away to assist Jared.

    Lili then sighed with her own sadness as Kyle moved away. She then glanced up toward where Ian continued to busy himself alone up on that rock, and let out another long breath before moving to start up the incline once more.

    Upon her arrival and taking of a seat next to him, Ian only glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.¡°Dinner can¡¯t be ready already.¡±

    ¡°No, not yet,¡± she whispered, eyes downwards, as he just looked over at her once again, not speaking up right then, as odd as that was for him.

    After another long moment of her silence as she remained at his side, staring blankly down at the water, Ian finally had to say something.¡°So, did you and Jared have a nice day today?¡± he asked at last.

    Lili just sighed loudly in response.

    ¡°That good huh?¡± he returned with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°How do you do that?¡±

    Then he furrowed his brow.¡°How do I do what? Sharpen a knife?¡± he asked as he gestured to the blade in his hand.

    ¡°How do you make it so every damn word out of your mouth results in me trying to decide whether I wanna hit you or kiss you?¡± she retorted, finally looking up at where he finally allowed the slightest smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s a gift?¡± he allowed through the still tiny grin.

    ¡°You¡¯re such a jerk,¡± she returned, though allowed her own smile before moving close to him and choosing the second option at last, closing her mouth over his in a culmination of nearly ten years of verbal foreplay, coming to that final combustion point, at last.

 Chapter 23

    It didn¡¯t take more than a second of that unexpected kiss before Ian dropped his knife, and moved even closer, his hands moving to her hair as he pulled her closer still, his tongue easily sliding inside her own mouth, dragging out each second of ten years¡¯ worth of desire. At last, the need for air forced their lips apart, though he remained close to her, breathing just a bit heavily in the thin air, just as she did.

    Their pools of blue stayed on each other for a long moment following that kiss, before either finally managed words again. ¡°You know I¡¯ve gotta ask, what brought that on?¡± he finally breathed the words back to her, his hands still tangled in her hair, holding her face close to his, both of them completely unaware of whether their interaction had caught the attention of the two teens below them, which it most likely had.

    Lili took her own ragged breath as she looked up into those impossibly haunting eyes of his, ¡°It was so you remember,¡± was her simple answer.

    ¡°Remember?¡± he repeated, with his own little grin, still not letting her loose from his close embrace just yet.

    ¡°Remember why I need you to always come back. I can¡¯t lose you, any of you. And believe me, that does include you, as well. And I need you to remember that. Now, maybe you will.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you should remind me again, and often,¡± he whispered back, only to cause a tiny grin in her, which he easily covered with his own lips once more, that passion still just as evident as it was in their first kiss that had taken place mere moments earlier.

    <hr>

    ¡°Are you gonna look? I¡¯m not gonna look.¡± Jared offered Kyle quietly, nearly an hour later when they had finished preparing the meal, both of their gazes long since forced away from the top of the incline upon seeing that first, and second, kiss take place earlier.

    ¡°Do I have to?¡± Kyle returned with a sigh.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m not going to,¡± Jared repeated.

    Kyle then sighed again in resignation, before finally allowing himself to turn back toward the incline, moving his eyes to where Lili and Ian were surprisingly still outside of his tent, her laying back with her head upon his lap, looking up to meet his amazingly laughing face with her own.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Kyle narrowed his eyes as he prepared to give Jared his report.

    ¡°How bad is it? Did they at least go into the tent?¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°No, they¡¯re still outside, just sitting there, laughing even,¡± Kyle reported warily, casting another glance back toward the two atop the incline, just to make sure his eyes hadn¡¯t deceived him in the dimming light of the gray sun setting.

    Then Jared looked just as perplexed as Kyle, still not allowing himself to look back, himself, ¡°Do they still have clothes on?¡±

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help chuckling. ¡°Yes, they¡¯re seriously just sitting up there, chatting and laughing¡­not even continuing the tonsillectomies at the moment,¡± Kyle had to add.

    That was when Jared just had to allow himself to finally look back up toward the curiosity in question. ¡°Ok, odd.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, a bit,¡± Kyle had to agree.

    ¡°So um, think they already, like finished?¡± Jared offered in the same quiet tone, casting another puzzled glance up at their companions.

    ¡°Please, if they¡¯d just done it, don¡¯t you think Ian woulda been giving us the play-by-play by now, instead of just sitting up there chatting, and laughing and watching the frigging sunset with her?¡± Kyle offered his own analysis.

    Jared sighed again, with another look toward them before turning back to Kyle. ¡°So, any chance you ran into any pod people out there?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head. ¡°Well, if one of them took over Ian, should we thank them, then?¡±

    Jared just allowed a small chuckle. ¡°He wasn¡¯t that bad.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Kyle returned in disbelief.

    ¡°Ten years of wanting her, only to have her pick not one, but the only other two guys on the planet, before picking him? All things considered, he handled that pretty damn well,¡± Jared admitted quietly.

    ¡°And still kept us all alive too,¡± Kyle allowed himself to admit.

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s a nice guy in jerk¡¯s clothing, after all?¡± Jared offered with a shrug.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not go overboard,¡± Kyle teased with little seriousness before finally turning back toward the subject of their conversation.¡°Chow¡¯s on,¡± he called up to them.

    ¡°Bout time,¡± Ian called back as Lili sat up, allowing him to stand, and then he even proceeded to help her to her feet.

    Kyle looked back to meet Jared¡¯s eyes. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m still torn,¡± the younger admitted, as Jared allowed a small smile, before they all decided to move their attention to the matters of food right then, and save the tougher stuff for later.

    <hr>

    When the hour finally grew late enough for bedtime to be a serious option, Ian allowed a small yawn before starting away from the water¡¯s edge, and back up the incline, exchanging the slightest grin with Lili as he moved away.

    Allowing her own smile in return, she glanced over at where Kyle was helping Jared catalog some of the fish he had pulled from the river that day, then she too started up the incline after Ian. Kyle and Jared just moved their eyes from her then back to exchange a small glance with one another, and the slightest sigh on each of their parts, before moving their attention back to finishing their task.

    ¡°So, are you actually going to sleep?¡± she asked Ian as she reached his side, where he was arranging his blanket and pillow inside the tent.

    ¡°I might attempt that, for a few minutes,¡± he answered with another smile back at her.

    ¡°And would that attempt be in the vicinity of now, or would it be closer to later?¡± she asked with a feigned innocence to her tone.

    Ian allowed a small chuckle as he stood once more, and turned back to stand close to her as he looked down into her face. Though rather than speaking, he leaned in to give her another one of those passionate, and even bordering on tender, kisses once again. After several long moments of that kiss, he finally moved back and gently spoke.¡°See you in the morning, Lili,¡± was his only smiled statement before moving to crawl back into his tent, zipping it closed behind him as he did, which easily caused Lili¡¯s breath to catch as she watched that zipper close in confusion.

    After another deep breath to try and compose herself in the face of such a confusing turn of events, she finally made her slow way back down to the two of her actual lovers who were still seated on the river bank, both also looking a little surprised by her return to their side.

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    ¡°Hi, Lili,¡± Kyle offered, trying to keep any emotion out of his voice.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she said softly as she took a seat near them, staring downwards in too much confusion to offer more of a response.

    ¡°Is he, uh, going to sleep?¡± Jared managed a moment later, as he cast his own surprised glance up toward Ian¡¯s now closed tent.

    ¡°I¡­guess so,¡± she stammered the response.

    Kyle took a breath as he looked back at the equally perplexed look Jared wore, before turning his eyes back to Lili. ¡°So, you shot him down again?¡± he couldn¡¯t stop himself from asking with a cross between surprise and some other reaction.

    Lili let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Actually, no, I didn¡¯t,¡± she stated in a near whisper as she moved to disappear into her own tent without offering any further explanation, as if she even had one.

    ¡°Back to the Twilight Zone we go,¡± Kyle mumbled once Lili finished removing herself from the conversation.

    ¡°Apparently,¡± was Jared¡¯s only whispered response as he looked at the now closed flap of the tent.

    After a few more quiet moments of finishing with the last bit of cataloging, Kyle finally shrugged over at Jared as they put the fish back into the cooler of sorts, and the youngest finally made his way back to his own tent as well. Jared took a few moments to glance out at the stillness of the night around him, before he couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes back toward Lili¡¯s tent once again. He then glanced up at Ian¡¯s tent, then Kyle¡¯s, then his eyes fell on hers once more as he let out a concerned sigh before finally allowing his feet to move him toward it.

    Lili startled more than a bit as Jared parted the zipper. ¡°Just me, not a bear,¡± he attempted a smile as he glanced over at where she was still quite awake, though wrapped tightly in a cover as she still sat up, seeming to have been intensely concentrating on nothing more than staring at the floor of the tent. ¡°Want any company, or no?¡± he asked warily.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to sleep, too?¡± she finally returned.

    ¡°Not if you want company,¡± he offered another smile.

    ¡°Doubt I¡¯m gonna sleep anyway,¡± was the only semi-answer she offered.

    He allowed another small smile before turning to close the tent behind them once more. ¡°So, mind sharing?¡± he asked a moment later as he gestured to the cover she clutched protectively around herself.

    ¡°I¡¯m only in my t-shirt,¡± she offered with a slight blush.

    Jared allowed his own small blush. ¡°Well, it is pretty dark in here, unless you want me to go outside and wait for you to put something else on?¡± he teased.

    Lili just shook her head with her own wry smile before offering him a place under the cover with her after all. Jared easily slid into the cover, pulling it back up over both of them as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, gently laying his head upon the top of hers.

    ¡°So, weird night, huh?¡± he finally allowed.

    Lili just let out a sad little laugh. ¡°Weird week.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s that,¡± he agreed with a smile as he squeezed her slightly.

    ¡°So¡­¡± she finally began several moments later. ¡°You had any visions that can explain that¡­him?¡± she broached the subject, saving Jared from trying to decide whether or not he should.

    ¡°I dunno, you guys seemed to be getting along great, like all evening,¡± he returned.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    ¡°Well, did he say anything before he went to bed, alone?¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Lili just shook her head. ¡°He gave me yet another incredible kiss, and said ¡®see you in the morning.¡¯ I mean, what the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± Lili asked in frustration.

    ¡°Guess it means he uh, wanted to see you in the morning?¡± Jared shrugged.

    ¡°Are you patronizing me?¡± she looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°No, no patronizing, just¡­deciphering.¡±

    ¡°Well, mind helping me out with that?¡± Lili complained as she continued to look at him expectantly.

    Jared sighed as he pondered the facts, before finally speaking. ¡°So, what was the reason you and him never hooked up on the ship?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she returned, a little caught by that question.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve always known he liked you. I¡¯m pretty sure you liked him. So boy likes girl, girl likes boy, you know what the third part of that equation usually is. So why wasn¡¯t it, with the two of you?¡±

    Lili scoffed as she shook her head. ¡°The lines were terrible.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± he repeated her earlier question with his own small chuckle.

    Lili allowed another shake of her head before she spoke. ¡°Well frankly, he was already busy screwing every other person up there. I didn¡¯t wanna wait my turn just to end up as a statistic. Or what did they used to say? Just another notch on his belt?¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯ve told him this?¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°Explicitly,¡± she informed.

    ¡°So¡­¡±

    After waiting another moment for Jared to continue, she spoke again. ¡°Care to share the rest of that sentence?¡± Lili prodded.

    ¡°So¡­what he¡¯s really doing is, he¡¯s giving you what you wanted.¡±

    ¡°Come again?¡±

    ¡°You told him you didn¡¯t just wanna be another notch, another conquest, and so, he hasn¡¯t made you into one, even after you finally let him get close enough that he could have. He still didn¡¯t,¡± Jared returned with his own smile of what almost looked like admiration.

    Lili just shook her head up at him in disbelief. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that now that I¡¯m willing, so to speak, I should be happy that he doesn¡¯t want me anymore?¡± she scoffed.

    ¡°Oh believe me, he wants you¡­badly. And that¡¯s most likely why he¡¯s not taking you,¡± Jared pointed out with another little smile.

    She shook her head once more before speaking. ¡°So, him not fucking me, after trying to constantly for the last ten years¡­I should take that as a sign of his deep devotion?¡± she asked with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Hey who ever said that love made sense?¡± Jared offered with another slight shrug.

    ¡°Love?¡± she repeated, almost choking on the word.

    Jared allowed another small smile as he looked down at her again. ¡°You mean you haven¡¯t noticed how lovable you are yet?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± she said as she looked down with another blush.

    ¡°I¡¯d be willing to bet money, that if we polled every single guy on this planet¡­¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she laughed up at him.

    ¡°Make me,¡± he teased before he moved to pull her closer still, covering her mouth with his lips, silently, easily giving his own answer to how lovable he himself did find her as well.

 Chapter 24

    When Lili woke up the next morning it was to the pleasant realization that she and Jared¡¯s naked bodies where still wrapped up together under the cover. As she moved her arms a bit to squeeze him even tighter against her, he smiled his greeting against her cheek.¡°Morning.¡±

    ¡°Wow no crack of dawn wakeup call this morning?¡± she smirked as she glanced toward the still zipped shut door of the tent, while she and Jared still refused to move from one another¡¯s arms just yet.

    ¡°What a shame,¡± he told her with a lack of any believability as he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him, to a seat atop his hips underneath that same blanket.

    ¡°Yeah, feels like you¡¯re really broken up about it,¡± she teased with a pointed look downward, where his mood was pleasantly apparent, considering her new position.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you one to talk,¡± he smiled up at her.¡°You¡¯re like soaking wet and I just woke up so you can¡¯t blame it all on me, this time,¡± he teased.

    She blushed brightly but then thought about his words a moment as she looked down.¡°Yeah, I am,¡± she stated absently.

    ¡°So¡­I¡¯m hard¡­You¡¯re wet¡­And we¡¯re locked in a tent together¡­Whatsoever shall we do?¡± he teased further.

    ¡°No I think¡­¡± she began with a slight swallow as she moved to slide off of her place atop his hips.

    ¡°Ok, that wasn¡¯t my first guess,¡± he stated with a slight deflation of his tone as he rolled to his side to watch her distractedly move away. Now having moved to a place next to him, Lili looked down at herself, and took a breath. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked with only a tinge of worry tinting his previously desire-filled tone.

    She finally looked back at him.¡°Guess we don¡¯t have to worry that the nine months has started yet,¡± she whispered back as she moved to retrieve her t-shirt.

    ¡°Oh¡­Oh!¡± he repeated more loudly as he looked up at her, her words finally translating in his previously distracted brain.

    ¡°Yeah, oh,¡± she repeated with a slight biting of her lip as she grabbed the pillow, stripping the pillow case off of it and starting out of the tent.

    Outside, she moved with deliberateness toward the water¡¯s edge where Kyle and Ian were already awake and finishing up their morning shave, both more than easily distracted by her emerging from the tent wearing only the long t-shirt.

    ¡°Well, good morning,¡± Ian stammered his greeting a bit as she reached their sides. Without really offering a return greeting, she reached for one of the knives at Ian¡¯s belt before taking it and the pillow case over to a flat rock near the side of the river, where she began tearing slices in the pillow case, which only caused further confusion on both their faces.

    Though their distraction was only added to when Jared stepped out of her tent, still zipping up his jeans and looking a bit distracted, himself as he moved his eyes over to her before the youngest among them spoke up.¡°And morning to you too, apparently,¡± Kyle managed to force a greeting.

    Ian sighed a bit, before casting another glance at Lili¡¯s continued mutilation of the pillow case, then looking back toward Jared.¡°I dunno what you guys were doing in there, but it made her really pissed off at the pillow case, apparently,¡± he attempted, which only caused a slight sigh from Jared rather than a real response.

    ¡°I¡¯m not pissed off at the pillow case, Ian,¡± she mumbled, though continued tearing long pieces off of it.

    ¡°Coulda fooled me,¡± he added with a slight smirk.

    ¡°If you must know, I¡¯m doing this cause no one else is getting laid around here, for about a week,¡± she offered plainly, which caused a startled expression from Kyle as well as a slightly embarrassed one from Jared, and a confused one from Ian.

    ¡°God, what¡¯d you do to her in there?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help turning the question back to Jared.

    Jared just scoffed loudly.¡°For crying out loud Ian, she means she got her period,¡± he answered with a shake of his head, causing Kyle to quickly look down and Ian to turn a raised brow back toward where Lili also shook her head.

    ¡°Sucks for you guys I guess,¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help smirking as he moved toward the cooler with a slight chuckle.

    Jared just shook his head as he returned to her tent to locate his shirt once more while leaving Kyle to nervously watch her finishing her shredding of the pillow case.¡°And the pillow case comes in, how?¡± Kyle finally had to ask.

    ¡°Think about it Kyle,¡± was her only response, brief though it was.

    Then a moment later he responded.¡°Oh¡­Oh!¡± he repeated Jared¡¯s earlier reaction as he shook his head.

    ¡°Welcome to life in the wild,¡± she grumbled as she gathered the strips of cloth and headed back into the tent, as Jared was just returning from it.

    ¡°So who¡¯s up for breakfast?¡± Ian chuckled as he grabbed one of the fish and headed for the fire.

    ¡°You seem awful jolly, considering the¡­oddness of the morning,¡± Jared pointed out, finishing pulling his shirt on before following Ian to the fire.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m not the one who has to get used to the idea of being celibate for a week. I already got that down,¡± he returned wryly as he reached for the knife Lili had set aside and began starting on their breakfast with his own still amused smirk.

    <hr>

    That week came and went, and once again, Lili found herself indulging in a late night swim. However, this time she was alone, as the hour was nearly two and the guys were apparently suffering less insomnia than her, all three of them already tucked neatly into their tents. Finally emerging from the water and sliding only the t-shirt on over her still damp skin, she looked around at the tents with a slight biting of her lip.

    Finally, she moved up the incline while shivering a bit as the light wind moved over her. Once she reached the top of the small hill, she took a breath and moved to unzip the flap at the front of Ian¡¯s tent, only to be greeted by him startling awake and immediately targeting her with one of the many guns that were never out of reach.

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    ¡°I surrender?¡± she offered quietly, holding up her hands as she stooped in the doorway of the tent.

    ¡°Damn, girl!I am the last person you want to sneak up on at night,¡± he warned her, as he set the gun aside, though his voice was still gentle despite his words.¡°What time is it anyway?¡± he added as more of an afterthought.

    ¡°Like two.¡±

    ¡°Two?¡± he repeated with a raised brow as he pushed himself up to his elbows.

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± she shrugged as she moved the rest of the way into the tent, zipping it back up behind her.

    ¡°Might have been a little difficult in the river,¡± he teased as he glanced over her wet locks in the dim light of the lantern that sat off to the side of his store of weapons.

    ¡°I went swimmingafterI decided I couldn¡¯t sleep,¡± she told him wryly as she moved to take a seat next to him.

    ¡°Yeah, that makes a bit more sense,¡± he conceded, his eyes still traveling over her with a bit of a stammer to his breath, considering that she was only wearing the light colored t-shirt which easily clung to her damp skin.

    ¡°Yeah, and now I¡¯m too cold to sleep.¡±

    ¡°Such problems,¡± he allowed a teasing smile.

    She just shook her head at him.¡°This is where you¡¯re supposed to offer to keep me warm, isn¡¯t it?¡± she prodded.

    Instead of answering, he just grinned over at her again before moving to lift the cover around where he himself was only wearing a pair of snug boxer-briefs.

    ¡°Such a gentleman,¡± she returned wryly as she moved to slide under the cover, easily moving to wrap her arms around his waist as she laid her head on his shoulder.

    ¡°Wet hair.Lovely,¡± he smirked again as he laid back, though still allowed his arm to encircle her still slightly shivering frame as she moved to wrap her leg around his lower body as well.

    ¡°You complaining?¡± she returned.

    ¡°Just observing,¡± he smiled back down at her as he used his free hand to turn off the lantern before returning that hand to her side.

    ¡°Observing, huh?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s me, ever watchful.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I noticed you¡¯ve gotten really good at just ¡®observing.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that my job?¡± Ian returned as he gently kissed those wet locks.

    ¡°I meant in relation to your love life too, not just your job,¡± she dared.

    ¡°Should I make an attempt at deciphering that one?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Here, let me give you a hint,¡± Lili told him with her own plotting grin before moving her hand slowly from his side and trailing her fingertips across his stomach.

    His breath caught a bit as she continued running her fingers over the taut muscles of his stomach before he finally allowed another comment.¡°Well, my temperature seems to be rising. How ¡¯bout yours?¡±

    ¡°Your temperature¡¯s the only thing rising, huh?¡± she couldn¡¯t help teasing.

    ¡°Oh, I think I¡¯ll plead the fifth there,¡± he added with another slight chuckle.

    ¡°Will you now?¡± she purred as she spread a few kisses over his chest before moving her hand further downward, sliding her fingers slowly inside the waistband of those quickly tightening boxers.

    ¡°Mmm,¡± he made an attempt at a further response as she moved her fingers downwards further to encircle his ever hardening penis.¡°I¡¯m beginning to think you had some ulterior motive aside from just keeping warm,¡± he breathed the words and arched his back slightly as she continued caressing him into even further distraction.

    ¡°Why would you ever think a thing like that?¡± she teased as she cuddled closer, grinding her hips slightly against him as her fingers continued their assault on his libido.

    ¡°I¡¯m thinking that this last past week has gotten to you even more than our teenage friends down there,¡± he taunted, though couldn¡¯t help arching his hips even further into her caresses.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just be quiet and enjoy it?¡± she giggled back at him as the first tremors of his approaching orgasm began.

    ¡°What if I have other plans?¡± he teased as he rolled to his side, pushing her onto her back as he did.

    ¡°And what would those be?¡± she giggled up at him.

    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know¡­¡± he began as he placed a few light kisses over her cheek and neck before his own hand disappeared beneath the blanket.¡°I¡¯ll think of something,¡± he promised with a smile before she felt his hand move down to part her thighs with a skilled deliberateness.

    Before she could guess at what his complete plan had truly been, she felt his fingers slide inside her, beginning to move with the ease of someone whose sexual reputation had indeed preceded him long before they had even shared their first kiss.

    It didn¡¯t take many moments before he had her shaking and gasping for air through more than one of those perfect seconds, so to speak. When her nails began digging into his shoulders in an almost silent plea for a moment¡¯s relief, he finally moved his hand away and looked down at her with another grin.¡°You warm now?¡± was his only desire-filled whisper.

    Lili let out a combination of a laugh and a breath.¡°To say the least,¡± she managed.

    ¡°Then I guess I did my job, huh?¡± he smirked again, before placing another long kiss over her still trembling mouth.¡°Night, Lili,¡± he added before simply moving back to his pillow and closing those beautiful eyes of his once more. Lili could do nothing more than just stare over at him in a breathless, stunned, spent moment of utter astonishment at the strength of will he seemed to display despite all of her previous beliefs that he hadn¡¯t had one shred of self-control when it came to carnal matters. Of course now he was doing quite well to convince her, despite her very best efforts, that quite the opposite was actually true in this, apparently, very new world of theirs indeed.

 Chapter 25

    As August dwindled to a close marking their first full month in this new home, the average daily temperature dropped from the upper seventies to the mid-seventies, while the nights almost always were about ten degrees cooler. Though the temperature change wasn¡¯t all that drastic yet, it couldn¡¯t help making them all wonder what the later months might actually bring. On that thought, the four came to the conclusion that while the weather was still pleasant, they would have to seriously consider more sturdy shelter than just the simple tents.

    As they were indeed surrounded by numerous trees, the four decided they would try to take advantage of that resource. It was a fairly easy decision once Kyle reminded them of the emergency repair tools that were still back at the pod, including a hammer, nails, and even an axe. Upon hearing of these additional resources, Ian agreed to do most of the physical labor. Kyle would of course offer his advice on what would be the most structurally sound build. This left Jared to locate and obtain the materials that would come in most handy for the building of this new shelter. Lili herself would just be required to help with anything that required more than one pair of hands. Upon forming their plan, they then went about beginning this very lengthy endeavor.

    At the end of the first of many days of gathering materials, Lili moved down to the riverbank where Kyle was finishing a late night snack of a piece of fruit that had also been among the items gathered that day. Jared and Ian had already headed into their own tents for the night while Lili was plagued with her usual insomnia.

    ¡°You really do have a lot of trouble sleeping, don¡¯t you?¡± Kyle smiled over at her sympathetically as he took his last bite while she moved to sit next to him as the hour neared one.

    ¡°I seem to recall you quite enjoying that fact over several nights of these last couple weeks,¡± she smirked as she laid her head against his shoulder.

    ¡°Hey it wasn¡¯t a complaint,¡± he smiled down at her as she only allowed a slight smile. ¡°That mean you want me to uh, help you sleep again tonight?¡± he teased with a bit of deviousness.

    ¡°Not like the other two seem interested,¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Jared sounded pretty interested when you guys were in the tent together last night,¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help taunting her.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she chuckled with the slightest blush.

    ¡°Oh, so we¡¯re referring to the other supposedly uninterested party. I see,¡± he stated knowingly.

    ¡°I just don¡¯t get it. I seriously don¡¯t,¡± she returned with a slight sigh.

    ¡°It does seem to be making you a little¡­¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asked with a bit of defensiveness as she looked back up at him.

    ¡°Sorry, but he drove you nuts when he kept trying to get you into bed and now that he¡¯s not trying to, he¡¯s, uh, driving you nuts.¡±

    Lili just scoffed as she looked down again. ¡°I would¡¯ve settled for some gray area in between,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°Grayer than constantly shoving his tongue down your throat every time you guys are within three feet of each other?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help calling her on that.

    ¡°Yeah, and then saying goodnight and going to sleep, or else wandering off to do anything else,¡± she scoffed again, which only caused another slight chuckle from Kyle. ¡°Glad you¡¯re amused.¡±

    Kyle just shook his head before taking a deep breath. ¡°Maybe I should take this opportunity to apologize.¡±

    ¡°For?¡± she asked as she looked up at him warily.

    ¡°That day before you guys started with the uh, constant tonsil hockey¡­¡± he began, ¡°I kinda said something to him that I think he really took and ran with.¡±

    ¡°Ok...like¡­what?¡± she asked slowly as she narrowed her eyes up at him.

    ¡°I kinda implied that he needed to make sure you knew he wanted to do more than just¡­that he needed to make sure you knew that he actually cared and didn¡¯t just want another lay,¡± he added more quietly.

    She sighed heavily as she looked down again, ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like that is honestly bad advice,¡± she admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s been nearly a month and he knows I sleep with you guys, and I¡¯m pretty sure he knows I¡¯m willing to be with him like that, too¡­.but still¡­¡± she just shook her head.

    ¡°Mmm hmm,¡± he stated with another knowing half-smile.

    ¡°Mmm hmm, what?¡± she asked as she looked back up at him again.

    ¡°He¡¯s good. He¡¯s really good,¡± Kyle smirked.

    ¡°And you are referring to what, exactly?¡± she asked warily.

    ¡°Like you said, he knows you¡¯re with either me or Jared on this night or that. Yet there¡¯s still a lot more nights like this one.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± she continued in the same slow, confused tone.

    ¡°Nights where you¡¯re with one of us and we¡¯re here just thinking about how much we can¡¯t wait to be inside you again, and you¡¯re staring up at that tent wondering why Ian isn¡¯t down here with you. Like I said, he¡¯s good,¡± he told her with a smile before making his way back to his own tent once again. Only a brief moment then passed before, with an exasperated sigh, Lili entered the tent behind him. Inside, he had already removed his t-shirt in preparation for bed. ¡°Yes?¡± he asked upon her arrival.

    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t,¡± was her perturbed greeting as she moved to push him onto his back and straddle his hips as she began freeing him of his jeans while he just looked up at her with more than a bit of amusement.

    Without allowing him time to think of much in the way of a response, she tossed his jeans away and proceeded to pull her own clothing from her body with more than a touch of deliberateness. She quickly finished ridding them each of the last bits of their clothing and easily took advantage of his nearly immediate arousal, sliding him deep inside her once again, where she then began to grind against him atop his hips, which easily met hers with almost as much purposefulness as she now displayed, almost.

    It didn¡¯t take long for her to push herself to her own climax above him, which never ceased to just about immediately trigger his as well. For many breathless minutes following those orgasms, she leaned over him while both their hearts raced to recover from the encounter. ¡°Ok, need drink now,¡± was the only response she managed after a few more long moments of their post-coital embrace. Lili then shakily lifted her body up off of his and reached for a nearby cup from their pre-packaged meals that now held water from the river instead.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Wow, I need to piss you off more often,¡± he couldn¡¯t help teasing once she finally lay back beside him, pulling the cover up over them both.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she told him, biting back her own grin.

    ¡°So that¡¯s angry sex, huh? Yet another first you¡¯ve provided me with,¡± he couldn¡¯t help his continued teasing as he rolled to his side to look down at where she still lay on her back while trying to recover her own breath.

    ¡°See previous statement,¡± she told him pointedly as she wrinkled her nose over at where he continued to grin down at her.

    Kyle allowed his own little chuckle as he moved to gently kiss her forehead and cheek. ¡°Ok, but you gotta admit something here.¡±

    ¡°I do, huh?¡± she returned with a raised brow.

    ¡°And that¡¯s that Ian¡¯s not the only one who knows how to get to you,¡± he whispered wryly.

    ¡°Oh fuck off,¡± she laughed loudly.

    ¡°Ok, I hereby apologize for so adeptly using reverse psychology to assure us each a really great orgasm tonight. I¡¯m deeply ashamed, truly,¡± he added, nearly having to force back a laugh through his own words.

    Lili just shook her head through her own continued smile. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve definitely spent too much time with Ian.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean I don¡¯t get cuddles now?¡± he asked innocently.

    She shook her head in disbelief. ¡°Who taught you this puppy dog routine so well, huh?¡±

    ¡°Well I am a genius, remember? Plus you always were my favorite teacher. If only I knew then just how good the lessons were really gonna get,¡± he teased.

    She scoffed again. ¡°And you have the nerve to ask for cuddles.¡±

    ¡°Oh you know I¡¯m adorable,¡± he chuckled as he pulled her closer and covered her mouth with his own, which easily caused her to wrap her arms around him, giving in, and providing him with those wanted cuddles after all.

    <hr>

    By the end of that first only slightly cooler week of September, Lili¡¯s body once again informed her that she hadn¡¯t yet conceived this mystery child during her number of encounters with either Kyle or Jared. And of course, that still was not even a remote possibility with Ian, as he still had not taken full advantage of any of her advances yet himself.

    Considering the halt in any kind of sexual activity for the duration of that particular week of the month, Lili had much more time to ponder Ian¡¯s behavior as she watched them go about beginning to build some kind of more substantial shelter than the tents would ever be if the weather did suddenly take a turn for the worse.

    That late September afternoon, Kyle and Jared were gathering the next bit of building materials as Ian was working away at the actual building of the frame of the shack, or cabin, or whatever it was indeed going to turn out to be in the end. Lili approached their selected location, which was about fifty feet off the water¡¯s edge, and sighed heavily as she leaned upon the nearest tree.

    ¡°Good afternoon to you too,¡± Ian teased in response to her sighed greeting and her less than joyous body language, though he simply continued with his own task regardless of her approach.

    ¡°I just don¡¯t get it,¡± she stated with a bit of defeat.

    ¡°It being?¡± he asked as he only glanced briefly at her out of the side of those eyes while continuing to go about his work.

    ¡°You,¡± she stated simply.

    ¡°Should I even try to guess what that¡¯s in relation to?¡± he offered with a raised eyebrow as well as a smirk while still keeping himself busy throughout the conversation.

    ¡°Do you really have to?¡± she returned with a slight scowl.

    ¡°If I¡¯m supposed to be answering questions, maybe they should be a bit more specific,¡± he chuckled, his mood still seeming light despite hers obviously not being quite as much so.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been here a month. Over a month, really,¡± she stated with a touch of complaint to her tone.

    ¡°Yes we have,¡± he agreed with a slight nod as he went about moving the next section of wood into place.

    Lili just scoffed as she shook her head. ¡°So seriously, how long are you gonna keep this up?¡±

    ¡°And what am I keeping up?¡± he couldn¡¯t help the smirk at his own words.

    ¡°Interesting choice of words,¡± Lili returned, narrowing her eyes further at where he didn¡¯t even make much eye contact with her as he continued his work despite her obvious unease over whatever it was that she was trying to say without really saying it at all. ¡°I just¡­I don¡¯t get it!¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Is ¡®it¡¯ me again this time?¡± he chided.

    ¡°I mean, every time we kiss or lie together, or touch, I can tell that you¡¯re enjoying it, so to speak. So¡­?¡± she finally managed to force an attempt at some sort of explanation out, though it sounded more like an accusation than a statement of fact.

    ¡°Is there more to that question or are we just stating the basics of, what do they call it, a psychosexual reaction?¡± he then grinned slightly. ¡°With words like that I must be hanging with the geniuses too much, eh?¡±

    ¡°For crying out loud Ian, I know you get turned on any time I get close to you!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that uh, the proper reaction?¡± he allowed another wry smile back at her.

    Lili just sighed in frustration as she then took a seat on the pile of logs near the building site, running her hands through her hair as she did so. ¡°So, what is it?¡± she finally asked after another moment.

    ¡°What is¡­.what?¡± he asked with a further raise of his eyebrow.

    ¡°The problem, apparently!¡± she exclaimed again. ¡°You obviously want to!¡± she added.

    Ian let out another chuckle at her obvious annoyance. ¡°Don¡¯t most guys ¡®want to?¡¯¡± he couldn¡¯t help.

    Another annoyed sigh on her part before Lili had another thought. ¡°Is that it?¡± she looked back up at him. ¡°Is it because of Kyle and Jared, and me being with them?¡± she added more quietly as she continued to desperately attempt to catch his gaze.

    Ian just shook his head though continued wearing his smile. ¡°I¡¯ve known about Jared since before we got here and I¡¯ve known about Kyle since the first night you were with him. So I¡¯m not sure what the question is supposed to be there,¡± he offered as he moved another section of the frame into place.

    Lili just let out another exasperated sigh as she stood once more while centering another annoyed scowl on Ian. ¡°You are easily the most impossible man, anywhere¡­even before you were one of the last three on the whole planet!¡± she complained as she stormed away, leaving him to just shake his head after her, though somehow he still wore an amused look as he did so.

 Chapter 26

    ~5 weeks earlier~

    After Serena finished with her declaration of power, she glanced toward the other two members of the tech team who were usually posted in the computer hub to assist Kyle, Miranda, or the rest of flight crew. ¡°Yeah, you two really aren¡¯t needed anymore,¡± she stated simply, before glancing their way as they then each fell into an unconscious slump on the floor. ¡°Now, for you,¡± she sighed as she glanced back at where Miranda was still seemingly frozen in place. ¡°Guess that can¡¯t be terribly comfortable,¡± she stated absently before moving to pose Miranda in Kyle¡¯s old seat, and going about humming lightly as she strapped her firmly to that seat with excess wiring that had always been kept in the hub. ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll even let you talk if you promise to play nice,¡± she told Miranda after tying her to the chair, where she did allow Miranda at least enough freedom of motion to nod her head.

    ¡°How are you doing this?¡± Miranda finally breathed shakily once she again had any control at all over her body from the neck up, anyway.

    ¡°Gee, I thought that would¡¯ve been my question for you and your little science team. At least, until I found out exactly what I could do, then I just didn¡¯t care about the ¡®how¡¯ anymore. I had too many new toys to play with,¡± she smiled wryly.

    ¡°So¡­why are you doing this?¡± Miranda restated hoarsely.

    ¡°Other than, because I can?¡± Serena returned with a raised eyebrow, leaning apathetically back against Kyle¡¯s former desk.

    ¡°So fine, I get that you want control of the ship, but what did you do to them, honestly?¡± Miranda continued with shaking voice.

    ¡°Which them?¡±

    ¡°The four people who are out there in space with no idea of what is happening here!¡± Miranda exclaimed with a combination of anger and despair.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really do anything to them. I just made it so they¡¯ll sleep tight until we¡¯re long gone, and then their little pod will shut down, and they¡¯ll have a lovely new home for the rest of their pointless little lives. You know, assuming they can breathe, and like, nothing tears them to shreds down there. But hey, they signed up for that big unknown, just so they could be heroes. Can¡¯t say they didn¡¯t know the risks,¡± she shrugged with a lack of any sympathy.

    ¡°Why do that?¡± Miranda asked tearfully. ¡°They¡¯re not even on the ship anymore, and you¡¯ve obviously got control here.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and I plan on keeping it. So, I don¡¯t really need them to get any ideas about coming back at all, ever.¡±

    Then Miranda narrowed her eyes. ¡°And why would the four of them even matter to your big plan?¡±

    ¡°Are you implying something, Miranda?¡±

    ¡°So, I guess they¡¯re all just innocent casualties, after all. Is that it?¡± Miranda returned with a biting tone to hide her sniffle.

    ¡°Innocent?¡± Serena raised her brow again. ¡°Interesting choice of words...¡± Serena then scoffed with another apathetic grin. ¡°Let¡¯s start with Ian: His daddy¡¯s dead, and I¡¯m pretty sure that no one else up here is really gonna miss him. Hell, half the people here are pretty pissed off by his favorite humping and dumping pass-time¡­They may even thank me.¡±

    Miranda just shook her head. ¡°And what about the other three?¡±

    ¡°Well as for your precious little Lili, this ship is the only way you could ever have any hope of getting back to her ever again. So just in case you have any ideas about trying to regain control here, not that that would be very likely,¡± she scoffed. ¡°Be assured that if anything were to ever happen to me¡­precautions have been taken and the ship would go straight down with me. I¡¯m beyond wired in,¡± she told her with deadly seriousness.

    ¡°So Ian has nothing to do with this other than wrong place wrong time? And Lili is basically your insurance that I¡¯ll behave if you ever let your guard down¡­So that still leaves us to wonder why it was that you really wanted to get rid of the other two so very badly,¡± Miranda told her coolly.

    Serena scoffed again. ¡°Whatever reasons you¡¯ve cooked up in that little brain of yours it doesn¡¯t change the fact that all four are long gone and now it¡¯s my turn to decide exactly who will be the so-called hero of the human race, or is that heroine?¡± she allowed another wicked grin. ¡°And I can assure you, it won¡¯t be the four of them.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know how much of a hero you¡¯ll be when they find out how you got that title,¡± Miranda growled back.

    ¡°Oh please. Sacrificing the few for the good of the many? I don¡¯t even have to have been born on earth to know that¡¯s exactly how things always worked there.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you seem real concerned with the good of others,¡± Miranda scoffed.

    ¡°Actually, I couldn¡¯t care less about who lives and who dies. But when I give all these pathetic people back their so-called hope when I ¡®discover¡¯ this new home for us, I know exactly what that¡¯ll make me. And then they¡¯ll all know it too. And no one anywhere, ever, will even think about challenging me. I really will be the most powerful girl in the whole wide world.¡±

    <hr>

    ~Present~

    It was now nearly halfway through October and the days¡¯ temperatures had begun cooling to the sixties, which was still pleasant but the nights in the fifties did make the four of them eager for the completion of a sturdier shelter. At this point though, it was actually semi-livable, with all four walls and a roof completed. They still had to finish the floors and any inner walls as well as find a sturdier type of door than their current practice of just propping the current one in the doorway. But all in all they had come far.

    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Until they got around to finishing the inside of the abode, the four of them decided to simply stretch the tents between the outer walls to form the inner walls for the moment. With the two teens gathering more materials Ian was left with Lili to help him tie up the tents between the existing walls.

    The two finished that task without too many words being spoken between them until it was complete. They then stepped back to glance at their work and Ian finally spoke up from their place inside one of the outer walls. ¡°Well it ain¡¯t a mansion, but it¡¯s a bit sturdier than just hiding out in those tents for the winter.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± Lili sighed the words rather than spoke them, which simply caused Ian to look over at her questioningly.

    ¡°And you¡¯re displaying such enthusiasm here,¡± he chided.

    ¡°Two months. Over two months,¡± was her simple response.

    ¡°Sorry built it as fast as I could, hon,¡± he smirked as he moved to organize his own bedding in the corner of the shack.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about that,¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Oh sorry, were we having different conversations?¡± he teased as he looked back at her briefly before continuing to place the blankets and pillow.

    ¡°All right, last time¡­I¡¯m just gonna ask,¡± she sighed as he glanced back towards her once more. ¡°Do you want to or not, honestly?¡±

    ¡°Want to¡­what?¡± he asked with a raised eyebrow.

    She just scoffed. ¡°Like you don¡¯t know.¡±

    Ian let out a slight chuckle as he moved to tilt his head to catch her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not actually asking me if I wanna have sex with you, are you?¡± he added with a bit of curiosity on his face.

    ¡°Considering you¡¯ve been making out with me, among a few other slightly more intense activities for two months now, gee why would I ask that?¡± she returned sarcastically.

    ¡°So that is what you¡¯re asking me?¡±

    ¡°Oh would you stop with the shocked routine?¡± she scoffed again.

    ¡°Well, it is a bit of an odd question considering it is you asking me.¡±

    ¡°How¡¯s that?¡± she retorted with further impatience.

    ¡°Well I spent ten years telling you in several subtle as well as¡­less subtle ways,¡± he smirked, ¡°that that is exactly what I wanted to do with you,¡± a slight pause. ¡°So yeah, it¡¯s an odd question.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so I¡¯m the one who¡¯s being odd?¡± she returned huffily.

    ¡°Quite,¡± was his simple response, which only caused another look of disbelief in her. ¡°Oh come on Lil, I did spend ten years telling you I wanted to do naughty, naughty things to you¡­and you spent ten years pushing me away,¡± he shrugged slightly. ¡°So, you asking me if I want to¡­yeah, odd.¡±

    Lili just shook her head, trying to find words for quite a long moment. ¡°So, me making out with you, among other things, for the last two months, that¡¯s not enough of a hint that things have changed, then?¡±

    ¡°Well, they¡¯ve changed, to a degree.¡±

    ¡°A degree?¡± she returned with her own crease of the brow.

    ¡°Well come on, if I just assume that a girl who said no for ten years, suddenly would say yes, just because she¡¯s now let me share other, slightly less intimate activities¡­Hey you know what they say, no means no.¡±

    She tossed him yet another look of disbelief. ¡°So, does that mean that I¡¯m never allowed to change my answer, either?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the only one that knows that,¡± he told her in a whisper, though wore a slight smile as he did.

    ¡°Oh my god,¡± she just shook her head once more, ¡°That¡¯s what this is about? You want me to flat out tell you that I want to? That¡¯s what this is really all about?¡± she exclaimed once more.

    ¡°Well if you do want to, then why would that be so difficult?¡± Ian smirked again.

    ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡±

    ¡°Yet you¡¯re still here. Good thing I refuse to let myself read anything into that, huh?¡± he teased.

    ¡°You are truly impossible,¡± she returned, forcing down a smile at his wry grin.

    ¡°Really? I thought I was pretty damn easy. That¡¯s the rumor, anyway,¡± he had to add.

    Another deep sigh as she glanced around at the abandoned shack. ¡°So seriously, if I told you right here and now that I did wanna just do it and do it right now, that¡¯s all it would take, huh?¡±

    ¡°Is that what you¡¯re telling me then?¡± he grinned as he moved closer to wrap his arms around her waist and place a few brief kisses over her neck as he did.

    ¡°You really want me to say it, don¡¯t you?¡± she mumbled, her own fingers reaching up to tangle in his ever lengthening locks.

    ¡°The question is, can you say it?¡± he breathed against her neck, pulling her closer as he gently nipped at the skin of her neck.

    ¡°And I¡¯m supposed to be able to think with you doing that?¡± she breathed heavier as he continued his attentions.

    ¡°I really doubt thinking has much to do with it at this point,¡± he teased as his hands slid up under the back of her shirt while his lips continued tasting the pale skin which had gotten only slightly more sun-touched since their arrival there.

    Lili held him tighter as her breaths got shorter. ¡°Oh god fine, just make love to me already,¡± she whispered at last.

    ¡°All you had to do was ask,¡± he teased one last time before immediately moving to begin pulling her clothes away with an eagerness that had been a decade in the making despite all his previous airs of self-control, which he now tossed away as if they had never truly existed, at all.

 Chapter 27

    By the second week of that November, the temperatures had now started alternating between the fifties and forties, which was reasonably mild for a month that used to symbolize a fast approaching winter in their previous home. But it still made all of them a little unsure of what might occur over the next few months.

    Ian was preparing to go hunting again early that morning, as it was Jared who Lili had curled up to sleep next to late the previous night. Having had no reason of his own to lack sleep, Kyle was up just as early upon hearing Ian begin readying his weapons for the hunt.

    Peering around the semi-built wall between their two sleeping areas, Kyle spoke to Ian quietly. ¡°Hunting again?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t hurt to stock up, just in case it keeps getting colder,¡± was Ian¡¯s simple response as he finished with the weapons and moved to slide the jumpsuit on over the casual clothes, as they had all been doing now with the cooler temperatures arriving.

    ¡°Want some company?¡± Kyle asked after a brief glance toward the also semi-constructed divider between he and Jared¡¯s sleeping area.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right, Jared got her attention last night, hmm?¡±

    ¡°I suppose,¡± Kyle began as he moved to slide his own jumpsuit on over his clothing as well. ¡°Though I doubt they did much last night. But at least this week should be over soon, so who knows about tonight?¡± Kyle responded with a hopeful smile.

    ¡°Oh, was that this week?¡± Ian asked curiously as he began heading toward the outer door of the shack, as Kyle hurried to follow.

    ¡°You mean, you don¡¯t have the dates memorized yet?¡± Kyle snickered as the two made their way out into the dim light of the still rising sun.

    ¡°Remember, I¡¯ve only had any reason to even concern myself with those dates for about the last three weeks now,¡± Ian smiled wryly. ¡°But what¡¯s the day that starts again, like the fifth?¡± Ian returned with a creased eyebrow as the two began heading away from the shelter to find the morning¡¯s prey.

    ¡°Yes the fifth through the eighth or ninth, and today¡¯s the eighth, so hopefully that means that tonight normal bedtime activities can resume,¡± Kyle commented, with a bit of eagerness apparent.

    Ian couldn¡¯t help chuckling. ¡°I realize she¡¯s your first foray into the world of woman, but I wouldn¡¯t get your hopes up about tonight, if I were you,¡± he told him simply, which only caused a slightly deflated as well as curious look from the seventeen year old.

    ¡°You guys got a date planned or something?¡± he returned to the older man wryly.

    ¡°No, but I think she¡¯s off schedule this month.¡±

    Kyle pondered the words before speaking. ¡°Thought you weren¡¯t paying attention?¡± Kyle returned sarcastically.

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t really, until you said about the fifth, and that was what, Tuesday?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I think. Why?¡±

    ¡°Cause, I was with her Tuesday night,¡± Ian chuckled. ¡°So, I¡¯m pretty sure that she won¡¯t be ready to give any of us that attention tonight, since she¡¯s obviously, like I said, ¡®off-schedule,¡¯¡± he repeated with an only slightly sympathetic smile.

    ¡°Damn women,¡± Kyle mumbled.

    ¡°So speaketh the expert,¡± Ian just had to tease.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve been sleeping with her longer than you have,¡± Kyle just had to remind.

    ¡°Do we really wanna compare and contrast experience levels, Kyle?¡± Ian smirked knowingly.

    ¡°Just sayin,¡± Kyle grumbled with the slightest bit of concession. The two then walked a few moments longer before Kyle spoke again. ¡°So, three weeks you¡¯ve been being with her now?¡±

    ¡°About,¡± Ian smiled back as he shook his head at the younger man¡¯s curiosity.

    ¡°And not a word?¡±

    ¡°About?¡± he repeated the word as a question.

    ¡°Come on, man, she made you wait ten years, and now¡­not a word about it?¡±

    ¡°To who?¡± Ian chuckled again.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see, I¡¯m pretty sure Lili already knows about your encounters with her, so who does that leave?¡± Kyle responded with another dose of sarcasm.

    Ian laughed again. ¡°What? You want some pointers or something?¡± Ian smirked once more. ¡°But I thought you¡¯ve been sleeping with her longer than me,¡± he mocked.

    ¡°But ten years, and finally?¡±

    ¡°Your point?¡± Ian returned after waiting another moment for Kyle to specify his inquiry a bit more.

    ¡°And, you¡¯ve said nothing!¡± Kyle repeated impatiently.

    Ian just chuckled. ¡°What is it I¡¯m supposed to be saying, again?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    Kyle just shook his head as he continued following Ian through the forest. ¡°Well, I sort of pegged you for the type to brag, or at least like gloat or something.¡± Kyle grumbled.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°To the two guys who¡¯ve already been with her? Seems kind of pointless.¡±

    ¡°But still, it¡¯s you. Isn¡¯t it what you do? I mean, how else did everyone up there know all about your conquests. You¡¯ve never seemed real concerned with keeping private things uh, private,¡± Kyle settled on.

    ¡°Well, things have changed,¡± Ian responded, though quietly.

    ¡°Changed? What¡¯s that mean?¡± Kyle continued, then looked up, as if having a sudden realization. ¡°Oh¡­¡±

    Ian glanced back at that reaction. ¡°Oh?¡± he couldn¡¯t help repeating, not sure he really wanted to hear Kyle¡¯s explanation for such a reaction.

    ¡°Wow,¡± was all Kyle said, though under his breath.

    ¡°You and your ¡®wows,¡¯¡± Ian muttered as he glanced away and simply continued to move forward with deliberateness.

    ¡°So, it finally lasts more than a second with her, huh?¡± Kyle finally returned, though with his own only slight smile.

    ¡°Remember what I said about chatting not going with hunting?¡± Ian returned pointedly.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok, Ian. Your secret is safe with me,¡± Kyle grinned as he patted Ian on the back with another gentle smile.

    ¡°Oh, do shut up,¡± Ian retorted as he continued, shaking his head at that ever so annoying perceptiveness that also seemed to come along with all that genius, after all.

    Back at their meager abode, it wasn¡¯t very much longer before Lili awoke next to Jared with a start. She then rushed from their pile of bedding to head quickly outside, regardless of having slept in nothing more than a simple t-shirt and panties.

    Only a few more brief minutes passed before Jared stirred in his own slumber. He then went to roll towards where she had lain with him that night, only to be startled awake when his arms reached to embrace her, only to find her gone. He rubbed at his eyes as he pushed himself to his elbows before surveying his surroundings to attempt to locate his former companion.

    He sighed slightly as he realized he seemed to be alone there under that recently constructed roof. Though his sigh made way for a more perplexed expression as he noted that most of Lili¡¯s clothing was still atop the nearby pile, despite the cooler temperatures of late. He pushed himself up to his feet, pulling his own shirt back on above his jeans and casting another look around as he reached for both Lili¡¯s jeans and jumpsuit.

    Making his way out into the gray light of the now risen sun, he looked off toward the river. There, he did indeed find her near the edge, staring off into the water in silence despite the chilly air around her only partially clothed body.

    ¡°Not exactly t-shirt weather,¡± was his softly smiled greeting as he neared where she did not even turn to greet him. Narrowing his eyes a bit, he attempted to hold out her forgotten clothing to her. Her only response was a deep, yet obviously shaken sigh as she continued to stare at her own reflection in the gently moving river. ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± he asked more gently as he moved closer to stand behind her.

    ¡°Honestly, I couldn¡¯t even tell you, right now,¡± she whispered, her tears obvious in her voice then.

    He furrowed his brow worriedly as he moved to sit next to her, offering her the clothing as she turned only slightly his way to absently take the items into her trembling fingers, the tears now obvious upon her reddened cheeks.

    ¡°Are you the one having bad dreams now?¡± he offered with a sad smile as he moved a hand up to brush some hair from her face where a strand had been glued to her damp cheek.

    ¡°I wish,¡± she choked the response, her eyes still cast down.

    ¡°Are you going to tell me why all the tears, then?¡± he asked quietly as he moved closer to wrap an arm around her while she still simply clung to the offered clothing rather than donning it.

    Lili sniffled and took a ragged breath, trying to find any words at all to answer him with. ¡°I¡¯ve decided I really don¡¯t want to know anything about the future; not anything, ever. How you can do it is beyond me,¡± she managed, the tears still trickling down her cheeks.

    ¡°Did something¡­happen?¡± he decided on, his own voice shaking a bit as he noted that their two companions were indeed absent. He then quickly turned back to her to try and find the answer on her face rather than in her words.

    ¡°Who knows? After all, they¡¯re out there right now. Maybe today will be the day they won¡¯t come back, after all,¡± she forced the words through another sniffle.

    Jared managed his own deep breath as he cast a slight glance toward the tree line before turning back to her. ¡°You haven¡¯t talked about that possibility again since the first time they went hunting. So why is it suddenly worrying you so much now?¡± he dared to ask.

    ¡°Because, I¡¯ve spent three months¡­over three months, just waiting, terrified, that each day was going to be the day that I would have to really face that fear. It got so I just wanted it to be over with, so I wouldn¡¯t have to be scared every single day that that would be the day,¡± she shook her head, her breathing shallower as more tears fell from her cheeks to the bare thighs that were tucked beneath her atop the river bank.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me yet this week, that you knew for sure again that this month wasn¡¯t the month ¡­Is that what this is about?¡± Jared asked, seeming to have to force his own words right then.

    ¡°Tuesday was when I was supposed to know. This is Friday,¡± she returned, swallowing the words instead of speaking them.

    Jared took another deep breath before making some attempt at reassurance. ¡°Stress and diet both can make things like that¡­unpredictable.¡± he offered.

    ¡°That¡¯s not it,¡± she denied. ¡°Why do you think I rushed out here without even getting dressed?¡± she continued, her voice devoid of almost any hope right then. ¡°I¡¯ve spent the last five minutes being sicker than I¡­than I can ever remember being,¡± she finished with.

    Jared swallowed hard again. ¡°Well, maybe it was something you ate. You never know. I mean, the stuff we¡¯ve been living on¡­¡±

    ¡°Jared,¡± she stopped him mid-sentence, finally looking back toward his own equally worried eyes. ¡°I always eat the exact same things you all eat. You know what this means. Please, don¡¯t pretend it doesn¡¯t. We can¡¯t pretend that, ever again,¡± she whispered as she pulled him closer, burying her head against his chest, the tears continuing then; three months¡¯ worth of pent up tears, all let loose at once, at last.

    Jared gave her several long moments to shed those tears, holding her tightly as he bit back his own emotions, knowing that he needed to be there to comfort her, right then. When her tears finally began to slow, he squeezed her tight against him once more, at last managing his own words. ¡°I know I¡¯ve said it before but please, you have to try and remember that this¡­¡± he swallowed again. ¡°This isn¡¯t a guaranteed death sentence, for any of us. Nothing in my vision ever said that it would be. You have to remember that, always. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll barely be able to breathe, and you have to be as strong as you possibly can be, especially now,¡± he added in a raspy whisper.

    Lili let out her own breath, finally moving away long enough to shakily slide her jeans back on before managing any more words. ¡°Yes, I suppose it¡¯s remotely possible for all four of us to still be alive come summer, when¡­when it¡¯s time. But even so, we¡¯re all young, strong; the four of us might be able to survive this place for that long,¡± she paused, her voice breaking as she bit her lip. ¡°But what hope does a tiny, little, helpless newborn infant ever have of surviving here as well? What guarantee, if any will this child ever have? Can you really give me any realistic assurances of that?¡± she choked upon her last question, before starting back toward their supposed home again. Her tears then started anew at the prospect of her own words, once she had forced herself to finally speak those thoughts aloud.

 Chapter 28

    As the sun began to set that evening, Jared was mixing together a couple of servings of a fruit salad, of sorts. As he prepared the meal, Lili sat leaning against the shack¡¯s outer wall near the door, now wrapped in one of the skins from an animal which had been their meal sometime in the last few weeks.

    ¡°How much do you want?¡± he asked, his voice breaking a nearly tangible silence since their morning by the river.

    ¡°What?¡± she managed, obviously a million miles from the present as she had been all day, and nearly all week, at that.

    ¡°It¡¯s fruit. I figured I¡¯d wait on them before trying to make anything more substantial. Was just asking how much you wanted,¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Not really hungry,¡± she returned in the same breathy tone while still staring at the ground in front of her, rather than meeting his gaze.

    ¡°Lili,¡± he sighed slightly as he gathered both of the cartons from their pre-packaged meals, which had now been being used as bowls in recent months. He then moved back to take a seat near her. ¡°You haven¡¯t eaten much of anything today. Here,¡± he told her as he handed her one of the two helpings he had prepared.

    ¡°Starting the day puking your guts out really doesn¡¯t help develop an appetite,¡± she scoffed sadly as she grudgingly took the food, but made no move to take a bite.

    Jared sighed a bit before continuing. ¡°Maybe not, but it does provide an even stronger argument as to why you really need to try and get something back into your system,¡± he informed her while trying to keep his worry from outweighing his gentleness right then.

    ¡°Is that my doctor or my lover talking?¡± she spoke in a near whisper, simply laying her head back against the wall and staring up at the sky as the first few stars became visible. ¡°Or is it the possible father of my baby? Who am I talking to again, right now?¡±

    Jared sighed more deeply. ¡°All of the above,¡± he stated simply. ¡°Now please try and eat.¡±

    Lili just scoffed with an insincere smile. ¡°Well tell option number three that there¡¯s most likely no point.¡±

    Jared¡¯s expression immediately grew darker at the weight of her words. ¡°How can you say there¡¯s no point?¡± he asked, his worry at her words making his tone that much rougher.

    ¡°Why prolong or postpone the inevitable? The child has no chance. And I have very little chance of surviving even bringing it into a world that it most likely won¡¯t even be able to survive anyway. Then again, you yourself may not even have to worry about being here to see either of those fates come to pass, right?¡± she sniffled again.

    Forcing himself not to show any fear that her statements may actually be accurate, Jared took a deep breath before attempting to speak. ¡°I¡¯m not going to sit here and watch you just give up based on a game of ¡®what if.¡¯ I won¡¯t allow you to. And I will do everything in my power, as your lover, your doctor, and even as the possible father of your child, to keep you from ever just giving in and making any of those fates as inevitable as you seem to think they are. Got it?¡± he added more firmly. ¡°Now eat something already,¡± he finished with finality as he tried to force his attention back to his own meal.

    Lili sniffled again as she looked up at the obvious hurt her words had caused in him, though he did not look back. Instead he attempted to keep his attention on his meal in order to hide that hurt from her. She swallowed a bit as she glanced down at her own food again. Finally giving into his plea, as well as her own previously denied hunger, she finally steeled herself to force down those first few tiny bites.

    After several more silent moments of their meal, Jared finally dared to look back to see that she had managed to force down most of the serving of fruit. Though his relief at that fact was easily outweighed by her continued sullenness.

    ¡°They¡¯ll probably be back soon,¡± he offered.

    ¡°Hopefully,¡± was her only response, mumbled though it was.

    Sighing again at her continued depression, understandable though it was, he moved on. ¡°So, when are we telling them? And which of us do you want to do it?¡± he added quietly.

    ¡°I barely even managed the words to tell you, let alone having to repeat it again.¡± she whispered, her head leaning sadly against the wall behind her once more.

    ¡°So, you want me to tell them then?¡± he restated her obvious answer. ¡°When do you want me to?¡± he rephrased instead.

    ¡°You¡¯re the psychic. You decide,¡± she added as she finally forced herself to stand again. Though Lili was just about to go through the door when their companions¡¯ footsteps approached at last. Kyle was the first to emerge from the tree line, dragging a creature most similar to the wild boars of earth behind him.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t Ian usually, uh, haul them back?¡± Jared asked, standing to greet Kyle as he moved closer.

    ¡°I¡¯m not an invalid, you know,¡± Kyle scoffed as he dropped the animal¡¯s legs to the ground near the fire with a ragged breath. ¡°I happen to be a very healthy seventeen year old boy, as a matter of fact,¡± he had to add. ¡°Just ask Lil,¡± he smiled over at her, though her only reaction was a quick, sad look downward, which did manage to puzzle Kyle more than a bit.

    ¡°Where is Ian, anyway?¡± Jared asked worriedly as he looked off toward the tree line behind him.

    ¡°Yeah, um, about that¡­¡± Kyle began with a breath.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared asked, being quicker to jump to panic than he normally would be right then.

    ¡°There was uh, a bit of a¡­confrontation.¡± he decided on.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared repeated worriedly at the sound of that statement.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing serious, I don¡¯t think,¡± Kyle added more quietly as he too looked back toward where Ian¡¯s slow footsteps could still be heard approaching.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Lili finally spoke up as she stepped forward to get a better view of the darkened forest.

    That was when Ian did finally appear also dragging another smaller pig-like creature, though limping as he did. ¡°See, still in one piece, more or less,¡± he added with a slightly painful grumbling as he dropped the second animal near the larger one before immediately reaching down toward his seemingly injured upper left leg.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Lili asked more desperately as she and Jared both moved toward where he took a pained seat next to the fire.

    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.¡°I shot this one,¡± he gestured to the smaller of the two. ¡°And I think her man,¡± he gestured to the one Kyle had dragged back, ¡°he took it a little personally.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jared repeated as he moved to kneel next to Ian, pulling a lantern with him to get a better view than that which the fire light provided.

    ¡°The big one charged him,¡± Kyle offered. ¡°Ian apparently has crossed species lines with his ability to piss others off.¡± Kyle added with an only slight smirk.

    ¡°He charged you?¡± Jared repeated worriedly.

    Ian just scoffed, though painfully. ¡°Hey, I still won, didn¡¯t I?¡± he attempted a shrug, though there was a wince mixed in with it.

    Jared just shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s a rip through both the jumpsuit and your jeans,¡± he pointed out as he gestured to the blood-soaked tear which was slightly above his left knee.

    ¡°Yeah, if you take a look, the little fucker has like tusk-like¡­things,¡± Ian pointed out with another attempted shrug toward the now dead beast, as Lili took a step closer, her own worry apparent on her face even in the modest light.

    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding, Ian. A lot,¡± Jared told him firmly.

    ¡°Did I mention the tusks?¡± was Ian¡¯s only response.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m gonna have to look at it, see how bad it really is.¡±

    ¡°You trying to get me outta my clothes again, doc? Well, you are pretty easy on the eyes¡­.¡± Ian teased with a slightly pained smirk, despite the obvious upset his injury seemed to produce, especially in Lili.

    ¡°Told you it wasn¡¯t serious,¡± Kyle mumbled as he moved to make an attempt at beginning to prepare the female beast for their dinner.

    ¡°You just might be delirious, after all,¡± Jared returned sarcastically as he reached for the zipper of Ian¡¯s jumpsuit. ¡°You¡¯re flirting with the wrong one,¡± he added.

    ¡°Hey, who said I was ever closed-minded? I already kissed you once.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯ll screw anything he thinks is cute, regardless of gender. Least that¡¯s what I used to hear,¡± Kyle returned smartly.

    Jared just shook his head as he finished the unzipping. ¡°Am I the only male here capable of one moment of seriousness?¡± he scoffed.

    ¡°You¡¯re assuming he¡¯s not serious?¡± Ian returned with a raised brow.

    ¡°Ok, new rule. When Jared is in doctor mode, the patients aren¡¯t allowed to talk unless asked a direct question. Got it, everyone?¡± Jared added firmly.

    ¡°He¡¯s so dominant,¡± Ian returned with overdramatic flamboyance before he glanced up at Lili. ¡°No wonder he¡¯s the first one who got you to give it up.¡±

    Lili just sighed heavily. ¡°Any chance you¡¯ll have to knock him out to examine his leg? Please?¡± she added pointedly.

    Though her words were an obvious product of annoyance, they still caused the slightest relief in Jared at any sign of her allowing a bit of her usual humor to peek through at all, especially in light of that entire day¡¯s discoveries.

    ¡°I second that,¡± Kyle chuckled as he began cutting away at the animal¡¯s thick hide.

    Though it seemed the pain finally was making its way past Ian¡¯s humor after his jumpsuit and jeans were finally removed, leaving him in the t-shirt and boxer-briefs and thankful for the heat from the blazing fire that they were gathered near on that reasonably cold night.

    ¡°The cut itself isn¡¯t that deep, but the bruising of your muscle from the force of the charge: That¡¯s gonna be hurting you for at least a few days,¡± he offered his preliminary diagnosis, considering the poor light he had to work with. ¡°Can you bring the medical kit, Lili?¡± he asked over his shoulder, where she then took a deep breath and headed inside to retrieve it.

    Ian allowed only a slight sigh before hiding his obvious pain behind that humor of his once more. ¡°But the important question here is, will I still be able to have sex?¡±

    Jared just gave the older man another look of disbelief before retaliating. ¡°Remember what I said about not talking?¡±

    ¡°But I thought you were done examining me, hence sending nurse Lili off for bandages.¡±

    ¡°Do you ever stop?¡± Jared retorted impatiently.

    ¡°Well where would be the fun in that?¡± Ian smirked again. ¡°Besides, there¡¯s not fuck all else to do around here: It¡¯s a valid question.¡±

    Jared shook his head in further disbelief. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure your dick will still work. Though her being on top is definitely out of the question, unless you really like pain,¡± Jared had to add smartly.

    ¡°So is that a yes?¡± Ian had to ask, despite Kyle shaking his own head with a chuckle.

    ¡°It¡¯s gonna hurt either way, Ian. It is your damn thigh muscle we¡¯re talking about.¡±

    ¡°Can I get a second opinion? Oh, wait,¡± he added sarcastically.

    Jared sighed once more before responding. ¡°Isn¡¯t it Lili who you should be asking about the prospects of you getting laid any time soon, anyway?¡± Jared couldn¡¯t resist pointing out.

    Though, Ian didn¡¯t have time to make another smart retort as the subject of Jared¡¯s last sentence returned again, moving to hand him the requested medical kit. Not waiting for thanks or any further requests, she shook her head down at Ian and his injury once more before heading sadly back inside again.

    Ian then turned a skeptical look of his own back on Jared after seeing Lili¡¯s obvious sadness. ¡°Why is she always in a bad mood after being left alone with you?¡± he asked Jared with an only somewhat playful accusation.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just that when she¡¯s in a bad mood, I¡¯m the only one she wants to be around,¡± Jared muttered his answer as he began wrapping the wound.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to me--Ow, fuck!¡± he exclaimed in pain mid-sentence.

    ¡°Sorry, too tight?¡± Jared returned with a lack of sincerity, as Kyle just raised his brow as he glanced back toward them, but held his own tongue.

    ¡°So much for fucking professional detachment,¡± Ian grumbled, wincing slightly as Jared continued tending to the injury.

    ¡°Just be happy I didn¡¯t decide to cut it off,¡± Jared retorted smugly.

    ¡°You mean my leg¡­.right?¡± Ian asked with a slight stammer.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope that¡¯s what I meant,¡± Jared taunted the older man as he finished the task and moved to close up the medical kit once again.

    ¡°Haven¡¯t you grown a pair since we got here?¡± Ian returned with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Times they change,¡± was Jared¡¯s simple response as he moved away again, leaving Ian and Kyle both to ponder that statement as Jared followed Lili back inside.

 Chapter 29

    Late that night was when the meal was finished and whatever was left over was placed in the cooler to be stored for later use. Ian and Lili had both already headed into the shack to make an attempt at sleep, despite whatever pain they were each in, be it physically or psychologically. Jared and Kyle were at the river attempting to wash out the beast¡¯s hide to make it usable for either a blanket, or shawl or whatever other use they could find for it if the temperatures did indeed plummet any further.

    ¡°So, I doubt that those two would actually be doing much in there tonight, huh?¡± Kyle¡¯s voice finally broke their silent endeavor.

    ¡°All things considered, I really doubt it, too,¡± was Jared¡¯s only response, quiet though it was.

    ¡°You mean cause of Ian¡¯s leg, or Lili¡¯s period, or uh, some other reason?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help daring to attain further information from the one who seemed far more perceptive than all of them put together.

    ¡°Well if he did make any attempt he would definitely be in pain within about a minute,¡± Jared addressed the least complicated of the three questions.

    Kyle sighed only slightly before moving on. ¡°So, is she still having her¡­you know.¡±

    Jared just shook his head, biting his lip with a deep breath. ¡°And you¡¯re asking me that, why?¡±

    ¡°Well for one thing, my leg feels fine,¡± Kyle joked, then added, ¡°and secondly, you were with her last night, and all day today¡­alone. So I figured you might be privy to the information, yourself,¡± he added with a weak attempt at subtlety.

    Jared just scoffed. ¡°No, we didn¡¯t spend the entire day having sex if that¡¯s what you¡¯re so subtly implying.¡±

    ¡°So, part of the day then?¡± Kyle teased with a raised brow.

    ¡°Jesus Christ, Kyle,¡± Jared shook his head. ¡°Did she appear to be in a good mood at any time tonight? I mean, really?¡± he added with a bit of annoyance.

    ¡°So..¡± Kyle began, a little worried at Jared¡¯s own mood which was in rare form tonight as well, ¡°that mean she is still having it, or that you just miraculously found some way to piss her off yourself?¡±

    Jared sighed heavily once more. ¡°No, she¡¯s not having her fucking period, Kyle. God,¡± he grumbled.

    ¡°So you actually did piss her off then?¡± Kyle asked for one further clarification, as Jared hadn¡¯t seemed to be the one who pissed her off all that often.

    Jared shook his head once more, seeming to be forcing back more sadness than anger, somehow. ¡°You ever think that maybe she¡¯s upset about something else? And that it actually wasn¡¯t a case of me deliberately doing something to cause it?¡±

    Kyle thought on the statement for a moment before responding. ¡°So, what else is she upset about then?¡± he finally asked more gently. ¡°I mean, she seemed upset even before she saw Ian¡¯s leg,¡± he admitted.

    Jared took his own deep breath before glancing back toward the shack, remembering Lili¡¯s earlier request, and then steeled himself to fulfill it. ¡°She¡¯s upset because she¡¯s late, ok?¡±

    ¡°Late?¡± Kyle narrowed his eyes. ¡°For what?¡±

    Jared just scoffed. ¡°Late. Like, girl-late.¡± Jared returned pointedly.

    ¡°Girl-late?¡± Kyle asked, then finally got the meaning. ¡°Oh, you mean, like late for that time of the month?¡±

    ¡°Pretty slow for a genius,¡± Jared mumbled.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Kyle returned with a scowl. ¡°I mean, I already knew that she hadn¡¯t gotten it on Tuesday, like she was supposed to. Didn¡¯t think it was really a reason to be all that upset though,¡± he added with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Not a reason to be upset?¡± Jared returned with a scoff of disbelief. ¡°She¡¯s going on five days late, Kyle. How is that not gonna upset her, all things considered?¡± he told him pointedly.

    Kyle allowed his own scoff. ¡°But it¡¯s not like she¡¯s gonna actually be pregnant, right?¡± he added with an unconcerned shake of his head.

    Jared just shook his head back at him. ¡°What part of us having sex with her for the last three months has led you to the conclusion that she couldn¡¯t possibly be pregnant?¡±

    Kyle just chuckled. ¡°Pretty slow for a doctor,¡± he returned mockingly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Come on, she has an IUD, Jared. It¡¯s not really a realistic worry,¡± he added plainly.

    Jared was floored a moment by Kyle¡¯s statement, as he just swallowed hard, trying to find a response to Kyle knowing about a factor that he himself hadn¡¯t even known about until the day before their ill-fated journey.

    ¡°She couldn¡¯t have told you about that,¡± was Jared¡¯s eventual response.

    ¡°You forget who you¡¯re talking to?¡± Kyle smirked.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared asked with confusion.

    ¡°Remember, I was one of the three people on the ship with the highest security clearance, out of everyone. Only other people who knew the stuff I knew were her mom and Ian¡¯s dad,¡± Kyle reminded.

    Jared was a bit stunned into silence for a long moment. ¡°Well,¡± he finally began after another long moment, ¡°IUDs aren¡¯t permanent, remember?¡± was the only response he could offer.

    ¡°Well, she still has hers, right?¡± Kyle returned, though Jared only looked down quickly. ¡°Right?¡± he asked more forcefully.

    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Jared finally managed a response, though it barely made it out of his throat.

    ¡°Not exactly?¡± Kyle repeated more loudly. ¡°What do you mean, not exactly?¡±

    Jared sighed in resignation. ¡°She doesn¡¯t have it anymore, Kyle. She hasn¡¯t for a while,¡± Jared returned, quickly discovering that telling him about the pregnancy had already been hard enough, and now that Kyle knew things that Jared hadn¡¯t even realized that the younger man did originally know; that just made it a thousand times worse.

    ¡°And you knew about this?¡± Kyle returned as he stood once more, looking over at the only slightly older teen with plenty of his own shock right then.

    ¡°I am her doctor, remember?¡± was Jared¡¯s only response, nearly whispered as it was.

    Kyle just scoffed, glancing back toward the shack with a shake of his head. ¡°So, you knew that she could¡¯ve gotten knocked up at any second, and you kept sleeping with her too?¡±

    Jared just shook his head as he also stood. ¡°I was under the impression, that I was the only one who even knew about the IUD at all. And I tried to, like pull out, as often as I even could,¡± he swallowed before forcing himself onward. ¡°But at the same time, Lili and I both knew that this was bound to happen sooner or later. We just hoped it would be later, as in, after we found some better way of surviving than¡­this,¡± he added more quietly with a weak gesture around their current surroundings.

    Kyle just shook his head angrily. ¡°Well, Ian and I had no clue that it was ¡®bound to happen!¡¯ So don¡¯t ever expect either of us to be ok with being kept in the dark about this!¡± Kyle told him with a growl as he started away to hide whatever other emotions he was feeling right then as well.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Jared then let out his own angry breath as he moved after him. ¡°Oh please, Kyle.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Kyle asked, finally turning back.

    ¡°Ok, so you thought she couldn¡¯t get pregnant, fine. If you knew that she could have though, would it have actually changed a damn thing?¡±

    Kyle scoffed again. ¡°What is that supposed to mean? It would have changed everything,¡± Kyle assured.

    ¡°Oh, so you would¡¯ve decided to die here a virgin then? And Ian, he would¡¯ve told her no after waiting ten years for her to say yes. Is that it? Really, now?¡± Jared retorted.

    ¡°Fuck you, Jared,¡± Kyle returned, though with little force to such a statement.

    ¡°No Kyle. Fuck you.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Kyle repeated, his voice rising again.

    ¡°Fuck you if you think that any of this right now is about either you or Ian¡¯s righteous indignation. You two, and even me, we¡¯re the last people that get to be upset right now. This is about Lili, and trying somehow to get her and this baby through any of this. Cause right now, she¡¯s a second from giving up completely and maybe even doing something horrible to herself as well as the child that could belong to any of us. And if any of us push her away at all¡­it could easily be the worst thing in the world we could do right now,¡± he finished, his own voice breaking throughout the statement as he moved off past Kyle to head back inside, leaving the younger man with only his own thoughts, as truly dark as they might be right then.

    <hr>

    When Kyle awoke from a more than restless slumber the next morning to head outside to relieve himself, he startled a bit as Ian spoke up as he moved past him in the darkened shack.

    ¡°Going outside?¡± was Ian¡¯s pained greeting to stop Kyle mid-step.

    ¡°Yeah, why?¡± Kyle returned a bit hoarsely.

    ¡°Those two still asleep?¡± Ian added, still not able to keep most of the pain out of his own hoarse tone.

    ¡°Beats me,¡± Kyle shrugged, as he glanced away with a short breath.

    ¡°Kay,¡± Ian just shook his head at Kyle¡¯s seeming indifference. ¡°Well, then you mind helping me out here?¡±

    ¡°With?¡± Kyle returned skeptically as he glanced back at the older man.

    ¡°I tried getting up on my own earlier. Didn¡¯t go particularly well,¡± Ian forced himself to admit.

    ¡°Your leg?¡± Kyle returned with only a slight bit of concern to his tone.

    ¡°Ya think?¡± Ian retorted as he again attempted to sit up with another wince.

    ¡°You were walking fine, well mostly fine, last night,¡± Kyle stated with another sigh as he finally moved closer to Ian¡¯s sleeping area.

    ¡°Amazing the things adrenaline, and promising to always come back, will make a guy do.¡±

    ¡°Promising to always come back?¡± Kyle asked with a raised brow as he reached Ian¡¯s side.

    ¡°That was the deal I made with Lili,¡± he smirked. ¡°I promise to always come back, and she promises to touch me in naughty ways when I do,¡± he returned with an attempt at playfulness.

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Kyle grumbled as he moved to help Ian to stand through another wince.

    ¡°I¡¯m the injured one. What has your panties in a bunch?¡± Ian asked as they slowly started toward the door.

    ¡°You talk a lot for someone who¡¯s in pain,¡± Kyle muttered as he continued leading him through the door.

    ¡°I been up most of the night waiting for one of your asses to get up and help. What else did I have to do but think up amusing stuff to say when you did?¡± Ian told him wryly.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re not the only one who hasn¡¯t slept much,¡± Kyle returned quietly as he led Ian to a nearby tree.

    ¡°And I¡¯m guessing you didn¡¯t have a pleasant reason for being up all night?¡± he asked pointedly as he moved to lean upon the tree, facing only slightly away from Kyle as he began to relieve himself.

    ¡°Must we chat while holding our dicks?¡± Kyle grumbled, as he also turned away to heed nature¡¯s call.

    ¡°You¡¯re so repressed,¡± Ian teased.

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re aware that you don¡¯t seem put off by the idea of another guy¡¯s dick. We covered that last night,¡± Kyle grumbled in his still obviously sour mood.

    Ian just smirked back toward the younger man once he finished. ¡°Wow, you¡¯ve only been having sex for three months total, and you already get way bitchy after a week without it. And I thought I was supposed to be the one who couldn¡¯t go without it?¡± he taunted further as Kyle finished his task as well.

    ¡°Yeah, well I¡¯m turning over a new leaf: Life without sex sounds really good right about now,¡± he grumbled further.

    ¡°Ouch. These grapes are sour,¡± Ian returned with a raised brow.

    ¡°You need help with anything else, or are we done here?¡± Kyle bit back.

    Ian scoffed. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll just stand here all day. I don¡¯t need to get back over to where, like, the food or anything is,¡± he answered with a still only slightly lessened playfulness to his tone.

    ¡°Well maybe if you really want my help you should stop being an ass,¡± Kyle retorted in the same annoyed tone.

    ¡°Me?¡± Ian asked with a forced laugh. ¡°I¡¯m in fucking pain¡­a lot of fucking pain¡­and you¡¯re the one who¡¯s apparently having the bitch fit here. Care to share, if it¡¯s not just a lack of sex that¡¯s causing your inner diva to show herself?¡±

    ¡°Trust me, you don¡¯t wanna know,¡± Kyle grumbled back, his volume lowering from anger to a different kind of upset at last.

    ¡°I have yet to ¡®not wanna know¡¯ any time I¡¯ve ever heard that phrase,¡± Ian answered with feigned thoughtfulness.

    Kyle scoffed though still couldn¡¯t hide the slight sniffle he attempted to mask as he kept his eyes turned away and simply shook his head rather than actually offering an answer just yet.

    ¡°Ok,¡± Ian swallowed a bit, finally forcing seriousness to his tone. ¡°So, honestly now, what is it that you actually are upset about?¡±

    ¡°Like you even care,¡± Kyle mumbled, still not turning back.

    ¡°Well if I didn¡¯t care, why would I waste my time asking, hmm?¡± Ian returned pointedly as he attempted to move a step closer, while still using the tree to avoid putting any weight on his injured leg.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. So you have something else to make your stupid little jokes about?¡± Kyle shrugged with another slight sniffle. ¡°Though, how any one of us could ever make jokes about this is beyond me,¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Jokes about what?¡± Ian asked skeptically before forcing another pained step toward the younger man.

    Kyle just sadly shook his head down at the ground once more before making any attempt at an answer. ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, Ian. Still feel like joking?¡± he asked in a broken whisper, finally allowing himself to look back at Ian¡¯s own shocked reaction to a confession as serious as that one truly was.

 Chapter 30

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­what?¡± was Ian¡¯s only response, a long moment later, barely spoken though it was.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I said,¡± Kyle sighed as he looked away again.

    Ian swallowed hard as he also looked down a moment, pondering the reality of the situation. ¡°And she told you this, when?¡± were the only words he could come up with right then.

    Kyle just shook his head again. ¡°She didn¡¯t tell me. I guess she only found out for sure yesterday. Jared¡¯s the one who actually told me, last night.¡±

    ¡°Um, did he say how far along she is?¡± Ian managed.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing a month or less, since she obviously got her period at the beginning of October,¡± Kyle then shook his head as he looked back at where Ian took another shaky breath. ¡°And that¡¯s your only reaction?¡± Kyle had to add.

    ¡°Not quite sure what reaction I should be having right now,¡± Ian returned, all of his humorous quips seeming to have been completely forgotten at that point.

    ¡°Well, how about the one where you say, but gee I thought she couldn¡¯t have kids. I know that was my first reaction,¡± Kyle stated pointedly.

    Ian just shook his head with another ragged breath. ¡°Well do we know for sure that she even had the IUD at all? I mean, you were the one who mentioned it back before we even came here. She never did.¡±

    Kyle scoffed at Ian¡¯s seeming calm, despite the shakiness of the older man¡¯s breath. ¡°All of the women on the ship had them, Ian. I believe I told you that.¡±

    ¡°Well yeah, but she was Miranda¡¯s daughter, and not hardly promiscuous when we were up there, even at age twenty-five. So maybe she was, like exempt?¡± Ian shrugged, grasping for the right word through his own thoughts as well as his continuing pain.

    ¡°If you really believed that then why were you sleeping with her?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help calling him on that theory.

    ¡°Well I was hoping that it was¡­safe¡­¡± he simply shrugged. ¡°But thinking didn¡¯t really play a big part by the time it finally became a possibility that I¡¯d even have to worry about myself,¡± he admitted with another slight shrug.

    Kyle shook his head once more. ¡°Well according to Jared, she did have one but apparently she hasn¡¯t now ¡®for a while,¡¯ whatever that means,¡± Kyle added more quietly.

    Ian looked down again with another deep breath. ¡°Well, have you talked to her, you know, since you found out?¡±

    ¡°About what?¡± Kyle scoffed. ¡°It¡¯s apparently already too late, right?¡±

    ¡°Well yeah but I mean, is she ok?¡± Ian added in an unusually soft tone for him.

    ¡°No: She¡¯s pregnant. We covered this already,¡± Kyle returned with another scoff.

    ¡°Well yeah, but I mean¡­¡± Ian just shook his head, seeming to be having trouble finding words for once in his life. ¡°Well, if Jared¡¯s the one who told you, does Lili even know that you know? Not to mention that I know now, too?¡±

    ¡°I seriously doubt it. Unless Jared actually told her about telling me.¡±

    Ian let out another sigh before he continued. ¡°Well, I guess she¡¯ll probably tell the two of us when she¡¯s ready, right?¡± was Ian¡¯s only pained response as he began moving back toward the fire, though whether his attempt at walking again was truly the cause of that pain in his voice, that wasn¡¯t particularly clear.

    When Ian finally made it back to the dwindling fire near the door of the shack, Kyle was following several paces behind in silence. Back at the cabin, Jared was also finally emerging from inside as he glanced over at where Ian winced a bit through those the last few steps before taking a seat near the fire.

    With a slight sigh, Jared only cast the briefest dark look toward Kyle¡¯s approach and then kneeled next to Ian. ¡°Better let me have another look at that now that I can actually see what I¡¯m doing,¡± he stated with a bit of exhaustion to his tone while still somehow managing to keep it gentle.

    ¡°I guess,¡± Ian returned, though his own voice barely escaped either as Kyle moved to make a selection for their breakfast in continued silence.

    After another moment, Kyle had retrieved one of the larger fish and then moved down to the water¡¯s edge to begin gutting it, still not offering any of his own words as Jared examined Ian¡¯s injury and then reapplied the bandages.

    ¡°Want an aspirin or anything?¡± Jared offered with a slight shrug as he glanced over the supplies available in the medical kit he had brought outside with him upon seeing Ian¡¯s absence from the shack when he had first awoken.

    ¡°Think that¡¯s really gonna make a dent?¡± Ian scoffed as he glanced down at his own leg once more, if for no other reason than to avoid eye contact.

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s much stronger stuff in here,¡± Jared continued. ¡°But I¡¯m thinking we might need to save that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure,¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help returning with a bit of a leading tone to his words, though Jared¡¯s only response was a slightly creased brow as he reached for the previously offered aspirins.

    No more words were exchanged between them though, as Jared handed him the pills and a cup of water before Lili emerged from the shack, moving with more than a bit of a hurried pace. She made her way quickly down to the riverside, once more emptying what little was still in her stomach into the water yet again. Of course, all three sets of eyes moved to where she then attempted to regain her breath and wipe at her eyes, refusing to let herself look back at any of them right then.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing that would be your cue, doc?¡± Ian finally allowed as he glanced back at Jared.

    ¡°Don¡¯t really have anything to help with that,¡± Jared stated with regret as he moved to glance sadly over at Lili once more before heading back inside to put the medical kit safely away again.

    Lili continued to sit there next to the water, sniffling as she wiped at her eyes once more and easily feeling their eyes on her. But she was still not able to face any of their possible reactions right then. From his place about ten or fifteen feet down the bank from her, Kyle simply looked down and away, not sure what he could possibly say right then anyway, as he instead tried to force his attention back to preparing breakfast.

    Ian finally took another deep breath of his own to gather the strength to push himself up to his feet with continued pain. He then added to his own discomfort by slowly making his way down to the water as well. ¡°That good of a morning, huh?¡± he greeted Lili softly while wincing a bit as he sat next to where she continued to stare down at the surface of the water.

    She sniffled again, finally allowing the briefest glance toward him as he took the seat, though she still refused to make any real eye contact. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to be doing particularly well, yourself,¡± she managed, despite the current rawness in her throat.

    ¡°It¡¯s a matter of degree,¡± he allowed with an attempt at a smile as he offered her what was left of the cup of water he still held in his hand.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispered as she took the offered water, managing a slow sip through another sniffle. Another long, silent moment passed as Kyle cast them both furtive glances while Ian just sat there staring quietly out over the water as well and still not really saying much at all. ¡°So you¡¯re actually not gonna ask?¡± Lili finally forced more words.

    ¡°Ask what?¡± Ian returned, making an attempt at sounding innocent of the facts that she spoke of.

    ¡°I just rushed out here and spent a great deal of the last few minutes puking,¡± she shook her head. ¡°That doesn¡¯t strike you as odd?¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m no doctor,¡± he returned with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Ian,¡± she stated softly.

    ¡°Lili,¡± he offered a small smile.

    She then just shook her head again. ¡°You already know, don¡¯t you?¡± she managed. Ian just sighed in concession, not really having to offer a further answer. ¡°And you don¡¯t have anything to say?¡± she added, which did cause Kyle to look back over at them, awaiting whatever Ian¡¯s response might actually be when Lili was the one confronting him on that particular subject this time.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Ian offered the most honest answer he could. ¡°I guess, maybe that this means that we might possibly be able to survive here, after all, right? Which, I guess, means that we did the job that we originally came here to do, didn¡¯t we?¡±

    It was then that both Lili and Kyle seemed beyond floored by that particular reaction, when every other reaction, on any of their parts, was a frightening contrast to the one given by the person they all had agreed was the least serious out of all of them.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Lili stammered. ¡°You see this as a good thing?¡± she forced out the words, her voice shaking as she did.

    ¡°Well like we said earlier, were we just planning to live, or planning to survive? Isn¡¯t this baby proof that maybe our race might actually be able to survive here, after all?¡± he returned softly.

    ¡°You really believe that?¡± Lili breathed, a different sort of tears welling up then.

    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you?¡± he managed with a small smile as he looked into her eyes once more, seeming to sound sincerely hopeful, himself.

    <hr>

    Several minutes later, Lili made her slow way back inside, where Jared was attempting to busy himself gathering up the clothing or bedding for the next pile of laundry to be washed out in the river that day. ¡°Hey,¡± he greeted her hoarsely as she stepped inside.

    ¡°So, you told them, huh?¡±

    ¡°Well I told Kyle,¡± he answered, trying to hide the animosity that crept into his tone upon remembering Kyle¡¯s initial reaction.

    ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m pretty sure they both know.¡± Lili returned.

    ¡°Did Kyle say something to you? So help me¡­¡± he began with a shake of his head.

    ¡°Actually, Kyle didn¡¯t say a word,¡± she answered with only a slight furrow of the brow.

    ¡°I take it that Ian had something or other to say as always, right?¡± Jared sighed quietly.

    ¡°Yeah he did,¡± she answered, sounding more thoughtful than upset right then.

    ¡°Like?¡± Jared asked warily.

    ¡°He definitely has a different take on this than I thought anyone would have,¡± she responded softly.

    Jared narrowed his eyes at that vague statement before asking for more clarification. ¡°Do I even wanna know?¡±

    Lili just shook her head, though with a near smile despite her disbelief. ¡°He seems to think that this baby could somehow be proof that we all actually could survive this place. Our race even, not just us.¡± she added softly.

    ¡°He said that?¡± Jared asked slowly, trying not only to fathom that the words were spoken at all, let alone who it was that offered them.

    ¡°Trust me, I¡¯m as shocked as you,¡± Lili added.

    Jared then took another deep breath, pondering the theory further. ¡°Well I guess, in some way, he¡¯s actually, kind of, right,¡± he managed, though barely getting out the final word.

    ¡°If me and the baby even survive, and then, if you all survive, and if if if¡­¡± she just shook her head again.

    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re going to play the ¡®what if¡¯ game at all, you have to allow all the ¡®ifs¡¯ don¡¯t you?¡± Jared told her gently. ¡°Not just the bad ones, right?¡±

    Lili sniffled again. ¡°Yeah, but honestly¡­how much of a chance do you really think we have? There¡¯s still the winter, and the whole idea of giving birth out here with what little medical supplies we even have¡­I mean, up on the ship, with a whole medical team and a lab full of supplies; some mothers still didn¡¯t survive that. You should be more aware of that than any of us, right?¡± she dared to mention the fate of Jared¡¯s own mother.

    Jared swallowed a bit as he finally set aside the clothing he had gathered and moved to wrap his arms around her. ¡°I know you¡¯re scared, Lili. You¡¯d be crazy not to be. But we have to at least assume that there is a possibility of getting through this. Can you at least let yourself believe, for just one moment of each day, that that possibility does still exist? Please?¡± he whispered as he kissed her hair.

    Lili sniffled again as she held him tighter. ¡°I think you really need to get another vision, and fast. Cause I don¡¯t know how long I can try and believe in that without any more hope than what I have right now, honestly.¡±

    ¡°As long as you try at all, ok? Can you promise me that much?¡± he asked her gently.

    ¡°Only if you all can really help me to. Deal?¡± she whispered back.

    Jared swallowed a bit as he thought about Kyle¡¯s own reaction the previous night. But he didn¡¯t really want to dwell on that right then, as the youngest of them did seem to be holding his tongue for the moment, at least in Lili¡¯s presence, anyway. ¡°You know you¡¯ve got my support, and apparently Ian¡¯s too,¡± he allowed a small smile, still surprised at that fact, himself.

    ¡°And what about Kyle?¡± she finally managed. ¡°It could be his baby too, you know,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°Yeah well, we¡¯ll make him come around, even if I have to let Ian break his legs,¡± Jared couldn¡¯t help letting himself add.

    ¡°Yeah I¡¯m sure that¡¯ll be helpful,¡± she managed a slight smile.

    ¡°Well lately, I¡¯ve started to become slightly amazed at the effect our great protector can have on other people, when he really wants to,¡± he confessed with a pointed squeeze before placing a kiss upon her forehead and allowing another slight smile down at her before once again returning to his previous task.

 Chapter 31

    When they had finished with their lunch Lili excused herself to go and try and get at least an hour or so of sleep, as she had been quite run down and still suffering horrible insomnia despite it. A few moments after she headed inside, Jared and Ian also finished their quiet meal, no one seeming very talkative that day.

    ¡°Well, I would offer to help with the dishes¡­¡± Ian finally spoke up as he set his carton/bowl aside. ¡°But I figure I¡¯ll save that for people in less pain,¡± he smirked.

    Jared attempted a look of sympathy as he responded. ¡°Want more aspirins?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I think I just need to actually try sleeping this off some too, which I didn¡¯t manage to do much of last night,¡± he grumbled as he winced through another attempt at standing.

    ¡°Need some help?¡± Jared stated the obvious with an attempt at a wry smile.

    ¡°I doubt Kyle is in the mood to help again. He was being a bit, shall we say ¡®little-shit-like,¡¯ this morning,¡± Ian retorted as Jared moved to help him up.

    ¡°An immature seventeen year old? Imagine that,¡± Jared mumbled.

    ¡°Yeah not an old man, like you, huh?¡± Ian teased.

    ¡°Believe me, I feel way older than eighteen,¡± Jared added in the same mumble as he got the elder of them, who was still not even twenty-four yet himself, up to his feet.

    ¡°And the first kid isn¡¯t even born yet,¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help adding, which only caused a slight sigh as Jared continued helping him through the doorway. Once he got Ian back to his own sleeping area he spoke once more. ¡°Yeah, I guess this is a better option than over with Lili, huh?¡± he couldn¡¯t help returning with a smirk.

    ¡°Only if you really meant you wanted to give the leg a rest,¡± Jared told him pointedly. ¡°You know, just in case you¡¯d like to still be able to walk by the time the kid needs to learn how to,¡± Jared added his warning with a slight look downwards.

    Ian sighed as well, easily noting the worry that Jared spoke with, despite trying to make his comment seem light. ¡°So, doc, there¡¯s no way to know right now, is there?¡±

    Jared then looked back from where he had just stood to begin heading back outside, himself. ¡°Know¡­what?¡± he returned quietly.

    ¡°Whose it is,¡± Ian responded, though nearly inaudibly.

    Jared allowed a deep breath as he looked away again. ¡°Does it really matter right now?¡±

    ¡°I guess not,¡± Ian admitted with his own look down. ¡°But I figured maybe if it actually was Kyle¡¯s; maybe that¡¯s what it would take to get his head screwed on straight.¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Jared returned with a bit of defeat, before looking around again. ¡°Where is he, anyway?¡±

    As if just noticing the younger man¡¯s absence, himself, Ian looked around worriedly. ¡°Did he even have lunch with us?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Jared returned distractedly. ¡°He said something earlier about going further down the river to get more fish¡­but that was a while ago,¡± Jared stated with new touch of worry easily seeping into his own tone.

    Ian then sighed heavily as he started to get up again. ¡°If you help me back up, I¡¯ll go find him.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not serious, are you?¡± Jared returned with a raised brow.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s still my job, right?¡± Ian managed with a wince as he made the attempt to sit back up.

    ¡°I think your doctor has placed you on medical leave,¡± Jared returned as he scowled back at Ian¡¯s stubbornness.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t know this particular job came with that,¡± Ian mumbled though still gave into the pain enough to lie back once again.

    ¡°If he¡¯s just down the river, I¡¯m pretty sure I can handle that on my own, even without military training,¡± Jared informed him firmly.

    ¡°If anything looks remotely dangerous, you get back here, immediately, got it?¡± Ian ordered.

    ¡°Aye aye, sergeant,¡± Jared returned wryly.

    ¡°And¡­¡± Ian began again.

    ¡°Yeah I know, take a fucking gun,¡± Jared interrupted with a roll of his eyes as he moved to retrieve one of the many that never left Ian¡¯s side for long.

    ¡°You¡¯re learning,¡± Ian returned with a smirk.

    ¡°Insert Kyle¡¯s favorite line here,¡± Jared shook his head. ¡°Now, off to find the other lovely genius,¡± Jared sighed heavily once more before tucking the gun into the back of his jeans and squaring his soldiers before heading outside once more.

    After walking nearly half a mile down a less than forgiving riverbank, Jared finally spotted Kyle sitting further up the river on the rocks below a small crevice or cave that looked out from the rocky hill behind him. He was sitting there seeming to be looking downwards and intensely concentrating, though at that distance, it was hard for Jared to tell what had gained such concentration.

    Once he managed to take a few more steps, Jared noted that Kyle had his jumpsuit unzipped and pulled down to his waist while his left hand held his t-shirt up off his stomach and his right hand seemed to be clutching that knife that Ian had given him months ago, the sun glinting off of the blade. Jared furrowed a brow and moved closer to note that not only was Kyle holding the knife, but actually using it to cut several tiny slices into the skin of his stomach.

    ¡°What the fuck are you doing?¡± Jared exclaimed loudly, his voice startling Kyle from his task as he quickly looked toward the other teen, dropping his t-shirt down over his still bleeding flesh.

    ¡°Trying to be alone,¡± Kyle scoffed as he slid the knife back out of sight and wiped at his pain-filled eyes while not looking directly back to see the expression Jared was wearing right then.

    ¡°Really? Cause it looks like you¡¯re trying something a lot worse than that,¡± Jared growled as he moved to a spot within a few feet of the younger man.

    Kyle just shook his head again. ¡°Please, if I was trying to kill myself I wouldn¡¯t have been aiming for my stomach. It doesn¡¯t take a doctor to know it¡¯s not exactly a prime target for fatal incisions,¡± he mumbled the words more than spoke them though.

    Jared allowed another scoff of disbelief. ¡°But maybe a doctor is needed to tell you exactly how stupid what you¡¯re doing is. Or maybe, to take a more ¡®medically detached¡¯ view; to tell you how big of a risk you¡¯re taking by using some knife that¡¯s been used on who knows how many alien species of animals, not sanitizing it, and then cutting into your own flesh with it, and doing all that out in the middle of the wilderness alone, too.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll bring some rubbing alcohol next time,¡± Kyle scoffed.

    Jared just shook his head down at him once more. ¡°What the hell is this, Kyle?¡±

    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°It¡¯s called cutting. Look it up,¡± he mumbled, sniffling again as he continued to look away.

    ¡°And how long have you been doing this exactly?¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s relevant, how?¡± Kyle continued in the same mumble.

    Another shake of his head as Jared stooped a few feet away. ¡°If you¡¯ve been doing this regularly, I figured Lili might have mentioned it to me, considering I am your doctor too.¡±

    ¡°Please, she doesn¡¯t tell me all about your scars and birthmarks. It might kinda kill the mood,¡± Kyle added in the same bitter mumble, despite the sarcasm. ¡°Besides, when she has the opportunity to see anything, it tends to be dark, and I¡¯m very good at distracting her at those particular moments,¡± he added with only a tiny trace of wryness to the otherwise melancholy tone.

    ¡°Why are you doing this? Maybe that¡¯s the better question,¡± Jared stated, forcing gentleness to his tone despite his upset at such a discovery.

    Kyle allowed another scoff of indifference to the facts of his own behavior before speaking again. ¡°You want the dictionary¡¯s definition, then? I believe it¡¯s referred to as an ¡®unhealthy¡¯ way to deal with emotional distress; an attempt to cause one¡¯s own pain because of the belief that it is the only pain that one can have any control over at all. That medical enough for you, doc?¡± Kyle sniffed again.

    Jared sighed once more as he searched for the words. ¡°I get that you¡¯re stressed out. We all are, but this isn¡¯t something that you just up and decide to do at age seventeen. You¡¯ve done this before, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Again I ask, relevant how?¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to understand,¡± Jared returned softly.

    ¡°And you understanding, as if you could, is that really gonna fix any of this?¡± Kyle stated in his own near whisper.

    Jared looked down once more. ¡°Please tell me what all is causing this, other than the most recent, and obvious, stress factor of the last couple of days.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, cause that¡¯s a real small one,¡± Kyle returned with a weak sarcasm while continuing to refuse to share any eye contact.

    ¡°Just talk to me Kyle, please. I don¡¯t know what I can honestly do to help at all, but I can at least try to listen.¡±

    ¡°You think you¡¯re the other kind of doctor now too?¡± Kyle scoffed again.

    ¡°Please, Kyle.¡±

    After another long pause, wherein Jared continued waiting in silence for any kind of response, Kyle finally gave in and offered one. ¡°You tell me that it¡¯s about trying to be there for Lili, right? It¡¯s all I can do just to get up and keep breathing, and to keep pretending any of this is all right, and now this, too? I honestly never, ever thought that a baby would be a possibility, seriously,¡± he swallowed a bit. ¡°And now it¡¯s not just a possibility but a reality. And another reality is that it could be my baby,¡± he sniffled again. ¡°And I can barely deal with the fact that I could be responsible for whatever horrible things might happen to the four of us, let alone, responsible for what might happen to an innocent child, that may even be mine? How am I supposed to live with that, and be there for her too, knowing that all of us being here, all of it, it¡¯s my entire fault? How am I supposed to do that, honestly?¡± Kyle choked on the words as he spoke them, his tears even more obvious then than they had been upon Jared¡¯s first approach.

    ¡°Your fault¡­?¡± Jared began, only couldn¡¯t finish the question as his eyes were immediately drawn to the mouth of the cave, only about twenty feet or so behind where Kyle now sat. ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Jared stammered, choking on his own words right then.

    ¡°What?¡± Kyle responded, more than a little surprised by the sudden change in Jared¡¯s response.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move. Don¡¯t talk Don¡¯t breathe if you don¡¯t have to,¡± Jared whispered as he tried to reach for the gun without drawing any attention to himself, his panicked eyes watching as a huge fur-covered creature emerged from the cave, sniffing the air and moving slowly, in a manner most similar to a member of the bear species that had been found on earth.

    ¡°What¡­what¡¯s there?¡± Kyle stammered, having to use enormous amounts of will to keep from turning back to see for himself.

    Instead of answering, Jared simply swallowed hard as he managed to raise the gun, pointing it up the hill towards the animal, his hands shaking more than a bit as he tried to remember to pull the hammer back. ¡°I would tell you to get out of the way, but I¡¯m not sure how good of advice that is, either,¡± Jared whispered as he took another breath while keeping the animal in his sight.

    ¡°Whatever it is, fucking shoot it,¡± Kyle returned with a bit of panic.

    Another deep breath as Jared swallowed once more. Upon seeing the animal easily catch their scent and turn its dark eyes toward them as it began to take its next lumbering step, Jared finally forced his fingers to pull the trigger. The bullet was lucky in that it whizzed by several feet above Kyle¡¯s head, considering the trajectory and the hill behind him, but it was less lucky in the fact that it just barely grazed the animal¡¯s shoulder.

    The beast let out a howl of anger and pain as it came toward them, now at a much more deliberate near run. Not trusting his own skill or aim at all in that moment of terror, Jared reacted on pure instinct. Rather than pulling the trigger again, he instead centered his dark, intense gaze on the animal which, in that moment, suddenly flew backwards, away from them. Its head was thrown back to immediately smash against the cave opening behind it, knocking the beast into a bloody unconsciousness as its hundreds of pounds of flesh, bone, and fur, fell into a limp heap there in front of the cave that had apparently been its home.

    ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± was Kyle¡¯s only breathy response as he had turned only a moment earlier to watch that more than startling scene.

    ¡°Not sure it¡¯s dead: Questions later,¡± Jared returned with his own hurried breath, the panic barely lessening as he gestured for Kyle to follow him back up the river toward their now somewhat distant home, before they did get to discover whether or not the beast was indeed dead, after all.

    ¡°Fuck that,¡± Kyle retorted, taking the gun from Jared¡¯s still shaking hand before turning to take a few equally shaky steps toward the heap of fur, before he then emptied another bullet directly into the beast¡¯s nearly shattered skull as well. ¡°Now, we can go back,¡± he added with a deep breath as he then took the lead, Jared simply shaking his head as he moved to follow, their previous conversation all but forgotten, for the moment, anyway.

 Chapter 32

    Lili was startled from her most recent failed attempt at getting any rest by the sound of two distant shots piercing the usually quiet air of the forest. She sat up quickly as her eyes darted around the shack. ¡°Ian?¡± she called loudly past the partially constructed dividers which were only beginning to be built with the intention of providing at least some privacy during certain more intimate moments among the group.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here, just moving a bit slower than I¡¯d like,¡± he called back to her as he reached for his holster and belt while painfully attempting to push himself up from his own bedding.

    Lili¡¯s ragged breath began her next statement as she shakily moved across the shack to Ian¡¯s ¡®room¡¯ of sorts. ¡°Great, you¡¯re here. So who the hell just fired those shots?¡± she whispered as she took another step to help him up.

    Ian let out another pained breath as she helped him to stand. ¡°Jared went to find Kyle. And he took a gun with him,¡± was Ian¡¯s simple explanation as he gestured for her to help him to the doorway.

    ¡°Find Kyle?¡± she asked with a bit of worry. ¡°So both of our geniuses, including our only doctor, are out there where there was not one but two shots just fired?¡± she rephrased, her panic easily increasing as she got him to the door.

    ¡°Stay in here,¡± was Ian¡¯s only return response as he moved his arm from her shoulders to the door.

    ¡°You can barely walk,¡± she argued weakly while trying to hold back tears which were replenished so much easier these last few days than ever before.

    ¡°Yeah, and you¡¯re pregnant,¡± he quickly returned, only to then see her look quickly up at him as though she had just been struck. He forced a quick breath, then spoke more gently. ¡°And I¡¯m trained for this, injuries aside. Just stay inside, please,¡± he finished before cautiously moving through the door despite her obvious upset.

    Lili tried to compose herself as he moved through the door with continued caution while she waited around the corner of the doorway, watching him with worried tears. ¡°See anything?¡± she finally managed as he stepped out into the late afternoon sun.

    ¡°The shots sounded like they were a ways from here. Jared said something about following Kyle up the river. Kyle supposedly went looking for more fish,¡± Ian managed to answer quietly as his eyes scanned the distant riverbank, watching for any sign of their approaching companions before he finally attempted another pained step toward the water¡¯s edge on his own.

    <hr>

    After several tense, silent moments of the walk back toward their camp, Jared finally decided he had better say something before Kyle asked for answers he wasn¡¯t even sure he had. ¡°So what was that stuff about this all being your fault, anyway?¡± he finally dared asking the younger man, who, until then, had been concentrating on trying to hide the pain each time he took a step that caused his t-shirt to irritate his still fresh injuries, self-inflicted though they were.

    Kyle just scoffed. ¡°Isn¡¯t the more relevant question how the hell you threw a five hundred pound bear-thing through the air without even touching it?¡± Kyle just had to retort defensively.

    ¡°Depends on your definition of relevant,¡± Jared mumbled.

    ¡°I¡¯d say that¡¯s pretty damn relevant!¡± Kyle returned with yet another scoff.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I did it. I just did it. Ok? Now, your turn to answer,¡± Jared returned with a bit of his own impatience, rare as that was, and most likely was being caused by his own stress.

    Kyle just shook his head, another slight cringe as he attempted to hold the t-shirt out away from his bloodied stomach without drawing any undue attention to the fact. ¡°You don¡¯t know? What kind of answer is that?¡±

    ¡°The most honest one I can give,¡± Jared sighed heavily as he glanced back. ¡°The bandages are back at the camp, but in the meantime it might benefit you to just take the damn shirt off so it¡¯s not constantly rubbing the cuts and making them worse.¡±

    Kyle looked down at Jared¡¯s words before finding his own. ¡°Yeah, thanks for the advice,¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Well, I am supposedly a doctor aren¡¯t I?¡± Jared returned in the same only slightly louder mumble.

    ¡°Well, I really didn¡¯t feel like advertising these cuts to Ian and Lili right now, so I think I¡¯ll keep the shirt on, thank you.¡±

    ¡°The cool air might help numb the cuts too, but hey if you¡¯d rather be in pain than admit to the crap you¡¯re pulling¡­¡± Jared let the sentence trail off, content that he had made his point.

    ¡°If I wasn¡¯t in pain already, I wouldn¡¯t be doing it at all now would I?¡± Kyle just had to bite back.

    ¡°Which brings us back to why you think this is all your fault,¡± Jared easily returned to his previous question.

    ¡°You really do think you¡¯re a shrink now too, don¡¯t you?¡± Kyle muttered.

    ¡°Hey, if there¡¯s an obvious need,¡± Jared returned quietly, though pointedly.

    ¡°Well Carrie, maybe you should figure out your own head before digging around in mine. Ever think of that?¡±

    Jared just sighed deeply as he pressed forward toward their so-called home. It was only a few more equally tense moments before they spotted Ian limping toward them, though still at least thirty feet off.

    ¡°You two both in one piece?¡± he called over to them with some combination of pain, worry, and even a near annoyance.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing, Ian?¡± Jared answered as he moved more quickly to meet the older man and keep him from taking any more steps on that leg of his.

    ¡°Looking for your asses,¡± he winced again as Jared reached him, offering a shoulder to help take a bit of the weight off his leg, if only momentarily. ¡°And I¡¯m hoping you didn¡¯t just decide today was a good day for an unannounced attempt at target practice or something.¡±

    ¡°Target practice?¡± Jared furrowed a brow as he continued to hold Ian up while Kyle made his way over to them, still attempting to hide his own less severe physical discomfort.

    ¡°You hear the shots when I¡¯m hunting, don¡¯t you? The sound tends to carry in these damn woods. Which is why Lili is currently having a fit back at the shack. Care to explain what you were shooting at? And make it good,¡± Ian warned.

    ¡°How much of a fit?¡± Jared asked worriedly.

    ¡°Is there a measuring system for that that I don¡¯t know about?¡± Ian asked wryly despite his current pain as Jared began leading him back toward the camp again.

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s her first trimester: She can¡¯t let herself get too upset,¡± Jared continued in a slight whisper.

    ¡°Yeah, who would get upset by any of this?¡± Kyle mumbled.

    ¡°Tell me doc, how often do people let themselves get upset, honestly? Is there also an on/off switch I don¡¯t know about either?¡± Ian just had to add.

    Jared just shook his head, and decided to sidestep the questions that obviously didn¡¯t have any real answers, in favor of the one that did. ¡°There was a bearish, thing. That¡¯s what we shot at.¡±

    ¡°And you actually killed it?¡± Ian asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced over at Jared while the younger man continued to help him back, with Kyle following a few feet behind them.

    ¡°To say the least,¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help mumbling, as Jared just cast a slight scowl back over his shoulder at the youngest of them.

    ¡°Wow, and you¡¯ve never even had any kind of firearms training to help take down any type of bear, especially with just two shots. Does the air here help aim bullets, too?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help adding with a tinge of his old sarcasm.

    ¡°Good question,¡± Kyle had to add pointedly.

    ¡°The animal is dead, and we¡¯re not. Isn¡¯t that the important thing here?¡± Jared finally retorted with a bit of his own annoyance coming out then as well. The other two looked toward him with wary expressions, but they thankfully said nothing else on the subject, at least for the moment.

    <hr>

    ¡°Oh my god, what happened this time?¡± Lili breathed the exclamation as she rushed out from where she still stood right inside the doorway once she saw them approach.

    ¡°We¡¯re all reasonably ok,¡± was Jared¡¯s first response as he helped Ian to a seat near the fire once more. ¡°There was some kind of bear-type thing that caught our scent, somehow,¡± he added the final word with a pointed look toward Kyle. ¡°We shot it. Neither of us got hurt, really,¡± he added, yet another pointed glance for Kyle on that sentence too.

    ¡°I did get¡­a scratch¡­earlier,¡± Kyle decided on. ¡°I¡¯m gonna go put something on it,¡± he added in a near mumble as he moved past Lili and headed inside without really making any eye contact with any of them as he did.

    ¡°A bear?¡± Lili nearly choked on the word.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m sure it wasn¡¯t actually a bear, just seemed a lot like one,¡± Jared sighed quietly as he offered Ian a drink once he had him off his feet again.

    ¡°Is that supposed to make it better?¡± Lili returned, her voice breaking with every word.

    ¡°The point is: It¡¯s dead and we¡¯re ok,¡± Jared attempted, though he knew that such a fact wasn¡¯t likely to help calm her, all things considered.

    Lili just sniffled and shook her head. ¡°The same day I find out about the baby, Ian gets attacked by some boar or something, and now, the very next day, you two run into a bear-thing?¡± she exclaimed with a barely stifled sob. ¡°Are you still gonna tell me not to take that vision in the worst possible way? Honestly?¡± she asked through more tears before turning away and heading back inside once more.

    Jared sighed deeply again, wishing he could have found anything to say to reassure her right then. Though, he couldn¡¯t spend too long thinking on it as he glanced back to see the look Ian cast him, which was somewhere between merely questioning and slightly accusing.

    ¡°Care to tell me what vision she¡¯s talking about, this time?¡± Ian finally stated bluntly.

    ¡°Right now the important thing for you to worry about is staying off your damn leg already. If you don¡¯t stop walking on it, and now, it may never heal right at all. Got it?¡± Jared attempted to sound authoritative but it was difficult in the face of Lili¡¯s upset coupled with Ian¡¯s accusatory tone.

    ¡°What vision, Jared?¡± Ian stated more firmly. Jared just looked down with a shake of his head as he rubbed his temple. Though he was by far the best among them at hiding his own stress, the cracks were getting wider with each day. ¡°Jared?¡± he repeated more loudly.

    ¡°She told you guys about most of the vision months ago, ok?¡± he managed, though the words barely made it past his lips.

    ¡°Most of it?¡± Ian shook his head then as well. ¡°Why do I get the feeling that¡¯s an understatement somehow?¡±

    Jared sighed again. ¡°It was the same vision that convinced her that that day in the woods she wouldn¡¯t die right away, and that none of us would yet, either.¡±

    ¡°A little more specific, please,¡± Ian prodded in the same firm tone.

    ¡°I had a vision the night before that, and in it,¡± Jared took a deep breath, ¡°in it, I saw Lili here on this planet, in labor. We knew that this child was coming, months ago. We just didn¡¯t know when, ok?¡± he confessed in the same whisper.

    Ian took his own ragged breath as he looked up at the clouds above to allow a moment bite back his immediate response before continuing onward. ¡°And there must be more, considering what she just said, right?¡± he pressed, though he spoke in a quieter tone this time.

    Jared just shook his head before managing an answer. ¡°That¡¯s just it. That¡¯s all I could see: Her in labor. Only I couldn¡¯t see anyone else there with her, helping her through it.¡± he sniffled again. ¡°And that¡¯s the only part Lili can concentrate on: She thinks it means that we¡¯ll all be gone before this child is even born,¡± another sniffle as he tried to continue more firmly. ¡°And absolutely nothing in the vision explicitly said that,¡± another breath. ¡°It¡¯s just what she¡¯s talked herself into believing. And with you getting hurt, and then this today¡­She¡¯s losing her hope very quickly. And, I honestly don¡¯t know how to give it back to her, ok?¡± Jared confessed as he turned to move away.

    Though, despite Jared¡¯s confession, Ian wasn¡¯t quite ready to let up just yet. ¡°Exactly how many other things¡­how many other fucking visions are the two of you keeping to yourselves, huh? How much else are we only gonna find out about way after we should, huh?¡± Ian asked angrily.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Jared shook his head sadly again, still not looking back. ¡°Considering how bad it messed Lili up to hear about that vision, I guess I just thought I¡¯d spare the two of you, at least until I could see the missing pieces. I¡¯m sorry if that was somehow the wrong decision, ok?¡± he managed with a bit of defeat.

    Ian just continued to center a look of annoyance on Jared before speaking again. ¡°Fine, you can spare Lili from now on. Lord knows she doesn¡¯t need the help to feel any more hopeless.¡± he admitted, then continued. ¡°But I am fucking responsible for keeping all of us alive, even if the goddamn ship really is gone forever. It¡¯s still my job, and the only thing I was sent here at all to do. So if you have any fucking vision at any time ever, you damn well will tell me even if you feel the urge to ¡®spare¡¯ everyone else! You got that?¡± he told him forcefully.

    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s an order?¡± Jared responded, though with barely any volume.

    ¡°You¡¯re damn right it is.¡± Ian assured.

    ¡°Then maybe now would be a really good time to tell him about the other stuff too,¡± Kyle interrupted the heated discussion as he had since stepped outside once more, giving Jared a pointed look as he spoke the words.

 Chapter 33

    Jared let out a slightly annoyed sigh as he looked back toward Kyle. ¡°Really, Kyle? You wanna start that conversation right now?¡±

    ¡°What stuff?¡± Ian had to ask impatiently.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bit overdue, don¡¯t you think?¡± Kyle answered Jared¡¯s question rather than Ian¡¯s.

    Jared just scoffed as he glanced between the two of them, then back to the younger of them. ¡°So, does that stuff include your stuff too? Does it, huh?¡± he couldn¡¯t help stating with a bluntness that was normally uncommon for him.

    Kyle just shook his head. ¡°My ¡®stuff¡¯ only affects me, no one else.¡±

    ¡°Well, I could say the same thing,¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°Oh please,¡± Kyle denied.

    ¡°Could we stop talking in whatever code this is, and just tell me what the hell you both are talking about?¡± Ian interrupted loudly.

    ¡°I saved his life earlier, and now he apparently wants to stir a bunch of other stuff up, despite that,¡± Jared pointed out with a cool look toward Kyle.

    ¡°Would you two just please say something with one iota of clarity to it, please?¡± Ian interrupted again.

    ¡°Ask him how he killed the bear,¡± Kyle grumbled in response to Ian¡¯s plea, though kept his eyes on Jared.

    ¡°Odd, I thought you were the one who shot it in the head,¡± Jared returned in a matching mumble.

    ¡°Yeah, and care to explain how I got close enough to pull off that aim?¡± Kyle shot back.

    ¡°I dunno; maybe you¡¯re a genius, supposedly,¡± Jared returned with a slight growl.

    ¡°Supposedly?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help getting caught up on that word.

    ¡°Well, your own ¡®stuff¡¯ makes one doubt the theory.¡±

    ¡°Oh shut up,¡± Kyle glared back at him.

    It was then that Ian pushed himself up to his feet painfully once again. ¡°Someone start talking, plainly, before I beat it out of both of you,¡± he told them angrily, casting his own cool look at both the teens.

    ¡°I told you to stay off your leg,¡± Jared complained as Ian stood, causing him to turn back toward him once more.

    ¡°Kind of an odd time to threaten us with physical harm, considering the walking thing itself seems to be a bit of an issue for you right now,¡± Kyle added, though more quietly.

    ¡°Oh you doubt I can kick both of your asses, even with the bum leg? Do you, really?¡± Ian retorted.

    ¡°What the hell are any of you even doing?¡± Lili interrupted loudly, having since appeared inside the doorway upon hearing the growing volume of the increasingly heated discussion outside.

    ¡°Apparently keeping way too many secrets,¡± Ian answered her bitterly, his eyes still moving between the other two.

    ¡°I told him about why the vision is upsetting you so much,¡± Jared offered her a slight answer.

    ¡°Yeah and there were no real answers in that vision, just questions,¡± she shook her head. ¡°So why the continued display of testosterone, now?¡± she pressed.

    ¡°Cause there¡¯s some other stuff Jared ain¡¯t telling anyone, either,¡± Kyle added, though that only caused a slight indecipherable twinge in Lili.

    ¡°Yeah, how¡¯s your stomach, Kyle?¡± Jared finally shot back, feeling more than a bit boxed in by the pseudo-interrogation.

    ¡°Did I say fuck you yet today?¡± Kyle muttered.

    ¡°What about your stomach?¡± Lili interrupted worriedly as Ian¡¯s eyes also turned to the youngest of the group.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Kyle answered through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Then why try so hard to hide it?¡± Jared returned, though with only a touch more gentleness.

    ¡°Well ain¡¯t that a nice question, Jared? Should I try asking you that?¡±

    ¡°What the fuck?¡± Lili was the one who exclaimed more loudly then. ¡°Both of you stop it right now, and say whatever the hell you¡¯re both dancing around already!¡± she ordered, her own impatience easily bubbling to the surface considering her own recent stress and exhaustion.

    ¡°Yeah, I tried that already,¡± Ian mumbled in response to her outburst, as unexpected though it was.

    Jared finally sighed heavily before speaking. ¡°The reason I really didn¡¯t wanna bring any attention to this, despite the fact that Kyle¡¯s now given me no choice,¡± he added under his breath, ¡°is cause of the same reason that I didn¡¯t tell you all about the visions at first: I don¡¯t understand it yet, and I don¡¯t wanna have to try to explain things that don¡¯t even make sense to me yet. Is that such a goddamn crime?¡± he added with another shake of his head as he cast his eyes downwards.

    ¡°Explain what?¡± Ian finally spoke up after another moment.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I just say that I can¡¯t explain something that doesn¡¯t make any sense to me either?¡± Jared mumbled further.

    ¡°Just tell us what he¡¯s talking about, please,¡± Lili asked, though much more gently than any of the others had been speaking.

    ¡°You already know about it, Lili,¡± Jared admitted under his breath. ¡°That¡¯s how I stopped the bear-thing earlier. Ian¡¯s right; I¡¯m not a good enough shot to depend on a gun that I¡¯ve never even fired before, so I used the only other kind of self-defense that I could. And apparently Kyle now thinks I need to try and explain it to he and Ian, when I have yet to even be able to explain it to myself.¡±

    ¡°Lili knows. Surprise, surprise,¡° Ian scoffed, though quickly continued onwards. ¡°Again I say, explain what? What did you actually do?¡± he pressed.

    Kyle just shook his head and answered for him. ¡°He threw a five hundred pound animal through the air, without even touching it: Smashed its skull against a rock, without even lifting a finger,¡± Kyle finally filled in the blanks Jared had left while the older teen just took a seat, burying his forehead in his hands stressfully.

    Ian looked over at Jared with more than his fair share of disbelief, while Lili swallowed her own breath trying to find a proper response. ¡°A five hundred pound animal? Not just a cup, or a fish, this time?¡± she whispered as she too looked only slightly less shocked as her eyes moved over the first of her lovers.

    ¡°I knew there was something up with those fish,¡± Kyle added as if then just coming to that realization.

    Ian just shook his head as he turned away, not even able to come up with any response of his own right then. Lili took another breath as she looked between the three of them, her eyes finally coming back to settle on Jared. ¡°Apparently you don¡¯t need me to be an anchor anymore,¡± was her only response.

    Jared just shook his head at her statement before looking back up at Ian¡¯s continued silence and Kyle¡¯s seeming thoughtfulness. ¡°You happy now, Kyle?¡±

    ¡°Oh, yeah, just thrilled,¡± Kyle scoffed. ¡°Though it does really make me wonder what else you¡¯re gonna be able to do¡­what else we¡¯re gonna be able to do,¡± he added more thoughtfully.

    ¡°That¡¯s it? All that prodding just for the sake of your own curiosity?¡± Jared scoffed more loudly. ¡°Well, glad I could give you a new note for your case file. Now mind telling them about your stuff?¡± Jared added pointedly.

    Kyle just glared back. ¡°Please, Jared, my stuff is nothing compared to that shit.¡±

    ¡°Then fucking spit it out already!¡± Ian exclaimed angrily, finally turning back to face the three of them once more, his words causing a bit of tension in Kyle as he looked back his way.

    ¡°Please, I¡¯m just way more stressed than I let on, ok?¡± Kyle attempted to play down the actual problem. ¡°And Jared wants to play shrink and make a huge deal about it. That¡¯s all it is, really,¡± he added, though sounded more as though he were trying to convince himself than any of them.

    Jared just shook his head up at Kyle. ¡°How is you sitting alone out by the river, cutting yourself up, and thinking that all of us being stuck here is all your fault¡­How is that not a big deal Kyle, really?¡±

    Lili¡¯s breath caught again as she looked over at the youngest of them. ¡°Cutting yourself up?¡±

    Kyle just looked down with a shake of his head. ¡°It¡¯s not anything that affects any of you, which is why none of you needed to know it,¡± he mumbled.

    Lili just shook her head with disbelief which was mirrored on Ian¡¯s face as he sat down again, shaking his head and rubbing at his tired eyes with further stress. She then moved toward Kyle and reached for the bottom of his t-shirt.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± he asked, a bit startled by the motion.

    ¡°Not like I haven¡¯t undressed you before,¡± she told him with a slight scowl as she attempted to push his hands away from where he tried to deter her own fingers.

    ¡°Yeah, bit of a different situation those times,¡± he complained.

    ¡°Stop it,¡± she ordered him as she made her way past his fingers and slowly lifted the shirt, gasping a bit as her eyes moved to over half a dozen bloody gashes in his flesh.

    ¡°What the fuck, Kyle?¡± Ian spoke up again as his eyes followed the motions of Lili¡¯s hands as well.

    ¡°Yeah, I already said that,¡± Jared mumbled his own response, his own eyes not yet turning toward them, as he had already seen the sight.

    ¡°How can you do this?¡± Lili asked with her own worried whisper.

    ¡°Yeah, he already asked that, too,¡± Kyle grumbled, finally pulling away to move the shirt back down over the cuts.

    Lili sniffled a bit as she tried to catch Kyle¡¯s eyes with her own, worried though they were. ¡°Why in the world do you think us being stuck here is your fault?¡± she repeated the other part of Jared¡¯s earlier statements.

    Kyle just scoffed as he looked away. ¡°You all keep acting like you don¡¯t know it is. I¡¯ve already admitted it to myself. You don¡¯t have to keep pretending you don¡¯t blame me for all of this too, ok?¡± he managed with a sniffle of his own, still not looking back toward where even Jared then turned his dark eyes back as well.

    ¡°Have either of you ever said that?¡± Lili asked Ian and Jared worriedly.

    ¡°No,¡± Jared was the first to deny. ¡°Why do you think I¡¯m so shocked by Kyle thinking it?¡±

    ¡°Ian?¡± Lili turned her eyes toward him as well.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember blaming anyone, personally,¡± Ian admitted.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not either of them thinking that, and you should know damn well how I feel about you by now. So, who exactly is blaming you, Kyle?¡± she asked, returning her eyes to his face pointedly. ¡°Other than you,¡± she had to add.

    Jared just sighed slightly before interjecting. ¡°Narcissistic personality disorder: He thinks everything is his fault, be it good or bad,¡± he glanced at Kyle¡¯s returned look back his way. ¡°You said read medical books. Psychiatry is part of medicine, isn¡¯t it?¡± he had to remind.

    ¡°Yeah, thanks doc,¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°Any time,¡± Jared returned in a quieter tone as he looked down again.

    Kyle just shook his head once more as he looked between all of them. ¡°Personality disorders aside,¡± he began bitterly, ¡°I don¡¯t know how you all aren¡¯t blaming me for this. I mean, I was the one who picked the whole damn team to even come here at all, redesigned the pod, put my trust in a computer, and then left that bitch up there running it,¡± he added with a bit of venom still directed at Serena. ¡°How this is anyone else¡¯s fault but mine, is beyond me!¡± he argued.

    That was when Ian spoke up. ¡°Yes, and I helped pick the team. And her mom and my dad approved our choices, and we all made the final decision to come along, ourselves. Let¡¯s not forget that,¡± only a slight pause. ¡°And the pod didn¡¯t malfunction, so that wasn¡¯t the problem either: It did get us here safe, like you designed it to. And as for your last argument, everyone else up there went along with letting Serena replace you too, so even if she did have anything to do with--¡± though his voice trailed off as Jared suddenly put his hands to his temples as though in sudden terrible pain then, himself.

    ¡°Jared?¡± Lili was the first to rush towards him, though he was trapped there inside that waking nightmare, not even seeming to be with them in the present at all for several long moments wherein he was terrified by whatever it was that none of the others could see or even fathom themselves, as those visions continued playing through his brain, holding him as their captive audience for seemingly endless moments.

    When those images finally released him from their grasp, he opened his eyes once more with a shaky, ragged breath, seeming almost startled back to the present, where all of their worried eyes awaited some explanation. After another long, shaky breath while trying to compose himself and make any sort of sense of the things he had just been shown, Jared finally breathed his response more than speaking it. ¡°I think I know what happened to the ship.¡±

 Chapter 34

    ¡°The ship?¡± Lili was the first to find her voice, shaking though it was in reaction to Jared¡¯s statement.

    Jared took another shaky breath of his own. ¡°Just try to remember, though the visions are clearer, they¡¯re still not chronological, and I only get pieces at a time. I have no way of knowing when anything I see actually happened,¡± he attempted to remind everyone. ¡°Or even if it has actually happened yet, for sure.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, your visions are completely useless, like us being able to breathe here and then Lili getting pregnant. Duly noted,¡± Ian scoffed and then added a question. ¡°So what did you see?¡±

    All their eyes turned his way awaiting his answer as Jared swallowed hard again, attempting to find any way at all to even attempt to describe the pieces he had been shown. ¡°I think it¡¯s already happened, since it has been three months and all¡­¡±

    Kyle just shook his head. ¡°Visions of the past? How is that useful?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, his visions of the future, what he could see of them,¡± Lili forced herself to add, ¡°have been right. Maybe seeing the past means we¡¯re supposed to do something about it, in that future? And the vision is just trying to tell him that?¡± she added her own speculation, attempting some hope.

    ¡°Before we try and decide that, can we get back to what did you actually see, anyway?¡± Ian interrupted impatiently.

    Jared took another breath. ¡°If it is the past, which I think it is,¡± he repeated, ¡°then the ship isn¡¯t in the sky anymore, after all,¡± he confessed quietly, his eyes moving automatically to Lili¡¯s expected upset at the statement, as she was by far the closest of them all to what little family or friends they had all left behind on that ship.

    ¡°Not in the air, like how?¡± she managed to choke the question on all their lips out.

    ¡°How?¡± he asked, not really needing clarification as much as he needed to work up the strength to tell her of the things he didn¡¯t honestly want to have to admit, himself, until the visions gave him no choice, that was.

    ¡°Like landed a few miles off and looking for us? Or something worse?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°If it landed a few miles off¡­I would be able to reach it,¡± Kyle interjected, casting his eyes toward the shack where his LU had been left with the rest of their more valuable belongings, as he had not much use for it anymore.

    Jared simply looked down in concession, answering Lili¡¯s earlier question by his silence alone. ¡°So, something worse it is,¡± she sniffled as she turned away.

    ¡°Again, I say, what did you actually see?¡± Ian repeated with his usual lack of patience.

    ¡°No, you wouldn¡¯t be able to reach it, not through the computer anyway. Not anymore,¡± Jared chose to attempt his own answer by answering Kyle¡¯s statement first.

    ¡°Did it like blow up, or what?¡± Lili asked, the tears obvious in her voice.

    ¡°Not exactly,¡± Jared managed more quietly.

    ¡°Not exactly?¡± she asked with further upset, finally turning back.

    ¡°I mean,¡± he attempted again, ¡°that Kyle couldn¡¯t reach the computer cause it, like died.¡±

    ¡°Died?¡± Kyle asked with a raised eyebrow, all of them looking a bit thrown by that statement.

    ¡°How the hell does something that¡¯s not alive, die?¡± Ian asked bluntly.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t alive¡­before,¡± Jared answered, trying to find the way to put the vague images into words at all, let alone in the midst of all their current emotional distress.

    ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡± Ian exclaimed, forcing himself to stay seated, rather than beginning the pacing that usually followed the frustration that always came when either Jared or Kyle tried to explain things in that unclear way that they both seemed to be experts at lately.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I know that this happened, or will happen, sometime after we left the ship. It, the computer, it was different when we were up there. When Kyle ran it. It was just a computer, then,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Then, after we left the ship, something changed.¡±

    ¡°Something? That¡¯s specific,¡± Ian scoffed as Kyle just narrowed his eyes speculatively and Lili continued her failed attempts at remaining calm.

    ¡°So Serena did something?¡± Kyle interrupted once more. ¡°She brought the computer to fucking life? Is that what you¡¯re actually trying to say?¡± Kyle scoffed more loudly, shaking his head with his own disbelief.

    ¡°Maybe.¡± Jared answered, though once he saw their looks of disapproval at that answer, he added, ¡°Possibly¡­.Probably,¡± he finally finished more quietly.

    ¡°Probably?¡± Ian and Lili retorted in continued disbelief.

    ¡°I mean think about it though,¡± Jared began with another breath. ¡°Kyle got it to do things no other computer could do. He treated it like it was a lot more than a computer. And then it was left in the hands of someone, who by all logic is just as intelligent as Kyle, and most likely a lot more powerful than him, or even me.¡±

    Kyle swallowed hard, trying to force down his own pride at being dubbed inferior to anyone else, even though, his own theory had already stated that possibility. Though it was a slightly different story once the idea went from possibility to fact.

    ¡°So, you do think that she brought the computer to life somehow, after all?¡± Kyle repeated.

    ¡°Something like that, but different,¡± Jared attempted.

    ¡°And the vague keeps coming,¡± Ian muttered.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°It just, it seems like she sort of made it part of her?¡± Jared shrugged as they all just gave him further looks of disbelief. ¡°I know how it sounds; believe me, but the things I saw, it was like the computer was an extension of her. Her mind, her brain, her wants and her desires,¡± he attempted to explain in any way he could, considering the nature of his vision at all.

    ¡°And it died?¡± Kyle finally added after another long moment. ¡°Guess she wasn¡¯t too successful then, huh?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it was the computer that died,¡± was Jared¡¯s only response.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s kind of the opposite of what you just said,¡± Ian growled, anger inspired more by a lack of logic to anything that Jared said, rather than by Jared, himself.

    ¡°She was successful. She made the computer part of her and then¡­it died with her,¡± Jared breathed the words rather than spoke them, but forced himself onward. ¡°And, since the computer was the only thing that was keeping the ship in the air¡­¡± he just shook his head, eyes downward once more.

    Then Lili took a deep breath to force back more tears in response to that statement, before adding her own. ¡°So computers coming to life, aside; you¡¯re saying the ship just fell out of the air?¡± she shook her head, pleading with him to give her a more hopeful answer than that.

    ¡°Apparently it wasn¡¯t too far from, somewhere, when that happened. I¡¯m getting it crashed, somewhere,¡± he repeated the word pointedly.

    ¡°Crashed?¡± she whispered, another stifled sob as she turned away, Jared¡¯s worried eyes staying on her, wishing that he had even had the chance to ¡®spare¡¯ her this vision, though the timing of it had made that quite impossible.

    ¡°Somewhere?¡± Ian repeated.

    Kyle just shook his head. ¡°This most likely happened right after we left,¡± he attempted to add his own interpretation. ¡°I mean if it crashed at all, it would have had to have been near a planet to crash on, right? That¡¯s only logic,¡± he added pointedly.

    ¡°Logic?¡± Ian scoffed again. ¡°I¡¯m thinking that¡¯s more endangered than our own fucking species right about now,¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Fine Ian, don¡¯t believe me. But you wanted me to tell you, so I did,¡± Jared shook his head. ¡°And that¡¯s all I can do.¡±

    ¡°Please. Computers coming to life and then dying with the person who supposedly made them that way? How do you find that logical at all?¡± Ian returned forcefully.

    ¡°About as logical as visions, and telekinesis, and us being able to live here at all. About that logical,¡± Jared returned, though spoke every word under his breath.

    Kyle shook his head. ¡°Ok, you said that it became part of her, and her desires, etcetera. Taking the vast leap to say that that all is true, how does that lead to Serena, and in turn, the computer, dying?¡±

    ¡°Apparently her wants and desires weren¡¯t exactly popular with the rest of the ship, with Miranda,¡± he added more quietly, his eyes staying on Lili again as she turned back at that statement.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Lili swallowed hard.

    ¡°If Serena wanted to do something Miranda didn¡¯t approve of, my dad would¡¯ve stopped it,¡± Ian put in.

    ¡°If he could¡¯ve,¡± Jared added quietly.

    ¡°If she had that much control over the computer,¡± Kyle began thoughtfully. ¡°No one could have stopped her¡­except maybe us,¡± he added with another hard swallow.

    ¡°Well if this is all true, I guess we know why we got stranded here after all,¡± Ian stated, trying not to sound accusing, though his eyes couldn¡¯t help moving to Kyle, and particularly Jared.

    That was when Lili looked up through her own tears, coming to the conclusion none of them seemed to have wanted to say, themselves. ¡°Well someone up there stopped her and killed the ship, and probably everybody else on it, just to do so.¡±

    They all looked down at the sound of her words. Though, if they were willing to believe in any part of Jared¡¯s vision, they had to accept that Lili¡¯s words were most likely accurate after all.

    ¡°And who do we think could have done that? Could¡¯ve been powerful enough to take her down?¡± Kyle finally asked, trying not to concentrate on the rest of the likely casualties right then, as none of them wanted to let in that kind of grief without first trying to make some sense of it.

    Jared swallowed again. ¡°Serena was older than me, and she didn¡¯t know about her powers before. And when she did get into the computer and found out about them, that was when they most likely manifested completely. Just like mine started to get stronger the more I learned about them.¡±

    ¡°Your point?¡± Ian pressed after waiting a moment for Jared to continue.

    Jared took another deep breath. ¡°We¡¯re conveniently forgetting that me, Kyle and Serena aren¡¯t the only ones. There were four more teenagers like us on that ship, and another thirteen children who were going to become like us. Hell Tyler is older than Kyle even,¡± he added, referring to the seventeen year old who had been left behind, as well. ¡°Imagine if they all found out what they could eventually be able to do, and if their lives were suddenly in danger by someone who was basically just an older version of them all?¡± he posed the theory. ¡°I know what I do when I think my life or someone else¡¯s,¡± he glanced at Kyle, ¡°is in danger.¡±

    Lili swallowed again as they all thought on his words, not positive if they were a theory or a part of the vision. However, if any of the vision was true they would have to accept the rest of his statements as well. ¡°So you think they all somehow found out about their powers then?¡±

    ¡°Well, Miranda, Charles, and the science team, they all knew about us,¡± Kyle reminded.

    Ian just shook his head. ¡°And if Serena really did want to stage a coup, or a takeover, or whatever, don¡¯t you think she would¡¯ve taken out anyone who could expose the real secret of the E-children? I mean, Miranda and Charles might¡¯ve been able to put up a fight. But a bunch of lab geeks? No offense,¡± he added with a glance toward Jared.

    ¡°Yeah, I think I¡¯m in a different category now, anyway,¡± Jared scoffed, and then added a more serious note. ¡°But yeah, I¡¯m sure she did take out the existing science team,¡± he stated, trying to pull more details of those visions back to his conscious mind.

    ¡°Your dad?¡± Lili breathed as she easily caught the meaning behind Jared¡¯s last statement.

    ¡°Maybe, somewhere inside he actually did care about trying to save us, me,¡± Jared whispered, not allowing himself to look up and expose any of those suppressed feelings about his own father right then, as he was sure that the man was just one of the many people who none of them would ever be able to see again, after all.

    ¡°Still,¡± Kyle began with his own breath, trying not to think about his own estranged parents right then either, ¡°you think they all sacrificed themselves to stop her?¡±

    Jared sighed softly. ¡°I¡¯m thinking they probably didn¡¯t know that it would mean that. I¡¯m sure none of them were positive of exactly what would happen when they tried to get control back. Remember, they were missing a psychic,¡± he added with his own slight sniffle. ¡°Not to mention, me getting this vision when it¡¯s most likely three months too late to even do anything to help any of them. Yeah, real useful,¡± he scoffed with his own bit of guilt coming through despite the fact that, as stated, he had no way of honestly knowing what was going to happen to them, at least not until it was too late.

    Lili shook her head again. ¡°Then why are you getting this vision, now?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°I wish to hell I knew,¡± Jared returned, his voice breaking, his hazel eyes remaining downward.

    That was when Ian spoke up. ¡°You said it earlier though, Lili. There must be a reason.¡±

    ¡°Care to share?¡± Kyle asked as he looked up at Ian.

    ¡°And like you said Kyle, if it crashed at all, it must have happened when it was near a place where it could crash. And if it happened right after we left the ship¡­I know where my vote lands for the possible crash site.¡±

    ¡°You think¡­you think it crashed somewhere on this planet?¡± Lili returned, the words barely leaving her lips.

    ¡°Well, if it did happen right after we left, then it had to have happened sometime during our three lost, or should I say stolen days,¡± Ian pointed out.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m thinking we may have noticed a ship falling out of the sky if we had been awake,¡± Kyle agreed.

    ¡°So,¡± Ian swallowed as he looked back toward Jared, ¡°if it did crash here, and you¡¯re seeing this now¡­I think the answer is obvious.¡±

    ¡°It is?¡± Lili asked softly.

    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to find it, and whatever or whoever can still be salvaged: That¡¯s what I think,¡± Ian finished softly, but pointedly.

 Chapter 35

    ¡°Find it?¡± Jared repeated as he looked up quickly at Ian¡¯s statement.

    ¡°Well, why else would the world, or whatever, show you this now, if that wasn¡¯t the reason?¡± Ian repeated.

    Jared shook his head as he looked down again. ¡°It very well could be, but¡­¡± he swallowed the rest of his words.

    ¡°But what?¡± Ian pressed.

    ¡°But Ian, I have no clue where we could even begin to do that,¡± he admitted.

    ¡°You said you saw it crashed, so you know that that¡¯s what happened. You saw it,¡± Ian continued pointedly.

    ¡°Yes I saw the crash site, so to speak, but it¡¯s a place I¡¯ve never been or even seen, on a planet that I¡¯ve only seen maybe five square miles of, total,¡± Jared tried to explain his wariness of the idea. ¡°I have no clue what direction to even go or if it is honestly on this planet at all. I mean, where it crashed, it doesn¡¯t look anything at all like any of the places we¡¯ve seen so far.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and did Antarctica look anything like the Mojave?¡± Ian retorted.

    ¡°Well let¡¯s think,¡± Lili attempted to rationalize despite all of her own feelings at the moment. ¡°You said it probably happened in the three days we were unconscious. So Kyle, what¡¯s the farthest the ship could travel in three days¡¯ time?¡±

    ¡°A jet could go the whole way across earth in eighteen hours,¡± Kyle admitted sadly. ¡°And I¡¯m pretty sure the ship had a bit more power to it than that,¡± he forced himself to answer as honestly as he could.

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Jared agreed with his own sadness. ¡°The ship could have circled this whole planet more than once in the three days we lost.¡±

    Ian just shook his head. ¡°Again I say, if it weren¡¯t possible for us to find it, why would you be seeing it at all?¡±

    Another heavy sigh from Jared. ¡°Are you asking me to try and make sense out of these visions, again?¡± he asked dejectedly, still feeling quite a bit of unease about any of his abilities, which was why he rarely if ever had willingly let himself use any of them.

    Ian let out his own annoyed sigh. ¡°I still say we need to find the ship. Even though, after this long it¡¯s doubtful there are any survivors,¡± he allowed himself to admit, though quietly, ¡°the stuff on that ship; the food, medical supplies, what¡¯s left of the computer still¡­these are all things we need to try and get our hands on again,¡± he then glanced up at Lili. ¡°Especially now,¡± he stated more softly, eyes moving downwards once more.

    Jared allowed his own heavy breath again before forcing himself to speak up. ¡°Let¡¯s think about that.¡±

    ¡°About what?¡± Ian asked with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°Especially now,¡± Jared simply repeated Ian¡¯s own statement

    ¡°Yes?¡± Ian prodded.

    ¡°Ignoring the fact that we have no clue where to even begin to look for the ship, we can¡¯t just go wandering aimlessly across this planet, just hoping we stumble upon it. That¡¯s beyond dangerous, especially now,¡± he repeated the words again, pointedly looking back up at Lili as he finished the sentence.

    Ian scoffed. ¡°Well, then maybe you need to get your shit together, and fast,¡± was his cool response as he centered those haunting eyes on Jared.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared choked a bit on his own reaction as he forced his eyes back up to Ian¡¯s face.

    ¡°Well, according to all the little theories and such, and according to your own damn vision, some bitch only a year older than you managed to take over a sixty thousand passenger ship, and it¡¯s super-computer, with only her fucking brain?¡± Ian bit back. ¡°Not to mention that, also according to your own visions, the little brats who were mostly all younger than both of you,¡± he cast only a sideways glance at Kyle, ¡°they somehow managed to take her down. So like I said, maybe you, Jared, and even you, Kyle, maybe you both need to get your shit together and find a way to fucking save us, and this baby. Cause I sure as fuck can¡¯t do it all by myself,¡± he finished with a near growl as he painfully stood, heading back inside while leaving a nearly deafening silence in his wake.

    Kyle simply cast his eyes downwards in deep thought as Jared couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes up to Lili, though she simply looked down as well, before also heading off to help Ian inside.

    After another silent moment between the two remaining teens, Jared finally allowed a glance back at Kyle. ¡°Guess we know that they don¡¯t blame you for all of this, after all,¡± he stated, his voice breaking a bit as he did.

    ¡°At least you¡¯re getting visions,¡± Kyle managed as he also took a seat down the log from where Jared had already been sitting. ¡°I¡¯ve become basically obsolete without my computers,¡± Kyle added even more quietly, glancing down at the slight bloodstains that just barely could be seen through the light colored t-shirt.

    ¡°Yeah and these visions have helped us so much, haven¡¯t they?¡± Jared sniffled. ¡°Lili¡¯s practically suicidal. Ian¡¯s livid. And all of us now know we really have lost everyone, and our days may all be numbered as well,¡± another breath. ¡°Yeah I¡¯m real thankful for these, let me tell you,¡± he added with a weak sarcasm.

    Kyle then took a breath of his own before responding. ¡°I think that¡¯s what Ian meant.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s what he meant?¡± Jared glanced back at the younger teen with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°That¡¯s the difference, well one difference,¡± he had to add, ¡°between you and Serena.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°That I¡¯m not a psychopath?¡± Jared scoffed.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s the reason she wanted to get rid of you; us,¡± Kyle offered, and then continued. ¡°I mean the other difference: When she found out about her powers, she embraced them, completely,¡± Kyle sniffed a bit himself. ¡°As soon as you started doing or seeing weird shit, you tried to force it down and hide from it and keep it a secret, and you never even attempted to see what you could honestly do, if you actually let yourself.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, cause when Serena saw what she could do and let her powers take root, that turned out really well, huh?¡± Jared scoffed again.

    ¡°Difference here: See psychopath statement,¡± Kyle returned pointedly.

    Jared just shook his head. ¡°See philosophy 101: Absolute power corrupts, absolutely,¡± he returned with a defeated tone.

    ¡°And if you keep being afraid of that then we really won¡¯t survive this, Jared,¡± Kyle stated, though his tone was gentle, despite the weight of the words.

    ¡°Guess you¡¯ve stopped blaming yourself too then? Great, at least I cured you, right?¡± Jared scoffed as he turned away to hide the tears that were threatening to be released from his dark eyes.

    ¡°Listen, if you think we all have a reason to blame you, then prove us wrong. How about that?¡±

    Another scoff as Jared glanced back. ¡°And how exactly do I do that?¡±

    ¡°Let yourself become whatever it is that you¡¯re supposed to become. Let yourself do what you were apparently born to do. Let yourself find out what that even is instead of still continuing to be afraid of it,¡± Kyle offered, though still spoke in the same gentle tone.

    Jared just shook his head as he looked up at the slowly darkening sky above them. ¡°And what if I¡¯m right to be afraid? What if I turn into her?¡± he barely managed to whisper that fear out loud.

    ¡°Serena was always a bitch. You were always you,¡± Kyle offered. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that counts for anything?¡± he then took a breath before adding. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Lili believes it does. After all, you¡¯re the one she¡¯s in love with,¡± Kyle managed to force himself to utter those words aloud as well.

    Jared looked back quickly at those words. ¡°She told you that?¡± he finally managed after a long moment.

    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure she knows it yet. And I adore Lili, but I do tend to catch onto things a little quicker than she does,¡± Kyle attempted a small smile, sad though it was.

    Jared looked down again as he tried to allow some clear thought right then. ¡°Maybe, she still can be my anchor?¡± he asked the question to no one, really, as he tried to let in the idea of giving into any of his true power at all, when all he had done was run from it. But as Lili said, that was a different world and a different life than the one they were all facing now.

    ¡°I¡¯m depending on it,¡± Kyle returned as he allowed a gentle squeeze to Jared¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s the other difference: Serena never had any anchor, at all.¡±

    Kyle nodded in agreement before adding another statement. ¡°Serena did do her best to push everyone away though, and did it well.¡±

    Jared allowed another sigh as he tried to come to terms with the idea before them. ¡°So, even though I¡¯ve already started to be able to do things, I still think I may need your help here. You know a lot more about all of this than I ever did.¡±

    ¡°Well, being the narcissist I am,¡± Kyle began wryly, ¡°I was counting the days ¡¯til I got my superpowers,¡± he allowed the slightest smirk.

    Jared just allowed the tiniest smile before looking back at Kyle. ¡°But, I got scraps of visions even before I turned eighteen. Nothing remotely like what I can see now. And sometimes, if I got really upset, other things happened, with me having no control over them, even before,¡± he admitted. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me that nothing like that has happened to you yet. I mean, you are less than a year from eighteen, yourself,¡± Jared reminded.

    Kyle took a breath. ¡°I mean, little things, but nothing that I could honestly say was something paranormal, at least not for sure.¡±

    Jared quickly piped up. ¡°But that¡¯s how it started with me. I thought they were just weird dreams, with no real meaning, or like turbulence that made glasses fall off of shelves. never mind me standing near them or being all upset about something. I always wrote it off as coincidence, cause the truth, it was harder to believe,¡± he admitted. ¡°What little things?¡± he finally pressed Kyle for more clarification.

    Kyle sighed as he glanced back toward the shack where Lili and Ian had remained after Ian¡¯s last outburst. He paused another moment as he realized that, like Jared he had seemed to have hidden from a lot of the truth about himself as well. As Jared said, some truths were just too hard to believe, that is until forced to.

    ¡°It¡¯s just, sometimes¡­¡± Kyle began, now finding himself in Jared¡¯s usual position of trying to make sense out of profoundly nonsensical things. ¡°Sometimes, like with the rest of the tech team, it was difficult.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean, all these people in their twenties, or older, and they were expected to take their cues from me?¡± Kyle attempted. ¡°Needless to say, there was resistance, a lot of resistance.¡±

    ¡°Not sure I follow,¡± Jared said quietly.

    Kyle sighed again. ¡°Why do you think I had no time for anyone up there? Not any friends, barely even my own family,¡± he added more quietly before continuing. ¡°Every day I was expected to somehow make people older than me and not as intelligent as me, understand ideas they¡¯d never grasp on their own. It did result in me developing just a bit of animosity toward other people.¡±

    ¡°Still not following,¡± Jared stated, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice now that he was on the other side of the conversation for once.

    ¡°I had to find ways around the fact that none of them really wanted me to be their boss, or wanted to do what I told them to.¡±

    ¡°Ways?¡± Jared asked more quietly.

    ¡°I mean, I didn¡¯t want to admit that I was actually doing it, cause if I did, then I¡¯d have to admit that I could do it. Maybe that¡¯s why I pushed people away. So I wouldn¡¯t let myself use it on anyone but my team for any other reason but to keep the computer as advanced as I could. That way I could tell myself that if I was doing something I honestly shouldn¡¯t be, that I at least had good intentions, right?¡±

    ¡°Doing what, exactly?¡± Jared asked a little warily.

    Kyle let out another deep sigh, his eyes downwards still. ¡°When I first got the position, I tried to tell them what to do and get my ideas across to them the way any ¡®boss¡¯ would. Like I said, I met more than a bit of resistance, so I changed my method of delivering the message¡­and it worked,¡± he finished breathily.

    ¡°What worked?¡± Jared asked again, his brow furrowed. Instead of answering, Kyle just looked over at him silently, purposefully. It was then that Jared stood and spoke. ¡°You didn¡¯t eat did you? You want me to make you something, or get you a drink or¡­.¡± That was when Kyle released him from his gaze and simply looked down again. Jared then stopped his movement toward their food stores and looked at Kyle with even more confusion on his face right then. ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°A different method?¡± was Kyle¡¯s only answer, with a slight, guilty shrug as he responded.

    Jared¡¯s breath caught a bit as he looked Kyle up and down, trying to find words right then. ¡°You just put that thought in my head? And I did it, just like that?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°Believe me, it was harder with you. I had to make eye contact. Probably because of your psychic stuff. But with them, I just had to think it, and they did it,¡± he swallowed hard, finally admitting to his own even bigger secret than the one that had already been exposed earlier that day.

    ¡°You can put thoughts in people¡¯s heads?¡± Jared whispered again, though more loudly this time.

    ¡°Like I said, there was a reason I pushed everyone away. You¡¯re not the only one who¡¯s afraid of becoming some kind of¡­.¡± he just shook his head again. ¡°Becoming like her,¡± he changed his statement. ¡°And at least you found your anchor, right? That¡¯s something I don¡¯t even have, and I was never the kind of person that you are. So out of the two of us, who do you think is really more scared here?¡±

 Chapter 36

    Lili still hadn¡¯t said much by the time she had finished helping Ian to his bed which, like all of theirs, was really just layers of feather-lined animal skins in an attempt at something more comfortable, and warm, than just tossing one of the blankets they had brought with them upon the floor. Instead of heading away again once Ian was seated, Lili just sat there next to him, her silence continuing as she stared blankly at some random spot on the floor of the shack.

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re not going out there to comfort them after I had less than pleasant words for them?¡± Ian finally asked upon realizing that she didn¡¯t seem to be in much of a rush to leave her own seat.

    ¡°My mind is doing enough to fill in the details of his vision. Not sure I really want to hear any more of them.¡± she sniffed slightly, though still didn¡¯t turn to him as she spoke.

    ¡°You mean you¡¯re also not gonna try and convince me I was too hard on them, after all?¡± Ian asked, though quietly, his own eyes staying on her, despite her continued downwards gaze.

    Lili just sighed heavily before trying to find an honest response, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess, I just think that if I had any kind of power, or anything, I¡¯d surely want to use it to help us find any way to cope with this whole situation, at all.¡± she admitted quietly, ¡°But then I suppose that¡¯s easy to say when it¡¯s never going to be a decision I¡¯ll actually have to make, myself.¡± she finished sadly.

    Ian narrowed his eyes a bit as he reached up to gently touch her shoulder from his seat next to her atop the bedding, ¡°We were pretty much convinced that the people we left behind were¡­gone,¡± he decided on, ¡°so hearing about the crash can¡¯t be all that has you this upset.¡±

    She just scoffed as she shook her head, ¡°Considering what you said this morning, I¡¯m not even sure I can even try and make you understand, really.¡±

    He just furrowed his brow once more before speaking, ¡°What did I say this morning?¡±

    ¡°But then you said almost the opposite out there.¡± she continued with her own thoughts rather than answering him directly as she finally glanced over at him, ¡°Which is how you really feel, honestly?¡±

    ¡°Which, what?¡± Ian asked, trying to follow along with her half-spoken thoughts.

    ¡°This morning, by the river, you sounded hopeful, almost happy about this¡­this baby.¡± she swallowed a bit as she got the words out, ¡°Then, just now you seemed like you actually were very worried about it, said they needed to find a way to save it.¡± she choked a bit, ¡°So, which is it?¡±

    Ian swallowed a bit as he was then the one who turned his eyes downwards, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say ¡®happy¡¯ is the right word, as much as hopeful.¡± he attempted to explain, ¡°I mean, I sure as hell didn¡¯t think any of us were quite ready to embark on parenthood, all things considered.¡± a slight pause, ¡°But, if we are stuck here, which it seems is definitely the case,¡± another sigh, ¡°Then we will have to think about the future, and a baby is the very definition of a future.¡± another pause as he tried to find the rest of his words, ¡°But just because I think that the baby is hope for us, it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not scared to death of something terrible happening between now, and when it gets here. I mean, if I didn¡¯t think that it was a sign of hope, then I wouldn¡¯t care at all, would I?¡± he finally finished as he allowed himself to look back up at her at last.

    Lili allowed the slightest smile as she moved closer to him, laying her head upon his shoulder, ¡°I never pictured you as the paternal type.¡± she attempted a teasing tone as he slowly moved his arm to wrap around her shoulders.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far.¡± he tried to write off her statement, though his tone was more than a bit thoughtful.

    ¡°Really?¡± she glanced up at him out of the side of her eyes, ¡°Cause you¡¯re almost sounding like you¡¯d like it to be yours.¡± she dared, trying to catch his reaction to the statement.

    Ian just attempted a scoff, though it was obvious that her words caused another crack in those walls of his, ¡°I think we should leave the mind-reading to the junior wizards, don¡¯t you?¡± was all he managed.

    Lili then just looked down with a bit of sadness returning easily, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I mean, compared to them, you really are the only one who does seem to be dealing with this.¡±

    Ian just scoffed again, ¡°I know Kyle has been a little¡­¡± he just shook his head, ¡°But you can¡¯t tell me that Mr. sensitive out there isn¡¯t in your corner.¡±

    Another slight sigh, ¡°Well, Jared isn¡¯t saying much about it at all. Just that he supports me. But, I¡¯m pretty sure that support is due to his feelings for me, not due to any kind of desire to ever be anyone¡¯s father. Especially considering his own father, and his own genes.¡± a slight sigh as she forced herself on, ¡°And Kyle¡­He¡¯s not saying anything to me at all, but¡­¡± she just sniffled as she turned her eyes further downward, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he hates me, now.¡± she whispered.

    Ian¡¯s breath caught a bit as he attempted, ¡°Hate is a pretty strong word there, Lili.¡± he began gently, ¡°You gotta remember. He just turned seventeen, and he¡¯s never even been a kid, himself. This is gonna have him spun out for at least a bit.¡±

    She sniffled again and took a breath, ¡°And I¡¯m the oldest out of all of you, and a woman. Shouldn¡¯t I be the one dealing with this the best¡­not the one who¡¯s taking it the worst?¡± she added more quietly, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m really cut out to be a mother, aren¡¯t I?¡±

    Ian pulled her a little closer as he kissed her hair, ¡°You¡¯re terrified, Lili, and understandably.¡± another squeeze, ¡°But I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s exactly the reaction you should be having, right now. And you can¡¯t hate yourself for that.¡±

    That was when she finally looked up at him with a shake of her head as well as what was almost a smile, ¡°Is this really you?¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked, a little caught by that statement.

    ¡°Is this really you?¡± she repeated as she moved closer to wrap both of her arms around him there atop the covers, ¡°Is this really the man you¡¯ve been hiding inside all these years?¡± she whispered as she placed the briefest kiss upon his lips before awaiting his answer.

    ¡°Is that a trick question?¡± he returned, attempting to sound unruffled by her question.

    ¡°You hid him very well.¡± she allowed another small smile, ¡°No wonder it took ten years for me to find him. It¡¯s your own damn fault, you know.¡± she teased softly.

    Ian allowed his own slight smile, and something very near to a blush, which was rare for him to ever wear, ¡°Does that mean you intend on punishing me?¡± he smirked.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Punishing you, huh?¡± she allowed the slightest giggle as she moved to pull him into an even closer embrace.

    ¡°Well, Jared did say it would hurt if I decided to try and be naughty.¡± Ian returned as he moved to gently nip at her neck once more.

    ¡°Is that a request for punishment then?¡± she teased as she placed her own kisses over his neck.

    ¡°I have a feeling it would be a really good kind of pain.¡± he nearly growled as he moved to push her down to the bedding, forcing back his own slight wince as he moved to lay above her, where she easily parted her legs to allow him to lie even closer to her own body as his lips covered hers passionately once again.

    <hr>

    Jared took a deep breath, still turned away from where Kyle remained in his seat, somberly watching the scattered blades of grass sway in the cooling breeze. Finally, Jared turned back to look at him and steeled himself to speak up once again, ¡°So, I guess the question I¡¯ve gotta ask is, have you been doing this since we left the ship? Doing this to us?¡± he clarified more quietly, his own tone wrought with caution.

    Kyle just glanced up and scoffed bitterly, ¡°I thought I just explained to you that it¡¯s harder with you. I can¡¯t just do it like I did it with them.¡± another shake of his head, ¡°Considering your own abilities, I probably can¡¯t even do it to you with eye contact now. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be able to block me, or whatever, now that you know that the possibility even exists.¡±

    Jared sighed a bit before responding, ¡°Ok, so you probably haven¡¯t used it on me before, but¡­¡± he simply glanced back toward the shack.

    ¡°I just told you I¡¯m more terrified of this ability than you are of your stuff. And you think I¡¯ve been using it on them?¡± Kyle returned with disbelief, ¡°Yeah, cause you¡¯ve all been catering to my every whim and desire, haven¡¯t you? Hence Ian getting so pissed at me he was threatening both of us earlier. Come on Jared, does that sound like I¡¯ve been putting the whammy on him, really?¡± he scoffed again as he shook his head once more.

    ¡°And Lili?¡± Jared dared.

    ¡°Yeah, she seems real thrilled with me too.¡± Kyle added with another scoff.

    ¡°I mean, before today.¡± Jared forced the words, his voice shaking a bit as he did.

    Kyle let out another loud sigh of disbelief as he also stood, ¡°Are you fucking serious?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an understandable question, Kyle.¡± Jared managed to get the words out, though apologetically.

    ¡°Understandable?¡± Kyle retorted angrily, ¡°Understandable that you¡¯re basically asking me if I¡¯m a rapist?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡± Jared was quick to deny.

    ¡°Yeah, not out loud.¡± Kyle growled back.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kyle, but if you can do these things¡­¡± Jared just shook his head, his own eyes downwards, seeming to feel guilty for even asking, but needing to know.

    Kyle just shook his head again, seeming to force back several emotions at once, ¡°Considering the shit-storm that our lives have been since leaving the ship, and how guilty I already felt about us ending up here, and the way I¡¯ve already been punishing myself,¡± he glanced down at his still sore injuries, ¡°do you really think I took time out to hocus pocus my way into her pants? I mean, really, Jared? Is that what you really think of me?¡± Kyle asked, failing to expertly hide his own hurt right then, despite how well he normally was at doing just that.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Kyle, really.¡± Jared told him, his words seeming sincere, ¡°I just, I had to at least ask.¡± was the only excuse he could come up with at that point.

    Kyle just turned away, still biting back his upset, ¡°And now you want me to help you figure your shit out?¡± the younger of them scoffed, though sadly.

    Jared took another shaky breath as he tried to find any way to smooth over the more than awkward conversation, ¡°Maybe we should concentrate on helping you, first.¡±

    ¡°Oh we¡¯re back to how much help I need. I see.¡± he returned with a quiet sarcasm.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Jared swallowed again.

    ¡°Odd how it sounded that way.¡± Kyle scoffed again.

    ¡°I mean,¡± Jared began as he took another step closer, ¡°If you¡¯re more afraid of your stuff then I even am, and understandably,¡± he added, ¡°maybe we need to help you before we help me. I mean with your powers.¡± he remembered to add.

    ¡°Did you read some book on that too? Odd, I don¡¯t remember there being one.¡±

    Jared sighed again as he moved to stand next to him, ¡°No, I mean, first we need to figure out exactly how this works, and if anything else comes with it. Like, I know of at least two things I can do, and Serena seemed to have control over more than just the computer, but, other people, in a way, too.¡± he added, again trying to pull those visions back to his conscious mind in any way that made sense, at all.

    ¡°All I know is that I wanted them to think what I thought, and agree with it, and act on it.¡± Kyle shrugged, his anger seeming to subside slightly under the weight of his honest desire to understand his own abilities, as well, ¡°And I concentrated, and they did.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°And we also know that it works different with me, cause of my abilities.¡± Jared added as he took a seat on the log near the fire once again.

    ¡°And?¡± Kyle pressed as he also moved to take a seat.

    ¡°So, I wonder if that¡¯s the key.¡±

    ¡°If what¡¯s the key?¡± Kyle returned with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°From what I understand of the vision, because they weren¡¯t adults, the other E-children, they had to make a collected effort to stop Serena. And I¡¯ve only been an adult, myself for a few months, and, as stated, I¡¯ve been fighting it all along instead of embracing it. And, in your own way, you¡¯ve been at least putting up a partial fight against your own abilities. So maybe it is that we need to work together to unlock them all, whatever they may be, and in turn, try to get some kind of mastery of them. Does that sound like it could be accurate?¡± he asked more quietly.

    ¡°You¡¯re the psychic.¡± Kyle shrugged again.

    ¡°Come on, Kyle, work with me here.¡± Jared returned, only a slightly scolding tone to his words.

    ¡°So, how?¡± Kyle finally gave in with a slight sigh.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s start with, if you can put thoughts in other people¡¯s heads, does it work the other way?¡±

    ¡°Other people being able to put thoughts in my head?¡± Kyle raised a brow, ¡°Considering I barely got past your psychic hoodoo, I really doubt it. Not to mention, the lack of another person with my ability, to put said thoughts there.¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°No, I mean, what you were doing was placing compulsions in your team¡¯s minds, right?¡±

    ¡°More or less.¡± Kyle returned skeptically.

    ¡°But what if we¡¯re just talking about thoughts themselves, not necessarily compulsions?¡±

    ¡°What? You mean like you think of a number and I¡­.ten?¡± he suddenly changed his sentence. Jared just raised a brow, ¡°Ok, weird¡­did you do that?¡±

    ¡°I think you may be a two way radio, Kyle.¡± Jared allowed a slight smile.

    Kyle just allowed a nervous chuckle, ¡°What? Now you can put thoughts in my head even easier than I can put ¡¯em in yours?¡± he asked a little worriedly.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s me putting them there. I mean, I pretty much said, out loud, that I wanted to try seeing if it worked the other way, and I think then you just, like read the thought, just to see if you could. Which was what we were talking about, right?¡±

    ¡°You think I can read minds now, too?¡± Kyle asked with a combination of awe and worry.

    ¡°You tell me.¡± Jared stated simply, as Kyle looked up at him.

    ¡°Black? Kansas? Blueberry Muffin?¡± he asked the last with a bit of furrow to his brow.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you miss those too?¡± Jared couldn¡¯t help smiling a bit.

    ¡°Ok, now this is just freaky.¡± Kyle shook his head again.

    ¡°Welcome to my world.¡± Jared shrugged in concession.

    Kyle took a deep breath, ¡°But I¡¯m not even eighteen yet, and that was¡­so easy.¡±

    ¡°Well, I did kind of let you in.¡± Jared admitted, ¡°Try now.¡±

    Kyle looked at him a long moment. Another moment passed as he scowled, ¡°Absolutely nothing this time. Well that lasted long.¡± he grumbled.

    ¡°I think my hoodoo can shut you out, if I¡¯m thinking about it, anyway.¡±

    Kyle just shook his head again, ¡°This is just fucked up.¡± Kyle stated simply, lacking any better description for the phenomenon right then.

    ¡°But, if we do go try and find this ship, there¡¯s no way all of us can go.¡± Jared began softly, ¡°Lili definitely shouldn¡¯t go, and Ian shouldn¡¯t be alone out there without a telekinetic backup plan, but Lili shouldn¡¯t be alone back here without a doctor, either.¡±

    ¡°Ok, valid points, but not sure how we got from there to here.¡± Kyle furrowed a brow.

    ¡°What I mean is that I need to be with Ian because of what I can do, and I need to be with Lili cause of what I know. Only, being in two places at once is a power I have yet to master.¡±

    ¡°Ok, all true, but¡­¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± Jared began quietly, ¡°with this thing that you can do, my brain, and what¡¯s in it, that actually could be in two places at once¡­now that we¡¯ve got the right kind of radio.¡±

 Chapter 37

    Once Ian and Lili got to the point of trying to recover from their lovemaking, he still continued laying above her, inside her, each of them sharing several kisses between short breaths. Finally, between those kisses, as their heartbeats finally began to slow, Ian found himself looking down into her eyes, and couldn¡¯t stop himself from raggedly managing to speak once again, ¡°Times like this, I find myself wishing I could just stay inside you forever.¡±

    Lili swallowed a bit as he accented his statement with another kiss. Though she found herself breaking off eye contact as she whispered back, ¡°But you won¡¯t.¡±

    Ian furrowed his brow a bit, though continued to wear a slight smile as he still lay above her, ¡°Yeah, we might have to actually separate to like, eat, or something. But the desire remains.¡± he teased gently.

    ¡°Not really what I meant.¡± she murmured as she finally rolled away underneath him, to turn to lay on her side, facing away from his questioning eyes, and trying not to let herself notice the wince he allowed as her motion caused his leg to be jarred once more, after he had already forced back plenty of pain to make love to her at all, only moments earlier.

    ¡°Ok, so what did you mean?¡± he asked hoarsely, as the easily forgotten pain quickly rushed back, with a vengeance.

    ¡°Nothing, I¡¯m sorry.¡± she finally managed as she rolled onto her back to look up at him once more, his returning pain obvious in his tone, ¡°You¡¯re obviously in pain, Ian.¡± she attempted to move the conversation away from her own statement as she reached up to brush a lock from his face.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t get to say something like that, after what I said, and then claim it was nothing. What did you mean?¡± he asked, now having moved to roll to his side, upon his uninjured leg, to look down at her worriedly.

    ¡°We should be worrying about your leg right now. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t have¡­¡±

    ¡°What did you mean, Lili?¡± he asked more firmly. Though she simply turned her eyes away from him, almost thankful for the ever darkening interior of the shack as evening quickly approached outside, ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this is still about you thinking that I¡¯ll somehow get tired of you and move on, still. I mean, really, Lili?¡± he scoffed, though tried to speak gently.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not really what I meant, either¡­¡±

    ¡°But?¡± he prodded.

    She sighed softly as she tried to find the words to even attempt to explain what had honestly been in her head when the words left her lips, ¡°I just mean, if you¡¯re going to go look for the ship, you won¡¯t be here, with me, at all. I mean, it¡¯s obvious that I¡¯m most likely not going to be going along, which means¡­¡± she just shook her head, ¡°You three are all I have, and I know we need to find the ship, but in order to do that, we¡¯re obviously not going to be able to all stay together any longer¡­and not together, not with all three of you every moment¡­.that terrifies me, to put it mildly.¡± she sniffled again, her eyes still not able to look up to meet his.

    Ian just allowed a sad smile as he leaned closer to kiss her forehead, ¡°You¡¯re forgetting, I may have guns and knives, and a few other toys, but you¡¯ve got someone who can apparently throw huge furry critters through the air, with just the power of his mind.¡± he attempted to assure her.

    Though his words only seemed to startle her, rather than assure her, ¡°You¡¯re not serious, are you?¡±

    ¡°About?¡± he asked, a little thrown by that response.

    She scoffed as she pushed herself up to her elbows as she looked over at him disapprovingly, ¡°If you have any intention of going out there, at all, you damn well are taking Jared with you. You¡¯ll need his visions, as well as his other stuff. There¡¯s no way you¡¯re going out there without him.¡± she repeated more forcefully.

    Ian just shook his head forcing back more pain as he also moved to sit up next to her, trying very hard to keep his eyes above her still exposed breasts, ¡°If we¡¯re arguing, could you like give me a fighting chance here, and pull the cover up?¡± he asked wryly.

    Lili just scoffed and shook her head, though did as he asked as she sat up fully, pulling the cover up over her chest, ¡°You¡¯re assuming there¡¯s room for argument?¡± she retorted.

    Ian just let out a chuckle of disbelief as he shook his head, ¡°To say the least.¡± a slight pause as he glanced back at her, ¡°I mean, what you¡¯re saying, all good points, but you¡¯re forgetting the reason we brought him at all. It wasn¡¯t because of his powers, which I didn¡¯t even know about then. It was because of the doctor stuff, and there¡¯s no way I¡¯m leaving you here without our doctor, period.¡± he told her just as firmly.

    ¡°And if you¡¯re out there alone, I¡¯m going to be so upset I may even lose the baby. Guess I won¡¯t need a doctor then, after all, huh?¡± she told him, her words harsh, but pointedly so.

    ¡°Lili¡­¡± he just shook his head sadly, ¡°You can¡¯t let me be that important to you. Not at the risk of your own---¡±

    ¡°Fuck you, Ian.¡± she growled back as she moved from his bedding, quickly reaching for her previously discarded clothing.

    ¡°Been there, done that.¡± he mumbled, though his eyes were still cast down sadly.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re still making jokes.¡± she shook her head angrily as she made her way back into her clothing.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what it takes.¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°If that¡¯s what what takes?¡± she bit back, finally pulling the other half of her clothing back on.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do this to yourself, Lili. Don¡¯t let me be the reason you have to feel so hopeless. It¡¯s not worth it. ¡±

    She shook her head back at him again, ¡°I just told you, I¡¯m terrified of losing any of you. I¡¯ve told you that more than once, as a matter of fact.¡± she reminded him, ¡°And now, you wanna go out there and risk your life, alone, having no idea where you¡¯re even going, and you somehow think I should be ok with that, at all, let alone, now?¡± she finished in a near whisper.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say, Lili.¡± he finally admitted with a touch of his own defeat, ¡°I understand what you¡¯re saying, and even agree with a lot of it, but I also know that we need to try and find the ship, and everything left on it, if we want you and the baby to have a real chance at all. I mean, you¡¯ve gotta know that too.¡± another deep sigh, ¡°It just sucks that going to find the ship will put us in just as much danger as just staying here and hoping will.  I mean which choice is really less bad? Do you know? Cause I sure as hell don¡¯t.¡± he confessed sadly.

    It was then that Jared and Kyle both appeared around the corner of the half-wall that separated Ian¡¯s room from the rest of the shack. Jared let out his own sigh as he and Kyle moved into the room, ¡°Sounds like we¡¯re having some of the same conversations, only separately.¡± was his quiet greeting.

    Lili just sniffled again as Jared and Kyle both moved to take a seat near her and Ian, ¡°Yeah which is worse? Staying here and waiting for the winter to starve or freeze us? Or going out and getting yourselves killed trying to find a ship that may be thousands of miles away while I stay behind getting more and more scared every day, with no doctor here to even know if that fear is taking its toll on me and the child before it¡¯s even born? Not to mention, that if I somehow survive either choice, I then get to have a baby alone in the wilderness, which will most likely kill me and it both, anyway? Yeah, wonderful choices.¡± she added with another sniffle.

    ¡°We might have a partial cure for those problems.¡± Kyle attempted to sound hopeful, though his doubt was obvious in his voice.

    ¡°I find that really hard to believe.¡± she scoffed.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to hear about this so-called cure, myself.¡± Ian put in.

    ¡°We¡¯ve found a way for me to be in two places at once, in a manner of speaking.¡± Jared offered quietly.

    Ian let out another scoff of disbelief, ¡°Got another new power in the last half hour, did ya?¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Not me.¡± Jared stated softly as he glanced at where Kyle took his own deep breath.

    ¡°It turns out that me and Jared, because of the way our brains are, we¡¯ve got a bit more of a connection than we thought, oddly enough.¡± Kyle attempted to begin to explain the theory that hadn¡¯t exactly been thoroughly tested yet.

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Lili asked, her curiosity finally managing to press past her worry, if only for a moment.

    ¡°Well, it seems he and I can sort of, communicate, without actual words.¡± Kyle attempted a further explanation.

    Lili and Ian both shook their heads then, ¡°Ok, great.¡± she began again, ¡°But not really sure how that solves much.¡±

    Then Kyle attempted to continue, ¡°Well, in theory¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh goodie, my favorite words again.¡± Ian grumbled as he moved to reach for his boxer briefs again, considering he had still only been wrapped in the blanket from his previous encounter with Lili.

    Lili simply looked down as he moved to painfully slide the article of clothing back on, both the other males a little caught by his just discovered state of dress, not to mention his lack of any shame about getting dressed right there in front of them.

    ¡°We could¡¯ve like, left the room a second.¡± Jared managed as Ian finished at least partially covering himself, though in obvious pain as he did.

    ¡°I thought me and Lili were the only ones who might get distracted by seeing another guy naked. You guys got some more secrets, now?¡± he smirked.

    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly what I meant.¡± Jared mumbled as he and Kyle just shook their heads as they looked downwards. Then Jared just had to speak up again, ¡°And you really have no desire to get that leg healed right at all, do you?¡± he told Ian with a bit of a scolding tone obvious in his voice again.

    ¡°Well, for several, long, minutes, it didn¡¯t hurt, like, at all.¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding as he allowed a devious grin in Lili¡¯s direction where she simply blushed, her own eyes downwards then.

    Jared just shook his head as he then glanced back at Lili, ¡°And you¡¯re enabling his own stubbornness?¡± he asked her with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°I can be very convincing when I want to be.¡± Ian answered for her with another smirk.

    Though, Lili¡¯s sadness still outweighed her ability to find any amusement in Ian¡¯s attempt at playfulness, ¡°I guess maybe I thought it might¡¯ve been our last chance to be together, at all.¡± she managed, though so quietly they just barely made out her words, causing them all to let out a consecutive sigh.

    ¡°First of all, Ian isn¡¯t going anywhere until that leg does heal. And that¡¯s doctor¡¯s orders.¡± Jared began with a bit of force before continuing, ¡°And secondly, that¡¯s part of what we were trying to talk to you both about. It seems that I can communicate my thoughts to Kyle without actually having to speak them. And that should apply to my medical knowledge, too. And if I can do that, then you at least won¡¯t really be left without a doctor looking after you, technically.¡±

    Lili just shook her head, ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the case then why not just pour it all into his head right now?¡± she questioned, finding herself no longer even having trouble believing in such far-fetched theories any more, these days.

    ¡°No, there¡¯s way too much for that. We¡¯d probably both short circuit.¡± Jared worried aloud.

    ¡°Well, then it¡¯s not really a solution, is it?¡± Lili returned, all of her worry easily still foremost in her mind.

    ¡°What I mean is that, if Ian and I go out there, and then something does happen with you. Something medical.¡± he added, ¡°Then Kyle can let me know what¡¯s going on, and I can let him know how to help you.¡±

    ¡°In theory.¡± Kyle had to add, expecting the scoff that Ian let out upon hearing those words again.

    ¡°In theory?¡± Lili repeated with a stammer, prodding them to explain further.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t really tested it, over a distance, yet.¡± Jared admitted, his own eyes downwards, ¡°But considering how far reaching my visions seem to be, it¡¯s a good theory that distance really shouldn¡¯t be a factor with this either.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully.¡± Lili finished his sentence for him.

    Jared then sighed again, ¡°It¡¯s the best option we have, right now.¡± another breath, ¡°And, we still have to wait for Ian¡¯s leg to heal, so, who knows, maybe we¡¯ll come up with something even better, by then.¡± he then moved closer to her, speaking more softly, ¡°Remember, you promised me you¡¯d at least try and hope. Can you please do that for me? I need you to. You¡¯re my anchor, after all.¡± he whispered as he moved to place a gentle kiss over her lips, despite the other two sets of eyes in the room.

    Once Jared finally moved back again, Ian finally spoke up, ¡°It¡¯s a good start. But if you guys figured this much out in just half an hour, and we have to wait until I¡¯m in top form again, please try and come up with more.¡± he allowed his own soft breath, ¡°We all need as much hope as we can even get right now. And you two, I have a feeling, you¡¯re it.¡± he stated plainly as he moved to continue dressing, all of them then falling a bit silent as they thought about how they would truly find a way to get through such an endeavor, at all.

    <hr>

    Over the next week, Ian tried to force himself to stay off his leg and on his own side of the shack while Lili pretended she could possibly get any rest of her own. During this time, Jared and Kyle kept trying to strengthen their powers and begin testing that mental link of sorts over longer and longer distances. Finally, at dinner that night it was noted, perhaps most quickly by Lili, that Ian seemed to be moving around with barely any pain at all. Making that mental observation easily sent her mind straight back to worst case scenarios once more, now that it was obvious that the time for them to separate was looming ever closer.

    Upon Ian finally speaking up about the lack of pain he seemed to be in, and Jared once more examining his leg to determine how well healed it truly was, and finding that Ian¡¯s body did indeed seem to be greatly recovered from the strain, Lili wanted to attempt to be happy for the fact. Though, her own fears made that nearly impossible as she simply headed inside alone, without a word to any of them even after Jared gave his positive review of the injury.

    ¡°Now the real fun part begins.¡± Ian stated softly once she had left them all out near the high flames that were keeping the night¡¯s chill at bay.

    Jared and Kyle both sighed softly themselves, as Kyle moved to wash out the cartons and utensils in the river, which was thankfully still flowing unfrozen as the lows were still remaining above freezing, so far.

    ¡°I¡¯m not as completely terrified by leaving her without medical help now, but¡­¡± Jared just shook his head, rather than finishing his response to Ian¡¯s words.

    ¡°No more visions yet, huh?¡± Ian sighed as well.

    ¡°I wish to hell I could turn them on and off, but, I¡¯ve been spending so much time trying to help figure out stuff with Kyle, not to mention trying to get a better fix on where to begin our search¡­I haven¡¯t even attempted to master that part of it, if it even exists at all.¡± Jared admitted quietly as he took a slow sip of his water.

    ¡°Well, what do you think?¡±

    ¡°What do I think¡­about what part of it?¡± Jared asked as he looked at Ian skeptically over the rim of the cup.

    ¡°What do you think would be better, staying here for the winter, assuming it becomes more winter-like,¡± he shrugged at the air around them, ¡°Or waiting until it¡¯s warmer, which would also mean, closer to July.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°July?¡± Jared asked quietly.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that when the baby¡¯s coming?¡± Ian asked just as quietly.

    ¡°Yeah, I suppose it is.¡± Jared agreed.

    Jared then sighed softly, trying not to let his mind wryly consider Lili¡¯s own interest in astrology and that if born on time, and safely, the baby would most likely be a lot like him, even if it weren¡¯t his own. Of course, upon allowing that thought, he couldn¡¯t help allowing the other, more deeply buried thought of whether this child would honestly be like Ian and Lili, or like he and Kyle, or something even more different, considering their location as well as their air, water and food which was unknown to any pregnant human female before. On those even more scary thoughts, he mentally forced his scientist side to quiet itself, having enough sets of worries at that moment without letting that kind of scientific speculation in right then.

    ¡°Do you really think that might happen?¡± Kyle interrupted as he returned with the since rinsed dishes.

    ¡°What? That the baby will actually be born on time?¡± Jared asked as he glanced up at Kyle¡¯s reappearance.

    ¡°No, the other thing you were thinking.¡± Kyle admitted quietly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared responded, a bit thrown.

    ¡°Since I was at the river, I was practicing. I know I shouldn¡¯t use it any time I feel the urge, but if this trip is really happening, I wanna be as good at this as I possibly can, right?¡± Kyle returned with the slightest tinge of guilt.

    ¡°What other thing?¡± Ian was the one who responded, his eyes moving over both of them.

    ¡°There¡¯s a reason thoughts are private, Kyle. I didn¡¯t think I needed to keep my guard up constantly.¡± Jared mumbled as he took another sip to try and compose himself in the light of the recent peer into his inner mind.

    ¡°What other thing?¡± Ian repeated more firmly.

    ¡°He¡¯s worried.¡± Kyle allowed.

    ¡°Well, no shit, but what other thing?¡± Ian asked once more.

    ¡°Jared?¡± Kyle pressed.

    ¡°Now you won¡¯t even let me keep my own thoughts mine, Kyle? I thought we were past this.¡± Jared scoffed.

    ¡°I know, and I¡¯m sorry, but now that I heard you thinking it, I can¡¯t stop. And you¡¯re still the scientist. Do you really think something like that might happen?¡± Kyle continued, frustrated that Jared¡¯s guard was firmly in place once more, but as he stated, the seed had already been planted in his own brain, now.

    ¡°Like what?¡± Ian asked more loudly.

    ¡°I was just allowing mental speculation. I¡¯m still a scientist, it¡¯s what I do.¡± Jared defended with a shake of his head, ¡°But something that is only speculation is not really ready for public consumption. Why do you think it takes years for any scientific advances to ever come to light? We spend that time proving and disproving those theories before we let the world in.¡± Jared attempted to explain with another pointed look towards Kyle.

    ¡°Well consider us your new damn research team.¡± Ian retorted impatiently, ¡°What are you speculating about?¡±

    Jared just shook his head, ¡°We really don¡¯t need more worries added to the bunch, Kyle.¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Well, too late. They¡¯re already in my head, and I¡¯m the one that¡¯s staying here behind with her, aren¡¯t I?¡± Kyle reminded.

    ¡°Do I have to threaten physical pain again?¡± Ian complained loudly at their continued vagueness, ¡°And need I remind you both that my leg¡¯s better now?¡± he added for weight.

    ¡°It¡¯s only speculation, god.¡± Jared mumbled before taking a breath, ¡°I was just thinking about the difference between the children born on earth, like you and Lili, and the ones born on the ship, like me and Kyle.¡± another deep breath, ¡°Just wondering how different one born to a mother who spent her entire pregnancy here, on this planet, how different they might be, that¡¯s all.¡± he added with a guilt for even thinking such thoughts easily clear in his tone.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right.¡± Ian managed a moment later, ¡°I really didn¡¯t want that thought in my head, after all.¡±

 Chapter 38

    As the fourth week of November began, they still had yet to see any snow, though on some nights there would be a bit of frost outside the circle of heat produced by the fire outside and the heaters inside. Though despite the worry that caused, the three men went about planning their strategy for the search for the ship. As Kyle was the one who would be staying behind with Lili, his preparation involved a crash course in whatever weapons Ian would be leaving, for matters of self-defense as well as hunting for food, as the cold temperatures were taking their toll on the procurement of any edible plant life.

    Kyle¡¯s other task in this period of preparation was also to help create a map of the area which they had scouted in their three months there. He and Jared used the programs available to them in their handheld computers to make this map, as paper or writing tools weren¡¯t really something any of them had thought all that necessary for a week long trip which had now turned into something much different, indeed. The two decided that each day of the search, Jared would update the map as best he could and then send it back to Kyle¡¯s own computer in the hopes that if one pair ever had to be able to find the other, for any reason, it would be a bit easier.

    As the three went about their tasks, none really seemed to ask for much input from Lili at all, not that she had any to give, aside from her own ever increasing fears, which would be doubtful to help any of them, really. Though, as Lili thought on that fact as she cleaned up after their latest meal, she couldn¡¯t help seething a bit over it. It was true that there was nothing beyond their own ideas, that she felt she had to contribute to the planning, however the more she thought on it, the more she felt herself being relegated to a more and more defenseless, helpless, and secondary role, just as the women of centuries past had found themselves. That fact alone caused a nearly allergic reaction in her 21st century brain despite her common sense agreeing that she should not risk herself by being included on this endeavor in her current condition and considering the weight of what this child¡¯s survival would truly mean, if she did manage to bring it safely into this new world. Though, those two conflicting sets of knowledge still seemed to wage a constant war in her head, especially every time that the three males went about their plans without so much as a word to her about her opinion regarding any of those plans.

    As she finished washing out their meal containers in the icy cold river once more, and returning to the shack where the three of them looked over the latest version of the map, an even more upsetting thought occurred to her once her eyes moved over them, stopping at last on Kyle. He wasn¡¯t really a soldier, and his currently known powers weren¡¯t honestly the type that could help them defend against the elements of nature, and he was also the only one she would be left with during what was easily the most dangerous time of her life. She wasn¡¯t sure if her sudden sense of foreboding was more inspired by a lack of feeling secure as much as it was by the very interaction that she and Kyle had had since she discovered the pregnancy. Though, lack of interaction was most likely a more accurate description.

    He had truly barely said a word to her since the child¡¯s existence had been discovered, aside from during group conversations. And, though he hadn¡¯t said anything directly to her, it was clear that he had made his opinion of the pregnancy well known to both of the other men. She allowed an inaudible sigh as she moved past where they sat in the common area of the shack looking over the map that night, and headed back to her own sleeping area, where the half-wall wouldn¡¯t allow them to see her continued upset, and where Kyle wouldn¡¯t be tempted to try peering into her brain. Though, that thought really didn¡¯t help calm her, either. After all, she doubted she could lock him out the way Jared could, and Ian was so busy saying exactly what he thought, at all times, Kyle never had much reason to use that skill with the oldest male among them. Another set of conflicting arguments seemed to then take root in her brain: She was sure that Kyle held a bit of animosity toward her in recent weeks, but having him discover that she sensed that, that made the fact even worse, and even more upsetting to her, somehow.

    <hr>

    When the two oldest men finally did set out on the first leg of their journey, Lili had imagined that the night before would have been a passionate goodbye with each of them, but it somehow turned out much more tearful than passionate. Her upset at the reality of them leaving her, and how much closer that very fact would push them to the worst case scenario of her child¡¯s birth, posed by that vision, made it nearly impossible for her to feel remotely like making love, aside from just how exhausted and stressed the pregnancy had already had her. Instead of making love to them, she curled up between the two men, taking turns at crying softly against one shoulder or another, while they tried their best to comfort her, despite how much fear each of them attempted to keep to themselves, for her sake at the least.

    That cold morning, the two finally started away from the camp, her sadness nearly breaking their hearts, while trying to force themselves to remember how important finding the remainder of the ship would truly be for all of them, though especially so for Lili and the child.

    They had made the final decision that their best strategy would be to search the area surrounding their riverside camp in ever-widening circles, at least until Jared got another vision or some ¡®sense¡¯ of where they needed to go, at all. Their first day¡¯s journey was marked by an almost deafening silence between the two as they each hauled almost exactly half of the group¡¯s existing supplies in the large packs upon their backs, both ever vigilant of any danger, or any sign whatsoever of a crash, or any possible survivors, as doubtful as their existence even was.

    When they finally stopped to make their camp that night, and finished their quiet meal, Jared updating and sending the expanded version of the map back to Kyle¡¯s computer, was when Ian finally spoke up, ¡°Sent it to Kyle?¡± he stated the obvious, though hoarsely, considering the cold air, and their lack of really having used their voices much at all that day.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jared responded just as hoarsely as he tucked the computer away again and leaned forward to warm his hands over the small fire that was meant to scare off any predators even more than it was meant for heat, as they did have two of the small heaters with them.

    ¡°Nothing yet, huh?¡± Ian asked just as quietly.

    ¡°Nothing?¡± Jared returned with a slight glance his way.

    ¡°Vision-wise.¡±

    Jared just shook his head, "I think it¡¯s pretty obvious if I get one when I¡¯m awake, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± Ian returned, his own eyes down, as he seemed to not even be his usual sarcastic, humorous self at all, anymore, all things considered. He then swallowed harder as he looked back at Jared, seeming to force himself to ask his next question, ¡°So, how bad do you think this is going to get, really?¡±

    ¡°If only I had any idea.¡± Jared admitted softly.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t just mean the search, though.¡± Ian managed to add.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    Ian then sighed slightly as he moved through his next statement, ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll really be ok, there, with just Kyle?¡±

    Jared swallowed a bit before responding, ¡°Remember, I can hear Kyle¡¯s thoughts when he wants me to. So, if something happened to her, I could let him know what to do. He is a genius. It should be pretty easy for him to follow my instructions, telepathic though they¡¯ll be.¡± he attempted to assure.

    Ian then looked down quietly, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean just that either.¡±

    That was when Jared narrowed his eyes a bit, ¡°Then what did you mean?¡± he found himself being the one asking that question for once, when the roles were most often reversed between the two of them.

    Ian let out a deep breath, which was easily visible in the thin air of the night-time forest, ¡°That last time me and Lili were, together,¡± he began with a slight pause, ¡°she told me she feels like Kyle hates her now, cause of the baby.¡±

    Jared swallowed hard again, ¡°Did Kyle ever say anything to her about it at all though, really?¡±

    ¡°Not that I know of.¡± Ian admitted, ¡°But I think that¡¯s probably a big part of why she thinks so.¡± another slight pause, ¡°I mean, he did go from wanting to crawl in bed with her every night, if he could, to barely even speaking to her, at all.¡± Ian reminded Jared of the facts that the younger man had honestly already been aware of, himself, even without his psychic sensibility.

    ¡°It¡¯s a lot to deal with, for all of us, let alone, when Kyle already had this other stuff in his head, like his sense of guilt, misguided as it may have been.¡± Jared tried to assure, though his words lacked weight.

    ¡°You¡¯re really good at not answering things directly, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ian scoffed, though weakly.

    Jared just shook his head, ¡°Being psychic doesn¡¯t always mean reading minds. I get visions of things, not thoughts. Thoughts are Kyle¡¯s thing.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Exactly.¡± was all Ian returned with.

    ¡°Exactly?¡± Jared furrowed his brow again.

    ¡°If he does read thoughts, and he uses it on her¡­¡± Ian just shook his head, ¡°He¡¯s gonna know that she thinks he hates her, and even if he doesn¡¯t, really¡­¡± another breath, ¡°Well, how do you feel when you think someone else thinks you hate them, whether or not you actually do?¡± Ian pointed out quietly.

    Jared allowed another shaky breath as he thought on the words, ¡°So, you¡¯re asking me if I think she¡¯ll be able to depend on him, when she really needs to?¡±

    Ian allowed another deep breath before continuing, ¡°Well, if we¡¯re still out here, come time for the baby, then we won¡¯t be there when she has it, and according to your vision, no one else will be there for her either, will they?¡± Ian asked, though his voice shook slightly as he did.

    Jared attempted to steel himself in the face of that question before offering his own answer, ¡°You gotta understand, I only saw a portion of her actual labor. Sometimes labor lasts for hours¡­just because no one was there during the moments I saw¡­¡± he just shook his head again, not sure he was even able to convince himself of her safety, let alone anyone else.

    Ian just scoffed as he stood to head for his own tent, ¡°Another half answer, great.¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Ian, but I haven¡¯t seen all of that portion of the future yet. I wish to hell I had, but I just¡­haven¡¯t¡± he finished with defeat.

    ¡°Well, someone better see something, cause if something happens to her or the baby¡­it¡¯s just over, for all of us, one way or another.¡± was Ian¡¯s final statement as he disappeared inside the tent, forcing back more emotions then he ever allowed himself to show. Though, as they had all admitted at one time or another, things had definitely changed now, in every way.

    <hr>

    That first day without Ian and Jared there with them was just as deafeningly silent between Lili and Kyle. Though, most of the day, she had stayed inside while he braved the cold to attempt stocking up on their supply of fresh fish. The only time they were even both outside at the same time was when they did take a moment to eat, though even during their meals that day, the silence continued throughout the entire meal, before Lili quickly rushed back inside and out of his company.

    When dinner had finished, Lili heading silently inside once more as Kyle added the last few branches to the fire for the night, he couldn¡¯t help sighing after yet another quick departure of hers. Finishing with the fire and shivering again in the cold night air, Kyle took another breath and headed inside as well. He paused momentarily at his own bed and the small heater next to it, before glancing across the shack, where Lili had seemed to have hidden herself away once more inside her own sleeping area.

    Finally, he moved to reach for his own heater and headed toward her ¡®room¡¯ with another soft sigh as she looked a bit startled at his appearance there around the corner of the half-built wall, ¡°I think it may have dropped another five degrees just since you came inside.¡± he offered a hoarse greeting.

    ¡°Wonderful.¡± she mumbled, looking down as she spoke, so as to not make it any more obvious how startled she was by him even speaking to her at all.

    ¡°I figured it might be warmer if we had both heaters in one part of the shack, since we only have two instead of four, now.¡± he managed to offer further.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to sleep¡­in here?¡± she managed, not able to keep from glancing up at him at last.

    ¡°Well, if it keeps getting this cold at night, I¡¯m thinking one room, two sets of covers, two heaters¡­two bodies,¡± he added more quietly, ¡°that would probably be the way to go if we really don¡¯t like the idea of freezing all night, or risking getting sick. I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s the last thing either of us need, right now.¡± he added softly.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± she agreed weakly, her eyes turning downwards once more.

    Kyle swallowed a bit, forcing back the urge to say, or do, anything in regards to her obviously shocked reaction to his idea, even though the idea itself was basic common sense, ¡°I¡¯m gonna go grab my covers and stuff, then.¡± he offered with another deep breath as he set the heater near her own bedding and went to retrieve his.

    When he returned, her tension was even more obvious as he started up the second heater and then went about bringing the blankets and furs over to where she swallowed hard and moved aside to let him combine their two sets of bedding.

    After a few moments, he finished combining the large pile and glanced back at her, ¡°Any preference for a side?¡± he attempted a smile, though it didn¡¯t quite come to life on his lips.

    Lili took another shaky breath as she continued averting her eyes, ¡°I guess the inside, away from the outer wall.¡± she offered with a slight shrug, ¡°But¡­¡± she just shook her head instead of finishing the thought.

    ¡°But, what?¡± Kyle forced himself to ask for her answer, rather than trying to collect it, himself.

    ¡°But, it¡¯s only like, nine. You going to sleep already?¡± she offered an answer which was clearly not her original one.

    ¡°It¡¯s way too cold to stand out by that river anymore today. Plus, not a lot else to do out there at night, in the dark, anyway. Figure I¡¯ll wait ¡¯til tomorrow for my first attempt at a solo hunt.¡± he allowed himself to offer a response, despite having a feeling that the question she asked wasn¡¯t really her original question, at all.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to go hunting, alone?¡± she swallowed a bit.

    ¡°I won¡¯t go far, or stay out long.¡± he attempted to assure as he moved to reach for the top layers of the blankets, awkwardly gesturing for her to join him, ¡°But if the river freezes, I gotta get this hunting thing down. There¡¯s really no choice about that, Lili.¡± he told her, though kept his voice gentle, despite how warily she forced her feet to bring her toward the bed.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ll be even more alone than Jared and Ian, out there.¡± she whispered as she forced herself to crawl under the covers, while still trying to stay out of contact with his own body.

    ¡°Like I said, no real choice about that. We¡¯ve gotta eat, and it¡¯s either fish, for as long as we can get any, or other animals. Those are the only choices until it gets warm enough for any fruit to grow, again.¡± he repeated just as softly as he narrowed his eyes at the way she pulled the cover up, rolling to her side, away from him while trying to stifle another shaky breath.

    ¡°And I¡¯ll be alone, back here.¡± she managed in an even more broken whisper, ¡°But I guess that¡¯s something I really need to get used to, isn¡¯t it?¡± she managed, burying her face against the pillow, as more of those tears were replenished once again, almost as though they¡¯d never stop, at all.

 Chapter 39

    It had now been nearly two weeks since Ian and Jared had begun their attempt at finding some sign of the ship, while leaving Lili behind in Kyle¡¯s care. She still was struggling with her morning sickness on a daily basis, as another day began with her rushing from their bed to go and rid herself of anything that might have actually remained in her stomach throughout the night. Though, this morning, she didn¡¯t even make it all of the fifty or so feet from the door to the river as she collapsed to her knees, giving into the continuing nausea once more.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t wanna go all the way to the river today?¡± Kyle asked hoarsely, her leaving the covers easily waking him as well, as he stepped outside to find her there on her knees, barely ten feet from the door.

    Lili just sniffled and angrily wiped at her watering eyes as she attempted to force her voice through her still raw throat, ¡°Didn¡¯t really have much of a choice.¡± she muttered as she forced herself to stand again to go in search of a cup to fill with water that could wash the horrible taste from her mouth once again.

    ¡°So, is it getting worse, then?¡± he asked warily as he followed slowly as she got her drink and took a seat on the log near the remaining fire.

    ¡°Yeah, cause it was really pleasant before.¡± she mumbled through another sip of the icy water.

    ¡°I mean, you¡¯re almost two months now,¡± he began with a slight pause, ¡°isn¡¯t it supposed to eventually stop, not get worse?¡±

    ¡°Gee I don¡¯t know Kyle. First time I¡¯ve been pregnant.¡± she scoffed, though it wasn¡¯t truly apparent whether she was more upset by his question, or just by the facts of the situation, as a whole.

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s cause of us just eating fish now, instead of the fruit and other stuff anymore?¡± he pressed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not the doctor, remember?¡± she returned bitterly.

    Kyle sighed quietly as he pondered his earlier posed theory, ¡°Well, I obviously have to go hunting more often. And believe me, I know that upsets you, but¡­¡± he just shook his head.

    ¡°You hunting doesn¡¯t upset me.¡± she argued, her voice still a bit rough, ¡°You being out there alone, that¡¯s a different story.¡± she grumbled.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry, but you know there¡¯s no option, here.¡± he attempted.

    Lili just scoffed, ¡°In exactly what dictionary does it say that pregnant and crippled are goddamn synonyms?¡± she bit back, her own increasing feelings of inferiority easily bubbling to the surface in the midst of her current mood.

    Kyle swallowed a bit as he tried to find an acceptable reaction to her statement, or, more precisely, one that wouldn¡¯t further upset her, ¡°You can¡¯t mean that you want to come hunting with me?¡±

    Lili scoffed again as she set the cup aside with a bit more force than was necessary, ¡°Well, when something happens to you, out there, by yourself, I¡¯m gonna be the only one left to do any hunting at all, by myself, pregnant or not, aren¡¯t I?¡± she shot back.

    ¡°Lili¡­¡±

    ¡°What? It¡¯s true!¡± she returned vehemently, ¡°You get yourself hurt or killed and that¡¯s the only fucking option we have left, isn¡¯t it?¡± she asked with a near growl, ¡°And why the fuck am I the only one that seems to realize that, when compared to not one, but two fucking geniuses and a survival expert? Can you explain that to me? Huh, genius?¡± she finished with more volume than Kyle had ever remembered hearing her speak with, making it obvious that her own stress and exhaustion were very near a boiling point.

    After a long moment, Kyle finally spoke up, though softly, ¡°So, I guess that means you do want to come?¡±

    Lili just shook her head, ¡°Why bother even talking about it? It¡¯s not like any of you would even consider the option. After all, we¡¯re only living in the 21st century. We grew up on a goddamn floating city, where my mother, yes, mother, was in charge of every other man, woman and child. We¡¯re the first people to discover a brand new fucking planet. But no, the female here couldn¡¯t possibly be expected to be able to help any of us fend for ourselves. Oh no, that¡¯s just pure insanity, isn¡¯t it?¡± she exclaimed even more loudly, her sarcasm painfully obvious.

    More than a bit shocked by her lengthy outburst, Kyle couldn¡¯t help letting out a loud laugh as his own form of response.

    ¡°Oh, so glad I fucking amuse you!¡± she shouted back as she rushed to stand, fully preparing to storm away, though she was easily stopped by his hand grasping her arm and pulling her back to face him.

    ¡°That¡¯s not why I was laughing, well not exactly.¡± he chuckled again.

    ¡°Not exactly?¡± she retorted, some venom remaining in her voice, despite her shocked reaction to the way he still held her in place next to him.

    ¡°You¡­¡± he began with a soft smile, ¡°I guess you do amuse me, but not for the reasons you¡¯re thinking.¡± he quickly added, though still spoke just as gently.

    ¡°Do I even wanna ask?¡± she returned, trying to keep her voice firm, though it was becoming difficult.

    ¡°You really think we see you that way?¡± he began, ¡°That¡¯s not it, at all.¡±

    Lili scoffed once more, ¡°Odd how that¡¯s exactly how it seems.¡± she muttered.

    ¡°Hey, which of us can read minds here?¡± he reminded playfully.

    ¡°Not a good time to point out more of your supposed superiority, here, Kyle.¡± she complained with a scowl.

    ¡°You honestly think that the three of us treat you this way cause we think you¡¯re inferior? Really, Lil?¡± he asked with another gentle smile.

    Another scoff, ¡°Don¡¯t know exactly how else I¡¯m supposed to interpret it, here.¡±

    ¡°Maybe, like the three of us think you¡¯re too precious, you, and the baby,¡± he managed, ¡°to ever let ourselves risk doing anything we think would have an even remote chance of putting you in danger? How¡¯s that for a different interpretation?¡± he asked her sweetly as he placed a gentle kiss over her cheek, where she just looked up at him in some attempt to take in his words through her own shock at not only his words, but at the soft kiss as well.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Finally after another long moment of him remaining close to her, a hand gently caressing each of her arms, she spoke up, ¡°Since when do you think the baby¡¯s precious?¡± was all she managed.

    ¡°I told you that when we first got here: I said, that if we¡¯re trapped here, you are the most important person here. Because you¡¯re the only woman left. The only one who could ever carry on our race at all. You can¡¯t tell me that you don¡¯t remember that.¡±

    Lili just shook her head up at him, ¡°But I thought you hated the fact that I was pregnant?¡± she managed, though her voice continued growing smaller as she spoke.

    ¡°I hate the fact that now everything we do, or don¡¯t do, is so much more important now, because of a baby that completely caught me off guard, completely. But that¡¯s only because of how very important this child really is. I just don¡¯t deal well with stress, like, at all, remember?¡± he admitted softly with another slight kiss upon her cheek.

    Lili sniffled slightly as she tried to force her eyes up to meet his, ¡°You mean, you don¡¯t hate the baby, and me, after all?¡± she whispered.

    Kyle just shook his head down at her, trying not to show his reaction to such a question, before finally finding a response, ¡°I have yet to even meet the baby, and I somehow doubt he or she will give me a lot of attitude before they¡¯re even out of the womb.¡± he attempted a smile.

    Lili forced back the slightest smile before continuing, ¡°And me?¡± she asked hoarsely, forcing her eyes back up to his.

    He just swallowed a smile as he allowed himself to look back down into her questioning eyes, ¡°I guess it has been nearly a month, hasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s been?¡± Lili furrowed her brow, a little thrown by his response.

    ¡°This.¡± he answered briefly as he moved to lift her into his arms as she let out a slight gasp, which he paid no heed to as he carried her back inside once again, feeling that them having one good morning again, that was long overdue.

    <hr>

    As neither of them had been getting much sleep over the last couple of weeks, Kyle easily drifted off once they had finished making love on that chilly morning. Though, Lili¡¯s stomach would not let her sleep as her hunger was only increased by her constant loss of any kind of sustenance each day. She sighed softly as she looked down at him before carefully moving to slide her clothing back on and then retrieve the knife that was always near their bed when not being used to prepare a meal.

    After bundling herself up as much as she even could with what supplies were available to them, she headed over to peer into the cooler at what fish were still stored there. Upon opening it though, the nausea threatened to return once more, though she wasn¡¯t sure if it was the smell of the fish or just the very prospect of eating fish for yet another meal that week. Either way, she quickly closed the lid with a slightly heavier sigh as she looked around in the cold air surrounding the shack, despite the now bright morning sun in the sky.

    She glanced back over her shoulder with another slight sigh before moving back into her sleeping quarters and retrieving one of the guns that Ian had left them with. She then secured the knife and gun to her jeans, under the fur over-wrap of sorts, and headed outside once more.

    She knew that Kyle would be more than a bit upset by her making any attempt at locating anything edible on her own, aside from fish, but her stomach was insisting upon it, and quite forcefully, at that. On that thought, she tossed one more glance back toward the shack and headed off towards the least dense part of the forest, hoping it wouldn¡¯t take too long to come across some tiny animal that may not exactly require an expert hunter to take down, and would still provide any option but another fish breakfast.

    She walked for several long moments, watching the underbrush while not having any real destination in mind. Though it seemed the colder temperatures had sent most of the forest¡¯s smaller animals into hiding, as they would most likely be prey for more than just the few humans that now shared their woods with them, hoping to locate some form of sustenance during the ever cooling winter to come.

    Nearly half an hour had passed without Lili finding much in the way of a realistic target. She then bit her lip, looking back the way she had come, mentally scolding herself for not retrieving Kyle¡¯s computer, and the map which was on it, as well. She attempted to continue walking in a straight line, as difficult as that was made by various trees or underbrush, figuring that she might find her way back much more easily if she kept the route simple.

    Though her mental debate was soon cut short as she fought her way past a thick patch of underbrush, only to come out on the other side, her eyes immediately moving to the large grassy clearing of sorts that waited beyond that tree line. However, it wasn¡¯t just the clearing that startled her, but also the mere number of inhabitants she found grazing there on what little was left of the slowly dying grass.

    There before her were multiple groups of creatures resembling anything from goats to bison or deer and others that were not even similar enough to any of earth¡¯s species which she could quickly call to mind to make any kind of mental comparison to. Another short breath as she attempted to gauge her best plan of action, while still remaining deadly still, despite the knowledge that grazing animals were most likely not all that aggressive under normal circumstances. Though, as Jared would say, that was on earth.

    Then there was the fact that she was a predator, plain and simple, when speaking of the natural facts of the world, as well as the fact that she had come there to indeed, find prey. She swallowed again as she shakily reached for the gun, trying to weigh whether or not she truly wanted to fire a bullet into a group of animals this large, even if she had been remotely comfortable with the idea of guns at all, prior to her new life here.

    Though her attempt at making that decision was soon interrupted as one of the nearest, smaller animals, most resembling a goat, as well as it¡¯s young offspring glanced up at her presence. Lili swallowed a bit from her place at the tree line as the animals¡¯ eyes regarded her with somehow more curiosity than fear. She allowed a small smile wondering if maybe, in this world, she was not immediately seen as a predator, after all, since her kind were virtually unknown to any of the species here, unlike on her original home, where her kind had wiped out nearly every other type of creature, even after their survival no longer justified it.

    Her hands shook a bit, loosely grasping the gun at her side as the two animals dared to move closer still, breaking off from the rest of the group to get a closer look at the new arrival. She swallowed again as the mother took another step toward her, the young easily following. Once they were only around ten feet from her, the mother bleated softly as she sniffed the air, her eyes still moving curiously over Lili.

    ¡°Hi.¡± Lili smiled softly, despite knowing that the creature had no way of interpreting her greeting. However, the completely unexpected blind trust this animal seemed to show couldn¡¯t help making Lili forget that she had originally started this adventure with the plan to bring an end to some animal¡¯s life in order to preserve hers, as well as that of her own offspring.

    In some form of unspoken response to Lili¡¯s greeting, the mother moved closer still, extending her neck to attempt to get a better whiff of this strange new visitor. Lili smiled again as she slowly held out her empty hand to the creature, which then took the cue to sniff the offered hand with it¡¯s own further curiosity, it¡¯s own child staying close behind it.

    ¡°You¡¯re somehow not afraid of me, at all, are you?¡± Lili whispered as the mother gently pressed her nose against Lili¡¯s open palm. Then startling Lili further, it moved closer still and gently used it¡¯s nose once more, to now nudge at Lili¡¯s still flat stomach with another gentle bleat.

    Lili¡¯s breath caught more than a bit at that particular interaction, tears seeming to well up in her blue eyes once more at not only the very symbolism of the moment, but also, at the prospect of what it truly did, or would, mean at all.

 Chapter 40

    After several more moments of the interaction with the two animals, wherein they even allowed Lili to gently pat their heads, her stomach growled to remind her of why she had ventured away from camp in the first place. At the sound of the low rumble in Lili¡¯s stomach, the two animals cocked their heads to the side curiously before turning away from Lili. She furrowed her brow a bit as she watched them slowly move a few feet further along the tree line before stopping to sniff at a patch of plant life and then glancing back toward Lili once more.

    She bit her lip as she glanced back the way she had come through the forest before moving to slowly head for where the two creatures had stopped. Once she reached them again, the mother let out another soft bleat before she and her offspring went back to grazing nearby. With another curious look towards them, Lili finally moved her eyes to the patch of growth that had drawn their attention earlier. Upon closer inspection, and much to her own surprise, there in that patch of plants she found an entire batch of one of the edible forms of mushrooms that Jared had located months earlier. Smiling at the fact that they still remained undamaged by the colder temperatures, Lili took a seat on her knees, where she began picking and eating several of the dark pink mushrooms while casting another curious glance at the two creatures who remained not that many feet away, enjoying their own breakfast, as well.

    Once she had finally quelled at least enough of her hunger to make the journey back to camp, Lili cast one more glance at her new four-legged friends before allowing a slight sigh as she began tracing her steps back to her current home. Much to her relief, another half hour or so found her back in the familiar portion of the woods where many of the trees had been cut down for not only the construction of the shack, but also for continuing to keep their fire going.

    A few more moments passed before the shack came into view where Kyle had now awoken and was angrily shoving a few weapons into the waist of his since replaced jeans. He startled a bit at the sound of her footsteps, ¡°What the fuck, Lili?¡± he growled the greeting as she emerged from the remaining trees.

    ¡°Nice to see you, too.¡± she returned, trying not to smirk at how upset he obviously was.

    ¡°You bitch and complain about me going out there alone, and then¡­¡± his voice then trailed off as his eyes moved to a place several feet behind her, ¡°Get out of the way.¡± he stated quietly as he moved to reach for his own gun.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, caught enough to immediately turn back in the direction that Kyle¡¯s eyes had moved.

    ¡°Move.¡± Kyle repeated in a whisper.

    Looking back the way she had just come, her eyes easily found what had drawn Kyle¡¯s attention. There she let out a slight sound of amused surprise as she saw that the two creatures had followed her all the way back home, though at a distance.

    ¡°Get out of the way.¡± Kyle repeated more forcefully, waiting for her to follow the order before taking aim.

    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna kill them, are you?¡± Lili asked worriedly as she turned back from where the creatures had since stopped, now more warily regarding Kyle, who Lili¡¯s eyes had also moved back to.

    Kyle just scoffed, ¡°Um, we need food. Food has just walked into camp. Now move.¡± he repeated, still trying to speak too quietly to startle them.

    ¡°But why those two?¡± Lili complained, still not moving from her place directly in his line of sight.

    Kyle scoffed more loudly, ¡°We¡¯re starving here Lili, and you have an urge to start keeping pets?¡± he just shook his head, ¡°Move already.¡±

    ¡°Think about it, Kyle, that¡¯s a female goat¡­thing, and the baby is obviously still really young too, and I think it¡¯s also a female.¡±

    Kyle shook his head, ¡°Didn¡¯t realize you had checked under their skirts.¡± he scoffed again, ¡°But we need food, Lili, so kindly¡­¡± he finished, pointedly gesturing for her to step off to the side.

    ¡°And even more than food, I need milk, some kind of calcium. I¡¯m no doctor but I know that much. And it¡¯s probably why the morning sickness is getting worse. She¡¯s a new mother. I think we have a better use for her than just meat.¡± she attempted to reason.

    Kyle just looked back at her in disbelief, despite her making a valid point, ¡°Ok, fine, we¡¯ll pretend that mom will let us keep her, but baby¡¯s goin down.¡± he added, raising the gun once more with another gesture for Lili to move away.

    Lili scoffed, ¡°You¡¯re going to kill her baby, when she¡¯s offering help to us? That¡¯s unbelievably cruel, not to mention, wasteful.¡±

    Kyle lowered the gun once more with another look of disbelief, ¡°She¡¯s a goat, or something, she doesn¡¯t have feelings, and she doesn¡¯t know the meaning of self-sacrifice. She¡¯s a fucking animal.¡± he repeated, ¡°Now, please.¡±

    Lili angrily shook her head as she moved forward to take the gun from Kyle¡¯s hand, ¡°Really?¡± she asked him simply.

    ¡°Gimme the gun back, Lili.¡± he returned in frustration, still watching to make sure that the two animals didn¡¯t wander off again from the spot where they surprisingly remained still, regarding the two humans with continued caution.

    ¡°So, if she doesn¡¯t have feelings, and she doesn¡¯t wanna help us, then prove it.¡± Lili retorted smartly, still refusing to return the gun, as she held it behind her back, still looking up at Kyle huffily.

    ¡°Prove it?¡± he exclaimed in further disbelief, ¡°No offense, Lili, but I think the thin air and the lack of food, and sleep, they¡¯re really starting to get to you.¡±

    ¡°No, prove it.¡± she repeated plainly.

    Kyle scoffed loudly again, finally turning away, running his hands through his shoulder-length waves in frustration, ¡°And exactly how should I do that, oh delusional one.¡± he added more quietly.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°I heard that.¡± she scowled, though only shook her head, ¡°And I think you should be quite capable of proving it, shouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he asked, finally turning back to her.

    ¡°Well, you can read minds, can¡¯t you? Tell me if she doesn¡¯t want to help us, and if she doesn¡¯t care if you slaughter her baby.¡±

    Another loud scoff, ¡°You really have lost your mind, haven¡¯t you?¡±  he returned, trying not to sound like he was all that serious in his accusation, but it was difficult not to.

    ¡°I¡¯ve lost my mind? You¡¯re the one who can read thoughts, so go ahead and do it. Prove that she¡¯s just a dumb animal, with no real feelings. Prove it.¡± she repeated simply, once more.

    Kyle looked down at her with further worry, before finally attempting an answer rather than another attack on her apparently frail mental state, ¡°That only works on humans, Lili.¡±

    ¡°Aside from the fact that humans are animals,¡± she began with a mumble, ¡°have you ever tried it on another ¡¯lesser¡¯ animal?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡± he shook his head again.

    ¡°Well if you¡¯re so positive you¡¯re right, then prove it.¡± she told him once more as she glanced back at the two creatures who still waited nearly twenty feet off.

    Kyle just looked down at her with continued wariness, ¡°And why are you so positive you¡¯re right?¡± he finally asked.

    ¡°Are you really that terrified of ever being proven wrong?¡± she smirked up at him.

    Another scoff, ¡°It¡¯s not about that. I¡¯d just like to know where you¡¯re getting this ¡®not quite sane¡¯ theory of yours.¡± he offered the question, though cautiously.

    ¡°Call it intuition. Now, go ahead, prove me wrong, prove there¡¯s nothing in that animal¡¯s head.¡± she prodded further.

    He shook his head once more, casting her one more glance before moving a few steps past her, finally moving his eyes back to the creature in question. After another moment of holding the mother in his sights, Kyle looked a bit startled as he looked back toward Lili.

    ¡°Ok, so when did you get psychic?¡± was the only response he could come up with.

    Lili grinned widely as she glanced at the creatures, who now took a few slow steps back toward she and Kyle, at last, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± she offered with a slight shrug as the mother reached her, gently nudging at Lili¡¯s hand once more, ¡°She helped me find food earlier, then followed me back. It¡¯s crazy, I know, but that¡¯s what happened.¡± she whispered softly as she gently patted the animal¡¯s head once more.

    Kyle swallowed a bit as he watched the mother¡¯s interaction with Lili, before finding his voice again, ¡°Crazy is an understatement.¡± he breathed, moving to ever so slowly reach out and pat the creature¡¯s head as well, while the baby then moved to nudge at his own leg in greeting, After another moment of Lili smiling down at the two animals, Kyle spoke up again, ¡°They helped you find food?¡±

    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s still mushrooms about half an hour west of here, loads of ¡¯em.¡± Lili smiled.

    ¡°Fish and mushrooms, and oh yes, goat¡¯s milk. Now we¡¯re livin the high life.¡± he smirked slightly as the creatures moved to gnaw upon some nearby grass.

    ¡°There¡¯s more though.¡± she smiled up at Kyle again.

    ¡°I sure as hell hope so, though I can¡¯t imagine what.¡± he returned, awaiting her further explanation.

    ¡°They weren¡¯t the only animals there. There¡¯s herds, literally, only half an hour away. Their grazing area is right on the other side of this patch of forest I just came from. There¡¯s hundreds of them, Kyle. So, no, you don¡¯t have to kill these two. You¡¯ve got plenty of choices, aside from them.¡± she assured him wryly.

    ¡°Hundreds?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Yes, and I found them, alone. Me. A girl. Imagine that.¡± she told him smartly as she finally handed him back his gun with another smirk before heading back inside once again.

    <hr>

    With Lili¡¯s new discovery, finding meals for the rest of the day was a lot easier than it had been previously. Though despite that fact, and the fact of their new companions, after dinner, Lili¡¯s mood seemed to grow darker once more. Kyle sighed slightly as he finished cleaning the hide of the deer-like animal they had shared that night, and rubbed his hands together to chase away the cold from the extremely chilly river water. He then made his way back inside after Lili for the night.

    ¡°So, you think they¡¯ll actually stay without like being inside a fence, or something?¡± he greeted her as he moved to their sleeping quarters where Lili had already wrapped herself in several covers to ward away the dropping temperatures of the night.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± she asked absently, not having really glanced up at his arrival until he had spoken.

    Kyle just shook his head as he moved to claim a place next to her, pulling the covers around himself as well, ¡°We¡¯ve got a field full of food, and hot and cold running milk, if they stick around,¡± he had to add, still having a little trouble with the idea of a creature such as that ¡®wanting¡¯ to help them, despite his own peer into it¡¯s mind seeming to confirm just that, ¡°so, why so upset now?¡±

    Lili just shook her head, ¡°Yeah, you and I are doing slightly better now, if the animals stay around here, but¡­¡± her voice just trailed off as her eyes returned to the floor.

    ¡°Soldier man and telekinetic-scientist boy? I think they¡¯ll do a lot better than you¡¯re giving them credit for, at least when it comes to finding food.¡± he attempted to assure.

    Though Lili remained silent for several moments, sniffling a bit as her thoughts continued their current path. Finally, allowing herself to glance up at where Kyle still awaited her agreement to his previous statement, she spoke, ¡°Do you know what today is?¡±

    ¡°Um, Sunday?¡± Kyle offered after a moment.

    Lili shook her head again, ¡°I meant the date.¡±

    ¡°The eighth, isn¡¯t it?¡± he offered in thought.

    ¡°Yeah, December eighth.¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°Um, ok?¡± he responded, creasing his brow a bit.

    Lili just continued to look down dejectedly before managing to tell him the answer that had been in her head, ¡°It¡¯s Ian¡¯s birthday. His twenty-fourth.¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± Kyle agreed, still not quite following her entire train of thought, as celebrating birthdays wasn¡¯t exactly high up on anyone¡¯s list of priorities these days, the present, of sorts, that he had received on his own, aside.

    Lili breathed another sad response, ¡°I promised him I¡¯d tell him happy birthday, remember?¡±

    Kyle was the one who shook his own head then, ¡°So, is all this sentimentality, is that cause of the pregnancy? Cause I thought that part was supposed to start later.¡± he added with an attempt at a smile.

    Failing to see the humor in his statement, Lili added, ¡°Who knows if he¡¯ll even have another birthday. If any of us will.¡± she added as she wiped at her eyes once more, attempting to beat the tears before they formed.

    ¡°Lili.¡± he sighed softly, placing an arm around her under their now shared covers, rather than making any further statement.

    ¡°I promised him. And I may never be able to keep that promise. How is that not something to be upset about?¡± she whispered back.

    Kyle allowed another slight sigh at how morose such a little thing seemed to be making her, despite the possibility of her fears eventually becoming true. Forcing himself to make an attempt at empathy, which was a feeling that was usually quite foreign to him, considering his own strange life, as short as it had been, he finally made her a gentle offer, ¡°I could tell him for you.¡±

    ¡°Tell him?¡± she asked, looking back up at him, thrown a bit by the words.

    ¡°Remember, I¡¯m a radio, as Jared called it.¡± he smiled gently, ¡°It may not be you telling him, directly, but at least he¡¯d know you remembered your promise, right?¡±

    Lili then managed to smile up at him, placing a soft kiss over his lips, ¡°Thank you.¡± she whispered through the kiss, hoping that just maybe being left there with just Kyle, as young as he still honestly was, maybe it wouldn¡¯t be as terrible a thing as she had originally feared it would be, after all.

 Chapter 41

    Jared and Ian were setting up their tents for yet another cold, silent night around their fire, when Ian¡¯s voice finally broke the silence, speaking back over his shoulder to Jared, ¡°What?¡±

    Jared glanced up from preparing his own tent in response, ¡°What, what?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say something?¡± Ian answered, finally turning back to face him.

    ¡°Um, no?¡± Jared returned, with a crease of the brow.

    ¡°I just heard you¡­¡± Ian began his denial, only to be stopped mid-sentence as he looked around the dark woods surrounding them, ¡°It wasn¡¯t you.¡± he breathed the words quietly, his hand already having moved to one of his weapons.

    ¡°What wasn¡¯t me?¡± Jared asked, his voice automatically dropping to meet Ian¡¯s volume.

    ¡°There.¡± Ian pointed out, ¡°There it was again. Are younothearing that?¡± he asked Jared in the same loud whisper, his eyes scanning the woods, one of his guns clasped tightly in his hand.

    ¡°I suppose, if I said, ¡®hearing what,¡¯ that would be an answer?¡± Jared stated slowly, his volume dropping further as he also moved a hand to the knife at his side, his eyes scanning the woods as well.

    Then Ian just scoffed, only loosening his grip on the gun slightly, ¡°Ok, either I¡¯m losing it, or animals are talking, without you hearing them, of course.¡± he shook his head at his own words, ¡°Ok, so I¡¯m losing it. Just what we need.¡± he grumbled.

    Jared furrowed his brow further, ¡°What exactly did you hear?¡± he asked worriedly, not yet letting his own guard down.

    ¡°I thought I heard a fucking voice. But, apparently, cold and thin air, and lack of food have all made me start hallucinating. This is just great.¡± Ian muttered with a shake of his head.

    ¡°A voice?¡± Jared repeated, seeming only slightly less shocked than Ian, slightly.

    ¡°Yeah, I think I need some sleep, badly.¡± Ian mumbled again.

    ¡°A voice saying what?¡± Jared continued the conversation as Ian moved to turn back toward his tent again.

    ¡°Does it matter?¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°Maybe?¡± Jared shrugged slightly, his eyes still moving around the woods.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re more concerned with what I heard the voice saying, than the fact that I heard a voice, at all?¡± Ian was then the one who raised his brow, ¡°On an abandoned planet?¡± he had to add for weight.

    Jared just swallowed slightly as he moved his eyes back to Ian, ¡°Well, remember, we are looking for survivors, right?¡± Jared offered, rather than going into any other reason he might have had for indulging the possibility that maybe the four of them weren¡¯t alone on that planet, after all, as the visions he saw of this mystery person, were the most vague out of them all.

    Ian just shook his head, ¡°I think we¡¯re both pretty sure there aren¡¯t any survivors by now, aren¡¯t we?¡± he then shook his head, ¡°Then there¡¯s the fact that youdidn¡¯thear anything. So, that brings us back to the ¡®Ian just really needs his sleep¡¯ theory.¡± seeing that Jared seemed unsatisfied by his answer, he let out a long breath, and added, ¡°I thought I heard someone say my name, ok?¡±

    ¡°Your name?¡± Jared repeated.

    ¡°Ok, what the fuck, I just heard it again, goddammit.¡± Ian complained as he looked around again.

    ¡°So, the voiceknowsyou?¡± Jared pointed out.

    ¡°Well it¡¯s in my fucking head. It should!¡± Ian complained, shaking his head at the fact that the conversation was even still going on.

    ¡°But, do you know it?¡± Jared continued with all seriousness.

    Ian scoffed again, ¡°Yeah, I just failed to mention the little friend in my head for the last four months.¡± he returned sarcastically, ¡°And shut up!¡± he added more loudly as he looked up at the sky while issuing the order, rather than at Jared, who continued to center a look on Ian that was more like the look he¡¯d wear while looking at a science experiment.

    ¡°Does the voice sound like anyone you know, I mean?¡± Jared continued, still speaking seriously rather than condescendingly.

    ¡°Are you fucking with me now, too, Jared?¡± Ian muttered.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m being totally serious, honest.¡± Jared insisted, ¡°Do you recognize the voice at all?¡± he asked again.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Ian complained, ¡°I¡¯ve only heard three voices for the last four months. Remember?¡±

    ¡°And¡­?¡± Jared prodded.

    Ian shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know, I suppose it does kind of sound a little like¡­Kyle.¡± he finished, though his voice dropped a bit on the name as he and Jared met one another¡¯s eyes again.

    Jared took his own breath and nodded knowingly, ¡°So, you¡¯re really hearing the voice of someone who actuallycanget inside other people¡¯s heads?¡± Jared rephrased for him.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Ian mumbled again as he took a seat, pushing dark locks from his eyes.

    ¡°Well, the good news is, I think we can write off schizophrenia, for the moment.¡± Jared assured as he also sat.

    ¡°Great.¡± Ian scoffed again, ¡°So why the hell is Kyle in my head? If something happened¡­¡± he just shook his head as he glanced back at Jared, who attempted not to allow too worried of a look, himself, right then.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°Just kind of relax, and be quiet, I¡¯m sure he¡¯s trying to say more. You just kind of gotta let yourself listen.¡±

    ¡°Relax? While someone else is in my head? Yeah, sounds simple enough.¡± Ian grumbled again.

    ¡°Ian.¡± Jared said with a slight scolding tone.

    With a resigned sigh, Ian sat back against the tree behind him, shaking his head as he tried to listen, as Jared had suggested. After a few long moments of that silence, at least on the outside of his head, Ian finally sat back up again, his eyes cast downwards as he moved to go about getting a cup of the water they had brought with them from the last stream they had encountered.

    ¡°Well?¡± Jared asked as Ian got his drink.

    ¡°Well, what?¡± Ian asked, though his voice seemed more hoarse than before, almost as though trying to force emotion out of it.

    ¡°What did he want to tell you?¡± Jared asked the obvious question, forcing himself not to add the question about why it was Ian who Kyle had made contact with, rather than himself.

    ¡°Not him.¡± Ian took a slow sip, ¡°Lili.¡±

    ¡°Lili?¡± Jared asked, seeming even more confused by that response, ¡°Lili was in your head?¡±

    Ian just swallowed an attempt at a sad smile, ¡°No, he was delivering a message, for her.¡± he answered, though in a whisper.

    Jared forced himself to try and decipher that for a moment before speaking up again, ¡°Well, is she ok?¡±

    ¡°As ok as she¡¯s been since we left.¡± Ian swallowed another sip of the water, his eyes still turned sadly down to the darkened ground below their feet.

    ¡°So, she is ok, though?¡± Jared repeated, trying to sound hopeful, despite the obvious sadness they both still felt about separating themselves from her.

    Ian sighed slightly, ¡°If you must know, today¡¯s my birthday. She wanted him to tell me happy birthday, if you can believe that.¡± Ian sniffled slightly, still refusing to make eye contact.

    Jared¡¯s eyes then moved downwards as well as he thought on the fact. He then couldn¡¯t help speaking in his own near whisper, ¡°I think Kyle was wrong about something else.¡± he managed, though his voice seemed to break with the words.

    ¡°No, it actually is my birthday, at least for a couple more hours.¡± Ian attempted lightness once again, as difficult as that was for any of them anymore.

    The two were quiet for several more long moments as they each finished a drink before making the attempt to sleep again. Though, once Ian reached for the opening of his tent, Jared couldn¡¯t remain silent any longer, ¡°What¡¯s gonna happen?¡± was his only hoarse statement, which caught Ian enough to stop what he was doing and turn back.

    ¡°Pardon me?¡± Ian asked, obviously thrown by such a question, never mind the fact of Jared being the one who was asking him such a thing, rather than the other way around.

    Jared moved to take a seat in front of his own tent then, moving his hand through his own shaggy brown locks as he tried to find the words to elaborate on his question, ¡°Assuming Lili, and the baby, assuming they both survive, what happens then?¡±

    ¡°The psychic is asking me what happens in the future. Ok, maybe you¡¯re the one losing it.¡± Ian attempted to sound lighthearted, though it was difficult.

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to predict the future.¡± Jared denied, forcing himself onward, ¡°I¡¯m asking you to tell me what will happen if we all somehow survive this birth? Especially if we don¡¯t find the ship by then.¡±

    Ian furrowed a brow as he also took a seat, ¡°Odd, that kind of sounds like you¡¯re asking me to¡­predict the future.¡± he repeated pointedly.

    ¡°I mean,¡± Jared began with a breath, ¡°If Lili survives, if the baby survives, if we don¡¯t find the ship, then what will you do? What will any of us do?¡±

    Ian then looked further confused by the question, ¡°In relation to¡­?¡±

    Jared then let out another deep sigh, casting his eyes further downwards, ¡°Lili.¡± was his simple answer.

    ¡°Ok¡­really not sure what the question is, Jar¡¯.¡± Ian spoke haltingly, continuing to watch the younger man with skepticism.

    ¡°If she lives through this at all,¡± Jared began with another breath, ¡°and if we don¡¯t have the stuff on the ship to help us, still¡­Do we really wanna risk putting her through this all, all over again?¡± he finally asked in the same whisper.

    Ian was a bit startled by that question, and quickly tried to hide his own reaction to the statement, ¡°She¡¯s not even two months along, and you¡¯re already planning the second kid?¡±

    Jared just shook his head dejectedly, ¡°I didn¡¯t even plan the first one. But still, I knew it was coming, and I made the mistake of telling Lili that it was, cause I, somehow, thought it would give her some hope, but¡­¡± another shake of his head, ¡°I tried to do all I could to prevent the baby, but we all know pulling out doesn¡¯t really assure a damn thing.¡± a deep sigh, ¡°And I know that the two of you didn¡¯t even know you needed to worry about it. But, I think, after Lili knew about the baby coming, she just sort of surrendered to fate. Even though it scared her to death. I think my vision convinced her it was inevitable.¡± he admitted sadly.

    ¡°You saying you think we actually could¡¯ve prevented the pregnancy? If we all had known we needed to?¡± Ian repeated in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, honestly.¡± Jared swallowed again, ¡°And I know there¡¯s this whole other problem of carrying on our race and all that, but I don¡¯t really care a whole lot about that part of it right now. What I mean is that, if we even get the chance, I know we could try and prevent it next time¡­assuming there even could be a next time.¡± he had to add.

    Ian swallowed hard as he thought on the words, ¡°So, you think we need to wrap it up in one of those latex gloves from the medical supplies, and just hope a rubber band holds it on, and that we never run out? Yeah, that all sounds just about as safe as ¡®pulling out.¡¯¡± Ian pointed out flatly.

    Jared rubbed his eyes in the dim glow of the fire, ¡°I know the obvious answer here is we all decide to never sleep with her again.¡± he scoffed, ¡°But I also know how unrealistic that is, all things considered. After all, the first time she and I were ever with anyone at all, it was with each other, and it was actually completely without risk, that time, and it was¡­perfect.¡± he sniffled a bit, ¡°I wanna take the high ground here and say I could do it, say that I could decide to never be with her like that again, but I know it¡¯s bullshit. Especially if we are going to spend the rest of our lives here, together. And that¡¯s not even taking into account the two of you, and your feelings about the idea at all¡­But we have to find some solution, some way. Cause I can¡¯t let this happen to her again, at least not before we find the ship: Before we can at least try and help her survive it.¡±

    ¡°So, pulling out, makeshift condoms, or spending the next fifty years without sex?¡± Ian sighed, ¡°Yeah, those all sound real safe, and appealing.¡± he scoffed, ¡°So what¡¯s our fourth choice, huh?¡±

    Jared let out another sigh as he tried to muster the courage to ask his next question, ¡°I never want her to be in any kind of pain, any more pain, that much I know for a fact.¡±

    ¡°Why do I hear a ¡®but?¡¯¡± Ian asked, though quietly.

    ¡°But, are you really bi?¡± Jared finally forced himself to spit out the question.

    Ian was more than a little startled by that question as he shook his head with a smile that attempted to hide exactly how thrown he was by Jared¡¯s words, ¡°And a million questions just popped into my head, about why you¡¯re suddenly asking me that, of all things.¡± Ian replied through his own almost nervous chuckle as he tried not to jump to one of those million conclusions the question wanted to push him to.

    ¡°Cause if you are, really, I need you to tell me something.¡± Jared forced himself onwards through a conversation he wasn¡¯t even sure he was going to be able to start at all.

    ¡°All right, I¡¯m gonna try real hard not to offer any guesses at why you¡¯re asking me this, just yet.¡± he added, ¡°But yes, I am.¡± he stated simply, ¡°So, what is it you need me to tell you?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    Jared took a deep breath to steel himself before finally making some attempt at forming his question, after all, ¡°I need you to tell me¡­¡± another breath, ¡°how bad does it hurt, really?¡±

 Chapter 42

    ¡°How bad does it hurt?¡± Ian repeated Jared¡¯s question as he tried in vain to force back his own chuckle of disbelief.

    ¡°Well, if you are, then you know, right?¡± Jared managed.

    Ian just shook his head, biting back another chuckle, ¡°I can only assume you¡¯re talking about sex¡­through the back door?¡± the older of the two asked, if for no other reason than to buy more time to recover from such an unexpected question, from an even more unexpected source.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jared admitted, though the word barely left his lips.

    ¡°Wow, and we¡¯ve only been away from her for two weeks.¡± Ian smirked, ¡°I must really be a good kisser.¡± he chided.

    Jared just scoffed loudly, ¡°That isn¡¯t what I meant.¡± he denied, though with a lack of force.

    ¡°Really? Cause that¡¯s kind of what it sounds like here, Jared.¡± Ian chuckled again, continuing to watch the younger of them with a bit of intrigue obvious.

    Jared sighed heavily, ¡°Did you even hear the beginning of the conversation?¡± Jared attempted further denial, ¡°I said I didn¡¯t want Lili to be in any more pain, and that I didn¡¯t want to risk her getting pregnant again, at least before we find the medical supplies we need.ThenI asked you how much that kind of sex really hurts. You really do have selective hearing.¡± he grumbled, beginning to wonder why he had let himself ask the question in the first place, at this point.

    Ian nodded in thought, his eyes turning to the stars above rather than Jared as he attempted a response, ¡°So, you¡¯re really asking me this cause you think that once the baby¡¯s born, assuming baby and mom both come through it ok,¡± he had to add more quietly before continuing, ¡°that anal is our only other option for sex?¡±

    ¡°Must you call it that?¡± Jared grumbled, looking down in embarrassment.

    ¡°You got a better term for it?¡± Ian chuckled again, ¡°Cause honestly, I thought that was the best one.¡± Ian pointed out.

    ¡°Forget I even said anything, ok?¡± Jared mumbled as he turned back to reach for the tent flap once more.

    ¡°Kinda impossible.¡± Ian argued with another weak chuckle, ¡°So stop playing with your currently pitched tent, and sit your cute ass down.¡± Ian ordered playfully.

    ¡°I was trying to be serious Ian, and then you gotta make jokes?¡± Jared complained, though he did drop his hand from the tent, without turning back to face the other man just yet, however.

    ¡°Sorry Jared, but it was just a little outta left field.¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help smirking.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not gonna answer me, can we just end this conversation, please?¡± Jared complained.

    Ian sighed deeply, attempting to force some seriousness, ¡°Well, you already have one misconception.¡±

    ¡°Pardon me?¡± Jared asked, finally turning back to Ian, then.

    ¡°Just because I¡¯m bi, you¡¯re assuming I¡¯m the bottom?¡± Ian pointed out, seeming to try and manage that seriousness, despite how difficult it was.

    ¡°The bottom?¡± Jared asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Man, you¡¯ve led a sheltered life.¡± Ian smirked again.

    Jared just shook his head at that before speaking, ¡°Sorry if I¡¯m not up on all the slang.¡± he scoffed, ¡°But you mean, like the girl?¡±

    Ian smirked again, ¡°If there were a ¡®girl¡¯ involved, we¡¯d be talking about the other half of my sex life, now wouldn¡¯t we?¡±

    Jared just sighed in frustration, ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you don¡¯t know?¡±

    Ian then glanced up at the stars again with the slightest tinge of discomfort of his own, ¡°I¡¯ve tried everything once, or twice.¡± he added more quietly before continuing, ¡°But, you know, it¡¯s odd: Gay guys have this rep for being sissies, but man, I tell ya¡­¡± he just shook his head.

    ¡°So, you have tried it, then?¡± Jared asked warily.

    ¡°I¡¯m nothing if not experimental.¡± Ian admitted, then quickly moved on, ¡°But, as a scientist, you should know that all experiments don¡¯t go quite the way you hope, so you have to, ¡®readjust¡¯ them.¡±

    ¡°And you say I always give half-answers.¡± Jared complained.

    Ian allowed another slightly awkward smile, ¡°Yes, many, many moons ago, I did try being ¡®the girl,¡¯ as you call it, at least once or twice. It didn¡¯t take.¡± he added with another wry smile.

    ¡°But you have tried it though, so you do actually know?¡± Jared pressed.

    ¡°You really are stuck on that, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ian chuckled again.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s why I asked in the first place, remember?¡± Jared reminded.

    ¡°No homo-erotic undertones at all then, eh?¡± Ian just had to tease.

    Jared sighed deeply again, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m convinced. You really are the guy.¡± he scoffed.

    ¡°Not a denial on your part though, is it?¡± Ian just had to chide again.

    ¡°Ian!¡± Jared spoke more loudly, ¡°Would you just answer or end the conversation? One or the other, already.¡± he added in a grumble.

    ¡°Well, since you¡¯re still not denying it, that would be one cure for how we could still get laid and not get her pregnant.¡± Ian just had to point out wryly.

    ¡°Ok, I¡¯m going to bed.¡± Jared stated in exasperation as he reached for the tent flap once more.

    ¡°Ok, ok, sorry.¡± Ian allowed a more sincere laugh as Jared grudgingly stopped his motion, ¡°It¡¯s just, it¡¯s an odd conversation, and it¡¯s been a really long time since I ¡®discovered¡¯ the answer you¡¯re asking for, anyway.¡± he had to add.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°So, it hurts a lot then?¡± Jared finally asked more quietly.

    ¡°It¡¯s kind of hard to put into words, really.¡± Ian attempted, ¡°I mean, that part isn¡¯t exactly designed like a girl.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared had to take pause at that comment.

    ¡°Well, you know that the first time a girl does it, the normal way, it hurts her like a bitch too.¡± Ian attempted again, causing Jared¡¯s eyes to drop with the slightest bit of guilt at the memory of at least a brief moment of he and Lili¡¯s first time, wherein it was slightly less than perfect, at first, ¡°But there¡¯s just that one barrier inside her, and once you¡¯re past that¡­.no such thing as pain, ever again. Unless the guy has some serious artillery.¡± he had to add.

    ¡°And I guess the pain is worse, with the other entrance?¡± Jared asked, though softly.

    ¡°Not so much worse as, recurring?¡± Ian attempted, as he himself, bisexual though he was, had already admitted to being slightly uncomfortable when placed in the role they now spoke of, ¡°Unless he¡¯s a total whore, which of course, most gay guys are, and which of course, I supposedly am, but I digress.¡± he just shook his head, ¡°The point is, there¡¯s a reason we need ¡®extra¡¯ help during that activity.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared repeated again.

    ¡°Come on doc, you should already know this.¡± Ian shook his head, ¡°Guy-guy sex requires lubrication, normal sex with a girl doesn¡¯t. She already provides that, herself, so it doesn¡¯t hurt her at all.¡± he then shook his head, ¡°And did you on-ship kids miss the sex-ed course while you were burning through your IQ tests or something?¡±

    ¡°No, I know how sex works, and I know about¡­that.¡± Jared denied with his own scoff, ¡°I just wanted to know, is it too much pain to ever expect Lili to wanna¡­.¡± his voice just trailed off then.

    Ian then just sighed again himself, ¡°If, and I stress ¡®if,¡¯¡± he began, ¡°if we had some form of proper lubrication, and if she could handle it that first time, then the orgasms could be even more¡­¡± he just shook his head again, ¡°But considering the unlikelihood of us finding something to pass as the proper ¡®aide,¡¯ and the unlikelihood of her not flipping out about being asked to try it at all¡­I still think we¡¯ll need a fifth choice.¡± he finally managed, then added, ¡°But I definitely give you points for creative thinking.¡±

    Attempting to force back a response to Ian¡¯s last statement, Jared rubbed his eyes again as he tried to move on from such an awkward conversation at all, ¡°So, choice number five¡­a variation on the abstinence theme?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s variations?¡± Ian furrowed his brow, though easily allowed Jared to move on to that next part of the conversation, as he wasn¡¯t truly enjoying it all that much, himself.

    Jared sighed once more, ¡°What about, just foreplay, lots of foreplay?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you gonna buy me dinner first?¡± Ian had to tease once more.

    ¡°We¡¯re not having that conversation any more, Ian.¡± Jared scolded.

    ¡°Sorry, my bad. You got me all hot talking about it though. Your fault.¡±

    ¡°Do you ever stop?¡± Jared complained again.

    Ian chuckled again, then finally gave into responding to Jared¡¯s actual question, ¡°So you think that would be enough? Honestly?¡±

    ¡°Well, you don¡¯t need to have intercourse to have an orgasm. I think we all know that by now.¡±

    ¡°True, but think about it.¡±

    ¡°What about it?¡± Jared managed to press for more clarity.

    ¡°Just imagine being there with her, doing all those other things that feel so damn good; feeling everything but that one final moment, inside her, when you both have already let yourselves experience that so many times, already?¡± he posed the words to Jared as more a question than a statement.

    ¡°Not me. I tried to pull out, remember?¡± Jared reminded weakly.

    ¡°Even the first time?¡± Ian pointed out.

    ¡°Well, no, not that time.¡± Jared admitted.

    ¡°And you managed to pull out every other single time, huh?¡± Ian continued.

    ¡°I tried.¡± Jared admitted, choking a bit.

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t always succeed, did you?¡± Ian prodded further.

    ¡°The point is,¡± Jared attempted, ¡°if we only have foreplay, then I don¡¯t have to worry about pulling out, now do I?¡± he argued with the same lack of force.

    ¡°And having already been there, already felt that, can you honestly tell me that foreplay would ever be enough, for all three of us, for the rest of our lives, and that none of us would ever slip up, even once, and give in, and just hope that we dodge the bullet? Can you honestly say you believe that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to at least think we could.¡± Jared whispered back, his eyes still not meeting Ian¡¯s.

    ¡°And yet I hear another ¡®but.¡¯¡± Ian stated softly, ¡°Isn¡¯t being a realist fun?¡± he added more quietly.

    After another long moment¡¯s thought, Jared finally spoke up, though with more than a tinge of defeat, ¡°We really have to find this ship.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t I know it?¡± Ian admitted in the same quiet tone before turning to head back into his own tent again, the silence between them descending once again, and somehow, feeling even heavier than it had been before.

    <hr>

    As the weeks passed with the days and nights bleeding into each other throughout their fruitless journey, the temperatures still managed to stay above freezing, much to the relief of both groups. It was a cold morning near the end of January, or thereabouts, when Jared was finishing up his shave in the icy cold, yet still flowing, water of a stream near their previous night¡¯s camp. As he finished his task, and began putting the razor away, rustling of the nearby trees easily caught his attention.

    He tentatively placed a hand on the handle of his knife as he looked back toward the sound, his eyes scanning for any sign of whatever creature had caused it. He then narrowed his eyes as he caught the slightest glimpse, or flash, of a figure there in the shadows of the thick trees. He swallowed a bit as he removed the knife from it¡¯s holder, slowly standing, his eyes fixed on the place where he had seen that brief flash of movement.

    He only startled further when he caught another glimpse of what almost appeared to be more of a human-shaped silhouette than any animal that quickly came to mind. Grasping the knife more tightly, while forgetting to even take a breath, Jared took the smallest step toward the darkened trees where he had once again lost sight of the figure.

    His next step was interrupted though as he then heard the softest footfall behind him instead, rather than where he had just seen that movement only seconds earlier. He quickly turned back to the source of this new sound, only to be floored by coming face to face with what was indeed not any animal. Jared swallowed hard as his eyes fell upon what appeared to be another human, after all.

    His breath shook as his eyes moved over his new companion, a million scattered thoughts running through his mind. However, the loudest of those was that this person did seem to be the very same one from the remaining scraps of visions he had had no luck at deciphering yet, at all.

    Standing there, still several feet away, was a tall, thin figure who¡¯s face was nearly completely hidden by long, unkempt jet-black locks which fell well below their shoulders. Trying to set aside the panic upon seeing no obvious weapons or even signs of aggression, Jared tried to apply some kind of comprehension to what he was seeing.

    On first glance, the figure almost appeared to be a beautiful young girl, possibly not even out of her teens, but as Jared forced his eyes to leave what was hidden of his companion¡¯s face, and move downwards, his first appraisal suffered a blow. From a distance, it did look like a beautiful young girl, but upon closer inspection, as Jared¡¯s eyes moved down the length of this new person¡¯s frame, which was clothed in scraps of animal skins, they seemed to lack any and all of the curves that even a girl in her teens would have already developed, to at least some extent.

    Though Jared¡¯s confusion over the very androgynous nature of the new arrival was soon put on hold, as they spoke, in a voice that seemed slightly deeper than one would expect from a female, though not impossible, ¡°Why?¡± they seemed to choke on the word, as though unsure of it, or even of using their voice at all.

    ¡°Why?¡± Jared¡¯s own voice seemed choked then as well, for many reasons, but he was soon distracted again as he heard more deliberate footsteps approaching from another side.

    Jared quickly turned at the sound of Ian¡¯s own footsteps as he exited the tree line from their previous night¡¯s camp, heading toward Jared and the stream to get his own morning shave.

    ¡°Ok, Ian, try not to flip out.¡± Jared managed, holding his hand up as Ian approached.

    ¡°Flip out, about what?¡± Ian asked with a furrowed brow, Jared¡¯s words not seeming to have slowed his pace any.

    ¡°About tha---¡± Jared began plainly as he turned back in the direction of the mystery arrival, only to find that there was no one there, at all, nor any trace that there ever even had been.

 Chapter 43

    Ian gave Jared yet another skeptical look as the younger of the two continued looking around the surrounding area with more than a bit of jumpiness. Ian¡¯s eyes moved to follow Jared¡¯s darting gaze for a few moments as well, before finally shaking his head and dropping their rolled up tents and packs to the ground and speaking up again, ¡°So, exactly what is it that I wasn¡¯t supposed to be flipping out about?¡± he couldn¡¯t help asking at last.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared returned, startled from his continued appraisal of the area to finally turn back to Ian at the sound of the question.

    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you thought you saw¡­something?¡± Ian asked as he glanced around once more, himself, before moving to the stream to get rid of his own morning stubble.

    ¡°I¡­maybe?¡± was all Jared managed, still casting a few more looks around, though with a tinge of defeat as there was still no sign that they were anything but alone out there after all.

    ¡°Well, was it something that might try and eat us?¡± Ian asked with a tinge of condescension as he tried not to smirk.

    ¡°I¡­doubt it?¡± Jared attempted some answer.

    ¡°Then I doubt there¡¯d be any flipping out. This is me, remember?¡± Ian scoffed, finally allowing the slight smirk as he went about his task.

    Finally letting out his own breath and forcing himself to re-secure the knife to his jeans under the fur wrap, Jared cast one last look around as he forced his feet to carry him over to retrieve his pack and tent from where Ian had left them on the ground nearby. He swallowed again as he waited for Ian while trying yet again to decipher anything at all about that morning¡¯s more than strange encounter.

    On one hand, he had had visions of this person already, but they were so brief and lacking of any context whatsoever, that that fact alone provided no answers. Then, there was also the fact of how this strange person, who at leastappearedhuman, left no trace of their presence, which somehow had eluded even the most observant among them, when it came to life in the wild, anyway. Not that Jared could even come to any explanation about even the way they had moved. They simply seemed to appear and disappear at will, with no logical way of moving even that short of a distance, at least in any normal way. Not that anything was really falling into the realm of normal since he had originally started getting these flashes at all.

    On that thought, he had to allow another in. It was true that his visions, themselves, had already undergone a significant change after just one night on this strange planet. And now it had been nearly six months since their arrival, and he was indeed six months older, which also forced him to take into account Kyle¡¯s theory as well. He swallowed again as he looked back at where Ian still seemed blissfully unconcerned by even the thought that someone else had truly been there at all, not to mention a someone else from Jared¡¯s own changing visions.

    Ian then interrupted Jared¡¯s thoughts again as he now appeared next to him, ¡°You keep concentrating that hard and you¡¯re gonna have an aneurysm, or something.¡± he stated with a wry shake of his head as he put away his razor and moved to pick up his own share of the supplies they had brought along.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Ian breathed the response as he continued to shake his head and looked off in the direction they had already planned on heading after they broke camp.

    ¡°Sorry, I just¡­¡± then Jared was the one who shook his head as he finished securing his own belongings. Ian simply scoffed as he looked back at the younger of the two, ¡°What?¡± Jared asked in reference to that obvious response.

    ¡°Why do you have a way of making me feel like a goddamn dentist every time I try to talk to you?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared asked, a little thrown, for more reasons than just Ian¡¯s question.

    ¡°What? What the fuck has you all¡­contemplative?¡± he finally decided on a semi-fitting adjective.

    Jared simply looked down again, seeming to almost feel guilty that his emotional state was a bit more translucent than he had hoped just then, ¡°Well, what else is there to do out here but think, right?¡± he attempted.

    ¡°That¡¯s your answer?¡° another scoff, ¡°Don¡¯t make me threaten you again.¡± Ian returned without pause.

    Jared just sighed heavily, ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± he began with a stammer and a slight biting of his lip as he broke off eye contact.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t I believe you?¡± Ian returned firmly.

    Another sigh before Jared spoke up, ¡°I just, I think my visions are getting, like weirder.¡±

    Ian scoffed again, ¡°Cause they were so normal before?¡± was Ian¡¯s automatic response, then quickly added, ¡°So, does that mean you had another vision, then?¡± he added with only slightly more gentleness.

    ¡°More like a remix, maybe?¡±

    ¡°A remix?¡± Ian asked with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s something I saw before, just different.¡±

    ¡°Oh goodie, we¡¯re back to same but different. That¡¯s one of my favorites.¡±

    Jared sighed in frustration at finding himself once again trying to apply some logic to something so supremely illogical, ¡°I mean, I saw it before, but the way I saw it was different.¡± he attempted.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Yeah, that makes a lot more sense.¡± Ian retorted with his usual sarcasm.

    ¡°I mean, the way I saw the vision itself, that was different¡­I think.¡±

    That was when Ian rubbed at his ocean-colored eyes in further frustration, ¡°So it¡¯s not just an extraction today, it¡¯s a whole damn root canal?¡± was his response.

    Jared shook his head again, also feeling his own share of frustration, ¡°I mean, at first it was dreams, then I started seeing these dreamlike images while I was awake, and now, I think¡­the way they come to me, it¡¯s even more different.¡±

    ¡°Why do I even try to speak to you?¡± Ian asked with defeat, ¡°Why? Just tell me why.¡±

    ¡°I mean¡­¡± Jared attempted again, only to be interrupted once more.

    ¡°Did you see something new or not?¡± Ian finally asked bluntly, in some attempt to get to any point there may have been.

    ¡°Not exactly¡­¡± Jared began, though when he paused to try and continue the sentence, Ian interrupted once again.

    ¡°Ok, ¡¯nough said.¡± Ian scoffed again, ¡°So we¡¯re going east today, right?¡± he asked, looking off toward the trees once more, making it clear that he was not in the mood to deal with any more frustration right then, himself.

    ¡°Um.¡± Jared began, a little thrown by Ian actually backing down, in some manner, for practically the first time ever. The younger of them then looked across the stream at the place where that strange person, or vision, had last appeared, and spoke up, ¡°Maybe we should go north.¡± Jared offered thoughtfully.

    ¡°North?¡± Ian repeated as he glanced back at where Jared still stared at that spot.

    ¡°Yeah, across the stream, maybe, that way.¡± he gestured to the trees behind where the figure had been standing before vanishing into thin air, or so it had seemed.

    ¡°So, instead of going in a wider and wider circle, like the original plan, we¡¯re gonna go in a ¡­¡¯Q?¡¯¡± Ian raised a brow.

    ¡°If we keep updating the map, we should still be ok, right?¡± Jared attempted to sound confident, though his slight shrug gave the words a lack of weight.

    ¡°Oh you better keep that map updated.¡± Ian grumbled before giving in and starting across the stream in the direction Jared had indicated, stifling his own heavy sigh as they started yet another day¡¯s exploration into the unknown.

    <hr>

    After walking north for the entire day, Jared had somehow managed to convince himself that the person he saw had quite possibly been just a new, and somewhat interactive, version of an old vision. Though, that convincing did take a lot of work, considering all the possible explanations were just a little bit difficult to honestly accept. However, if his visions were indeed taking on this new and thoroughly confusing form, that would make telling reality from a vision even more difficult than telling a dream from a vision had already been, prior to their arrival, anyway.

    He sighed slightly as they had finished their silent lunch, and he had forced his thoughts back to a previous predicament, rather than continuing to try and decipher that morning for any more hours right then. Jared moved through the screens on his computer as Ian packed away their utensils before casting the younger man another curious look as he studied the computer screen.

    ¡°Updating the map already?¡± Ian asked as he moved over to Jared¡¯s seat, then glanced down at the screen, ¡°That doesn¡¯t look like a map.¡± he pointed out as he saw a screen full of text instead.

    ¡°No, I do the map at night.¡± Jared answered through continued distraction before finally forcing himself to stand next to where Ian already had his belongings secured for the next leg of their journey.

    ¡°So, just thought it was a nice day to do some reading then?¡± Ian pressed.

    ¡°You really can¡¯t stand not knowing everything every second of every day, can you?¡± Jared returned, though his words lacked much volume.

    ¡°Why? Something you¡¯re trying to hide from me?¡± Ian asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s just stuff you wouldn¡¯t under---¡± though Jared¡¯s voice trailed off as they had only just started away from where they had finished their lunch, before he suddenly got distracted once more and wandered off to inspect some plant that had caught his eye.

    ¡°And you wonder why I¡¯m always asking for answers?¡± Ian scoffed as he grudgingly followed after him, ¡°First you¡¯re seeing new and freaky versions of visions that you can¡¯t even make an attempt at explaining, then you decide it¡¯s a good time to have a nice read out here in the middle of the woods, and now you wanna pick posies instead of finding the ship? Can¡¯t imagine why I always feel like there¡¯s something, or some eighty things,¡± he added in a grumble, ¡°that you¡¯re always leaving out.¡±

    Jared sighed as he bent down to inspect the plant that had caught his attention before finally turning his eyes back to Ian¡¯s impatiently questioning gaze as he stood nearby, ¡°I thought it was a plant we might need. Or at least close enough to pass. It¡¯s not.¡± he stated with another simple sigh as he stood, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go.¡± he gestured back toward their intended path.

    ¡°What plant are we suddenly looking for, along with the ship?¡± Ian had to add pointedly, ¡°And is that why you¡¯ve been constantly twenty feet behind me for the last few weeks instead of keeping up? I¡¯ve seen you naked. I know you¡¯re not exactly out of shape.¡± Ian had to add.

    Jared simply looked down and moved his hand through his hair to hide his embarrassment at that final part of the statement, considering what he knew about Ian¡¯s ¡®preferences,¡¯ ¡°Yes, there¡¯s three plants I¡¯ve been looking for. Not having a lot of luck yet, that¡¯s why I was re-reading: To see if there¡¯s anything else close enough to what we need.¡±

    ¡°Plants now?¡± Ian shook his head again, ¡°Ok, so we¡¯re looking for the ship, and some weeds.¡± he scoffed as he looked around, ¡°So, what kind of ¡®plants¡¯ should I be looking for, too? If that¡¯ll speed things up.¡± he added in a near mumble.

    Jared just sighed, ¡°Wild carrot seed, Rutin, or Smartweed leaves.¡± he finally gave Ian a direct answer, despite knowing that the answer would most likely still not satisfy him.

    ¡°You lost me after carrot.¡± Ian returned with a raised brow.

    Jared shook his head again, ¡°Well, you wanted an answer.¡±

    Ian shook his own head then, ¡°And I¡¯m supposed to be the impossible one?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°So, that¡¯s what you were reading?¡± Ian moved on, finally continuing in their newly intended path.

    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s a book I just sort of skimmed over the first time.¡± Jared offered as he moved to follow Ian, still keeping his eyes on the plant life, or any other curiosity that he might be shown.

    ¡°Skimmed?¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°I sure as hell hope you didn¡¯t ¡®skim¡¯ whatever book told you how to take care of a pregnant woman, too.¡± he worried pointedly.

    Jared scowled slightly, ¡°No, most of the books, I read thoroughly, more than once. Some though, they weren¡¯t exactly widely accepted, so I didn¡¯t put a lot of time into them. They¡¯re still on the computer though. So, at least there¡¯s that.¡±

    ¡°So, why not widely accepted?¡± Ian attempted to continue the conversation out of more boredom than curiosity at that point.

    ¡°It¡¯s a book about untested herbal medicines, of sorts.¡±

    ¡°Sounds nice and safe.¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°Well, if we¡¯re stuck here forever, and we don¡¯t find the ship, we¡¯re eventually gonna very easily run through the medical supplies we brought along. So, those might be our only option, at that point. So, I figured I¡¯d study up.¡±

    ¡°Such optimism.¡± Ian mumbled, though with a lack of force of his own.

    ¡°Well, it is getting a little hard to stay optimistic when it¡¯s now almost Feb---¡± Jared¡¯s voice then trailed off as he and Ian both stopped dead in their tracks, neither able to quite fathom the vision that greeted them on the other side of that patch of trees.

 Chapter 44

    That late January morning, Kyle was actually the first one to leave the shack, when it was most often Lili¡¯s springing from the covers that woke him. He went about his usual morning activities up to and including posing their breakfast selection on a spit above the fire. After he had finished all his other tasks that morning, while still waiting on the meat to cook thoroughly through, he glanced back at the still closed door.

    With a slight sigh, he headed back inside and to their sleeping area, where Lili was still wrapped tightly in the heavy pile of covers, ¡°You¡¯re not getting up?¡±

    She just sighed heavily, not really looking up from her pillow, ¡°For almost three months straight I was forced, against my will, to get up at ungodly hours. Now that the puking has mostly stopped, I think I¡¯ll just stay right here.¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Well, now you at least have the option to get up out of your own free will, right?¡± Kyle attempted a smile, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be a nice change?¡±

    ¡°Why bother?¡± she returned in an even quieter mumble.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    With that she finally rolled over to face him, though still didn¡¯t make much eye contact, ¡°Get up, shiver and stare at the river all day, thinking and worrying, then go back to bed just to get up and do it again? Yeah, that sounds appealing.¡± she scoffed.

    Kyle narrowed his eyes at her statement before speaking, ¡°Lili, you¡¯ve barely gotten out of bed at all these last couple weeks, other than to just eat a few bites, before crawling back under the covers again.¡±

    ¡°See previous statement.¡± she added emotionlessly.

    He then sighed once more, before making another attempt at lighthearted prodding, ¡°But Goatess and Goatette miss you. They always liked you better than me, remember?¡± he smiled weakly.

    ¡°Now you suddenly believe they have feelings? That¡¯s new.¡± she scoffed weakly.

    ¡°Hey, I didn¡¯t shoot them, did I?¡± he attempted to hold the smile, despite her own obvious mood.

    ¡°Great, you can go keep them company, then.¡± she mumbled as she rolled back over.

    Kyle let out a heavier sigh then, ¡°Ok, I give. I¡¯m gonna ask the question no guy should ever ask, but, what¡¯s wrong, hon¡¯?¡±

    She let out another scoff rather than any sign of the amusement he had been aiming to elicit, ¡°Isn¡¯t the shorter answer, what¡¯s right?¡±

    ¡°Ok, so what¡¯s right?¡± he decided to play along, instead of press for the original answer, just yet.

    ¡°Not a whole hell of a lot.¡± she mumbled again with a slight sniffle.

    ¡°Lili.¡± he began, though his difficulty with the very idea of showing any emotion or weakness of his own, also precluded being able to show much empathy, either. Instead of finishing the sentence, he sighed once more, not even sure how to deal with her obvious depression. It was true that it was an understandable depression, but he had somehow let himself believe, up until that point, that once she had started feeling physically better, it would also make her emotional state better too, at least in some small way.

    He then allowed in another thought: He was assuming that she was physically better simply because she had stopped waking up with the morning sickness each day. Then he thought on her behavior since the nausea stopped. She did barely get out of bed at all, which might not be only a symptom of depression. After all, the few times he had seen her out of the covers since her second trimester began about two weeks earlier, she still hadn¡¯t noticeably gained any weight at all yet, either.

    He found himself seriously wishing Jared was there then, as well. Right now, he could only guess at what her behavior meant and what he should honestly expect of her physical state. But that¡¯s all they were; guesses. He then allowed another slight sigh as he watched her closely as she continued to stay wrapped in the covers, facing away from him, and swallowed a bit as he began to weigh the choice that had begun tapping at his brain since he had let himself start down this mental path.

    With another deep breath and a glance outside at the still cooking meat, he turned his eyes back to Lili. As she remained laying there silently, he finally gave in to his own combination of curiosity and even worry. He allowed himself to finally peer into her head, despite his misgivings about using his gift for non-emergencies, but if her health was truly an issue, he convinced himself that that would still qualify as an acceptable excuse.

    After another moment, he allowed a slight gasp which he quickly tried to stifle before swallowing again as he tried to put some order to the thoughts that were racing through her head at that moment. He finally decided on a question to try and start with, though he knew any he asked would most likely upset her, considering why he was asking at all.

    ¡°You¡¯re having dizzy spells?¡± he asked worriedly.

    His question easily caused her to turn back to him as she pushed herself up to her elbows, ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you don¡¯t wanna get out of bed? You¡¯re getting dizzy spells almost every time you do?¡±

    ¡°What¡­.¡± her expression then darkened, as she growled her next statement, ¡°Stay out of my head, Kyle!¡± she ordered angrily.

    Kyle then looked down with the slightest trace of guilt before responding to the reaction he had already expected anyway, ¡°Well, you won¡¯t talk to me. How else am I supposed to know if you¡¯re ok?¡±

    ¡°The way the rest of the world does: Wait ¡¯til Itellyou if I¡¯m not!¡± she continued in the same angry tone.

    ¡°The rest of the world. That¡¯s pretty funny.¡± he mumbled, then continued, ¡°And exactly when was that gonna be, Lili? When it gets even worse? I mean, you already think that¡­¡± he then forced himself to stop mid-sentence, quickly deciding against telling her of the other thoughts that he did stumble upon inside her overly crowded brain.

    ¡°I already think what?¡± she asked him, her eyes narrowed in a glare towards him.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°You want me to tell you whatyouthink?¡±

    ¡°Well you already started, now didn¡¯t you?¡± she retorted.

    ¡°You think there¡¯s something wrong. I got that much, and now I¡¯m asking for the rest.¡± he gave her the summary of those truly dark thoughts he had already stolen from her brain on his own.

    ¡°Everything about this whole fucking life is wrong!¡± she exclaimed, ¡°Of course that¡¯s all I can think about! And I really don¡¯t need you in here quizzing me about it, ok? So like I said, stay the fuck outta my head!¡± she repeated angrily.

    Kyle sighed sadly, ¡°But if something is wrong, physically, I mean, then I need you to tell me, so I can tell Jared. That was the deal, remember?¡±

    ¡°Jared?¡± she scoffed.

    ¡°Yeah, our doctor. Remember him?¡± Kyle returned weakly.

    ¡°Yeah, I remember him abandoning us, me, two months ago. That¡¯s all I need to remember.¡± she sniffled again as she curled back down into the covers once more.

    ¡°You know it¡¯s not like that¡­¡± Kyle attempted, though weakly.

    ¡°Do I appear to want to continue this conversation, Kyle?¡± she shot back.

    ¡°Do you really wonder why I had to look inside your head on my own? Really?¡± Kyle finished in the same defeated tone as he headed back outside once more, his head cast downwards as his own worried thoughts now had the permanent company of Lili¡¯s bleak, if not tragic, fears to compound them that much more.

    <hr>

    ¡°What the¡­¡± was Ian¡¯s first reaction as the two took another cautious step closer to the discovery they had somehow come across amidst their previous conversation that late afternoon.

    ¡°Yeah, that sounds about right.¡± Jared agreed as he took a second step forward as well.

    There in the clearing before them was what appeared to be what was left of yet another pod, similar to the one they themselves had come to the planet in, though with a few marked differences already obvious from their spot at the edge of the trees.

    From what they could tell on first glance, it seemed to be an only slightly less advanced version of their own. It was obviously weather-worn with the finish faded, as if it had been there for years, possibly even decades, judging by the growth of weeds and other plant life surrounding it¡¯s landing gear. And on the side, where their own had had 0728E clearly stenciled upon it, this one wore an almost completely faded 0008E.

    ¡°Ok, I know it¡¯s been months, but I¡¯m pretty sure we¡¯re not just really lost, and that¡¯s not actually ours, is it?¡± Ian stated, already knowing the answer, honestly, as his hand had already moved to one of his guns.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s safe to say, we aren¡¯t actually the first people who came here, after all.¡± Jared breathed his answer as he followed Ian¡¯s next cautious step toward the small craft.

    ¡°It looks abandoned, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Ian asked with forced hopefulness as they moved a few more slow steps closer.

    ¡°Seems like¡­¡± Jared agreed weakly.

    ¡°But?¡± Ian asked, easily catching the wariness of Jared¡¯s tone.

    ¡°Only one way to find out, really, isn¡¯t there?¡± Jared managed a response.

    Ian then took a breath and cleared his throat before speaking up more loudly, ¡°Hello? Anyone in there?¡± he called out, his hand held up in a gesture for Jared to stay behind him as he took another step. After another moment of receiving no obvious answer, Ian glanced back toward Jared while still staying keenly vigilant, ¡°So, judging by how shocked you also look, I¡¯m guessing this wasn¡¯t featured in any of your freaky vision-fests of late?¡±

    ¡°You could say that, again.¡± Jared agreed with his own shaky breath.

    Ian took another breath, ¡°Ok, I guess we look inside, then?¡± he asked Jared warily.

    ¡°You¡¯re actually asking for my approval?¡± Jared asked with a bit of surprise, as if it was possible to be any more shocked by the whole of the day, anyway.

    ¡°Well, are you getting any freaky ¡®impressions,¡¯ or whatever?¡±

    ¡°My visions don¡¯t really work like that.¡± Jared reminded, though quietly.

    ¡°Odd, I thought you said they kept changing.¡± Ian told him smartly.

    Jared just scowled slightly before answering, ¡°I¡¯m freaked out by finding this at all, but I¡¯m pretty sure that would be true, even if I never had any visions of anything, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°So helpful.¡± Ian grumbled as he took another step.

    ¡°Wait.¡± Jared stated, causing Ian to quickly stop in his tracks.

    ¡°Oh so now youaregetting freaky impressions?¡± Ian complained to cover his own worry over that being the actual case.

    ¡°No, I wanna take a picture before you break it open.¡± Jared answered as he began digging for his computer once more.

    ¡°Are you fucking serious?¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°I didn¡¯t realize we were out here for sight-seeing.¡± he added.

    Jared just scoffed as he retrieved the computer, ¡°I meant to send it to Kyle. He is still the tech guy, isn¡¯t he?¡± Jared reminded as he set up the camera option.

    Ian just shook his head, but posed no further argument to the statement as he stepped aside to let Jared aim the camera, ¡°We ready now?¡± he asked impatiently a moment later, after Jared had snapped a few pictures from different angles.

    ¡°I guess.¡± Jared stated with a deep breath as he tucked the computer into the more easily reachable pocket of his jeans, and came to wait a few feet behind Ian once more.

    After nearly twenty minutes of using the tools and strength readily available to them, the door still didn¡¯t seem to want to budge, ¡°It¡¯s fucking rusted shut!¡± Ian complained in frustration as he tossed away the large stick he had been attempting to use as a crowbar, to no avail.

    Jared just sighed heavily as he glanced back down at where Kyle had yet to respond to the pictures he had sent, ¡°Should we keep looking for bigger sticks, or rocks¡­to open the spacecraft?¡± he added, allowing a bit of a wry tone to seep through at the irony of the statement.

    ¡°Well, we need to get in there!¡± Ian returned in the same annoyed tone, ¡°Who knows what supplies might be in there? We¡¯ve gotta find out.¡± he reiterated.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe when Kyle responds, he¡¯ll have a better idea on how to get in?¡± Jared offered with a slight shrug as he took a resigned seat on a nearby fallen tree.

    ¡°Yeah, and Kyle might not even look at the fucking computer ¡¯til tonight, when he expects you to send the map!¡± Ian pointed out the flaw in the theory.

    ¡°You really have a problem with patience, don¡¯t you?¡± Jared returned, trying not to smirk.

    ¡°Patience?¡± Ian bit out the word like he couldn¡¯t even believe it was leaving his lips, ¡°This right here is the most significant thing we¡¯ve found on this whole goddamn planet, in nearly six months! And you want me to be patient? Are you serious?¡± he scoffed loudly.

    ¡°Well, what other choice do we have, Ian?¡± Jared sighed slightly, ¡°I can¡¯t get a message to him any sooner than when he looks at his computer, whenever that¡¯ll be. He¡¯s the one who can come knocking at our brains unannounced at all hours, not the other way around.¡± he reminded.

    ¡°We could blow it up?¡± Ian offered with a lack of seriousness.

    ¡°Which I¡¯m sure would really help preserve whatever supplies might be left inside, huh?¡± Jared pointed out the obvious flaw in the older man¡¯s less than serious suggestion.

    Ian sighed heavily once more as he began his pacing yet again. After several moments of him pacing, and Jared shaking his head as he watched the computer screen, Ian finally stopped dead once more.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Jared asked warily as he looked up at Ian.

    ¡°How fucking dumb are we?¡± Ian exclaimed.

    ¡°Got an idea, do you?¡± Jared asked with the same wariness.

    ¡°How much do you think that door weighs?¡± Ian pondered out loud.

    ¡°Um, I don¡¯t know. A couple hundred pounds?¡± Jared shrugged again.

    Ian just shook his head down at Jared, who had apparently not followed him completely on his latest train of thought, ¡°And how much did the bear weigh?¡±

    ¡°The who?¡± Jared asked, a little caught.

    ¡°The fucking bear. The one that tried to eat you and Kyle, by the river¡­before your vision about the ship¡­any of this sound familiar?¡±

    Jared just scoffed as he moved his eyes downwards with more than a bit of discomfort, ¡°That was different, Ian.¡± he managed, though barely audibly.

    ¡°How?¡± Ian stated simply.

    ¡°Our lives were in danger. The adrenaline alone is probably why I even could¡­.¡± Jared just shook his head and looked down again as his eyes caught Ian¡¯s look of obvious disapproval.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re still being a little pussy about all of this, huh?¡± Ian retorted bluntly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared managed.

    ¡°Oh don¡¯t look so fuckin surprised. You¡¯re still doing it. You say you¡¯re so fucking worried about keeping Lili safe, and you still won¡¯t do fuck all to help her, the way you honestlycouldtry to. If only you weren¡¯t such a damn coward about it.¡±

 Chapter 45

    Lili had continued to stay inside until well into the afternoon. She hadn¡¯t even offered so much as a word when Kyle had brought both her breakfast and lunch to her. As upset as she was about him peering into her brain, at least it had accomplished the task of keeping him from prodding her to get out of bed any more that day. Instead, he attempted to keep himself busy outside.

    Kyle was in the process of trying to milk Goatess, as they had begun to call the adult creature that had adopted them. Though, that task was usually left to Lili, as the creatures both seemed to share a greater kinship with her than Kyle. He sighed as he finally got a full cup¡¯s worth and looked for the lid as he set it aside, just as he had been trying to do with those dark thoughts he had stolen from Lili. However, that wasn¡¯t all that easy to do in light of the fact that he wasn¡¯t sure he actually should, despite her anger at him for discovering her inner fears at all.

    Just as he had placed the lid on the cup of milk and stashed it in their cooler, Lili appeared at the door of the shack at last, letting out a deep breath as her eyes moved to Kyle.

    ¡°Hi?¡± he attempted a wary greeting.

    ¡°Your computer is beeping.¡± she managed to respond, though hoarsely, as she leaned heavily against the door frame.

    Kyle furrowed his brow a bit as he looked at his watch, ¡°Already?¡±

    ¡°I tried to see what the message was, but it wanted a password.¡± she added more quietly, still not managing to make eye contact.

    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± Kyle responded quietly, ¡°I should turn that feature off, considering.¡± he added with another slight breath as he moved toward the door, only to be stopped as she gently touched his arm, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked again, though it was more an involuntarily spoken question.

    Lili sighed softly, as she attempted a response, ¡°I¡¯m still not happy about you using, that, on me¡­¡± her voice trailed off as she tried to find the rest of the sentence.

    ¡°Yeah, I got that message.¡± he returned, though quietly, as he looked down.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t wanna be mad at you, either.¡± she added with a slight sniffle.

    Kyle forced back the slight smile before answering, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be mad at me either.¡± he then allowed the smile as he gently touched the hand she had placed on his arm a moment earlier, ¡°See, we¡¯re already in agreement.¡± he added as his smile turned to a smirk.

    Lili just shook her head as she forced back her own smile, ¡°You¡¯re really all I have right now, and I can¡¯t let myself be mad at you.¡± another sniffle, ¡°I¡¯m already too mad at everything else.¡± she admitted in a soft whisper.

    Kyle gently moved her hand to his lips with a soft kiss, ¡°I¡¯m a Leo, and you¡¯re an Aries.¡± he began, ¡°I doubt I¡¯m someone you¡¯d really have to explain your temper to.¡± he pointed out with a wry smile.

    Lili looked up, just a bit startled by his comment, ¡°You know my birthday? And you get astrology, too?¡± she asked with surprise.

    ¡°Remember who I told you was my favorite teacher up there? And I am a quick learner.¡± he teased with another gentle kiss.

    ¡°You mean I had one student who paid attention, after all?¡± she allowed another smile.

    ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry, I was very alert in your classes. I paid attention in all sorts of ways.¡± he chided.

    ¡°Do I even wanna know?¡± she shook her head, though still wore the smile.

    ¡°Oh, I think you already do. I¡¯ve got the claw marks on my back to prove it.¡± he had to tease, referring to the last time they had made love, a couple of nights prior.

    ¡°Great, now he¡¯s channeling Ian.¡± she scoffed with a lack of seriousness.

    ¡°Oh yeah, wasn¡¯t there something I was supposed to be doing?¡±

    ¡°The computer?¡± she pointed out knowingly.

    ¡°Thanks, teach.¡± he smirked again as he squeezed her hand once more before heading inside at last.

    <hr>

    Jared let out a heavy sigh and shook his head down at the ground in the fallout of Ian¡¯s biting remarks. Finally, he looked back up where Ian still centered a disapproving gaze on him, ¡°You never stop pushing, do you?¡±

    ¡°Well, someone needs to, obviously.¡± Ian muttered as he glanced pointedly back at the pod.

    ¡°You know, I actually saw what Serena became. It was almost like I was there, watching her murder those people, just because they got in her way. Just because she could.¡± he shook his head once more, ¡°Whether you believe it or not, I think I have a pretty valid reason for wanting to keep myself in check.¡±

    Ian sighed heavily before responding, ¡°Keeping yourself in check is one thing. Never trying to use any of the power you were given, at all, even to help the rest of us: That¡¯s another.¡± the older of the two stated plainly, but with some tinge of gentleness, nonetheless.

    Jared sighed again as he set the computer aside and finally stood, casting another glance at the pod before turning his eyes back to Ian, ¡°Just remember, when she used the power she was given, thousands, yes, thousands of people died, including your father, for just trying to help them at all. Just for doing his job.¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding, causing Ian to quickly look down, despite his unconscious knowledge of the man¡¯s fate without even having to hear it stated as a fact, at last, ¡°So, remember that you pushed for this.¡±

    With that final statement, Jared finally took a step closer to the pod, looking at it for only a brief moment before the door unlatched inside and creaked past the years of built up rust to allow them the opportunity to quite easily pull it open now.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Ian swallowed a bit as he glanced at the now slightly ajar door, and back at where Jared simply turned his hazel eyes to the ground somberly, ¡°You barely did anything at all. It took you like one second.¡± he stammered as he looked over at the younger man, trying to hide his obvious shock.

    ¡°Yeah, adrenaline and anger, not real far apart.¡± Jared mumbled as he morosely kicked at a nearby loose rock. Ian simply shook his head again as he looked between the door and Jared for another moment before Jared finally spoke again, ¡°Well, you were in such a rush. There you go.¡± he retorted flatly as he gestured to the door.

    Ian took a deep breath before casting one more glance at Jared and finally moving toward the door, one hand on a gun as the other moved to pull the door slowly upward. Upon lifting the door to its fully open position, the first and most noticeable discovery was what their eyes automatically moved to in the cockpit seats. Coupled with the nearly overwhelming smell of must and decay, there, still posed in their seats were not one but two badly decayed skeletons.

    ¡°Oh my god.¡± Jared breathed as he involuntarily moved forward to stand next to where Ian¡¯s eyes widened more than a bit at the morbid discovery as well.

    Ian finally let out a heavy breath of his own, both of them still stopped there outside the door, their eyes glued to the remains rather than even bothering taking in any of the rest of the compartment just yet, ¡°They¡¯re human, right?¡± Ian finally forced out the words.

    ¡°Looks like it¡­but I¡¯d have to get a closer look, to be sure.¡±

    ¡°Well?¡± Ian prodded as he finally tore his eyes away long enough to return them to Jared, though only briefly, before being drawn back.

    Jared swallowed hard before squaring his shoulders and taking a cautious step up into the pod. Another deep breath before he finally moved forward to the seats between the two skeletons, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re human.¡± he finally answered a little breathily as his eyes traveled over one and then the other.

    ¡°God, how long have they even been here, you think?¡± Ian asked as he also took a step closer.

    Jared sighed again, still hardly comfortable with living patients, let alone dead and decaying ones, despite all the other thoughts racing through his head right then. He took another moment to force himself to more closely inspect them before offering any more answers, ¡°The one in the pilot¡¯s seat, it¡¯s a male, and it looks like he¡¯s been here for even longer than the other.¡± he attempted his preliminary appraisal based on what he knew of both anatomy and human decay, when placed next to what he knew about the air on their current planet.

    ¡°Longer?¡± Ian raised a brow as he dared to step inside, though remained just inside the door, ¡°How much longer?¡± he added.

    Jared took another uneasy glance over the body, ¡°Years.¡± was his only answer.

    ¡°Years?¡± Ian repeated, ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    Jared sighed again as his eyes moved over the fractured skull of the male and then back to look over the other skeleton, whose cause of death wasn¡¯t quite as easily surmountable when all but the bones and some strands of long black hair were decayed away, ¡°Well, it¡¯s obvious that they¡¯ve both been here for at least a decade. And him, even longer than her.¡±

    ¡°Her?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the other one is a female.¡± Jared swallowed again.

    ¡°But, that doesn¡¯t make a whole lot of sense.¡± Ian argued weakly.

    ¡°Does any of this?¡± Jared asked with a sad shrug.

    ¡°No, I mean, they¡¯re both posed in the seats for crying out loud. Like they died in this damn pod. How could they have died years apart?¡± Ian attempted logic in the midst of such confusion.

    Jared sighed again as he looked back over them, ¡°I think he died when they landed. It looks like his skull was cracked off of the console, which most likely shattered his helmet. But her, she¡¯s not even strapped in¡­and not even sitting in a natural position.¡±

    ¡°Ok, care to share a theory on that then?¡± Ian continued.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe her injuries didn¡¯t kill her right away? And she just came back here to be with him when she¡­did die. Or to possibly keep her body safe from predators? But¡­¡±

    ¡°But, what?¡± Ian pressed.

    ¡°Like I said, she¡¯s not sitting in a natural position. I mean, maybe the decay caused her position to shift, but it¡¯s more like¡­¡± his voice trailed off as he paused in thought for another long moment

    ¡°Finish a damn sentence, please!¡± Ian complained.

    Jared allowed another sigh before forcing his only other guess, ¡°Like someone else put her here, with him.¡± he managed.

    ¡°Someone else?¡± Ian stammered a bit as he repeated the words, casting another look back outside.

    ¡°It¡¯s all just theories, Ian. I¡¯m not a forensics expert, I just¡­it¡¯s just theories.¡± he repeated quietly.

    ¡°So, you think there was at least one other person in this pod, that¡¯s what you¡¯re saying?¡±

    ¡°Theory, that¡¯s all.¡± Jared stressed, ¡°And even if I am right, it¡¯s obvious no one else has been inside this pod for nearly as long as the woman¡¯s body has been here, judging by the rust built up on the door, alone.¡±

    It was after another long, thoughtful moment that they finally allowed their eyes to leave the skeletons and move around the rest of the pod. As they glanced back toward the supply compartment, both their sets of eyes came to rest on a small seemingly hand-made basket, filled with a ratty, bunched up cover.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Ian asked.

    ¡°It looks like a pet-bed, almost?¡± Jared offered his first guess as both of them moved in to get a closer look.

    ¡°So, guy and a girl crash on a planet, he dies on impact, but she decides to start keeping a pampered pet in here with his dead body? Why do I find that just a little far-fetched?¡± Ian mumbled as they moved closer.

    ¡°Just a little?¡± Jared agreed, as Ian scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m not saying itisa pet-bed, just looks like one, I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s not what it is though.¡±

    ¡°Then what is it?¡± Ian retorted.

    ¡°You¡¯re still not getting how this psychic thing works with me, are you?¡± Jared complained under his breath.

    ¡°Whatever.¡± Ian mumbled, ¡°Let¡¯s look in the supplies crates, shall we?¡±

    Jared just sighed with a slight nod as he moved to accompany the search, only to be stopped again as he turned his head almost as though hearing some unknown sound for a moment.

    ¡°God, what now?¡± Ian complained further as he caught the halt in Jared¡¯s movement, as well as his distracted look.

    ¡°Shh.¡± was Jared¡¯s only response, as he seemed to be lost in concentration right then. After another long moment, he finally spoke up again, ¡°It¡¯s Kyle.¡± he offered.

    ¡°What¡¯s Kyle?¡± Ian asked with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°He got the pictures.¡±

    ¡°Well goodie, but we¡¯re already in, now, aren¡¯t we?¡± Ian scoffed.

    Jared sighed once more, ¡°He wants to come see the pod.¡± Jared added quietly.

    ¡°Well, of course he does. But too bad, so sad, we got the fun of walking through the woods for two months just to find it. Guess he¡¯ll have to wait on the next fun filled road trip.¡± Ian stated flatly as he moved to continue with his search.

    ¡°No, he thinks that he may be able to get the computer in here to work, but he has to do it himself, cause it¡¯ll be all about what could be days of trial and error.¡±

    Ian scoffed, ¡°Our pod is newer, and more advanced, and he couldn¡¯t get that one to work, now could he?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the thing.¡± Jared swallowed, trying to keep the two conversations, both inside and outside his head, separated enough to pass along the pertinent information, ¡°When he redesigned ours, he had it set up to be completely dependant on the ship¡¯s mainframe.¡± he squinted again as Kyle¡¯s voice continued in his head, overlapping with his own actual conversation, ¡°He says that the old ones, like this one, they have free-standing computers on board. He says he might even be able to get a message out, if he could get this one working.¡±

    ¡°A message?¡± Ian raised a brow again, ¡°To who?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but isn¡¯t it worth a try?¡± Jared asked with a tinge of desperation, though Ian¡¯s silence was enough agreement for him, ¡°We have to get Kyle here. It could be the one chance we need, couldn¡¯t it?¡±

 Chapter 46

    Ian sighed as he looked back toward Jared, ¡°Yeah, it may be worth a try, but is it really realistic?¡±

    ¡°How do you mean?¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°Think about it: It took us two months to even find this thing. Lili¡¯s almost four months pregnant already, right?¡± he sighed as he cast another sad look down at the barren supply crates, ¡°And do you really wanna wait another two months on Kyle to catch up to us to maybe fix a computer that could maybe send a message to some ship or another that just may be within range at that particular second?¡± he stated sadly, ¡°Not to mention, that even if we did stop looking for the ship to wait on Kyle to get here, he would be making that entire trip, alone, and leaving Lili just as alone too, going into her third trimester. I don¡¯t really think that¡¯s that great of an option, now is it?¡± he added with even less volume.

    ¡°But it wouldn¡¯t take two months.¡± Jared denied.

    ¡°How do you figure?¡± Ian asked skeptically.

    ¡°Let me show you the map.¡± Jared stated as he gestured back outside to the log where he had left the computer, along with the rest of their belongings.

    Ian simply sighed tiresomely, but didn¡¯t argue as he followed Jared over to where the younger of them picked up the small computer and called the latest version of the map up on the screen, ¡°So, what am I supposed to be looking at?¡± Ian asked over Jared¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Ok, now this is the last part that I updated.¡± he began as he pointed at the area he spoke of, ¡°We¡¯ve traveled about twenty miles from there. That¡¯s the stream we were at this morning.¡±

    ¡°Twenty miles?¡± Ian raised a brow.

    ¡°A little less.¡± Jared shrugged.

    ¡°Twenty miles?¡± Ian repeated pointedly.

    ¡°Yes, humans walk three miles an hour. We walked for about seven hours, didn¡¯t we? Just stopped for lunch, so knock like a mile and a half off of that twenty-one.¡±

    ¡°Ok, great, but how does any of that explain why it wouldn¡¯t take him two months, just like it took us?¡± Ian pressed with his usual impatience.

    ¡°Ok, given, in the last two months we¡¯ve probably walked a total of about fifteen hundred miles, but---¡±

    ¡°Did you just say, fifteenhundred?¡± Ian interrupted with disbelief.

    ¡°Yes, we walk about thirty miles a day, and we¡¯ve been doing that for sixty days, now. That would be eighteen hundred. But I knocked off time for eating, and hunting, and already subtracted the time for sleeping.¡±

    ¡°Can we go back to the part about fifteenhundredmiles?¡± Ian interrupted again, ¡°As in half the length of the entire United States?¡± he added more pointedly.

    ¡°Could you let me finish?¡± Jared complained with a trace of annoyance.

    ¡°Sure.¡± Ian returned with an obvious sarcasm as he took a seat on the log, ¡°Tell me how fifteen hundred miles,isn¡¯tgonna take another two months. Can¡¯t wait to hear this.¡±

    Jared sighed as he shook his head back at Ian, ¡°Remember, until today we were just walking in bigger and bigger circles. That¡¯s a lot of walking, but not a lot of distance.¡±

    ¡°Distance?¡±

    ¡°From the shack.¡± Jared stated simply.

    Ian narrowed his eyes a moment as he thought on the statement, ¡°Ok, so how far are we from there, actually?¡±

    Jared allowed a small smile, ¡°I¡¯d say maybe a little over fifty miles, if we actually could walk in a completely straight line to get there, anyway.¡±

    ¡°Fifty miles?¡± Ian returned thoughtfully, ¡°And what did you say we walk? Three miles an hour?¡±

    ¡°Approximately, not counting stops, of course.¡± Jared offered.

    Ian took another moment before responding, ¡°So, like, less than twenty-four hours?¡±

    ¡°Well, we would have to stop to eat and sleep and hunt, so I¡¯d say, about a two day walk, if we were moving eight, nine hours each day.¡±

    ¡°Two days? Not two months?¡±

    ¡°Not two months.¡± Jared smiled back.

    Ian allowed a shadow of a smile then as well, thinking over the information for a few moments before speaking up, ¡°And how long does Kyle think he¡¯ll need to work on this thing?¡±

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t sure about that.¡± Jared admitted more quietly.

    ¡°So, Lili would still be left alone if we all came back here and waited on him to maybe get it working and maybe get a message to someone.¡±

    Jared allowed a slight sigh, ¡°I¡¯m guessing that if we go to get Kyle and show him the way back here, one of us should probably still stay there, with her, at least until he finds out what he can or can¡¯t do with this thing.¡± he stated with a quiet look downwards.

    ¡°One of us?¡± Ian returned warily.

    ¡°It¡¯s the safest bet, at least until we decide if and when we might make another trip out here to keep searching for the crash site.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Ian also looked down with an obvious attempt at hiding any emotion, ¡°And we both know which one of us is gonna have to come back here with Kyle, right?¡±

    ¡°I suppose either of us could come back with him, technically.¡± Jared returned, though the words seemed more forced than sincere.

    ¡°But it¡¯ll be me.¡± Ian stated simply, ¡°And you¡¯ll be staying back there with her.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t even know for how long though, honestly. It might only be a few days.¡± Jared attempted with a shrug.

    Ian just scoffed with an insincere smile, ¡°And you expect me to believe that you¡¯ll be willing and able to leave her there without you again, if we need to?¡±

    Jared then looked down again with his own guilty sigh, ¡°Honestly, I think I¡¯m more afraid, now, than I even was before, of leaving her there to have the baby without me around to at least try and help. Ship or no ship.¡± Jared admitted, though in a whisper.

    ¡°You think I¡¯m thrilled with the idea of not being there when she has it?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that.¡± Jared attempted.

    ¡°Yeah, but you¡¯re the doctor. I¡¯m just the body guard. Our roles, and the real importance of each of them, are more than obvious. They really always have been.¡± Ian added under his breath as he moved to retrieve his pack and slowly close the pod door, wordlessly.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Jared began, unsure of how to even continue.

    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s go get the other genius, so I can just do my job and escorthimback here, instead.¡± Ian mumbled as he secured his belongings and began heading away from the clearing, not bothering looking back as Jared sighed heavily before hurrying to catch up to him, though in silence.

    <hr>

    It was a few evenings later when Lili had at least decided to join Kyle by the fire for their shared dinner for once. Though neither said much, she couldn¡¯t help noting the way his eyes constantly moved to the tree line. She sighed slightly before cleaning up the dishes and noting his gaze on that tree line once more.

    ¡°Expecting company?¡± her voice finally interrupted his thoughts.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked as he looked back up at her with a slightly guilty smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re watching those trees like a hawk.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m vigilant.¡± he offered another innocent smile.

    ¡°And why are you smiling?¡± she asked skeptically as she easily caught the expression in the fire light.

    ¡°I need a reason, now?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yeah.¡± she stated bluntly.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help chuckling a bit at her response, ¡°You¡¯re outta bed, for once. We had a good meal. Why not?¡± he shrugged, the small smile remaining as he put back whatever was left of the meal.

    ¡°Let me guess. You found the special mushrooms this time?¡± she returned, still looking at him with a lack of trust in his explanation.

    Kyle just chuckled again, though he didn¡¯t need to offer any more of an answer for her as the two both simultaneously turned toward the trees at the sound of approaching footsteps. Lili swallowed hard as she quickly moved to reach for the gun they always kept within reach.

    ¡°Now who¡¯s channeling Ian?¡± he asked as he glanced back at her shaking hands grasping the gun, an eyebrow raised in her direction.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you hear that?¡± she whispered, her eyes glued to the trees, awaiting any visual contact with the owner of the footsteps.

    ¡°You¡¯re a little jumpy, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kyle returned with a decided lack of worry in his own tone.

    ¡°Youdon¡¯thear that?¡± she worried aloud, only allowing a sideways glance toward him, before her eyes quickly moved back to where Ian and Jared came into view at the edge of those dark woods, ¡°Oh my god.¡± she breathed, easily dropping the gun from her hands as she took a step with squinted eyes, to make sure she wasn¡¯t just imagining their arrival.

    ¡°Letting the girl hold your gun for you? Why am I not surprised?¡± Ian teased as Kyle just shook his head with a chuckle as Lili rushed forward to greet them, her tears actually seeming joyful for once.

    ¡°Yeah, I already don¡¯t miss you.¡± Kyle retorted with a lack of seriousness as he smiled over at where Lili practically fell against both men in a huge, tearful hug, which they easily returned.

    Finally, after another moment and another sniffle through her surprisingly happy tears, Lili finally forced herself to relinquish her hold on the two of them as she managed a slightly accusatory look back toward Kyle, ¡°You knew they were coming back, didn¡¯t you?¡± she growled, though there was a lack of any force to her tone.

    ¡°I am a genius, remember?¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡± they all returned in near unison, causing Kyle to just smirk and chuckle lightly again as he moved to place the gun back in it¡¯s previous resting spot.

    ¡°But, you didn¡¯t find the ship, though, did you?¡± Lili finally asked with more seriousness at last.

    ¡°No, not yet.¡± Jared agreed before looking back at Kyle, ¡°So, why didn¡¯t you tell her?¡± he asked with a creased brow.

    ¡°I guess I wanted to see her face when you two got back here.¡± Kyle attempted to shrug off their question for fear of being seen as showing any kind of sentimentality himself, as that was still quite a foreign trait to him.

    All three just shook their heads at him before Lili spoke up again, ¡°You guys must be freezing. Come inside, it¡¯s like five degrees warmer in there.¡± she attempted a smile.

    ¡°Mind if I borrow Jared to talk about what they did find first?¡± Kyle asked, as Lili and Jared both looked back at his words, ¡°I¡¯ll return him promptly.¡± he assured with another slight smile.

    ¡°Come on.¡± Lili easily gave in, too happy about their return to bother with any other petty complaints. She simply grabbed Ian¡¯s arm and began escorting him back inside with her as Jared took a slight breath, looking after them once more before moving over to join Kyle at the fire once the door closed behind them.

    ¡°So,¡± Ian began once they got inside, ¡°I can only assume you miss---¡± though his words were cut off as she rushed into his arms, pinning him to the wall as her mouth covered his in a kiss that she had waited two long months to share with him again. After several dizzying moments, she finally allowed him room to breathe, though still stayed pressed against his body, where his hands had automatically moved to her hips to pull her closer still, ¡°I gotta leave more often.¡± he breathed a bit heavily.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± she attempted to scold, though it came out more as a relieved laugh, before she then didn¡¯t spare another moment before her hands moved to begin pulling away his holster and belt.

    ¡°Still not a fan of guns after all, eh?¡± he allowed a slight chuckle as she finished dropping the weapons to the floor where she still held him captive between herself and the section of the wall right inside the door.

    ¡°Not that kind.¡± she breathed against his neck as she just as eagerly moved to pull away the fur wrap he had over his regular shirt and jeans.

    Ian just chuckled again as she dropped the wrap to the floor and already started pulling his shirt away in the next moment, ¡°You know, they could come in at any second.¡± he reminded her, though the laughter in his tone proved that he wasn¡¯t really all that concerned with such a fear, despite his mention of it.

    ¡°Since when are you shy?¡± she teased as she finished pulling his shirt away.

    ¡°Since when are you not? Has Kyle been starving you for affection all this time? I could go beat him up for ya.¡± he teased.

    ¡°You have better uses for your energy, right now.¡± she growled playfully as her hands then moved to his zipper as well.

    ¡°Well at least I don¡¯t have to worry that you¡¯re not feeling well, do I?¡± he teased further as she pulled open his jeans, beginning to tug them down his legs.

    ¡°I guess Jared¡¯s not the only one with healing abilities, huh?¡± she teased back as she pulled off the jeans along with his boots.

    ¡°Oh believe me, I can heal you, all night.¡± he smirked again before moving to lift her into his arms and starting back toward her bed as she just squeezed him tight against her, forgetting all her fears and worries for that particular moment. However temporarily, it was still something both she and he needed a moment to forget, desperately.

 Chapter 47

    ¡°So, no more supplies at this pod then?¡± Kyle began as he moved to offer Jared a portion of their previous meal once the door had closed behind Ian and Lili.

    Jared was about to speak when, as he took a step to retrieve the food, his eyes were drawn to a slight movement off to the side of the shack, ¡°Are those,¡± he squinted a bit in the dim firelight, ¡°goats?¡±

    That was when Kyle allowed another slight smile as his own eyes moved to where their two ¡®pets¡¯ were attempting to curl up comfortably for the night, ¡°Yeah, of some sort. Lili took a liking to them a while back, or they took a liking to her. Still a little fuzzy on which way it originally went.¡± he added as he handed Jared one of the cartons they were still using as bowls.

    ¡°Goats?¡± Jared repeated skeptically as he took a seat and another glance back toward the two creatures.

    ¡°Well I¡¯m sure they¡¯re notactualgoats, but I figured I¡¯d leave that determination to some scientist type of person or another.¡± he added as he took his own seat and a sip of his remaining glass of icy cold water.

    Jared just shook his head again as he took a bite, attempting to ignore the slightly muffled movements inside the nearby shack and instead concentrate on Kyle¡¯s previous question, ¡°No, it was pretty much barren, other than the skeletons.¡± he added more quietly.

    Kyle looked down again as he thought on the fact of their having been any other humans on the planet before them, at all, ¡°And you¡¯re sure that they looked like they had died years apart?¡±

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t do an entire forensics work up or anything, but from what I could tell, yes.¡± he repeated his previous answer to Ian.

    ¡°And theories on how that could happen?¡±

    Jared shook his head as he swallowed another bite, ¡°Me and Ian already had this conversation when we found them.¡± he pointed out to Kyle, unsuccessfully keeping himself from glancing back at the shack once more.

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t there, totally.¡± Kyle had to add, ¡°So, refresh my memory on what conclusion you did come up with.¡±

    Jared sighed again before continuing, ¡°It seemed pretty obvious that the male died because of injuries received during a less than perfect landing. Then it looked like, years later, her body was placed there with his once she died. Sort of like a family tomb, like they used to have on Earth.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Familytomb?¡± Kyle repeated with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Well, strangers didn¡¯t usually share those from what I understand.¡± Jared scoffed, though it was slight.

    ¡°So, how many years ago did it look like she died¡­and was put there.¡± Kyle added more quietly.

    ¡°It looked like he had been there for almost twenty years, which would mean that the pod was from an e-ship that got within range of this planet very early on, after the original departure from earth.¡± Jared took a breath, ¡°And she, she looked like she had been there almost ten to fifteen years, herself.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re sure someone else put her there?¡± Kyle asked for clarification.

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t there when it happened, Kyle.¡± Jared retorted, then softened his tone slightly, ¡°But she wasn¡¯t sitting in a natural position, and I really doubt that she just stayed there watching the other body decay for all those years. That would be just a little hard on the nostrils I¡¯d think, the actual idea of something like that happening at all, aside.¡±

    ¡°So, we¡¯re saying that ten to fifteen years ago, therewasanother human on this planet. Is that much accurate?¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t prove it, but¡­¡± Jared just shook his head.

    ¡°It would be a highly educated guess?¡± Kyle finished for him. Jared simply nodded his silent agreement, ¡°And what do we think happened to this mystery person or persons¡­who crashed only like fifty miles from here?¡± Kyle added warily.

    ¡°Nearly twenty years ago.¡± Jared had to add. Kyle just rolled his eyes at the restating of the obvious, causing Jared to shake his head again before admitting, ¡°Come on, Kyle, I have no earthly way of knowing that, without another vision, anyway.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Good thing we¡¯re not on earth then, eh?¡± Kyle retorted smartly, causing Jared to shake his head once more, ¡°So, get another vision.¡±

    Jared just scoffed as he looked back at the slightly younger teen, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll get right on that.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Kyle stated plainly as he firmly patted Jared¡¯s shoulder and stood,. gathering his own glass and Jared¡¯s carton.

    ¡°I was being sarcastic Kyle. You know I can¡¯t force myself to have a vision.¡± Jared pointed out the facts the other boy already knew.

    ¡°You sure?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, am I sure?¡± Jared asked with a bit of defensiveness.

    ¡°Well, you get older every day. Guess I¡¯m just hoping you unlock that little trick at some point.¡± Kyle returned, though quietly, seeming slightly distracted himself.

    Jared then sighed sadly, ¡°I guess sometimes they happen more than other times, but¡­not enough to really determine how exactly to make them happen.¡±

    ¡°Ok, what times do they happen more?¡± Kyle asked as he turned back from where he had planned to rinse off their utensils.

    Jared scoffed, ¡°Like I said, I haven¡¯t really even had them enough to figure out any hard and fast rules for them yet.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°But¡­?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, but?¡± Jared repeated as Kyle came back to sit near him again.

    ¡°Hey, you¡¯re the one who started down this road. You must think that sometimes there had been some common factors, right?¡± Kyle prodded.

    Jared sighed again, ¡°Most of them, before I was eighteen, they were in dreams. I mean, hell, I might have visions every night, but I don¡¯t remember my dreams every night. Hence the problem of even knowing if I had a vision at all.¡± Jared attempted to begin.

    ¡°And, since you¡¯ve turned eighteen?¡± Kyle continued to try and help Jared find the way to his answer.

    ¡°The first time I felt like I saw a little more than just glimpses, before we got here, was that last night before we left the ship to come here at all.¡±

    ¡°And what was different about that night?¡± Kyle pushed.

    Though Jared didn¡¯t answer right away as he simply looked down with a deep blush, which was thankfully hard to catch in only the firelight.

    ¡°Jared.¡± Kyle stated his name in a slightly scolding manner after another moment of silence. When Jared attempted to answer but the words fell short, he glanced up at where Kyle looked over at him with narrowed blue eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t what?¡± Kyle asked innocently.

    ¡°Wall¡¯s up again, don¡¯t bother.¡± Jared warned, his own eyes narrowed then as well.

    ¡°Come on, Jared.¡± Kyle complained impatiently, ¡°We still need to figure out these visions. Especially since you found nothing out there but a useless pod and proof that wemightnot actually be alone here, after all.¡±

    ¡°Useless?¡± Jared asked, his eyes narrowing further, ¡°If it¡¯s so useless, why¡¯d you tell me you might be able to fix it, or get a message out, therefore making me and Ian travel all the way back here so you could go try and do just that?¡± Jared asked with a bit of accusation in his tone as Kyle averted his eyes and stood once more.

    Kyle sighed softly, ¡°I mean, I might still be able to salvage some parts¡­or something.¡± he attempted, his voice trailing off as he remained turned away from Jared¡¯s wary gaze.

    ¡°That isn¡¯t exactly how you made it sound when you were in my head, Kyle.¡± Jared scolded, trying to keep his voice even as he awaited further response from the younger man.

    Kyle simply looked downwards as he searched that amazing brain of his for the best response to Jared¡¯s obvious suspicion of this new version of Kyle¡¯s apparent thoughts on the matter of the pod.

    As Jared continued to wait on an explanation, Kyle finally allowed a sigh, ¡°I mean, I should still go have a look at it, you know, just in case.¡±

    ¡°But?¡± Jared was now the one prodding.

    ¡°But it¡¯s doubtful that an older pod is going to get us anywhere our newer one couldn¡¯t, travel-wise, or message-wise.¡± he admitted quietly.

    Jared just shook his head disappointedly, ¡°So then why the hell do you wanna go out there and look at some ¡®useless¡¯ pod,¡± he repeated Kyle¡¯s earlier words, ¡°not too mention why did you want to have me and Ian backtrack all the way here, instead of continuing to look for something that could be a bit less useless, like, say, the ship?¡± Jared added with a slight bite to his tone.

    Kyle sighed again as he slightly bit his lip, seeming to be searching for an adequate explanation once more. After another long moment of silence, Jared then spoke up again.

    ¡°Ok, I¡¯m not going to physically threaten you, the way Ian probably would here, but I could go and interrupt their homecoming and have him deliver that threat himself, especially considering said interruption.¡± Jared scowled as he too stood, before finally pausing and taking his own breath, ¡°Just tell me the truth, Kyle, why did you give us a bogus reason for coming all the way back here? Why would you do that?¡± he asked, attempting to force gentleness into his tone.

    ¡°Like you¡¯re not happy to see her again?¡± Kyle returned, though the words were just a whisper.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to be a mind-reader to know my answer to that question, so how about answering mine, instead?¡± Jared returned with another frown.

    Another sigh on Kyle¡¯s part, ¡°Me and Ian can go look at the pod, then, I guess, he and I could continue to look for the ship, at that point.¡± Kyle said quietly with a sad shrug.

    ¡°Wait, what are you even talking about, Kyle?¡± Jared began with confusion, ¡°We already decided that cause of my¡­more ¡®active¡¯ ability,¡± he finally decided on, ¡°that I should be the one to have Ian¡¯s back. That decision was made when we first left, two months ago.¡± he reminded.

    ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Kyle stated in the same soft tone, ¡°so you and Ian would be safe out there heading into the unknown, while me and Lili stayed here, in familiar territory, in our own sort of, hopefully safe, zone.¡±

    Jared narrowed his eyes again, ¡°Did something happen? Did you guys get spooked by some animal¡­or something?¡± Jared asked worriedly, figuring if that had been the case, he surely would have expected it to have been brought up a lot sooner than this.

    ¡°No, nothing like that.¡± Kyle admitted.

    ¡°So, why then, are you now questioning the original plan? And lying to get it changed.¡± Jared couldn¡¯t help adding, though quietly.

    Another deep sigh from Kyle before he answered, ¡°Cause Lili needs you here a lot more than she needs me.¡± was his simple response, which only caused Jared¡¯s brow to furrow.

    ¡°Um,¡± Jared began, attempting to compose himself again to get further clarification, ¡°is there something wrong? Is she sick, or in pain or something?¡± he asked, casting a glance back toward the shack at where Lili had seemed happy and well, despite her lack of much noticeable weight gain as of yet. Then again, emotions had a way of blocking any kind of physical pain if they were intense enough, though that block was hardly a cure, and merely a postponement.

    Kyle attempted to compose himself as well, finally turning back toward Jared, after allowing his own glance toward the shack, ¡°I really don¡¯t know how to answer that, Jared.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Jared asked, his worry hardly alleviated by that response.

    Kyle cast his eyes downwards again before continuing, ¡°It¡¯s been really hard here, these last two months.¡± he began.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been hard out there too, Kyle.¡± Jared retorted, a rare bit of impatience of his own now surfacing, though it was mainly due to his current worry at Kyle¡¯s vague words.

    ¡°Different kind of hard.¡± Kyle returned though in a mumble.

    ¡°Meaning?¡± Jared pressed.

    ¡°Meaning¡­¡± a slight pause on the part of the seventeen year old, ¡°she¡¯s barely spoken to me much at all, Jared. She¡¯s spent most of her time locked inside that shack¡­.and inside her own head.¡± Kyle allowed himself to add though in a whisper, his eyes turning toward the door once more.

    ¡°But that second one wouldn¡¯t really be a problem for you, would it?¡± Jared returned, though in his own near whisper.

    ¡°Which is why I had to use it, on her.¡± Kyle admitted, he and Jared both swallowing hard at the words, ¡°Not to place any thoughts in her head or anything, but just to know what was going on in there at all, since she never would tell me, or admit that anything was wrong. It was the only way I could even hope to know if she was ok, at all.¡± he added apologetically.

    Jared closed his eyes a moment before continuing, ¡°I¡¯m not angry at you for looking inside her head, in this case,¡± he had to add, ¡°but tell me, is she ok?¡±

    Kyle looked down before finally responding, ¡°I have no way of knowing that, for sure. I can¡¯t diagnose any kind of physical problems with what I do, not really. I can just tell you what she thinks. Whether shethinksshe¡¯s ok.¡± he clarified.

    Jared swallowed again before finding his own response, ¡°And, judging by the rest of this conversation, I¡¯m guessing that she doesn¡¯t think she is.¡± he whispered.

    One more deep and shaky breath on Kyle¡¯s part as he dared to share those thoughts he had pulled from Lili¡¯s head, ¡°Jared, the reason you gotta be here, it¡¯s not just cause you¡¯re the one she¡¯s most likely to open up to, for real, if she does at all. And Lili would never forgive me if she knew that I knew this, let alone forgive me for sharing it with anyone else, but god, Jared, she thinks the baby is killing her.¡±

 Chapter 48

    The next morning began with the first breakfast the four of them had shared since the search for the ship had begun, two months ago. Though, despite the fact that Jared would finally be getting to stay near to her once again, he seemed just as sullen as the other two men. Though, all three of their moods seemed strange to Lili, as Ian and Kyle were supposedly only heading out for a much shorter journey in the hopes of possibly finding a way to get some kind of message out at last, never mind the actual reason Kyle had had for switching he and Jared¡¯s roles.

    Once that quiet breakfast ended, Jared and Lili said their equally quiet goodbyes to the oldest and youngest of the males, who then started away from their ¡®home,¡¯ of sorts, once more. Once their companions had departed, Jared couldn¡¯t help looking back toward where Lili was at the river bank cleaning up after the morning¡¯s meal. As he watched her, Jared bit his inner lip worriedly as Kyle¡¯s warning from the previous evening never had left his head for long.

    Kyle had already assured Jared that Lili had been none too thrilled with him peering into her head at all, when she hadn¡¯t even truly known the extent of what he had seen there, which put Jared in a particularly difficult position, in more ways than one. If Lili knew where his even more elevated level of concern for her well-being was now coming from, she would be furious at Kyle for not only stealing those dire thoughts from her head, but even more so for sharing them with anyone else at all. These facts combined to leave Jared with the dilemma of how to get her to share those thoughts with him on her own, while not letting on that he, himself, was indeed already privy to them.

    Jared finally took a deep breath as Lili returned from cleaning up after the meal and smiled gently up at him as she moved to put their utensils away once more. Jared tried in vain to return the smile, but only managed a slight nod as he moved to follow after her. Once everything was once again in its rightful place, she allowed another almost shy smile back at where he now stood close behind her.

    ¡°Back inside?¡± she offered the simple suggestion with a slightly exaggerated shiver as she reached for his wrist, causing him to offer another more nervous nod as his only response before allowing her to take his hand and lead him into the shack behind her.

    Jared followed her inside and silently watched her begin straightening the bedding she and Ian had shared the previous night, before he finally forced himself to speak up, ¡°So, how are you feeling?¡±

    Lili just shook her head as she glanced back at him with a weak smile, ¡°I think I¡¯ve lost track of how many times you¡¯ve asked me that, and that¡¯s even with you being gone for the last two months.¡± she had to add.

    ¡°Well, I do have a few valid reasons to be concerned, don¡¯t I?¡± he managed, trying to force any accusation out of his voice.

    Lili furrowed her brow as she looked up at that response, ¡°Meaning?¡±

    That was when Jared looked down again, searching for a substantially vague yet believable response. After another moment, he finally forced his dark hazel eyes back in her direction, ¡°Well, I am your doctor.¡± he began, which only caused a slight scowl on her part, which forced him to continue, ¡°And your friend, and the possible father,¡± he swallowed a bit, ¡°and your lover.¡± he added more quietly, ¡°Those are all pretty good reasons, aren¡¯t they?¡± he offered, raising his volume back to normal again after dropping substantially on the former qualifier.

    Lili took a deep breath as she found her own response, her eyes moving away from his at that point, ¡°You haven¡¯t really been necessarily all of those things for a while now, Jared.¡± she added quietly.

    Jared¡¯s breath caught slightly at her statement, ¡°Though I haven¡¯t been here lately to be your doctor, or your lover,¡± he swallowed slightly, ¡°I will always be your friend, Lili. You know that.¡±

    ¡°I know¡­I just¡­¡± she simply shook her head rather than finishing.

    ¡°Just what?¡± he asked, hoping upon hope that she was indeed going to open up to him, as Kyle suspected she might be willing to, eventually.

    ¡°I just want us to enjoy being able to be with each other again, at least for one day. Can we do that, please?¡± she asked in a soft whisper.

    That was when Jared looked down with a combination of guilt and disappointment that she had still not been ready to open up about her true fears, but his concern for her well-being was still what was weighing most heavily on him, and had been since the previous evening.

    ¡°I¡¯d be able to enjoy it more if I knew for sure that you were ok.¡± he offered in his own quiet tone.

    ¡°Do I not look ok?¡± she sighed more than spoke, her own pools of blue cast downwards once more.

    ¡°Looks can be deceiving.¡± was his only quiet response.

    ¡°Meaning?¡± she repeated, looking back toward him once again.

    Jared faltered another moment before speaking, ¡°Well, you haven¡¯t even been seen by a doctor in the last two months. And they¡¯re pretty important months.¡±

    ¡°You saying you wanna examine me?¡± she couldn¡¯t help asking, knowing very well of the effect the words would have, taking into account the rest of the facts of their relationship.

    Jared bit back a slight smile and a blush as he looked down again, ¡°We talked about distracting the doctor, before, didn¡¯t we?¡± he chided.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re pretty easily distracted.¡± she had to return with her own tiny smile.

    ¡°Only by you.¡± he agreed as she moved closer to him, gently touching his hand as she did.

    ¡°Well, how many other female patients do you even have?¡± she teased.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Ian does try pretty hard to distract me at times, too.¡± he allowed a slight smirk as she moved to her tiptoes to gently place the lightest kiss over his neck.

    ¡°Uh oh, were there some cold nights camping out that I should know about?¡± she teased again.

    ¡°He wishes.¡± Jared allowed himself to return the tiniest amount of her playfulness, though there was still plenty of worry evident to his entire demeanor, despite the light touch of her lips, which he had missed more than a bit.

    As Jared¡¯s only other reaction was clenching his hands a bit in an effort to perhaps keep from reaching for her right then, as well, Lili finally moved back from where she had offered him that tiny kiss and shook her head up at him with her own mix of disappointment and disbelief.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked, allowing himself to look back down at where she now took a slight step back, and easily caught her expression.

    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna drop this, are you?¡± she asked him with a slight scowl returning.

    ¡°Drop what?¡± he asked with a swallow, a slight furrow to his own brow then.

    ¡°The whole doctor thing.¡±

    ¡°Doctor thing?¡± he asked with a raise of his eyebrow. Though her only response was to look down and move away again with a shake of her head. He then sighed again and continued, ¡°I am the only doctor here, and in your current condition, it¡¯s not that bizarre for me to be worried about your well-being, is it really?¡± he then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°I just wish you were acting like you were even half as concerned as I am, and the fact that you¡¯re trying to blow off all of these concerns, that really worries me too.¡±

    Lili sighed once more, though didn¡¯t establish eye contact again, ¡°I¡¯ve spent every day of the last four months being nothing but worried, and scared, and I just¡­I just wanted one day not to be. You know?¡± she whispered with a slight sniffle.

    Jared¡¯s breath caught once again at the obvious sadness in her voice, which only made Kyle¡¯s warning that much more believable. Hearing her admit to at least part of those fears she had, if not using the exact words Kyle had, easily caused Jared¡¯s feet to carry him over to her and wrap her in his arms from behind, placing a gentle kiss atop her red locks.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± he whispered as she curled back into his arms, ¡°I guess maybe that¡¯s why I¡¯m pressing so hard. I guess I¡¯m just hoping that if I could give you some kind of medical assurance that you are going to be ok, maybe it would actually help you to believe that you will be after all.¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± she finally returned, ¡°I was just desperate for a break from thinking about it all. I guess I was just hoping that you and I finally being back together again, that that would give me a reason to stop thinking, and just be happy, for at least a little while.¡±

    ¡°I want you to be happy too. That¡¯s the main reason I wanted to make sure you were ok.¡± he assured again.

    ¡°And if I¡¯m not?¡± she responded, barely audibly.

    ¡°Not happy¡­or not ok?¡± he asked warily.

    ¡°There¡¯s a difference?¡± she returned, only causing another small sigh from him. Though she didn¡¯t allow him to answer again as she finally took a step forward and turned back to him, ¡°Ok, let¡¯s just get this over with.¡±

    ¡°This?¡± he asked for clarification.

    ¡°You know, the doctor part of our day together.¡± she explained as she took another breath and looked around the shack again.

    Jared allowed another smile, but didn¡¯t question her suggestion, not wanting to give her the chance to rethink it right then, ¡°Ok, can I see?¡±

    ¡°See what?¡± she asked with a slight raise of her eyebrow.

    ¡°Your belly, for starters, can hardly see a thing underneath all those layers you¡¯re wrapped in.¡± Jared allowed another soft smile as he moved to reach for what few medical supplies they had stored in the corner.

    ¡°It has been a bit cold.¡± she argued weakly.

    ¡°I promise not to keep you out of your clothes for long.¡± Jared smiled again as he retrieved the imager once more.

    ¡°Well, this doesn¡¯t sound any fun at all.¡± she mumbled, though loudly enough for him to catch the statement.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing that distraction thing again.¡± he scolded her, though with another smile.

    ¡°That won¡¯t last though.¡± she returned in the same mumble.

    ¡°Meaning?¡± he was the one who repeated the word that time as he approached where she now grudgingly moved to discard the first few layers.

    ¡°Another reason for hiding under so many layers. I¡¯m four months pregnant now. That hardly screams sexy.¡±

    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t seen beneath the layers yet, but as long as you and Ian were in here last night. I think he might disagree with that appraisal.¡± he smirked.

    ¡°Yeah, well it was dark.¡± Lili mumbled once more as she finally made her way down to the last layer above her under things.

    Jared just shook his head with a slight chuckle, ¡°Lili, darling, you¡¯re pregnant, you¡¯re supposed to be happy about gaining any weight, remember?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not genetically possible for a female to be happy about gaining weight.¡± she told him firmly, though somehow with a lack of much real force to the words.

    ¡°You never struck me as the type to give into the male world view of what a woman was supposed to look like, Lilith.¡± he pointed out to her with another raise of his brow.

    ¡°Well, that was when I was a virgin. It didn¡¯t matter much then.¡± she grumbled.

    ¡°Oh, would you stop.¡± he chuckled again.

    She finally sighed again as she faltered once more at removing her t-shirt and the loosest pair of jeans she could locate in what little clothing they had to choose from, ¡°Can¡¯t we do this after dark?¡±

    ¡°Yes, cause it¡¯s always safer to do anything medical when you can¡¯t see.¡± he told her with a playful sarcasm, ¡°Come on, Lili. You¡¯re down to your last layer now, and I can¡¯t see a lot of this supposed weight gain you are so worried about.¡± he told her, trying not to sound too worried about that fact, himself.

    Though, it was Lili who looked down then, ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked, a little caught by that response.

    ¡°Kyle and Ian, they probably wouldn¡¯t exactly complain that I haven¡¯t gained a lot of weight, themselves. I had a feeling you might be a little more upset by that fact though.¡± she allowed.

    Jared swallowed again as he thought about her words, ¡°That¡¯s why you didn¡¯t want me to examine you? Not because of weight gain, but because of a lack of it?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to have to do this exam thing at all. I was hoping that if I got naked in front of you again, it would be at a time when I was deliberately distracting you, so hopefully you would overlook it.¡± she confessed.

    ¡°Lili, things like this are things that I can¡¯t afford to overlook. You know that.¡± he told her softly.

    ¡°Yeah, which is another big reason I was trying to put it off.¡±

    Jared sighed heavily again, ¡°Lili, you can¡¯t hide stuff like this from me. You just can¡¯t. Doing that, it could be what does cause things to go wrong. When it comes to this pregnancy, you have to be completely honest with me. That¡¯s the only way I can even hope to keep you and the baby both healthy and safe at all.¡± he told her, though managed to keep a gentleness to his firm warning.

    Lili then shook her head again, allowing another slight sniffle, ¡°And why are you assuming that¡¯s what you¡¯re meant to do?¡±

    ¡°That what¡¯s what I¡¯m meant to do?¡± he asked, thrown again.

    ¡°Keep both me and the baby safe, and healthy, and alive. Maybe that¡¯s not what¡¯s supposed to happen at all.¡±

    Jared was floored by her words, unable to form any of his own for several long, tense moments before finally finding his voice again, ¡°Why would you say that? Why on earth would you think that you¡¯re not both meant to survive?¡± his voice shook as he forced the words.

    ¡°We¡¯re not on earth, remember.¡± she returned, forcing a wryness into her tone despite the gravity of her words.

    ¡°Lili.¡± he scolded again as he took a step closer, ¡°Where the hell are you getting this idea?¡±

    ¡°Intuition?¡± she shrugged sadly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you¡¯re not the one that gets to claim that asyourarea of expertise.¡±

    Lili just scoffed, ¡°That¡¯s right. I don¡¯t really have any area of expertise, or any real skills at all. The only thing I bring to the table is my womb, right?¡±

    ¡°Stop it, Lili. You know you have a lot more to offer than that.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem that way. I mean, seriously, if something happens because of this pregnancy¡­¡± she just shook her head again.

    ¡°Something like what?¡±

    ¡°Like anything. I mean, anything could happen. I could lose the baby, I could die before I have it, while I have it¡­maybe I¡¯ll end up not being able to even have children at all, after this. I mean, it¡¯s hardly the most ideal conditions for a first time mother, now is it? And that¡¯s not even taking into account this whole planet, what I¡¯ve been living on since getting here, since getting pregnant¡­who the baby¡¯s father might be¡­and what that would even mean¡­.There¡¯s a million things that could go wrong, Jared, and if they do¡­.¡± her voice then trailed off again.

    Jared looked down again before speaking, ¡°That¡¯s my point.¡± he sniffled a bit as well, ¡°I want to do everything in my power to make sure nothing does go wrong. That¡¯s the whole point in me wanting to make sure, every second, that you are ok.¡±

    ¡°Some of those things you can¡¯t control though, Jared. Some of those things none of us can control, despite it all, some of those things, you can¡¯t stop.¡±

    Jared just shook his head at how hopeless she really did seem at that moment, which only solidified the facts behind what Kyle had seen in her head, after all. With another deep breath, he finally spoke up, though in a barely audible whisper, ¡°Yeah, you may be right, but that doesn¡¯t mean, that I¡¯m not going to do everything in my power to make sure you aren¡¯t. So stop fighting me every step. Cause I won¡¯t stop trying to prove you wrong, and nothing you say will ever get me to stop, cause let¡¯s face it¡­¡± he took a breath, ¡°We both know that I care more about you than you care about yourself, and nothing will change that, not ever.¡±

 Chapter 49

    After Jared¡¯s words were out, there was nothing else for Lili to say or do except let him go ahead and give her that examination, though both of them were startlingly silent as he did. It wasn¡¯t so much that Jared had somehow convinced her that all her fears were really unwarranted as much as the fact that she honestly didn¡¯t have the energy any longer to ¡®fight him every step.¡¯ as he called it. Additionally, she didn¡¯t want to fight with him about anything, ever, but she had kept all those fears inside for so long, she was unable to stop them from all leaving her lips the second she received any sort of prodding to talk about her feelings. After all, she had went from spending two months with someone who avoided most emotional confrontations or confessions at all, to now being with the most emotionally sensitive of all three of the men who she still had in her life. It was quite the adjustment to make overnight, especially in her current emotionally frayed state of her own.

    Once he had finished that examination, Jared didn¡¯t look overly happy with anything he had found but in keeping with the tense silence between them, he didn¡¯t say much as she dressed again. He simply pointed out that she was lacking some very important vitamins she would need, and then offered to try and locate any food sources in the still cold temperatures that would provide those particular supplements. And with that, he gathered together some clothes and food for the day, and headed out to locate anything that would help keep her in a healthier state than she currently was, and that was that.

    During their first full day back together again, the time they were actually together didn¡¯t amount to much at all, as Jared didn¡¯t even return to the shack again until sunset. Lili had spent the day watching the door and trying to think of anything she could say that would help the tension between them at all after that morning. Though, by the time he did return, exhaustion and cold had forced her to already curl up in her covers for the night ahead.

    When she heard footsteps approaching the shack again after sunset, Lili rolled over, still awake despite her exhaustion and craned her neck to glance back at the door once again, ¡°Is that you, Jared?¡± she finally called out hoarsely.

    ¡°I should hope so.¡± was his only response through the wall of the shack, though he did not yet come inside, as she could then hear him rattling around outside for several moments still, as though attempting to locate something or perhaps prepare a dinner for them.

    Lili waited a few more moments, listening to him outside before she finally let out a heavy sigh and pushed herself up out of the covers once more. She then moved to poke her head out of the door at last where he did seem to be preparing something over the fire.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been outside all day, aren¡¯t you freezing?¡± she asked, her voice still a little hoarse from not only lack of use that day, but also from the cold temperatures.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been outside for two months, and inside isn¡¯t really that much warmer, anyway.¡± he responded, though didn¡¯t glance back at her for long as he quickly returned his attention back to the mixture he was preparing, ¡°Have you eaten yet?¡± he finally asked, though kept his eyes on his task.

    ¡°This afternoon.¡± she offered quietly, which did cause him to glance back at her again.

    ¡°Lili.¡± he began in a slightly scolding tone, but seemed to just as quickly bite back the rest of his original sentence, ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know how filling this will actually be, but these plants I found today should give you some of the vitamins you need right now.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re boiling a bowl full of plants?¡± she asked with slightly wrinkled nose.

    ¡°Think of it as a stew.¡± he shrugged slightly, though kept his eyes on the soupy mixture.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t really smell like a stew.¡± she denied, though weakly as she remained leaning against the doorway of the shack.

    ¡°Well, this is just the plant part, I mean, I guess we could add other stuff to it.¡± another small shrug on his part.

    ¡°You hiding a spice rack I haven¡¯t seen?¡± Lili allowed a short-lived smirk.

    Jared allowed only a shadow of a smile before responding, ¡°You know of a lot of medicine that actually tastes good?¡±

    ¡°Most of the time it¡¯s in a pill, so taste isn¡¯t really a concern.¡± she pointed out with a little sigh as she finally moved to take a seat next to where he continued to heat the mixture.

    ¡°The good ole days.¡± he allowed his own small smirk.

    Lili sighed again as she leaned in to look over the contents of the pan he heated, ¡°But these aren¡¯t even earth plants, are we sure they¡¯re even safe?¡±

    Somehow her asking that question actually caused a real smile to grace his lips, though he quickly hid it when her eyes turned back to him for his response, ¡°I was a scientist first. Even if they don¡¯t have the exact stuff you need, you know I won¡¯t give you anything that will hurt you.¡±

    ¡°Does that definition of hurt include puking because of the taste and/or smell?¡± she asked with another wrinkle of her nose.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait ¡¯til you¡¯re in my position.¡± he smiled slightly as he continued working with what essentially looked like a bowl of weeds and water.

    ¡°Come again?¡± she asked as she looked over at him with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°You know, in a few years when your child gets some kind of bug, and you have to try and convincethemto take their medicine.¡± he clarified, allowing only the slightest smile over at her, trying not to notice the way she flinched ever so slightly at his words.

    Lili took a slight breath to compose herself before continuing the conversation, ¡°So, I¡¯m the child in this scenario?¡±

    ¡°Well, you are the one who needs to take your vitamins, so I suppose so.¡± he attempted another smile.

    ¡°I am seven years older than you, you know.¡± she scowled slightly over at him before turning her eyes back to the soupy substance as more steam rose from the contents.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡± he smiled again, then handed her the pan and the long spoon, ¡°Now keep stirring while I try and find something to cleverly disguise the taste for you, little one.¡± he allowed a slight chuckle as she grudgingly took the pan and the spoon from him.

    ¡°Little one? Not hardly.¡± she scoffed, though with a lack of seriousness.

    ¡°Well, I am foot taller than you. It fits.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just because you¡¯re insanely tall.¡± she mumbled, though his only response was another soft smile back at her as he began digging through the cooler for what food was still currently stored there.

    After adding some chunks of meat to the mix and cooking it over the fire for several more long moments, Jared finally informed her that it was ready and offered her a large helping before going to get water for them both.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    She was still stirring the contents of the bowl around when Jared returned to her side and handed her an equally large helping of water, ¡°You¡¯re not having any?¡±

    Jared just allowed a slight smile as he took a seat next to her, ¡°More concerned with getting the food and vitamins into your system right now. I snacked a little on the way back, anyway.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure if that¡¯s chivalry or you just finding an excuse to avoid having to get any of this down, yourself.¡± she returned with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°The vitamins are a little more important for you to have right now, Lili.¡± he assured, ¡°If I get hungrier later, I¡¯ll manage something.¡±

    ¡°Great. All this, just for me.¡± she mumbled as she lifted a spoonful before inspecting it and dumping it back into the bowl once more.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t even tasted it yet.¡± he scolded before taking a sip of water.

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s a reason for that.¡± she grumbled before attempting to lift another spoonful from the bowl and looking at it just as suspiciously in the firelight.

    ¡°Lil¡¯.¡± he scolded again.

    ¡°Why are you playing the parent here?¡± she mumbled once more.

    ¡°Well, technically I could be looking out for the well-being of my child as well as you, couldn¡¯t I? We¡¯re still not positive on that, after all.¡± he admitted with another quiet sip of his drink. Though, her only response was another sigh as she looked down at the food once more, ¡°Come on, Lili, at least try it before you decide it¡¯s gonna be awful, ok?¡±

    ¡°And if it is?¡±

    ¡°Have you been eating a lot of gourmet food that I don¡¯t know about, lately? I think you can handle it.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I have to enjoy it.¡± she grumbled again.

    Jared then allowed a slight pause before he spoke again, ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you, I promise.¡±

    ¡°And how do you plan on doing that, exactly?¡± she asked as she looked back toward him with a raised brow.

    Jared just chuckled slightly, ¡°Not gonna let you know if you won¡¯t even take the first bite. Now get eating.¡± he smiled again, gently squeezing her shoulder as he stood.

    ¡°I sense trickery.¡± she scowled up at him as he moved back toward the door of the shack.

    ¡°Such trust.¡± he smirked again as he headed inside, leaving her to her meal.

    <hr>

    It was about a half an hour later when Lili joined Jared inside the shack. He had already curled into the covers himself, the night¡¯s chill having gotten to him more than he had let on earlier. As she reached her sleeping quarters, Jared had just finished checking for any messages from Kyle and was setting the small handheld computer aside as she approached.

    ¡°So, was it as terrible as you thought it would be, honestly.¡± he had to add.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my favorite meal.¡± she began as she moved to turn out the lamps that lit the inside of the shack.

    ¡°But?¡± he prodded.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t awful, just kinda really, really bland.¡± she admitted as she turned off the second lamp as well, causing darkness to descend around them.

    ¡°Well, isn¡¯t bland better than awful?¡± he returned, his eyes following what little of her silhouette he could see in the remaining light produced by the battery heaters that were their only source of heat aside from the blankets and furs inside, and the fire outside.

    ¡°By a tiny margin.¡± she admitted wryly as she began removing the extra layers of her clothing once more. It was true that it was indeed a very cold night, but once she entered her second trimester, what little weight gain she had experienced did make extra layers difficult to sleep in comfortably.

    ¡°I¡¯ll call that a victory, if small.¡± he told her with a smile that couldn¡¯t really be made out in the dark as she continued preparing for the night ahead.

    Lili just shook her head over at him before finally moving to join him under the covers, ¡°So, I guess you¡¯re not mad at me anymore?¡± she finally dared to ask once she was under those covers and bravely wrapped her arms around his waist in the darkness of the shack.

    ¡°When was I mad at you?¡± he asked with narrowed eyes, his breath still managing to catch a bit as she wrapped herself around him under those covers for the first time in months.

    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t exactly seem happy this morning, once I told you about¡­.all the things I was afraid of.¡± she decided on, rather than reiterating them all once more.

    ¡°Of course I don¡¯t like seeing you scared, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m mad, just worried for you, and the way you are obviously feeling.¡± he offered softly as he allowed himself to wrap his arms around her as well, swallowing a bit as he felt her bare skin against him once more.

    ¡°Then make me feel better.¡± she whispered back as she tilted her head to place another gentle kiss over his cheek as they now lay close together wrapped in each others arms once more.

    ¡°I assume you don¡¯t mean in my capacity as a doctor, this time?¡± he replied, a slight smile curling his lips, despite all his other worries at that moment.

    Lili just shook her head up at him again and moved her hands to pull his t-shirt upwards under the covers. It was then only another moment before she had removed his shirt completely and was already making her way towards his jeans as well.

    ¡°You sure?¡± he asked a little hoarsely.

    ¡°When have I ever not been sure, with you?¡± she whispered back, though words were soon forgotten by both of them as she easily freed him from the rest of his clothing as well.

    After several long, passionate moments, Jared easily brought her to her climax as he always did. Of course, feeling her experience such pleasure always triggered his own final moment. However, for the first time since their arrival on that planet, he actually didn¡¯t have to worry about trying to hold back, and trying to remove himself from her before his own pleasure did overtake him. These facts, of course, only made his own orgasm that much more intense as he poured himself into her again, for once not having to try and stop himself, just like it had been that first worry-free time they had been together back on the ship, all those long, long months ago.

    His first thought as the orgasm ended was how hard it was going to be to go back to all those worries again, and having to be so careful, again, after the baby came, and how much more difficult that would be after letting himself give into that pleasure while still inside her once more. Though, that thought was soon cut short as he once again fell victim to those intense images flooding his brain, as another vision began playing itself like a movie in his mind once more as he laid there above her, inside her.

    Though his orgasm had ended, Jared¡¯s entire body tensed and his breath came in even shorter, more ragged intervals as he shut his eyes painfully above her, images she had no way of seeing now playing once again through his own head.

    ¡°Jared?¡± she asked worriedly, her own breath still ragged from the pleasure he had given her only moments earlier, ¡°Jared?¡± she repeated more loudly as she squeezed his shoulders tightly above her, the obvious tension that overtook him even more painfully obvious to her at that particular moment, all things considered.

    It was several more terrifying moments of her calling his name before that vision finally passed out of his mind once again. As the vision finally departed, it left him to collapse exhaustedly against her, their bodies still entwined together, despite him seeming to have been in a completely different place entirely for several long, scary moments.

    ¡°Jared?¡± she whispered tearfully as he lay above her, the tension finally leaving his body as he squeezed her tightly beneath him, where she now still had one hand clasped worriedly over his bare, damp shoulder and shakily moved the other to push away a sweat-dampened lock from his eyes as he slowly opened them.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± he whispered, his voice barely forming the word.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± she asked as she shook her head up at him in the dark, ¡°For what?¡± she asked with an odd combination of a stifled sob and a nervous, breathless laugh.

    ¡°I know they¡¯re scary for me, can¡¯t imagine how scary they must be for you, especially¡­at this particular moment.¡± he finally decided on, his own breath still short.

    ¡°A vision?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, a vision.¡± he swallowed hard as he awkwardly forced himself to move off of her, and to a place on his back, where he once again tried to catch his breath as he too wiped damp locks of brown from his eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re apologizing for having a vision?¡± she repeated with a tiny smile as she rolled to her side to look down at him despite the darkness surrounding them.

    ¡°For scaring you.¡± he managed as he gently reached up to move one of her own locks from her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m scared all the time, and it¡¯s usually never your fault. I think you get a free pass, considering the visions aren¡¯t exactly voluntary, anyway.¡± she assured as she gently leaned in to kiss his cheek, ¡°Besides, we¡¯ve been hoping and hoping you would get another one, so don¡¯t apologize now that you finally have.¡± she scolded him, though gently.

    ¡°I just don¡¯t like scaring you.¡± he repeated more quietly.

    ¡°I forgive you. Now tell me, what did you see this time?¡± she dared, her own voice still a little breathless due to more factors than one.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you once tell me you never wanted to know about another vision?¡± he couldn¡¯t help calling her on that day.

    ¡°A girl¡¯s not allowed to change her mind?¡± she retorted with a slight impatience reflected in her narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Just checking.¡± he smiled.

    ¡°Well, was it a good vision or a bad vision?¡± Lili asked as she swallowed hard.

    ¡°I¡¯m smiling aren¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s too dark to tell.¡± she scolded again.

    ¡°I promise, I am.¡±

    ¡°Then tell me already.¡± she complained weakly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you¡¯d even believe me, all things considered.¡±

 Chapter 50

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I believe you? You¡¯re hardly the deceitful type, Jared.¡± Lili had to ask in regards to his last statement.

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­the timing of this vision¡­it¡¯s odd, to say the least.¡± he attempted.

    ¡°Why? Because we were having sex?¡± she asked, causing a slight blush to rise to both of their cheeks, yet remaining unseen in the darkness of their surroundings.

    ¡°Not just that.¡± he smiled, ¡°I just mean it¡¯s really, really coincidental that I would actually see something that actually would provide a bit of hope at this point in time.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s why you think I wouldn¡¯t believe you?¡±

    ¡°Might just think it¡¯s me trying to make you feel better.¡± he shrugged slightly as she moved to lay her head across his chest.

    ¡°Well, we both wanted you to have a vision that would provide some of that hope, didn¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my point.¡± he smiled down at her as he placed a kiss over her hair.

    ¡°Well, maybe it isn¡¯t a coincidence, maybe you finally are gaining some kind of ability to control what you see or when you see it, finally.¡± she repeated in a near whisper.

    Jared took a moment to ponder her words, but quickly had to respond, ¡°Let¡¯s not assume that just yet. I mean, if I was really controlling these things, I think I mighta given myself a couple seconds to catch my breath between the lovemaking and the vision, just maybe.¡± he added wryly.

    She just shook her head as she turned her eyes back up to his face, ¡°Are you done stalling now?¡±

    ¡°Stalling?¡± he asked with an attempt at innocence.

    ¡°Would you tell me what you saw already?¡± she repeated as she gave him an impatient squeeze.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. You do have a way of picking out tiny little parts of my visions and getting just a bit obsessed.¡± he stated warily, while trying to keep a lightness to his tone.

    ¡°But you said that this was a good vision¡­right?¡± she asked worriedly.

    ¡°Well, the one about you having the baby wasn¡¯t exactly horrible, but you just latched onto the alone part of it, latched on, badly, remember?¡± he told her, his own worry about her mental state still pretty evident despite whatever good he had seen in his most recent vision.

    ¡°Me having a baby alone in this place is pretty nightmare-riffic, Jared.¡± she returned with only the slightest amount of argumentativeness.

    ¡°Well, that vision did only cover a few moments of the actual labor. Bigger picture, remember?¡± Jared returned, still speaking gently.

    ¡°You¡¯re still stalling.¡± she continued impatiently, not wanting to have that conversation again.

    Jared just shook his head with a slight smile, ¡°Ok, in the interest of cutting down on the probability of you finding some tiny detail of my vision to pick apart ¡¯til it drives you crazy, let¡¯s just try the overview, the summary if you will.¡±

    She narrowed her eyes again at his comment before replying, ¡°Ok, for now,¡± she stressed, ¡°then the summary would be?¡±

    He took a breath as he decided how to best word that summary, ¡°The vision I just had, it is the future. It actually takes place after this baby is born.¡±

    Lili swallowed hard as she looked down at him and pressed for the rest of whatever information he now had, ¡°Did you see the ship? Did we finally find it? Is that the ¡®good¡¯ part?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t see any ship, but like I said, it takes place after the child is born, meaning, I saw it, your baby: Healthy and alive. These are good things Lili. These are things that should make you less worried, right?¡±

    Lili was quiet a long moment before she finally found her voice again, ¡°So, the babywillbe born before we ever find the ship?¡± she asked breathily.

    ¡°Lili, you¡¯re doing it again.¡±

    ¡°Doing what?¡± she swallowed in the same breathless tone.

    ¡°I tell you something good, and you still try to find something else to worry about. You gotta stop doin that, hon.¡± he scolded her gently as he gave her his own little squeeze.

    ¡°But I have to. I have to prepare for the worst. If I don¡¯t, how will I ever be able to handle it when it does happen?¡± she asked softly.

    ¡°Lili, please, think about it. No, I didn¡¯t see the ship. That much is true. But think about what I did see: This child, it¡¯s going to make it, it¡¯s going to survive and be ok, even if wedon¡¯tfind the ship first.¡± he assured.

    Lili was quiet again for several long moments as she thought on his words, their arms still wrapped around one another to preserve the heat from their previous encounter on that cold night.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re not asleep.¡± his voice broke into her thoughts several more long moments later, ¡°I almost always fall asleep before that insomnia of yours lets up. So, are you still being all worried and just doing it quietly now?¡± he teased as he kissed the top of her head again.

    ¡°I¡¯m on permanent worry-mode, remember?¡± she returned in the same soft whisper.

    ¡°Lili¡­¡± though, before he could say more, she did speak up again, her eyes turning to his face once more.

    ¡°When did this vision take place, anyway? I mean, how far into the future?¡±

    ¡°You asking me for dates, again?¡± he replied pointedly.

    ¡°Well, if you saw the baby,¡± a slight pause, ¡°how old did he or she look. That should give you a pretty good idea of the date, right?¡±

    Jared just shook his head again, ¡°And if I tell you that, I already know what your response will be.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the mind-reader now?¡± she narrowed her eyes up at him.

    ¡°No, but as worried as you are about finding the ship, knowing how much longer it will be without me seeing us doing just that¡­¡±

    She then scowled slightly, ¡°Since when am I the only one who wants us to find it, as soon as possible?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not. But, now I know wecansurvive, even if it does take us a long time to find it.¡±

    ¡°How long?¡± she asked more forcefully as she pushed herself onto her arms to look down at him.

    Jared shook his head again, ¡°If you¡¯re going to pick out one part of my sentence to dwell on, can¡¯t you try picking a better part?¡±

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± she asked him with a continued impatience.

    ¡°All you seemed to hear was the part about ¡®a long time.¡¯¡±

    ¡°And what part should I have heard?¡±

    ¡°How about the ¡®we¡¯ part? Did you hear that?¡±

    ¡°We?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I said ¡®we.¡¯¡± he smiled up at her again, ¡°Wasn¡¯t that your original worry thanks to my other vision? That you or your baby would end up all alone?¡± a slight pause as she continued to look down at him in the darkness, ¡°I just told you that you won¡¯t be. Did you hear that part, this time?¡± he told her softly as he reached up to pull her lips down to his once again.

    <hr>

    Once Ian and Kyle did finally reach that pod again, Kyle let out a heavy sigh as they approached it, which caused Ian to look over at him with a raised brow, ¡°What?¡± Kyle asked as he noted Ian¡¯s expression.

    ¡°That¡¯s like the first noise you¡¯ve even made since we left the shack.¡±

    ¡°Ok.¡± Kyle returned warily, then added, ¡°Since when do you enjoy conversing with me much anyway?¡±

    Ian just shook his head, ¡°Not like I have a lot of other choices for conversation, now is it?¡±

    ¡°Love you too.¡± Kyle mumbled as he shook his own head and took a step towards the door of the pod.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s face it. It¡¯s most likely gonna be just you and me for a long time, anyway, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help pointing out as he dropped his pack to the ground near them, having carried half their supplies quite a way already that day.

    ¡°Jared told you?¡± Kyle asked as he looked back at Ian quickly.

    ¡°Told me what?¡± Ian asked as he gave Kyle a slightly suspicious look, which only caused Kyle to swallow a bit before responding.

    ¡°That it might take a while.¡± the younger of them finally decided on.

    Ian then shook his head once more with a less than sincere smile, ¡°No, I just have a feeling Jared ain¡¯t gonna wanna come back out here and aimlessly search for who knows how many more months. Definitely not before the baby¡¯s born, anyway.¡± he added with a slight sigh as he moved to open the pod door once again.

    Kyle stifled his own sigh as Ian moved to open the door, ¡°How did you guys get this door open anyway? There¡¯s a ton of rust on it.¡± Kyle attempted a slight subject change.

    ¡°The psychic wonder.¡± Ian scoffed as he pulled the door upwards.

    Kyle then coughed a moment and attempted to compose himself as his own eyes fell on the remains inside the pod, before forcing himself onward through the conversation, ¡°He used his ability to open a door that was rusted shut?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said.¡± Ian mumbled as he moved back again, leaving Kyle to his attempt at whatever he even could attempt to do with the rusted monstrosity before them.

    Kyle sighed again, his eyes still not moving from the bodies for long, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we like bury them, or something?¡± he managed, finally looking back at where Ian moved to take a seat on that nearby fallen tree, and began looking through his pack for something or other.

    ¡°Have at it. Did you bring a shovel?¡± Ian mumbled again, his own mood obviously sour despite calling Kyle on his own recent silence a moment earlier.

    Kyle just rolled his eyes slightly at the comment, ¡°Then burn them, maybe?¡± he suggested, not really having much faith in anything this pod would have to offer them, and not really wanting to pretend he could find something amidst decaying remains on top of it all.

    Ian finally glanced up after having located some of the food they had packed and moved his eyes once more in the direction of the pod, though only briefly before turning them back to Kyle, ¡°The only other humans we¡¯ve managed to find on this planet? Mysterious as that find even is.¡± he had to add, ¡°I think our resident scientist may be appalled at us destroying the remains.¡±

    ¡°Well, did he say anything about wanting to keep the remains for any reason?¡±

    ¡°Think he had other stuff on his mind.¡± Ian mumbled again as he returned his attention to his lunch.

    ¡°Well, then too bad for him. I¡¯m not gonna maneuver around decayed corpses while I try and work with this thing. You gonna help me get rid of them, or not?¡±

    ¡°I was trying to eat.¡± Ian complained, though with a lack of much force.

    ¡°Which only proves how much is wrong with you.¡± Kyle returned with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Cause I¡¯m eating?¡±

    ¡°Eating fifteen feet from decaying bodies.¡± Kyle clarified.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna be told about my mental health, byyou, of all people?¡± Ian scoffed, though he did set the food aside.

    ¡°And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?¡± Kyle returned, on the immediate defensive.

    Ian just sighed heavily, not even wanting to bother with that conversation right then, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s burn the goddamn bodies.¡± he gave in as he stood again.

    ¡°No, seriously, what the hell was that supposed to mean?¡± Kyle pressed as Ian moved back over to him once more.

    ¡°You wanna argue, or you want me to help you turn them into crispy critters?¡± Ian complained as he gestured toward the pod impatiently.

    ¡°Why you always gotta be such a jerk?¡± Kyle returned as Ian moved to take a step up into the pod.

    ¡°Me? That is funny.¡± Ian mumbled under his breath.

    Kyle just scoffed and shook his head, ¡°So, now not only do I have mental problems, but I¡¯m the jerk, too?¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that Steve Martin?¡± Ian blew off the question as he made his way toward the bodies.

    Kyle then shook his head again, ¡°I don¡¯t know why I ever thought coming out here with you was a remotely good idea. You and I have never gotten along, like ever.¡±

    ¡°Can we kiss and make up later?¡± Ian complained, ¡°Bodies to burn, lunch to eat, pods to operate on. Remember all that?¡±

    Kyle scoffed again, ¡°Didn¡¯t realize we were on a time limit.¡±

    ¡°Well, we are, cause she¡¯s having a baby in less than five months, and we gotta fuckin do something!¡± Ian exclaimed as though he had a lot more pent up emotions inside than he ever normally let on to, at any time.

    Kyle swallowed again, thrown more than a bit by the outburst, but it seemed to quiet any further retaliation of his own that he might have had as he simply nodded, took a breath, and moved to help Ian with the task at hand.

 Chapter 51

    As March began, it brought with it a return of temperatures in the forties, at least during the daylight hours. Thanks to this slight raise in temperature, which practically felt like a heat wave after the last few months, and began to herald spring, at last, Jared awoke early in a reasonably good mood, and feeling motivated. He headed outside, had a quick breakfast, and then began gathering together materials that he might be able to use for a new project.

    When Lili did finally force herself to rise from their covers much later that morning, she headed outside to take care of nature¡¯s call, casting Jared a puzzled look as he continued to work with wood and vines several feet off from the shack. Upon returning a few moments later, her ears caught him humming slightly as he worked, which only caused her to narrow her eyes over at him, her own anxiety still very real, even if she had chosen not to voice much about it in days of late.

    Though, seeing Jared working and obviously much more content than she, Lili couldn¡¯t help letting a bit of that anxiety bubble to the surface as she took a step towards where he continued to work, ¡°So, if you won¡¯t tell me, don¡¯t you think you should at least tell them?¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked, moving his eyes from his current work to glance back her way.

    ¡°I get that you think I¡¯m too mentally fragile, or whatever, to know exactly how long it will be until we do find the ship, if at all, but what about them? They¡¯re the ones out there wasting their time looking, aren¡¯t they?¡± she asked, her tone slightly bitter as she retrieved a glass of water.

    ¡°One, it¡¯s not that I think you¡¯re too ¡®mentally fragile,¡¯ Lili.¡± Jared began apologetically.

    ¡°Really? Not the way it sounded when you first had the vision.¡± she mumbled.

    Jared just sighed sadly, not really able to think of any way to honestly disprove her statement, so instead he moved to the next part of it, ¡°And no, I can¡¯t tellanyoneexactly how long it will take to find the ship, because I honestly don¡¯t know.¡± he added in the same apologetic manner.

    ¡°But you know that it¡¯s not gonna be any time soon. Definitely not any time in the next five months, and I¡¯m guessing even that number is way off, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lili returned in the same somber tone.

    Jared sighed heavily again, ¡°Just because I know that it will take longer than five months,¡± he paused with a slight look down, ¡°doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re actually wasting their time. Maybe they do need to keep looking, the way they are now, in order for us to find it when we¡¯re actually meant to. Even if I don¡¯t know, yet, when that is.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°So, they just stay out there forever? Even though every day you¡¯ll know that they¡¯re not gonna find a damn thing?¡±

    ¡°When did ¡®over five months¡¯ become forever?¡± he asked with another sigh, ¡°And we don¡¯t know that they won¡¯t find anything else that may be useful to us in the meantime. Let alone, the fact that we do need to map as much of our surroundings as we can, which is another thing they¡¯re doing out there, remember?¡± Jared attempted to argue, though gently.

    Lili just shook her head, seeming unmoved by his arguments, ¡°I just think they have a right to know.¡± she mumbled as she pretended to busy herself with her own breakfast.

    ¡°But knowing might change things. Knowing the future does have a way of doing that.¡± Jared offered, though quietly.

    Lili shook her head again, ¡°But it may change things for the better. Maybe that¡¯s why you¡¯re getting the visions at all. Not just to try and make me feel better, but to hopefully change things. Ever think of that?¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡± he finally gave in, then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right. Doesn¡¯t seem like they are working to actually make you feel any better, anyway.¡±

    Another deep sigh from Lili as she looked back at where his mood did seem much closer to her own now than it had before she had spoken, ¡°I just can¡¯t help thinking the worst, and you not being willing to tell me certain parts of it, that just makes me think there are reasons to think the worst, after all. I can¡¯t help it.¡± she repeated in a whisper.

    ¡°It¡¯s just really hard, Lili.¡± Jared returned as he moved toward her, his own tone now matching hers, ¡°When I tell you the truth, you find something bad in it. When I leave anything out, you use that as a reason to worry even more. It¡¯s so hard trying to find anything I should or shouldn¡¯t say in order to keep you from thinking everything is so bleak all the time.¡±

    ¡°I just¡­¡± Lili sniffled as she rethought her original words, ¡°It¡¯s just that the entire future of the world, of our race, of everything¡­it feels like it¡¯s all on my shoulders. And I never asked for that. I never would, not in a million years. But here it is. That¡¯s what¡¯s been handed to me, whether I want it, or not. Whether I can handle any of it, or not. How can I not be crushed, all the time, when it¡¯s that much weight that I¡¯m expected to hold. Me, of all people? How can I possibly be able to do that?¡±

    Jared was quiet for several long moments as Lili continued to try and hide her tears by remaining facing away from him, on her knees, pretending to be looking through their stored food, as he thought over her words.

    After another long moment and a deep breath, Jared finally responded, ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know when we will find the ship. I admit that.¡± another breath as she still avoided looking back his way, ¡°But I do know, that despite that, all of us, you, me, the baby, Kyle, Ian, all of us appeared to be healthy and safe from what I did see. You can¡¯t tell me that that doesn¡¯t make you feel at least a tiny bit better, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m glad that all of us will apparently still be around after the birth. Though it still doesn¡¯t come close to explaining why none of you were around during it.¡± she then shook her head, but continued before he could once again remind her that his vision of the birth did only cover a few moments, ¡°I just wish I knew how hard it is going to be to keep us all that safe and healthy, and for how long it will continue to be that hard. I just wish you could see some end in sight for any of this, some hope that it will get easier, at some point. I just want that.¡±

    Jared allowed another soft sigh as he stooped down next to her, his hand gently touching her hair, ¡°I want that too, Lili. But right now, we just gotta take these visions as they come, and hope that the next one might actually give us some of those answers. After all, this one did give us a bit more hope than the last few, didn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°But you still won¡¯t tell me how far into the future it was. How long you know for sure that we will have to continue this way.¡±

    ¡°Remember, I don¡¯t knowexactlyhow long.¡± he repeated.

    ¡°Jared.¡± she stated his name in a scolding tone, finally turning her eyes back toward him.

    Jared let out another deep sigh as he turned his eyes downwards before speaking, ¡°At least three, three and a half years.¡± he finally gave in and put a date on that vision for her.

    Lili¡¯s breath caught in her throat again as she blinked back another set of tears, ¡°Years?¡± was all she managed.

    ¡°The child looked to be around three or so.¡± he admitted, ¡°But Lili, that number could be a lot worse. And we still don¡¯t know anything for sure. I mean, maybe we¡¯ll figure out where the ship might be one second after that vision ended. We just don¡¯t know anything for sure.¡± he reminded.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°So, why did you even get this vision? I mean, there had to be something else to it. It can¡¯t just be so you could tell me we all survive another three and a half¡­years.¡± she continued, her voice dropping slightly on the last word.

    ¡°There honestly wasn¡¯t that much to it, Lili. It was mostly just us sitting around, preparing for a meal.¡±

    ¡°Mostly?¡±

    ¡°Lili.¡±

    ¡°Well, then why get it at all?¡± she repeated with another shake of her head.

    ¡°Remember our first real conversation, back before we even knew we were coming here. Back then I was still trying to figure out why I got any of these at all. Remember?¡± he reminded her.

    ¡°But before we came here, you had visions about this planet. Then, you had the vision about me having this baby. Then about what actually happened to the ship. I mean, all of those did have some point. This one has to too!¡± she argued, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself than him.

    ¡°And I¡¯m still trying to figure that out. It¡¯s not always all that easy to do.¡± Jared told her softly as he gently squeezed her hand.

    ¡°But, you will tell me, when you do?¡± she asked for one more reassurance.

    ¡°When I do.¡± he assured.

    <hr>

    Fifty miles off, still using the pod as shelter for the last several nights as he worked on it, Kyle slowly stretched into consciousness. He and Ian had been using the supply area of the pod as their sleeping quarters, just as they had done when they had first arrived there in their own pod, seven months earlier. Once Kyle did complete the return to consciousness, he sat up quickly with a sudden start, the quick movement also waking Ian from his spot next to him.

    ¡°Jesus, Kyle.¡± Ian mumbled hoarsely as he was startled awake by the motion.

    ¡°Shh.¡± was Kyle¡¯s only response as he appeared to be concentrating on something.

    ¡°Morning to you too sweetie.¡± Ian mumbled as he slowly pushed himself up onto his elbows. Ian then simply shook his head over at the teen, who still looked as though there was something distracting him quite a bit, ¡°So, you heard something, I assume?¡± Ian asked after another moment, though did keep his voice at a low volume.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kyle responded with the same distraction.

    ¡°Right then.¡± Ian shook his head again as he sat up fully and reached for the shirt he had discarded the night before, ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t hear anything.¡± Ian added after he replaced the shirt and waited another moment for any more clarification, or to hear this phantom noise, himself.

    ¡°Well, you might not.¡± Kyle told him in the same distracted tone.

    ¡°Sorry, did I develop a hearing problem that I don¡¯t know about, and you somehow do?¡± Ian returned wryly.

    ¡°Dammit Ian, would you just believe me when I say that someone else might be here?¡±

    ¡°Someone, as opposed to something?¡± Ian raised a brow at that particular word choice, though his hand did move to one of his many weapons that he always kept close.

    ¡°Well, someone had been at this pod before us, in case you¡¯ve forgotten. And I think they might be around, now.¡± Kyle stated, his voice trailing off due to more factors than one.

    ¡°What? Where?¡± Ian asked, becoming completely alert at that moment.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just¡­¡± Kyle just shook his head as Ian moved to very carefully and quietly open the door of the supply compartment.

    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± he returned.

    ¡°I just¡­it¡¯s a feeling.¡± Kyle attempted to explain as best he could.

    ¡°A feeling?¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°Did you actually hear anything, or not?¡± he asked more impatiently, ¡°Even though I didn¡¯t.¡± he had to add, but still spoke all his words quietly as he inched toward the still locked door of the pod, weapon at the ready.

    ¡°Define hear.¡± Kyle returned, though in his own overly quiet tone as he also moved to stealthily take a step after Ian.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding me, right?¡± Ian scoffed again.

    ¡°Do I appear to be joking?¡± Kyle stated bluntly.

    ¡°So, now you get ¡®feelings?¡¯¡± Ian returned with an only slightly subdued sarcasm.

    ¡°The best way I can explain it is that I did hear something, but it was something that you wouldn¡¯t hear.¡±

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Ian narrowed his brow again as he moved to try and peer through the dirt-caked window at the front of the pod.

    ¡°Thoughts. I heard someone else¡¯s thoughts, ok?¡± Kyle finally admitted, though grudgingly.

    That was when Ian looked back at him and swallowed hard, but only for a moment before quickly returning his attention to trying to make out anything he could through the dirty window, ¡°And it wasn¡¯t Jared or Lili?¡± he finally asked for clarification.

    ¡°How could it be? If it¡¯s over a distance, I¡¯m the one that has to establish the connection, remember?¡±

    ¡°So sorry, not up on how all the superpowers work in this happy little family of ours.¡± Ian returned with continued sarcasm, though it seemed to be only there to mask his own nervousness at the information Kyle was trying to share.

    ¡°So, you see anything?¡± Kyle asked as he remained a few feet back from the door as well as the window that Ian was still looking through.

    ¡°You tell me.¡± Ian scoffed.

    ¡°Come on, seriously.¡± Kyle complained.

    ¡°No, you tell me, seriously, what exactly were these thoughts you heard? Are we about to be attacked, or what?¡± Ian pressed.

    ¡°You military types. That really always is your first assumption, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Can we discuss the difference in our world views later? What exactly did you ¡®hear?¡¯¡±

    ¡°He¡­I think, he¡­he wants to know why we¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°He?¡±

    ¡°I think. Gender isn¡¯t always that obvious when we¡¯re talking about thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Just what we need, another ¡®he¡¯ around here.¡± Ian mumbled then shook his head, ¡°Any idea who this mystery man might be?¡±

    ¡°Probably¡­¡± Kyle began as though trying to get a fix on the thoughts he had honed in on earlier, however briefly, ¡°Probably whoever put her here. All those years ago. I mean, who else would it be, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not sounding like a real solid guess there, Kyle.¡±

    ¡°He wants to know so much. Why we¡¯re here, what we¡¯re looking for, what we¡¯re trying to do, what we did with his¡­¡± Kyle began, though suddenly let his voice trail off.

    ¡°With his what?¡± Ian prodded more impatiently.

    ¡°Parents?¡± Kyle whispered the final word as though shocked by it, himself, his eyes inadvertently turning toward the now empty seats the two bodies had previously rested in.

    ¡°Parents?¡± Ian repeated with another hard swallow of his own.

    ¡°That¡¯s what that basket was.¡± Kyle added more quietly.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Ian asked, still reeling from the last statement Kyle had made, let alone the oddness of the new one.

    ¡°It was a crib. His.¡± Kyle swallowed again as he looked back at the place where it had been sitting when Jared and Ian first found the pod.

    ¡°Those two¡­they had a baby with them in this pod all those years ago? And he¡¯s still here?¡±

    ¡°Where else would he go?¡± Kyle shrugged sadly, his eyes also turning toward the window to catch some glimpse of this mystery person.

    ¡°No, I mean, still alive, here, on this planet, after all this time?¡± Ian returned hoarsely.

    ¡°Seems like it.¡± Kyle answered in his own whisper, both their eyes now scanning the surroundings through what little they could see from that window.

    ¡°Well, is it just him? Is there anyone else?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t get anyone else. Just him.¡± Kyle answered in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°He¡¯s been here alone, for at least ten to fifteen years?¡± Ian asked, his voice breaking slightly, though he quickly tried to hide it, ¡°I mean, what would that even do to a person?¡± he asked warily.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kyle replied with his own bit of sadness, both of them having their thoughts inadvertently wander to what it would have been like if either of them had been the sole survivor of their own landing, and what it would have done to their own psyche after less than one full year, let alone, a decade and a half.

    ¡°Well, you should know. You can read his thoughts, can¡¯t you?¡± Ian prodded.

    ¡°No, they¡¯re gone now.¡±

    ¡°Gone?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not getting anything anymore.¡± Kyle stated quietly.

    ¡°I thought he had a million questions for us. Why would he leave without getting any answers?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say he left.¡± Kyle replied, ¡°Just said I¡¯m not hearing his thoughts anymore.¡±

    ¡°Well turn it back on and finish reading them. He could be nuts after this long. That might be something kind of important to know.¡± Ian told him firmly.

    ¡°I never turned it off, Ian. I¡¯m just, I¡¯m not getting anything anymore.¡± Kyle attempted to explain further.

    ¡°So, then he did leave, just like that?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kyle told him once more.

    ¡°Well, if he didn¡¯t leave, and you didn¡¯t turn it off, then how come you can¡¯t hear his thoughts, now?¡± Ian complained further.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Kyle shrugged again, then had to add, ¡°Unless he shut me out.¡±

    ¡°Shut you out?¡± Ian repeated with another scoff, ¡°I thought the only person that could keep you outta their damn head was Jared.¡±

    ¡°Well, Jared, or¡­¡±

    ¡°Or what?¡± Ian asked loudly.

    ¡°Think about it Ian, this guy out there, he¡¯s from an e-ship, and he was still a baby at some point after this pod landed. That would make him twenty years old, at the most.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Ian pushed.

    ¡°If he¡¯s from an e-ship, and he was a baby when they got here, or was born right after, that would make him, like twenty years old.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you already said that.¡±

    ¡°Twenty years old? From an e-ship? Are you really not getting what I¡¯m saying, here, Ian?¡±

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re the genius, maybe you need to break it down for the Neanderthal.¡± Ian complained impatiently.

    ¡°This guy, who¡¯s somehow managed to survive here all alone, from the time he was only five to ten years old, if not longer, he could actually be the oldest one out of all the e-children. Out of all of us.¡± Kyle swallowed again, ¡°Which would make him more powerful than me, or Jared, or even Serena. I¡¯m pretty sure he could shut me out if he wants to. Or do just about anything else he might want to.¡±

 Chapter 52

    Lili finished her breakfast in silence, but it only took a moment before she couldn¡¯t help turning her eyes back toward Jared. He still sat ten or so feet off from the fire, having since returned his attention to whatever project he had been inspired to start that morning, though his content humming hadn¡¯t resumed. She sighed slightly before pushing herself up from her seat to slowly move to a spot behind him as he worked.

    ¡°Yes?¡± he couldn¡¯t help a small smile as he felt her continued gaze on him still, a few moments later.

    ¡°What are you making, anyway?¡± she replied quietly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know if it¡¯s so much making as trying to make.¡± he allowed another slight smile, ¡°I was thinking of trying to make a crib.¡± he answered, moving on once she quickly turned her eyes downwards in response, ¡°I figured since we don¡¯t really have a lot to work with, and since carpentry isn¡¯t really one of my skills, I should get a head start.¡± he shrugged as he looked back toward his progress so far.

    Lili took a seat nearby, and watched him work for several long moments before she had to speak up again, ¡°Ok, I admit it.¡±

    ¡°And what are we admitting?¡± he asked as he glanced back at her with a raise of his brow.

    ¡°I¡¯m a control freak. I always have been. I always will be.¡±

    Jared seemed a little perplexed by her so-called confession and allowed a moment before saying anything in return, ¡°Odd, you almost always let me be on top.¡± he couldn¡¯t help teasing.

    ¡°Ha ha.¡± she returned sarcastically before continuing, ¡°I mean it though. I always have to know all I can possibly know about what to expect, what to prepare for. I feel completely out of control when I don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Really? Imagine that.¡± Jared returned, with a pointed lack of shock to hearing her words, which he was obviously already well aware of.

    Lili just scoffed and shook her head before adopting the same serious tone, ¡°Problem being that I also have really, really huge issues with anxiety.¡±

    ¡°And the shocking confessions keep coming.¡± he couldn¡¯t help teasing with a little smirk.

    ¡°These two things are a pretty impossible combination to live with most of the time.¡± Lili then added, ¡°Which I¡¯m sure is a real shock to you as well, right?¡± another slight scoff.

    ¡°Yes, Lili, I have caught on to both of those facts. Which is why it¡¯s always so difficult for me to ever be sure how or what to tell you. I wanna be completely honest with you, but I¡¯m so afraid that anything I say will just make things that much worse for you.¡± he admitted, his own tone finally matching the seriousness of hers.

    ¡°It¡¯s just, Ihaveto try and find out everything I can, and I know that every time I do that, it just gives me that many more reasons to worry.¡± she sighed again, ¡°But, I guess I¡¯m even more terrified of the unknown. Cause when I don¡¯t know what¡¯s coming, what I imagine¡­.it¡¯s just bad.¡± she whispered.

    Jared allowed another sigh as he moved from the pieces of wood and vine and placed his hands over hers, ¡°Ok, so what is it that you want me to tell you, that I haven¡¯t already?¡±

    Lili took a breath as she tried to determine how to go about asking him for the other details of the vision that she couldn¡¯t help wondering about, ¡°Ok, so three years.¡± she swallowed slightly.

    ¡°Yes. Three years.¡± he quietly agreed.

    ¡°And you saw the baby, this baby, at three years old?¡±

    ¡°Looked to be about that.¡±

    ¡°So, you know.¡±

    ¡°Know what?¡± Jared asked slowly.

    ¡°For starters,¡± she swallowed again, ¡°whether it¡¯s a boy or a girl?¡±

    Jared smiled slightly, ¡°Well, yes.¡± he then shook his head, ¡°But you¡¯re almost five months pregnant. In a couple weeks, we could have most likely even determined that much with just my medical abilities, rather than my psychic ones.¡± he assured, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure whether or not you did wanna know, though. That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t say anything.¡±

    Lili took another breath, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I wanna know either, but you obviously do, already.¡±

    Jared shook his head again, ¡°You can¡¯t tell me you¡¯re actually even having anxiety about the gender of the baby, too?¡± he chided.

    ¡°I have anxiety about everything, Jared.¡± she repeated, which did cause his expression to return to seriousness once more, ¡°And the gender of the baby, it is a big deal. Very big.¡±

    Jared narrowed his eyes again as he pondered her statement, ¡°How do you mean, exactly?¡±

    Lili sighed once more, ¡°If it¡¯s a boy¡­then he¡¯s eventually going to end up here all alone, with no one else to ever be close to, like that.¡± she stated softly, but forced herself onward before Jared could respond, ¡°And if it¡¯s a girl¡­.god that means so very, very much as well.¡± she began breathily.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Go on.¡± Jared pressed, though gently.

    ¡°If it¡¯s a girl, then someday she¡¯ll be the last woman on the planet. And all this pressure that¡¯s nearly killing me, it¡¯ll all fall on my daughter¡¯s shoulders instead. Eventually, anyway. Never mind, other factors.¡± she couldn¡¯t help adding, but quickly continued, ¡°And I don¡¯t want my son to end up all alone and I don¡¯t want my daughter to end up ever feeling the way that I feel right now. And I honestly, can¡¯t decide which of those two outcomes would really be worse. Cause they¡¯re both pretty damn horrible.¡± she finished with a slight break to her voice once again.

    Jared took another long breath as he thought about her words, ¡°But I did only see three years into the future. You don¡¯t know for sure that either of those realities will actually come true, Lili.¡±

    ¡°How could they not?¡± Lili denied, though in the same weak whisper, ¡°The only way that my child would end up not being alone is if I had more children, and that¡­.¡± she just shook her head, seeming more than terrified by the very thought of going through this all again, and forced herself to move on again, ¡°And even if I did have any other children, it still wouldn¡¯t allow our species to continue, not really. Odd how the people who believe in that little creation story never figured that one out. I mean, who the hell were Cain and Abel supposed to have kids with, anyway? Their mom or their sisters?¡± she scoffed as she wiped away another tear.

    ¡°Biblical fictions aside,¡± Jared began as he squeezed her hands again, ¡°there is one possibility that you¡¯re overlooking.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know, that Cain and Abel shagged Adam¡¯s first wife, Lilith. Though of course, good little Christians aren¡¯t supposed to even know about her after all the ¡®editing.¡¯¡±

    Jared just shook his head, forcing back the tiniest smile, ¡°I actually wasn¡¯t referring to that family tree.¡± he assured her as she simply narrowed her eyes at him, ¡°I was talking about the possibility that your child, or even children, won¡¯t actually end up alone, after all.¡±

    ¡°How do you figure that one?¡± she asked him skeptically.

    ¡°We could always find other people, remember?¡±

    Lili scoffed loudly, ¡°Where have you been for the last seven months? Cause I¡¯ve been here.¡± she retorted, angrily gesturing to their surroundings.

    ¡°Remember, we¡¯re still looking for the ship, and survivors.¡±

    ¡°And I think we¡¯ve established the likelihood of that happening any time soon, haven¡¯t we?¡± she scoffed again, though quietly.

    ¡°And then there¡¯s always¡­¡± Jared began as he looked down.

    ¡°Always what?¡± she asked with further skepticism.

    ¡°Remember that other vision I told you about, a long time ago. The other person I saw here. We might not be alone here, after all.¡±

    Lili shook her head once more, ¡°The vision you only got in glimpses, the one where you couldn¡¯t even tell a gender or a time frame? I¡¯m sorry, Jared, but I¡¯m not sure how much faith I wanna put in that.¡±

    That was when Jared took a deep breath, ¡°But I saw that person again, right before we found the pod.¡±

    ¡°And did you get a time frame, that time?¡±

    ¡°Present, maybe?¡± he asked with a shrug.

    ¡°And you sound so sure.¡± Lili called him on his hesitation.

    ¡°Like I said, I didn¡¯t quite understand it the last time I saw this person, but now, I¡¯m not sure it was even a vision, honestly.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean you¡¯re not sure if it was a vision? What else would it have been?¡± Lili asked warily.

    ¡°Reality?¡± he suggested with a breath.

    ¡°Reality?¡± she repeated the word more slowly.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t like any of my other visions. It was like he, she, they, were right there in front of me, almost as close as you are right now.¡± he admitted.

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to tell anyone this?¡± Lili asked, her jaw dropped slightly.

    ¡°Like I said, I didn¡¯t understand it at the time, and they disappeared so quick, with no trace. It was almost like a ghost, or my imagination, or something.¡± he then took a breath, ¡°So I wrote it off as my visions just changing the way they appeared to me, cause, that was actually easier to believe. Then we found the pod, and we knew that someone had actually been here before us. Then I started thinking about other things that have happened since we got here.¡±

    ¡°What other things?¡± Lili stammered a bit.

    ¡°Remember when we first found the river?¡±

    ¡°What about it?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Remember, we were all asleep, and yet the fire stayed lit all night. And none of us had kept it lit, but we all just blew it off, cause we couldn¡¯t possibly have company here, right? And then, like I said. I saw this person again, and we found the other pod, and those remains, and¡­.¡± he just shook his head, ¡°And I can¡¯t help thinking that maybe we aren¡¯t alone here, after all.¡± he repeated again, though in a whisper.

    ¡°So, if you really think someone else is here,¡± Lili began, taking another ragged breath, ¡°I¡¯m not really sure that that makes me feel very non-anxious, either.¡± she said as she inadvertently looked around at the surrounding woods.

    ¡°But they kept the fire lit. We were all asleep and they got that close and actually did something to help us, not harm us.¡±

    ¡°But you don¡¯t know that for a fact.¡± Lili denied, though weakly.

    ¡°It¡¯s a pretty solid assumption.¡± Jared replied softly, ¡°And I saw this person, a young male, I think, in those glimpses for a reason. And when I think I saw him face to face at last, he didn¡¯t try to hurt me then, either.¡±

    ¡°What did he do?¡±

    ¡°All he did was ask me why. Then he vanished, before Ian even saw him.¡±

    ¡°Why what?¡± Lili shook her head again, trying to take all this in as he shared it.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been trying to figure out ever since the day we found that pod, and I began to think that he may have been a lot more real than any vision, after all.¡± Jared told her with another soft sigh.

    Lili was quiet for a long moment, continuing to maul over Jared¡¯s words before finally finding more of her own, ¡°So, does that mean that it¡¯s him we¡¯re supposed to find, instead of the ship?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But it seems like he already found us, remember?¡±

    ¡°But then, if he actually doesn¡¯t wanna hurt us, why did he just ask you that and vanish? Why didn¡¯t he stay and explain what ¡®why¡¯ even meant, or to find out whatever answer he was asking for? Why did he just keep our fire going instead of letting us know, back then, that he was even here at all?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the mind-reader, remember? But if he was all alone here, and then we arrived¡­I mean, put yourself in that position. What would you do? Would you rush right up to a group of strangers and make introductions? Or would you watch, and wait, and see what they wanted¡­and try to find out ¡®why¡¯ they were even here?¡±

    ¡°So, you think he¡¯s been watching us, all this time?¡± Lili asked, her voice shaky once again.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible. And maybe when we were about to find the pod, and realize that there was a possibility that someone else was here after all, he figured that was when he should make himself known. At least to one of us.¡± Jared shrugged slightly.

    ¡°And he picked you? And then he disappeared before Ian even saw him?¡±

    ¡°Well, if he¡¯s been watching us, then he probably knows that Ian is more the shoot first ask questions later type, or¡­¡±

    ¡°Or what?¡±

    ¡°Or maybe he knew, somehow, that I had already seen him, in my head, before I ever saw him in reality.¡±

    Lili looked around nervously once more, ¡°And I¡¯m not sure which of those is scarier: That he¡¯s been watching us for seven months, or that he could somehow know that you already knew abouthim.¡±

 Chapter 53

    *July*

    As the months progressed, Kyle and Ian did continue their search for the ship, or any survivors, be they from their ship, or any other. Over those five months since Kyle took Jared¡¯s place in the journey, the two didn¡¯t have any more pseudo-encounters with their still unseen companion on that planet, or any others, if those others did actually exist at all. Though those months did take them through many more miles of forest, and hills, and grassy plains, and more forests, which then turned to swamps, and now, what lay before them that day.

    The two were approaching the edge of the swampy area that they had been passing through for the last two days when Ian stopped and both reached for a drink of the water they carried with them. After taking a large swig Ian just shook his head with a drawn out sigh as he looked off toward the nearing tree line ahead of them.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Kyle asked after wiping at his mouth after taking a large drink of his own.

    ¡°Why the hell does it gotta be so fucking hot?¡± Ian complained as he wiped at his brow.

    Kyle glanced toward him to find that Ian was looking back at him, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, was I actually supposed to answer that?¡± he returned with his usual sarcasm that was second nature to him in any conversation with Ian, even after this long with only one another for company.

    ¡°I mean, seriously, wasn¡¯t it cold as hell when we started this bullshit?¡±

    ¡°Cold as hell?¡± Kyle smirked, ¡°Where to begin with the problems inherent in that phrase.¡± Kyle chuckled lightly.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°You know what I mean.¡±

    ¡°Well, it was February when I joined in on this lovely adventure. And now it is July.¡± Kyle shrugged back at the twenty-four year old before taking another sip.

    ¡°July?¡±

    ¡°Yup.¡± Kyle allowed his own sigh.

    Ian shook his head again and took another sip, ¡°I don¡¯t even know how you can even tell what friggin day it is after this long.¡± then he quickly added, ¡°And so help me if your next sentence begins with the words ¡®well I am a,¡¯ I may go cannibal on your ass.¡±

    Kyle surprisingly allowed another chuckle before responding, ¡°Believe me, I am keeping very close track of what month it is. Remember, I turn eighteen in August.¡± Kyle reminded, though did so with a marked drop in his volume.

    Ian shook his head again then his expression darkened slightly, ¡°Though, there is an even more important birthday this month. And I¡¯m not talking about Jared¡¯s.¡± he added with a bit of quietness of his own, which in turn caused Kyle¡¯s eyes to turn downwards.

    ¡°Think we should turn back or something? You know, just in case. I mean she was so scared of being alone when she had the baby.¡± Kyle asked weakly, almost as though he honestly wanted to hear Ian¡¯s opinion, as odd an occurrence as that ever was.

    Ian let out another sigh, ¡°She¡¯s not alone. She¡¯s got the doc, remember?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but still, I mean, itcouldbelong to one of us, after all.¡± Kyle dared to remind, as unnecessary as that reminder most likely was.

    ¡°Which is why we have to keep trying to find the damn ship.¡± Ian returned a little too abruptly, then added, ¡°Besides, it would take us so long to get back we¡¯d still miss it, anyway.¡± he sighed quietly.

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t even wanna try then?¡± Kyle asked for one more assurance.

    ¡°I wanna try to find the ship.¡± Ian told him more forcefully as he lifted his bag over his shoulder again and added, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± before taking another determined step towards that distant tree line.

    After several more minutes of walking, the trees at the edge of the swamp did thin out, and there before them was yet another new discovery.

    ¡°Fuck me.¡± was Ian¡¯s first reaction as he and Kyle stepped out onto the sandy ground that now stretched before them, and then gave way to an endless expanse of water that took on an eerie hue there beneath that planet¡¯s gray sun.

    Kyle swallowed hard as he too looked out at the slow waves and further, toward that horizon so far off that a human eye could not even fathom what that distance could truly be, ¡°Well, we knew that this planet did have oceans. It was similar to Earth, after all.¡± Kyle attempted, though his voice did seem much weaker at that point.

    ¡°This is fucking bullshit, man.¡± Ian complained with another shake of his head.

    ¡°Oceans aren¡¯t generally a bad thing, Ian.¡± Kyle attempted, though his argument was weak.

    Ian just looked back at him and scoffed in disbelief, ¡°They are when you¡¯ve been walking endlessly for five friggin months and now, unless we think we wanna start deep sea-diving to find the ship, we¡¯re kinda fucked into backtracking, oh, a few thousand miles.¡±

    ¡°Technically, the shipcouldhave crashed in the ocean.¡± Kyle admitted with a slight biting of his lip.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Ian returned angrily, then added, ¡°Besides, don¡¯t you think the amazing psychic boy might have mentioned that? He did see the crash site after all. And all he said was that it looked different from our nice little woodsy home back there. But I don¡¯t recall him saying we would need scuba gear to find it.¡± he added sarcastically.

    Kyle allowed another sigh, ¡°I suppose that¡¯s true enough.¡± Kyle agreed.

    ¡°Great, we agree, for once in our godforsaken lives, which means, oh yeah, we¡¯re back to being royally fucking fucked.¡± Ian added bitterly as he shook his head once more before moving a little further down the beach to see if there was anything at all that even looked remotely promising for them at that point.

    Kyle sighed again as Ian continued to scan their surroundings, shaking his head even more vehemently as he did, ¡°Ok, so we gotta backtrack.¡± Kyle agreed with another sigh as he too cast a glance around them, ¡°So, which direction you think we should head when we turn back?¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Ian scoffed once more, ¡°You¡¯re the ¡®genius,¡¯ and you have the map. Why the hell are you asking me?¡±

    Kyle then just shook his head back at Ian and moved down the beach to take a seat on a large rock nearby to begin looking over what was done of their current map and develop some kind of plan for their next move. Once he reached the rock, he dug through his bag for the handheld computer and then took a somber seat atop that rock to look over all of their options, what few they even had.

    Upon taking that seat, he moved his feet to brace himself next to the bottom of the rock, and that¡¯s when that sharp, sudden, searing pain cut into his ankle like a bullet. He immediately jumped up from his seat, the computer falling to the sand as he did, ¡°Fuck!¡± he exclaimed loudly, moving his hand toward the source of the pain just in time to see the multi-colored serpent slither away through the sand and completely disappear from sight.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian asked from his place several feet down the beach, his head turning back quickly at the sound of Kyle¡¯s outburst.

    ¡°I got bit¡­or something¡­¡± Kyle responded, though his words were weak and his face drained of almost all color below the beads of sweat that had seemed to multiply tenfold in the last few seconds alone.

    ¡°Did you say bit?¡± Ian asked, barely able to make out the weakly spoken words as he rushed back toward the younger man. Though it was just as he reached his side when Kyle collapsed to the ground, somehow shivering and sweating at the same time, ¡°Kyle!¡± Ian shouted as he raced to his knees next to him, ¡°Kyle, answer me! Did you say bit? Bit by what? Did you even see it?¡± he asked frantically as he automatically moved his fingers to Kyle¡¯s neck where his pulse was dangerously weak, but thankfully, still present, ¡°Talk to me, Kyle. Don¡¯t do this to me. Tell me what it was.¡± Ian continued desperately, though there was no response as Kyle simply slipped into unconsciousness without any more words even able to be spoken.

    <hr>

    As Lili¡¯s due date drew closer and closer, she only seemed to get weaker and weaker. It was painfully obvious to Jared that the food available to them most of the time was not nearly the amount or type that could keep both mother and baby as well-nourished as they should be, even in ideal surroundings. Though, Jared couldn¡¯t do much more than try to provide her with as much of that nourishment as he could, as there weren¡¯t a lot of options for any kind of medical intervention to help strengthen her and her child. Due to these facts, Jared¡¯s anxiety levels were nearing those that were commonplace for Lili, even before she had entered her final months of pregnancy and had become too weak to even get out of bed on most days. Though, he kept a brave face when in her presence. After all, it seemed that now their roles were thoroughly reversed, and he was now playing the part ofheranchor.

    On that hot summer day he was outside preparing a recent kill for their lunch, thankful that at least in the hotter temperatures, food was a bit easier to come by than when he first had returned to Lili¡¯s side that winter. He was skinning the deer, of sorts, when he was startled more than a bit by a shadow falling over him on that sunny afternoon. He turned quickly toward the source of the shadow, only to be even more thoroughly startled when there, barely five feet away, stood their mystery companion from his glimpses as well as from that day by the stream.

    Jared¡¯s eyes widened as he looked over the sparse animal skins that covered the sun-touched skin below that disheveled jet black mass of waves which fell to the middle of the young man¡¯s back. Jared stood up slowly and cautiously, having since dropped the carcass to the ground below him. Once he was again standing up straight, his eyes still glued to the only slightly older man as he searched for any words at all, he realized that this young man was nearly the same height as Jared himself, which only made him appear more gaunt and fragile, despite how true that assumption of fragility may have actually been.

    Though, Jared did not have to continue his struggle to find words, as it was his companion who spoke with a hoarse voice and seeming more than a bit unsure of his words, despite the force behind them, ¡°Come, now.¡±

    Jared was shocked once again by that statement and quickly swallowed before finding his own voice, ¡°Come¡­.where?¡± he stammered, still looking over the other man in disbelief.

    ¡°Must come now.¡± he repeated as he took a step toward Jared, which did cause him to jump slightly, his hand clasping the skinning knife even more tightly in his fingers.

    ¡°Wait¡­what do you even mean?¡± Jared asked in the same stammer, despite his only slight relief that this young man actually seemed to want to continue to communicate, this time, however cryptically.

    ¡°Kyle¡­¡± he began, seeming even more unsure of the name than he was of any of his other words, ¡°Hurt.¡±

    ¡°What? Hurt? What happened?¡± Jared quickly pressed, his concern for Kyle¡¯s safety already exceeding that of his own upon hearing this young man¡¯s most recent words.

    ¡°Dying. Come now.¡± he repeated more desperately.

    Jared swallowed painfully as he felt his eyes burn slightly at the statement, ¡°How? Where?¡± he managed, ¡°How could I even¡­¡± he began, choking a bit on the words.

    Though, before Jared could force his way to the end of the sentence, the other man took another step forward and firmly grasped Jared¡¯s arm, causing the soon-to-be-nineteen year old to jump even more, but at that same moment both of them seemed to vanish, simultaneously, and without a trace.

    Inside, Lili awoke to the sound of a faint voice outside the shack and rubbed at her sleep-filled pools of turquoise, ¡°What did you say?¡± she managed to call through the wall of the shack, her own voice weak and hoarse for more reasons than just her recent slumber. She waited a moment for a response from Jared, but heard none. She struggled to push herself upwards from the covers with narrowed eyes as she called out to him again, ¡°Sorry, didn¡¯t hear you. What did you say?¡± she repeated, trying to force more volume into her voice this time.

    Still receiving no response from outside the shack, Lili was about to try calling out one more time when Jared¡¯s handheld computer beeped loudly from it¡¯s place a few feet away from their bed. She swallowed again as she awkwardly made a marked effort to push herself into a standing position despite the headache and the dizziness that she had been plagued with for nearly three long months now.

    She swallowed a bit as she felt a weak kick as she reached the computer, and took another moment to compose herself before lifting it to check to see what message that Kyle was sending to them that afternoon. Only, when her eyes fell upon the message, she knew it wasn¡¯t Kyle who sent it. It simply read: ¡°Kyle got bitten¡­he¡¯s unconscious¡­I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    Lili¡¯s breath caught at the words as tears immediately rushed to the surface as she let out a much louder yell, ¡°Jared, get in here, now¡­Kyle¡¯s hurt!¡± her eyes then moved toward the door as she waited to see Jared rushing in, or at least to hear him call back to her. Only neither of those scenarios came to pass, even after she called his name even more loudly, more desperately, ¡°Jared! I heard you a minute ago! Answer me!¡± she commanded, her breath coming in shorter bursts as she continued to receive no response, ¡°Jared!¡± she yelled one more time as she forced herself to begin toward the door of the shack, her mind racing with a million possible reasons why she was receiving no response of any kind, especially when placed next to the current situation as well as her current condition.

    She continued calling his name as she forced her feet to awkwardly move her to the door where she pushed it open, taking one more step outside and looking around frantically. Of course, her eyes first fell on the half-skinned animal carcass that Jared had been preparing, which only worried her further. After all, he had been more than insistent on getting her to eat as much as possible, so why he would leave in the middle of preparing a meal made even less sense to her. Though, she wasn¡¯t sure that ¡®leave¡¯ was the right word, after all, she had heard his voice only moments before. That was actually what had woken her in the first place, and now he had seemed to have completely disappeared. And Jared leaving that quickly, with no explanation, no warning, and in the middle of preparing a meal for them, on top of the situation that still flashed across the screen of the computer in her shaking hand, that made no sense to her in any way, shape or form. Not only did it not make sense, it terrified her more than a bit.

    When that terror set in is also when her anxiety attack started. And when that anxiety attack started, considering her condition and how emotionally and physically worn down she was, that was when that first labor pain tore through her, bringing her to her knees with an agonizing scream, there in this place¡­all alone, after all.

 Chapter 54

    It was only mere moments after Jared and his companion disappeared into thin air, there in front of the shack, before the two then reappeared once again, there on a beach, on a completely different part of their new home. Jared looked beyond shocked and disoriented as he looked back at his companion with widened eyes and dropped jaw as the slightly older male finally relinquished his arm again.

    ¡°What the¡­¡± Ian¡¯s voice interrupted Jared¡¯s shock from a few feet behind where he and this strange new companion still stood.

    ¡°Ian!¡± Jared exclaimed as he turned to face the sound of the other man¡¯s voice, his eyes immediately moving to where Kyle still lay unconscious atop the sand.

    ¡°What the¡­and how the¡­and who the¡­¡± Ian had trouble finishing any of those questions as his eyes darted between the mystery man, so to speak, and Jared, who was now rushing to Kyle¡¯s side, despite his own shock and confusion at how he had even arrived there at all.

    ¡°I have no idea.¡± Jared breathed an answer designed to address all of Ian¡¯s unspoken questions as he quickly went about tending to Kyle.

    Ian just shook his head again as he once more looked back at where the other man stood several feet away still, silently, not bothering to make any explanations of his own either, when he was probably the only one who even had any at that particular moment.

    Not moving his eyes from the stranger, Ian managed his own words, ¡°Can you help?¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Hopefully. How long¡¯s it been?¡± Jared managed, his own voice shaky as he continued his examination of the puncture on Kyle¡¯s ankle.

    ¡°Like five minutes, literally.¡± Ian responded, his eyes still glued to that silent stranger who did not move any closer to them as Jared worked.

    ¡°Then probably. Hopefully.¡± he repeated the second word again as he hurriedly yanked his belt away to tie off Kyle¡¯s leg where his jeans were now ripped above the bite mark.

    It was nearly an hour later when Jared finally moved back from where Kyle groggily wandered in and out of consciousness, and took a deep breath, ¡°I think I got most of it out.¡± Jared sighed exhaustedly as Ian swallowed hard, still continuing to stare over at where their strange new friend now moved up and down the beach, seemingly searching for something, his silence continuing this entire time, of course.

    ¡°So, he¡¯ll be ok then?¡±

    ¡°As long as he wakes up, and can stay awake, instead of this wandering in and out.¡± Jared answered warily as he checked Kyle¡¯s temperature once more to see that the fever was still dropping.

    ¡°So, now can I ask the other question?¡± Ian added, speaking furtively.

    ¡°The one I have no clue how to answer either?¡± Jared scoffed slightly, his eyes also moving back to their other companion.

    ¡°How the hell did you even get here?¡± Ian asked the question anyway.

    ¡°See last comment.¡± Jared sighed.

    ¡°Seriously, how?¡± Ian pressed.

    Jared scoffed again, ¡°I wish to hell I knew. He just appeared, outside the shack. He touched my arm, and here we are.¡±

    ¡°Just like that?¡± Ian retorted with disbelief.

    ¡°You saw it too, Ian.¡± Jared reminded.

    ¡°So, that is him then, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ian added, his voice dropping even lower.

    ¡°Him who?¡± Jared asked with furrowed brow.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, you missed that conversation.¡± Ian returned, shaking his head as he glanced down at where Kyle was still trying to struggle back to full consciousness Ian then turned those ocean-colored eyes back toward where the other man still moved along the edge of their real-life ocean as the sun just began trying to slowly inch below the far off horizon.

    ¡°What conversation?¡± Jared asked with brow still furrowed.

    ¡°Back when we were at the pod. The second pod,¡± he clarified, ¡°Kyle thought he heard someone else¡¯s thoughts, briefly. Then they were gone. Kyle was pretty convinced that the two bodies we found, that they had a baby with them either when they crashed here, or born right after. Which was twenty years ago. And Kyle thought the person whose thoughts he heard was that kid, all grown up now.¡± Ian then nodded in the direction of the stranger once more, ¡°See exhibit A.¡± he added in a whisper.

    ¡°You think that¡¯s him?¡±

    ¡°Kyle most likely would.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared asked skeptically.

    ¡°The pod had an e-ship number on the side, Jared. It¡¯s from an e-ship. And if this is him, he came from that e-ship, twenty years ago. Kyle thought that might be why he couldn¡¯t keep seeing inside his head for very long. After all, you freaks are the only ones who could block Kyle out. Or say, friggin teleport from one side of the planet to the other?¡± Ian had to add pointedly, causing Jared to swallow hard as he looked back at their companion once again.

    Jared took a deep breath, checked on Kyle once more, and moved to stand, ¡°I guess we should ask him then, right?¡±

    ¡°Ask him?¡± Ian raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°He can talk. He¡¯s just not real good with the language, considering.¡± Jared offered.

    ¡°So you¡¯re just gonna go ask him, ¡®hey are you a freak like us?¡¯¡± Ian scoffed, ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯ll translate well.¡±

    ¡°Well, what do you recommend? Beating it out of him? After he helped me save Kyle? Not too mention that he can probably just up and go poof any time he wants to?¡± Jared retorted pointedly.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Ian just shook his head, but said nothing more as Jared moved slowly in the direction of their companion. Just as Jared neared the young man who seemed to be searching the shells strewn over the beach as though looking for a certain one, he stood upwards again, appearing to have been suddenly distracted by something.

    ¡°What? What is it?¡± Jared asked him hoarsely as he looked around with apparent unease.

    The other man finally looked back at the sound of Jared¡¯s voice, and glanced over Jared for the briefest moment before handing him one of the several shells he had been placing into a pouch at his waist for the last several minutes, ¡°Open, make less pain.¡± he said simply, before looking off at some faraway point in the distance and vanishing from sight in the span of barely a single second, all over again.

    ¡°What in the fuck?¡± Ian exclaimed as the young man vanished before their eyes once again, leaving Jared still clasping the strange shell and shaking his head slowly at the spot where the other man had been standing only a moment earlier.

    Jared allowed a shaky sigh before finally looking back toward where Ian remained at Kyle¡¯s side there on that slowly darkening beach that summer evening, ¡°Guess he had somewhere else to be?¡± Jared offered, not sounding very sure of even his own words at that point.

    ¡°Gee, big party on the other side of the ocean we don¡¯t know about?¡± Ian said sarcastically, taking a break from his own shaking of his ever-lengthening brown locks to offer Kyle another tiny sip of water as the youngest of them murmured once again.

    ¡°He gave me this.¡± Jared offered as he also returned to Kyle¡¯s side, ¡°I think he was trying to tell me that it would help with the pain in Kyle¡¯s ankle?¡±

    Ian scoffed again as Jared began attempting to break the shell open, as it seemed to be the instruction the other man was trying to communicate, ¡°So, now he teleports, and he¡¯s some kind of doctor, too? Hell guess we don¡¯t need you, anymore.¡±

    Jared just scowled, ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s so much a doctor thing as a ¡®he¡¯s lived here all his life,¡¯ thing.¡± Jared argued, though with a lack of force as he accessed the slimy substance inside the shell and wrinkled his nose slightly.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re actually gonna use that on Kyle, no questions asked?¡± Ian complained.

    ¡°What? You think he brought me all the way here just to have me save Kyle so he could then give me something that will hurt him?¡±

    ¡°Hell, I don¡¯t know. Maybe he just wanted to get Lili alone!¡± Ian retorted, the statement immediately causing Jared to look up at once, ¡°I mean, she is alone now, right? And you said he showed up at the shack just to find you. I mean, she is back there now, all alone, with all three of us thousands of miles away, and oh, she¡¯s about ready to pop out a kid on top of all of that. Pardon me if I¡¯m just a little worried that your fucking vision could now officially come true at any moment.¡±

    Jared swallowed hard at Ian¡¯s words, despite the numbness that now seemed to be afflicting his fingers as he removed the substance from the shell, ¡°Well, I think he was right about this shell though. It is sort of like an anesthetic, judging by the tingling in my fingers now.¡± Jared managed.

    ¡°That¡¯s all you have to say?¡± Ian scoffed again.

    ¡°One crisis at a time.¡± Jared mumbled, though shakily, before he then moved to place the innards of the shell over Kyle¡¯s ankle.

    Ian just shook his head, ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know how you didn¡¯t see this coming.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared asked as he looked up at Ian once more.

    ¡°I mean, think about it. You had a vision that Lili would be having this baby all alone, and now, here she is, almost due to have it, and we¡¯re all here! I mean, why would you ever leave her in that condition? The only possible reason would be to save one of us from dying. I mean, now that it could actually be happening, I don¡¯t know how none of us ever guessed that that would be the one thing that would make your stupid fucking vision come true after all.¡±

    Jared just shook his head, ¡°First of all, I honestly thought that there was no way that I could even save Kyle. Then he brought me here so I could. I mean, even if I had a choice in the matter, which I didn¡¯t, still, are you saying you think I should¡¯ve just let Kyle die?¡± he asked in disbelief.

    ¡°No¡­but¡­.¡± Ian couldn¡¯t seem to find the words, ¡°But if this guy is bad news, or even if he¡¯s not, I mean, what¡¯s gonna happen if she does go into labor before you ever get back there? Hell, he left you here with the two of us, most likely thousands of miles away from her. Even if Kyle could come back with us in his current condition¡­it would still take us forever to get back to her. I mean, what¡¯s gonna happen to her¡­and the baby, now?¡±

    <hr>

    After an entire hour of agonizing pain as that child tried to rip it¡¯s way out of her already severely weakened body, Lili found herself unable to bear any more of that pain at all, wanting to do nothing more that to just give up, give in to unconsciousness. At that point in time giving up her own life still seemed to be a much, much less painful option than what was now happening to her. After all, death had to be better than all of that pain. It just had to be.

    Just as she was about to give in to that pain and that call to just let her brain shut down and stop feeling all of her current pain, or anything at all, for that matter, was when she just barely perceived of a shadow appearing over her in the darkening woods outside that shack. Before she even could fathom who or what that shadow was, she felt hands close over her wrists above where her fingers had been clawing desperately at the dirt beneath her, almost as though trying to cling to some piece of remaining sanity or awareness of anything besides the horrible pain that had not let up for even a moment since her labor began.

    At the moment when those hands closed over her wrists, it almost seemed as though a switch inside her had been flipped, and suddenly there was no more pain at all. There was nothing but peace, and the haziest of any remaining awareness of what was happening to her physical body at that precise point in time. Right then, it seemed that her consciousness itself had left her body, where it no longer could bear to be any longer. Though how it had made it¡¯s escape from her pain-wracked body, that was one of the many things she no longer had any awareness of at all.

    <hr>

    Lili was unsure of how many more hours had even passed when any of that awareness at all began returning to her once more. The very first thing she was aware of was the feeling of slowly waking from a sort of dream. What had awoken her from that dream was a soft voice near her ear:

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Must bring you back now.¡± the voice whispered as he slowly moved his hand from where he had now been gently touching her shoulder in the early morning light.

    ¡°Wh---what?¡± she managed hoarsely, though her words were cut short as she forced her eyes open as a new kind of pain immediately engulfed her the very moment that she felt that gentle touch leave her shoulder.

    She let out a loud painful moan as that pain did come back, in a new form. It was no longer the pain of something trying to rip it¡¯s way out of her, but now it was very different. Instead it was the pain of ¡¯after-the-fact.¡¯ It was as though her insides were now trying to recover from being torn out, rather than in the process.

    ¡°God.¡± she breathed raggedly as she attempted to move her hands to her now much flatter stomach, but she had been so worn out from whatever hours she could no longer recall, that she could not even manage that much movement as she still lay there on the red-stained ground around her. She tried to look around her and find the source of the voice and that gentle touch the she had felt right before this new pain flooded her brain. Though, without being able to move much at all, it was difficult to even tell if the owner of that voice was still even there, ¡°Are you here, please?¡± she cried the words through her continued pain, but received no answer to them.

    Before she could manage to muster the strength to repeat the question, that was when she did hear some sort of response, though not the one she was expecting. A few feet away, right beyond the open door of the shack, there in the crib Jared had made for her all those months ago, came the soft sound of her child responding to her voice with a faint cry of its own.

 Chapter 55

    Their mysterious companion having vanished and left the three of them alone there on the beach right as the sun set, left Jared and Ian with little choice other than to set up camp there for the night. Kyle was still very slowly trying to climb back to a full recovery and obviously could not even attempt to begin their trip back in his current state. In light of the other man¡¯s disappearance, and Kyle¡¯s still weakened state, Jared and Ian went about preparing to wait out Kyle¡¯s recovery, or the other man¡¯s return, by digging in for the night. The two silently set up a fire for the evening, not out of a need for heat, as the night was still quite muggy there atop the still sun-heated sand, but rather for a source of light and to ward off any further predators, aside from just the serpent that had shared it¡¯s venom with Kyle that day.

    Once the fire was blazing and the two tents were set up and Kyle carefully moved into one, Jared took a seat against a rock, first carefully scanning around it with the lantern, just in case Kyle¡¯s attacker, or one similar to it, was hiding away underneath. With a sigh, he reached for Kyle¡¯s computer as he took a seat, proceeding to make an attempt at viewing the most updated version of the map, as Kyle had been planning to do earlier that day.

    As he powered on the computer, he glanced from the screen back over at where Ian had scouted around and found his own rocky seat for the evening, ¡°You sent me a message?¡± Jared asked the oldest of them in the dim light of the fire that was a few feet off from the tents.

    ¡°Yeah, well I didn¡¯t realize you were about to magically appear. Figured that was the only way I could tell you what happened.¡± Ian answered, though with a lack of much volume.

    Jared narrowed his eyes as he looked back at the screen and the blinking cursor that was still awaiting his response, ¡°She never answered.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Ian asked, not quite catching the words that Jared had almost stated to himself rather than anyone else.

    ¡°The computer beeps when you send a message.¡± Jared swallowed slightly as he continued to look down at the screen worriedly as Ian relinquished his own seat to come and inspect whatever it was that Jared was referring to as he looked down at the screen, ¡°We usually keep it by our---¡± he glanced back up at where Ian was now next to him, ¡°by the bed.¡± he corrected before trying to ignore the slight crack in Ian¡¯s demeanor at being reminded of the reality that he himself had been away from their shared lover¡¯s bed for nearly five long months, ¡°And she never answered.¡±

    ¡°Maybe she didn¡¯t hear it. Was she even awake when you got yanked away by our little ghost or whatever he is?¡±

    Jared swallowed again, ¡°No, but even the wind wakes Lili up.¡± Jared returned as he sighed again as he moved from the message screen to access the map instead.

    ¡°Yeah, I remember.¡± Ian stated, though his voice was barely a whisper as he moved a few feet away to watch the water, as well as the expanse of beach for any sign of their ¡®ghost¡¯s¡¯ return, as he called him.

    Jared bit his lip again as he glanced up at where Ian remained turned away to hide any of his own feelings in regards to their slightly awkward conversation. Another sigh as Jared moved his eyes away again to go back to his plan of studying the map and trying to determine their best route back to her side, hopefully, before that vision of his did officially come true, as doubtful as that possibility really was, considering the mere distance that was now between the three of them and Lili. Little did he know that that vision of his had already started to come to pass.

    <hr>

    Ian and Kyle having only brought two tents along on their trip, and Kyle recovering in one, left Jared and Ian to decide to take shifts watching the beach that night for any companions who may arrive, be they animal, or other. Though, neither of them did much more than go through the motions of sleeping that night, as both were too worried to even attempt to get any actual rest. It was Jared who was keeping watch as the sun finally began to struggle to crawl back above that far off horizon. He sighed sadly as that sun began to ascend, and cast a glance at the tent Ian had tossed and turned inside of throughout the night. He then pushed himself up to make another check on Kyle, inside his own tent, when he was startled once more by movement at the corner of his field of vision.

    He turned to see their ghostlike companion having appeared without warning once more. But what was more shocking than even his continued ability to appear and disappear at will, was his red stained hands as he took a step toward Jared.

    Jared swallowed hard as he found himself unable to tear his eyes from those hands as he stood upright once again. That was when the young man spoke again in his unsure, now slightly ragged voice, ¡°Stopped pain, some while. Can¡¯t stop blood. You help.¡± he attempted, his tone almost seeming sad and worried, though it was difficult to tell, as him speaking at all was still so rare.

    ¡°Blood?¡± Jared swallowed again as he quickly glanced between the man¡¯s hands and his face once more. That was when Ian finally emerged from his tent, the conversation easily stirring him from his own attempt at slumber that morning, ¡°Whose blood?¡± Jared asked, his voice breaking more than a bit through the question as Ian just looked between them, obviously a little startled by the other man¡¯s appearance, as well as what little conversation had just passed between them.

    ¡°Had to leave to get you. Pain back now, and blood. Much blood. You help.¡± he repeated again, more forcefully.

    ¡°Who¡­who did you leave to get me?¡± Jared asked shakily, even Ian seeming a bit too shaken by the statements to make any of his own.

    ¡°No question time. Must help.¡± the man repeated with more force as he moved forward quickly and once again clasped a now bloodied hand over Jared¡¯s arm, causing both of them to vanish into whatever nether he seemed to be able to step through so effortlessly, once again.

    ¡°Motherfuck!¡± Ian growled under his breath as the two vanished from sight right before his eyes, causing him to angrily kick some sand toward the nearly dead fire. He shook his head in continued annoyance and moved over to claim the computer that had been resting on the rock where Jared had been keeping watch before dawn, which was now upon them. He typed in a simple message to send to Jared¡¯s computer: ¡®WTF?¡¯ Though he wasn¡¯t even sure if and when Jared would even see that message.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Though he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on that question as he dropped the computer back onto Kyle¡¯s bag and was interrupted by the younger man¡¯s voice, ¡°Ian?¡± he called weakly from inside the tent.

    Ian turned quickly at the sound and moved to enter Kyle¡¯s tent, ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± he stated the obvious as he moved to Kyle¡¯s side where the youngest of them weakly rubbed at his eyes.

    ¡°Either that or this is a really shitty dream.¡± Kyle returned hoarsely, almost causing a tiny smile in Ian, almost.

    ¡°We can hope.¡± Ian shrugged with his own sigh.

    ¡°What happened anyway? Was Jared here? That can¡¯t be right. I¡¯m dreaming about Jared now? Also, not right.¡± Kyle grumbled as he slowly pushed himself to his elbows, his body still obviously weakened from the venom that nearly claimed his life the previous afternoon.

    ¡°Told you you had a boy-crush.¡±

    ¡°Oh shut up. You¡¯re the one who dates guys.¡± Kyle mumbled.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re delirious. I don¡¯t ¡®date¡¯ anyone. Even before there was less than five people to choose from.¡± Ian smirked, attempting to sound lighthearted, despite his current worries.

    ¡°So, Jared wasn¡¯t here?¡± Kyle then shook his head, answering his own question before Ian could, ¡°He couldn¡¯t have been here.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I should keep teasing you, but yes, Jared actually was here.¡±

    ¡°What? How?¡± Kyle asked, attempting to sit up more straightly as he pushed long curls from his blue-gray eyes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯d believe me if I told you. Still havin trouble, myself, and I was conscious.¡± Ian returned.

    Kyle narrowed his eyes at that statement, ¡°Now, youhaveto tell me.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea where to even begin.¡± Ian sighed again.

    ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve been hit by a train. I¡¯m not going anywhere anytime soon.¡± Kyle complained as he squinted at the remaining pain in his ankle, not to mention how weak he still generally felt all over, and exhausted, despite his extended vacation from consciousness.

    Ian let out another deep sigh, ¡°Remember the ghost of this planet¡¯s past?¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Kyle narrowed his eyes once again.

    ¡°The kid, or former kid, who probably grew up here, all by himself, as insane and completely impossible as that sounds?¡± Ian attempted to clarify.

    ¡°The one from the pod?¡± Kyle returned.

    ¡°Yeah, turns out you were most likely right.¡±

    ¡°About?¡± Kyle asked with continued skepticism.

    ¡°About him probably being the oldest of the e-brats.¡± Ian managed, watching closely for Kyle¡¯s reaction to the statement.

    ¡°Um¡­ok¡­.¡± Kyle took a moment to find his breath, ¡°And, how did you determine that, while I was unconscious for the last day, and what does it have to do with Jared, somehow being able to be here, when he¡¯s supposed to be thousands of miles away, and, he¡¯s obviouslynothere now?¡±

    ¡°I told you you¡¯d have trouble believing me.¡± Ian repeated.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t told me anything yet.¡± Kyle pressed.

    Another long breath before Ian attempted to find a way to explain what he didn¡¯t even quite understand yet, ¡°I guess you were right, he did shut you out. Cause I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s been around a lot more than that day you sensed him at the pod.¡±

    ¡°Go on.¡± Kyle asked, trying to keep his own unease out of his voice at the sound of that statement.

    ¡°It seems like this ghost of ours, he¡¯s been paying a hell of a lot of attention to us, without us even knowing it.¡± Ian began.

    ¡°Ok¡­¡± Kyle repeated, then continued, ¡°And why do you keep calling him a ghost? I don¡¯t generally hear their thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Been around a lot of ghosts, have you?¡± Ian retorted.

    ¡°Ian.¡±

    ¡°I call him that cause I watch everything around us, every single day and every single night. It¡¯s what I do. It¡¯s my job, remember? And I never once laid eyes on this guy ¡¯til he wanted to be seen. Among other reasons I call him that.¡± he added more quietly, then moved on, ¡°And he¡¯s obviously been watching us for a long time. And I somehow never caught a glimpse of him before? Sounds pretty Casper-like to me.¡± he finished in a mumble.

    ¡°I¡¯m so lost.¡± Kyle answered in his own mumble, ¡°But why do you think he¡¯s been watching us all this time?¡±

    Ian just scoffed, ¡°Cause he knew, the second you got hurt, he knew. He was obviously following us, watching us.¡±

    Kyle swallowed again, ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what I¡¯ve been saying?¡± Ian returned bluntly.

    ¡°What do you mean, he knew the second I got hurt?¡± Kyle asked with his own worry a little less well-hidden than a moment before.

    ¡°Cause he¡¯s the one that got Jared.¡± Ian finally admitted.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Kyle asked, his eyes searching Ian¡¯s face for some clarification to the statement.

    ¡°When you got bit, he apparently went, and got Jared, and brought him back here, to help you.¡± Ian stated somberly.

    ¡°Wait, how long have I been unconscious?¡± Kyle asked with a slight panic to his tone.

    ¡°About nine, ten hours.¡± Ian answered, allowing only the slightest smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s not possible, Ian. In nine hours, the furthest he could have gotten was maybe thirty miles, and that¡¯s pushing it. That wouldn¡¯t even get him from the shack to the second pod.¡± Kyle denied.

    ¡°I told you that you wouldn¡¯t believe me.¡± Ian reminded, then continued, despite Kyle¡¯s scoff, ¡°Like I said, our little ghost saw when you got hurt and then brought Jared here.¡±

    Kyle scoffed more loudly, ¡°How? He got his own little rocket ship now?¡±

    ¡°I wish. Then maybe we could¡¯ve gotten back to the shack last night, and she wouldn¡¯t be alone.¡± Ian returned quietly.

    Kyle swallowed again at the words and the obvious sadness to them, ¡°That still doesn¡¯t tell me how it¡¯s even possible.¡±

    ¡°I wish I knew. But, like I said, I¡¯m pretty sure you were right about him being one of you. The oldest one of all of you.¡± Ian stated in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°And you came to this conclusion, how, exactly?¡±

    ¡°Cause, he can do shit that neither of you can.¡± Ian stated with another deep breath.

    ¡°Like?¡± Kyle asked worriedly.

    ¡°Like, appear in one place, and then, a moment later, disappear, and reappear in another place¡­thousands of miles away, even. He can even take someone with him. That¡¯s how he got Jared here.¡± Ian finally admitted to the truth that was still difficult to fathom even though he had indeed seen it with his own eyes.

    Kyle¡¯s silence continued for several long moments as he tried to find any reaction to what Ian had just explained, ¡°And when I got hurt, he brought Jared here, to help me?¡±

    ¡°That he did.¡± Ian admitted a bit grudgingly.

    ¡°So, he actually helped us?¡± Kyle asked for further clarification to calm his own anxiety about the fact that there did seem to be someone there who could very well be just as powerful as he had feared aloud all those months ago.

    ¡°Jury¡¯s still out.¡± Ian admitted his own distrust.

    ¡°Meaning?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he brought Jared here, to save you, but¡­¡±

    ¡°But, what?¡± Kyle pressed.

    ¡°But, at what cost? I mean, If Jared¡¯s not with Lili, then she¡¯s all alone. And that would be pretty bad, even without extenuating circumstances.¡±

    ¡°Meaning, the baby?¡± Kyle asked, his own voice nearly a whisper.

    ¡°Among other things.¡±

    ¡°Like?¡±

    ¡°Like, I don¡¯t know.¡± Ian admitted, ¡°But he showed up here again, right before you woke up, and he had what looked like blood all over him. He said he needed Jared to help someone else. But he didn¡¯t say who, or how, or why, or where, and he grabbed him, and they disappeared, again. Without a trace.¡± Ian finished in an even more somber tone.

    ¡°So he took Jared somewhere else?¡± Kyle repeated, though Ian only nodded, ¡°Where? And to help who?¡± Kyle asked.

    ¡°How I wish I knew either of those answers.¡±

 Chapter 56

    When Jared did appear back at the shack once more, having his arm finally relinquished by their strange new protector, of sorts, the scene before him was gruesome, to say the least. There, on the ground in front of the shack they had called their home for nearly a year, a deathly pale Lili laid in a pool of blood that seemed to still be growing as she remained helpless, and in continued pain, seeming to struggle every second to even remain conscious, at all.

    ¡°Oh my god, Lili.¡± Jared gasped as he rushed to his knees to first check her pulse while trying to force some kind of calm enough to attain clear thought, despite the way seeing her like that tore at him.

    As he found a pulse even weaker than Kyle¡¯s had been the previous evening, Lili¡¯s only response to either his words or his touch against her neck was a pained whimper. As Jared forced himself to move as quickly as possible to retrieve the nearest stash of medical supplies that they still had left, he caught sight of the other man beginning to turn away.

    ¡°No! Don¡¯t you dare!¡± he warned the slightly older man with his voice hardened by his own terror for Lili¡¯s well-being. Though the other man said nothing in return, he did turn slightly back toward where Jared had now claimed the box of medical supplies, while centering a questioning gaze on him at the sound of the command being issued by the most docile of all three of the males who had arrived there on his home so many months ago, ¡°If you really want me to help her, then you have to tell me what the hell happened, now!¡± Jared repeated more firmly as he searched the box frantically.

    The other man took a slight breath, trying to find the words he was obviously not all that familiar with, as Jared rushed to try and do anything he could to both ease Lili¡¯s pain, and even more importantly, stop the incessant bleeding that was sure to kill her very quickly if he couldn¡¯t do something about it.

    ¡°Baby started to come. Pain was too much. Killing her.¡± he attempted to begin, watching the slight flinch the words caused in Jared as he remembered Kyle¡¯s warning about how truly bleak Lili¡¯s thought had been months before this fateful day even came. Though Jared tried in vain to push those thoughts back down as he continued to tend to the massive bleeding after having quickly injected her with a small portion of the strongest painkiller that they had had in their belongings, the one he had always planned on saving for this very day. Another breath as the strange man continued, ¡°Had to stop pain. Couldn¡¯t stop blood.¡± he repeated the statement again as Jared swallowed hard.

    ¡°How, how did you stop the pain?¡± Jared managed raggedly as he continued tending to her, though shakily, ¡°What did you give her?¡± he added.

    ¡°Give?¡±

    ¡°Yes, what did you give her to stop the pain? Was it those clams or whatever that you were collecting at the beach? What was it?¡± he asked again, his desperation hardening his tone.

    ¡°Gave nothing. Sent her away.¡± was the man¡¯s simple answer, which then did cause Jared to look up from her for the briefest moment.

    ¡°What do you mean, sent her away?¡±

    Another breath as he attempted to find any words in his limited knowledge of the English language to try and explain things which had no explanation that could be easily understood by another, ¡°I can¡¯t just move bodies.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Jared exclaimed with a shake of his head as he continued to rush to try and physically stop the flow of blood as well as find some combination of the drugs, as well as the herbs he had been collecting in recent months that would slow or hopefully even stop her bleeding.

    ¡°I also can move¡­.¡± he struggled to find the word, ¡°souls.¡±

    ¡°Souls?¡± Jared returned in a raspy whisper, his movements once again momentarily stopped by the words the strange man offered.

    ¡°Not right word. I mean, brain, thinking, thought¡­can move it. Is that soul?¡±

    Jared¡¯s breath caught again as he tried to take in what it sounded like the other man was trying to explain and still keep his own thoughts on saving her. Finally, after another moment, Jared found words again, ¡°You mean, like astral projection¡­something like that?¡±

    The other man just shook his head, ¡°Don¡¯t understand those words. Just took her mind from her body. Too much pain to survive there. Only way to save both.¡±

    ¡°Both?¡± Jared asked, his eyes following the path of the other man¡¯s to the crib that still waited inside the door of the shack. Jared swallowed again, not having time to try and fathom the rest of the situation right then, as he needed to make sure Lili would indeed survive at all, ¡°But if you took her mind¡­out of her body¡­¡± he shook his head again, not even believing his own words at that point, ¡°then how could she have even¡­¡± he just shook his head as he looked back down at Lili.

    Though he didn¡¯t have to finish his question as the other man moved closer and pushed the remains of Lili¡¯s blood-soaked clothing aside to reveal the open gash across her stomach where at least a third of the blood had seemed to originate from, rather than from inside her, as seemed to be the source of the rest.

    ¡°You cut it out of her?¡± Jared whispered as he forced back his own pain long enough to tend to that wound as well as the more serious source of her loss of blood.

    ¡°Only way. She couldn¡¯t do it alone. Too much pain. Had to take her away.¡± he repeated again, his voice almost sounding saddened by the statement as he moved back once again.

    Jared¡¯s breathing was more than a little ragged as he patched up the large gash across the pale skin of Lili¡¯s abdomen and then went back to give her a further dose of the strongest sedative he could muster from what he had to work with, as well as another mixture he hoped would serve as enough of a coagulant to keep her alive long enough to try and stop the source of the bleeding once and for all. He was now very thankful that he had spent his last several months studying all he could about any kind of organic medicines that he could possibly create from the few resources that surrounded them there in this new home.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    <hr>

    Evening was nearly upon them again when Jared finally moved back from Lili¡¯s side, having done all he could think to do to save her at that point, and now having to just wait until she would hopefully awake from the sedatives he had given her in order to go inside and try and stop that bleeding before it really was too late for her. Of course when she did come to, then he would have to determine the lasting effects the troubled pregnancy and even more troubled birth would have on her, both physically, and mentally.

    He sighed softly as he wiped blood from his own hands and pondered what his next move should be. His silent companion had since moved to go about the task of dragging the now rotting carcass of the deer-like creature off to the river, starting the night¡¯s fire, and now looking off at the woods, keeping vigilant of any animals that were attracted by the excess blood that still had not fully dried there on the ground where Lili remained unconscious, her breathing shallow as they awaited her return to consciousness.

    That was when Jared was startled from his own vigilance of their companion by a soft cry coming from the crib behind him. He swallowed once more as he was quickly reminded that Lili may not be the only one in need of his medical attention that evening. He took another shaky breath and moved to the crib, where the child did seem to be doing a lot better than it¡¯s mother, aside from being hungry and needing a new cloth wrapped around it to pose as a diaper.

    He glanced back at Lili and sighed slightly at the fact that she was currently in no condition to feed the child. He then moved to try and locate some of the goat¡¯s milk that they may have still had stored in the cooler. He took several minutes to attempt to feed the child by dipping his finger into the cup of milk and putting it to the tiny baby¡¯s lips in some effort to mimic the way the child would normally have to feed, assuming Lili did return to consciousness and was even strong enough to provide for the child at all once she did.

    After several minutes, the slightly older of the two men took a few steps toward where Jared had finally placed the child back in it¡¯s crib and was now tending to the replacing of the makeshift diaper.

    ¡°Yours?¡± was the only word the man spoke.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared asked, his voice still hoarse from all the events of the last day.

    ¡°The child.¡± he attempted to clarify.

    Jared swallowed again, ¡°Not really sure.¡± he then looked down with a slight tinge of guilt, ¡°But I don¡¯t think so.¡± he added, glancing only briefly back at Lili, who still remained unaware of her surroundings, or his words.

    ¡°One of them?¡± he returned, glancing back in the direction of that far off ocean where Ian and Kyle had been left behind.

    ¡°Which is why you need to bring them here. Like you did with me.¡± Jared managed as he finished wrapping the baby in a new animal skin and placing it back in its crib.

    ¡°Why are they there and she here?¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Yes, why. Why out there?¡± the man repeated.

    Jared swallowed again as he pondered whether that was finally the end of the question that this man had begun to pose to him all those months ago, ¡°We¡¯re looking for something.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Jared looked down slightly before answering, ¡°The place we came from. It was a ship.¡± he then dared to continue, ¡°We think your parents came from one like it too. Before we ever did.¡±

    The man looked up quickly at the sound of Jared¡¯s words, ¡°Ship?¡±

    ¡°Yes. A big floating city. Thousands of our people lived there. They sent us here to help find a new home for all of us. Then something happened. We couldn¡¯t reach them anymore. Then I saw¡­.¡± he shook his head, knowing that explaining his visions was hard enough when dealing with those fluent in his native tongue, and rethought his words, ¡°The ship crashed. We need to find it, and all the supplies we had, and any people who might have survived. We wanted to before the baby came. That¡¯s what they¡¯re out there looking for.¡± he finally answered the other man¡¯s question.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°No, what?¡± Jared asked, a little thrown by that response.

    ¡°No ship.¡±

    Jared was further confused by that statement, ¡°Are you saying weshouldn¡¯ttry to find the ship? The ship is our best hope to survive, even if no one else did.¡± he added more quietly, ¡°You can¡¯t actually mean we shouldn¡¯t try to find it.¡± he denied.

    ¡°Mean¡­no ship. No ship here.¡± he attempted to explain his previous statement to Jared.

    Jared swallowed hard again, then continued his denial, ¡°Well I know it¡¯s nothere.¡± he stated as he gestured to his immediate surroundings, ¡°But it¡¯s gotta be somewhere, and we need to find it.¡±

    The other man sighed again, Jared¡¯s disapproval of his words obvious, ¡°No ship here. On this planet.¡± he managed more quietly.

    Jared¡¯s breath caught again at that damning statement before he managed to continue, ¡°Well, you¡¯re wrong.¡± he stated firmly causing the man to simply look back at him questioningly, ¡°You may be able to teleport your ass all over this planet, but there¡¯s some place you missed. Cause it¡¯s gotta be here. I saw it.¡± he finally added firmly, which then did cause a crease in the other man¡¯s brow, he now being the one thrown by Jared¡¯s words.

    ¡°Saw a ship?¡± he asked quietly, ¡°Where? How?¡±

    Jared took a deep breath, ¡°I¡¯m like you. I can do things. Things that make no sense, but I can do them anyway.¡± another slight breath, ¡°I see things. Faraway things, without actually being there. Places, people.¡± he had to add more quietly as he looked the other man up and down once again, ¡°And I saw the ship. I know it crashed. I even know how it crashed. It¡¯s just the where that I haven¡¯t figured out yet. And that¡¯s why we were out there, looking, trying to find that where. We have to.¡± he added the last bit in a near whisper as he looked once more between baby and mother.

    The other man seemed more saddened than shocked by Jared¡¯s statement and paused only another moment before repeating, ¡°It¡¯s not here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡± Jared denied angrily as he looked away again, biting his lip hard to fight back any reaction he had to the idea that this man, who seemed to know so much about this place, and could travel it¡¯s entire expanse easily and at will, could somehow be right after all. But Jaredneededhim to be wrong. They all needed him to be wrong.

    The man shook his head sadly, ¡°I¡¯ve seen everywhere here. No ship here.¡± he whispered again.

    ¡°Stop fucking saying that.¡± Jared returned with continued anger mixed with despair as well, ¡°Just go. Go and bring them back.¡± he ordered, ¡°Lili might not even come out of this, and they should be here.¡±

    ¡°They should.¡± the man agreed, ¡°That why I asked why, when first spoke to you. Didn¡¯t know why you were away, out there. Nothing out there that you look for.¡±

    ¡°Stop saying that.¡± Jared repeated in a near growl.

    ¡°Sorry, but true.¡± he apologized once more.

    Jared just shook his head again, closing his eyes tightly, ¡°Just go get them, and bring them back here. Can you at least do that much, please?¡± he begged with the same continued mixture of anger and despair at the other man¡¯s insistence that what they had spent all these months looking for, in turn endangering all of them, was not truly out there to be found at all. It had to be. It was their only hope, despite the fact that Jared had insisted to Lili over and over again that all was not hopeless. However, hearing that the most knowledgeable among all of them did not believe that hope was actually out there for them, after all, that was enough to make Jared severely doubt his own words. And even more problematic than that, if Jared had no hope left either, how could he ever convince Lili to have any of her own again?

 Chapter 57

    When the young man disappeared from sight again, to hopefully go and retrieve Ian and Kyle, as Jared had requested, was when Jared found his attention easily drawn back to where Lili still lay unconscious from the effects of the sedatives as well as her blood loss and overall physical exhaustion. He sighed deeply as he looked around at the scene, knowing he should move her inside, while also knowing he had to be very careful doing so, so as to not endanger her any further, as she had just undergone surgery as well, on top of everything else she had just been through.

    After several more minutes, Jared had now ever so carefully transferred her back inside, pulled away the remains of her blood drenched clothing and was now gently using a wet piece of cloth to try and wipe away the blood from her already pale skin, which still wore an even more deathly pallor after the massive blood loss. He swallowed hard, biting back his own emotions at seeing her in such a state, but he knew that if and when she woke up, finding herself covered in blood was surely not going to help her recovery in any way.

    Meanwhile, outside the shack, their ghostlike friend had now once again appeared, kneeling on the ground beside where Kyle still lay in the same position he had been in inside the tent when their companion had arrived, placed a hand over his shoulder and pulled him through space itself to arrive back at their home once more.

    ¡°What the?¡± Kyle breathed heavily as they reappeared there, his eyes wide as he immediately recognized the surroundings once that moment of nothingness between the beach and the forest gave way, as he returned to reality once again, but now, there, in this other place once more.

    Though, as was usual, the other man offered no response, simply relinquished his hold on Kyle¡¯s shoulder and vanished into thin air once more, causing Kyle to gasp slightly at the sight, just like he had when the man had appeared there in his tent moments before. However, Kyle¡¯s shock at the abilities so easily harnessed by the man who was less than four years his senior, soon gave way to a different shock as his eyes moved to the bloodied ground in front of the shack, hoping upon hope that all of that blood was merely from a recent meal, but he somehow doubted it.

    Back on the beach, Ian¡¯s anger had returned once more at seeing their ghost reappear and yank another of his companions away with no solid explanation. Never mind the fact that Kyle¡¯s disappearance did now leave Ian alone there on the beach, though that was the very least of his concerns at that point. Ian angrily began ripping down the tents and shoving them into he and Kyle¡¯s bags when, moments later, the man had reappeared there again.

    ¡°You.¡± he complained as his ocean colored eyes met the deep hazel of the other man¡¯s eyes that barely peeked out from behind the long black tangles. The younger of them allowed only a slight sigh as he moved to take a step towards Ian, who immediately stepped back, ¡°No, you do not touch me. Not until you tell me where the hell you took them.¡±

    ¡°Was going to help with bag.¡± was his only response.

    ¡°Yeah you¡¯re just all kinds of fucking helpful, aren¡¯t you?¡± Ian grumbled, holding his guarded pose as he looked the other man up and down, thankful that at least most of the traces of blood seemed to be gone from the other man¡¯s skin, now, but still having a lot of difficulty trusting him at all.

    The younger of them shook his head, ¡°I no understand most things you say. Odd words, always.¡±

    Ian scoffed loudly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t realize you and I had had a lot of conversations before today.¡±

    ¡°Reason.¡±

    ¡°Reason? What the fuck does that even mean?¡± Ian complained loudly.

    ¡°Reason no talk to you. Angry. No trust.¡±

    Ian let out an obviously insincere chuckle at that statement before moving on, ¡°Well you stalk us for a year. Then appear to be helping us. But never bother explaining a fucking thing. Then you show up again, covered in blood and just yank Jared away, for hours. Then you show up again, not to explain yourself, but to drag Kyle away too. So sorry if I seem to have a little trouble trusting you when you never, ever tell us what you really want, why you¡¯re following us around in the shadows, why you act like you want to help, then just yank one of us away with no warning. Not to mention, who knows what the hell else you can do? Yeah, tons of reasons to trust you.¡±

    The other man then shook his head again in seeming frustration, ¡°Still, odd words. Hard to follow. Just hear anger.¡±

    Ian just scoffed again, ¡°Let¡¯s try an easy one: Where did you take them?¡± he stated, over enunciating each word slowly.

    ¡°Back to her. Flame haired girl. Lili?¡± he asked, always unsure when he tried to call any of them by name.

    ¡°They¡¯re back at the shack?¡± Ian asked, his volume dropping slightly as he looked over the man once again.

    ¡°Needed doctor. No time to¡­explain.¡± he attempted another answer, trying to repeat one of the words that Ian seemed to have used in his angry statements moments before.

    ¡°It was Lili¡¯s blood?¡± Ian returned, his voice shaking a bit as he asked.

    ¡°Baby came. She was alone. Had to help. Then could give no more help. Got doctor then.¡± the younger of them returned, his own voice quiet as he offered the explanation the other man seemed to want so much.

    ¡°The baby?¡±

    ¡°Odd. She¡¯s like you, but not like you.¡± was the strange statement the younger man offered in response.

    ¡°What? Who? Lili?¡± Ian asked, a little thrown by the seemingly random statement.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Doctor¡­.Jared¡­he want me bring you there. Get things. We go.¡± he replied to Ian, giving no further answers to his questions. Though, at that point, Ian was more concerned with getting back to Lili than he even was with pressing for any more answers right then. He took a shaky breath, simply nodded, then let the other man help him gather the remaining supplies before finally allowing himself to give in to that eerie touch that would hopefully transport him back to Lili¡¯s side once again, after so very long away, trying to find that help that they may never find at all.

    The moment after he was transported back to their home, the first thing he noticed, was Kyle trying to force himself to his feet, despite his still weakened state. Ian then immediately noticed the red stained ground in front of the shack as their companion once again disappeared from their sight with no warning, as was becoming painfully familiar to them.

    ¡°Kyle¡­¡± Ian breathed the name rather than spoke it as he dropped the bag next to where the other had dropped a second before the most recent vanishing act.

    ¡°Must he always do that?¡± Kyle complained, his eyes only moving away from the drying pool of blood for a moment to watch as the other man once again disappeared and Ian moved to help him to his feet.

    ¡°It¡¯s getting scary how much we¡¯re agreeing lately.¡± Ian returned as his only answer to Kyle¡¯s question. Once Kyle was upright again, though supporting his weight against Ian¡¯s body, the older continued, ¡°Speaking of scary¡­¡± he began, his eyes moving deliberately back to the ground, ¡°Is that Lili¡¯s?¡± he finally managed, though the words struggled to escape his lips.

    Kyle took his own ragged breath, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just got here too, remember?¡±

    ¡°So, you don¡¯t even know if she¡¯s¡­¡± Ian began in a raspy whisper of his own, though he didn¡¯t have to find the words to finish the thought, as they heard footsteps inside the shack as Jared finally appeared inside the door, obviously responding to their voices.

    ¡°He did bring you back.¡± was Jared¡¯s greeting, though the relief in his words was miniscule, to say the least.

    The other two looked at him warily, easily noting the bloody cloth in his hands, before either of them managed any more words, ¡°It is her blood, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ian forced the words.

    ¡°She went into labor, last night, I think. After I¡­left.¡± Jared attempted though even he wasn¡¯t sure if his last word was the most accurate in this particular case.

    ¡°Is she¡­¡± Kyle began, though even his usual ability to separate himself from his own emotions so expertly seemed to be failing him now.

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­¡± Jared began with a slight pause as he glanced back toward the door he now stood outside of, ¡°She¡¯s still unconscious. I had to put her to sleep, so I could try to¡­to stop the bleeding.¡±

    ¡°You did though, stop it?¡± Kyle managed.

    ¡°For now. But it¡¯s going to be hard to tell really, as some bleeding is normal, after.¡± Jared then sighed deeply, his own exhaustion easily showing at that point.

    ¡°And the baby?¡± Ian asked with his own fear showing, no matter how well hidden he seemed to keep it at most times.

    ¡°Alive. For now, anyway.¡±

    ¡°For now?¡± Ian swallowed a bit.

    ¡°It¡¯s tiny, and hungry. And right now, Lili can¡¯t provide for it. At least not until she recovers.¡± Jared admitted, slowly setting aside the cloth in his hands as though just now remembering it was there at all.

    ¡°Can we see¡­either of them?¡± Ian asked after allowing a moment to process Jared¡¯s words.

    Jared let out a slight sigh, ¡°I¡¯m still cleaning Lili up, and I have to keep watching her, just in case.¡± he swallowed a bit, ¡°Give me a few, I can bring the baby out. But be careful. Like I said, neither of them are completely out of the woods just yet.¡±

    The two nodded somberly as Ian helped Kyle to one of the seats they normally used for meals back when they had all been there together, back when things somehow seemed a lot less bleak than they did now, even though none of them even knew it at the time. Several more minutes passed as both the men waited for their first meeting with the child that could belong to any of them, the whole time, trying in vain to keep from looking back at the ground and imagining what Lili could have possibly been going through that previous night.

    Finally, Jared reappeared, the tiny baby wrapped in a fur blanket as he held it close to his chest and moved toward the other men, who both seemed to forget their breath as the child was brought to them. It fussed gently as he leaned down to let them have a look into that tiny face, and those ocean-colored eyes below the tiny sprinkling of red locks on the otherwise bald head.

    ¡°God, it is tiny.¡± Kyle breathed as he gently moved the fur only a fraction of an inch away from those eyes as Jared continued to kneel down in front of them, holding the child gently.

    ¡°She.¡± was Jared¡¯s only response as he looked up at where Ian seemed almost frozen as he looked down into eyes identical to his own. Jared then swallowed a bit as he waited for any more words from either of the two men, but Kyle remained silent as he moved to allow the child to wrap it¡¯s own tiny fingers around his own, and Ian also could seem to find no words for once, and hardly any breath as he continued to stare down at the child with a million different emotions all at once, ¡°Do you want to hold her?¡± Jared finally asked the eldest of them, jarring him more than a bit from his continued gaze upon that new tiny human.

    ¡°Me?¡± Ian asked hoarsely.

    ¡°Remember, I have to get back to keeping an eye on mom.¡± Jared returned in his own whisper as he gently held the child out to Ian. Ian took a ragged breath as he shakily reached for the child as Jared relinquished his own gentle hold on her, ¡°I have to get back to Lili.¡± he repeated, then continued as he slowly stood, ¡°But there are things¡­things we need to talk about, as soon as we can.¡±

    ¡°What sort of things?¡± Kyle managed as he looked up from where Ian pulled the child close against his own chest, his eyes still not leaving hers.

    ¡°Things that¡­change¡­things.¡± was Jared¡¯s only cryptic response as he somberly moved back through the door, leaving the others to ponder his words.

    After another moment of watching Ian stare down at the child, rocking it gently in his arms, Kyle finally had to speak up again, ¡°What do you suppose that meant?¡±

    ¡°No idea.¡± Ian whispered, still not looking up from her tiny face as he spoke.

    Kyle just shook his head as he watched Ian¡¯s continued attention seeming to be on nothing but the child in his arms, ¡°You¡¯re usually the first one to be asking for explanations when Jared makes some cryptic comment like that. Aren¡¯t you?¡± Kyle pointed out, though quietly.

    ¡°I guess things have already changed.¡± Ian offered his own cryptic comment, continuing to cuddle the child against that strong chest of his.

    ¡°I¡¯d say that would be right up there with understatement of the year.¡± Kyle returned with some of his usual smartness returning to his tone.

    Ian sighed only slightly, but responded, ¡°I don¡¯t know what he meant. I just know that this, her, she¡¯s what really matters now.¡±

    Kyle let out his own sigh as Ian kept his attention firmly on the child throughout the conversation, ¡°Maybe though, she is what he was talking about.¡±

    ¡°Meaning?¡± Ian asked, finally looking up from the baby to meet Kyle¡¯s concerned gaze.

    ¡°Meaning¡­what we talked about all those months ago.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to have to be more specific than that, Kyle.¡± Ian returned with a slight shake of his head.

    ¡°Meaning,¡± Kyle began again, ¡°Just look at the last, the only, other child who ever grew up here. Maybe he was even born here. But think about it. What could that really mean? Even the children who were born on the ship: We¡¯re worlds different from all of you.  Who knows how different our ¡®ghost¡¯ really is. Or¡­¡± he paused again, ¡°how different this child could be.¡±

 Chapter 58

    Ian just scoffed as he shook his head over at the seventeen year-old, ¡°So, your entire theory about whether or not this child will have some freakish ability is based on the fact that the three of you do?¡±

    Kyle let out another sigh, ¡°It¡¯s based on the fact that every child born since leaving Earth has had some kind of ability, and the only one we know of who actually grew up here, where we are now, he---¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that stuff start at puberty?¡± Ian interrupted.

    ¡°Well, for me and the others from the ship, yeah, but--¡±

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t we worry about it in another thirteen years? Can we worry about the present in the actual present? How about we try that?¡± Ian retorted with thinly veiled annoyance.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Kyle began, though Ian simply moved to stand, heading in the direction of the cooler to continue with the attempt at feeding the child that Jared had started before their arrival back at the shack. Though his demeanor made it clear that he had no desire to continue the conversation that Kyle had begun, which caused the younger of them to simply let out another sigh, still too exhausted and worried, about more than just that one subject right then, to try fighting Ian on the matter at that point.

    After a few more moments of tense silence as Ian claimed a seat opposite Kyle¡¯s to try and get some more milk into the baby¡¯s system. Kyle then finally pushed himself up to his feet, despite his still weakened state. With a deep breath, he moved to work on their own dinner, sure that all of them had to be hungry after the whole of that particular day, which was now thankfully drawing to a close as the sun finished setting on their home again that night.

    As he waited on the fish that he had chosen for the dinner that night to cook over the fire, Kyle moved to collect their utensils, his eyes catching the slightest glimmer at the tree line, about fifty feet off from their fire. His attention was immediately drawn to that glimmer as Ian continued attempting to feed the child at his recently claimed log seat. When Kyle¡¯s eyes adjusted to the darkness there at the tree line, he realized that the glimmer that he caught at the corner of his eyes, seemed to actually be that of another set of eyes.

    He swallowed as he slowly stood, trying to focus on the shape of the creature that those eyes belonged to, determining that it was much smaller than the bear-like creature he had seen all those months ago, but still about the right height to be some type of member of the canine or feline family.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Kyle managed quietly as he moved his hand to the small gun that he had kept at his own side throughout the long journey that he and the older man had just returned from.

    ¡°I thought we were done talking.¡± Ian muttered, not bothering looking up at Kyle as he spoke.

    ¡°Ian, would you pay attention?¡± Kyle returned impatiently, though still managed to keep his volume low, ¡°There¡¯s something there, at the tree line.¡± he added, the gun now in his hand as he kept his eyes glued to the animal¡¯s outline, though it did not move any closer to the fire lit camp just yet.

    Ian swallowed slightly as he slowly set the milk aside, his eyes moving to the place Kyle¡¯s seemed to be glued to. When he did catch sight of that dark silhouette he very slowly stood, also trying not to trigger any response from the animal with any quick motions, ¡°Ok, keep your eyes on it, but back up slowly, to me, and take her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got my gun out already, Ian.¡± Kyle argued, though in the continued whisper.

    ¡°And it¡¯s not attacking yet, but if you fire and miss, different story. Now do what I say.¡± he instructed in the same firm whisper.

    ¡°And if it attacks while I¡¯m moving?¡± Kyle complained under his breath.

    ¡°Then move slow. Come on, Kyle.¡± Ian returned with more urgency, which just caused another faltering breath from Kyle, though he did ever so slowly take his first few steps backwards to meet Ian and exchange the gun for the child, as awkward as such an exchange was for either of them, on a few levels.

    Once the child fussed slightly as Kyle took her, and Ian moved the gun upwards so that he had a clear aim at the animal, Kyle spoke up again, ¡°Uh, Ian?¡±

    ¡°I have the gun Kyle, I¡¯ve got the shot.¡± Ian assured.

    ¡°And what about that one?¡± Kyle replied quickly, trying to keep his volume low.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian asked, daring to move his gaze momentarily from the creature he was aiming at to where Kyle¡¯s eyes had now found a second animal waiting there at the tree line, a good fifteen or twenty feet from the first.

    Ian swallowed hard as he took note of the second animal, which more clearly took on the shape of some large coyote or wolf, or some such equivalent to earth¡¯s canines of the same sort, all of which did travel in packs.

    ¡°And that one?¡± Kyle added in a near whisper as he found another companion several more feet off at the tree line, and then another.

    ¡°Shit, it¡¯s the blood. They were just waiting ¡¯til dark.¡± Ian breathed as his body remained still while his eyes found and counted at least six total of the large doglike creatures now stationed all around the camp, easily surrounding them on every side except for the one side of their camp that was shielded by the river.

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t see any of them?¡± Kyle complained, more out of fear than any other emotion right then.

    ¡°I was a bit busy.¡± Ian argued weakly as he continued moving slowly from one target to the next trying to determine which may make it¡¯s first move against them.

    ¡°That¡¯s my point.¡± Kyle mumbled. Though Ian¡¯s only response was a scowl as he continued to try and gauge their best plan of action.

    After another moment of the animals making no move to come closer, or to leave, Ian finally spoke again, ¡°First of all, get the baby back inside,slowly.¡± he stressed, ¡°Then let Jared know we¡¯ve got company, and both of you get out here with a gun, slowly.¡± he repeated as he continued to move his eyes between the animals which all stood stalk still at the trees¡¯ edge, doing nothing to attack, or leave, just staring, watching.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Kyle just scoffed slightly, ¡°Three of us and at least six of them?¡±

    ¡°Just go, Kyle, slowly.¡± he repeated once more with more force, even if no added volume.

    Kyle took a deep breath as he started to move ever so slowly back towards the door of the shack, holding the child tightly against him as his eyes also attempted to stay on their visitors. Just as he reached the door and was about to push it open as slowly as possible, the growls and snarls of the surrounding creatures became audible, as they all seemed to take a slight step closer, though still had yet to attack.

    ¡°Um¡­¡± Kyle began, stopping midway through reaching for the door.

    ¡°I told you, get her inside.¡± Ian returned more urgently, his grip tightening on the gun.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think they want me to.¡± Kyle argued weakly, still refusing to move.

    ¡°Kyle, get her inside!¡± he repeated, trying to keep his anger from raising his volume, ¡°Fuck, Kyle, if they attack and something happens to her¡­I swear¡­¡± Ian returned with his own growl.

    Ignoring Ian¡¯s request, Kyle took a deep, fearful breath, and moved from the door of the shack, to turn back to their still snarling companions, the child still held tightly against him. As he did this, the snarling seemed to stop again as the animals moved back to their previous positions.

    ¡°What in the¡­.¡± Ian breathed as his eyes once again darted between the animals with a large heaping of confusion added to his already tense demeanor.

    ¡°Like I said, I don¡¯t think they wanted me to take her.¡±

    ¡°In what universe does that even make sense?¡± Ian retorted, though the only emotion in his tone now was further confusion rather than anger.

    ¡°This one?¡± Kyle offered with a slight shrug as Ian scowled again with another shake of his head.

    Kyle then let out another long breath as he took a few steps back away from the door and approached the outer ring of the light the fire provided.

    ¡°What in the fuck are you doing?¡± Ian returned worriedly as Kyle carried the child closer to that forest line and the still silent animals stationed all along it.

    ¡°Call it a hunch.¡± Kyle stated softly as he took another step to the very edge of the light provided by the fire.

    ¡°If your hunch tells you to get any closer to them with her, I will shoot you myself.¡± Ian warned.

    Though just as Kyle reached the edge of the fire light and Ian had issued his threat, the surrounding animals sniffed the night time air and let out tiny little yelps in near unison before disappearing once again to the depths of the forest, nearly all at one time, as the baby in Kyle¡¯s arms simply cooed contently as they all moved away leaving the three of them in peace once more.

    Ian seemed even more shocked than Kyle at that moment, and both were quiet for a long moment, the only sound being the gentle cooing of the baby that Kyle held in slightly shaking arms. Finally, Ian managed to find his voice once more, ¡°What in the motherfucking hell just happened?¡± was the only response he could find.

    Kyle took a deep, shaky breath as he finally dared to move back into the ring of fire light as he tried to find his own words, ¡°I think¡­¡± he began as he swallowed slightly, as Ian moved forward to quickly take the child back into his own arms, ¡°I think they just wanted to see her.¡±

    ¡°Do you know how high you sound right now?¡± Ian complained as he hugged the child close to him once again.

    ¡°You saw it too, Ian.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what the hell I saw. I just know that what you said, that makes like no sense, whatsoever.¡± he argued, though weakly.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say it did. But hey, maybe you can worry about it in thirteen years, right?¡± Kyle stated softly and pointedly as he simply moved away, to return his attention to preparing the meal.

    Ian was more than a little caught by that comment, though he tried very hard not to show it as he shook his head and turned away hugging the child tightly to him once more as Kyle went about preparing their meal for the night. After a few deep breaths, and another quick scan of the woods Ian squared his shoulders and moved back toward the door of the shack on his own, refusing to even cast a glance Kyle¡¯s way as he did.

    Fortunately, Ian didn¡¯t get any disapproval from any hidden predators this time as he opened the door and moved to place the child back in the crib that rested a few feet inside. As he tucked her into the fur blanket, looking down at her with so many unspoken questions on his face, Jared poked his head out from the divider that closed off Lili¡¯s sleeping area from the others.

    ¡°Is that dinner I¡­¡± he began, though, he switched gears as he glanced over Ian¡¯s expression as he looked down at the child, ¡°You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡± Jared offered with a slight furrow of his brow as he approached the crib.

    ¡°Is that supposed to be funny?¡± Ian scoffed, barely turning his eyes to Jared before returning them to the baby.

    ¡°Um, no?¡± Jared asked with further wariness. Though, rather than answering, Ian just shook his head as he continued to watch as she closed those tiny ocean-colored eyes and seemed to drift off content as could be, despite how far he was from feeling that particular emotion, ¡°So, did you get her to eat any?¡± Jared managed as he realized that Ian wasn¡¯t planning on making any effort to continue the conversation on his own.

    ¡°Some. Then we got interrupted.¡± he added, though under his breath.

    ¡°Interrupted?¡± Jared asked as he gently moved a tiny lock of red from her forehead as she slipped off to dreamland.

    Ian swallowed slightly, then offered, ¡°A wolf, or coyote, or something. Probably attracted by the blood.¡±

    ¡°God, what happened?¡± Jared asked worriedly.

    ¡°Guess it got scared off¡­or something.¡± Ian added, though even more quietly. Though, Jared¡¯s only reaction to that comment was a look of continued skepticism, ¡°How¡¯s Lili?¡± Ian forced himself to switch gears before Jared pressed for any more details.

    Jared then let out his own soft sigh as he glanced back toward her sleeping quarters, ¡°Same. The bleeding hasn¡¯t started up again though, so I¡¯ll call that a plus.¡±

    Ian let out his own breath again before continuing, ¡°How long do you think it will be? You know, ¡¯til she wakes up?¡±

    Jared seemed to falter before managing an answer, ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know. She was in horrible pain, and then¡­¡± he simply shook his head, not even sure how to try and explain what their mysterious new friend had tried to explain to him previously, ¡°Then she lost so much blood. It¡¯s left her so weak, and she was already terribly weak before the labor even started¡­¡± Jared simply shook his head rather than continuing.

    ¡°But she was strong enough to give birth though, right? So that¡¯s gotta mean something.¡± Ian attempted an argument to make both of them feel better.

    Jared took another deep breath before returning an answer, ¡°She didn¡¯t, though.¡±

    ¡°Come again?¡± Ian asked with a raised eyebrow as he offered a pointed glance down at the child that slept before them.

    ¡°She didn¡¯t give birth. She wasn¡¯t strong enough to.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­.¡± Ian asked, looking quite perplexed by that statement.

    ¡°The baby, it¡­¡± Jared swallowed again as he cast one more glance over his shoulder, ¡°there was too much pain for her to deliver normally. The baby had to be taken out of her.¡±

    ¡°Taken?¡± Ian furrowed his brow.

    ¡°Cut out of her.¡± Jared clarified in a whisper, which caused Ian to let out his own shaky breath as he forced back any other reaction to the statement, ¡°I think I¡¯ll go check on Kyle, and dinner, if you wanna keep an eye on Lili for a few?¡±

    Ian took another breath as his eyes turned slightly downwards, ¡°Yeah, sure, I can do that.¡± he managed as Jared simply nodded and headed outside, the stress of the entire day definitely beginning to wear on him, as well.

    Ian took one more glance back down at the baby and squared his shoulders once more before heading back to where Lili still lay trying to recover from her ordeal. Jared had managed to clean the blood off of her and had gently lain a cover over her, but even that couldn¡¯t hide the fact that she was nearly as pale as a corpse, still. Ian swallowed again as he moved closer, finally remembering to breathe when he saw her chest rise beneath the cover as she continued with another labored breath of her own, shallow and weak though it was, as she remained unconscious while the hours continued to tick by into that strange night.

    He than moved to take a seat next to her, biting back more emotions as he brushed a red lock from her forehead. He then leaned in to give her a tiny kiss in its place and whispered softly against her ear, the stammer obvious in his voice, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lili¡­ So sorry I did this to you.¡±

 Chapter 59

    ¡°How¡¯s the ankle?¡± was Jared¡¯s greeting as he stepped outside just as Kyle was getting ready to cut out servings of that night¡¯s meal.

    Kyle glanced his way with a slight shrug before answering, ¡°It only hurts when I like walk, or stand.¡± he grumbled as he went about his task. Jared allowed his own slight nod as he took a seat without saying much else, ¡°Is she any better?¡± Kyle finally added.

    ¡°Pretty much the same. I have Ian keeping an eye on her while I get some air, and some dinner.¡± Jared added quietly, his eyes still cast downwards as Kyle handed him a plate.

    After a few bites, Kyle felt the need to speak up again, ¡°So, what were you talking about earlier?¡± he asked furtively, glancing back toward the door before turning his eyes back to await Jared¡¯s response.

    ¡°When?¡± the older teen asked, though still did not look up from the meal that he ate quite slowly, despite his hunger after spending the entire day tending to Lili rather than any of his own needs.

    ¡°You said we had to talk. Soon.¡± he added more quietly.

    Jared let out a heavy sigh before offering any further response, ¡°That should probably wait until all three of us are together.¡± was the only one he offered.

    Kyle just scoffed slightly, ¡°I don¡¯t think Ian is feeling particularly receptive right about now. Which is saying something, considering how receptive he was before.¡± he added with a tinge of sarcasm.

    Jared paused only a moment to think on that comment before adding, ¡°Still.¡±

    A few more moments passed as they continued their meal and Kyle found himself speaking up again, ¡°Is it about her?¡±

    ¡°Which her?¡± Jared asked with furrowed brow.

    An awkward smile before Kyle replied, ¡°Yeah, I guess there are two now, huh?¡±

    ¡°Well, like I said, there¡¯s no real change in Lili yet, so¡­¡± Jared began, then just allowed his own worried shrug rather than any words to end the sentence.

    ¡°And the other her?¡±

    ¡°Not much to tell there, either. She¡¯s a lot smaller than she should be, and it¡¯s difficult to get a lot of food into her right now, so¡­¡± he finished that sentence the same way as well, his own stress level seeming to even wear on his communication skills as well at that point, or possibly on his desire to communicate much at all.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t just mean physically.¡± Kyle dared, though lowered his volume slightly as he did.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared asked, finally returning Kyle¡¯s gaze after that comment.

    Kyle let out another sigh as he glanced at the door once again, ¡°I mean, do you think there¡¯s anything¡­.different¡­about her?¡± he finally settled on, his voice still kept to a whisper.

    ¡°Different?¡± was Jared¡¯s only response as he continued to look at Kyle expectantly rather than with any other reaction to the question.

    ¡°You know, like me and you¡­or him?¡± Kyle returned, glancing off toward the woods as he finished the sentence.

    Jared then looked down once more as he pondered any response he could offer, ¡°Well, she wasn¡¯t born on an e-ship.¡± another slight shrug, then more quietly, ¡°And I¡¯m pretty sure neither of her parents were, either.¡± he added as he cast a slight glance back toward the shack where, inside, Ian still kept his vigil on Lili.

    Kyle then looked down only a moment as well before replying, ¡°Well neither were either of mine, or yours, or our ghost¡¯s.¡± he couldn¡¯t help pointing out, which did cause a slightly shaky breath from Jared.

    ¡°Most of the time, that doesn¡¯t even start ¡¯til puberty.¡± was the only additional comment Jared allowed.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what Ian said too, but he didn¡¯t add the qualifier.¡± Kyle returned in the same furtive tone.

    ¡°Qualifier?¡±

    ¡°Most of the time.¡± Kyle replied pointedly, which did cause Jared to look down once more.

    ¡°So you brought this up to Ian, too?¡± he finally replied.

    ¡°Yeah, like I said, he wasn¡¯t exactly receptive.¡± Kyle added.

    Another sigh from Jared, ¡°Probably not. Everything about this day has gotta be too much for him, or any of us, right about now. I have a feeling it would be pretty hard for him to wrap his head around the idea that she could be so different from he or Lili. If it is true though¡­¡± Jared finally allowed himself to add, though at an even lower volume, ¡°Hopefully they deal with it better than my father did.¡±

    Kyle was then the one who turned his eyes downwards as well before speaking again, ¡°My parents didn¡¯t exactly deal well, either, and they only knew about my IQ, not the other¡­stuff.¡± he settled on. Though Jared said nothing more, and instead made an attempt at solemnly continuing with his meal. After a few more moments though, Kyle couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the events earlier that night, and had to continue, ¡°So, you believe it could be true, though.¡±

    Jared took another deep breath, ¡°I didn¡¯t say that.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t exactly seem like you were surprised when I mentioned it, though.¡± Kyle responded, watching Jared closely for any subconscious clues.

    Jared cast an apprehensive look back toward the shack before moving his eyes back to find that Kyle was watching him for any denial of the claim, though Jared¡¯s honest nature made it nearly impossible for him to lie, even if he felt that he should, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s possible. But I don¡¯t really think there¡¯s a lot we can do about that at this point, is there?¡±

    Kyle narrowed his eyes as he watched Jared closely to see if he would give away any more of his opinion on the matter. Though the older of the two seemed determined to be quite tight-lipped on the theory, even whilst not exactly denying it.

    ¡°I assume that means Ian didn¡¯t tell you about the wolves, or coyotes, or whatever they were.¡± Kyle finally dared.

    ¡°They?¡± Jared asked as he quickly looked up again.

    ¡°There was practically a whole pack, just watching us.¡± Kyle admitted.

    ¡°Watching?¡± Jared repeated a little hoarsely, the remains of his meal all but forgotten, ¡°He said there was one, and it got scared off.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly the way it went down.¡± Kyle answered, though with a tinge of guilt at outing Ian¡¯s version of the story.

    ¡°But no one was hurt?¡±

    ¡°Obviously not.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t even try to attack?¡± Jared pressed.

    ¡°Not what they seemed to be here for, despite the blood.¡± Kyle added more quietly.

    ¡°And you think it has something to do with¡­the baby?¡± Jared pressed further, his voice lower still.

    ¡°Do you?¡± Kyle asked warily. That was when Jared stood, beginning to pace slightly once he did. After a few more moments, Kyle spoke up again, ¡°Jared?¡±

    ¡°And you said that those goats,¡± he cast a glance at where the two were curled up together at the side of the shack, ¡°They just followed Lili home one day, and never left?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Kyle added, as he too looked at their pseudo-pets as though just remembering that day, himself, ¡°Lili begged me not to kill them once they followed her here. She said they helped her find food. That they wanted to help us¡­I thought it sounded crazy at first, but¡­¡± Kyle then shook his head again as he looked back at where Jared also seemed to be digesting the facts.

    ¡°And this was when me and Ian were gone. When Lili was pregnant?¡± Jared put in.

    ¡°You know that.¡± then Kyle allowed himself to continue, ¡°When she insisted they wanted to help, she told me to read their minds, to prove that she was right, and¡­¡± he shook his head once more, ¡°Then, tonight, Ian thought I was the crazy one, but that¡¯s how I knew.¡±

    ¡°Knew what?¡± Jared questioned, turning back to Kyle once again as he did.

    ¡°Knew that the dogs wouldn¡¯t hurt us. Knew that they just wanted to, to almost, like¡­¡±

    ¡°Like, what?¡± Jared pressed as Kyle¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°Like¡­welcome her.¡± Kyle managed, looking up quickly to see if Jared was looking at him like he was insane too, just as Ian had earlier that night, and just as he had originally looked at Lili on the day she brought their pets home.

    Kyle watched Jared for a long moment after he gave him such a strange explanation, but rather than looking at him like he was nuts, Jared simply continued to appear to be in deep thought as he pondered the facts before them.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure that you going all quiet on me like this is really making me feel better than if you just told me I was crazy.¡± Kyle finally put in after several more long moments.

    ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡± Jared attempted to find further words, ¡°It sounds like this stuff, with the animals, it sounds like it not only started before puberty with her, but, before birth, even?¡± Jared stated, almost to himself, then added, ¡°Which I guess would explain¡­¡± he then caught himself mid-sentence as he looked back at Kyle¡¯s expectant expression centered on him in the fire light.

    ¡°Explain what?¡± Kyle had to ask, his volume only raising slightly as he did.

    Jared took a deep breath, casting another glance toward the shack before moving closer to where Kyle still sat awaiting his explanation, ¡°I had another vision.¡±

    ¡°What? When?¡± Kyle asked anxiously.

    ¡°Months ago, and it, it was all pretty run of the mill and normal, as visions go, no big events like babies being born or ships crashing, or anything like that, at least not ¡¯til the end.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Kyle pressed impatiently.

    Jared took another breath as he took the seat next to Kyle, ¡°It was all of us, here, some sunny afternoon, nothing strange about anything. It was like three years from now, and¡­¡±

    ¡°Whoa, wait, what?¡± Kyle interrupted more loudly.

    ¡°What?¡± Jared responded.

    ¡°Did you just say three years from now?¡± Kyle exclaimed.

    That was when Jared looked down guiltily, having momentarily forgotten that Lili had been the only one who he had shared the time frame of the vision with previously, and that had been enough of a bombshell for her.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Jared whispered, his eyes turned downwards again, as his mind immediately moved to the other information about their current predicament, as shared by their new companion only earlier that very day.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying, that we¡¯re all gonna still be stuck living here, stranded here, like this, living out of this shack, not finding the ship at all, for at least another three years?¡± Kyle breathed the words with the slightest tinge of accusation to his voice.

    ¡°Kyle listen¡­¡±

    ¡°And you got this visionmonthsago?¡± he asked more loudly.

    ¡°Kyle¡­I¡­¡± Jared attempted, though even he was unsure of what words could make things better at that precise point in time.

    ¡°So, you knew that we weren¡¯t going to find anything out there? And you knew this,monthsago?¡± Kyle repeated as he stood exasperatedly, ¡°You knew this before I almost got killed out there? You knew this before Lili almost died¡­still could die¡­back here¡­just because you had to go out there, trying to save me, when I shouldn¡¯t have even fuckingbeenout there?¡± he asked with more volume, ¡°We could have all been back here, not getting bitten by who the hell knows what and almost dying, and we could have been back here, with her, when she had this baby? But you just decided it wasn¡¯t important enough to know?¡± he asked more loudly, his head shaking vehemently as he restated the facts.

    ¡°Kyle, you¡¯ve gotta understand. I thought¡­¡±

    ¡°Thought what? That it was ok to just stay back here hoping nothing happened to us while we just walked aimlessly, never finding a fucking thing, cause you actuallyknew, this whole time, that wewouldn¡¯tfind anything! But it was still ok to leave us out there risking our lives looking for it? Cause after all, you were back here, protecting Lili, so who the fuck cares what happens to the obsolete tech guy and the bodyguard? You were already with the only one you gave a shit about, after all. I¡¯m only the one who lied to get you back here to be with her, cause I must not have cared enough to have wanted her to be safe. I just went out there looking for some ship that crashed who the hell even knows where, to try and save her, and the ¡®bodyguard¡¯s¡¯ baby. After all, the two of us are expendable, aren¡¯t we? Is that what I¡¯m supposed to understand?¡±

    ¡°Kyle, it¡¯s not like that. I thought that¡­¡±

    ¡°You know what? I don¡¯t even wanna fuckin hear it, Jared.¡± Kyle stated simply and coolly before heading off toward the river, not bothering to look back again.

    Jared just hung his head in regret and let out a long breath, trying to fathom what he could possibly try to say to make anything better. Then there was the fact that Lili was still in a critical state, and who knew what would really happen with the child, or any abilities she might or might not continue to develop. And those hard realities were not even including the fact that he still had to find a way to share an even more dire revelation with his companions as well.

 Chapter 60

    ¡°Is it Lili?¡± was Jared¡¯s first reaction when Ian poked his head out of the doorway a moment after Kyle had headed off angrily toward the river.

    Ian narrowed his eyes slightly as he noted that Kyle was no longer outside with Jared, ¡°No, was just wondering what the racket was about out here.¡±

    Jared sighed slightly, not having time yet to figure a way to accurately try to explain himself to Kyle, let alone Ian, now, as well, ¡°Kyle¡¯s a little upset with me.¡± Jared attempted to begin as he stood.

    ¡°That¡¯s specific.¡± Ian returned, glancing over Jared skeptically.

    Then Jared took a long breath, ¡°I had a vision that I didn¡¯t get around to telling you guys about cause I was a little too worried about other things, and I just started to tell Kyle about it and he was a bit pissed that I didn¡¯t before. Stormed off toward the river before I could even try and explain.¡±

    Ian raised an eyebrow as he continued to watch Jared, ¡°Was anyone hurt or dead in it?¡±

    ¡°No, of course not.¡± Jared quickly answered.

    Then Ian sighed, ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just have to go get him. Who knows where tho---the wolf went.¡± he quickly corrected himself, which then caused Jared to return a bit of the skeptical look, having already been told that Ian was editing the night¡¯s events, himself, earlier.

    ¡°You mean you don¡¯t wanna hear about the vision too?¡± Jared forced himself to ask, though quietly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Kyle will tell me all about it.¡± Ian replied as he checked the gun at his side before heading off to follow after Kyle.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯m afraid of.¡± Jared mumbled, ¡°You only hearing his take on it before I can try to explain.¡±

    ¡°More important things, right now.¡± Ian returned with a slight nod back toward the shack as he moved away toward the river himself, leaving Jared to sigh worriedly once more before heading back inside to check on Lili again before they returned, and he would inevitably be forced to deal with both their angry reactions.

    <hr>

    After a few minutes, Ian located Kyle sitting a ways down the river bank and managed to stealthily approach and easily snatch the knife Kyle was holding in his hands, causing the younger boy to jump a bit at the interruption. Though Ian didn¡¯t offer any words, he just took a seat next to Kyle after having slid the knife onto his own belt instead.

    ¡°That¡¯s mine.¡± Kyle argued weakly as Ian took that seat next to him at the river¡¯s edge that night.

    ¡°And who gave it to you in the first place? I figured you¡¯d remember that day. You jumped pretty quick.¡±

    ¡°Give it back.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Cause it¡¯s mine.¡± was Kyle¡¯s only response.

    ¡°We covered the technical aspect of whose knife it actually is in the last sentence, didn¡¯t we?¡± Ian returned smartly.

    ¡°So now you want it back all the sudden?¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°I¡¯ll give it back to you, eventually.¡±

    ¡°And when¡¯s eventually?¡± Kyle complained in annoyance.

    ¡°When you¡¯re not havin some pissy fit.¡± Ian returned as he skimmed a stone across the water, his tone remaining calm as he spoke.

    ¡°So, you just took it off of me cause you¡¯re afraid of what I might¡¯ve been doing out here then?¡± Kyle scowled.

    ¡°Sitting out here in the dark alone, all pissed off, holding a knife. I wonder why I¡¯d think that?¡± Ian returned with a subdued sarcasm.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯d be pissed too if you just had the conversation I did.¡± Kyle retorted.

    ¡°Maybe, but I wouldn¡¯t be doing that.¡± Ian just shook his head, then continued, ¡°Besides, hasn¡¯t enough blood been shed for one fucking day?¡± he added more quietly as he tossed the next stone with more force, causing it to sink rather than skip across the water¡¯s surface as the last had. Kyle just let out his own sigh as he shook his head. Ian then moved on, ¡°You¡¯re slipping. Figured the mind reader would have known I was behind him and about to take away his little knife.¡± he added smartly.

    Kyle just shook his head at the comment, ¡°I never tune into you. I never have to. You always say whatever the fuck is on your mind, all the time, anyway.¡± Kyle pointed out.

    ¡°True.¡± Ian smirked, then added, ¡°I¡¯m refreshing, aren¡¯t I?¡± he then looked back over at Kyle another moment, ¡°Now you can pick and choose who you tune in to?¡± he asked with raised brow.

    ¡°I am almost eighteen.¡± Kyle mumbled, then continued, ¡°Besides, I had to pick and choose on the ship, where there were only nineteen people out of sixty-thousand who I couldn¡¯t read if they didn¡¯t want me to. If I didn¡¯t filter, I would¡¯ve gone nuts.¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°Would¡¯ve?¡± Ian scoffed playfully.

    ¡°Shut up.¡± Kyle returned with a slight roll of his eyes, ¡°Besides, don¡¯t you wanna know why I¡¯m so pissed off tonight?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll tell me.¡± Ian mumbled as he skipped another stone.

    Kyle just shook his head, ¡°Jared had another fucking vision, months ago.¡±

    Ian waited only a moment, then shook his head, ¡°So, you gonna finish the sentence, or¡­?¡±

    Kyle scoffed again, ¡°In his vision we were still stuck here, living by this fucking river, no ship to be found.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± Ian returned, still not sounding all that moved by anything Kyle had said thus far.

    Another shake of his head before Kyle clarified the reason for his upset, ¡°And Jared said this vision was three years from now. Three years!¡± he repeated more forcefully, ¡°Months ago, he had a vision that we still hadn¡¯t found the ship after three more years here, but he just let us keep looking, this whole time? It¡¯s pretty easy to see why I was having a ¡®pissy fit,¡¯ as you call it, now, isn¡¯t it?¡± he added angrily.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Ian was quiet for several long moments as he continued silently staring out at the gently flowing river, not adding his own thoughts just then, which of course irked Kyle. The younger of them just shook his head at Ian¡¯s silence and waited another moment for some response on the part of the older man.

    ¡°Yes, everyone was ok, including the baby.¡± Kyle answered quietly a moment later, which caused Ian to finally glance back at him.

    ¡°Thought you didn¡¯t tune in to me?¡± was Ian¡¯s only reaction.

    ¡°Well, when you get all quiet, I guess I have a reason to. It¡¯s just never happened before.¡± Kyle added in a mumble, ¡°And you¡¯re upset too, so why the quiet?¡±

    Ian sighed softly, ¡°How is raging on about it gonna change anything?¡± was his only explanation.

    Kyle was a bit caught by that response as he took a moment to find his own, ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry, I thought I was talking to Ian. Do you know where I might find him?¡± he retorted smartly.

    Ian just shook his head as he looked down, ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a reason he didn¡¯t tell us about it. Did he say what else was going on in the vision?¡±

    ¡°So, the king of react first, question later, is actually arguing on the side of ¡®there must be a reason?¡¯¡± Kyle just shook his head again, ¡°Apparently there are aliens here, cause I think you¡¯ve been body-snatched.¡±

    Ian just continued to shake his head before moving on, ¡°So, he didn¡¯t tell you anything else about the vision?¡±

    ¡°So sorry, I got stuck on the three years part and had to walk away before I punched him.¡±

    Ian then raised an eyebrow, ¡°Sounds like my usual reaction. You¡¯ve apparently spent too much time with me.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡± Kyle added, then shook his head again, ¡°Which is why I thought that you would have some reaction beyond assuming there must be a good reason for him to have left us out there, away from Lili, for months on end, risking our lives, and not even bothering to tell us that every bit of it was all in vain!¡± Kyle added more forcefully.

    ¡°So the tech guy wanted to punch him before letting him finish, and the soldier wants to hear the rest of the story?¡± Ian shook his head, ¡°Maybe we¡¯ve both been body-snatched.¡±

    Kyle just sighed heavily again, ¡°Seriously, what good reason could he have had to have left us out there risking our lives all this time?¡±

    ¡°I never said there was agoodreason.¡± Ian denied, though quietly, ¡°But if he thought that we needed to be out there still, for some reason¡­then I just don¡¯t know.¡± Ian just shook his head again, ¡°But nothing we do now will change the last five months anyway.¡± a slight shrug, ¡°So maybe we need to hear about the rest of this vision and go from there. Didn¡¯t you say he started to tell you about it before you took off?¡±

    Kyle scoffed again, ¡°So, you¡¯re ok with this?¡±

    ¡°When did I say I was ok with it?¡± Ian denied as he stood, ¡°I just said that there¡¯s nothing we can do about it now. Past is over and done, now we gotta worry about present and future, even more so now. So, with that in mind, I think we need to hear about the rest of the vision, don¡¯t you?¡± he returned, gesturing for Kyle to rise as well.

    Kyle sighed again as he rose, ¡°I didn¡¯t figure that you¡¯d wanna hear it, anyway.¡±

    That was when Ian looked back from where he had started to move back toward the shack, ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I wanna hear it?¡±

    Kyle sighed again, ¡°Cause, the reason he started telling me about the vision at all is cause we were talking about¡­it apparently has something to do with¡­¡± another sigh, ¡°With the shit that went down tonight, with the wolves.¡±

    That caught Ian as he narrowed his eyes, ¡°You told him about the wolves?¡±

    ¡°Well, you obviously didn¡¯t wanna hear it.¡± Kyle mumbled, which caused Ian to glare back at him.

    Ian let out an angry scoff before responding, ¡°So, does Jared share your little theory about the baby having some crazy ability, too?¡±

    ¡°Now you do wanna hear it?¡± Kyle returned sarcastically.

    ¡°You know, I am feeling that urge to punch someone after all.¡± Ian told him angrily, ¡°Answer me.¡±

    Kyle then gave in and replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t come out and say that that¡¯s what he thought, but he did say that what happened with the wolves tonight, and with the goats before, that it could explain some part of his vision that he saw of three years from now.¡±

    ¡°What part?¡± Ian prodded.

    ¡°He didn¡¯t get around to explaining that bit of the vision, before¡­¡±

    ¡°Before you stormed off?¡± Ian finished for him.

    ¡°I was pissed.¡± Kyle defended, though weakly.

    ¡°Yeah, I know that feeling.¡± Ian grumbled as he turned on his heel to once again head back to their camp, Kyle following quietly behind, but adding nothing more right then.

    When they did arrive back at camp, Jared was once again back inside keeping his bedside vigil over Lili. Kyle was still silent as he followed Ian inside, where he checked on the still sleeping child and then took a breath before heading back toward Lili¡¯s sleeping quarters, Kyle slowly trailing him.

    Jared looked up at their arrival, his unease obvious, as he knew that neither of them were very happy with him at that point in time.

    ¡°So, plan on telling us about the rest of this vision, now?¡± Ian spoke up first, causing another sigh from Jared as the two took seats in the faint light of the battery-operated lamps that lit the interior of the shack.

    ¡°The rest?¡± Jared repeated nervously.

    ¡°Yeah, Kyle got to the three years and we¡¯re still fucked portion of the story. Then what happens?¡± Ian pressed, though his voice remained even.

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t greet me with your fist? Seemed like Kyle wanted to.¡± Jared added, glancing sideways at the youngest of them.

    ¡°Still do.¡± Kyle returned smartly.

    ¡°Well, you said you wanted to explain yourself, so explain.¡± Ian stated plainly.

    ¡°Believe me, I struggled with whether or not to tell you guys. I eventually came to the conclusion that if the ship really was far, far away, that maybe we did have to keep looking, even if it meant looking, for a really long time, if we were actually meant to eventually find it. And, I figured that at least if you guys were out there looking still, mapping everything we could, then maybe, just maybe there was some chance that we would find something, anything else that could help us out in any way. Be it people, or any other resources of any kind. That¡¯s why I let you guys keep looking. I was honestly hoping that there would be something, anything, out there that could provide us with some kind of hope. It wasn¡¯t that I thought you were ¡®expendable.¡¯¡± he repeated Kyle¡¯s earlier accusation, ¡°I was honestly hoping that there was something out there, even if not the ship.¡± he added, though his tone was more sad now than even nervous at this point.

    The other two just shook their heads before Ian glanced at Kyle, ¡°Like I said, it didn¡¯t necessarily have to be agoodreason.¡± though that comment only caused a slight scowl from Jared before Ian returned his attention to him, ¡°So, what about the rest of the vision? The part Kyle didn¡¯t stick around to hear?¡±

    Jared sighed again as he looked back at where Lili still remained unconscious, ¡°After Kyle told me about the wolves tonight, and after how we ended up with the goats out there, it made me re-think the part of the vision that didn¡¯t really seem to make any sense whatsoever, before.¡±

    ¡°What part?¡± Kyle prodded, though his tone was still hardened due to Jared¡¯s earlier words.

    Jared sighed as he looked warily at Ian, ¡°In it, all was normal at the beginning. She was like three years old and outside playing as we got lunch ready. She wasn¡¯t far off from camp, or any of us, maybe like twenty feet at the most, and suddenly, this huge cat showed up. Just came out of the woods. We were all terrified, to put it mildly¡­¡± Jared paused as the other two waited expectantly for him to finish, ¡°Then the cat, it just stopped, it looked at all of us, like it was trying to size us up. Ian of course, you were about to go for your gun, but she¡­she walked right up to this cat. Terrified us all, obviously, but it just let her walk up to it. It didn¡¯t make any move to hurt her, or any of us. As a matter of fact, it actually let out what almost sounded like a purr as she reached for it. She literally wrapped her arms around the cat¡¯s neck like it was a big teddy bear or something.¡± Jared just shook his head at how ridiculous it even sounded, ¡°I think we almost all had heart failure when she got near that cat before we could reach her or you could risk shooting at it. But it licked her face and laid down on the ground, almost like it knew her, like it always had. There was nothing but trust between that little girl and this huge, otherwise ferocious beast. It was insane. But, that¡¯s¡­that¡¯s what I saw.¡± Jared shrugged with a sigh, shaking his own head as he recounted the unbelievable story of his vision.

    There were a few moments of silence as Ian looked down, wordlessly, Jared watching him closely for his reaction to the account, though it was Kyle who spoke up first, ¡°Then what happened?¡±

    Though before Jared could offer any answer, another voice interrupted, weak though it was, ¡°Guys?¡± Lili breathed the simple greeting as she finally opened her eyes to find that all three of them were there at her side once again, at last.

 Chapter 61

    All three of them immediately turned their eyes back toward Lili, each breathing her name with some combination of shock and relief. Lili took another weak breath as she laid beneath the light cover, her eyes moving between them all with her own mix of shock as well as the remaining pain from her last twenty-four hours still evident in those turquoise eyes.

    She then attempted to speak up again, though her voice was still nearly a whisper, ¡°I thought I died.¡± she then moved her eyes back to Kyle for a moment, ¡°I thought you were gonna die.¡± then she moved them to Jared, ¡°And you, I couldn¡¯t find you, and then¡­¡± she just closed her eyes against obvious tears as she tried to gain the strength to continue.

    Though, it was Jared who managed to find words first, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I went to help Kyle, and then,¡± he took a breath, ¡°that¡¯s when I think it started. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± he whispered as he moved in to place a tiny kiss upon her forehead, ¡°But how are you? Is there still a lot of pain?¡±

    ¡°Yes, there¡¯s pain, but I¡¯ve had worse.¡± she answered weakly, then moved on, ¡°But how¡­how are you all here? How long has it been?¡± she pressed, despite her own aforementioned pain.

    ¡°It all started just last night. But that¡¯s a story for when you¡¯re feeling better. Let me get you something for that pain.¡± Jared told her softly as the other two moved closer to gently touch her arm, though neither had yet to find any of their own words.

    ¡°Last night? But how?¡± she continued as Jared moved to the side to find a moderately strong painkiller, but one that wouldn¡¯t put her back to sleep again, while still helping with her continued discomfort.

    ¡°I think you need to recover before we can even try to explain everything.¡± Ian whispered gently, giving her hand the gentlest squeeze.

    ¡°Everything? Everything like what? If I¡¯ve only been out of it for one day, and you all are still here, somehow¡­¡± she couldn¡¯t help repeating that unbelievable fact again.

    ¡°Just relax Lili. We¡¯re all ok. You need to stay calm in order to finish recovering. We can explain everything. But first, let¡¯s get you all better.¡± Jared told her softly as he gave her another tiny injection.

    ¡°Well, we cantryto explain, anyway.¡± Kyle had to correct Jared¡¯s former statement, ¡°It¡¯s all pretty¡­¡± he just shook his head, only causing Lili to look worriedly over at him after the small flinch caused by the shot.

    ¡°Kyle, please.¡± Jared scolded him, though gently.

    ¡°Yes, Kyle, please. I don¡¯t understand any of this. How are you all here? How are you ok? Oh my god how is the¡­¡± she added with a moment of panic as she attempted to push herself up to her elbows, and immediately was reminded that she was still in quite a bit of pain.

    ¡°Lili, please. You just had surgery, too. You have to be careful when trying to move much.¡± Jared warned her worriedly.

    ¡°And she¡¯s ok.¡± Ian had to interrupt, answering her unfinished question.

    ¡°She?¡± Lili repeated as her eyes turned quickly back to him, almost seeming to choke on the word as she spoke it.

    ¡°Your daughter.¡± Ian offered a weak smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­a girl?¡± Lili breathed in response, her eyes immediately dropping.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Jared managed, ¡°She¡¯s very small, but she¡¯s ok, so far.¡±

    ¡°So far?¡± Lili asked, her eyes turning back.

    ¡°She needs to eat more. Just like you. You have been out of it for a whole day.¡± Jared added softly.

    ¡°Do you want me to bring her in here?¡± Ian asked.

    ¡°She is asleep.¡± Jared reminded.

    ¡°Yeah, and so was Lili, until just a minute ago.¡± Ian returned.

    ¡°It¡¯s ok.¡± Lili interrupted, ¡°We should just let her sleep then, I guess.¡± she swallowed, her eyes still downwards.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ian asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s ok.¡± Lili repeated again, ¡°And I feel too weak to even try and eat anything right now, anyway.¡± she informed, quickly moving the conversation back to Jared¡¯s previous statement.

    ¡°You should at least try. You desperately need to build your strength back up.¡± Jared prodded, though gently.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I even could eat, right now.¡± Lili shook her head, ¡°Now please, will someone explain to me how you all were gone, and now you¡¯re all here? Cause right now, I¡¯m still having trouble believing this is reality and I¡¯m not still asleep¡­or worse.¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°Reality is pretty subjective anymore.¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help inserting.

    Jared just sighed slightly as the comment only seemed to worry Lili more, ¡°Remember how you and I were talking about the possibility of someone else being here?¡± he gave in and began, only causing Lili to narrow her eyes further, ¡°Well, he is. He¡¯s from an e-ship, like us, which means, he has abilities, like us, and one of them is apparently teleportation.¡± Jared took a deep breath as Lili¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°And that¡¯s how we got here.¡±

    ¡°Wh--what?¡± she breathed, Ian simply shaking his head at Jared¡¯s point-blank delivery of such unbelievable facts, despite his obvious reason of trying to rush Lili past her confusion so he could get back to looking after her continued physical recovery.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°That¡¯s how come we never really saw him.¡± Jared attempted, ¡°He can blink in and out of reality at any moment. It¡¯s insane.¡± he shook his own head, ¡°But he has been following us, like we suspected, and that¡¯s how he knew Kyle was hurt, and he came and got me to try and help Kyle.¡±

    ¡°Wait, when did we suspect that he was following us?¡± Ian interrupted more loudly.

    Jared then sighed again, ¡°It was a theory, that I had no proof of.¡±

    ¡°Anything else you¡¯re not sharing?¡± Ian had to ask, ¡°That seems to be the running theme tonight.¡± he added, which only caused Jared to quickly look down, which in turn, caused both Ian and Kyle to center suspicious looks on him.

    ¡°Please guys, can we just get Lili better before we try to dissect every theory I¡¯ve ever had but could never be sure of, hence my not sharing each and every one of them until I knew there was actually a reason to?¡± he pleaded with a shake of his own head.

    ¡°He can teleport?¡± Lili was the one who interrupted then, her own shocked expression not faltering, despite their interactions.

    Jared sighed again, ¡°Yes. And he can take people with him.¡± another breath, ¡°So he brought me to Kyle to help him when he got bitten. Then he brought us all back here to be with you again after realizing that you had gone into labor.¡±

    ¡°Wait, how did he know that I went into labor?¡± Lili asked worriedly.

    ¡°Apparently he was keeping an eye on Ian and Kyle, as well as me and you.¡± Jared offered with only a slight shrug, ¡°It only takes him seconds to get from one place to another, so¡­¡± another shrug.

    ¡°And he helped you save Kyle?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and then he brought me back here to save you. I only wish it had been sooner.¡±

    ¡°But he¡­he was here before you, with me?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°He is the one who came and got me.¡± Jared informed.

    ¡°But he was here before you?¡± she asked for that clarification once more.

    ¡°Yeah. He was.¡± Jared replied, his unease obvious when trying to determine what exactly Lili could remember about the birth, as the details their ghost had shared with Jared, himself, were just one of the unbelievable revelations he had made, that Jared still had yet to find a way to share with any of his companions at that point.

    Though, Lili was silent for a long moment before continuing, ¡°I¡¯m so confused. I literally thought I had died.¡± she shook her head, causing them to take a breath, especially when Jared and Kyle were so easily reminded, by her words, of the dire thought that Kyle had stolen from her and shared with Jared all those months ago.

    ¡°No, you¡¯re not dead.¡± Jared assured, then added, ¡°Remember, none of us are going to be dead any time soon. I promised, remember?¡± he whispered as he gently touched her hair.

    That was when Lili swallowed hard again, ¡°Did you tell them then, finally, about your vision?¡±

    That caused Jared to take a deep breath as Ian and Kyle looked quickly back at her, ¡°Which vision?¡± Ian had to ask slowly.

    Lili then took a breath, ¡°He had another vision, it took place in the future. That¡¯s how he knows we¡¯ll all still be alive.¡± she managed.

    ¡°Is this a different vision, than the one we were just talking about?¡± Ian asked slowly and warily.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s the same one.¡± Jared offered, though quietly.

    ¡°And did you also tell Lili when exactly it took place?¡± Ian continued. That was when Lili looked quickly down again, ¡°I guess that¡¯s a yes?¡± Ian added, quickly catching her reaction.

    ¡°I tried to get him to tell you, back when he first told me.¡± Lili offered, though with her own touch of guilt.

    Ian and Kyle scoffed almost simultaneously as both moved to stand, ¡°Tried? Well, that¡¯s nice.¡± Ian added coolly.

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Lili began.

    ¡°Did he tell you about the other part, too? Did you know about that, also?¡± Ian returned with a shake of his head.

    ¡°What other part?¡± Lili asked shakily as she quickly looked back at Jared.

    ¡°No, I didn¡¯t tell anyone about the other part, cause it didn¡¯t make sense, until tonight. And that¡¯s when I did tell you guys: Both of you.¡± Jared defended, ¡°It was before you woke up though.¡± he added to Lili more gently.

    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m just so fucking sick of all these secrets and half-truths.¡± Ian stated with more disappointment than even anger at that point as he left her sleeping area without any more words.

    ¡°Yeah, what he said.¡± Kyle added in his own slight mumble as he followed after Ian.

    Jared took a deep breath of his own as he turned back to where Lili¡¯s eyes were still glued to him, and had to make some comment to alleviate the tension, ¡°Still happy we¡¯re all back together again?¡± he attempted lightness, but Lili was not swayed from her own questioning stare.

    Lili then took another shaky breath before she had to speak up, ¡°What other part?¡±

    <hr>

    After warily recounting the vision to Lili as well, he was only met with a nearly deafening, shocked silence from her. Jared finally could no longer ignore his own mental exhaustion of the last twenty-four hours and interrupted her continued silence as she now sat propped against several balled up blankets atop her bedding, staring wordlessly at the floor.

    ¡°Do you want to try and eat something now?¡± Jared asked quietly. Lili just scoffed, her reaction to the story of the vision still obvious, ¡°You really should try and eat. But, if that¡¯s a no¡­¡± he attempted to prod her into speaking up before he moved on, ¡°Then will you be ok if I try and get an hour¡¯s sleep or so? I haven¡¯t really done that for a couple days.¡± he offered more quietly.

    ¡°Go ahead.¡± was her mumbled response as she continued her unwavering appraisal of the wooden floor beneath them.

    Jared simply sighed and left her sleeping area quietly, to return to his own, which, like Ian¡¯s and Kyle¡¯s, had remained unused for the last five months of her pregnancy, wherein he had slept at her side, ever vigilant of her condition.

    When he moved past the main part of the shack to return to his own previously abandoned sleeping quarters, Ian was stationed at the crib once more, quietly staring down at the sleeping child, only to glance up at last as Jared moved toward the blanket draped over the doorway to his own ¡®room¡¯ of sorts.

    ¡°She pissed at you now too?¡± Ian greeted him somberly.

    ¡°That seems to be the running theme tonight.¡± Jared returned, though his own voice was barely above a whisper. He then added, ¡°She did want me to tell you guys about the three year thing, as soon as I finally told her about it. I talked her out of it though. Like I said, I was hoping you would find something out there.¡± Jared repeated apologetically.

    ¡°Whatever.¡± Ian mumbled, then added, at the same volume, ¡°Not even thinking about that right now.¡±

    Jared allowed his own deep breath before speaking, ¡°You still thinking about the rest of the vision? With the cat?¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Not just that.¡± Ian surprisingly answered.

    ¡°Then what?¡± Jared asked, despite his own increasing need to get some kind of rest.

    ¡°She never even wanted to see her. Is that not weird for a brand new mom, honestly?¡± Ian asked, more than a bit of worry peeking out from behind his tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Jared attempted, ¡°I mean, she still has a lot of painkillers and everything in her system, and¡­¡± he just shook his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s so much that she didn¡¯t wanna see the baby as it is that she¡¯s just in so much shock right now, after everything, and¡­¡± Jared just let his voice trail off as he looked downwards.

    Ian sighed heavily as he looked down at the baby once again, seeming to choke back his emotions once more, ¡°I hope like hell that that¡¯s not the real case, cause I¡­¡± another shaky breath, ¡°Cause I can¡¯t handle this on my own¡­.whatever ¡®this¡¯ even is.¡±

 Chapter 62

    It wasn¡¯t too long after Jared retired to his own sleeping quarters before Ian then arrived back in Lili¡¯s. She looked up at his arrival, slightly startled, but said nothing as he offered a slight nod and handed her a plate with a portion of their night¡¯s dinner on it.

    ¡°It¡¯s fish, again.¡± Ian spoke, though quietly as she slowly took the plate, though didn¡¯t really look up at him as he offered it.

    ¡°I thought you were pissed off at me, too.¡± Lili finally managed, though still didn¡¯t meet his eyes as she spoke hoarsely.

    ¡°Not a lot of people I can spend time with any more. I gotta pick and choose who I stay angry at, and for how long.¡± he answered gently as he took a seat near where she continued to stare down at the plate.

    ¡°I did want him to tell you. I just¡­¡± she simply shook her head.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not even worry about all that right now. Remember, you gotta eat. You have a little girl to provide for now. And you gotta get stronger before you can do that.¡± Ian pointed out to her, trying not to notice her slight flinch at his words.

    Lili continued to shake her head down at where she let the plate rest atop her lap, the light blanket still wrapped around her as she remained leaning back upon the bunched up blankets against the wall of the shack, ¡°I honestly did think I was dead.¡± she whispered.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re not.¡± he assured with a small smile, curbing the urge to reach out to place an arm around her, or even offer a slight touch upon her cheek.

    ¡°But it felt like I was.¡± Lili denied, though weakly, ¡°It felt like I was no longer trapped in my body, in all of that horrible pain, anymore. I thought it was finally over.¡± she added with a slight sniffle.

    ¡°Lili¡­¡± Ian began as he tried in vain to get her to look back up at him before he had to continue, ¡°You¡¯re scaring me a little, Lili.¡± he managed.

    ¡°You? Scared? Didn¡¯t think that was possible.¡± she added with a slight scoff as well as another sniffle.

    ¡°It¡¯s very possible, when you sound like¡­¡± he took a breath, ¡°almost like you wanted it to be over.¡±

    ¡°Of course I wanted the pain to be over.¡± she returned quietly.

    ¡°But you sound like¡­like you wanted everything to be over.¡± he dared, still trying desperately to get her to meet his eyes.

    Lili took another shaky breath as she finally allowed the slightest sideways glance toward him, ¡°I suppose I can continue to pretend that¡¯s not the case, if it¡¯ll keep you all from looking at me like you are right now.¡±

    That was when Ian dropped his eyes, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lili, but how am I supposed to look when you basically tell me that you wish it was all over?¡±

    ¡°Wish what was all over? Seriously, what is it that we even have here that is even worth waking up to at all, day after day? What? I mean, name one reason I have to not want this all to be over. Can you, really?¡± she pleaded as the tears welled up.

    That was when Ian couldn¡¯t stifle the slight gasp as he looked up at her again, ¡°Lili, I know just about everything about being stuck here sucks, but¡­¡± he shook his head, ¡°But, you¡¯re a mother now. Shouldn¡¯t that be the reason you have to go on?¡± he asked, mirroring a bit of her pleading tone in his own right then.

    Lili just shook her head as she too looked down, ¡°And becoming a mother is what almost killed me. So sorry if it¡¯s not exactly the most joyous day of my life.¡± she whispered as she choked back more tears.

    Ian remained in shocked silence for several moments before he could find any words at all, all things considered, ¡°Is that why you didn¡¯t even wanna see her?¡±

    Lili swallowed hard again before finding her voice once more, ¡°I just, I don¡¯t know how to deal with any of this. I can barely stand being here from one second to the next, on any given day, and now¡­I have a child who I¡¯ve sentenced to this life? How am I supposed to ever make that ok for her, when I can¡¯t even fathom it ever being ok for any of us?¡±

    ¡°So, you won¡¯t even try?¡± Ian returned in his own hoarse whisper.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to, Ian.¡± Lili admitted, finally unable to hold back the sob she had been trying to stifle for the entire conversation.

    ¡°Well, giving up definitely isn¡¯t the way. I know that much, for sure.¡± he stated plainly as he forced himself back to his feet and left the room once more.

    <hr>

    The next morning when Jared awoke and headed outside, he once again found Ian trying to get some more milk into the child¡¯s system as Kyle went about getting breakfast ready. When he returned from relieving himself, he looked between the two males, who didn¡¯t do much in the way of acknowledging his presence, still.

    Jared took a breath as he attempted to be the one to establish communication, since neither of them seemed very keen to do so, ¡°Anyone check on Lili yet?¡±

    ¡°Not since last night.¡± Ian mumbled as he continued his attempt at feeding the baby.

    ¡°I looked in on her, for a moment. She¡¯s sleeping.¡± Kyle stated flatly as he continued to work on breakfast without bothering to glance up as he spoke.

    ¡°So, did she see her last night, after I went to bed?¡± Jared posed the question to Ian, nodding toward the child as he spoke.

    ¡°Nope.¡± Ian answered, the bitterness obvious in his tone.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Did Lili at least eat?¡± Jared asked warily, as Kyle only glanced up briefly at the sound of Ian¡¯s obvious upset.

    ¡°Not that I know of.¡± Ian returned in the same tone, still not looking up from the child, ¡°Doubt she will see her, or bother with eating, either, any time soon.¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared asked, Kyle¡¯s attention garnered by that statement as well.

    ¡°Lili isn¡¯t really interested in seeing the baby. Or in just about anything else right now.¡± Ian stated, barely audibly.

    That was when Jared and Kyle both adopted slightly confused looks as they waited for Ian to offer any sort of elaboration, which he did not. Jared then spoke instead, after another moment, ¡°Did she actually say any of that?¡±

    ¡°Would you really be surprised if she had?¡± Ian scoffed.

    Jared just shook his head, ¡°So, she didn¡¯t though, actually say anything like that?¡± Jared repeated.

    ¡°No, just that she wished she had died and that she had no reason to go on. Is that close enough for you?¡± Ian retorted, his upset more than obvious in his voice at that point.

    ¡°That¡¯s what she said?¡± Jared breathed the words more than spoke them, Kyle also standing and moving closer as the conversation continued.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been with her all this time. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so shocked by her current state.¡± Ian returned coolly.

    ¡°I was hoping that once she got through the birth¡­¡± Jared just shook his head as he glanced back at the shack, ¡°But if she still feels that way, then this, this is something different.¡± he added, though more to himself.

    ¡°I mean, she¡¯s got good points. Being stuck here does suck. And it¡¯s horrible that this little girl will never know any life but this one.¡± Ian agreed as he forced his own composure, ¡°But I thought that¡­hoped that¡­that she would at least try, for her sake.¡± he added in a whisper as he looked back down at the child in his arms.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if she can.¡± Jared admitted in his own whisper, sill looking back at the shack.

    ¡°What?¡± Ian retorted as he looked up at Jared, ¡°What kind of bullshit response is that?¡±

    Jared then sighed deeply as he cast his eyes downwards, ¡°I was worried about this, because of how horribly depressed, and hopeless Lili had been feeling, for months.¡± he swallowed slightly, ¡°Like I said, I was hoping it was possibly just the hormones and everything because of the pregnancy, but, if she still feels this way. And it¡¯s not just a passing mood. This could be something very different indeed.¡± he added as he took another shaky breath, eyes still downward.

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± Ian retorted.

    ¡°It means that we can¡¯t let ourselves be angry at her for feeling the way she¡¯s feeling right now. It means that she honestly can¡¯t help it, and she¡¯s going to need all of us to be there for her, cause if we¡¯re not¡­then it won¡¯t go away. It¡¯ll only get worse, for both her, and the baby.¡± Jared warned as he took another breath and headed inside once more.

    Ian just scoffed as Jared disappeared behind the door, ¡°Did he just say that I¡¯m supposed to be ok with the fact that Lili wishes she was dead, and the fact that she doesn¡¯t even wanna come near our daughter?¡± he asked as he looked back at where Kyle had been worriedly listening to the conversation as well.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯sexactlywhat he was saying.¡± Kyle attempted an answer, though sadly.

    ¡°Well, then enlighten me, cause I must¡¯ve missed part of the conversation.¡± Ian replied, his upset obvious.

    ¡°He said that she couldn¡¯t help it.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Ian scoffed loudly.

    ¡°Just like I can¡¯t help the cutting.¡± Kyle replied softly, his own eyes cast downwards, ¡°I don¡¯t wanna feel the way I feel when I do it¡­but I can¡¯t stop feeling that way. Just like Lili can¡¯t stop feeling the way she¡¯s feeling right now, no matter how much she might want to.¡± Kyle allowed a heavy sigh, ¡°So, if you get angry at her for it, it will only make it worse. Much worse.¡± he added as he turned away once more.

    Ian just shook his head as he watched as Kyle attempted to distract himself with the meal once again, ¡°Well, I can¡¯t exactly be happy about it!¡± Ian denied as he shook his own head down at where the baby still fussed in his arms.

    ¡°Being happy about it is hardly the answer, either.¡± Kyle returned, though didn¡¯t look back toward Ian as he did.

    ¡°Then what the fuck is the answer?¡± Ian asked, his voice almost pleading once more.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think even my IQ can come up with that one.¡± Kyle admitted sadly.

    Ian scoffed again as he looked over at Kyle in disbelief, ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    That was when Kyle looked back toward the older man once again, ¡°You honestly think I know how to make this all better? How could I?¡± Kyle replied with his own sadness.

    ¡°Funny, seems to me like you are the only one who could know what Lili really needs, for sure. Now aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Kyle looked up quickly at that statement, ¡°What?¡± was all he managed, ¡°What is that supposed to mean, exactly?¡±

    Ian scoffed again, ¡°You tell me what I mean. After all, that¡¯s what you do, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ian pointed out bluntly.

    Kyle shook his head as he stood once more, ¡°You¡¯re asking me to read her mind? You¡¯re actually asking me to do that, invade her head like that, when she already feels so¡­You want me to do that?¡±

    ¡°Well, I sure as hell don¡¯t know what I can do to help her. And Jared, he doesn¡¯t really, either, unless some vision gives him the answer, and who knows when and if that¡¯ll even be. So, that just leaves you, now doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Kyle shook his head once again, ¡°And if I wasn¡¯t here, then how would you try to fix this?¡±

    ¡°Well, you are here. Jared saved you so you would still be here, so be here. Help us try and find some way to fix this. To fix her.¡±

    ¡°Fix her?¡± Kyle scoffed again, ¡°She¡¯s not a computer I can re-program, Ian.¡± That was when Ian scoffed loudly again, which in turn caused Kyle to speak up, ¡°What?¡± Though Ian bit back his own answer and simply looked away once more, which did cause Kyle to need to get that response after all. After peering inside Ian¡¯s head, it was now Kyle¡¯s turn to gasp and ask, ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Ian denied, though weakly.

    ¡°You were so keen on me looking into other people¡¯s heads, so I looked, and I can¡¯t believe what I just saw in yours.¡±

    ¡°And which of my million thoughts would that be?¡± Ian asked, though his voice showed that he wasn¡¯t sure he really wanted to know which of his thoughts Kyle had just tapped in to.

    ¡°Looking inside her head is bad enough, Ian. I can¡¯t believe that you¡¯d actually want me to change what¡¯s in there, too. That is just¡­¡±

    ¡°But you could, couldn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Ian¡­¡± Kyle shook his head again.

    ¡°That¡¯s how you did things on the ship, isn¡¯t it? With your team? They wouldn¡¯t behave the way you wanted them to. They wouldn¡¯t take your ideas or follow your orders or do what you wanted them to, not until you made them think that it was what they wanted, too. Isn¡¯t that true?¡± Ian pointed out in the same calculating tone.

    Kyle just allowed another gasp of disbelief, ¡°That was different, Ian.¡±

    ¡°How the fuck was it different?¡±

    Kyle seemed to struggle to find the words for his own defense, ¡°They weren¡¯t even friends of mine, let alone, anything more. Only co-workers. And I¡¯m not saying that makes it all right, but it does make it different.¡± a quick pause before continuing, ¡°And the thoughts I put in their heads, it was to make the ship better, make all of our lives up there better. It was for the greater good.¡± he attempted to defend, though his words were weak.

    ¡°And how is making it so Lili doesn¡¯t feel the way she feels, making it so she feels like she¡¯s happy again, making her think there is hope, after all, making her think that we can try, somehow, to give our daughter a happy life, despite everything¡­How is that not for the greater good, too, Kyle?¡±

    ¡°But I would be completely changing all her feelings, what makes her her¡­how can you think that is ok? I would be practically taking away her whole personality.¡± Kyle argued, though weakly.

    ¡°But you¡¯d be taking away her pain!¡± Ian denied with desperation, ¡°How is thatnotok?¡±

 Chapter 63

    It was about an hour later when Jared rejoined Kyle and Ian outside on that warm July morning, ¡°Well, she finally got hungry enough to at least start to pick at the food I brought her.¡± he informed them quietly as he added his own dish to those waiting to be washed in the river after breakfast that day.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s one problem down.¡± Ian returned, looking at Kyle with remaining discontent after their earlier conversation, ¡°Any idea on how we solve the other?¡±

    ¡°Which other would that be?¡± Jared asked, despite having a pretty good idea of what problem Ian was obviously referring to.

    Ian just scoffed before giving in to answering, ¡°You said don¡¯t be angry at her. You said to be there for her. Exactly how am I supposed to pretend that whatever this is, is ok?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s PPD.¡± Jared said, though quietly as he tried to busy himself taking inventory of their medical supplies and all the herbs he had been trying to collect in recent months to try and hopefully mimic the active properties of medicine that they no longer had access to, without the ship.

    ¡°It¡¯s what?¡± Ian returned with a raised brow.

    ¡°Postpartum Depression.¡± Jared sighed quietly as he tried to keep his attention on the supplies in front of him.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± Ian just shook his head before glancing to see if Kyle seemed to have any reaction to Jared¡¯s diagnosis either, though the youngest of them only looked down rather than offering any insight into his own thoughts on the matter, ¡°I thought that was what women got cause they were depressed that they weren¡¯t pregnant anymore. I never got the impression that Lili would be upset tonotbe pregnant any more.¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not what it is. They don¡¯t get depressed because they¡¯re not pregnant anymore, they get depressed because of all the changes a new baby brings, and all the demands, and stress, and everything else that comes with it. And she was already pretty damn stressed before¡­before she had to take into account a whole new human life that will be depending on her for¡­everything.¡± he added more quietly, ¡°And it¡¯s made worse by living conditions, nutrition, not having any real kind of stability, and about a million other things.¡± Jared sighed as he only glanced back briefly, ¡°And if we add to that stress in any way¡­¡± he shook his head, ¡°It will only make it that much harder for her to ever come out of it, and to ever feel like she can actually deal with it, at all.¡± he finished simply and sadly as he looked back down at what few resources they still had to work with, medically speaking, anyway.

    ¡°So, we just never expect her to even be near the child at all, cause it¡¯s too stressful?¡± Ian shook his head in disbelief at that theory.

    Though, it was Kyle who responded to Ian¡¯s question, rather than Jared, ¡°No, but I think it means that we do have to let her adjust, very slowly, to the idea of being a mom at all. And we have to make sure that she knows that we all will be here to help, and that we all still care about her, no matter how hard this all is for her. We just can¡¯t force anything. And we can¡¯t make her think we blame her for how stressed, and helpless, and inadequate, she feels right now.¡±

    Jared and Ian both turned simultaneously at the sound of Kyle¡¯s counsel, ¡°When did you become such an expert on this PPD thing?¡± Ian asked in a still quiet tone.

    ¡°You wanted me to tell you how to help her, first, so that¡¯s how.¡± Kyle returned in a nearly inaudible tone, accented by the slightest shrug, though his blue-gray eyes remained cast down to avoid seeing the way Jared narrowed his eyes at that particular explanation.

    ¡°So, don¡¯t force anything. Act like everything¡¯s ok. Let her know we¡¯ll help, and we still care.¡± Ian summarized quietly as he squared his shoulders and moved to stand, the child still in his arms.

    ¡°What are you gonna do, though?¡± Jared asked even more quietly, choosing not to quiz Kyle on how exactly he ¡®knew¡¯ how to help Lili right then.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ll have to figure that out as I go.¡± was Ian¡¯s only response before moving to carry the baby back inside with him once more.

    Though Jared was a bit uneasy about how Ian did plan to interact with Lili, he honestly had no absolutely perfect ideas of how exactly to do so, himself, so instead, he paused only a moment before turning back to Kyle, ¡°So, you¡¯ve been reading Lili¡¯s mind, I assume?¡± he began, attempting to keep his voice even.

    Kyle just looked back at Jared with a shake of his head, ¡°Are you really gonna do that?¡±

    ¡°Do what?¡± Jared asked with narrowed eyes.

    ¡°Play the self-righteous role.¡± Kyle stated simply, which did catch Jared more than a little off guard.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Cause I don¡¯t think you really get to play that anymore, all things considered.¡± Kyle replied plainly, which did leave Jared at a slight loss to find a response, ¡°I did it to help her, and you know that. And that¡¯s all I¡¯m gonna say in my own defense, to you, anyway.¡± he finished firmly, ¡°Next subject?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how many times I can try to explain why I thought that having you out there searching, for something, was actually a good idea.¡± Jared replied once more, though with a bit of hopelessness to his own tone.

    Kyle just sighed heavily as he decided to be the one to move the conversation forward, instead, ¡°And when we first got here, you said we needed to talk about things that ¡®change things.¡¯ Was that about the vision you did finally tell us about, or is there something else you¡¯re not telling us, too?¡±

    Jared looked down quickly at that question, which only caused another loud scoff of disbelief, ¡°Listen, before you get pissed, remember, I said I needed to talk to you guys. Meaning, I had every intention of having that talk. We just haven¡¯t really had a moment to actually do that, all things considered.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Well, hey, lookie here, it¡¯s a moment.¡± Kyle retorted sarcastically.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Jared then sighed again, ¡°I wanted to talk to all of you, or at least both you and Ian. Haven¡¯t we had enough issues with some of us knowing one thing that others don¡¯t know?¡± he attempted to defend his continued stalling.

    ¡°And the excuses continue.¡± Kyle returned bitterly, then added, ¡°And what do you mean, me and Ian? Suddenly Lili¡¯s the one you wanna leave outta the loop. That¡¯s different.¡±

    ¡°As we¡¯ve already established, saying or doing anything that might make Lili even more upset, is about the last thing we wanna do at all, right now.¡± Jared reminded somberly.

    It was then Kyle¡¯s turn to sigh, ¡°Is this something we need to talk about something that will just upset Lili, or just Lili and Ian, or all of us?¡± Kyle prodded.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not about the baby, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re so subtly asking.¡± Jared mumbled as he finally shut the box of medical supplies with another sigh.

    ¡°Considering the state Lili is in, and the state that¡¯s put Ian in, I don¡¯t know when you think is actually gonna be a good time to tell us all about whatever else it is that you¡¯re still not telling us. So you may as well just tell me now.¡± Kyle pressed.

    Jared finally allowed a defeated breath, ¡°It wasn¡¯t a vision, it¡¯s something ¡®ghost¡¯ said, so I don¡¯t even know how reliable that is. It just, if it is true, it¡¯s not good. But like I said, it¡¯s just something he said, and we know how well he communicates, not to mention whether or not we should believe it just based on something he said, but¡­¡±

    ¡°But what?¡± Kyle pressed further.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t know why he would say it if it wasn¡¯t true. But I can¡¯t be positive that it is true¡­I just¡­¡± Jared just shook his head again.

    ¡°Just fucking tell me already.¡± Kyle impatiently ordered.

    Jared let out another heavy sigh as though bracing himself to actually repeat the words that had upset him so thoroughly when he had heard the other man speak them, ¡°This was just last night that he told me this, right before he brought the two of you back here, when Lili was still unconscious¡­¡± another breath, ¡°He asked me what we were looking for. I told him. Then, he said that he had been all over this planet and¡­¡± he swallowed hard before managing the rest of the sentence with breaking voice, ¡°And he said that he had never seen any ship, anywhere here, at all.¡±

    When Ian moved through the blanket that posed as a doorway between the main part of the shack and Lili¡¯s room, the baby still held softly against his chest, Lili looked up, even more startled by his arrival in her room this time, than she had been the last. Her eyes immediately moved to the child as her entire body tensed up from where she still leaned back against the covers after having finished eating what she could force down of that morning¡¯s breakfast.

    ¡°Hey there.¡± Ian greeted her, forcing a smile despite the near terror that crossed her face before she quickly tried to hide it, ¡°Someone needed to get out of the sun. So, I figured I¡¯d use that as an excuse to come see you.¡± he continued forcing the smile as well as making a concerted effort to speak in the most gentle, unthreatening tone he could muster.

    ¡°H--hi.¡± she stammered, her eyes still glued to the child as the rest of her body remained frozen in place as well. Once Ian took a seat next to her, still cuddling the baby close to his chest, Lili rushed to keep making some attempt at speech to hide her own nearly overwhelming anxiety at that point, ¡°I thought you were still mad at me¡­about last night.¡± she added in a near whisper.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I already tell you how futile a time I have when I try to be upset at you?¡± he attempted to assure as he continued to hold the smile, though kept his eyes on the baby rather than the mother. Lili took a shaky breath as she remained sitting there, more tense than she thought was humanly possible as she tried to force her eyes to focus on anything else in the room at that point, ¡°So, she¡¯s all of two days old now.¡± he attempted another smile, ¡°At some point she might actually need a name.¡±

    Another shaky breath as Lili finally gave in and turned her face back toward he and the child, though the rest of her remained frozen, for more reasons than just her continued physical weakness. She swallowed hard as she forced herself to cast the tiniest glance down into the face of the child he still held in his arms, only inches from where Lili herself sat.

    ¡°She¡­she looks like you.¡± she managed, though her voice was so hoarse it wouldn¡¯t have been surprising if she had been able to taste blood in her throat as she spoke.

    Ian almost allowed a blush as he forced back his own emotions at her observation, forcing his eyes to remain on the baby, rather than Lili, ¡°Nah, just her eyes.¡± he allowed another weak smile that seemed to be hiding many different feelings right then.

    ¡°Your eyes are your best feature.¡± Lili managed, almost allowing her own smile, almost.

    ¡°Now, now, I¡¯m sure you enjoy other parts of me. I think she¡¯s living proof of that, isn¡¯t she?¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Lili almost even allowed a slight chuckle then, but forced it back just as quickly, ¡°So, I guess being a dad hasn¡¯t made you any less of a perve, huh?¡±

    That was when Ian allowed an honest chuckle of his own, ¡°Shh, not in front of the kids.¡± he allowed, as he finally looked her way with his own smile, almost catching one from Lili, as well, almost.

    ¡°I somehow doubt she¡¯ll remember.¡± Lili managed to make the effort to continue the conversation, though still made no move to actually interact with the child as of yet.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, there¡¯s an epidemic of geniuses around here. We could have another in our midst.¡±

    ¡°Well, I think Jared¡¯s vision made it obvious that she isn¡¯t exactly, ¡®normal,¡¯ now is she?¡± Lili whispered as she swallowed again, casting another furtive glance back down at the baby.

    That was when Ian felt his own composure take a hit, though he tried to quickly hide it, ¡°Well, as abilities go, keeping ferocious animals from attacking us all, that¡¯s a pretty good one, right?¡± he tried to justify the facts to Lili, despite whether or not he was all that comfortable with them, himself.

    ¡°But if something like that has already started by the time she¡¯s only three¡­¡± Lili just shook her head again.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a good thing we got a few geniuses, with abilities of their own, to help us out then, right?¡± Ian attempted.

    Lili was quiet for a long time as she stared downwards before speaking up at last, ¡°I can¡¯t believe how ok you are with all of this¡­with everything. How can you deal with¡­just, everything¡­.¡± she decided on, ¡°And still be so calm, and strong about it all. How can you do that?¡±

    Ian thought on her words for a long moment, trying to find an answer. However, he didn¡¯t feel calm and ok about anything at all anymore, but apparently, to her, he was, whether or not he believed it, himself. After another long pause, he finally found words again, ¡°I guess, because, I know hope is the only thing we can still hold onto, despite everything. So, I¡¯m just holding on to that hope for dear life, and refusing to ever let go of it, no matter what.¡±

    Another pause before Lili spoke again, ¡°Do you know how many times you¡¯ve used that word?¡±

    Ian glanced back over at her with a questioning look, ¡°Which one would that be?¡±

    ¡°Hope.¡±

    ¡°Well, as long as we¡¯re all still alive, that¡¯s what we still have, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I just wish¡­¡± she took another breath, ¡°I wish I could feel that way too.¡±

    ¡°Lili, you survived. Against all odds, you survived bringing this little girl into this world. I know that in your classes up there, you talked all about karma and fate, and things always having some deeper meaning. Did you forget all that?¡± he offered a gentle smile, ¡°Think about the mere fact of everything that has happened: The four of us all being here, becoming as close to each other as we all did, the fact that this planet itself demanded that you be able to have this child, and the fact that the only person on this planet, other than us, appeared right when you needed him to, and he was able to save you and the baby, just in time¡­The fact that you and the baby both survived at all¡­.¡± a deep breath, ¡°Can you honestly say that you don¡¯t think that all of this, that this baby, and you, and all of us still being here to see her come into this new world¡­.Can you honestly say that youdon¡¯tthink that this is all happening for some bigger reason?¡±

 Chapter 64

    After a long moment to take in Jared¡¯s words, Kyle finally spoke up at last, ¡°So, no ship anywhere here, meaning no ship anywhere on this planet?¡± he reiterated as one last attempt at hoping he was misunderstanding the message.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we should believe it or not, but that¡¯s what it sounded like he was trying to tell me.¡± Jared admitted in his own sad tone, eyes downwards.

    Another deep breath from Kyle as he composed himself and attempted to move on, ¡°Ok, so that narrows it down.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Jared asked as he quickly looked back at Kyle once more.

    ¡°So, if we know it¡¯s not here, then that narrows it down.¡±

    Jared scoffed loudly, ¡°To what? The entire rest of the universe? Are you high?¡±

    Then it was Kyle¡¯s turn to scoff, ¡°Why do people keep asking me that? Besides,¡± he then moved to flip open the box of medical supplies that Jared had been taking inventory of earlier, ¡°you¡¯re the one hoarding all kinds of herbs, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re as close as I could locate to ones similar enough to the ones on earth that all kinds of medicine is actually made of. You didn¡¯t think meds actually grew in pill form, did you?¡± he scoffed.

    Kyle just shook his head and then moved his eyes to the corner of the box where Jared had a cloth wrapped up and tied around a bundle of some kind, ¡°And the ones in your special little baggy too?¡±

    That was when Jared moved to close the box that Kyle was still inspecting, ¡°Not so much medicine, exactly.¡± was the only answer Jared provided, though in a near mumble.

    ¡°So, you are self-medicating, eh?¡±

    Jared scoffed again, ¡°No, the ones in the bag aren¡¯tthat, either. Please, I need to be as alert as possible, all things considered.¡±

    ¡°Then what¡¯s in the bag?¡± Kyle pressed.

    ¡°It¡¯s something I gathered, as a just-in-case.¡±

    ¡°What? Arsenic? Hemlock? I thought Lili was the depressed one.¡± Kyle retorted, though did watch Jared closely, just in case his guess was somehow accurate.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s nothing that¡¯ll kill anyone, hopefully anyway, these are plants native to a different planet, after all.¡±

    ¡°Then what the hell is it, if it¡¯s not medicine, or some crazy suicide-cocktail waiting to happen?¡±

    ¡°You really think I would deliberately collect stuff that would kill us?¡± Jared shook his head in disbelief.

    ¡°I dunno, hope does seem to be getting pretty slim these days.¡± Kyle mumbled, then quickly continued, ¡°So, what is it then? I mean, I should know what all this crap is anyway. We all should. You never know when you might actually be the one who needs some kind of medical attention. We should all know what¡¯s what in here, dontcha think?¡± Kyle pointed out.

    Jared sighed again as Kyle did have a legitimate point. He then opened the box again, ¡°Ok, this group is painkillers, this one is sedatives, this is antibiotics. Of course, that¡¯s all in theory as I don¡¯t exactly have any lab rats to test any of them on, but it¡¯s better to have them than not to, I guess.¡±

    ¡°And the bag?¡± Kyle asked again.

    ¡°It¡¯s something that I started collecting, just in case, but I doubt we¡¯ll need it now, or any time soon.¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°You are so the king of avoidance.¡± Kyle told him with a shake of his head.

    That¡¯s when Jared sighed again, ¡°It¡¯s not something you really need to worry about, even if I do get hurt someday. Lili would be the only one taking any of the stuff in the bag, and like I said, it¡¯s doubtful that that will be the case any time soon.¡± he stated simply as he closed the box again.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s something only a female would take?¡± Kyle asked with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s not something I¡¯d recommend. It¡¯s just there, just in case. And like I said, I doubt we¡¯ll need to worry about it at all, considering the state this whole situation has put Lili in, ok?¡±

    ¡°So, it¡¯s like birth control? Why wouldn¡¯t you recommend that?¡± Kyle asked as he raised a brow.

    Jared sighed again, more than a bit annoyed at the other young man¡¯s continued curiosity, ¡°No, that¡¯s not exactly what it is. I still haven¡¯t managed to find the right plants for that.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly?¡± Kyle pressed.

    Jared shook his head again, ¡°I didn¡¯t wanna mention it, cause if anyone mentions it to Lili, it¡¯ll most likely seem like we¡¯re pressuring her. And that¡¯s the last thing in the world she needs.¡±

    ¡°Fine, point taken. Now what is it if it¡¯s not birth control, and why wouldn¡¯t you recommend it?¡±

    ¡°I said that wasn¡¯t exactly what it was.¡±

    ¡°Would you just answer the damn question?¡± Kyle replied in frustration.

    ¡°It¡¯s like that, only it¡¯s¡­¡±

    ¡°Jared!¡± Kyle complained, quite irked right then that Jared¡¯s wall seemed to be in place almost all the time lately.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°It¡¯s more of an ¡®after-the-fact¡¯ kind of thing. And that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t wanna discuss it. Like I said, if I mentioned it to Lili, it would be like we¡¯re trying to pressure her into the same things that caused her current state. And that would really not be good.¡± Jared finally admitted.

    ¡°After-the-fact?¡± Kyle repeated, ¡°So, like the morning-after pill?¡±

    Jared sighed once more, ¡°If these plants are as close as I think they might be to the ones of the same type that were back on earth, then, yes, they should share the same active ingredient, in theory.¡± he had to add, ¡°But who knows how much damage, I mean, long-term damage they might do, just because of the very way they work. Which is why I wouldn¡¯t recommend them without first warning her of what they actually do. And I¡¯m not planning on even doing that much right now, cause like I said, that would most likely translate as us trying to pressure her back into¡­the way things used to be.¡± he finally decided on.

    ¡°You mean, back when we all, including Lili, seemed a lot happier than we do now?¡± Kyle pointed out, though his own tone seemed to drop along with his eyes.

    ¡°Yeah, I suppose we were, a bit.¡± Jared admitted in his own quiet tone, ¡°But look where that got us.¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°Now, you¡¯re not gonna go in there and tell her about this, are you?¡±

    ¡°Like you said, I seriously doubt it will come up in conversation any time soon.¡± Kyle allowed.

    ¡°Now, your turn.¡± Jared asked after another moment.

    ¡°My turn?¡± Kyle asked as he finally looked back at where he had since moved his eyes to the woods again.

    ¡°Narrows it down?¡± Jared repeated with a raised eyebrow.

    ¡°It means, I¡¯ve been thinking, and when we first landed here, I was under the impression that the ship was where it was supposed to be. Which it obviously wasn¡¯t. But the point is, I was trying to send a message to it, when what I really need to do is try and locate it.¡±

    Jared looked further confused by that statement, ¡°And didn¡¯t we just discuss how probable that might truly be, now?¡± he asked sadly.

    ¡°Like I said though, I was just trying to get a message to it, before, and now I know that where I was sending the message, there was no way it could have received it, especially if Serena had taken over, cloaked it, and then got killed, therefore causing the ship to crash, and the computer to shut down with her. The computer wasn¡¯t where I was aiming, so to speak, let alone, even on at all. That¡¯s why it could never have gotten our message.¡±

    ¡°Ok, but how is any of this new information, really?¡±

    ¡°Because, it wasn¡¯t on. It couldn¡¯t have received our message. When she died, it shut down completely, went offline completely.¡±

    ¡°Ok¡­But I still don¡¯t get how this changes anything.¡±

    ¡°Because, what I need to do is turn it back on. Then not only can we get a message to anyone who somehow survived this entire year and is still there, but we could then finally find the damn thing.¡±

    ¡°Um¡­ok?¡± Jared shook his head, ¡°But could you even do that? Turn it on, I mean?¡±

    ¡°This is me.¡± Kyle stated plainly, though Jared¡¯s expression remained unconvinced, ¡°If I get my LU to hack into the pod computer, and get that running again, then the pod computer can hack into the ship computer, and tada, reboot.¡±

    Jared still seemed wary, but continued, ¡°And, don¡¯t you think that Serena most likely changed all the passwords you¡¯d need to even reboot it at all, assuming it¡¯s even still in good enough shape after the takeover, and the crash, to even be rebooted?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re such an optimist.¡± Kyle scoffed, ¡°And there¡¯s not a password in the world that I haven¡¯t been able to get to spread wide and let me in.¡± Kyle had to add.

    ¡°You really have spent too much time with Ian.¡± Jared mumbled, then continued, ¡°But still, Kyle, assuming you can get the pod computer restarted, and assuming the ship¡¯s computer is even functional at all, and assuming you can get past those passwords Serena most likely put in place, I still don¡¯t know that this plan is gonna be what we need. I mean, assuming all the above, then yes, you could send a message to the ship¡¯s computer, but the likelihood of anyone still being there to hear it at all, after the crash, and then after another eleven months stranded, wherever the ship is stranded? I just don¡¯t see it really being a real solution.¡± he said sadly.

    Kyle shook his head again, ¡°Ok, so even if no one is there at the crash site to answer the call, did you miss the part where I said that by turning on the ship¡¯s computer, we could then get the exact location of where it did crash. Hello, that means we find the ship!¡±

    Jared then bit his lip, his own expression still dark, ¡°Even if we did somehow find where the ship actually crashed, Kyle, if it¡¯s not on this planet, like he said, then we still have no way to get to it. I don¡¯t wanna rain on your parade, here, but, honestly, finding the ship, even if we can, that may just let us know, for sure, once and for all, that we¡¯ll never be able to get back to it, at all, if it¡¯s not actually here. And that would really be the end of all of our hope for once and for all, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    Kyle just scoffed loudly again, ¡°I guess I would rather have real, solid answers than blind hope.¡± he retorted.

    ¡°I really doubt that¡¯ll be the case once you do have them.¡± Jared stated softly, though the words seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Kyle already seemed quite determined to pursue those answers he claimed to want, for the moment, anyway.

    ¡°Besides,¡± Kyle finally continued, ¡°I already have a pretty good idea of where the ship is. I just need to narrow it down, that¡¯s all.¡±

    That was when Jared looked up quickly once more, ¡°What do you mean you already know where the ship is?¡±

    ¡°I have a pretty good hunch.¡±

    ¡°Share please.¡±

    Kyle scoffed again, ¡°Did you already forget all about those computer readouts that you handed me? The ones that started this whole beautiful mess?¡±

    ¡°What about them?¡± Jared narrowed his eyes again.

    ¡°We were only out for three days. Like I said, if the ship¡¯s not here, then that definitely narrows it down.¡±

    ¡°To?¡±

    ¡°The fucking readouts, Jared. Two planets. As close together as the earth was to the moon. They even share the same sun and moon. If the ship¡¯s not on this one, it¡¯s on the other, plain and simple as that. I just need to find out what part. And I can do that, once I get the fucking computer back online.¡±

    That seemed to silence Jared for a long moment as he thought on Kyle¡¯s conclusion, ¡°Ok, I admit, you¡¯re probably right.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m always right.¡± Kyle returned smartly.

    Jared just shook his head again, then continued, ¡°But still, Kyle, the ship crashing on this planet¡¯s twin, I¡¯ll give you that, but it still doesn¡¯t explain how we would ever be able to reach it.¡±

    Kyle gave Jared another exasperated look of disbelief before he responded, ¡°I redesigned the pod once, I can do it again.¡±

    ¡°With no tools, or tech team, or supplies?¡± Jared had to add.

    ¡°The pod is run by the computer on board. All it¡¯s settings are determined by that computer. Still think I can¡¯t do it?¡±

    Jared looked down again, ¡°Ok, so you probably can. But there¡¯s no gas left, only twelve hours worth of air, and the twin planet may be close, but it¡¯s not as close as the ship was, when it was where it was supposed to be, anyway.¡± he had to add, ¡°We¡¯d never survive the trip. And all of us couldn¡¯t go. I mean, there¡¯s not exactly any way to make it safe for a little baby to travel in that pod, now is there?¡± Jared reminded him somberly, ¡°Even if you could get the pod itself to make the trip, we most likely couldn¡¯t survive it, and the baby definitely couldn¡¯t. She would have to be left here, and someone would have to be left behind, to look after her. Is that really a decision any of us wanna have to make?¡±

    Kyle took a long moment to try to hold onto his composure before speaking again, ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to get us back on that ship again. All of us. I have to.¡± was his final nearly whispered statement before he turned on his heel and headed back inside once more.

 Chapter 65

    A week had now passed since Kyle¡¯s determined promise to find some way or another to not only locate, but also to get all of them safely back to their missing ship. During that week, Kyle had camped out at the pod day and night working toward a solution of some kind. Considering the time that had passed, as well their last slightly intense conversation, Ian decided that he had better check on Kyle, just in case there was a bigger reason for his absence besides just the fact that the young man had always been a workaholic even back on the ship, when his tasks were only slightly less urgent.

    When Ian did arrive at their abandoned pod that afternoon, he found Kyle sitting on the ground facing away from him, scratching something or other into the dirt in front of him. ¡°Thought you usually kept your plans and blueprints on that precious little computer of yours,¡± Ian greeted the younger man, causing him to startle as he turned back to face the sound of his voice.

    ¡°What are you doing out here?¡± Kyle greeted him hoarsely, having not used his voice much in the past week.

    ¡°I think the more important question is, why are you sitting here with your back to the tree line, and no gun in sight?¡± Ian pointed out with a slight scowl.

    ¡°Every direction is a tree line,¡± Kyle responded smartly as he turned back to absently scribble out whatever he had been doodling in the dirt earlier.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t change the other part of my statement: Have you actually been out here alone all week with no gun?¡± Ian asked with obvious disapproval.

    Kyle just shook his head with a slight scoff as Ian moved to take a seat on a fallen tree near the younger man, ¡°As if it really matters, the gun is in the pod, since that¡¯s where I¡¯ve been sleeping all week.¡±

    ¡°And which part of that statement should I dare to dissect first?¡± Ian replied with a healthy mix of skepticism and concern.

    ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me why you¡¯re even out here,¡± Kyle reminded with a sigh as he discarded the stick and wiped some dirt from his hands against his equally dusty jeans.

    ¡°And you haven¡¯t explained why you don¡¯t seem very concerned with keeping yourself as safe as possible out here, let alone why you haven¡¯t been back to camp even once this week,¡± Ian retorted, keeping his narrowed eyes on the seventeen year old.

    ¡°I really doubt that you¡¯ve missed me all that much, Ian,¡± Kyle mumbled his response before continuing at a normal volume once more. ¡°And, until I figure out how to get us all to that ship, there was really no reason for me to report back, now was there?¡±

    Ian narrowed his eyes once more at that particular explanation before speaking up again. ¡°Now care to tell me why you¡¯re really you staying away?¡±

    Kyle just sighed at the response as he grudgingly took a seat further down the tree trunk from Ian. ¡°Why must there always be some hidden reason. I thought I just gave you a valid reason, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    Ian scoffed a bit before moving on. ¡°I may not be the mind reader, but when there¡¯s only four other people, and some kind of teleporting ghost or whatever, making up the entire population of some unknown planet, and then after a year, one of these people decides he suddenly needs some ¡®alone time,¡¯ it does pose a few questions,¡± he stated smartly.

    ¡°I already told you all: I¡¯m out here working,¡± Kyle mumbled, though his words still seemed to lack credibility in Ian¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Working on doodling crap in the dirt?¡± Ian retorted smartly. ¡°Yeah, that seems pretty damn important.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m on lunch,¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°With no food to be seen? You watching your girlish figure or something?¡± Ian continued with the same wryness.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m apparently being interrogated,¡± Kyle returned just as smartly.

    ¡°I¡¯m just asking you why you haven¡¯t been back to camp in a week, but if you feel like you¡¯re being interrogated¡­well I wonder what a shrink would say to that,¡± Ian feigned an innocence to his tone, despite the pointed statement.

    ¡°Why the hell do you want me back at camp so bad?¡± Kyle finally asked huffily. ¡°I already told you, I¡¯m done messing with Lili¡¯s head. I¡¯m not gonna ¡®cure¡¯ her for you, ok?¡± he bit back with an unusual amount of bitterness, and perhaps even a bit of self-loathing mixed into his tone as well.

    Ian¡¯s expression immediately darkened at that comment, but then he couldn¡¯t help honing in on another part of the statement. ¡°Donemessing with her head?¡± he repeated pointedly, those words easily becoming his focal point in relation to the rest of Kyle¡¯s previous statements.

    Kyle sighed and moved his hand through his long brown curls exhaustedly before managing another response. ¡°I thought things would be different here, but they¡¯re not. It just took me a while to come to that conclusion, or at least to accept it,¡± was the cryptic statement he offered as his only explanation.

    ¡°Um, if you¡¯re referring to things being ¡®different¡¯ than they were on the ship, I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re a few hundred kinds of ¡¯different,¡± Ian pointed out before continuing. ¡°So exactly what are you possibly referring to that¡¯snotdifferent?¡±

    ¡°Think about it Ian. Back on the ship, I never spent any time around any other people except what was absolutely necessary for me to do my job. Believe me, there was a reason for that. Everyone is better off that way,¡± he finished quietly, refusing to look back up to see Ian¡¯s reaction.

    Instead of the expected reaction, Ian actually let out a laugh before replying. ¡°So you spend almost eighteen years telling everyone how great you are, then wanna play like you think no one likes poor little you?¡± Ian allowed another chuckle. ¡°I think Jared pulled that narcissism thing out his ass: Split personalities may be your real problem,¡± he returned wryly.

    Kyle just shook his head sadly before responding. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that people didn¡¯t wanna be around me. I said they¡¯re better offnotbeing around me,¡± was his simple explanation.

    ¡°Why? Because you can be an annoying little prick from time to time?¡± Ian scoffed. ¡°I think that¡¯s the least of our problems these days,¡± he added more sincerely.

    ¡°It¡¯s more than that Ian,¡± Kyle stated in a near whisper.

    ¡°Well, I believe that¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ve been trying to get you to explain. Now isn¡¯t it?¡± Ian pointed out. ¡°So by all means, explain away.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing you¡¯ll want to hear,¡± was Kyle¡¯s only quiet response.

    ¡°Hence the reason I¡¯ve asked you about five times now,¡± Ian retorted impatiently.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you have more pressing concerns than me being at the camp or not?¡± Kyle stated after taking a moment to fail to talk himself into giving Ian that explanation after all. ¡°You know, with being a single dad now and all,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Ian scowled a bit at that comment, but would not let himself be dissuaded that easily. ¡°Jared¡¯s on baby duty at the moment, since you¡¯re nowhere around,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding. ¡°So I guess we can get back to your explanation now, huh?¡±

    Kyle took a long moment to try and compose himself and choose the best possible words he could come up with; or at least ones that would keep Ian from becoming infuriated once he heard them. Kyle allowed a long sigh once more before finally speaking up. ¡°Contrary to what I¡¯m sure some people believe, I do care about Lili. And I have been keeping tabs on her all week, just to know if there¡¯s been any kind of improvement to her mental state at all yet,¡± he began before taking another deep breath.

    Ian narrowed his eyes at that comment and had to respond. ¡°What do you mean you¡¯ve been keeping tabs on her all week? I¡¯m still the one who keeps watch over the camp, and you haven¡¯t been back there in days,¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°And I think we all know that I don¡¯t have to be in the same room to keep tabs on someone, don¡¯t we?¡± Kyle pointed out more quietly, which did cause another scowl from Ian. Though considering the last request Ian had made of Kyle before his departure from camp, Ian bit back his first reaction to the reminder.

    Instead, Ian decided on a less confrontational response. ¡°And has she made any improvements?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me? You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been with her all week, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Another scowl from Ian before he spoke again. ¡°And I think we all know, that being in the same room as someone still won¡¯t tell you exactly how they¡¯re doing, mentally. You know, unless you¡¯re you,¡± he just had to add. He then continued, ¡°and I haven¡¯t really spent a lot of time in the same room as her anyway. I¡¯ve been mostly trying to take care of our daughter,¡± he offered more quietly as he cast his own eyes downwards.

    Kyle sighed again before trying to find a response to Ian¡¯s previous question. ¡°Her anxiety¡¯s not just about the baby anymore, or being here, or finding the ship. There¡¯s more getting added to it as the days pass.¡±

    ¡°More anxiety?¡± Ian responded loudly as he looked back at Kyle. ¡°So, she¡¯s gettingworse?¡± he asked with equal parts worry and disbelief.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t say more, exactly,¡± Kyle attempted to explain further, despite his earlier misgivings about poking around inside Lili¡¯s head. ¡°It¡¯s just, now her anxiety is over other things as well.¡±

    ¡°So¡­more,¡± Ian repeated pointedly.

    ¡°What I mean is, her worry about all the previous stuff has leveled off for the most part. It¡¯s sort of static now. Lately, it¡¯s other things that have been foremost in her mind,¡± he attempted to explain.

    Ian just shook his head as he tried to muddle through Kyle¡¯s roundabout answers, obviously needing more clarity. ¡°And these ¡®other¡¯ things you¡¯re talking about: They¡¯re part of why you think it¡¯s better for you to stay away?¡±

    Kyle sighed once more before making a further attempt at explanation. ¡°The things that people worry about the most are the things that are the most important to them. That¡¯s just common sense. It¡¯s the things that they hold the dearest, the things they...love¡­that¡¯s what causes almost all of their apprehension and anxiety.¡±

    ¡°Ok, with you so far, I think,¡± Ian stated slowly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to say this without sounding like a selfish jerk, but¡­¡± Kyle began as he stopped to take another deep breath, ¡°what Lili¡¯s the most upset about right now is her fear of what will happen with the two of you now. Things are obviously going to be different than they were before, and she¡¯s terrified of what that will mean for her relationship with either you, or Jared,¡± he added quietly, his eyes glued to the ground as he spoke every word. ¡°I¡¯m not the one she¡¯s afraid of losing that closeness with¡­probably because she never really truly felt that closeness with me that she felt with either of you,¡± he finished nearly inaudibly.

    Ian took a long moment to take in the confession that had to have been a difficult one for Kyle to make, before finally looking over at Kyle¡¯s sullen demeanor and feeling the urge to say something to fill that silence. ¡°I¡¯m sure she feels differently about each of us. But that doesn¡¯t mean she doesn¡¯t care about you as well. I mean, up until a week ago, we still didn¡¯t even know if it was your baby, or mine, or Jared¡¯s. Lili obviously felt close enough to you to have you on that list. Just because she is wor---¡°

    ¡°Stop, Ian,¡± Kyle interrupted with shaking voice. ¡°I¡¯ve seen inside her head. I know that she doesn¡¯t feel the things for me that she feels for either of you. That much I already know is true,¡± he whispered.

    Ian was silent for another moment before managing another response. ¡°She not only took your virginity for you but she kept sleeping with you for three months, even while she knew that she might end up having your baby. But she was willing to take that risk to be with you, and take it often. That has to mean something. It¡¯s not like she was starved for affection. She could have just been only with Jared, or only with me, but she chose to be with you too. That¡¯s gotta mean something,¡± he repeated once more.

    ¡°If she chose it,¡± Kyle stated, his voice breaking as he did.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Ian asked, his back immediately straightening with worry.

    Kyle took another shaky breath before managing any more words. ¡°Jared asked me about it months ago, and I was appalled that he would even make the suggestion, but now that I¡¯ve looked into her head and now that I know that she doesn¡¯t really feel that way about---¡°

    ¡°Wait, made what suggestion?¡± Ian asked more loudly.

    Kyle took another shaky breath, forcing down the urge to move out of Ian¡¯s reach before responding. ¡°When Jared first found out what I can do; that I can make people think or feel what I want them to¡­When he first found out, he asked me straight out if I had done that to Lili. And I couldn¡¯t believe he would ever accuse me of such a thing, cause I honestly didn¡¯t think I everwoulddo something like that. Not to her, not when it came to that, but now¡­.now I don¡¯t even know if that is what I did without even being aware that I was doing it at all,¡± Kyle breathed the confession before just having to make one more attempt at dissuading Ian¡¯s more than rightful anger. ¡°And, believe me, it makes me sick to think that I could have done that without even knowing it, but I spent three years up there doing that, and it just became like second nature. I guess I just got desensitized to it, and got to the point where I could do it without even trying to, cause why else would Lili have been with me when it was the two of you that she honestly wanted to be with this whole time?¡± he finished softly, just waiting for Ian to explode in the face of his admittance.

    Ian took a deep breath, his fists clenched as he slowly stood, though he seemed as though he could not find any words right then. Instead of speaking, he took another moment and another long breath before turning in one fluid motion and letting his fist painfully connect with Kyle¡¯s jaw, the force behind the blow knocking the younger man backwards off the fallen tree that had been their shared seat only moments earlier.

    Fighting the urge to lose consciousness from the force of that blow to his head, Kyle lie there in pain for seemingly endless seconds as he waited for Ian to move to finish knocking him into unconsciousness, or worse. Though, Ian only stepped closer and looked down at where Kyle still lay in pain upon the ground, and finally, he spoke again. ¡°Guess you¡¯re not controllingmymind ¡®without even knowing it¡¯ right now, are you?¡±

    Or maybe I just thought I deserved it, was Kyle¡¯s first reaction, though he could merely think his response rather than speak it, considering the state of his jaw at that very moment.

    ¡°See, now that I heard,¡± Ian stated in response to Kyle¡¯s previous thought. ¡°So, either you aren¡¯t really putting thoughts in people¡¯s heads without knowing it, and Lili really did sleep with you while in complete control of her faculties, or else you did that to her then, but not me now, because you do think you deserve to be laying there on the ground like you are,¡± he then leaned down to speak closer to Kyle¡¯s ear. ¡°And if that¡¯s the case, then youarebetter off staying far, far away from camp, for a long, long time. And I¡¯m pretty sure you won¡¯t hack it out here on your own for very long, so you had better fucking figure out what you did or did not do, and fast.¡± With that final statement, Ian started away from the pod once more, not offering a single look back as he did.

 Chapter 66

    The following morning, another visitor approached the pod that Kyle had exiled himself to eight days earlier. Upon the sound of the slowly approaching footsteps, Kyle was shaken out of the work he had buried himself in for more reasons than just the desire to find them all a way out their current situation. He moved to the open doorway of the pod and glanced in the direction of those steps, his face showing a cross between surprise that anyone would be coming out there to see him at all now, and fear that maybe it was Ian coming back to express an even more violent outrage than he had already had.

    Though, a moment later, it was not Ian who exited the trees, but Lili instead. And that fact shocked him even more. ¡°Lili?¡± was his hoarse, painfully spoken greeting as she took a few shakier, deliberate steps toward him.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she greeted him in a voice that was equally strained as she looked his way, her eyes showing the immediate reaction to the bruising and swelling of his jaw that became clearer as she stopped several feet from the doorway he now stood in.

    ¡°There¡¯s so many reasons why you¡¯re the last person I expected to see out here at all. Not that I expected anyone else either, but still¡­¡± he attempted, still speaking just above a whisper as his eyes moved over her, doing everything they could to avoid looking into her own.

    Lili took a slight breath as she set aside a bag she had carried with her, allowing herself a moment to find a response. ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t left the cabin in over a week, and you haven¡¯t been back in just about as long. I figured it was time our paths should cross again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure that the guys can¡¯t be happy about you walking all the way here alone, all things considered,¡± he attempted, absently glancing back toward the pod¡¯s computer once more, for no other reason than to continue to avoid looking directly at her right then.

    Lili sighed slightly as she finally forced her own eyes away from his more than obvious injury and moved to take a seat on the log that he and Ian had shared briefly the day before. ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t made them very happy so far this week. What¡¯s one more transgression, right?¡± she offered with a small shrug, which was easily replaced with the slightest flinch as she took the seat.

    Kyle¡¯s original response to her comment was easily replaced when he allowed another glance her way just as she took that seat and caused that split-second of discomfort to cross over her pretty though still excessively pale features. ¡°Walking all this way can¡¯t be good for you this soon,¡± he managed as he allowed himself only one tiny step towards the ramp that led downwards from the door of the pod.

    ¡°You channeling Jared now?¡± she allowed a short-lived smirk.

    Kyle allowed another small sigh of his own, as well as the slight biting of his lip which of course caused immediate pain before he then managed to continue. ¡°You¡¯re obviously still pretty worn down after everything. I¡¯m surprised he let you come at all,¡± he stated, biting back the urge to add ¡®for more reasons than one.¡¯

    ¡°Let me?¡± she returned wryly, which did cause Kyle to look down and away from her once more before she continued. ¡°Ian and Jared are both exhausted after a week of looking after¡­her,¡± she swallowed slightly before forcing herself onward. ¡°Ian wasn¡¯t even awake yet and Jared was busy trying to get her to eat. He wouldn¡¯t have even noticed I was gone yet, I¡¯m sure. I left a note on his computer though. But like I said, I¡¯ve been in bed for over a week. I needed a change,¡± she finished quietly.

    ¡°So as soon as they notice you¡¯re gone, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be heading this way to haul you back. May as well save them the time and effort before it gets¡­ugly,¡± he decided on.

    Lili just scoffed slightly before responding. ¡°Looks like it already did,¡± she managed as she nodded toward his jaw line.

    ¡°Which is just one of many reasons it¡¯s probably not a good idea to piss them off anymore and bait them into coming here looking for you, right?¡± he attempted to argue, though his voice seemed to lack any of its usual conviction.

    ¡°I made it clear in the note that I wanted to come out here, and if they still have a problem with it, then I¡¯ll remind them that I¡¯m not a prisoner, or an invalid, even if I am still in a bit of pain; staying locked in that cabin any longer is hardly going to help matters. All it does is make me dwell on everything,¡± she finished firmly.

    ¡°And you put all that in the note too?¡± he asked, trying not to allow any change to his current expression, as difficult as that was at that point.

    ¡°More or less,¡± she offered as her simple answer.

    Kyle let out another heavy sigh as he finally allowed himself to step down to the ground outside the pod, after casting a wary look at the tree line to gauge whether or not the upset parties had begun making their way after Lili as of yet.

    ¡°I get that you don¡¯t wanna dwell on¡­everything,¡± Kyle decided on the last word after a momentary pause. ¡°But you really shouldn¡¯t be here, Lili. That¡¯s something I¡¯m sure all three of us most likely agree on right now.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± she asked without pause, which did catch Kyle enough to glance back her way once more.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    He swallowed hard as he attempted a response. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know why,¡± he answered sadly, eyes cast down again.

    ¡°Enlighten me,¡± she stated simply.

    ¡°Lili,¡± he paused in an attempt to find any words to respond with. ¡°It took everything I had to already have this conversation once. I don¡¯t think I have the strength to do it again. Please, just go, before things get any worse, ok?¡±

    ¡°Worse how?¡± she asked, her own conviction to continue that conversation not faltering nearly as much as his was.

    ¡°Like Ian coming out of those trees after you, and deciding that his fist didn¡¯t get the point across quite well enough, since you¡¯re obviously here right now, which I¡¯m sure he is not going to be happy about in any way,¡± Kyle answered her, his tone almost pleading at that point.

    Lili just shook her head and looked down, biting her own lip before replying. ¡°Ian hasn¡¯t been happy with me at all since I had the baby; Jared either. So like I said, what¡¯s one more reason?¡± she finished, her own voice faltering a bit at last.

    Kyle shook his head as he looked back her way once again. ¡°Not even getting into how right or wrong your fears about them actually are,¡± he paused only briefly, ¡°why do you even wanna be here, with me? It makes no sense, Lili. I¡¯m the last person you should be near right now,¡± he finished, his own voice breaking as well.

    ¡°Then make me leave,¡± she stated simply.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± he asked, easily caught by her response.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t think I should be here, then make me leave,¡± she repeated in the same flat tone, almost as though daring him to do as she said.

    Kyle scoffed as he looked back at her once more as though trying to decipher exactly what she was saying. He then had a slightly dark thought which he couldn¡¯t help putting into words. ¡°So, is that what you want? You want them to get so pissed about you coming to see me that they come out here and do something about it?¡±

    It was then Lili whose face adopted the look of disbelief. ¡°Do you really think that, Kyle? You think that on top of everything that¡¯s happened to me since we got here, that that¡¯s my big plan? To plot some intricate revenge against you now?¡± she scoffed as she shook her head, her own eyes downwards.

    ¡°You would be justified though, wouldn¡¯t you? Especially after everything that¡¯s happened to you,¡± he added in another hoarse whisper.

    She allowed another shake of her head before responding to that. ¡°I have a gun tucked into the back of my jeans as we speak,¡± she pointed out, which only caused Kyle to swallow hard as his body tensed at the admission. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t need either of them to take any kind of revenge for me. I could do it right here and now if that¡¯s what I thought you deserved.¡±

    ¡°Then¡­why aren¡¯t you?¡± he whispered back, at last keeping his eyes on her rather than looking away this time.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you making me leave?¡± was her response, which did only cause further confusion to cross his face. ¡°You said I should go, so why didn¡¯t you make me?¡±

    ¡°Haven¡¯t I done enough damage?¡± he sniffled, his eyes then dropping to the ground once more.

    ¡°Have you?¡± she returned pointedly, but soon continued. ¡°And if you think it¡¯s best that I leave, then how would making me do just that be considered ¡®damage?¡¯¡±

    ¡°Why do you keep answering questions with questions, Lili? Why are you even here, if it¡¯s not to tell me how horrible a person I must be, or get that revenge? Why do you even wanna be anywhere near me after everything?¡± he pleaded with her desperately to give him an answer to any of those questions.

    ¡°What was the last question?¡± she asked thoughtfully.

    ¡°What?¡± he replied, caught again.

    ¡°The last question, ask me it again,¡± she stated simply.

    Kyle looked even more confused, but gave in anyway. ¡°Why do you even wanna be near me...¡± he stated, his voice trailing off slightly as he finished.

    ¡°One more time?¡± she asked with a surprising softness to her voice.

    ¡°Lili¡­¡± he began.

    ¡°One more time,¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Why do you wanna be near me¡­¡± he repeated once more, his own voice barely audible.

    ¡°So, let me see if I got this straight yet,¡± she began softly. ¡°You want me to go away, but for some reason I won¡¯t go away, and for some reason, you¡¯re not forcing me to go away, even though that¡¯s what you want me to do. So, if that¡¯s what you want, and it¡¯s not what I want, then why am I still here, if you can just make me do things I don¡¯t wanna do, after all?¡±

    That was when Kyle finally broke, unable to make sense of anything at that point when it came to his own terrifying abilities. He took a seat next to her and buried his face in his hands, obviously more than a bit distraught by the point it seemed she was trying to make.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I made you do, and what you really wanted to do. I just don¡¯t know,¡± he sniffled again, still burying his face to avoid having to see her reaction to this terrible break in all that self-assurance he tried so hard to pretend he had.

    ¡°There¡¯s no way I can know either, Kyle. After all, that¡¯s how it works, isn¡¯t it? You make someone think that their thoughts are their own, but they¡¯re really not. So, I can¡¯t know how I supposedly ¡®really¡¯ felt all those times I was with you. But I know that right now, you want to be punished, you want to disappear, but I don¡¯t want that. I know that I don¡¯t wanna lose you, any of you. Not ever. So if what I¡¯m feeling right now is the opposite of what you¡¯re feeling, then it must really be my feelings right now, right?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lili,¡± he admitted as he looked up at last, but still refused to look back her way as he wiped at his blue-gray eyes.

    ¡°Yes you do, Kyle. Right now, you know that this is really me, saying that I really don¡¯t wanna lose you. I can¡¯t say that I feel the same way about you that I feel about the man I gave my virginity to, or that I feel the same way about you as I feel about the father of my only child. But I know, without a doubt that I can¡¯t lose any of you. And right now it feels like I already am losing every one of you, in one way or another,¡± she stated sadly. ¡°Please don¡¯t let me.¡±

    ¡°How will any of you ever be able to trust me again?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°We still don¡¯t know if you actually did mess with my head. It¡¯s a crime that can never be proven, one way or the other. All we can do now is go forward. Backwards won¡¯t give us any answers, no matter how much we want them.¡±

    ¡°But you don¡¯t love me. Isn¡¯t that proof that I had to have made you be with me?¡±

    ¡°Problem being that you¡¯re using a false statement as your proof.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡±

    ¡°Read my mind right now, and tell me if you still believe that I don¡¯t love every one of you, in one way or another,¡± she whispered as she accented the words with a gentle kiss, before taking his hand and gesturing for him to follow her back home, where all of them needed to find some way to move forward, once and for all.

 Chapter 67

    When Lili and Kyle arrived back at the cabin later that morning, the sound of their footsteps immediately caught the attention of the other two men, who had looked to be in the middle of a heated discussion outside. Jared was holding his small computer in his hand and Ian was holding one of his many guns in his hands.

    ¡°What the hell, Lili?¡± was Jared¡¯s greeting as she and Kyle cautiously came nearer. Kyle kept well behind Lili as his eyes couldn¡¯t help being drawn to where Ian angrily shoved a clip into the pistol he held, the older man¡¯s gorgeous eyes more than a bit cold as they moved over Kyle in return.

    ¡°And may I add,¡± Ian began, ¡°what the hell is he doing here?¡± he finished his question with a growl. ¡°Did you force her to allow you to follow her back? Is that it?¡± he accused with further anger as he took a pointed step closer to the two who approached.

    ¡°Yeah, cause I really wanted to be near you again,¡± Kyle scoffed with a mix of sarcasm and sadness as he began to just as quickly turn away to head back to the tree line they had just emerged from.

    ¡°All of you stop it!¡± Lili exclaimed with her own anger easily emerging, which did cause Jared and Ian to turn their attention back to her, though Ian¡¯s expression still didn¡¯t soften by much. She then turned to notice that Kyle was still moving back towards the woods deliberately. ¡°I said all of you,¡± she directed her statement at Kyle with even more volume.

    ¡°He obviously doesn¡¯t want me here. Surprise, surprise,¡± Kyle responded, speaking at a much lower volume, as he did halt his steps, while still refusing to turn back to see any of their faces.

    ¡°Oh look we¡¯re in agreement once again,¡± Ian returned smartly. ¡°How could you even bring him back here, Lili? He¡¯s doing it again, isn¡¯t he?¡± he asked then with another growl to his words as he quickly moved his attention back to her, though still did not relinquish the tight grip on the gun.

    ¡°I said stop,¡± Lili repeated more angrily, ¡°And stop means stop, now doesn¡¯t it, Ian?¡± she asked him pointedly, the connotation behind the words managing to cause him and Jared to both look down, momentarily caught by her obvious point. She then took a deep breath before turning slightly back to Kyle. ¡°Come back here,¡± she ordered, though gently.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯s got a good enough aim to hit me all the way over here,¡± Kyle grumbled from his place now several feet closer to the tree line. Though, once he saw Lili¡¯s scowl, he let out a slight sigh of concession and forced his feet to carry him a small distance closer to the other three once more.

    Once Kyle did finally rejoin them, though still at a reasonable distance, Lili took a breath and spoke again. ¡°First of all, we don¡¯t even know that Kyle did do what he¡¯s afraid he may have done,¡± she began. ¡°The only reason he even thinks that he may have done anything wrong at all, is because he looked inside my head to determine if I was any closer to recovering, and what he saw there let him know that I do feel differently about each of you. That was his sole ¡®proof¡¯ that he may have done something wrong,¡± she repeated the facts pointedly.

    ¡°Sounds like a good enough reason to me,¡± Ian grumbled, his hands still clasped on the gun as tightly as his gaze was locked onto Kyle.

    ¡°Are you fucking serious, Ian?¡± Lili asked him loudly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Ian returned, Lili¡¯s tone and words both causing him to re-center his gaze on her at last.

    ¡°So, you slept with all of those people up there on the ship cause you felt exactly the same about every single one of them, huh?¡± she told him plainly. Those words did in turn cause both Jared and Kyle to look down in thought, their expressions making it clear that they immediately realized she had quite a valid point.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Ian repeated as he scoffed with disbelief and more than his fair share of discomfort at her scrutiny of his own actions during their former life.

    ¡°And before you answer,¡± she continued, not allowing his discomfort to sway her. ¡°Remember what you told me that day when I asked you why you tossed them all away so fast? I believe you admitted that you didn¡¯t feel any real connection to any of your previous lovers, now didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°And our first night here, what you told me when I asked you about your sex life. And what you said about the way you usually felt afterwards,¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help interjecting as though just remembering that conversation again himself.

    ¡°Don¡¯t help, Kyle,¡± Lili interrupted the youngest of them, though quietly, before Ian could retaliate. She then quickly continued making her point. ¡°So, if you freely admitted to us that you made love to people without feeling the same way about any of them that you may feel about¡­other lovers,¡± she added, looking down with a slight blush when referring to she and Ian¡¯s own love life, ¡°then how can you stand here and say that if I don¡¯t feel the same way about all three of you, that must mean he forced me? Seriously, Ian. Think about it.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°It¡¯s---¡° Ian attempted, only to be interrupted by Lili again.

    ¡°So help me, Ian, if you say it was different, I will smack you myself,¡± she told him plainly, causing the other two to look down again to hide their own reaction to her threat.

    Ian let out a heavy sigh to attempt to compose himself before speaking up again. ¡°So, you honestly trust him, and think it¡¯s perfectly ok to have him around all of us. You are that convinced that he won¡¯t pull any of his fucking mind control bullshit on us? Truly convinced?¡± he asked again, his own eyes glancing over Kyle with continued distrust.

    Though it was Kyle who answered, rather than Lili. ¡°If I was controlling any of you, would we even be having this conversation right now?¡± he returned pointedly.

    But it was then Jared who finally spoke up. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter Ian,¡± was his plainly spoken response as he took a deep breath.

    ¡°Excuse you?¡± Ian had to respond to that, his voice reflecting the same surprise that Lili¡¯s and Kyle¡¯s expressions both showed in response to Jared¡¯s strange statement.

    ¡°He can¡¯t control my mind, no matter how much he might ever want to,¡± Jared said with an eerie calmness to his tone, which did well to keep them all quiet as he continued. ¡°So, rest assured that there will be consequences if I ever see any evidence of him trying to do that to either of you,¡± he stated plainly as he took a slight step closer to Kyle, allowing his dark eyes to move over the younger man. ¡°And Kyle knows damn well, that I can and will make him pay if he ever tries that. And I won¡¯t need my fist, or a knife, or a gun to do it,¡± he promised as he centered his gaze directly on Kyle. ¡°I can put you in a world of pain, by only thinking it. And you know I will if you ever hurt anyone here, in any way.¡±

    Jared finished his statement coldly as he simply allowed the slightest nod to accent his words before moving back from Kyle. The promise easily left the seventeen year old with an expression of unease which was also mirrored on Lili¡¯s face at the weight of that threat being made by the most docile and least confrontational of all of them. Ian also looked not as much uneasy as shocked by the words, as he tried to weigh whether to be impressed or worried by such a warning being issued by the one who had always seemed the most peace-loving of the group. However, peace-loving or not, Jared was easily the most truly powerful out of all of them, if he were ever to let himself embrace those abilities, which were indeed frightening, even before his recent nineteenth birthday,

    ¡°Jared¡­¡± Lili began shakily, though even she wasn¡¯t sure what the rest of that sentence was meant to be.

    ¡°Kyle is not our biggest problem right now. And that¡¯s what we need to talk about,¡± Jared responded in a much softer tone as he set his computer aside now that Lili had returned from the trip that he had just found out about prior to their reappearance.

    ¡°We have another problem?¡± Lili asked worriedly as Ian looked down once more, seeming already aware of what problem Jared could be referring to.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a week and a half, and we¡¯ve tried,¡± he began with a heavy sigh as he turned back to where Lili and Ian had both moved their gazes to the ground awaiting the rest of Jared¡¯s statement. ¡°We don¡¯t have a real bottle, and the goat¡¯s milk that we can get into her system at all despite that; it still isn¡¯t what she needs, considering how small and weak she already is,¡± he stated sadly, as he attempted to keep his gaze on Lili rather than giving in to the urge to cast his eyes downwards as well.

    Lili swallowed hard as she felt all of their eyes then move to her, awaiting her response to such a dire diagnosis. ¡°But you¡¯re a doctor. You must know about some plants or something that you can crush up in the milk and help her get the vitamins she needs that way, right?¡± she asked in a shaky tone.

    Jared sighed heavily. ¡°She is barely eating what we try to get into her anyway, vitamins aside. It¡¯s not what she needs to get strong enough to survive much longer,¡± he told her sadly.

    His words caused Kyle to look down sadly as Ian turned away to hide his own upset over Jared¡¯s statements. Lili sniffled a bit as she looked around at all of them before attempting to find some response to the weighty words. ¡°But your vision,¡± she began. ¡°You saw her, three years from now. She was fine. She was healthy and happy. She¡¯ll be fine. Your vision said so,¡± she repeated again, her voice breaking on nearly every word.

    Jared shook his head as Kyle moved away in an attempt to busy himself with getting their lunch ready, or anything he could do to keep himself occupied in the face of every conversation that he had been party to so far that day. Ian continued to look away to hide his own feelings at that particular moment, though he still could not force himself to leave the conversation completely as Jared made Lili aware of the seriousness of the situation.

    With another deep breath, Jared continued. ¡°We¡¯ve had this conversation before, Lili,¡± another breath. ¡°Just because I see a vision of the future, doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s going to happen automatically. Our actions today, right now; those are what lead to those visions. None of them come true without our help, whether they¡¯re good visions or bad. Everything we do now leads to what I see then. You have to realize that by now,¡± he finished softly.

    Lili sniffled again. ¡°But if there¡¯s nothing we can do to save her, how the hell does anything we do now matter? You¡¯re contradicting yourself!¡± she argued weakly.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Jared returned in a tone as quiet as hers, which did cause Ian to look quickly back his way. ¡°Ian and I can¡¯t save her. But you, Lili, you¡¯re the one who can, not us. And if my visions always come true, like they always have, then you know I¡¯m right. No matter how helpless you feel right now, my vision proves that you can and do save this little girl. And considering how close she is to not being able to be saved right now: Today must be the day that you do finally realize that too.¡±

 Chapter 68

    Not able to find much of a verbal response to Jared¡¯s revelation right then, Lili instead took a shallow breath before heading inside, where the tiny child was resting in her makeshift crib. Jared and Ian exchanged a silent look with one another, seeming to agree that Lili would need to take a moment to let the seriousness of the situation and the truth of Jared¡¯s words sink in once and for all. So instead of following her, they took over the preparation of that day¡¯s lunch. Kyle easily stepped aside to let them do so, an obvious sign that he had had quite enough conflict of his own that day as well.

    It didn¡¯t take many more moments of the obvious tension between the three men before Kyle sighed slightly and decided to remove himself from their presence, however temporarily, by taking his own belongings that he had had at the pod with him that week, back inside.

    Inside, Kyle found Lili standing next to the crib, looking down at the tiny child, her face and body language making her obvious fear and anxiety almost tangible. ¡°They decided to finish making lunch. Wasn¡¯t really in the mood to argue with them. So I just decided to bring my stuff back inside instead,¡± Kyle offered his quiet explanation as he passed by her to set his bag down on the other side of the blanket that acted as a door to his own sleeping quarters.

    ¡°Honestly, you¡¯re the one person here who I¡¯m actually not afraid to have to speak to right now,¡± she answered him softly as he reappeared in the main part of the cabin.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­unexpected,¡± he decided on as he moved nearer to the crib as well.

    Lili took a breath as she moved her eyes from the baby and back to Kyle before offering further clarification. ¡°The reason I haven¡¯t been worrying about you and me the way I¡¯ve been worrying about them and me¡­¡± she took a breath as she attempted to continue. ¡°It¡¯s because you don¡¯t have as many reasons as they do to pull away from me now.¡±

    Kyle looked a bit surprised by her statement as he thought on it another moment before attempting to make a response. ¡°What reasons would those be?¡±

    She glanced down at her daughter pointedly before offering the first answer. ¡°She¡¯s struggling to even survive now because of me. I know it and Ian knows it. He won¡¯t come out and say that it¡¯s my fault she¡¯s so weak, but he knew that it was even before the conversation we just had out there. There¡¯s no way he can overlook that. When he sees her fighting for life, he knows that I¡¯m the reason,¡± she confessed with another sniffle.

    Kyle took a slight breath, not really able to argue her point. Instead, he moved on. ¡°And why do you think Jared would ever be pulling away from you. I figured he¡¯d be the last person you¡¯d ever worry about losing, considering he¡¯s always made his feelings for you pretty clear.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. He¡¯s never faltered, even once. He¡¯s always tried so hard to look after me both physically and emotionally. That¡¯s almost all he¡¯s done since we found ourselves here. Day in and day out, all he does is try to make sure that I¡¯m ok. It¡¯s gotta be exhausting,¡± she sighed, ¡°And I don¡¯t deserve it: That kind of devotion. And I know it¡¯s gotta be getting to the point where he¡¯s feeling the exhaustion of always having to worry about if I¡¯ll finally break at any second. He acts like he can handle always having to look after me, but I can see the cracks wearing him down.¡±

    Kyle took a long moment to process her statement and try to find the best response he could. ¡°It seems to me like that all can be fixed though.¡±

    Lili scoffed slightly as she looked back at him. ¡°Care to share how?¡±

    ¡°What you have to do is make sure Jared knows that you are going to get through all this, and you are going to be all right. And the best way you can do that is¡­¡± instead of finishing the sentence, he looked down at the tiny child before them once more.

    Lili shook her head sadly once more as she moved her eyes back to her daughter once again. ¡°Everyone seems to think that I can do this¡­everyone but me,¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re outnumbered then, huh?¡± he told her with a slight smile as he moved to squeeze her shoulder slightly. ¡°Only way to prove it to yourself is to just do it. You were always so convinced of how strong you were before all this, Lilith,¡± he offered another smile. ¡°So now¡¯s your chance to show that strength, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°But I¡­¡±

    ¡°Lili,¡± he nudged slightly.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she faltered. ¡°I mean she¡¯s sleeping now, and if she¡¯s already so weak, I should let her sleep, shouldn¡¯t I?¡±

    Kyle just allowed another slight smile as he took a step forward and reached down to gently pick up the tiny baby who fussed slightly as she was lifted into his arms. ¡°There, she¡¯s awake now,¡± he stated simply.

    ¡°But¡­¡± Lili whispered, biting her lip as she looked wide-eyed at the child in his arms, her anxiety still more than apparent.

    ¡°Your turn,¡± he stated simply as he moved to place the child in her trembling arms as a few tears emerged from Lili¡¯s eyes as she tried to force herself to stop the trembling long enough to steady the baby against her chest.

    ¡°But¡­¡± she attempted again, as she looked down at the child once more.

    ¡°You can do this Lili. Remember, the vision said so,¡± he reminded, using her own words to remind her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if it exactly said that,¡± she whispered, still shaking a bit as her daughter cuddled closer to her chest, finally feeling her mother¡¯s arms around her tiny body for the first time in the ten days since she had arrived in that new world.

    ¡°You know you¡¯re the one who saves her, Lili. And once you do, I think you¡¯ll see how much easier it will be to save everything else that you¡¯re so terrified of losing right now,¡± he told her softly as he placed a soft kiss on her cheek above where she continued to look down at those ocean-colored eyes. With that, Kyle left her to finally prove at last that she was the savior they all believed she could be if she just started to believe it herself.

    Three hours had passed since Kyle had left Lili behind inside and went to join the other men outside, despite how much tension was still quite obvious between them. In those three hours, they had shared a deadly silent lunch, and then each attempted to find anything else to keep them busy enough to avoid any kind of real conversation. Though, Ian¡¯s worry over the current situation did not honestly allow him much relief from those worries.

    With a heavy sigh, he moved over to where Jared was adding to his collection of plants that he thought he could find some medicinal use for. ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s about time we check on her, and Hope?¡± Ian interrupted Jared¡¯s busy-work with his question.

    ¡°Hope?¡± Kyle interjected hoarsely, from his place several feet away where he had just finished collecting more milk from their pets.

    Ian couldn¡¯t help scowling at the mere sound of Kyle¡¯s voice, but did force an answer. ¡°We named her that this week, while you were off feeling guilty about something you supposedly didn¡¯t do,¡± he offered coolly.

    ¡°I was just giving her the time to take in everything I told her this morning,¡± Jared replied before allowing Kyle any time to respond and start that debate all over again.

    ¡°Well it¡¯s been three hours,¡± Ian pointed out the obvious, his attention easily moved from Kyle back to the state of his daughter¡¯s health that day.

    Jared just sighed in concession and closed the box before pushing himself into a standing position, squaring his shoulders, and heading back inside. Upon his arrival in the main room of their home, Lili immediately startled from her seat upon the floor, her back against the crib as Hope slept soundly in her arms. Despite the fact that Lili was obviously shaken by Jared¡¯s reappearance, he couldn¡¯t help allowing a small smile down at mother and child.

    ¡°You¡¯re holding her?¡± he stated the obvious in a gentle voice as he moved nearer to stoop next to where she awkwardly sat, almost as if frozen in place there.

    ¡°She fell asleep,¡± Lili managed shakily. ¡°I was afraid I¡¯d wake her if I moved to put her back in the crib.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been holding her like this for three hours?¡± Jared smiled as he gently moved a tiny red curl from the baby¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°It¡¯s been three hours?¡± was Lili¡¯s only response, still whispering every word as though she was afraid that the mere sound of her voice would shatter the tiny baby.

    ¡°About that,¡± Jared offered with another small smile. Lili didn¡¯t seem to be able to find any other response at that moment as she simply looked down, the smile on Jared¡¯s face somehow making her feel even more tense than she already was. Jared took another moment to glance at Lili¡¯s still more than apparent discomfort before finally forcing himself to speak again, though in an even quieter tone. ¡°Did you manage to get her to eat?¡±

    ¡°She was really hungry and¡­and I don¡¯t even know if I did it right. I mean, what if I did something wrong?¡± Lili asked as more tears formed at the corner of her pretty eyes.

    Jared couldn¡¯t help another smile as he pushed back any of his own emotion at the news. ¡°If you got her to eat at all then believe me, it¡¯s the best thing that¡¯s happened in the entire time since she was born,¡± he assured her. Though his words only caused another sniffle from Lili who still seemed convinced that she could have easily made things worse without even knowing it somehow. ¡°Ok, one thing you might wanna do differently¡­¡± he began.

    ¡°Oh god, what?¡± Lili asked as her head snapped up in fear.

    ¡°You may want to actually put her back in the crib at some point. You know, just in case you might need to, I don¡¯t know, get some food into your own system now so you can keep up your strength, for both of you,¡± he instructed. ¡°We still left your lunch waiting out there for you, you know,¡± he chided gently.

    ¡°But, do you think it even helped?¡± Lili asked with a slight breath as Jared moved to gently take the child from her arms and place her into the crib once more.

    ¡°I think it¡¯s the only thing that could have helped her at this point.  And you got past it. That¡¯s all you needed to do. And now that you have,¡± he allowed his own slight sniffle as he moved back from the crib to offer a hand to Lili and help her back to her feet, ¡°I have a lot more faith in that vision coming true after all,¡± a slight pause. ¡°And now I think you can finally let yourself have a bit of that faith in your own strength as well.¡±

 Chapter 69

    After a few more days of making sure Lili had at least gotten over the fear of feeding Hope, if none of her other fears, Ian was finally comfortable enough to wander more than twenty minutes from the shack in order to find fish or game. As July was just ending, the temperatures were still a bit warm to walk too long without a break for water though. Ian made his first stop for refreshment once he spied a cave near the river, which he could only assume was the one where Jared had first let another of his abilities become known, simply for the sake of saving Kyle¡¯s life.

    Ian finished his few sips of water with a sigh, still pondering whether or not Kyle could still be fully trusted not to push unwanted thoughts into anyone¡¯s head. But, as Lili was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on such matters, Ian had to find a way to as well. He let out another sigh as he readied his weapon and a makeshift torch and peered into the cave to see if there was anything waiting to try and catch him off guard. He had never actually tried bear-meat as it was hardly an approved part of the ship¡¯s rations, and he was aware that whatever had made its home there the previous year may not have been an actual ¡®bear¡¯ according to Earth standards, but he was still willing to give it a shot. After all, his daughter as well as her mother both needed to build up all the strength they could before winter was upon them all once more.

    Ian searched the cave thoroughly and found nothing living inside though. So, he made his way back out to the river to see if the fish would be biting any better now that he was further from the shack and the portion of the river where they had done most of their fishing over the last year. It was true that they were all a little tired of fish, but the one thing about fishing was that it was so boring, it gave one plenty of time to watch their surroundings for tastier resources.

    <hr>

    Nearly an hour passed in that hot sun as he waited for the bites that were still few and far between. He easily found himself wondering why he didn¡¯t just have Jared hoodoo the fish out of the water like he did when they first arrived there. Of course, Ian knew that Jared had much more important tasks of keeping an eye on Hope, as well as Lili, who still didn¡¯t seem anywhere near jovial or calm, despite getting past her fear of at least touching their daughter long enough to feed her.

    Another sigh and another sip of water as he watched the home-made fishing pole, waiting for it to actually move and give him some temporary task to deal with. Instead of the pole moving though, it was another movement that caught Ian¡¯s eye as he quickly turned to find their ghost-like friend had once again materialized about ten feet or so up the river from the boulder that Ian had been sitting upon for that last rather boring hour.

    ¡°If it isn¡¯t our most elusive neighbor¡± Ian greeted him with a slight shake of his head, ¡°or rather, our only neighbor.¡± he allowed another sigh, then a bit of worry crept in, all things considered, ¡°Please tell me no one is hurt or dying this time too¡± he added, tensing slightly as he awaited the answer.

    The young man looked around as though pondering the question before turning back to Ian, ¡°no¡± was the only answer he offered.

    ¡°Man of few words, eh?¡± Ian mumbled, then looked back up at him. ¡°Not that I¡¯m sure how accurate that is. If you had an actual shirt on, I¡¯d have to check¡± he added referring to the simple animal skin cloth that was wrapped loosely around the young man¡¯s sun-kissed chest, still leaving at least one nipple exposed.

    ¡°Check?¡± the young man asked as he moved only the slightest bit closer to where Ian remained sitting, staring back out at the water with continued boredom.

    ¡°Guess no one was ever around to tell you exactly how androgynous you look. Bowie would be proud¡± Ian mumbled, more to himself as he continued propping an elbow on his knee and his chin in his hand to reflect exactly how bored he was becoming with the chosen activity of the day.

    ¡°An...draw...juh...niss?¡± the man repeated the word slowly as he moved to stand next to where Ian remained sitting.

    ¡°Never mind¡± Ian scoffed with the slightest smile. A moment later though, he looked back up at ¡®ghost¡¯ curiously, ¡°what is your deal anyway?¡± he couldn¡¯t stop himself from asking.

    ¡°Deal?¡± ghost asked softly as he stooped down to glance out over the water himself.

    Ian sighed, trying to work out exactly what the scope of this boy¡¯s linguistic abilities truly was. He then tried to better explain himself, for no other reason than his own boredom and curiosity. ¡°What I mean is, how did you even learn English...our language?¡± he clarified before the question was asked.

    ¡°Mother¡± was ghost¡¯s simple answer.

    ¡°Your mother?¡± Ian asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°You burned her¡± he added more quietly.

    Ian swallowed a bit at the statement, but forced himself onward, ¡°so, how old were you even when she...died?¡± He added the last word quietly.

    ¡°Um...¡± ghost began, seeming to actively be trying to recall the answer, ¡°I think she said, five? Haven¡¯t spoken in long time. Before you people come¡± he added quietly, ¡°learned more from listening to you.¡±

    ¡°Stalker¡± Ian mumbled, then quickly moved on, ¡°my parents sent me to go live on a ship when I was only three. Guess we have something in common.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°No ship here¡± ghost put in.

    ¡°Yeah, so I¡¯ve heard¡± Ian returned with another heavy sigh. ¡°So I guess the whole teleporting thing is how you managed to survive here alone for fifteen years?¡± he continued after another long pause.

    ¡°Teleporting?¡± ghost repeated.

    ¡°The whole thing where you¡¯re in one place then suddenly you¡¯re in another¡± Ian added matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t know others couldn¡¯t do. Were no others¡± ghost responded quietly.

    Ian shook his head, ¡°valid point¡± he allowed. He then took a breath as he looked back over at ghost just as he moved a jet black lock away from deep brown eyes. Even getting a better look at the young man¡¯s face did nothing to take away from the androgyny Ian mentioned earlier. In some odd way, it even added to it. Another shake of his head to push away any errant thoughts before Ian pressed on, ¡°so how old were you when you realized you could do that?¡±

    ¡°Always¡± was ghost¡¯s simple answer.

    ¡°Always?¡± Ian was the one repeating the other man¡¯s words this time, ¡°so you actually could teleport even when you were just a little child?¡± Ian swallowed hard, his mind not able to keep from immediately moving back to his own daughter and her effect on the wolves, not to mention, Jared¡¯s vision of her at only three years old.

    ¡°Good skill. Helps¡± ghost concurred.

    ¡°Yeah, no kidding¡± Ian mumbled, ¡°even if it¡¯s a bit annoying at times¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding even more quietly.

    That was when ghost cast another look between the river and where Ian continued to sit staring out at it. ¡°Better food from bigger water¡± ghost offered.

    ¡°Bigger water?¡± Ian raised a brow as he looked back over at the young man, ¡°You mean the ocean? Where Kyle got bit?¡± he added for clarification.

    ¡°Come¡± ghost stated as he stood, offering a hand to Ian.

    ¡°Come?¡± Ian gave him another skeptical look, ¡°I can¡¯t just leave¡± he argued, though not with much conviction.

    ¡°She has doctor and Kyle. They both do. Come, get better food from bigger water¡± ghost repeated.

    Ian sighed and stood as he looked back toward the shack and back at ghost, pondering the choice. He was terrified of leaving them when so much was still unsettled with Lili¡¯s current state of mind. Then again, she did have Jared there, and ghost could obviously get him back there in a matter of seconds, and they did need more food if not better food. Though, before Ian could continue his inner debate, he felt ghost¡¯s warm hand close over the bare skin of his arm below the short sleeve of his worn t-shirt.

    A moment later, they were there at a beautiful beach on that sunny early afternoon, ¡°I don¡¯t believe I had said yes yet¡± Ian stated with a bit of annoyance once his original disorientation passed.

    ¡°Better food¡± ghost smiled as he moved close enough to the water that it washed over his bare feet, as he gestured to the ocean with that continued smile.

    ¡°That¡¯s great and all, but my fishing pole is still back at the river¡± Ian began, only to see ghost disappear once again, and re-appear a moment later, pole in hand.

    ¡°See, I can be everywhere¡± ghost smiled, ¡°helpful, yes?¡±

    Ian just scoffed in disbelief, beginning to feel more and more inferior to just about everyone on this planet, including his own infant daughter. Though, he would never voice that feeling, however it did grant him the tiniest bit of understanding of why it was that Lili was feeling so inferior lately as well.

    <hr>

    Another couple of hours passed as the hour hit three pm, the hot July sun not letting up as it reflected off the waves and the sand. Ian had found a seat near the water and had actually hauled in quite a few catches in the last two hours. While he did that, ghost walked along the beach nearby collecting shells and other things he deemed of value, not seeming nearly as affected by the hot sun as Ian. Given, Ian was wearing a t-shirt and jeans as opposed to scraps of animal skins that barely covered him, as ghost had; plus, Ian had only even had to endure living outdoors and away from technologically controlled temperatures for only one of his twenty-four years, unlike the boy who had spent his whole life there on that planet, alone.

    With a sigh, Ian finally set aside the pole and called to him, ¡°ghost, come here.¡±

    The young man looked back at Ian with a confused expression before moving back toward the older man, ¡°ghost?¡±

    ¡°Well, I dunno what else to call you, now do I?¡±

    ¡°Name?¡± ghost asked.

    Ian chuckled slightly, ¡°yeah I don¡¯t recall you telling us yours. Do you even have one?¡±

    Ghost pondered the question for a moment, as though calling on long forgotten memories, ¡°mother called me...Will....I think¡± he offered sadly.

    ¡°Will?¡± Ian repeated, ¡°ok, Will it is then¡± he agreed as he stood, ¡°but I¡¯m dyin out here, I think it¡¯s time to go back.¡±

    ¡°Dying?¡± Will asked with confusion.

    ¡°Bad choice of words¡± Ian admitted, ¡°I mean it¡¯s too damn hot. We should go back. I mean, the shack is way too hot too, but at least there¡¯s shade, and I got plenty of food to take back¡± he added as he gestured to the pile of fish next to him.

    ¡°Too hot?¡± Will asked, ¡°then we cool off¡± he stated simply as he gestured to the water.

    Ian scoffed as he looked out at the vast ocean of this unknown planet, ¡°I know enough to know that there were things in Earth¡¯s oceans that could rip you to shreds. I don¡¯t even wanna begin to guess what¡¯s in the ocean here.¡±

    ¡°Anything bad, I can save. Just stay close¡± Will smiled.

    Ian shook his head over at Will again before speaking once more, ¡°I gotta know.¡±

    ¡°Know what?¡± Will asked innocently as he began unhooking the pouch he always seemed to carry around his waist for whatever he collected along his way.

    ¡°Last time we were here, on this beach, you pretty much told me you didn¡¯t like me much. Something about me being too angry?¡± Ian then continued, ¡°so why is it that you wanna help us at all, let alone spend the entire day with me? I don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Will was quiet a moment as he tried to find the right words for that answer, ¡°I watched and saw you needed help. So, I help. Then I brought your baby, and helped your female. It made you... less angry¡± he finished.

    Ian allowed the tiniest smirk at the statement, not realizing it was true until that moment. He then took a breath as he looked out at the ocean, then back at where Will was now removing whatever it was that passed as his shirt, then back at the ocean again. ¡°Believe me, I¡¯ve still got plenty to be angry about, just don¡¯t see the point in wasting much of that anger on you, anymore¡± he added more quietly as he leaned down to begin removing the well-worn hiking boots he had practically lived in since their arrival.

    ¡°Then you like me now?¡± Will asked with another smile as he dropped the ¡®shirt¡¯ to the sand and began untying the cloth that was wrapped about his waist.

    When Ian pulled off his own t-shirt and looked Will¡¯s way to see him beginning to remove that last covering, he swallowed a bit, ¡°we¡¯ll have to see¡± was his only reply.

 Chapter 70

    Back at the shack that afternoon, Jared was just returning with another batch of plants to add to his medicinal collection. Once he stepped inside the shack, he found Lili looking distraught as ever as she attempted to feed Hope. She was leaning upon the wall, one hand awkwardly trying to pull her t-shirt away from her chest, while using the other to try and support the fussing child.

    ¡°You¡¯re back? Finally!¡± she greeted him as she continued to struggle with what seemed to her like not enough hands.

    ¡°I was only gone a few hours¡± Jared attempted an awkward smile as he moved toward her, setting that day¡¯s batch of plants aside.

    ¡°Well Ian¡¯s gone too, and I just can¡¯t...¡±

    ¡°Lili¡± Jared interrupted with the slightest scolding tone as he moved closer, gently moved a strand of disheveled hair from her face, and kissed her cheek, ¡°you¡¯re doing fine¡± he attempted to assure her, ¡°but there is probably a better way to do that¡± he allowed himself to add.

    ¡°What?¡± Lili asked with a bit of panic easily entering her tone.

    ¡°Maybe not better¡± Jared corrected himself, ¡°but easier.¡±

    ¡°Please share¡± she told him, the same constant upset always permeating her tone as it had been for longer than either could remember at that point.

    ¡°Well, the simplest would be to just take off your shirt, then it would leave both...¡± though Jared stopped himself when he saw the way her eyes snapped up to him. ¡°Or,¡± he changed gears as he moved closer, ¡°can I show you?¡± he asked before making any further move toward her.

    ¡°Yes, please¡± Lili answered desperately.

    Jared took a breath, trying to steel himself into doctor-only mode, as he moved nearer and, as slowly as he could, reached his hand inside Lili¡¯s shirt, trying to ignore the way she tensed at the motion. He swallowed hard as he cupped her over-full breast in his hand and gently lifted it out of the shirt and placed her nipple against Hope¡¯s eager mouth as she began to suckle.

    Jared slowly moved his hand from her bare, pale skin, mentally cursing himself for the immediate reaction his body was having after so long without her touch, but forced himself to speak nonetheless, ¡°see, now you have both hands free to hold her. Much easier, right?¡±

    Finally catching her own breath after feeling Jared¡¯s touch after so long, Lili eventually found words, ¡°I¡¯m hopeless. I can¡¯t even feed her right¡± she stated, her voice breaking as she spoke.

    ¡°You¡¯re fine Lili. All that¡¯s important here is that you feed her at all, even if you might need some help from time to time. That¡¯s still ok. You¡¯re still doing your job, You¡¯re still keeping her alive¡± he finished as he couldn¡¯t hold back the urge to gently kiss her lips to comfort her more than his words could, despite the tension he felt in her when he did so.

    When Jared ended the kiss, Lili scrambled for any words she could find to break the awkward silence that immediately followed their kiss, ¡°what are all those plants for?¡± she asked as she glanced toward them, hoping that Jared¡¯s eyes would follow hers rather than staying focused upon the still exposed breast that Hope continued to eagerly suck upon.

    Pulling his eyes away, Jared cleared his throat to respond, ¡°medicine of course.¡±

    ¡°What kind?¡± Lili pressed, doing all she could to alleviate the awkwardness they were both feeling right then.

    ¡°All kinds really¡± Jared offered, sure that she was desperately trying to distract them both, but also sure that him spewing a bunch of definitions of various herbs wouldn¡¯t be likely to help provide much of a distraction anyway.

    ¡°That¡¯s specific¡± Lili scoffed as she kept her eyes glued to the pile of plants rather than on Hope or Jared. Though, before Jared could respond, she continued, ¡°will any of them keep this from happening again?¡±

    Jared was a bit caught, but decided he had better get clarification before responding, ¡°keep what from happening again, exactly?¡± he added.

    ¡°This¡± she glanced down at her daughter, ¡°a baby.¡±

    Jared was caught again by her words. He had spent so much time worrying about how to even brooch the subject with Lili and here she was bringing it up herself. He took a breath before responding, ¡°um, yeah, I think there¡¯s a few that might help, in that regard. Maybe. They¡¯re still untested and all, but...¡± his voice trailed off.

    Lili took her own deep breath upon hearing his answer, the tension in her seeming even more tangible, ¡°well, I guess that¡¯s good. I¡¯m sure all three of you are really eager to get me on my back or my knees again, right?¡± she said with a slight trace of bitterness.

    Jared was once again stunned by her words for a moment, ¡°Lili, you can¡¯t think that...¡±

    ¡°Think what? That you all can¡¯t wait to start fucking me on a nightly basis again? Come on, you¡¯re guys¡± she scoffed.

    Then it was Jared¡¯s turn to scoff, ¡°Really, Lili?¡± he asked with a touch of disbelief, ¡°we know that this baby nearly killed you, less than two weeks ago. Give us a little more credit than that, please.¡±

    Another scoff from Lili, ¡°but you collected those plants for that reason, right?¡±

    ¡°Lili, that¡¯s not....¡±

    ¡°And it was pretty obvious that you wanted to be inside me again, just now, when you touched me. Your pants don¡¯t hide that much, Jared¡± she added with a shake of her head, her eyes downwards.

    ¡°Lili, you can¡¯t really be mad at me for planning for the distant future by gathering these plants. It doesn¡¯t mean I expect us to need them any time soon, at all. And honestly, wouldn¡¯t you be more upset if you thought I never wanted to touch you again? I¡¯m nineteen, I can¡¯t hide the fact that you are the most beautiful woman I¡¯ve ever met, even before we were stuck here; not to mention, that you¡¯re the only woman I¡¯ve ever even been with like that, the only person I¡¯ve ever been with even. You can¡¯t be mad at me for having feelings for you, can you?¡± a slight pause, ¡°just because I¡¯ve always wanted you, and always will...you can¡¯t actually think that I would ever expect anything from you before you¡¯re ready. Even if that¡¯s years from now. Give me at least that much credit, Lili¡± he finished pleadingly.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Lili was silent a while, sniffling a bit before she found her voice again, ¡°fine maybe you can be patient, maybe...but what about the others? Ian already is angry at me for how horrible a mother I am. Kyle is already angry at me for being a mother at all...how long will they really be willing to wait for me to fulfill the only other use I have?¡±

    Jared was floored once again by the depths of her self-hatred. It was unfathomable to him that she could think so little of herself when he thought so much of her, even before they had spent nearly a year as lovers. He could feel the tears welling up easily once he saw hers, and it was clear to him, exactly how deep her pain still ran. He searched his brain for anything at all he could say to make her feel any better at all, though soon realized that he suffered all of that self-hatred himself, back when his father first rejected him, on the day he came into the world at the cost of his own mother¡¯s life; and it only grew with every year that the only family he knew continued to push him away. And it continued right up until the point when he finally opened up to the woman now standing before him, begging him for assurance that she would not be rejected by any of the people she cared about, no matter how truly damaged she was as well.

    <hr>

    Ian made himself look away as Will stood only a few feet off, dropping the last bit of his clothing to the sand beneath him. Ian took a deep breath as he moved to free himself of his jeans and boxers, still not looking back toward the younger man, despite hearing his footsteps approaching behind him.

    ¡°Ready¡± Will stated, now having moved to barely a foot from where Ian had just pulled himself free of his last bit of clothing.

    ¡°Good for you¡± Ian mumbled as he moved to set his clothes neatly in a pile on the sand, still not looking back Will¡¯s way.

    ¡°So, what did ¡®androgynous¡¯ mean?¡± Will asked as he waited for Ian to finish busying himself folding the clothing.

    Ian just scoffed as he stood upright again, ¡°it means when a guy looks more like a girl, and a girl looks more like a...guy¡± he answered as he finally turned back to where the young man stood facing him, shamelessly, just curiously waiting for the answer.

    Ian¡¯s voice caught in his throat once he turned to face the young man as he couldn¡¯t stop his ocean-colored eyes from traveling down over Will¡¯s tall, lean, tanned frame as he stood before him, awaiting what he seemed to only consider a playful swim in the ocean.

    ¡°See, not a girl¡± Will smiled as he gestured to his own genitals, where Ian¡¯s eyes had also inadvertently stopped as well.

    ¡°Definitely not¡± Ian breathed the words more than spoke them, making some attempt to pull his eyes from the young man¡¯s body.

    ¡°Yours is changing, growing¡± Will smiled as he glanced down at Ian¡¯s own quickly reacting body.

    Ian¡¯s breath was still ragged as he glanced down at himself, then back at Will, ¡°yours too¡± he nodded as the young man also seemed to be having the same reaction upon seeing it in Ian.

    That¡¯s when Ian took a step closer upon seeing that their arousal did indeed seem to be mutual. He allowed himself to reach up and gently touch Will¡¯s cheek below the long unkempt black locks & deep brown eyes, ¡°so, you¡¯re what, twenty, twenty-one years old now?¡± Ian asked in the same breathless tone.

    ¡°Think so¡± Will responded, his own breath seeming shorter upon Ian¡¯s touch, though he made no move to pull back from it.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve been here alone, all this time, no one else around at all, ever?¡± Ian whispered as he moved so that there were now mere inches separating them.

    ¡°No other...humans¡± Will answered in the same whisper.

    ¡°So, you really don¡¯t know anything at all about...touching other people, and such?¡± Ian asked gently.

    ¡°Only what I saw your people do, sometimes¡± Will admitted as he looked down into Ian¡¯s eyes, as he stood nearly as tall as Jared, nearly. Though still, he did not make any move to break off their contact.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about the stalking right now¡± Ian smirked as he dared to move closer still, ¡°but if you saw us touching each other, then you must have an idea why we¡¯d do it, right?¡±

    ¡°I saw you, and the others, touching the girl, Lili. It seemed like it felt good, for all of you¡± Will admitted as he let his eyes also move over Ian, noting that the mutual arousal was complete in both men now.

    ¡°Good is an understatement¡± Ian breathed as he allowed his lips to just barely trail over Will¡¯s cheek, ¡°want me to show you why we touched each other?¡± he dared.

    Will swallowed a bit as he looked into Ian¡¯s eyes once more, ¡°good seems...good¡± he agreed in a whisper.

    Ian smiled at the innocence of the answer before speaking again, ¡°just promise not to teleport me away in the middle of our...goodness, ok?¡± he allowed a slight chuckle.

    ¡°No going away. Want to be right here¡± Will breathed his agreement to Ian¡¯s simple terms.

    ¡°Good to know¡± Ian smiled, though didn¡¯t want to waste any more time talking right then as he reached down between where the two of them stood against each other on that beach, the discomfort of the hot sun all but forgotten right then.

    Ian moved to encircle Will¡¯s hardness in his hand and ever so gently began moving up and down the length, reveling in the sound of Will¡¯s breaths shortening with each caress. The tide slowly came in around them as Ian continued his task, the water nearly reaching their waists as he skillfully brought the other man closer and closer to his climax.

    Once the water reached high enough to wash over Ian¡¯s hand, was when Will¡¯s body immediately gave into that orgasm as he spilled his seed, collapsing against Ian breathlessly as his body went limp.

    As they stood there in the tide, the water now waist-high, Ian continued to hold Will against him as the young man attempted to catch his breath once more. ¡°I guess now you know why we touched each other¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help replying with a smirk.

    After another moment, Will finally seemed able to breathe normally again, as he moved back from Ian only enough to look into his face before speaking. ¡°But when I saw you, and the others, it was different.¡±

    ¡°Well, it did involve a girl then¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help another slight chuckle.

    ¡°But I saw you, putting yourselves inside her. That¡¯s what made...¡± he looked down at himself briefly, ¡°this happen.¡±

    ¡°Well there are a few different ways to make that happen, and they don¡¯t all involve a girl, obviously¡± Ian smiled again.

    Will seemed to think on his words for a moment before speaking again, ¡°but you, yours is still...¡± he gestured to just below the water¡¯s surface, where Ian¡¯s arousal still throbbed for release.

    Ian almost blushed at the observation, almost, before coming up with a response, ¡°well, being with Lili, and only Lili, for this last year, I¡¯ve kind of gotten used to always making sure my partner comes first, before I let myself...finish. You kind of have to with girls. They¡¯re a bit more complicated¡± he chuckled again.

    ¡°Finish?¡± Will repeated.

    ¡°You know, when that happens¡± Ian stated as he gestured below the water again.

    ¡°You want to finish too though, right?¡± Will asked with the same innocence in light of the subject matter.

    Another chuckle from Ian, ¡°well yes, but you¡¯re a virgin and I¡¯m a top, and I don¡¯t know how you¡¯d handle that, honestly¡± he said warily.

    ¡°Virgin? Top?¡± Will repeated, ¡°not understanding.¡±

    Ian looked up at the afternoon sky as he bit his lip, trying to come up with some way of explaining such a strange activity to someone this innocent. ¡°It basically means that you¡¯ve never been with anyone, touched anyone, like this, and I¡¯m not sure how easy it would be for you to understand the ways to make me...finish¡± he attempted.

    ¡°Then show me¡± was Will¡¯s simple response, which Ian couldn¡¯t help smiling back at.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°I want you to feel good, to finish, too¡± Will insisted.

    Ian had to take another long moment to take in his eagerness to learn, to learn literally anything, before he decided on how to begin such a lesson. ¡°Well, you could do to me what I just did to you, or, there¡¯s a couple other, quicker, more efficient ways, I suppose¡± he chuckled again.

    ¡°Like putting it inside me, like you did with Lili?¡±

    Ian swallowed again, the thought itself making him that much harder, ¡°well, some ¡®adjustments¡¯ would need to be made¡± he smiled up at him, ¡°but it would definitely be the most thorough way to make anyone finish, that¡¯s for sure¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Then show me¡± Will said simply as he pulled Ian to the water¡¯s edge, and then down to the wet sand with him.

 Chapter 71

    Three weeks had passed since Hope was born, which meant that it was now August and they had officially been in this new home of theirs for an entire year. So much had changed in that year, but most of what had changed seemed to be themselves.

    That morning, Jared had gotten up early to continue working on those herbal medicines that had become almost like a full time job to him. After nearly losing Lili and Hope both, overly cautious was an understatement for his world view.

    Ian also rose early, left his own bed, and stopped to look down at his now three week old child with a smile, as her health had visibly improved in just the little time since Lili finally got past her anxiety about feeding the child. He then went outside, nodding to where Jared worked away on his medicines, and moved to start breakfast as he waited for Lili to hopefully come out to join them for their meal that day.

    Not long passed before Kyle also made his way outside, though his demeanor was definitely more groggy and even somber than the other two men. He sat down near their cooking fire where Ian prepared breakfast, and couldn¡¯t help the heavy sigh as he took the seat.

    ¡°Yes dear?¡± Ian smirked as he allowed only a brief smile back at the younger man, but almost seemed to be in a rather good mood, oddly enough.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help raising an eye at that smile as he glanced questioningly back at Jared, who seemed to be too caught up in his work to have even noticed the conversation. ¡°You¡¯re in an oddly good mood¡± Kyle pointed out as he warily looked over at Ian.

    ¡°Baby¡¯s doing better, we have food, what¡¯s not to be in a good mood about?¡± Ian responded.

    ¡°Um, everything else?¡± Kyle offered with a shrug.

    Ian just scoffed and shook his head, ¡°so you gonna go tinker with the pod again all day today?¡± he asked Kyle conversationally as he continued to prepare the meal.

    ¡°Yes, tinker, that¡¯s what I do¡± Kyle mumbled, then moved on, ¡°thought about not going out there today, but may as well, I guess¡± he stated with another shrug.

    ¡°Well, what else were you gonna do instead?¡± Ian continued in the same conversational rather than confrontational manner.

    Kyle gave him another questioning look before he had a thought, ¡°I never thought you were the type to keep track of birthdays.¡±

    Ian looked back with creased brow, ¡°were we having different conversations again?¡±

    That was when Kyle returned the questioning look, ¡°I thought that was why you were actually being civil to me today, for some reason.¡±

    After a moment, Ian realized what it was that Kyle was actually talking about, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right, it is your birthday, isn¡¯t it?¡± he stated, as though just recalling the fact then, himself.

    ¡°Yeah, only my eighteenth¡± Kyle scoffed with a bit of hurt, but soon looked down again, not pressing the issue. Though his statement did cause Jared to finally look up from his plants as if he was just remembering the importance of the day as well.

    ¡°Anything weird happening lately?¡± Jared asked Kyle as he joined the discussion at last.

    ¡°As opposed to all the normal we¡¯re surrounded by?¡± Kyle scoffed.

    ¡°You know what I mean; with your abilities¡± Jared clarified.

    ¡°I think they¡¯ve atrophied, the one whole ability I even had¡± Kyle added in a mumble.

    ¡°Oh, so you can¡¯t read minds and play puppet-master with our brains anymore, then?¡± Ian put in with a bit of sarcasm.

    Kyle scoffed once more, ¡°I haven¡¯t been trying, remember?¡± he answered with a bit of annoyance, which merely caused Ian to shake his head and turn back to the meal preparation.

    ¡°You¡¯d tell me though, if they did change any, right? I mean I know of at least two things I can do, and I¡¯m not that much older than you¡± Jared unnecessarily reminded.

    ¡°Believe me, I¡¯m dying for a useful ability¡± Kyle returned, ¡°I¡¯d be celebrating that shit.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, mind control and telepathy, so useless¡± Ian rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Correction: A useful ability that everyone around me won¡¯t hate me for using¡± Kyle returned sarcastically.

    Ian allowed a breath as he looked back at Kyle¡¯s sullen demeanor, ¡°such a happy birthday boy, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Glad I can amuse you¡± Kyle mumbled, then added, ¡°I just never thought my eighteenth birthday would suck this much more than my seventeenth did.¡± Of course, that comment of Kyle¡¯s just caused both men to tense a bit, but neither opened up that debate again, thankfully.

    ¡°Well your seventeenth was pretty hard to beat¡± Ian finally allowed, but he quickly moved on before seeing Kyle¡¯s reaction to that reminder, ¡°maybe you should talk to Will.¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Kyle and Jared said in near unison, which did cause a slight crack in Ian¡¯s composure before he responded.

    ¡°Ghost¡± Ian corrected with an awkward smile as he turned to offer them each a bowl of food.

    ¡°Ghost¡¯s name is Will?¡± Kyle asked with a raised brow as he took the food without taking his eyes off of Ian just yet.

    ¡°And when did you discover that?¡± Jared added as he took the food while eyeing Ian with the same curiosity.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°A couple days ago¡± Ian stated as though to brush it off as he turned away to get his own bowl.

    ¡°And?¡± Jared pressed.

    ¡°And what? I just think that if Kyle wants to learn about his powers, he should probably chat with our teleporting, astral projecting oldest E-kid, right?¡± Ian shrugged, attempting to continue to gloss over the details of he and Will¡¯s recent time spent together.

    ¡°I meant, when exactly did you and gh---Will hang out? And why? Doesn¡¯t he usually only show up like moth-man just to warn us someone¡¯s about to die?¡± Jared continued his questioning.

    Ian chuckled awkwardly, ¡°Pretty sure there¡¯s more to him than that.¡±

    ¡°Ian, defender of the unknown, previously known as Ian, I don¡¯t know what it is, so I shall kill it¡± Kyle stated with his continued sarcasm.

    Ian just shook his head, his unease increasing when it came to this particular subject somehow. He took a breath to buy more time to find a response, before finally speaking again, ¡°come on guys, I mean, he saved Lili and Hope both. I guess that earns him some points in my book. And I think it should in yours too.¡±

    Jared and Kyle just exchanged the same look of surprise at Ian¡¯s take on the matter, both having a feeling there was somehow more to it, but not able to place exactly what that more was.

    Jared finally looked over at Kyle again, ¡°Maybe you should talk to him; Will¡± he agreed, which did cause Ian to relax and somehow tense at the same time.

    ¡°You got his number?¡± Kyle retorted wryly.

    Jared scoffed, ¡°no, but you do, if his wall¡¯s not up¡± he reminded the younger man.

    ¡°What, you¡¯re going to call him now?¡± Ian interrupted as he turned back to them again.

    ¡°It was your idea¡± Kyle stated as he gave Ian another look of confusion.

    ¡°Well yeah, but...¡± Ian began.

    ¡°We¡¯re calling someone?¡± Lili asked hoarsely as she finally stepped out of the shack at the smell of breakfast cooking.

    Jared stood as she exited, as if expecting to have to come and assist her in taking a seat, but she seemed to manage on her own as she reached for the bowl Ian slowly offered her. ¡°Yeah we just thought that maybe Kyle should talk to ghost about his powers, considering¡± Jared offered her that explanation.

    ¡°Oh yeah, happy birthday Kyle¡± Lili added with the tiniest attempt at a smile as she took the bowl.

    ¡°Yay one person actually remembered¡± Kyle replied, casting accusatory looks at his other two companions. He then looked over at Lili, ¡°and apparently his name is Will¡± he told her as Ian turned away once more.

    ¡°Whose name is Will?¡± she asked as she took a tiny, tentative bite.

    ¡°Ghost¡± Jared offered.

    ¡°And when did we find this out?¡± she asked as she looked between the men curiously.

    ¡°Apparently he and Ian are best buddies now¡± Kyle stated as he shook his head over another bite of his own food.

    ¡°Really?¡± Lili asked with a bit of disbelief as she turned those turquoise eyes to Ian.

    Ian just scoffed, ¡°I never said that, he just took me to the ocean so I could catch us a much better quality of food. You¡¯re welcome¡± he added pointedly, trying to deflect any further inquiries right then.

    ¡°So, you guys went to the beach together? Quaint¡± Kyle snickered.

    ¡°Do shut up.¡± Ian complained as he went back inside then to check on Hope.

    ¡°He seems touchy¡± Kyle added once Ian was back inside.

    Lili just sighed heavily at the statement, as she went back to moving the food around in her bowl rather than eating it. Of course, Jared was quick to notice that sullenness taking over in both her voice and her body language, considering how worried he had been about her since that tearful conversation they had shared a few days back.

    ¡°It¡¯s not because of you, Lili¡± Jared assured her firmly, which did cause Kyle to glance between them with another questioning look.

    ¡°Right¡± Lili mumbled as she continued to stir the food around sadly.

    ¡°One: It¡¯s only been three weeks, and he knows that. And two: He actually seemed like he was in a pretty good mood this morning. So, stop thinking the worst¡± Jared told her with that same firm gentleness he seemed to be an expert at anymore.

    ¡°I sense I missed something...and I¡¯m not even reading minds¡± Kyle had to add.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t¡± Lili stated as she set the bowl aside and headed off toward the river alone.

    ¡°What¡¯d I say now?¡± Kyle asked Jared as he just looked sadly after Lili before forcing his attention back to his plants.

    Ian finished his breakfast inside while keeping an eye on Hope, while Jared remained silently wrapped up in his plants and Lili remained sitting quietly alone at the river. Kyle just shook his head as he finished his own meal and glanced between his companions. ¡°Yeah, happy birthday to me¡± he mumbled just barely loud enough for Jared to make out.

    ¡°So, are you gonna try to contact him then?¡± Jared asked as Kyle gathered the bowls.

    ¡°Suppose I may as well, since there¡¯s obviously nothing else going on today¡± Kyle agreed as he cast another glance at Lili.

    Jared followed his eyes and scowled a bit, ¡°you can¡¯t honestly be expecting this birthday to go like the last, can you? It has been only three weeks¡± he repeated.

    Kyle just scoffed, ¡°no, I¡¯m not expecting that¡± Kyle denied as he cast another glance at Lili, ¡°remember, I¡¯m the one who probably wouldn¡¯t have ever even been with her at all if I had known the IUD was gone.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure¡± Jared responded with a lack of belief in the truth to his words.

    ¡°Well, I would¡¯ve at least tried to ignore how fucking hot she was for another seventeen years¡± Kyle insisted, though the way his eyes continued to move over Lili in the distance belied the sincerity of his claim.

    Jared just shook his head again, forcing himself not to continue that line of thought, ¡°don¡¯t you have a ghost to call?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head as he pulled his gaze from Lili before closing those blue-gray eyes and attempting to locate ghost¡¯s, or Will¡¯s consciousness, wherever it may be. After a few long moments, he finally seemed to lock on, and only moment¡¯s later, Will had now appeared before them, there outside the shack.

    ¡°Wow, eighteen does make a difference¡± Jared stated quietly, more than a little startled by how quickly Kyle managed to both find and summon him.

    ¡°You...wanted me?¡± Will asked as he surveyed the shack warily, looking for any sign of urgency that would have led to Kyle psychically calling out to him.

    ¡°Ok, that is pretty neat¡± Kyle stated under his breath, glad that his ability seemed to actually do some good for once.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Will asked again, as he looked around once more.

    That was when Lili heard their voices and turned to note the new arrival. She took a breath and slowly started back toward the shack, moving fast still not something she was ready for just yet.

    ¡°Gh¡ªWill?¡± she greeted him as she neared the young man.

    ¡°Lili¡± he stated as he let his eyes move over her, noting that she at least seemed to be in much better physical condition than when he had last seen her there only a few feet away on the ground, in a pool of her own blood, a mere three weeks ago.

    ¡°I wanted to talk to you¡± she began softly.

    ¡°Talk?¡± he asked with a bit of his own apprehension apparent.

    She took a deep breath, trying to figure out where to begin. But her emotional exhaustion of late didn¡¯t allow for much more than just getting immediately to the question on her mind since the day Hope came into the world. ¡°Did you really take my mind from my body and...and get the baby out of me....to save me...us?¡±

    ¡°Only way¡± was Will¡¯s simple answer.

    ¡°I...¡± she swallowed hard as she looked down, ¡°I guess that means I should...thank you?¡± she stated, feeling the other men¡¯s eyes on her as she forced the words out.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t want another mother to die¡± was Will¡¯s simple explanation.

    Lili¡¯s breath caught at his words, but there wasn¡¯t time for her to offer any further response as Ian had once again stepped outside. Though, he stopped in his tracks when he saw their visitor.

    ¡°Ian¡± Will smiled in greeting as he immediately moved to embrace the older man, placing a long kiss over his lips, while the other three just took in the scene in shocked silence.

 Chapter 72

    ¡°Um...¡± Kyle finally spoke up after another moment of them watching that particularly intimate greeting between their great protector and their elusive ghost.

    Upon hearing Kyle¡¯s interruption, Will¡¯s only response was to step back from the kiss ever so slightly and smile down at Ian, ¡°I missed you...missed being with you¡± he clarified.

    Ian awkwardly cleared his throat, his tension obvious as he tried not to make eye contact with any of his other companions just then, ¡°yes it was a good fishing trip. Nice to see you again too¡± he managed as he took another step back, despite the way Will was letting his fingertips gently trail over Ian¡¯s arms just then.

    ¡°I meant after...when we...¡±

    ¡°Hey, uh yeah¡± Ian quickly interrupted, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Kyle needed to talk to you¡± he stated as he broke off their closeness and headed back inside, ignoring the slightly perplexed way Will cocked his head at Ian¡¯s quick departure.

    ¡°Ok then¡± Kyle stated with his own awkwardness as Jared quickly forced his eyes away and back to his plants, not sure what to say right then himself. However, Lili¡¯s response was a bit more obvious, as she let out an unreadable sigh of her own before just as quickly heading into the shack behind Ian.

    ¡°You needed to talk?¡± Will stated as he turned back to Kyle, a slight trace of disappointment in his voice as he did.

    ¡°Um yeah¡± Kyle returned, not able to help another shake of his long brown curls before moving onward through that more than uncomfortable scene, ¡°I actually was going to go out to the pod today; our pod¡± he clarified, ¡°I¡¯ve been attempting to contact our ship again if I even can, and find out where it is, if not here¡± he began.

    ¡°Pod?¡± Will returned as he moved to look down at the small computer that Kyle almost always had on him.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s what we call the smaller ship we arrived in. It¡¯s a lot like your parents had, but newer. It¡¯s here¡± he pointed to a spot on the computerized map he had since called up on the screen.

    ¡°Yes, been there¡± Will agreed, barely even looking down at the spot on the small screen that Kyle indicated, ¡°want to go now?¡± he asked as he looked back at Kyle, awaiting a response.

    ¡°Well I mean, I guess we could. But it¡¯s like half a day¡¯s...¡± though before Kyle could finish that sentence, Will¡¯s hand closed over his arm and the two disappeared, the way Will tended to do more often than not.

    When Lili entered the shack, her eyes first went to Hope¡¯s crib, where Ian was found most days. However, he wasn¡¯t there with their daughter this time. Instead, he had hidden himself away behind the partial walls that separated his sleeping quarters from the main room of their home.

    With a sigh, she pushed past the draped cloth doorway to his quarters to find him sitting somberly upon his bedding, staring at some random spot atop his covers, and displaying what almost looked like the anxiety that was usually the forte of everyone else in their group, rather than Ian.

    ¡°Of course it¡¯d be you¡± Ian stated, more to himself as she stepped through the doorway.

    Lili just shook her head and took a step inside as the draped cloth fell shut behind her, ¡°I thought you¡¯d changed¡± was her quiet greeting.

    Ian couldn¡¯t help scoffing, though he still could not bring those beautiful eyes back up to hers, ¡°Changed how exactly, Lili? Like I¡¯m straight now? Or like I¡¯d only ever be with one person ever for the rest of my life? Even though....¡± he just shook his head rather than finishing that sentence.

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant¡± she attempted in the same quiet tone as she took another step closer to his bedding.

    Almost seeming not to hear her last statement, Ian continued, ¡°because honestly, Lili, I wouldn¡¯t think you¡¯d be preaching monogamy, all things considered¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Lili swallowed hard at that particular comment before replying, ¡°that¡¯s not how I meant¡± she repeated once more.

    That was when Ian barely lifted his eyes to hers, looking at her skeptically, ¡°then how exactly did you think I changed?¡±

    Lili took a breath, trying to find the words, ¡°I meant, I thought the way you treated others changed. I thought the way you treated your lovers had changed¡± she clarified.

    That statement caused Ian to scoff more loudly as he sat up straighter then, ¡°and you say this isn¡¯t about monogamy?¡± he asked smartly.

    Lili just shook her head, ¡°no, it¡¯s not¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Then what the hell do you even mean?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°I mean, the way you just wrote him off, acted like nothing even happened. I didn¡¯t think that was you anymore¡± Lili stated after a long moment and another step closer to him.

    Ian was more than a bit thrown by that particular answer as he took another moment to reply, ¡°excuse me?¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Lili swallowed again, moving to take a seat at the foot of his makeshift bed before she found any more words to try and further explain her disappointment. ¡°Whatever happened between you and him,¡± a slight breath, ¡°it obviously meant something to him. And you acted like it never even happened at all¡± she told him with a trace of accusation in her voice. ¡°Do you know how much that would hurt? Especially if it was his first time being with anyone, which I can only assume it was, considering.¡±

    Ian just looked over at her with disbelief, never having expected that to be the reason for her obvious disappointment in him. It took him another long moment to find his own response then before he spoke up again, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to advertise what happened because...¡± he took a breath as he allowed a glance her way where she was obviously awaiting the rest of the sentence, ¡°because of you being there right then. I just thought...¡± he just shook his head again, eyes cast down once more.

    ¡°Thought that I¡¯d be pissed off at you for fucking someone else?¡± Lili offered with an almost scolding look.

    Ian let out another slight scoff, ¡°well, yeah.¡±

    ¡°So you did fuck him¡± Lili stated, almost to herself, before quickly looking back up at Ian, ¡°you really think I¡¯m that big of a hypocrite?¡± she had to ask.

    Ian was caught a moment as he awkwardly looked away before responding, ¡°no but you are a girl¡± Ian replied only to see her brief scowl and quickly adding, ¡°and you have been...pretty easily upset lately¡± he decided on.

    Lili just sighed at the second of his reasons at least being accurate. She then took another breath before replying, ¡°actually, I think I¡¯m almost relieved.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Ian returned, looking back at her with more than a bit of surprise at that comment.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been freaking out ever since the baby. And at least half of those freak-outs are about when the three of you might expect sex from me again¡± she admitted quietly.

    Ian shook his head at that, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure none of us are expecting to get laid only three weeks after you had to have a baby cut out of you and nearly died anyway¡± he assured.

    ¡°Really?¡± she asked as she looked back at him with a raised brow.

    Ian was caught as he looked down with a small smile before correcting his last comment, ¡°none of us are expecting to get laid by you¡± he edited the claim. Lili almost smiled too then, almost. After allowing himself a moment to enjoy seeing that smile again, tiny though it was, Ian spoke once more, ¡°so, should I go attempt to make you even happier by trying my hand at seducing Kyle and Jared too? Three birds, one cock¡± he teased.

    Lili almost laughed then, but couldn¡¯t quite let the sound out as she looked back up at him, the smile actually managing to live on her lips a second longer that time, ¡°that I¡¯d like to see.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it could be arranged, if I tried, really hard¡± Ian teased further.

    ¡°Honestly, what you could do for me is try to make it better with ghost...Will¡± she corrected. ¡°He did save me, and her¡± she glanced toward the doorway, ¡°I don¡¯t think breaking his heart would be a very good way of thanking him.¡±

    Ian nodded softly as he got up from the bed and reached out a hand to help her to her feet as well. He then gave her a slight squeeze and a kiss on the top of her head before looking back down at her face, ¡°you have a point, but FYI, I did kinda already thank him...thoroughly¡± he teased once more as he placed another kiss on her forehead and headed back out of his quarters with a smile of his own then.

    Once Ian stepped back out into the morning sun, he glanced around, noting that Jared seemed to be the only one in sight then.

    ¡°Where¡¯d they go?¡±

    ¡°They?¡± Jared asked as he looked up, letting his eyes travel over Ian again, many things unspoken after the previous encounter that day.

    ¡°Will and Kyle¡± Ian stated matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Will whisked him away to the pod¡± Jared answered with a shrug. He then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°why? Did you wanna go ¡®fishing¡¯ with him again?¡±

    Ian just allowed a brief glare back at Jared, then added his own smart comment, ¡°Jealous?¡± Of course, Jared only rolled his eyes in response as he turned his attention back to his plants once more.

    <hr>

    Kyle spent most of that day out at the pod attempting to question Will about his powers in the hopes of better understanding or even unlocking some of his own. It started out a bit rough, considering Will¡¯s limited comprehension of most of the language, but it got much easier when Kyle attempted to telepathically communicate with him instead of simply using words, as thoughts truly had no language. That was a lesson Kyle learned on the day Lili brought the goats home with her.

    It was nearly evening when Ian reached the pod; traveling by foot was obviously much slower than Will¡¯s preferred method of travel, after all. As he stepped out of the trees and into their sight, Kyle and Will were sitting quietly talking on the steps that led up to the pod. Will immediately smiled up at Ian in greeting. Though, this time, he didn¡¯t rush over to embrace the older man as he was still a bit confused by the way Ian had behaved when he had seen him earlier that day.

    ¡°What? No kiss this time?¡± Ian asked as he stepped closer, dropping the bag of supplies he had brought with him on the long walk.

    Will¡¯s smile widened then as he took the cue to stand and move over to Ian, where he easily covered his mouth in a warm kiss once more. Though, much to his relief, Ian actually seemed to return the kiss this time, and even moved his hands up over the younger man¡¯s back to pull him closer as they continued that kiss.

    ¡°Ok then¡± Kyle repeated a moment later.

    Ian did break off the kiss then, but still held the younger man close to him, ¡°we really gotta talk about that repression, Kyle¡± he teased, though his eyes remained on Will rather than Kyle for the moment.

    Kyle just shook his head as he also stood, moving slowly toward where the two men continued standing close together, their arms wrapped lightly around each others¡¯ waist still.

    ¡°Actually we have something else to talk about¡± Kyle awkwardly interjected.

    ¡°What now?¡± Ian sighed, finally moving back from Will as he glanced back toward Kyle at last.

    ¡°That¡± Kyle responded as he gestured toward that very distant dark spot in the sky far above them.

    ¡°And, what is that?¡± Ian asked as his eyes moved to the spot Kyle had indicated.

    ¡°That¡¯s the twin planet. It¡¯s close enough you can actually see it, just barely, but still, that¡¯s really close¡± he stressed.

    ¡°The what now?¡± Ian asked as he squinted at the spot for another moment.

    ¡°The second planet. Remember there were two. Both capable of supporting life, according to our tests. We just chose this one simply because it was closer¡± Kyle explained, with a trace of that condescension that made him so popular back on the ship.

    ¡°Ok...and why do we care?¡± Ian asked as he looked back at him, ¡°not like we could get there, even if anything is there.¡±

    ¡°The ship most likely crashed there¡± Kyle told him pointedly.

    ¡°Ok, great, see last comment¡± Ian returned.

    Kyle just scoffed as he gestured to Will, ¡°the pod may not be the only way to get there now, though!¡±

 Chapter 73

    ¡°You¡¯re not serious?¡± Ian responded, obviously appalled by Kyle¡¯s suggestion.

    ¡°What? He can teleport all over this planet. And the twin planet is really close¡± Kyle stressed once more.

    ¡°Seriously, Kyle?¡± Ian shook his head, ¡°I thought you were supposed to get smarter as you got older. No matter what, he¡¯s still human. And I¡¯m not even the science guy, genius, whatever, and even I know that to get to another planet, you have to pass out of one atmosphere and into another! Even if it¡¯s just for a split-second, his lungs would probably explode; not to mention, the lungs of anyone he took with him, not to mention...¡±

    That was when Kyle cut him off, ¡°there¡¯s not enough air in the suits for the pod to get us there, considering how many hours that would take, but there¡¯s still enough in the suits for as long as it would take him to get there though¡± he pointed out, not backing down from this new idea of his just yet.

    Ian paused a moment, but easily continued, ¡°even if that crazy theory works, there¡¯s no way we can get Hope there. It¡¯s just not doable¡± he continued his argument.

    ¡°Well, maybe we don¡¯t have to get her there¡± Kyle returned.

    Ian¡¯s eyes went dark at those words before replying, ¡°you better explain what that means.¡±

    That was when Will interrupted, despite the fact that the two seemed quite caught up in talking about him as though he weren¡¯t even there at all, ¡°I go there, bring ship back¡± he offered simply.

    Kyle quickly looked down to avoid seeing the expression that suggestion was likely to cause in Ian. Though, Ian being Ian, had to respond, ¡°you really think you could do that...I mean, if you get there at all, then to bring back a ship that was large enough to hold sixty-thousand people. I mean, really, Will?¡± he asked as his voice dropped. He was able to believe a lot of crazy things since this journey began, but that, that was even too much for him right then.

    ¡°We can at least let him try¡± Kyle replied, though his voice dropped as Ian glared back at him once more.

    Before any more could be said, Ian roughly grabbed Kyle¡¯s arm, pulling him out of earshot, away from where Will just looked on worriedly. ¡°Let him try?¡± Ian repeated under his breath, in a near growl, ¡°what the fuck is wrong with you, honestly?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s our best chance¡± Kyle argued, though his voice was weak at the feel of how angrily Ian continued to grip his arm,

    ¡°It¡¯s not a chance at all, you ass¡± Ian returned in the same quiet growl, ¡°if he survives at all, there¡¯s no way he¡¯ll be able to do that. And he¡¯ll most likely short-circuit his brain justtryingto!¡±

    ¡°He wants to try too, you heard him. I think he should know his own capabilities better than either of us ever could. He is the oldest...¡±

    Ian scoffed loudly, ¡°he only wants to try...¡± he paused a moment to find the best way to end that sentence, ¡°to try and prove that he can. It doesn¡¯t mean he actually can! And you¡¯re willing to let him die just to prove it? We shoulda made you stay away¡± Ian added bitingly.

    That was when Kyle¡¯s anger slowly began bubbling beneath the surface as well, ¡°don¡¯t you mean he wants to try foryou?¡± He then pressed on, ignoring the glare, ¡°and your daughter is an extension of you. So don¡¯t you think you owe it to her to at least let him try?¡±

    Ian gave Kyle another look of disbelief, ¡°I don¡¯t intend to let anyone sacrifice themselves for something I already know won¡¯t work. And the more you press, the more pissed I¡¯m gonna get, got it?¡±

    Kyle just shook his head, ¡°you already know, huh? You¡¯re the psychic one now, are you?¡±

    Another scoff from Ian, ¡°no but maybe I¡¯m the only one with common sense...or the only one of the two of us who actually gives a shit about other people. Maybe both¡± he added with continued anger.

    A long moment of silence passed as the two glared at each other, neither apparently willing to back down. Finally, Kyle spoke again, several moments later, ¡°First of all, I¡¯m doing this for other people; despite the fact that half of those people have treated me like a criminal lately. And he wants to try, and I¡¯m going with him. So, if you¡¯re actually right, about him failing...at least you won¡¯t have to worry about me being around anymore either, right?¡± Kyle finished as he angrily pulled his arm free and moved back toward where Will still looked on worriedly at the interaction between the two men.

    <hr>

    Considering their failure to come to any sort of agreement, Ian found himself returning to the shack alone once more. Meanwhile Kyle and Will stayed at the pod, continuing to make their plans for what Ian considered to be nothing short of a suicide mission. It was already past midnight when Ian did finally arrive back at their meager home, angrily dropping his bag inside the door of the shack before moving to look down at Hope with a heavy sigh.

    ¡°No Will and Kyle?¡± Lili asked with a yawn as she poked her head out from behind the draped cloth that led to her own quarters.

    ¡°Why am I not surprised that you¡¯re still up?¡± Ian stated, only looking back at her briefly, though still managing to avoid her question.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t I always?¡± Lili made another failed attempt at a smile before moving next to him to take a deep breath as she also looked down into the face of the child they had created together. After another moment of silence, she pressed on, ¡°so, does that mean you actually weren¡¯t able to patch things up with Will?¡±

    Ian sighed before answering, ¡°things with Will went fine. Then Kyle opened his fucking mouth.¡±

    Lili looked up at him with worry upon hearing that things between he and Kyle continued to seem unsettled, but she still had to find out what the cause was this time, ¡°care to share?¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Kyle has an idiotic idea and Will doesn¡¯t know any better than to go along with it, since all he seems to want to do is help us, for some reason¡± he added the last portion in a grumble.

    ¡°Forsomereason?¡± Lili couldn¡¯t help adding with a slight smirk of her own.

    ¡°He wanted to help us before that¡± Ian argued, though weakly.

    ¡°But now he wants to help so badly he¡¯s being idiotic?¡± she pressed.

    Ian let out another sigh, ¡°they¡¯re gonna get themselves killed. If Will was really as smitten with me as you seem to be implying,¡± a slight pause, ¡°then don¡¯t you think he should listen when I say the plan¡¯s insane?¡±

    Lili bit her lip slightly, ¡°what exactly do they wanna do that¡¯ll get them killed?¡± she asked with worry.

    Another shake of his head as Ian still wasn¡¯t able to look over at her, knowing the reaction she¡¯d have to that answer. So, he edited, ¡°they wanna find the ship¡± he stated simply.

    ¡°The ship that¡¯s not on this planet?¡± Lili had to clarify.

    Another deep sigh, ¡°that¡¯d be the one¡± was all he could manage in response.

    ¡°The ship that we don¡¯t have enough air in the suits to get to?¡± Lili continued, the panic rising in her tone.

    ¡°Hence the getting themselves killed part¡± Ian finally allowed.

    ¡°But Kyle is the one who told us there wasn¡¯t enough air to leave this planet again. Has something changed?¡± she asked, her volume rising with her worry.

    Ian took a long moment before responding, causing Lili to state his name once more to prod him into answering, ¡°they¡¯re being crazy. That¡¯s all there is to it. Kyle thinks...¡± he just shook his head again.

    ¡°Thinks what?¡± she asked, needing to hear the whole story then.

    ¡°He thinks Will can do it. I mean, how insane is that? See? They¡¯re being idiots¡± he stressed once more.

    ¡°How exactly does he think Will can get them there? He can¡¯t mean teleporting them to an entirely different planet¡± she added, her breath becoming shorter as the panic attack threatened to overtake her again.

    ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s insane¡± Ian agreed as he finally looked back at her. He was loathe to keep something like this from her, but he also hated adding any more worries to those she was drowning in already.

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t talk them out of it?¡± Lili asked with continued volume as she tried in vain to quash the panic.

    ¡°This is me. Believe me I tried¡± he assured her, as he watched her beginning to drown in her own emotions, wishing he knew what kind of lifeline he could throw her just then.

    ¡°Tried how?¡± Lili breathed the question, as words were becoming harder for her at the thought of losing one of the only people she even had left in this strange new life of hers.

    ¡°I tried telling Kyle that it would never work. But you know how he is; he always thinks he has the right answers, and he¡¯salwaysthought he was smarter than everyone else, especially those of us that aren¡¯t the new and improved version that he seems to think he and the other E-kids are. You know it¡¯s impossible to reason with him when he thinks he¡¯s right, which is always the case with him.¡±

    Lili took a few deep breaths, trying to wrack her brain through all the terror she was feeling right then. Finally, she forced her voice through those ragged breaths, ¡°you¡¯re right, it¡¯s almost impossible to reason with Kyle when he gets an idea like this. But reason with Will then. Kyle can¡¯t do it without him, and Will might listen to you...you were his first after all¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°You really think that¡¯s all it takes for me to get through to someone? By making them have a really great hour or so with me inside them?¡± Ian asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s always worked on me¡± Lili managed a smile, her breath only evening out slightly as she looked up at him.

    Ian couldn¡¯t help looking away with a smirk to cover the trace of a blush. ¡°I mean, I can try to seduce him back to his senses, but...¡±

    ¡°You have to try something, right?¡± Lili concurred as Ian looked down at her with another smile, gently kissing her cheek once more. Only, she turned to kiss his lips instead, ¡°please try¡± she whispered before squeezing him tightly and slowly returning to her own quarters once more.

    <hr>

    The next afternoon, Ian arrived back at their pod once more. There, Will looked on with a slightly blank expression as Kyle seemed to be drawing up some kind of plans on the small hand held computer once more. At the sound of Ian¡¯s approaching footsteps, Kyle moved his gaze to him once more, cool though it was. While Will greeted him with the same smile he had the previous day.

    ¡°Still not giving up, eh?¡± Kyle scoffed as he turned away to focus all of his attention on the computer, already prepared to ignore anything else Ian might have to say.

    ¡°Well, after I told Lili about your idiotic plan, and her panic attack finally stopped, I figured I better come see if you returned to your senses yet¡± he told Kyle pointedly, ¡°but that¡¯s not apparently possible, is it? So if you don¡¯t mind,¡± he then turned his attention to Will, ¡°can we go somewhere and talk?¡±

    Will smiled eagerly at the proposition as he easily moved toward Ian. Kyle quickly looked up as the only slightly older man began making his way toward Ian, ¡°wait a second. We¡¯re still making plans here¡± he called after him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back¡± Will smiled easily, only waiting another moment before closing his hand over Ian¡¯s arm and disappearing them off to some other unknown location, much to Kyle¡¯s annoyance.

    When the two re-appeared again, Ian was a little startled to find that they were now back at the shack. Not only that, they were in Ian¡¯s sleeping quarters as Will smiled over at him. ¡°Ok, not where I expected¡± Ian stated as he looked around the familiar surroundings.

    ¡°You want beach again? I can take you. Or somewhere else? I can take you any place you want¡± Will offered as he moved closer to gently run his hands down Ian¡¯s still chiseled chest, even after the year away from that state of the art gym he practically lived in back on the ship.

    Ian¡¯s breath caught a little as Will¡¯s hands reached his stomach. He was then faced with the decision of whether his best approach was talking first or touching first. Though, the decision was soon made for him as he felt Will¡¯s hand slip inside his jeans where they easily found that Ian¡¯s arousal had already started at the simple touching that had already taken place.

    Ian took another ragged breath as Will¡¯s hand continued to caress him into even more arousal. He finally made himself speak again before he lost his ability to, ¡°so you really wanna do that again, right here, right now?¡± he couldn¡¯t help asking with a slightly nervous smile as the caresses continued to try and make him forget how easily any of his companions could easily interrupt them right then.

    ¡°Feels like you do too¡± Will breathed, his lips against Ian¡¯s neck as he continued to touch him.

    Another shaky breath before Ian had to interrupt once more, ¡°one second¡± he breathed as he moved away, awkwardly leaving his quarters and making his way over to where Jared sat by his medical supplies in the common area of the shack, cataloging the newest additions.

    Ian flipped open the box as he dug through them, ignoring the question on Jared¡¯s face, ¡°so you¡¯re back, already...and you apparently...need something?¡± Jared asked after waiting another moment for the explanation Ian hadn¡¯t chosen to give on his own.

    It was then that Ian lifted a tiny lid filled with some lotion-like substance into his hand and looked over at Jared, ¡°what¡¯s this do?¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Jared asked, a bit thrown.

    ¡°What¡¯s it for?¡± Ian repeated, his voice still a little ragged.

    ¡°Not much that I¡¯ve found yet, except maybe help with dry skin. I¡¯m still trying to test all of...¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s safe to touch?¡± Ian asked, obviously having no time for Jared¡¯s lengthier explanation.

    ¡°Well, yeah but...¡±

    ¡°Thanks Jar¡¯¡± Ian replied curtly before snatching it up and returning to his quarters with no other explanation, causing Jared to just shake his head after him.

 Chapter 74

    It was only a few moments later when Lili exited her sleeping quarters as well. There in their living room, for lack of a better term, she found Jared looking peculiarly after where Ian had only just disappeared to his quarters.

    ¡°Was that Ian I just heard you talking to?¡±

    ¡°Yeah...briefly¡± Jared said as he forced his concentration back to his cataloging.

    ¡°So, I guess Will brought him back?¡±

    Jared looked up at her then, ¡°I guess he must have, considering how long it would¡¯ve taken him to walk back. But I didn¡¯t see Will, just Ian¡± Jared returned.

    ¡°And he only talked to you for a minute?¡± Lili asked as she moved to take a seat on the floor near Jared.

    ¡°Barely even that¡± Jared returned as he looked back down at his computer screen if for no other reason than to keep his eyes from lingering on Lili too long, as they always seemed to want to do.

    ¡°So he didn¡¯t tell you then?¡± Lili asked worriedly.

    ¡°Tell me what?¡± Jared asked as he looked back up at her, his own deep pools of brown reflecting a bit of that worry then.

    ¡°About Kyle¡¯s insane plan?¡± Lili questioned with the same worry that was very nearly her natural state anymore.

    ¡°Which insane plan? Kyle¡¯s had many,¡± Jared attempted lightness in the face of her worry, or more likely, to cover his.

    ¡°The one about them trying to get to...¡± Lili began, only to lose her voice halfway through the sentence as the sound of soft moans began to drift out from behind the cloth-draped door to Ian¡¯s bedroom.

    ¡°Ok,¡± Jared began awkwardly as the volume of the moans increased ever so slightly.  "So, I guess maybe Will did come back with him,¡± he stated warily as he couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes to take in Lili¡¯s reaction to what was pretty obviously happening barely twenty feet away.

    Lili simply bit her lip as she forced her eyes away from the doorway and down to the floor, ¡°seems like¡± she agreed, though her tone was unreadable.

    Jared took a deep breath, casting another glance at Ian¡¯s doorway, then back to where Lili¡¯s face still remained oddly blank, rather than any more obvious, or volatile, emotion having taken up residence there.

    ¡°So, um¡± Jared began with continued discomfort as another series of pleasure-filled moans became audible. He then took a deep breath as he looked over at where Lili¡¯s eyes remained downwards, her features still relatively blank. Then, he just had to ask the obvious, ¡°Are you gonna be ok with this? I mean, honestly¡± he asked gently.

    ¡°Ok with what?¡± she asked with forced innocence to her tone.

    ¡°With that¡± Jared returned more quietly as he gestured toward Ian¡¯s room once more.

    Lili just allowed a slight scoff and forced another nervous smile, ¡°Come on, Jared¡± a slight breath, ¡°I mean, how many times did Ian have to listen to you or Kyle making love to me? I¡¯d be kind of an asshole if I made a big thing outta this.¡±

    Jared watched her closely, for once wishing he could peer into her head however momentarily, just like Kyle could when he wanted to. He honestly wished he could tell for sure if Lili was just trying to put up a strong facade or if she did truly look at the situation with that sort of logic.

    ¡°So, you are ok with it, then?¡± Jared didn¡¯t wanna press, but knowing how fragile she had been since the pregnancy, he just had to give her one more chance to let him know that she would actually be all right with this rather strange new development.

    ¡°I mean, yeah¡± she forced another smile, not able to help glancing back toward Ian¡¯s room once more as their lovemaking continued, ¡°though¡± she began, causing Jared to worriedly await her next sentence, ¡°it might be just a tad less distracting if we went outside. I mean, it¡¯s not like you and I really need to be thinking about sex right now, considering¡± she had to add.

    Jared narrowed his eyes at that statement, but nodded his agreement nonetheless as he pushed himself up from the floor and offered her a hand to help her rise as well.

    Once they headed outside, Jared followed in silence as Lili quietly made her way down to the riverbank where they were finally out of hearing range of that day¡¯s indoor festivities. The two took another seat there by the water as Lili absently reached for a stone to skim across the surface distractedly.

    ¡°You¡¯re really ok about it?¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Lili just allowed another slight chuckle as she shook her head, ¡°you really just can¡¯t ever stop asking me that, can you?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t help it¡± Jared admitted as he allowed his own sigh as he picked up another flat rock and joined her.

    Lili was quiet another long moment before she attempted to further explain her feelings on the matter of Ian and Will, as it was obvious Jared wasn¡¯t quite buying just the simple answers she had been giving.

    ¡°Actually, I asked Ian to do this...well, he already did this¡± she added, more to herself, ¡°but I asked him to go and make it right with Will after the way he acted the other day¡± she informed.

    ¡°You did?¡± Jared repeated, not quite sure how else to respond quite then.

    ¡°And I asked him to go to talk to Will again today¡± she added for further weight.

    ¡°Talk to?¡± Jared couldn¡¯t help but repeat her choice of words. ¡°I think they might be doing more than talking. Just a hunch.¡±

    Lili just shook her head as she bit back a tiny smile, ¡°but yes, I was the one who asked him to go and see Will again today.¡±

    ¡°Um, ok...though I think I might need a slightly longer explanation?¡± he dared ever so carefully. It was then that Jared had another thought, ¡°Lili is this some thing where you think if you push Ian and this guy into some odd love affair, then that is the only way to keep Ian from trying to pressure you back into the sexual part of your relationship too soon?¡±

    ¡°Are you playing shrink again?¡± Lili shook her head, though she didn¡¯t seem to take offense to the question. Instead, she continued, ¡°that¡¯s just a side-effect of this love affair of theirs. And I am ok with that, but honestly, the reason I wanted Ian to keep Will close, so to speak¡± she had to add, ¡°was because of what I mentioned earlier; about Kyle¡¯s latest insane plan.¡±

    Jared narrowed his eyes again, ¡°Ok, confused, but listening.¡±

    ¡°That plan of his, it involves Will¡± she offered as she looked over to await Jared¡¯s response.

    ¡°Ok¡± he stated with the same confusion, ¡°still listening.¡±

    Lili took another deep breath and glanced back at the shack, hoping upon hope that Ian¡¯s seductive powers were enough to save his newest lover, as well as one of her own. She then forced herself to answer, ¡°Kyle has some crazy idea that Will could actually teleport to the twin planet, where he thinks the ship actually crashed¡± she finally spilled the truth, quickly looking over to see the reaction on Jared¡¯s face.

    Jared was quiet a long moment as he processed her words. Finally, he spoke, ¡°well, if Will wore one of the suits, then there might be a minuscule chance...¡± he then just shook his head as he tried to reason it out in his own brain, which worked more like Kyle¡¯s than Ian¡¯s or Lili¡¯s ever would. He then continued, more to himself, ¡°but still, it¡¯s unprecedented. Then again, everything about the E-children is, especially the oldest among us...¡± his voice then trailed off as he saw the shock on Lili¡¯s face that he was even trying to validate any of the idea at all. He then quickly backpedaled, ¡°believe me, I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s not dangerous. It¡¯s beyond dangerous, but...¡± he shook his head again as Lili¡¯s turquoise eyes continued to look at him like she couldn¡¯t believe the words coming out of his mouth.

    Lili was stunned into silence for a few long minutes, before both of them turned at the sound of Ian making his way from the shack and toward them, still having only donned his boxer briefs, and looking more than a bit unkempt and overheated from his recent activity. ¡°Talking about Kyle¡¯s latest ridiculousness?¡± he greeted them as he took a still breathless seat on the other side of Lili, ¡°but I didn¡¯t even tell either of you the best part of boy genius¡¯s plan yet¡± he stated sarcastically, his breath remaining a little ragged still, as he spoke.

    Lili swallowed hard, trying not to let her mind immediately travel back to the last time she had seen Ian in such an obviously post-coital state. ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± she asked in a near whisper.

    ¡°Even if they somehow survive the teleporting....¡± he began.

    ¡°Wait, they?¡±Jared asked, ¡°so Kyle plans to go along too?¡±

    ¡°Are you really surprised he would?¡± Ian scoffed, though quickly moved on, ¡°even if they survive the trip, the more psychotic of our two geniuses actually thinks that Will could literally bring the ship back here with them. And Will¡¯s naive enough to buy that insanity¡± Ian just shook his head as he moved to skim his own rock across the water.

    ¡°Bring the ship back....the same ship that sixty-thousand people called home for two decades?¡± Lili stated slowly as Jared remained in a bit of silent shock at that additional information.

    ¡°Exactly what I said to Kyle. Odd how he didn¡¯t seem to care, even if it means melting Will¡¯s brain to try it¡± Ian added with an angry shake of his head.

    There was another long moment of silence before Lili found her voice again, ¡°please tell me you managed to talk Will out of killing himself just to impress us.¡±

    Ian swallowed a bit, ¡°we haven¡¯t yet gotten to the talking part of our day, and he¡¯s asleep at the moment.¡±

    Lili sighed heavily again, while Jared remained silently staring out at the river, not exactly sharing any of his own thoughts right then. ¡°Ian, you can¡¯t let them do this¡± she reiterated.

    ¡°Well he¡¯s a bit tough to tie to my bed to keep him here, all things considered¡± Ian stated, but quickly continued when he saw that she remained unamused by the statement. ¡°But I guess if I just keep thoroughly distracting him for the rest of our lives...¡± he shrugged as he also looked down.

    ¡°You have to make him understand¡± she insisted as she looked back over at Jared, hoping for some kind of agreement from him, though the nineteen year old just continued to look down in thought. ¡°Care to add anything?¡± she asked Jared with a bit of her own impatience.

    ¡°Or maybe get some vision of Will¡¯s head exploding. Maybe that would convince Kyle...maybe¡± Ian added with his own frustration. He then added, ¡°Or any vision at all would be nice here Jar.¡±

    Jared finally raised his eyes, though he spoke quietly, ¡°I¡¯ve told you before, I can¡¯t just make the visions happen.¡±

    ¡°Well you¡¯re nineteen now, so figure out how to already¡± Ian told him roughly as he stood to head back inside, at the end of his own patience right then.

    After Ian was gone, Lili finally made herself speak up again, ¡°that¡¯s not necessarily true.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s not necessarily true?¡± Jared responded with his own combination of frustration, worry, anger, and confusion.

    Lili steeled herself with another deep breath, though still was not able to look up at him as she spoke, ¡°we do know of one thing that seemed to trigger your last vision, right?¡±

 Chapter 75

    ¡°You can¡¯t mean...¡± Jared returned, looking over at her with a combination of shock and worry then.

    ¡°Well, that is when you had your last vision; after we...¡± she reminded him, her voice trailing off as she looked away again. She then added, even more softly, ¡°hell, you were still inside me when you had it. Doubt you forgot that.¡±

    Jared just continued to look over at her with even more concern then, ¡°Lili, we both know that you¡¯re not emotionally ready for that...you may not even be physically ready for it, considering.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re talking about saving two people¡¯s lives here, Jared. As scared as I am about having sex again, I¡¯m even more scared about anyone else dying when some vision could have stopped it¡± she insisted, though the way her eyes still refused to make contact did make it hard to believe in the conviction of her words.

    Jared was silent a long moment, forcing down the tiny voice in his head that wanted to give in to her theory, as badly as he did miss her touch. But the more logical voice had always been louder with him, and that was the voice that found a response, ¡°but we don¡¯t need another vision, necessarily.¡±

    Lili scoffed, ¡°you know some other way to get through to Kyle?¡±

    ¡°What I mean is, that last vision that I did have, it already gave us a partial insight about this whole idea of Kyle¡¯s and its chances of success¡± he argued, though gently.

    ¡°I must¡¯ve missed that part¡± she scoffed, though her voice remained just barely audible, as she winced slightly when she pulled her knees up to her chest to rest her chin upon them.

    Jared did not let that wince go unnoticed, ¡°see what I mean about you not being physically ready either?¡± he had to reiterate.

    Lili just scoffed, ¡°I have a huge scar across my stomach. Last I checked though, that wasn¡¯t the most important part needed for sex.¡±

    Then it was Jared who scoffed, ¡°the point I was making about the vision is that in it, we were three years into the future, and remember, we were all here, including Kyle¡± a small pause from him as a slight crack appeared in Lili¡¯s resolve, ¡°so either he doesn¡¯t go at all, or he doesgo, and survives¡± Jared pointed out.

    ¡°Was Will in your vision too?¡± she had to ask, but quickly moved on, ¡°but the problem is, we¡¯re just assuming that your visions always come true. Just because they have so far...¡± she shook her head again, ¡°nowhere does it state that that is a cold, hard fact.¡±

    ¡°If they don¡¯t always come true, then what¡¯s the point of me even getting them?¡± Jared returned her question, which just caused her to scoff again.

    Lili then had to retort, ¡°and we could also say, what¡¯s the point of seeing things before they happen if they can¡¯t be changed?¡±

    ¡°Do we really wanna change Kyle surviving?¡±

    ¡°Well some of us don¡¯t¡± she mumbled, ¡°the point is, if they¡¯re supposed to be warnings, then that would mean they¡¯re not set in stone after all, now wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    Jared then shook his head, realizing that even after all this time, there was still so much that they hadn¡¯t figured out about these abilities of his. And he doubted they would figure it all out that day, so he attempted to return to their earlier topic instead, ¡°Lili, the point I was trying to make about us crawling into bed just to trigger a vision again, is that we both know that you don¡¯t wanna do this. You¡¯re not ready to. So, why are you trying to push for it when you know all of these facts?¡± he had to ask.

    Her breath faltered as though holding back tears then, ¡°because, I have to do something, anything I can to keep us all alive. I owe it to all of you to finally be of some worth, some way. Even if it¡¯s only as your anchor...or your trigger¡± she stated softly.

    <hr>

    It was nearly three am when Lili finally gave up on trying to fight her remaining upset and force sleep to come. Instead, she moved quietly out of the shack, back to her favorite spot by the river, beneath those eerie stars above. But as she sighed sadly and looked up at them, the thought of losing Kyle, or even Will, just became too much for her as she finally let herself break down in those tears now that she was away from the ears of her companions who remained asleep inside the shack.

    She wasn¡¯t sure how long she sat there, sobbing quietly into her hands beneath the stars as a year¡¯s worth of sorrow took advantage of her finally releasing it from behind those floodgates she had tried so hard to keep tightly locked for so long.

    She then startled from her emotional breakdown though when she heard footsteps approaching, cursing herself for forgetting Ian¡¯s one rule: Bring a damn gun. She tried to stand as silently as she could, her eyes moving to the tree line that the footsteps seemed to approach from and staying glued there. She attempted to make no sound as her feet slowly carried her back towards the shack at nearly a snail¡¯s pace, simply to preserve as much silence as she could.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    A moment later, Kyle¡¯s outline came into view. Recognizing him caused equal parts anger, worry and relief as she just shook her head as he came closer, seeming a bit startled himself by finding her out there at that hour.

    ¡°Lemme guess, insomnia again?¡± he greeted her, though spoke quietly as to not alert any of the others to his presence as his walk had left him too tired to deal with any more conflict with either of the men right then.

    ¡°You walked all the way back here, alone, at night?¡± Lili scolded him as the two met somewhere between the shack and the riverbank.

    ¡°Well, my personal teleportation device, err Will, seems to have gone missing¡± was his only excuse, to which Lili only shook her head again. Though as she made that tiny movement, he noticed that she had obvious tears upon her cheeks.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, caught by the immediate change in his expression.

    ¡°Ian said you were having anxiety attacks again, I thought he was just being an ass and trying to make me feel guilty¡± Kyle stated, though quietly.

    Lili scowled at his observation as well as his words, ¡°ever think that maybe you should occasionally listen to him, Kyle? He and I may not have a two hundred IQ, but everything he does is to keep us safe. You know that.¡±

    ¡°Is this where you try to talk me outta it too?¡± Kyle sighed, averting his eyes.

    ¡°Kyle, you¡¯ve gotta know how dangerous the whole idea is, insanely dangerous. Why in the world would you wanna do something like that? Take that big of a risk for very little chance of success?¡± Kyle just shook his head rather than offering any of his previous arguments, doubting any of them would work with her either. Lili sighed heavily in the face of his silence before she had to speak up again, ¡°Are you still cutting too? Or is this your new form of death wish?¡± she decided she had to cut him deep right then to get him to listen at all.

    His eyes came up angrily at her calling him out on that particular weakness, before his temper got the best of him, and he shot back, ¡°are you really the one lecturing me about having a death wish? The woman who wished she had died less than a month ago, cause the pain was too much for her? That woman?¡± he growled, cutting her right back.

    Lili just shook her head in disbelief, as she bit back more tears, ¡°that was real physical pain, Kyle. I nearly bled to death right here on this ground, alone, while Jared was trying to save you¡± she cast him another dark look, ¡°I don¡¯t see how you can compare the two.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and what about how badly you¡¯ve wanted to die since that day? Got a good explanation for that one too?¡± he shot back.

    Her anger flared as she stared back at him for a long time, ¡°you¡¯re the one person who should understand that kind of depression, I would think.¡±

    ¡°I could say the same to you¡± he returned, his volume only dropping ever so slightly on the statement.

    Lili no longer had the strength to argue with him anymore as she dropped her head and let the tears come again, no longer having the strength to fight those either right then. Kyle looked on with renewed silence as obvious cracks appeared in his own resolve in response to those tears then, not ever able to fully push down his feelings for her for too long.

    Finally, she spoke again, ¡°no bullshit Kyle...is that really what you¡¯re trying to do? Are you really trying to kill yourself with this insanity? Please, I have to know if I¡¯m really fighting this hard to save someone who doesn¡¯t wanna be saved at all. Give me that much¡± she asked him in what was more of a pleading tone than an angry one right then.

    Kyle was silent a long moment as he seemed to honestly be searching for that answer, his own blue-gray eyes cast down as sadly as hers then. But before he actually could find the most honest answer he could for her, the two were interrupted as Jared stepped outside then as well, despite the hour being nearly four am now.

    ¡°Sorry to intrude,¡± Jared began a little breathlessly, clad in only a loose fitting pair of jeans that they assumed he had been sleeping in, ¡°but...¡± another awkward pause, ¡°I managed to actually trigger another vision, finally.¡±

    Both looked shocked by that news, Lili even more so, ¡°but how?¡± she had to ask.

    That was when Jared was glad for the darkness around them as he looked down with a blush, ¡°isn¡¯t the vision itself the more important news here?¡±

    ¡°Actually, if you finally figured out how to trigger them¡± Kyle began, ¡°I¡¯d say that¡¯s pretty damn important too.¡±

    ¡°Vision first, trigger later¡± Jared responded, a little too quickly, which only caused a more skeptical look from at least Lili.

    Ignoring whatever subtext there may have been there, Kyle moved on, ¡°ok, so what was this vision?¡±

    ¡°I saw the ship again¡± Jared began, causing them both to look up quickly, ¡°more than saw it, it almost felt like I was there, but I¡¯m sure I wasn¡¯t. At least not in the physical sense. At least I don¡¯t think so¡± he added, trying to call the details back to his conscious mind.

    ¡°You sure this was a vision and not just, say, a memory?¡± Kyle had to propose that theory due to his inherent analytical nature alone.

    ¡°Believe me, it wasn¡¯t like it was when we were there¡± Jared assured, ¡°it was definitely the crashed version of the ship. I know that much.¡±

    ¡°So, was this an actual vision then, or have you suddenly learned to astral project too?¡± Kyle scoffed, then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°I figure if anyone here was gonna catch something from ghost, it¡¯d be Ian¡± he couldn¡¯t help a tiny smirk at his own words, though the other two just shook their heads in response.

    ¡°Pretty sure it was a vision¡± Jared assured.

    ¡°Ok, so you saw the crashed ship again, great, but you already saw that. Did you actually see anything new?¡± Kyle pressed.

    ¡°See? No¡± Jared denied, causing them both to appear slightly deflated, ¡°but I did hear something new¡± he added, as both of their heads snapped up.

    ¡°You heard something? In the crashed ship?¡± Lili asked, with the tiniest glimmer of hopefulness appearing for a tiny moment.

    ¡°Yeah, I think so¡± Jared agreed, though trying to keep his expression somber as he did.

    ¡°What? Like machinery, or some animals scavenging around? What?¡± Kyle pressed.

    Jared took a deep breath before offering them their answer, difficult as it was, ¡°honestly, it sounded like someone...crying.¡±

 Chapter 76

    After taking a moment to collect her thoughts at the sound of that revelation, Lili had to try to let logic lead over emotion, ¡°wait, are you sure you didn¡¯t just hear Hope crying during your vision, and it sort of, bled through?¡±

    ¡°Did you hear Hope crying?¡± Jared asked her pointedly. He then added, ¡°and it really didn¡¯t sound like a baby crying.¡±

    ¡°So, it was a survivor then?¡± Kyle piped up.

    ¡°Most likely¡± Jared returned, though quietly, not able to ignore the look of worry on Lili¡¯s face at how quickly Kyle latched onto that confirmation, sure his next sentence would be to justify his suicide mission with this new knowledge.

    ¡°But we don¡¯t actually know when this vision takes place though. I mean, it could¡¯ve been a year ago, when the ship first went down¡± she attempted.

    ¡°My visions are rarely of the past¡± Jared stated even more quietly.

    ¡°But the other one you had of the ship was. When you saw what Serena did¡± she reminded.

    ¡°Whether it was the past or not, don¡¯t you think we owe it to whoever this survivor is or was to at least try to get to them? Just so we know, for sure¡± Kyle stated, justifying his plans with this new information, just as Lili had feared he would.

    ¡°Jared¡± Lili looked to him to back her up in voting for caution against this deadly mission once more.

    Jared swallowed a bit, knowing what she expected of him, but needing to be honest, nonetheless, ¡°it¡¯s true that I have serious doubts about Will ever being able to bring the whole ship back, but if there¡¯s a tiny chance he can teleport back and forth between these two planets, slim as that chance is; it could mean the difference between life and death for us, and for any survivors who could still be there...and for Hope¡± he added softly.

    ¡°You¡¯re really ok with this?¡± she looked up at him in disbelief.

    ¡°I¡¯m a long way from ok with it, but...¡± Jared began, though she turned on her heel and headed back inside before he could add anything else to that sentence, not that he was sure there was anything else that would make her feel any better about the endeavor at all.

    ¡°So you¡¯re actually on my side?¡± Kyle asked with a raised brow. Though Jared¡¯s only response was a slight scoff as he too headed inside.

    <hr>

    Much to Lili¡¯s and Ian¡¯s upset, the plan for Kyle and Will to make this deadly trip did go forward the following week. Jared¡¯s vote unfortunately made it a unanimous vote on the part of all three of the E-children; all three of the so-called geniuses. A final vote of three to two, as much as it pained Jared to allegedly ¡®take Kyle¡¯s side,¡¯ he did truly believe it was their only chance.

    Lili was still sniffling against Ian¡¯s shoulder after the other two young men made that dangerous departure that morning. Ian was trying to hold onto a steely calm, despite his own upset, but the cracks were obvious.

    Jared sighed as Lili¡¯s sobs had been the only sound for the half hour since Kyle and Will had donned the flight suits and disappeared before their eyes. It was obvious that Lili and Ian were nearly one hundred percent convinced that the two were already as good as dead, and they would truly never see either of them again.

    Jared finally forced himself to speak from his place sitting against the opposite wall of the shack¡¯s common room from his two companions, ¡°Just try to remember. Kyle survives this. My vision said so¡± he offered the weak argument once more.

    Lili just scoffed through her tears as she quickly stood, despite any remaining pain she was feeling, and reached out her hand to urge Ian to stand as well. Easily giving into her unspoken request, he also rose from one of the overturned supply crates that passed as their furniture. As he did, Lili closed her hand over his and led him with her back to his sleeping quarters, no explanation given to Jared as they left him behind with only Hope for company right then.

    The two sat somberly atop his bedding, both staring at the floor of the shack for several long moments, before Ian managed to find his voice, ¡°I never thought I¡¯d be the one comforting you over the doc there.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not like us Ian. It becomes more obvious every day¡± she stated in a sad whisper, her pretty eyes still locked upon the floor.

    ¡°Not like us?¡± he asked, though his tone was unreadable as he waited for her to say more.

    ¡°The way their brains work...it¡¯s like the smarter they get, the more they can do...the less they can feel¡± Lili confessed her fears in a low whisper, sure that Jared could hear them easily if he had been trying, considering the haphazard walls surrounding them.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s exactly accurate¡± Ian attempted with a hard swallow.

    ¡°Just because we don¡¯t want it to be true, doesn¡¯t mean it isn¡¯t¡± she added with a sniffle.

    Ian said no more though, as her words easily sent him into deep, somewhat dark thoughts about how accurate her statements might actually be, especially when their very own daughter, their very own flesh and blood, was going to grow up with the same type of brain that those she now spoke of possessed; and at only a few days old, Hope had already proven how different she really was from either of her parents. It still terrified Ian to think of how different she would eventually be, one day.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    <hr>

    Ian headed out early the following morning to make a futile attempt at distracting himself for at least part of the day with another hunting trip. Unfortunately, this did leave Lili behind to have to deal with Jared, which had never been an issue previously, But she and he were both more than a little upset with him these days.

    It wasn¡¯t long after Ian made his early morning departure that the sound of Hope¡¯s crying lured Lili out of Ian¡¯s bed where she had spent almost the entire time since Kyle and Will had gone.

    She couldn¡¯t help the heavy sigh as she poked her head out of Ian¡¯s doorway and found Jared standing over Hope¡¯s crib

    Jared tried to hide his immediate reaction to the fact that Lili had spent very nearly an entire day alone in that room with Ian simply to avoid him. Though he wasn¡¯t very successful. Instead he cleared his throat and looked away from Lili and back at the now one month old below him, ¡°think she¡¯s ready for breakfast¡± he stated, attempting to take on a conversational tone.

    Though Lili said nothing in return as she simply made her feet carry her over to the crib where she lifted Hope into her arms as warily as ever. She then allowed only the slightest momentary breath before carrying the child with her back to her own quarters, rather than feeding her there by the crib, like she most often did.

    <hr>

    Nearly an hour passed before Jared could no longer fight his need to at least try and re-establish some kind of rapport with Lili once again. After all, until he chose to back this journey, most would say that he and Lili had been nearly always on the same wavelength about most things; or at least, the most important things.

    He entered her quarters with a sigh, where she still sat awkwardly holding the child in her arms, ¡°she¡¯s done eating, I assume?¡± he greeted, though quietly.

    ¡°Obviously¡± Lili answered, though nearly under her breath.

    ¡°Usually you put her in the crib the moment she¡¯s done¡± he pointed out, trying to keep his tone as even as possible.

    ¡°And usually you back me up. I guess lots of things change¡± she bit back as she then stood at last and brushed past him to return her daughter to the crib finally.

    Jared couldn¡¯t help another heavy sigh as he had to quickly step back out of the doorway to let her pass, ¡°Lili...¡± he attempted, though he honestly wasn¡¯t sure where he planned to go with that sentence anyway, in all honesty.

    Still offering him no other words, Lili returned the child to the crib, then pushed past him again to return to her own chambers once more.

    Another sigh as he once again stepped back to allow her to pass. Jared then squared his shoulders and forced himself to step behind the draped doorway to her room as she took an angry seat on her bedding once more. ¡°Have you even eaten yet?¡±

    ¡°Are you honestly still trying to mother-hen me?¡± Lili scoffed.

    ¡°Was just asking a simple question¡± Jared returned with another sad sigh.

    ¡°If I¡¯m hungry, I¡¯m quite capable of getting food on my own, thank you¡± was her only curt response, still refusing to look up at him.

    Jared was quiet another moment, his eyes also downwards as he struggled to find any way at all he could possibly diffuse her anger. Though he doubted that would be at all possible until Kyle returned safely to them, and even then it may still be difficult.

    ¡°So, does that mean you¡¯re feeling better, physically?¡± he attempted.

    ¡°And why would that even be of interest to you?¡± she retorted, not bothering with an actual answer.

    ¡°Well, I am your doctor...and your fri---¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine...physically¡± she added bitterly, not able to let herself hear him finish that last sentence, considering the way she felt about him right then.

    Another long silence where Jared still was not willing to make himself leave her presence and give up just yet, no matter how much she may have seemed to want him gone at that moment.

    ¡°So you spent this whole time in Ian¡¯s room?¡± he couldn¡¯t help bringing up in light of her insistence on her alleged physical recovery.

    She just scoffed loudly, ¡°something you¡¯re trying to ask, Jared?¡± she returned, not allowing him an answer of her own to validate anything he may have been thinking right at that moment.

    ¡°No¡± he denied halfheartedly, ¡°but you were in there a long time¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°and obviously, distressed¡± he settled on.

    ¡°Gee, why would I be distressed?¡± she returned sarcastically, but quickly moved on, ¡°speaking of questionable behavior, you never did explain to me exactly how you did manage to finally trigger that last vision.¡±

    Jared was a bit caught by her bringing that up again, ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was really that important, considering everything else happening this week¡± he made a feeble attempt at deflection.

    ¡°So, how?¡± she pressed.

    Jared swallowed hard, obviously more than uncomfortable with her question, but he knew continuing to avoid it would not help alleviate her anger in any way. Though, he wasn¡¯t sure answering it would either.

    ¡°I¡± another breath as he glanced back toward the door as though to make sure no one else was within hearing, not that anyone else was even there with them, aside from an infant, ¡°I took your advice¡± he managed, though nearly inaudibly.

    Lili finally did then look up at him, though skeptically, ¡°what advice, exactly?¡± she asked bluntly.

    Another sigh as he rubbed at his eyes with continued discomfort, ¡°about how we triggered the last one¡± he managed at last.

    ¡°Come again?¡± she pressed, needing to continue to put him on the spot, for some reason.

    ¡°Basically¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, slightly caught then.

    Another deep sigh before he forced himself to just answer her if for no other reason than to be done with this part of the conversation, ¡°about how it was triggered after I...after I came¡± he added even more quietly.

    ¡°After you...¡± she shook her head as she looked away again with a slight biting of her lip, ¡°well I was busy sitting out by the river crying that particular night, so...¡± she shook her head as she turned back to eye him suspiciously, ¡°did you finally decide to let Ian fuck you too, after all this time?¡±

    Jared then couldn¡¯t stop himself from scoffing, ¡°of course not¡± he denied, though his voice was still barely making it past his lips.

    ¡°Will then? I mean, they were the only two in the shack that night.¡±

    ¡°No, Lili¡± he shook his head again as he looked over as she continued to look back at him, obviously still awaiting his full explanation, almost seeming to enjoy his discomfort right then. He just shook his head, ¡°I did it myself, ok?¡± he finally blurted out, ¡°happy now that you can finally write me off as just another perverted, sex-hungry male at last?¡±

    Lili just sighed to hide her look of victory at taking some little revenge on Jared by forcing the confession out of him. Though despite that small personal victory, Kyle and Will were still gone, and she was still terrified they¡¯d truly never be back again.

 Chapter 77

    When Ian returned home late that afternoon, another fresh kill slung over his shoulder, he couldn¡¯t help the slight sigh as the shack came into view. Outside, Jared sat alone on the ground. His back was against the outer wall near the entrance to their home. There, he stared somberly down at the ground in front of his slightly bent knees that his elbows rested upon. He hadn¡¯t even made any move to escape inside to avoid that unforgiving August sun beating down on him.

    Ian simply tossed the animal to the ground near their fire pit, and moved to wash some blood from his hands in a nearby bowl of water, not bothering to offer any greeting, or even so much as another look toward Jared as the younger of them cleared his throat and looked up in response to Ian¡¯s return.

    ¡°Something interesting happening in those blades of grass that you were staring so intently at or something?¡± Ian finally mumbled some form of acknowledgment of the other man¡¯s presence at last, though he still didn¡¯t look back his way.

    ¡°Just figured I¡¯d come out here....¡± Jared began, though his voice trailed off before he changed his statement, ¡°I think I can officially say that Lili really has no interest in speaking with me right now.¡±

    ¡°And I do?¡± Ian scoffed, still not turning back to look Jared¡¯s way.

    Jared let out a defeated sigh before speaking again, ¡°I don¡¯t know how many times I can say it; but I know Kyle survives this. I just wish I could make the two of you believe it too¡± he added more sadly.

    Ian just shook his head, his anger at hearing that continued blind faith apparent still, ¡°and what about Will? Can you say the same for him? Do you even care?¡± he bit back, only tossing Jared the slightest angry glance then.

    Jared sighed as he too averted his eyes, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen any more visions of Will, but it goes to reason that if---¡±

    ¡°Fuck your reason¡± Ian interrupted with the same anger as he shoved the bowl away.

    ¡°Are you forgetting about my last vision? Do you even care that there may have been survivors?¡± Jared attempted to turn the question on Ian, though his voice lacked volume in the face of the other man¡¯s continued anger.

    Ian just glared back at him again, ¡°I care about Lili, and our daughter. And for some fucked reason, Lili cares about Kyle, so don¡¯t get me started on what I care about. What do you even care about Jared, really? Anything even?¡±

    Jared shook his head back at him, ¡°you know exactly how deeply I care about them too. That¡¯s the whole reason---¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re back to your fucking reasons again¡± Ian growled the interruption as he looked away once more.

    Jared took another long, frustrated breath before continuing, ¡°just tell me, Ian, what can I say to make this better? To make the two of you stop hating me?¡±

    ¡°You could say that they¡¯re both back, and they¡¯re both safe, right here, in the real world, not in some vision. Can you do that?¡± Ian asked him smartly, already knowing that answer.

    Another sad sigh from Jared then, ¡°I could offer to try and make myself have another vision,¡± he swallowed briefly, trying not to think about his earlier conversation with Lili wherein he was forced to admit to what he would actually have to do to accomplish that, ¡°but obviously my visions don¡¯t seem to be enough to convince either of you anymore, do they?¡± he added sadly.

    Ian didn¡¯t even bother offering a response as he continued busying himself with anything he could to keep from speaking to, or even looking at, Jared right then. Though Jared also said nothing else, nor did he bother trying to remove himself from Ian¡¯s presence. After all, the only other place he could go would be inside to see the other person who wanted nothing to do with him right then.

    After a few more long moments of relegating himself to continuing to do nothing more than keep staring at the grass, Jared¡¯s worry forced him to find his voice again, ¡°well, since you already can¡¯t get any angrier at me...¡± he began.

    ¡°Really now?¡± was Ian¡¯s curt response, though he made no move to look back at the younger man, nor to say anything else just yet.

    Jared took a deep breath, but forced himself to continue the sentence he had started, ¡°I have to ask; during this last twenty-four hours you and Lili spent alone in your room together, did you end up having sex?¡±

    That question was definitely enough to get Ian to turn around with a look of utter disbelief, ¡°did you really just ask me that?¡± he shot back, his anger more than obvious.

    Another heavy sigh, ¡°I need to know.¡±

    Ian let out another sound of disbelief, ¡°do you now?¡± he returned, the sarcasm dripping off his voice.

    Jared shook his head, eyes still downwards, but forced himself to continue, ¡°if you did, there¡¯s something she needs to take, now, before it gets any later¡± he stated, trying to keep his voice even, despite how much it pained him to think that Lili might have acted on her grief by doing something that he knew she wasn¡¯t anywhere near ready for yet.

    Ian¡¯s anger was only slowed by a fraction at those words, as he had to ask, ¡°what are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°So, you did?¡± Jared asked in a near whisper.

    ¡°Fuck you, answer my question first¡± Ian retorted, not backing down in any way.

    Another sigh from the younger man, ¡°I collected plants that I think may have the same active ingredients as what was in the morning-after, plan B, whatever you wanna call it, pill. She needs to take them if you did do that to...with her¡± he forced himself to correct the semi-Freudian slip.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Ian just shook his head, the disbelief continuing, ¡°and why aren¡¯t you in there askin Lili to share this vital information, doc?¡±

    ¡°I tried not to mention those plants to her at all, because I didn¡¯t want her to feel like I...like any of us would put her on the spot like that, and expect that from her, especially this soon, after everything.¡±

    ¡°Oh but you think I would put her on the spot like that? Me? The one who already got her pregnant the first time?¡± Ian returned, obviously appalled. Though Ian¡¯s response did somehow relieve Jared, as he doubted that would have been his reaction at all if he actually had made love to Lili again this soon.

    ¡°I just had to ask¡± Jared stated, almost apologetically, ¡°since you obviously...¡± though when he looked up, he chose not to finish that thought.

    ¡°Since I obviously what?¡± Ian asked, not letting it go that easily.

    Unhappy about the verbal hole he had managed to dig himself into, Jared sighed again before allowing himself to finish the sentence, ¡°since you obviously wanted sex badly enough to...¡± he began, though he lost his voice before the end of that sentence as well.

    Ian let out a derisive laugh, ¡°to what?¡± he just had to press.

    ¡°You know what¡± Jared stated, though his voice was barely above a whisper at this point.

    ¡°To fuck Will?¡± Ian supplied, then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°multiple times.¡±

    Jared just shook his head again, ¡°to fuck a complete stranger, who...who you weren¡¯t even sure we should trust at first¡± Jared attempted to offer some sort of defense.

    Ian scoffed again ¡°I must admit, ¡®complete stranger¡¯ is a pretty hilarious term on a planet with a population of six....¡± he then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°or I guess, a population of four, now¡± he corrected roughly. But at that point, Ian had finally had enough, and finally went back inside, away from any more of the verbal sparring that was getting them not one bit closer to fixing anything. Not that any of them were sure anything even could be fixed at this point.

    <hr>

    Once September began, at least the arguments between Jared and his companions had come to a halt. Then again, so had pretty much all the conversations between he and they as well. After all, the more days that ticked by with no sign of Kyle or Will safely returning to them, the more and more difficult it got for Jared to even know how to try to start any conversations with either Lili or Ian. When their eyes did manage to catch his from time to time, it was painfully obvious how little faith either of them could try and retain in the idea that Jared¡¯s visions always came true; in the idea that Kyle would indeed be back with them again one day.

    On that particular morning, Lili awoke from her normally fitful slumber next to where Ian still lay beside her fast asleep. She allowed a moment to let her eyes travel over him as he lay there, clad only in his underwear, and she in a simple t-shirt and panties due to the still hot temperatures making it difficult to get any rest at all while fully clothed.

    Of course, that sleep apparel did make other things difficult too, like ignoring the attraction they had always had to one another. There had been more than one night of those last two weeks where they lay there kissing and cuddling and had to make a conscious effort to stop themselves from giving into the desire to do any more than just that. With each night they spent in one another¡¯s arms, it got harder and harder to ignore those unfulfilled desires, despite how terrified they each were to give into them once more.

    Lili sighed softly as she forced herself up from the bedding and slid into a pair of jeans that had been cut into shorts to get through the long summers without the air conditioning she had enjoyed for the previous two decades of her life on the ship. She slowly made her way from the bedroom to go and check on where here nearly two month old daughter continued to sleep contently, thankfully not having inherited her mother¡¯s insomnia, just yet, anyway.

    She then tossed another look back toward Ian¡¯s doorway, and even Jared¡¯s before heading outside to relieve herself and make an attempt at planning on how to get herself through yet another day. After all, her anxiety was still her constant companion, even if slightly more manageable these days then it had been right after Hope¡¯s birth.

    She once again found herself walking the riverbank in deep thought for several long minutes, before she stopped to get a drink as she squinted up at the morning sun. Lili sighed once more as she glanced back toward the shack that was still just barely visible in the distance. She then took a seat to pull off her worn hiking boots and slide her toes into the edge of the river.

    As she sat there in silence, she couldn¡¯t help thoughts of the kisses she shared with Ian the previous night. Those thoughts then easily gave way to memories of his touch, as well as Jared¡¯s, and even Kyle¡¯s as her breath caught a bit as she let all those memories come flooding back, feeling the wetness starting between her legs at the mere thought of the passion that used to be a nightly occurrence, in what almost seemed like another life now.

    Casting one more glance back at the shack, she gave in and laid back, the clouds above reflecting in her turquoise eyes as she slowly reached down to slide her shorts and panties down her legs. She then closed her eyes and imagined each of her three former lovers as her hand moved downward to that wetness as she began giving herself all the pleasure that she hadn¡¯t felt in so long.

    Several minutes later, her second orgasm was very nearly upon her, when her motions were immediately halted by the sound of footsteps mere feet from where she had been laying there, lost in that passion. She sprang into a sitting position as her cheeks turned the same color as her hair, her head snapping around to discover who had intruded upon such a private moment. She swallowed painfully as her eyes came up to meet Jared¡¯s, neither of them really able to find words right then.

    Mortified, she quickly scrambled to reach for her shorts and pull them back up her legs, when he knelt next to her, his hand reaching out to cover her wrist, causing her to freeze at the touch.

    ¡°Believe me, Lili, I get it¡± he attempted a smile to comfort her, though, in that current situation, there wasn¡¯t a whole lot of comfort to be had.

    ¡°Can we just pretend this never happened?¡± she whispered, her voice still raspy and breathless, due to more than one factor, as she pulled her knees to her chest and hid her face in her hands to cover the blush that was so red it nearly burnt her cheeks.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have to¡± he whispered back, his hand still resting on her heated thigh above where she had only managed to pull her shorts and panties to her knees before his hand had reached out to stop her.

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡± she asked him with a shake of her head, her eyes barely managing to look his way again.

    Jared looked down a moment, though he still wore a gentle smile when he looked back up to answer her, ¡°let me help you¡± he stated as he moved nearer still and slowly, gently pulled her only half replaced clothing back down her legs as she looked on with more than a bit of shock, but somehow made no move to stop him.

    Jared then just as gently guided her knees back down from her chest and moved to spread her legs once more. He moved closer still as he allowed himself to trace a few kisses upon first her knee, then her inner thigh, then higher as she couldn¡¯t stop herself from laying back upon the ground once more. Her back arched as his mouth moved to that wetness, his lips and tongue moving against her, inside her, causing those tremors of her next climax to almost immediately start once more as she finally let herself give into that touch again after far too long.

 Chapter 78

    ~2 weeks earlier~

    Though the actual trip to get from their new home to its twin planet did take mere seconds, ¡®rough¡¯ was an understatement for that journey. When Will and Kyle returned from whatever nether or piece of space and time Will could actually traverse, they didn¡¯t even have time to take in their new surroundings. Both of them immediately felt like their lungs were literally exploding, or collapsing, or perhaps both, as their feet finally came in contact with that solid ground beneath them once more.

    Both of them instantly dropped whatever supplies they had brought with them, and clawed desperately at their helmets to get them off and try to take in the air on that new planet. Before their departure, Kyle had already assured Will that the tests the ship¡¯s team had ran over a year ago did confirm the air there was nearly identical to that on the planet they had just come from; and it had to be an improvement over whatever they had just passed through, high above those two planets in space, even if it had been for only moments.

    The time it took for them each to begin to be able to breathe normally again actually seemed longer than the trip itself, but their lungs did adjust, at last. Once those first moments of terror had passed, was when Kyle finally found his voice, ¡°well, I guess you¡¯ve got pretty good aim after all¡± Kyle stated raggedly to alleviate the tension of the last several minutes.

    Though before either could say any more, their eyes moved to take in the strange landscape they now found themselves in. Surrounding them on all sides, as far as their eyes could see, was a literal field of black glassy rock which most resembled the obsidian found on Earth in times past. They each swallowed a bit as they tried to make out any break in that eerie landscape and the even stranger purple light reflecting off those rocks from the gray sun above that had been shared by the only home either of them had known for the last year, if not their entire life, as in Will¡¯s case.

    Finally, in the far, far off distance, they managed to make out shadows of what appeared to be trees of some sort, but at that distance, nothing was certain. Kyle took another breath and looked back at where Will seemed a bit surprised by the scope of his own abilities as well.

    ¡°Considering that¡¯s the only other things I see, I guess we go that way¡± Kyle suggested with a slight shrug as he gestured to where it looked like that forest might await them off in the distance.

    Never one to speak much anyway, Will simply nodded with his own ragged breath, helped Kyle to re-collect their supplies, and left it to the younger of them to lead the way from that point on. After all, they were both in completely foreign surroundings now; a situation that Will had not found himself in since the day he had started exploring their former home, all those years ago.

    They walked for what seemed like ages before that strange obsidian field finally gave way to slightly less alien surroundings of a forest. Of course, the forest brought with it other concerns, such as predators and such, but nonetheless, a forest also provided life. And that life was something that any of the ship¡¯s survivors would have been drawn to as well.

    As they took their first few shaky steps past the edge of the tree line, Kyle couldn¡¯t help looking up at where Will stayed close behind each of his own steps. He shook his head at the way the older man¡¯s long unkempt locks constantly kept anyone from getting too clear of a look at his face when speaking to him, but figured they had much bigger concerns than that right then.

    ¡°So, you can blink me outta here the second anything tries to attack us, right?¡± he asked warily before taking any more steps into the sprawling forest before them.

    ¡°Yes, I can save¡± Will assured with a nod down at where Kyle stood a good five inches shorter, even though the eighteen year old was already 5¡ä10¡± himself.

    Kyle shook his head again as he couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes down over Will¡¯s frame, which included a waist that couldn¡¯t have been more than twenty inches around, if that; of course that fact, along with the long locks & deep brown eyes only added to the older man¡¯s androgyny which Ian had chided him about before the two had become so much ¡®closer¡¯ during recent weeks. Kyle wryly thought that maybe Ian was straighter than he claimed to be, as his newest lover was prettier than ninety percent of the females Kyle had known, even back when he had known more than just Lili.

    ¡°My hero¡± Kyle mumbled, more to himself, as he looked away from Will before taking another breath and letting his feet carry him deeper into that woods.

    <hr>

    It was the wee hours of the morning before the two of them found their way through the forest to a clearing with a rather large stream running through it. They both smiled slightly at the find and moved to replenish their water supply and most likely set up camp as the hour was already past three am.

    As he filled his water, Kyle couldn¡¯t help letting his mind wander back to that first night at their camp on the other planet. And of course, that led to him thinking about what had happened between him and Lili in the water there that night. He silently cursed his eighteen year old hormones and their seeming allergy to his nearly half a year of abstinence.

    The errant thoughts he had allowed about his current companion that same day were proof enough that he had gone way too long without that sort of fulfillment; never mind all of his claims of being willing and able to refrain from making love to Lili anymore after the baby came. He began to feel painfully aware of exactly how unlikely that promise would have ever been for him to keep after all. He supposed that he should be thankful that he was now an entire planet away from her, where he wouldn¡¯t have to try and suppress all those desires every time she happened to walk by him.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Will asked in response to Kyle¡¯s frustrated sigh as he set up their tent a few feet from the water¡¯s edge.

    Kyle turned his frustration on Will, even though the other man had done nothing to deserve it, as he spoke in a slightly annoyed tone, ¡°tell me again why we only brought one tent?¡±

    ¡°Problem?¡± Will asked with that ever-present innocence of his.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a bit crowded¡± Kyle complained, trying to avert his eyes as Will bent over to secure the final tent post.

    ¡°Only need one for only two. You shared tent lots with your female¡± Will reminded with that same completely unassuming smile of his.

    Kyle gave him another annoyed look at that reminder, then had to mumble, ¡°that was different.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Will asked in that continually guile-free tone of his.

    ¡°Because I didn¡¯t mind having to be that close to her all those nights¡± Kyle complained, though all his empty arguments seemed to be barely making it past his lips with much volume that night.

    ¡°I¡¯m good to be close with. Ian liked being close to me. Made him finish, always¡± Will smiled with the slightest bit of pride, while still sounding somehow childlike while speaking of such activities.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Kyle returned with a bit more volume.

    ¡°What?¡± Will returned as he gave him a questioning look.

    ¡°Are you actually suggesting what I think you¡¯re suggesting?¡± Kyle had to ask, if for no other reason than to buy himself time to digest the comment.

    ¡°I...don¡¯t know¡± Will shrugged slightly, ¡°still hard to understand all the words you say¡± Will stated in an almost apologetic manner, blissfully unaware of the effect his so innocently talking about carnal matters was sure to have on those that had grown up in some sort of society, unlike him.

    As much as he knew he should just drop the entire conversation at this point, Kyle couldn¡¯t help pressing on, ¡°when you say, finish...¡± Kyle swallowed a bit, ¡°exactly what is it that you¡¯re referring to again?¡±

    Will thought on the question for a long moment before trying to find a way to answer with his limited vocabulary, ¡°when hard becomes soft, after touching, or tasting, or being inside me, and then his wetness comes¡± he made some attempt. Though he spoke as innocently as ever, whilst describing their sexual encounters the way in which one would describe a nice walk in the park, or along a beach...

    Kyle wasn¡¯t even sure what reaction he could have to such a description as his breath seemed to leave him for a long moment before he could find his voice again, ¡°so, you mean...finishing¡± he returned, voice ragged.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said¡± Will responded with a small chuckle as he turned back to arrange their bed for the night.

    Kyle once again cursed his hormones as he felt his body reacting to such a discussion. At that moment he had no idea how he would get through spending the night laying close to a young man who was prettier than most girls, and literally had no taboos or preconceived notions about his own sexual identity or desires in any way shape or form.

    As jarring as it was, it was also proof that growing up alone and isolated from the entire world may have seemed like a terrible fate for any child, but it had somehow made him into literally the freest soul Kyle had ever met. And he suddenly understood fully why Ian had so easily found everything about this man so attractive, in more than just a physical sense.

    Being blissfully unaware of how his prior statements affected Kyle, Will smiled back at him as the two pulled off their flight suits to sleep more comfortably in the normal clothing they wore underneath; even though Will¡¯s outfit was hardly considered ¡®clothing¡¯ by the strictest definition of the word. Will then simply offered another smile and moved into the tent to settle in for the night. Kyle stayed outside the tent for several long moments though, trying to imagine exactly what it was going to be like to make this trek with only Will for company until they did finally find the ship.

    It was true that he had narrowed down the probable crash location to a radius of about a thousand miles or so, but considering this was only his first few hours alone with a creature such as Will; Kyle was sure it was going to be a very difficult adventure indeed.

    When Kyle finally forced his feet to carry him into the tent after his companion, Will simply smiled up at him and rolled onto his side, gesturing to the pillow next to him. Another deep breath as Kyle awkwardly moved to lie down next to where Will turned off the battery-powered lamp they had brought along.

    Before Kyle could attempt to figure out where to even put his arms and legs, Will had already moved closer to him, gently sliding his arms around Kyle¡¯s waist and laying his head on the younger man¡¯s chest the way Lili had curled up next to him so many times in nights past, before the baby changed everything. Once again, Will appeared so much like a girl, it almost made Kyle question how surprised he should be about feeling any attraction at all to another man, especially when this was the ¡®man¡¯ in question.

    ¡°Will...¡± Kyle attempted tentatively, his voice already hoarse as he looked down at where Will had already contently closed his dark eyes against Kyle¡¯s chest, leaving the teen no choice but to move his arm to encircle the older man¡¯s narrow shoulders right then.

    ¡°Kyle¡± Will responded with what almost sounded like a giggle, though he made no move to look back up at Kyle¡¯s face, or move away from him either, for that matter.

    ¡°Um...¡± Kyle was once again caught by that almost somehow equally childlike and sexual nature that Will seemed to be quite comfortable encapsulating with almost every word or act. He was so childlike as a matter of fact, that Kyle had to mentally remind himself that Will was actually the elder of the two of them; but what a difference their upbringing made, in so many ways.

    Will offered nothing else to the conversation as Kyle continued to try to struggle for any words at all, his entire body tense at this point. It was then Will cuddled even closer, bringing his leg up over Kyle¡¯s own legs to literally wrap himself around the eighteen year old, continuing to seem as content as ever in doing so.

    At that point, Kyle just had to speak again, ¡°What are you doing, exactly¡± Kyle asked him in another hoarse whisper.

    ¡°This comfortable for sleep. And we¡¯re close, if I need to save you¡± he smiled against Kyle¡¯s chest again, though still made no attempt to change his chosen position.

    Kyle shook his head up at the roof of the tent, once again at a loss for words for several moments. Finally, he found his voice again, ¡°you know, normally people only wrap themselves around each other like this if they¡¯re actually lovers¡± was the only argument he could find through his current state of heightened distraction.

    ¡°What¡¯s lovers?¡± Will asked as he moved a hand up to trace a thread that had loosened itself from Kyle¡¯s worn t-shirt.

    Kyle just scoffed, ¡°you know, people that have sex with each other.¡±

    ¡°Sex? Doesn¡¯t that just mean male or female?¡±

    ¡°Well yes,¡± Kyle began with another shake of his head, ¡°lovers means when two people...¡± a deep sigh as he tried to frame the words in a way that Will would actually understand, ¡°people are lovers when they spend a lotta time...making each other finish¡± he forced his way to the end of that sentence.

    Then with all that innocence once more, Will looked up at him at last, ¡°is that what you wanna do now?¡±

 Chapter 79

    After forcing himself to answer Will¡¯s ever so innocent offer with ¡°we should really probably just sleep¡± and then trying to ignore what almost seemed like disappointment on the other man¡¯s pretty face, the rest of Kyle¡¯s late night/early morning was restless, to say the least.

    He did manage to stay there frozen in place next to where Will continued to lay close to him until well past nine am though. However, at that point, Kyle no longer could ignore his need to relieve himself, as well as his hunger, and a few other factors that made it difficult for him to remain there next to where Will still slept soundly next to him.

    Knowing he would most likely wake his companion, who was still quite happily wrapped around Kyle¡¯s own body, the younger of them took a deep breath, and decided to just get it over with. He then attempted to try to disentangle himself as well as push himself up from the floor of the tent in one clean, quick motion before having to head outside and take care of a few pressing matters.

    Feeling the combination of his heat source as well as his pillow leave his side and then the tent, Will rolled onto his back with a yawn before again opening those deep, dark, yet now sleep-filled eyes. He sighed softly as he noted the absence of his companion, but soon rubbed away the sleep and pushed himself to leave the tent as well.

    Outside, Will moved to join Kyle several feet off where he more than awkwardly was tending nature¡¯s call himself. With no shame, as Will probably was not even aware of such a concept, he pulled himself loose from his animal skin pants and began to do the same.

    The activity had already been made more than difficult by the state Kyle had awoken in that morning, but when Will joined him, it only made it that much more of a problem for him. He was about to speak up to try to explain a thing like privacy, doubting that Will would have any concept of that one either, but his voice caught once Will had pulled himself free of what clothing he ever even wore during the warmer months.

    Against his own will, Kyle couldn¡¯t help moving his eyes downward just to assure himself, once and for all that his extremely feminine companion was indeed a male. He swallowed hard at the sight confirming that Will definitely fit the most technical, anatomical definition of a male. Kyle then forced his eyes away, and back to his own troubled attempt at relieving himself in his current state, and considering his current company standing right there next to him.

    Though, with that childlike innocence, Will smiled down at Kyle upon noting the difficulty the younger man was having with such a mundane task. Will easily finished relieving himself as he turned slightly to where Kyle was still struggling.

    ¡°Easier when not hard¡± Will smiled over at him.

    Kyle blushed deeply as he made some attempt to turn away, muttering under his breath, ¡°yeah thanks, I know that¡± he shook his head in disbelief, then added, ¡°but I¡¯m eighteen, I¡¯m hard twenty-three hours a day¡± he grumbled.

    ¡°Want help?¡± Will offered with the same annoyingly sweet tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even wanna know what exactly you¡¯re offering to help with right now¡± Kyle stated with even more disbelief as he attempted to keep his back to where Will still stood close by.

    ¡°I can make hardness go away. Feels good¡± he stated with another smile that in no way fit the actual offer he was making.

    Kyle just let out another sound of disbelief as Will so easily confirmed what it was he was offering to help with after all. Another ragged breath as Kyle tried to force some words in response to someone with literally no self-censoring or inhibitions of any kind when it came to sex, let alone sex with a member of his own gender. And that particular activity was something Kyle had obviously never even seriously considered; at least not until his recent life situation had taken such a dramatic turn, anyway.

    Finally finding words, though offering them with a bit of harshness brought on by his own discomfort right then, Kyle responded, ¡°you wanna help? Go make us some breakfast. Help like that¡± he told him with a bit of a bite to his tone.

    Will let out the slightest sigh again, but offered no argument, before shrugging and moving back toward the tent to fulfill the one of Kyle¡¯s needs that the younger man seemed to be at least a bit more open to.

    <hr>

    After several more long days, and even longer nights, the two still had not located the ship or any survivors there on that new planet. That night they were just finishing a late supper when Kyle angrily closed the computerized map of this planet he had been updating on a nightly basis. Will looked up from his own meal at the sound of Kyle angrily tossing the small computer onto their bags with a frustrated sigh.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Which problem now?¡±

    ¡°The same problem since we got here: No damn ship yet. It¡¯s been over a week¡± Kyle complained as he also seemed to have lost interest in his meal then too.

    ¡°Big planet to search¡± Will stated with his own slight sadness as he finished the last few bites of his own food.

    ¡°Yeah well, I tried being patient once, but it took too long¡± Kyle responded wryly, which did actually garner a small laugh from the older man as he moved to take a seat on the fallen tree Kyle was already sitting upon. ¡°Did you actually laugh? You actually got a joke? You must be getting better at English¡± Kyle added more quietly, his analytical nature never truly buried, despite all his other frustrations.

    ¡°I learn fast¡± Will offered with another smile as he wrapped his arms around himself, the nighttime temperatures getting slightly colder as September approached.

    ¡°Yeah, I bet¡± Kyle began, then glanced over, easily noting how much more girlish Will looked as he sat there wrapping his own arms around that tiny waist, Kyle then found what little sense of chivalry he had somehow kicking in right then, ¡°you want my extra jacket?¡±

    ¡°Jacket?¡± Will asked as he turned those impossibly dark eyes up to Kyle as he stood.

    ¡°I take back everything I just said about you and English¡± Kyle shook his head, but did allow a tiny smile as he moved to retrieve the offered item.

    ¡°I know English, not clothes¡± Will returned as his only meager defense.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help another smile as Will took the jacket, looked at it questioningly for a moment, then figured out the mechanics of such a thing before sliding into it. ¡°For a second there, I thought I¡¯d have to dress you, and, well, awkward¡± Kyle even allowed a slightly playful sarcasm just then.

    ¡°Why awkward?¡± Will asked looking up once again after finally getting the jacket into place.

    Kyle allowed another nervous laugh, ¡°well you have been pretty open about wanting to help me ¡®finish,¡¯ not to mention the constant cuddling.¡±

    ¡°Why is that awkward?¡± Will asked with genuine curiosity.

    Another nervous laugh as Kyle averted his eyes before speaking, ¡°well, you are sleeping with one of my friends, but then again...¡± he shook his head as he didn¡¯t even want to get into the semantics of that, considering he and Ian did indeed share the same lover for several months. He then tried another answer, ¡°it¡¯s mainly awkward cause I¡¯m not gay.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s gay?¡± Will asked, seeming to honestly thirst for every answer he could get from one of the only humans he had ever had the opportunity to be around after nearly twenty years alone.

    Kyle shook his head down at the other man once again, not sure why he didn¡¯t see that question coming, ¡°gay is when you...well, when you only wanna be with men, that way.¡±

    ¡°Be with? What way?¡± Will pressed.

    Kyle took another deep breath as he sat back down, wondering if this would be easier to explain telepathically after all, but he attempted to continue nonetheless, ¡°gay people are people who are sexu--- who are only attra----¡± another breath, remembering who he was dealing with, ¡°it means you¡¯re gay if you only wanna ¡®finish¡¯ with someone whose the same sex as you.¡±

    Will seemed to ponder the words for a long moment, ¡°but Ian liked finishing with me and Lili both...what¡¯s the word for him?¡±

    Kyle looked down with another uncomfortable chuckle, having walked into that one, ¡°Ian¡¯s a bit trickier to explain, I think.¡±

    Will furrowed his brow, obviously still quite lost by whatever it was Kyle was truly trying to explain to him after all, ¡°you say you¡¯re not...¡¯gay?¡¯¡± he offered the word as a question, ¡°so that means you don¡¯t want to finish...¡®be with¡¯ me, because I am male, like you?¡±

    ¡°Now you¡¯re starting to get it¡± Kyle replied with another small smile.

    ¡°You seemed like you wanted to though, many times¡± he stated as he pointedly looked down toward Kyle¡¯s waist.

    ¡°What? Because I¡¯ve gotten hard when you¡¯ve....cuddled with me....or made certain offers?¡± Kyle asked defensively.

    ¡°Hardness means you want to finish, right?¡± Will continued to try and understand why Kyle¡¯s body and his words seemed to be not agreeing with one another.

    Kyle felt himself blushing again at being expected to defend his entire sexual identity right then, ¡°Will, that just happens sometimes¡± was his only defense, weak though it was.

    ¡°So, you would rather be hard, and uncomfortable, and not happy, and not finished, than, being with another male, like that?¡± Will returned with a look of confusion, making the entire opinion seem nonsensical when put into words.

    ¡°I just...¡± Kyle shook his head again, at a loss for words right then.

    ¡°Seems strange¡± Will stated a moment later.

    ¡°And welcome to a world where being straight is the strange option¡± Kyle stated, more to himself.

    ¡°Feeling that, it feels good, with a male or a female, so why would you not want to feel it with either, whenever you can?¡± Will asked him simply.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you had been with a lot of females¡± Kyle scoffed as he attempted to turn the tables on the older man, if only to get the pressure off of himself right then.

    ¡°Have you been with a lot of males?¡± Will asked with a raised brow.

    Kyle was definitely caught by that one as he stood again, looking away to try and come to terms with the fact that he actually seemed to be losing an argument with someone who barely spoke the language. Then again, if his theories about the e-children were right, Will was just as much of a genius as himself, if not more so, considering his age; and that thought irked Kyle more than a bit as well.

    ¡°So, what you¡¯re really saying is that you¡¯re bi, like Ian?¡± Kyle grumbled, still not turning back to look at the younger man.

    ¡°Bi?¡± Will asked the obvious question.

    ¡°It means you wanna be with both, males and females¡± Kyle retorted, his frustration obvious in his tone. ¡°Even though you¡¯ve never even been with a girl¡± he added under his breath.

    ¡°And you say you only wanna be with girls, even though you¡¯ve never even been with a boy¡± Will returned as he too looked away and went about cleaning up after their meal in silence at last.

 Chapter 80

    A few more nights had passed and this night now denoted the two-week mark since Kyle and Will had arrived on the twin planet and begun their search for any remnants of the ship. Of course, the tension between them had also made things more difficult since their last discussion about preferences and identity. Will had not continued his incessant cuddling with Kyle on the nights following that. Instead, he had taken to sullenly rolling onto his side, his back to Kyle any time the younger man entered the tent behind him now.

    Will on his side facing away from Kyle, and Kyle on his back staring up at the roof of the tent until sleep finally came; that was the normal sleeping arrangement now. Though, the quarters were still plenty close enough that it didn¡¯t truly cut down on much of the awkwardness Kyle had complained of previously.

    After his first hour of that night¡¯s insomnia, Kyle couldn¡¯t help looking over at where Will lay facing away from him, cuddled around his pillow now rather than Kyle. The younger of them sighed, knowing he¡¯d probably regret even trying to bring up the subject again, but after two weeks with only one another for company, he gave into his need for any kind of social fulfillment at this point.

    ¡°So, you really would feel the same about being close, like that, even if I was a girl?¡± he dared.

    Still having trouble sleeping himself, Will smiled at Kyle giving in and speaking with him again, though as he was still turned away, that smile remained a secret to Kyle. ¡°I wish you were a girl¡± Will offered as he moved to lay upon his back then, which of course meant causing their arms to touch again there in the small tent.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Kyle asked, somehow caught again by the strange words that always seemed to come out of the other young man¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Then you wouldn¡¯t be ¡®awkward¡¯ about me being a boy¡± Will teased, then added, ¡°Plus, I¡¯d like to know what that¡¯s like.¡±

    ¡°What what¡¯s like?¡± Kyle asked, though he was sure he would regret delving into this subject again.

    ¡°Being with a girl. Pouring myself into a girl when I finish, like you all did with Lili¡± he stated in an almost wistful manner as he still kept his eyes downward instead of looking up at Kyle as he spoke.

    ¡°You seriously are bi¡± Kyle stated as though he only just finally began to believe the statement himself. Of course his words did cause Will to give him the briefest look, skeptical though it was. Kyle pulled his eyes away with another sigh before continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve only actually ever been with one girl anyway, myself. And it¡¯s been a really long time¡± he confessed as he swallowed slightly, his own eyes cast downwards.

    Will allowed another smile as he then moved, warily back to his side to face Kyle, placing a hand gently upon his chest, ¡°I¡¯ve only ever been with one boy¡± another smile as he added, ¡°but not such a long time for me.¡±

    <hr>

    Having lost track of exactly how many times Jared had brought her to climax that morning on the riverbank, Lili finally found herself begging him for a moment to catch her breath once more. He lifted his head from his task and finally pushed himself to a spot laying back on the ground next to her while wearing a wide grin. They both then took several long moments to try to focus on the sky above them, Jared¡¯s breath only slightly ragged from his own arousal, while Lili was very nearly hyperventilating from the series of orgasms he had just given her.

    ¡°I guess I got a little overzealous¡± he offered apologetically, though couldn¡¯t help his slight chuckle as he awkwardly re-adjusted, as he was so aroused himself right then, his own loose-fitting jeans had become unbearably tight after that last activity.

    Lili was still only clad in a now sweat dampened t-shirt while her shorts and panties had long been forgotten on the riverbank somewhere near their feet. Her current state only added to Jared¡¯s arousal as he glanced over to see her still laying there, trying to catch her breath. The now soaked t-shirt clung to her hardened nipples, making the outline of they and her still milk-heavy breasts even more difficult for him to ignore right then.

    Finally catching her breath long enough to allow herself to look back his way, she caught his eyes traveling over her hungrily, though as promised, he made no move to do anything else without her approval first.

    She then bit her lip with her own grin as she rolled toward him, her hands moving toward the button at the front of his jeans as she began loosening them around his glaringly apparent arousal.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Lili, you don¡¯t have to¡± he forced himself to whisper the assurance, despite how painfully he did want to pour all of himself into her right there and then.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I do¡± she teased as she pulled his jeans and underwear down to his thighs and moved to a spot on her knees next to him.

    It was only a few moments later, after letting her fingers tease him by traversing the length of his hardness once or twice, that she then moved to take him into her mouth, returning to him all that pleasure he had just given her as well.

    <hr>

    When Kyle awoke that morning, it was to the feel of Will gently tracing his fingertips over the sliver of skin below where Kyle¡¯s shirt had ridden up slightly the previous night. Will again was laying his head against Kyle¡¯s shoulder as he moved his fingers so gently it caused Kyle to shiver.

    Kyle let out a ragged sigh, though made no attempt to move away from his touch either, ¡°you¡¯re doing it again¡± he whispered hoarsely.

    ¡°You¡¯re hard again¡± Will smirked as he, not surprisingly, also made no move to break off the contact between them either.

    Another blush from Kyle before he managed some excuse, ¡°yeah, well, I was dreaming about Lili.¡±

    That was when Will did finally look back up into his face, though still wore a soft smile, ¡°you miss her, yes?¡±

    An awkward breath as Kyle tried not to stare too long into those doe-like eyes looking up at him, ¡°of course I miss her.¡±

    ¡°Then you should tell her¡± were all the words Will offered.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Kyle asked, caught again.

    ¡°It¡¯s been many days... She was so scared of us leaving, dying. You should tell her we¡¯re still alive, and tell Ian too, please¡± he asked gently as he offered a tiny, brief kiss to Kyle¡¯s neck before finally pushing himself up from their bedding to tend to his own morning tasks.

    ¡°Wait, Will...¡± Kyle sat up, calling out to stop the older of them from leaving the tent just yet.

    Will couldn¡¯t stop his own tiny smile as he turned back, ¡°changed your mind about me making you feel better?¡± he couldn¡¯t stop the subtle flirtation.

    Though Kyle just shook his head before moving on, ¡°what do you mean, tell them?¡±

    ¡°Call to them, in your mind, like you did with me. Let them know we are still safe¡± was his explanation.

    ¡°But...¡± Kyle had to think on that suggestion a moment, ¡°but I can¡¯t do that from this far away.¡±

    ¡°Like I couldn¡¯t bring us this far away¡± Will smiled back at him knowingly before heading out of the tent at last, leaving Kyle to think on his counsel.

    <hr>

    After fulfilling each other as completely as possible, without that one final way of fulfilling one another which would risk things neither wanted to risk; Jared and Lili eventually made their way back up the river to their home.

    The two wore smiles for once, and were even walking hand in hand when Ian spied their approach from where he had begun breakfast. His expression easily conveyed all of his surprise at their apparent closeness that morning.

    ¡°So, he finally shared his stash of the good mushrooms, did he?¡± Ian greeted Lili, his eyes continuing to move over them both skeptically.

    ¡°Morning, Ian¡± Lili smiled her return greeting as she and Jared finally separated to allow her to take a seat by the fire pit and to allow him to go inside to check on Hope, and his plants of course.

    Once Jared was back inside, Ian gave Lili another furtive look as his eyes moved over where she did still look a little flushed in the morning sun, ¡°so we¡¯re friends with him again now?¡± he had to ask with a raised brow.

    ¡°There¡¯s only two other people left on this planet who can talk. I had to eventually speak to him again, right?¡± she deflected the question as she reached for the bowl of berries that was in the cooler nearby.

    ¡°Talking apparently includes walking hand in hand back from the river I guess?¡± Ian mumbled as he turned back to preparing the meal.

    ¡°Is that actually jealousy?¡± Lili asked with a bit of shock, as well as worry.

    ¡°Should it be?¡± he returned the question with a question.

    ¡°Seriously?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not about jealousy, Lili¡± he shook his head, but didn¡¯t turn back to her, ¡°I thought it was us against him after he backed up this bullshit plan of Kyle¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°I know, and believe me, I¡¯ll never be ok with that, especially if Kyle...¡± she simply shook her head as well, ¡°but you and Jared are all I have left as far as I know, and I can¡¯t just cut him out, no matter how angry I am about it all. And neither can you¡± she added more quietly, setting the berries aside once more. ¡°Besides, if Kyle really is gone, never to return, Jared will hate himself more than either of us ever could...¡± she whispered sadly.

    ¡°Yeah, well you know what they say about making your own bed...¡± Ian grumbled, to which, Lili only allowed another sad sigh.

    But before either could say more, Lili suddenly looked around as though startled by something. Seeing her sudden change in demeanor out of the corner of his eye, Ian turned back to her questioningly.

    ¡°What is it?¡± he asked, his eyes immediately scanning the woods around them.

    ¡°I...I don¡¯t know...¡± she whispered, continuing to look around with a bit of confusion.

    ¡°Um, some small hint about what it is you think you saw or heard would be nice¡± he replied with a gentle sarcasm as he set aside the cooking utensils in order to reach for one of the guns he always had on him.

    After another long moment of Ian scanning the woods and Lili trying desperately to pinpoint what she was hearing, she finally smiled over at Ian as she did manage to recognize the sound at last.

    ¡°Yes?¡± he asked warily, still keeping the gun trained on the surrounding forest.

    ¡°It¡¯s Kyle¡± she smiled again.

    Ian seemed more than a bit confused as he looked around again, ¡°what? Where?¡±

    ¡°In my head¡± she then allowed a sincere chuckle as Ian slowly lowered the gun, looking back at her expectantly, before she continued, ¡°he¡¯s ok. He and Will both.¡±

 Chapter 81

    ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t get into any funky mushrooms after all?¡± Ian finally asked as Lili continued to smile as she appeared to be listening to a conversation he himself had no way of hearing. She simply chuckled as she wiped away a few tears of happiness for once, as odd as it was for her to have ever shed such things. Ian shook his head as he continued to watch her have a nice little chat in her own head, ¡°Possibly heatstroke then?¡±

    Lili let out another little laugh, ¡°it¡¯s only in the sixties, Ian¡± she smiled back at him as she also continued to listen to whatever Kyle was telling her right then. She then finally shook her head back at Ian, ¡°why so shocked? You knew Kyle could do this. Remember your birthday?¡± she reminded him with another smile.

    ¡°Yeah, but he was on the same damn planet, then¡± Ian argued, though weakly.

    ¡°I guess his powers are getting stronger, and ghost¡¯s...Will¡¯s were strong enough too. We were flipping out for no reason¡± she smiled up at him once more.

    ¡°Oh believe me, we had plenty of reasons¡± Ian shook his head as he attempted to return his attention to breakfast, though couldn¡¯t help his own sigh of relief, despite his guise of remaining upset. After another few moments, Lili finally sighed almost contentedly and returned her attention to Ian. He looked back at her skeptically once more, ¡°Guessing he hung up?¡±

    ¡°Something like that¡± Lili smiled once more, not able to stop doing that for some reason today, surprised as she was herself by that fact.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing they still haven¡¯t found the ship or any survivors though, right? Figure that woulda been the headline¡± Ian added.

    ¡°Not yet¡± Lili agreed with a smaller sigh, ¡°but they¡¯re ok. They¡¯re both ok¡± she repeated as if to solidify the statement in her own head as well.

    ¡°For now¡± Ian mumbled as he turned back to the meal once more.

    Lili then offered him a skeptical look, ¡°so in a conversation between the two of us, you¡¯re the Debbie-downer? Maybe I am high¡± she smirked.

    ¡°So, did he say anything else of note?¡± Ian moved on.

    ¡°He¡¯s having a bit of a rough time relating to Will, but I think it sounded like our ghost was beginning to grow on him¡± she offered.

    ¡°He does do that¡± Ian stated, more to himself then.

    <hr>

    Upon finishing his telepathic chat with Lili, Kyle just had to share the fact of that success with someone; and of course that someone would have to be his only companion of the last two weeks. So he made his way toward the lake that Will and he had chosen to set up camp by the night before. Upon his approach, he found Will with his back to him, already waist deep in the water, scooping it up over his head, face and chest to wash away the grime of the last few days.

    Kyle faltered for only for a moment as he reached the water¡¯s edge, but still wanted to share his news, so he raised his voice to speak, ¡°it worked, Will. It actually worked,¡± he managed a smile as Will turned at the sound of his voice, a smile touching his lips then too.

    ¡°You talked to them?¡± Will called back as he began making his way toward the shore again.

    Now that the older man¡¯s hair was soaked, it had finally been pulled away from his face which somehow still did not take away from his girlish appearance at all. Kyle swallowed again as Will made his way towards him, the water dripping from his long locks, over his chest, stomach, and lower as the rest of his nude body became visible once the water shallowed out and he reached the land next to where Kyle seemed to have forgotten to breathe once again.

    ¡°You talked to both? Lili and Ian?¡± he smiled, paying no heed to his own nakedness as he moved to speak with Kyle at a more conversational volume.

    ¡°Um,¡± Kyle began, trying desperately to look at anything but the water glistening off of Will¡¯s smooth skin in the morning sun, ¡°I just talked to her, but Ian was also with her, so.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re both good too?¡± Will continued.

    ¡°Um yeah¡± Kyle returned in a near whisper as he continued to make any attempt he could to keep his eyes averted.

    That was when Will just shook his head at the painfully apparent tension in the eighteen year old, ¡°I think you¡¯d be much happier if you stopped being afraid.¡±

    Kyle¡¯s eyes then snapped up to those huge brown eyes of Will¡¯s that were finally both visible, and quite near, ¡°what are we talking about again?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t even understand why you are afraid. Either we touch and you like it and we both end very happy, or you somehow don¡¯t like it and we don¡¯t have to touch again. Easier to just do it than to keep being afraid to even find out¡± he told him with another soft shake of those wet locks.

    Kyle was at another loss for words for a long moment before he at least attempted to respond, ¡°you just don¡¯t understand...¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I just said¡± Will allowed another small smile, refusing to move back, or cover himself, just standing there, forcing Kyle to confront those fears that Will honestly could not even fathom, himself.

    ¡°That¡¯s your solution? Just do it to find out if I like it, even though, I¡¯ve never...¡± Kyle just shook his head.

    ¡°You¡¯ve never...even tried¡± Will finished the sentence for him as he moved a step closer and gently closed his mouth over Kyle¡¯s.

    Kyle immediately tensed, but did not pull away for a long moment before he finally moved back to catch his breath, ¡°you don¡¯t just...¡± he began, though lost the words as soon as they began.

    ¡°What is the worst that could happen if you did let yourself try? What is it you¡¯re afraid of, really?¡± Will asked him in a slow and gentle tone.

    ¡°But I¡¯m not...¡± Kyle began again as he finally lost the willpower to keep from letting his eyes travel openly over Will¡¯s body at last. After a long moment to make himself bring his eyes back up to Will¡¯s face, he finally spoke again, ¡°other than that,¡± a slight gesture toward Will¡¯s genitals, ¡°you really do look and act just like a girl¡± he breathed the words more than spoke them.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t that make it easier for you then?¡± Will couldn¡¯t help a slight chuckle.

    ¡°I wish¡± Kyle just barely made the response leave his lips.

    Will just shook his head again, and moved to pull Kyle to him, covering his mouth with his once more, determined to get Kyle past all of those fears once and for all, any way he could.

    <hr>

    When Ian awoke the next morning, he couldn¡¯t help the slight scowl as he noted that he had indeed spent the entire night alone in his quarters. Much to his dismay, that was the first time that had happened in the entire two weeks since Kyle and Will had left. Of course, each night that he and Lili had spent kissing, cuddling, and holding each other, it got harder and harder to keep themselves from giving into their mutual desire to do much more than that.

    With a sigh of frustration, he went to check on Hope and relieve himself before returning to the shack shortly thereafter. Another look down at Hope, followed by another look toward Lili¡¯s doorway, and he gave into the urge to go and see if she had missed his company as much that night as he had missed hers.

    He was a bit more than stunned when he entered her room only to find that Jared had actually been the one she had spent her previous evening with. But the stun factor came in when he found that they both were fast asleep atop Lili¡¯s covers, their bodies pressed close to one another, and not a scrap of clothing to be found between the two of them.

    Somehow, he couldn¡¯t make himself just turn and leave, and instead, ended up clearing his throat loudly to get the attention of his two companions. Being as light a sleeper as she was, Lili was the first to easily return to consciousness, her sleep-filled eyes widening more than a bit at Ian¡¯s presence as he simply held her in his gaze, awaiting her explanation.

    ¡°Ian...¡± she whispered hoarsely as she gave Jared a slight nudge from where he had been laying close behind her.

    ¡°So, I guess sex is back on the menu, eh?¡± Ian spoke up more loudly as Jared¡¯s pools of brown slowly opened as well.

    ¡°Ian¡± he repeated Lili¡¯s greeting in the same hoarse tone, a blush rising to his cheeks to match Lili¡¯s.

    ¡°So, this is new-ish¡± Ian continued as the two awkwardly sat up, Jared attempting to pull a sheet around them both as he seemed to be trying desperately to sink into the wall behind her bed, eyes cast down in silence.

    Despite Jared¡¯s attempt at hiding them beneath the sheet, Lili only seemed concerned with covering her mid-section to hide the scar from where she and Ian¡¯s daughter had to be cut from her two months earlier.

    Swallowing slightly as he caught sight of that scar for the first time since Hope had been born, it nonetheless reminded him of why the scene before him was so shocking, ¡°so, I spend the last two weeks holding you, kissing you, trying my damnedest not to think about how badly I wanna do so much more to you, and he¡¯s the one who gets the first ticket back to naked-ville?¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t actually have sex¡± was Lili¡¯s own defense, barely audible though it was, ¡°just, other stuff¡± she added even more quietly.

    Ian just shook his head, while Jared still couldn¡¯t look him in the eyes after their previous conversations about what Lili was or was not ready for after the baby. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s supposed to make me feel better, right?¡± was his only response, though his voice was still relatively even, all things considered.

    Lili swallowed again as she looked back at Jared with a shallow breath, ¡°you¡¯re sure those plants will work?¡± was her completely unexpected statement, which easily caused both men to look back at her in shock.

    ¡°Lili, you don¡¯t have to...¡± Jared began, as Ian simply swallowed whatever words he might have had to respond with.

    ¡°Yes or no?¡± she prodded the younger of her two former lovers, though her voice remained gentle and calm, despite all else.

    Jared had to take a breath to compose himself before answering her, ¡°they should, yeah, but...¡±

    Not letting Jared finish with whatever assurances he was about to repeat to her again, Lili turned her eyes back to Ian, ¡°come here¡± she told him in the sweetest whisper, which only caused further shock in the two men; Jared especially so, considering.

    Though he was quite surprised by the offer himself, and still clad in just the immediately tightening underwear he had slept in, Ian easily obeyed her request, ignoring exactly how much tenser Jared had suddenly gotten in the last five seconds.

    As Ian reached the bed, Jared¡¯s breath caught as he watched Lili pull the older of the two men closer to her still nude body, covering his mouth with hers hungrily. Jared waited a long moment as that kiss continued, trying to decide exactly what his best course of action was right then. But when Lili not only dragged the kiss out even longer, but also began reaching to pull Ian free of his underwear during that prolonged lip-lock; that was when Jared finally gave into his urge to extricate himself from the situation.

    Once Lili felt Jared push himself toward the edge of the bedding, she finally turned her lips from Ian. Not one to be swayed at that point, Ian simply moved his kisses to her neck, his hands easily moving to her waist now that the hindrance of his own clothing was gone as well.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± she breathed the question to Jared as she reached out her hand to grasp his wrist.

    Jared scoffed slightly, still not quite able to look back at either of them, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m no longer needed here right now.¡±

    ¡°You are¡± she breathed the words as she pulled him back to his seat behind her once again.

    Once Jared had awkwardly let himself be returned to his previous seat, he still nervously grasped for the sheet once more to try in vain to hide his quickly reacting body. Lili just smiled back at his gesture before pulling that sheet from his hand and tossing it from his reach. Jared just shook his head, though could think of no more words as she then moved back to slide herself into her own seat between his legs, pulling Ian with her all the while.

    ¡°Lili...¡± Jared breathed heavily as he felt her backside pressed against his hardness while Ian continued to move closer as Lili did, trailing kisses from her neck downwards toward the breasts that still swelled with milk for that little life waiting in the next room.

    ¡°If you keep talking, I¡¯ll be kissing you next¡± Ian teased to the other man before his lips did finally find their way to her already hardened nipple, causing the slightest gasp from Lili as she felt his lips close around it just as his daughter¡¯s had so many times in the last few months.

    Jared was more than a little caught by that particular threat, but soon forgot it. In the next moment. Lili arched her back to let Ian continue tantalizing her breasts while she herself let her hands find their way to a place behind her backside where she began caressing Jared with her fingers as Ian continued to do to her with his lips and tongue.

    When Ian not only continued tasting her breasts, but also let his fingertips begin expertly rubbing that tiny mound above the flood of wetness between her legs, Lili couldn¡¯t help another louder gasp and arch of her back. Her fingers were nearly bringing Jared to his climax, while Ian¡¯s fingers were very nearly bringing her to her own at the same moment then.

    Overwhelmed by the desire she was feeling right then, Lili gave into all of that passion at last. Rather than continuing to just caress Jared into that final moment, instead she re-adjusted their positions ever so slightly. In the next moment, she moved to brace her own body with one hand while moving to use the other hand to slide him deep inside her, right below where Ian was caressing her into that first orgasm.

    Both of them were more than a little shocked by her sliding Jared inside her but they had little time to even comprehend before she then guided Ian up to his knees, her hands on his hips, pulling him closer still. She then caressed Ian¡¯s own hardness for a long moment before bringing it to her lips as she took all of him into her mouth, causing a loud gasp from him as well then.

    As she began bringing Ian to his climax with her mouth, she also began moving above Jared¡¯s hips, coaxing him deeper and deeper into her ever growing wetness as he easily forgot all those fears, grasped her hips tightly above him and also began thrusting into her from below, also needing that feeling just as much as they all seemed to right then.

 Chapter 82

    On the twin planet, it was also the morning after Kyle had had his inter-planetary psychic chat with Lili. However, all these many, many miles away from where Lili, Jared and Ian were having their passionate encounter; there was another equally passionate encounter happening beneath the gray sky of dawn here as well.

    After over two weeks of having Will chip away at his willpower and his entire identity as he knew it in his previous life, Kyle¡¯s hormones and Will¡¯s willingness and pure physical attractiveness, had finally broken down Kyle¡¯s walls. At least enough so to get the teen to the point of finally giving into Will¡¯s theory of ¡®at least try it so you¡¯ll really know once and for all.¡¯

    After a particularly eventful late night and early morning of experimentation, there in the tent as the gray sun rose outside, Kyle finally removed himself from the other man¡¯s body. The two then lay back upon the sweat-dampened bedding, both spent and attempting to catch their breath.

    ¡°So....¡± Will began with a breathless smile as he wiped away the evidence of his own pleasure from his bare thigh before turning his face toward where Kyle lay back next to him trying to regain any composure at all.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say anything right now, just...please, don¡¯t¡± Kyle begged breathlessly as he reached up to push a damp curl from his blue-gray eyes.

    ¡°Only one thing...¡± Will smiled as he moved to his side, gently placing a hand against the still heated and slightly damp skin of Kyle¡¯s chest.

    ¡°If you must¡± Kyle relented, still not looking down at those deep eyes.

    ¡°Do you at least feel better now?¡± Will had to ask as he gently kissed Kyle¡¯s still hardened nipple with a smile.

    ¡°Please shut up¡± Kyle returned, though with his own smile, and what almost sounded like a content chuckle. He then forced his still somewhat trembling limbs to push him up to a sitting position, causing Will to roll to his side once more. There, Will girlishly pulled the bedding up to his bare, smooth, and equally sweat-dampened chest as he continued to grin over at his newest partner while trying not to look too victorious right then.

    Kyle bit his lip through another smile as their eyes met once more before he just had to force himself to his feet, reaching for his nearby boxers, and then made his way from the tent, clutching them in his hand.

    Outside, he squinted a bit in the morning light before moving to slide back into his underwear. Kyle then moved to try to busy his now reeling mind with that morning¡¯s breakfast preparation. Only, once he did take a step away from the tent, he couldn¡¯t help looking around, almost as though he were now the one hearing something that no one else could.

    Taking a moment to hone in on what it was that he seemed to be hearing, he realized with a start that it was actually someone else¡¯s thoughts. Someone other than the companion he had just left inside, that was. Equally afraid and excited, Kyle immediately moved to the bag he had stashed a gun in, just in case, though the entire time, his eyes scanned the surrounding landscape.

    ¡°I surrender¡± he heard a young man¡¯s voice come from the nearby forest. He then stepped out of the trees, hands raised, when he saw that Kyle had immediately turned to point the gun in his direction.

    More than a few thoughts ripped through his already racing brain as Kyle laid his eyes on his fellow teen who slowly moved a few steps closer. The other boy managed to try to keep the trace of a smile on his face, though he kept his hands in the air in front of him as Kyle narrowed his eyes on his approach, the recognition finally hitting the slightly younger of them right then.

    The boy had actually only turned eighteen himself less than a year before Kyle¡¯s own eighteenth birthday the previous month. His hair had also grown past his shoulders in his time there, though his was a light brown, nearly blonde really, needle straight, and offset by eyes so blue they were literally startling. His name was Tyler, and he was actually the E-child born right there on the same ship as them, five months after Jared¡¯s birth and nine months prior to Kyle¡¯s, nearly two decades ago now.

    ¡°Tyler...?¡± Kyle called the boy¡¯s name back to memory easily then. Kyle finally lowering the gun to his side and looking on in shock as Tyler made his way towards him, his smile growing slightly less tentative in regards to Kyle¡¯s recognition.

    Tyler had always been small for his age, thin and standing at only 5¡ä7¡± despite being several months older than Kyle, who stood at a height of 5¡ä10¡± himself. Upon reaching a spot only a few feet from where Kyle still stood in shock outside the tent, Tyler allowed another small smile, ¡°I would hug you, but....¡± he stated apologetically as he pointedly glanced down at where Kyle had only just donned the boxers moments earlier.

    Kyle let out a small laugh before speaking, ¡°Uh, yeah, sorry¡± he then moved to the bag, exchanging the gun for another pair of jeans he had brought along, and sliding into them with another awkward yet amazed smile back at where Tyler waited with a slight biting of his lip.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Believe me, no need to apologize for anything. I¡¯m just so glad to see someone, anyone. I mean...it¡¯s been like...a year?¡± Tyler asked, all those unspoken questions obvious on both their faces.

    ¡°Little more than.¡± Kyle swallowed more disbelief as he looked back to Tyler, now somewhat less uncomfortable in his at least half-dressed state.

    ¡°What happened?¡± they asked in near unison, both then laughing together, a sound that was obviously more than foreign to both after this long.

    Before either of them could figure out how to even start their story, they heard Will exiting the tent behind them. Kyle immediately tensed at his arrival, his back still to the flap of the tent, silently praying that Will had at least re-acquired some of his clothing at that point too.

    ¡°Hi¡± Will grinned widely down at their new arrival as he stepped from the tent where he had at least donned those animal skin pants of his, much to Kyle¡¯s relief, as short-lived as it was when he saw Tyler looking between the two men with many more unspoken questions on his lips then.

    ¡°Hi...¡± Tyler responded warily as he cast an even more questioning glance back at Kyle then, before looking back at Will¡¯s eager smile ¡°um, I don¡¯t remember you...¡± he stated with the same wariness as he looked up at where Will was over eight inches taller than him, and as gaunt and beautiful as any supermodel Tyler had remembered seeing pictures of from earth. Though of course, Will¡¯s bare chest did call into question that knee-jerk appraisal of his appearance.

    ¡°Very glad to have found you¡± Will smiled as he leaned in to place a soft, innocent kiss of greeting on Tyler¡¯s cheek before smiling back over his shoulder at both of them as he moved to begin gathering their breakfast together.

    ¡°He¡¯s not from the ship¡± Kyle attempted some sort of explanation toward Tyler¡¯s look of further surprise.

    ¡°Yeah, I got that¡± Tyler stated as he cast one more look of puzzlement toward Will before making his eyes come back to meet Kyle¡¯s once more. ¡°So you found other people? Not from the ship people?¡± He asked Kyle with more than a bit of happiness at that prospect.

    ¡°Um, just the one¡± Kyle stated apologetically, glad that was the first question he voiced about Will, though he was sure there would be many, many more to come.

    ¡°What? Explain¡± Tyler replied as the two moved to take a seat on a nearby boulder.

    ¡°Is that really the first question we wanna cover?¡± Kyle couldn¡¯t help smiling as they took their seats, Kyle¡¯s eyes moving back over to Will as the eldest of them moved about readying breakfast, as content as ever, despite the strangeness, and the importance of this entire morning.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t even know where to begin, honestly. Do you?¡± Tyler allowed another small laugh.

    ¡°Ok I¡¯m sure I have a lot more questions for you, so I¡¯ll start¡± Kyle took a breath as he tried to find the beginning of the tale, ¡°so, we woke up three days later than we were supposed to, and LU kept telling me the ship wasn¡¯t there anymore. So we spent a year surviving down there, on that other planet, then finally found a way to get here. And now, here we are, and here you are. Your turn¡± Kyle finished, obviously over-simplifying the tale.

    Tyler let out another brief laugh at the summary before continuing, ¡°I think you may have left out a few pertinent details¡± he scolded, though playfully, ¡°like, the others, are they alive too?... And... other planet?¡± he allowed Kyle to fill in the rest of that question himself.

    ¡°Yeah, this is actually the twin planet to the one we were originally sent to. That¡¯s why it took so damn long to find you¡± Kyle offered, then remembered the rest of Tyler¡¯s question, ¡°and yes, we¡¯re all alive, though there have been a few...close calls¡± he decided on, dropping his eyes slightly at the memory of how he and Lili both had each had their own brushes with death only a couple months earlier.

    Tyler shook his head in awe as well as relief, ¡°that¡¯s amazing that you¡¯ve kept everyone alive this long¡± his voice then dropped, ¡°it¡¯s not easy.¡± he stated sadly.

    Kyle had to narrow his eyes at that, but it gave him the opportunity to ask the other question screaming through his brain ever since he saw Tyler, ¡°so, there were others who survived then?¡± he asked, his eyes full of hopefulness as he awaited that answer.

    ¡°Not a lot¡± Tyler answered in a stammer, as if biting back tears as he cast his eyes downwards, ¡°After we...¡± he swallowed a bit at the memory before continuing to share it, ¡°after Serena took over, and we...realized it...¡± another breath, as he seemed to jump forward a bit in the story then, ¡°when she died, the ship started falling from the sky and then all this gas was released throughout the entire ship. It was like her last F U to all of us if we somehow managed to stop her. By the time we realized what was happening, we could only save those of us on the flight deck and the younger kids; since they were in the last part of the ship the gas would reach. It gave us enough time to keep them alive long enough to get them out.¡±

    Kyle shook his head trying to take in all of that, especially when placed next to his own knowledge of how the ship met its fate, as provided by Jared¡¯s vision all those months ago. He attempted to find a place to start his questions then, ¡°wait, you were on the flight deck?¡±

    ¡°Only after we realized what was happening. Originally we were with all the younger kids while it all started to go down. When we saw the monitors and ...what Serena was doing, India and I went to the flight deck to try and help, any way we could, since we were the oldest of all the other kids¡± he swallowed again, lost in some terrible memories right then.

    ¡°So you and...India?¡± Kyle asked, calling the face of the second eldest female of the E-children to his memory. He then did some quick math to tell himself she had been fifteen then, would be almost seventeen now, ¡°you were the two who stopped Serena?¡±

    Tyler than looked up at him, speaking slowly ¡°I only said we went to try to help. I never said we stopped her¡± he stated with another stammer as he watched Kyle closely for any response.

    Then Kyle looked back at him, into him. After seeing what he pulled from the other man¡¯s head, Kyle¡¯s breath caught a bit before finding that response, ¡°but you did stop her¡± Kyle swallowed, ¡°you tried to keep everyone alive, and India... she¡¯s the one who killed Serena?¡±

 Chapter 83

    It was not long before Jared reached his climax inside Lili, pouring all of himself into her with that final gasp as he hips arched below her. It was mere seconds later when Ian pulled back from where Lili¡¯s entire body was still trembling from she and Jared¡¯s lovemaking. Ian then slowly eased himself out of her mouth where she had been continuing to pleasure him with her lips and tongue throughout that lovemaking. Ian then moved instead to gently lift her up off of Jared¡¯s quickly departing erection.

    In the next instance he was just as gently laying her upon her back, moving with her as he did. Then in one quick, but equally gentle motion, he slid himself deep inside that intense wetness, made even more intense by the fact that it had been literal seconds since Jared had filled her with his own seed,

    As Ian thrust into her, reveling in the feeling of all that wetness, and finally being inside her again, Lili almost immediately began climaxing once more. Jared looked on, breathing raggedly from his own recent pleasure as he watched Ian continue to thrust into her, taking mere moments before his own orgasmic tremors then started inside her.

    As Ian let out his own loud gasp as his seed poured into Lili once again as well, Jared¡¯s spectating of their lovemaking was immediately halted. It was then that his entire body tensed and his eyes rolled back as those millions of images began flooding his brain once that orgasm had left him mentally and physically drained; opening up his mind to whatever it was the universe wanted him to see so badly this time.

    Barely managing the breath for words, Ian looked down at where he still lay above her, inside her, both their bodies still trembling from the pleasure. ¡°Is he ok?¡± Ian finally managed with a bit of worry, despite all the other emotions they each were feeling right then.

    ¡°It¡¯s another vision¡± Lili breathed her own response as she pushed herself shakily up to her elbows.

    ¡°Sex triggers them?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help a grin as he discovered that little nugget at last.

    ¡°Stranger things have happened¡± was all Lili could say in response to Ian¡¯s smirk as he finally removed himself from her, both still trying to recover their own faculties as they each waited for Jared to come back from whatever this new vision was.

    When Jared did finally return to the present, he was a bit taken aback when he opened his eyes once more. Lili and Ian were both still there upon the bed with him, though now they had pulled a cover haphazardly up over their still naked bodies, while quietly waiting for Jared¡¯s mental return.

    ¡°Uh, hi¡± he swallowed hard as the two looked back at him expectantly. Another slight clearing of his throat as he reached for another sheet to cover himself with as well.

    ¡°Yeah, so too late man¡± Ian teased as he cast a pointed glance down over Jared¡¯s body with that permanent flirtatiousness that they hadn¡¯t seen from him in ages. To which, Jared just shook his head with a slight blush, despite the intense threesome he had just been locked in with the other man all morning.

    ¡°So, what did you see?¡± Lili was the first to dare to ask.

    Jared took another breath as he replayed the vision in his head, trying to find the words to answer her, ¡°well, it was Miranda.¡±

    Lili gasped a bit at hearing her mother¡¯s name for the first time in months, only it was Ian who spoke up first, ¡°so, you¡¯re having visions of Lili¡¯s mom, triggered by...fucking Lili?¡± he repeated with a sarcastic thoughtfulness, ¡°good thing there are no more shrinks around to have a field day with that one.¡±

    ¡°Hardly that kind of vision, Ian¡± Jared scoffed.

    ¡°Wait, you do have those kind of visions?¡± Ian had to ask, perking up at that thought.

    ¡°Ian, please¡± Lili complained, lightly smacking him as she awaited the rest of Jared¡¯s explanation.

    Jared took another deep breath before attempting to share his vision, as problematic as that always was for him, ¡°she survived the crash, I know that much¡± he began on an up note, as Lili couldn¡¯t help a tiny, hopeful smile.

    ¡°But...¡± Ian prodded, despite it causing Lili to scowl over at him.

    ¡°But¡± Jared continued, ¡°I¡¯m not sure when exactly I¡¯m seeing and...¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°And what?¡± Lili asked worriedly.

    ¡°And, she didn¡¯t look all that well. I¡¯m sorry, Lili¡± he added as he looked up at her sadly, as her pretty eyes fell to the bedding between them again.

    Ian was silenced by that revelation as well, as he also said nothing, giving Lili the time she needed to digest the words.

    Lili took a deep, brave breath as she looked up at Jared again, ¡°but she was still alive after the crash, and still alive in your vision though, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but like I said, I don¡¯t know when exactly it was. Right after the crash? Months after? Now? I just don¡¯t know that much yet¡± he apologetically added, ¡°and she seemed...not well¡± he repeated sadly.

    ¡°But if she made it to the ground, up there, on that planet where Kyle is right now. That means there is still hope, right?¡± Lili insisted.

    ¡°Lili, you know how much I want you to have that hope, but...¡± Jared attempted again.

    ¡°There¡¯s still hope!¡± she insisted more loudly, as if saying it with more authority would make it so. Jared simply looked down again, saying nothing else, nor did Ian. ¡°Then there¡¯s still hope¡± Lili repeated one more time, though in a much smaller voice as she moved from the bed to go and gather her clothes, leaving the two men there as she made her way through the bedroom¡¯s doorway and departed.

    After several more long moments of silence between the two men, Ian finally was the one to speak up, ¡°so who wants to be the one to remind her to eat her handy-dandy abortion plants? I think she¡¯ll definitely need them after...that¡± he decided on as he glanced pointedly at the bed where he and his companion both had been making love to her less than half an hour earlier.

    Jared just scoffed quietly, ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll remember. And we do have a few more hours left to remind her if need be¡± he stated sadly, mainly caught up thinking about what Lili had to be feeling right then.

    Another long silence as Ian let out a deep breath before moving to sit next to Jared, where the younger man had been now frozen in place, having been leaning back against that wall ever since Ian had even entered the room that morning at all.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jared had to ask.

    ¡°Sitting?¡± Ian offered with a shrug as he leaned back next to the other man, moving a hand up to wipe a sweat-damp lock from his forehead, paying no heed to the fact that the sheet barely managed to continue covering him as he changed places atop the bed.

    ¡°Considering how long it¡¯s been since your last orgasm, I¡¯m assuming you¡¯ll keep your hands to yourself at least?¡± Jared mumbled, though, with a lack of seriousness.

    ¡°Do I hear a challenge?¡± Ian smirked as he glanced down over Jared¡¯s surprisingly muscular frame again, considering Jared¡¯s interests had always lain more with the mental than physical realm.

    Jared just scoffed again, though said nothing else as he continued staring downward as well, despite the other man¡¯s closeness.

    After several more moments of deep thought from both of them, Ian was once again the first to speak, ¡°so, let¡¯s say Miranda actually is still alive¡± he began.

    ¡°That¡¯s quite a lofty assumption¡± Jared returned in the same mumble as before.

    ¡°But, if she is... I¡¯m wondering how on ear---¡± he then caught himself, ¡°how we¡¯ll explain any of the last year to her¡± his eyes involuntarily moved toward the room where he and Lili¡¯s newborn daughter slept soundly. He then also couldn¡¯t help looking back at where he and Jared both still sat, nude, atop Lili¡¯s bed, after both having been inside her all morning long.

    ¡°Very carefully?¡± Jared offered, though he swallowed hard at the thought himself.

    ¡°Think she still has any access to, say, anything like... a firing squad?¡± Ian returned, only half seriously.

    ¡°I guess, if she actually is still alive, we¡¯ll definitely be sure to find that out¡± Jared agreed with his own worried breath right then.

    <hr>

    Tyler looked more than a little taken aback by how quickly Kyle had come to that conclusion. He took a breath as he watched Kyle warily before speaking, ¡°I know you were this big computer genius and all, but how could you have possibly known about...what happened to Serena?¡± he settled on.

    Kyle took a breath of his own then, not sure how much to really bombard the other teen with quite yet, ¡°well, she was stopped¡± he then added, more quietly, ¡°and the E-children are the only ones who could have stopped her; and you and India were the oldest¡± he added for weight.

    Tyler took another breath, ¡°but how do you know that?¡±

    ¡°Well, there was a theory,¡± Kyle attempted to begin, ¡°mostly only mine and a few members of the science team, but nothing was ever ¡®official¡¯ or ¡®documented¡¯... there was just a whole lot of evidence for it.¡±

    ¡°A theory?¡±

    Kyle then sighed in resignation, ¡°I know you¡¯re different, Tyler, you, and India, and Paul,¡± he referred to the next eldest, who would now be sixteen, himself, ¡°and all the rest of the younger kids, eventually¡± he added, then looked back up into those startling blue eyes, ¡°and me, and Jared,¡± a glance toward where Will was still preparing breakfast, ¡°and especially Will here. You don¡¯t have to hide it anymore. There¡¯s no one left to hide it from.¡± he stated with a strange combination of empathy and regret, as odd as either had ever been to Kyle in the previous version of his life. Then again, another look toward Will and Kyle realized that a whole lot was different now, since fate had taken him away from the only home he had ever known, before.

    ¡°He¡¯s an E-kid too?¡± Tyler latched onto that bit of information as he looked over at Will once more.

    ¡°Yeah, his parents were from a different ship; they crashed on our planet twenty years ago. His mom was either pregnant then, or he had just been born, we¡¯re still unclear on that one¡± Kyle attempted, ¡°but either way, his parents are both gone, and he¡¯s either twenty or twenty one, we think, which would make him the oldest of all of us, even Serena¡± he added for weight.

    Tyler swallowed again as he looked back at Will, ¡°so he can do the stuff that Serena could do?¡±

    That was when Kyle¡¯s smile returned before he answered, ¡°oh his stuff is way better than that.¡±

 Chapter 84

    ¡°So, I assume you¡¯ve been living in the ship all this time?¡± Kyle asked Tyler as Will served them their breakfast that morning. He then took his own seat next to Kyle, and offered him a tiny kiss on the cheek before starting on his meal, as Kyle just took another uncomfortable breath in response and tried to move his concentration to his food as well.

    Tyler raised a brow slightly, but managed to respond to Kyle¡¯s question, ¡°well, we¡¯ve been trying to, but anything computerized quit working when Serena...died¡± he swallowed again before he took a bite, ¡°so, we¡¯re locked off from most of the ship still, and then there¡¯s the damage from the crash¡± he then added, ¡°not that that really matters since none of the computers work anymore anyway.¡± he sighed.

    ¡°You could probably fix those¡± Will put in innocently as he looked back over at Kyle with that same content smile he had been wearing since Kyle first gave into his wiles late the previous evening, and continued to do so into the morning. ¡°You¡¯re very good at fixing things¡± he added with another smile.

    Kyle took a breath to try and find words to respond with, but Tyler instead let out a little chuckle before he could find them, ¡°yes?¡± Kyle asked a little defensively.

    ¡°Lots of shocking discoveries today, is all¡± Tyler returned with another slight chuckle.

    ¡°Meaning?¡± Kyle swallowed a bit as he cast Will a sideways glance.

    ¡°I just never pegged you for...¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± Kyle swallowed painfully again, suddenly being faced with all those fears of judgment after having convinced himself he was over them at last, just the previous night.

    ¡°I mean I¡¯m cool with it, totally, just surprised is all¡± Tyler told him apologetically.

    Kyle forced himself to find some response that befit that particular statement, and finally decided to try something that at least resembled the truth, ¡°he grew up all alone on that planet with literally no one around at all, since he was only five years old. The whole...concept¡± he decided on, ¡°that you¡¯re referring to; he just doesn¡¯t even get it or understand it. He¡¯s just this way...naturally...with anyone¡± Kyle attempted some defense.

    ¡°Uh huh¡± Tyler responded as he looked at Will once more, but said nothing else on the matter just then.

    Will simply gave Kyle a skeptical look as well in response to his previous words. Then, letting out a somewhat frustrated breath in response to the feeling that Tyler had been completely unconvinced of anything by his explanation, Kyle forced himself to move back to the more pressing subject.

    ¡°So, you keep saying ¡®we.¡¯ Exactly how many of you did survive?¡± he had to know.

    Tyler let out another sigh as he finished swallowing another bite of breakfast, ¡°as of a few hours ago, there¡¯s seventeen of us left, but...¡± he shook his head.

    ¡°Seventeen?¡± Kyle returned with a wide grin, suddenly feeling as though all was not lost for him and his own companions waiting for him back on the other planet, after all.

    ¡°But,¡± Tyler interrupted Kyle¡¯s momentary glee, ¡°of those seventeen, only six of us are even over twelve.¡±

    Kyle did let his smile waver only slightly, ¡°that¡¯s a lot of kids to look after¡± he said quietly.

    ¡°No kidding¡± Tyler sighed again. ¡°and Oddra¡¯s only two¡± he added, referring to the last born E-child, before the one he still didn¡¯t know of yet, anyway.

    ¡°Oddra?¡± Kyle smiled, then looked up, ¡°how many girls are there in that list of seventeen?¡±

    ¡°Ok, that¡¯s an odd question¡± Tyler chuckled, ¡°but yeah, if you count India and Miranda, there¡¯s eleven girls; and counting me, there¡¯s seven guys, plus now, the three, err four of you. But I guess with Lili, that makes eleven girls and eleven guys altogether, ironically¡± he smiled.

    ¡°Did you say Miranda and India are both still alive too?¡± Kyle asked with more than a bit of shock at at least one of those names.

    ¡°Well, for now¡± Tyler returned, though a sadness crept into his tone as he did.

    ¡°Actually, there¡¯s twelve girls...more of them than us now...ironically¡± Kyle repeated the other teen¡¯s earlier word choice.

    ¡°Who am I missing?¡± Tyler asked.

    ¡°Hope.¡± Kyle sighed, ¡°Lili had a little girl a couple months ago.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    ¡°No shit¡± Tyler responded with further surprise, ¡°but who¡¯s the dad?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°Long story¡± Kyle shook his head, ¡°but what do you mean, for now? Is something wrong with India or Miranda?¡±

    Then that sadness came back into those clear blue eyes of Tyler¡¯s, ¡°both, actually.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve both been really, really sick since we first got here, and no one knows why. Everyone else is fine, physically, anyway¡± Tyler informed.

    Kyle narrowed his eyes at that piece of information, trying to search his brain for a logical explanation, as he was hardly the doctor among them. He then thought back to their first days there on the other planet, and how Lili very nearly died then as well. He and Ian were never really clear on what it was that made Lili so sick until months later, when they got the bombshell about the baby and how Jared had needed to remove her IUD to save her life.

    ¡°Wait, India and Miranda are the only sick ones, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡± Tyler confirmed with the same sadness.

    ¡°And India¡¯s what, sixteen?¡± Kyle pressed.

    ¡°Seventeen next month¡± Tyler responded.

    ¡°And who¡¯s the next oldest girl?¡± Kyle continued attempting to prove his theory.

    ¡°That¡¯s Cayella¡± Tyler answered, though with a confused look.

    ¡°And how old is she?¡± Kyle pressed onward.

    ¡°Um eleven now, I think¡± Tyler responded.

    Kyle sighed once more, sure that his still unspoken theory on what was making the only two women of childbearing age sick, was now correct.

    ¡°You know what¡¯s wrong?¡± Tyler asked with a combination of wariness and hope.

    ¡°I think so. The same thing happened to Lili when we first landed. But Jared fixed it¡± he admitted. But he then had to look up quickly, as Jared had implied that it was going to very quickly kill her if he hadn¡¯t fixed it, ¡°but how have you kept them alive this long if they¡¯ve both been sick this whole time?¡±

    That was when Tyler cast his eyes downwards once more and took another deep breath, ¡°I can make them better, temporarily¡± he stated in a near whisper, ¡°but it never lasts long, and they always get sick again after a few days¡± he added in the same soft, sad tone.

    Kyle narrowed his eyes once more, as he couldn¡¯t stop himself from looking into the other young man¡¯s head then, needing clarity. He then blinked in surprise a moment later, ¡°you can heal?¡±

    Tyler looked up with his own bit of surprise then, ¡°and you can apparently read minds...¡±

    <hr>

    It wasn¡¯t too long after breakfast that Tyler helped Will and Kyle gather their things and begun leading them back to that ship that Kyle had been hoping to finally see again, for over a year now. Kyle¡¯s excitement was obvious as he and Will trailed about ten to fifteen feet behind Tyler as they pressed on toward what was left of the home he hadn¡¯t seen in so long; not to mention, more people, who he also hadn¡¯t seen in so long. He may not have been much for socializing when he had lived aboard the ship, but somehow, he had a deep new appreciation for the idea of finally having other people around him again.

    ¡°So, what do you think is the better plan? To take them to Jared or to bring him to them? We can worry about you trying to move the whole ship later, once I have a look at it. Who knows, maybe I can even get the computers up and running again. Then hell, you wouldn¡¯t even have to blink us back there, we could just fuckin fly back¡± Kyle chuckled eagerly.

    Will tried very hard to follow the rapid flow of words coming out of Kyle¡¯s mouth so quickly then, but honed in on the one thing he could follow, ¡°you seem much happier now¡± he told Kyle with what was almost a wistful tone.

    ¡°Well, of course. We did what we came here to do, we found survivors and we¡¯re on our way to the ship. We did everything we came here to do!¡± he repeated with another smile. Kyle then couldn¡¯t help adding, ¡°plus, the female population just jumped by ten. Sure, most of them a bit young still, but, I mean, this is amazing. Plus, last I remember, India was pretty fuckin hot, even at fifteen, and she¡¯s almost seventeen now. You know, once we keep her from dyin¡± he added, though cast a furtive glance up at where Tyler still walked several feet ahead, not quite clear on what the relationship was between he and India just yet.

    ¡°It¡¯s girls you¡¯re happy about?¡± Will asked with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°I¡¯m an eighteen year old guy; girls always make me happy¡± he teased, blushing slightly as Tyler gave him a slightly questioning look back over his shoulder, causing Kyle to drop his volume once more, ¡°besides, I figure more girls would make you happy too. You did say you wanted to know what that was like, right?¡±

    Will offered no more response other than a slow nod of agreement, though his big brown eyes were cast a bit downwards as he offered that silent concurrence. He then swallowed a bit as he lifted his head once more, and picked up his pace to catch up with Tyler.

    ¡°Hey, Will¡± Tyler greeted his approach, still seeming more than a little wary of the older man.

    ¡°How far til the ship?¡± Will asked as he looked off into the distance in front of them.

    ¡°Probably, uh, three hours or so¡± Tyler answered with a shrug.

    ¡°Show me¡± Will said as he stopped moving to look down at Tyler and pose the request.

    ¡°Show you what?¡± Tyler asked with a bit of confusion as Kyle slowly began to catch up to where they had stopped ahead of him

    ¡°Show us where the ship is¡± Will stated matter-of-factly as he gestured to Kyle.

    Tyler scoffed with a bit of confusion, ¡°that way?¡± he offered questioningly as he gestured off into the distance, then added, ¡°sorry, I didn¡¯t exactly bring a map.¡±

    ¡°No, just think it; think of where it is. Kyle will know. Then we go¡± Will stated with a simple shrug, though somehow seeming agitated by something else at the moment, which was almost a foreign emotion for him.

    ¡°Think it?¡± Tyler repeated, ¡°oh, the mind-reading thing¡± he stated, still a little unease showing about that subject, ¡°but aren¡¯t we already going?¡± he had to ask with another crease of his brow.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand¡± Will stated with a bit of frustration, ¡°think of the path from here to there. You think it, Kyle sees it, shows me, I take us.¡±

    ¡°Pardon?¡± Tyler asked, only further confused by the request.

    ¡°His thing¡± Kyle offered, ¡°well, one of his things¡± he corrected more quietly before continuing, ¡°he can teleport. He just needs you to think the path into my head, and he can take us there... in seconds¡± Kyle explained.

    Tyler looked more than a little impressed then, ¡°man, what¡¯s his other things?¡±

    ¡°Long story¡± Kyle repeated once more.

 Chapter 85

    It was late that afternoon When Lili made her way back from her walk down to the river where she had washed away that morning¡¯s passion before needing to calm her nerves with a much more boring activity, like fishing. When she approached the shack again, it was to find her two lovers awkwardly preparing lunch together, both looking a bit relieved at her return.

    Lili took a deep breath as she approached the fire pit, none of them quite sure what exactly to say in greeting after the entirety of that morning. But they were soon rescued from that pronounced silence when the sound of Hope¡¯s latest cry for attention came from inside the still open door.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get her¡± Jared offered just as Lili was about to rise from the seat she had just taken.

    ¡°Really?¡± she asked with a raise of her brow.

    ¡°She has to eventually get used to the idea of the makeshift bottle we put together for her. May as well give it a try today, right?¡± Jared shrugged before heading inside, closing the door gently behind him.

    It was a few more moments of deafening silence before Ian finished poising the meat above the flames and moved to take a seat next to her. She simply swallowed a bit, eyes still downwards, when he finally spoke ¡°and how are you, uh, feeling this fine afternoon?¡± he couldn¡¯t help a small smile through the words.

    ¡°Could we please quickly get all the sex jokes outta the way and move on with our day?¡± she returned with another shake of her head.

    ¡°Depends on what you mean by ¡®moving on¡¯¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help another little smile.

    ¡°There¡¯s one¡± she replied, with another shake of her head.

    Ian did let out a small chuckle before he took a breath again and seemed to switch gears, slightly, ¡°actually, I wanted to ask you about, uh...¡±

    ¡°You? At a loss for words?¡± she returned with only a trace of sarcasm.

    Another shake of his head, ¡°just wanted to check to make sure you, uh, ate those plants or whatever they are. You know, to keep our daughter an only child? For the time being, anyway¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Subtle, Ian¡± Lili replied.

    ¡°I think we passed subtlety after about your twentieth orgasm this morning¡± he allowed another small grin, not being able to resist that bit of commentary right then.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help the slight blush at the reminder of how intense their passion had been for all three of them, though especially so, for her. She took a slight breath, ¡°actually I made them into a tea. Slightly easier to get down.¡±

    ¡°I never pegged you for a tea-drinker¡± Ian returned, then had to add, mischievously, ¡°or a girl who had a lotta trouble swallowing¡±

    Lili let out a gasp at that comment as she moved to give him another light smack across the chest, before he caught her wrists easily and smiled over at her.

    ¡°Or apparently a girl who likes it rough¡± he had to get that shot in.

    ¡°You are so beyond fucking evil!¡± she exclaimed, though there was laughter in her words for once.

    Before she could play-act any more outrage, or hear any more of his ever so colorful comments, he easily pulled her closer, covering her mouth with his in a long, mutually passionate as well as tender kiss between them.

    The two were still caught up in that kiss when they both suddenly startled apart at the sound of someone clearing their throat mere feet away. Both were expecting Jared but were shocked to see Will before them once more, carrying a heavy bundle with two flight suits across his back.

    When he and Ian¡¯s eyes met briefly, following that interrupted lip-lock between he and Lili, Will looked down quickly before moving to drop that heavy bundle to the ground.

    ¡°You¡¯re...back....?¡± Ian stated the obvious with more than a bit of shock, as well as a few other emotions right then.

    ¡°Need Jared to come. Brought suit for him.¡± Will stated, busying himself with pulling the suits apart for use, and seeming to have backpedaled somewhat in his linguistic skills, his voice wavering slightly as he spoke.

    ¡°Need Jared to come?¡± Lili repeated with a bit of panic, ¡°is Kyle ok?¡± she asked, all her previous worries returning to her suddenly again.

    ¡°Others are sick¡± Will said, still not looking back at where Ian had since moved slightly away from Lili now. ¡°Jared needs to help them.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Others?¡± she and Ian both nearly choked on that word.

    ¡°Yes, but some are sick. Jared must come¡± Will stated as he finally had finished readying the suits and stood with a bit of a deep breath of his own, only glancing back toward Lili and Ian with a sideways glance.

    Before any more questions could be posed, Jared emerged from the shack once more, looking equally shocked by Will¡¯s reappearance.

    ¡°We found others. Some sick. You must come help¡± Will re-explained the pressing matter at hand, glad to have someone else to focus his attention on besides Ian and Lili right then.

    ¡°Come... to the other planet?¡± Jared swallowed a bit harder, ¡°and others?¡± he had to repeat that bit.

    ¡°Questions later. Help them now¡± Will stated plainly as he moved to reach for one of the suits to lift it into Jared¡¯s arms pointedly.

    ¡°Um, yeah, of course¡± Jared agreed as he took a deep breath before conceding to pull that suit back on once more.

    Ian and Lili worriedly watched as the two of them slid into those suits. Neither seemed able to really articulate all their own worries and questions right then though. But it was only moments before the suits were in place and Will closed his hand over Jared¡¯s arm, and then they were just gone again.

    ¡°And then there were two¡± Ian offered after another moment of silence between he and Lili.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you mean three?¡± she returned, though her words were barely a breath as she distractedly pushed herself up from her seat to go and tend to number three in the hopes of keeping her mind from reeling in a thousand other worried directions right then.

    When Lili reappeared outside a few minutes later, Ian handed her a bowl of their since prepared lunch. They then took seats to share the meal there, alone, together, on a planet whose entire population had now dwindled to three in just a little over two weeks.

    ¡°So, do we think these ¡®others¡¯ are from our ship?¡± he finally stated one of the many questions in both their minds since Will¡¯s sudden arrival and quick departure, with Jared in tow.

    ¡°Can¡¯t imagine who else they¡¯d be¡± she returned, though softly as she continued to force a few more bites.

    ¡°And he said sick¡± Ian added as he watched her closely for any reaction.

    ¡°I heard¡± she agreed in the same quiet tone.

    ¡°And in his vision this morning, he saw your mother, someone from the ship...sick¡± he connected those dots for her in a deliberate slow tempo as he continued to keep his eyes on her.

    Lili just allowed a slight scoff as she lost interest in her meal easily once again, ¡°I thought neither of you wanted me to get my hopes up about ever seeing her again, though¡± she returned, her voice slightly rougher then.

    Ian nodded in concession, but had to add, ¡°given, that was before we just found out there were any other people at all.¡±

    ¡°Well, make up your mind. Should we, or shouldn¡¯t we have hope?¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t we already?¡± Ian couldn¡¯t help a small smirk, though Lili still didn¡¯t look very amused, all things considered. He then sighed softly as it was obvious that Lili was too worried to continue that conversation right then. So, he moved on to another of the thoughts that Will¡¯s visit had started on a loop in his brain, ¡°so, did he seem off to you?¡±

    Lili then looked up at him with narrowed eyes, ¡°who are we talking about?¡±

    ¡°Will, did he seem off?¡±

    Lili couldn¡¯t help a derisive laugh at the question, ¡°firstly, I¡¯ve spoken to him for all of one conversation, ever¡± she began, ¡°secondly, why are you even asking me? He¡¯s your lover, not mine¡± she added more quietly, another look down.

    As Lili did have a point, Ian decided not to press that subject either, and instead opted to maul over it in his own brain a while longer as he finished lunch. Once the meal was over and the dishes gathered, Lili headed down to the river to wash them for the next meal. Ian then called down to the riverbank to let her know that he was going to go to that clearing nearby and try to hunt them down some dinner, but he would not stay away long.

    Lili then sighed heavily as he departed, finishing her cleaning of the dishes in the river water, and sat back on the bank in rather deep thought. Several minutes later, she heard loud coughing coming from the direction of the shack as she turned back, obviously startled by the sound.

    That was when she saw Will had reappeared once more and removed his helmet, coughing heavily to allow his lungs to readjust to the trip that he had literally made through space and time for the second time already that day.

    ¡°Maybe you should slow it down with the inter-planetary teleporting for one day¡± she greeted him with worry as her feet carried her back over to him, where he was still coughing a bit.

    When he did finally manage to catch his breath, to some degree anyway, he finally stood upright, looking down at her with those huge doe eyes, towering above Lili by almost an entire foot, just as Jared did.

    ¡°God¡± she said, a little caught when she looked up into his usually hidden face.

    ¡°What?¡± he asked, still a little breathless from his trip.

    ¡°Just, first time I¡¯ve ever even really gotten a good look at your face¡± she replied, still staring up at him.

    ¡°Something wrong with it?¡± he asked as he innocently touched his own cheek.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help a small laugh in response to that particular question, ¡°not hardly¡± she managed as she smiled up at him with a slight blush before continuing, ¡°matter of fact, I think you make me feel self-conscious.¡±

    ¡°Not sure I¡¯m understanding¡± he replied worriedly as he held her own strikingly beautiful face in his dark gaze.

    ¡°Just, for the last year, these fools had me convinced that I actually was the prettiest girl around. Then you came along¡± she teased back up at him with a smile.

    Then Will allowed what sounded like a sincere laugh, ¡°you think I¡¯m pretty?¡±

    ¡°Anyone with eyes would think you¡¯re pretty¡± she stated, though immediately looked down, embarrassed by her own openness somehow.

    Will allowed another small laugh as he finally moved to pull the suit off again, ¡°not sure about that¡± he said in a quiet tone that made him seem even more girlish and somehow unsure of himself just then.

    ¡°Well I am¡± she smiled back at where he had now finished removing the flight suit, and then Lili smiled once more as she offered him what was left of her unfinished lunch.

    ¡°Thank you¡± he said politely as he took the bowl, their hands touching for the briefest moment, before he quickly looked back down again, forcing his attention to the meal, and leaving Lili not sure if he was thanking her for the food, or the compliment, or both just then.

 Chapter 86

    It wasn¡¯t long after Will had finished eating that they heard Hope crying from inside the shack once more. Lili sighed tiredly as she stood, then glanced back at Will, ¡°come on in. You should meet her. You are the one who brought her into the world, after all¡± she smiled back at him. Will allowed his own nervous smile, but easily stood to follow her.

    ¡°She¡¯s so tiny¡± Will smiled as he looked down at the fussing child as Lili checked her diaper.

    ¡°Yeah, but she¡¯s doing better now. Though I still don¡¯t think she likes the bottle much¡± she added as she glanced at where it sat next to the crib, still nearly full.

    She allowed one more nervous look at where Will was still smiling down at the child, it obviously being the first time he had ever even seen a baby either, other than the day she was born, anyway. She then took a deep breath and moved to lift Hope into her arms, casting one more glance at Will as she attempted to gently rock her daughter against her, as awkward as things like that still were for her in all honesty.

    Trying to alleviate some of her own nervousness as Will continued to still beam down at mother and child, she spoke again, ¡°so, Jared and Kyle both stayed behind on the other planet then?¡±

    ¡°Kyle is working on the computer, and Jared said he needs to stay with the sick to make sure they get better¡± he offered the explanation.

    ¡°Sounds like them¡± she managed a smile, though couldn¡¯t help the worried look down at where Hope continued to fuss, despite her attention.

    ¡°Maybe she wants to eat too¡± Will offered innocently at the continued sound of the baby crying softly.

    Lili then blushed again, though considering the nearly full bottle, she was pretty sure he was correct in his assessment, ¡°yeah, you¡¯re probably right¡± she allowed with another slightly nervous smile.

    Seeing how amazed he was by the mere idea of the child, Lili was loathe to ask him to go sit outside alone, or leave him there with no one to talk to while she tended to the child. So she steeled herself and only turned slightly away to reach into her shirt where she pulled her breast free, as Jared had showed her. The moment her nipple was within reach, Hope eagerly took it into her mouth, proving Will¡¯s observation.

    ¡°Sorry¡± Lili stated with a deeper blush as she glanced back over her shoulder at where she attempted to keep her back facing him, for the sake of both their dignity.

    ¡°For what?¡± Will asked with the same innocence and childlike curiosity as he took an unassuming step around Lili to watch what he most likely considered the miracle of life, never mind how the situation likely felt to Lili right then.

    Though, for all the innocence intended in moving to watch Lili feed her child, Will found himself having another reaction to the sight of her bare breast, now so close he could touch.

    He swallowed a bit as he thought back on all the nights before he had felt safe enough to make his presence known to them. There had been many where he watched each of the men locked in passionate lovemaking with the woman now standing before him. And suddenly, the image of her as a mother and her as a sexual creature who he had seen partaking of many carnal delights in nights past, did meld into one in his brain at last; forcing an immediate reaction in his own body as he felt himself harden beneath the modest animal skin pants.

    Seeing the change in his expression, Lili looked back up into his beautiful face, ¡°are you ok?¡± but before he managed some answer of his own, her eyes traveled downwards of their own accord, where his reaction was obvious to her as well. With an even deeper blush then, she forced her eyes to his face again. Then, the next words spilled out of her lips before she could censor them, ¡°you like girls too?¡±

    Will allowed the slightest chuckle at how hung up all of them seemed to be on gender, when he had never really thought about the concept at all, ever in his life. He then tried to provide some answer to her question, ¡°you¡¯re the first girl I¡¯ve ever met, really¡± he stated with that same innocence that caught Lili once more. Though he then looked down at himself for another moment before speaking again, ¡°but I guess I must.¡±

    <hr>

    Hours after the surgery, when Miranda finally began to come to, Jared startled from where he had been drifting off in the chair next to her bed.

    ¡°Rough morning?¡± she greeted him hoarsely with a forced smile, luckily not looking up to notice the blush that immediately rose to his cheeks, considering his particular activities, and the parties involved in them, that very morning.

    Swallowing hard, he managed a response, ¡°take it easy, don¡¯t try to sit up.¡±

    Miranda allowed another smile over at the nineteen year old instructing her on what to do, but she didn¡¯t fight him as she laid back in her bed once more, her eyes moving over the teen as he leaned forward in the chair with concern.

    ¡°Wow they really did make you into a doctor, huh?¡± she added with another small smile.

    ¡°Apparently¡± he responded, attempting his own smile, as difficult as it still was for him to maintain any kind of eye contact with the woman who did have those same turquoise eyes as Lili.

    ¡°So, an allergic reaction?¡± she asked a moment later, repeating what Kyle had told her in order to get her to agree to have Jared brought there to try his hand at saving she and India both.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m honestly surprised. I didn¡¯t think you would have had that problem¡± he stated, though with a bit of awkwardness.

    ¡°Which problem?¡± she asked as she furrowed her brow.

    ¡°The reaction was to the IUD¡± he stated as he looked down before quickly moving on, ¡°didn¡¯t think you¡¯d have one.¡±

    ¡°Cause I¡¯m old?¡± she called him on it, which did cause him to smile briefly before offering another theory.

    ¡°Cause you were the one in charge. Figured you could skip the unpleasant stuff like that.¡±

    ¡°Well, Charles didn¡¯t wanna take any chances; but yeah, this was supposed to be my last one. Then shit. Fan¡± she shrugged with a bit of sadness below her attempt at objectivity. Miranda then looked over at him once more, ¡°but how did you know it was the IUD if you didn¡¯t even think I had one?¡±

    That was when Jared took a breath, ¡°when Kyle told me only you and India were sick, he sort of had already put together that that was probably why.¡±

    ¡°But how did he know that was why?¡± she pressed.

    Another breath from Jared, ¡°the same thing happened with Lili¡¯s, our second day there.¡±

    Miranda¡¯s worry quickly flashed at that news, ¡°but she was ok though, right?¡±

    ¡°Kyle already told you Lili¡¯s still alive. Don¡¯t get yourself worked up¡± he told her with that gentle firmness of his.

    Miranda decided to press no further into that topic right now. Instead, she moved on, ¡°so when do I get to see my little girl again?¡± she smiled sadly.

    Jared swallowed again, thinking back on he and Ian¡¯s discussion after their morning together, and how they could possibly explain the entire last year to Miranda. ¡°You should probably rest up for a few days before making that trip¡± he decided, ¡°plus, I do wanna check to see what the state of the ship¡¯s medical supplies is too, before heading back.¡±

    She cast him a regretful look then, before responding, ¡°that¡¯s a good idea and all, only, we can¡¯t really get to any of the more secure parts of the ship. The computerized doors will no longer open for us¡± Miranda explained sadly.

    Jared pondered her words a moment, then thought back on the pod that had belonged to Will¡¯s parents. At first it had appeared that he and Ian couldn¡¯t get that door open either; however Jared managed to, when pushed.

    Though not ready to explain that to the woman who he already was dreading explaining a lot of other things to, he decided on a grayer response, ¡°Kyle¡¯s working on those computers right now. So that could no longer be a problem soon.¡±

    Miranda then cast her eyes downwards again, Jared looking at her to explain why the prospect of opening the doors finally would cause that look. But before he could ask, she spoke, ¡°even if Kyle did get the doors open...¡± she took a deep, sad breath, ¡°that would cause a lot of other problems.¡±

    ¡°How do you mean?¡± Jared had to ask with a crease of his brow.

    That was when Miranda¡¯s steely resolve faltered slightly as she provided the answer, ¡°I mean...60,000 dead bodies worth of problems.¡±

    <hr>

    It wasn¡¯t much later that Jared finally left Miranda¡¯s bedside in thought. He quietly shut the door to the cabin she had taken up residence in since the crash. He then stepped out into the hallway that contained the quarters where all the survivors of the crash had been living; regardless of where they had lived prior to that fateful day. This was the only hall that they had managed to clear out after the tragedy of the day, leaving the rest of the commons untouched, and haphazardly fenced off by a wall of unused furniture to keep the children from wandering.

    The only parts of the ship that were still accessible were that one long hall of the commons, the nearest cafeteria, and of course the flight deck and computer hub where it had all gone horribly awry that day over a year ago.

    As he made his way in the direction of where that hall connected to the main corridor, and therefore the computer hub, he couldn¡¯t help thinking of the last time he had been to the commons, prior to his leaving the ship. He allowed a ragged sigh to push away the last memory he had of his father, as unpleasant as it had been, and continued on with another deeper breath; the deja vu of being there again on that ship that had been his home for so long, getting more than a little intense at that point.

    He managed a small smile as one of the younger children came bounding out of nearby open door. That was India¡¯s room, where she currently lay recovering from her surgery as well. As he stepped by, he glanced inside where the more than beautiful young brunette smiled over at Tyler as he waited near her bed. His hand was clasping hers as he smiled into her aqua eyes, beyond relieved that she was no longer at death¡¯s door after an exceedingly difficult year of having to constantly try to use his own ability to keep she and Miranda both from succumbing to that pain.

    Content that he had at least managed to do some good after all, Jared smiled briefly to them before then continuing on his way to find Kyle.

    ¡°So we were right¡± Kyle smiled happily at Jared¡¯s arrival several minutes later in the hub.

    ¡°About?¡± Jared asked with creased brow as he moved to pull up a seat from one of the other computer bays surrounding the largest one in the middle that Kyle had spent three straight years of his life glued to, back when that was their life, anyway.

    ¡°Look around. Will got us here, and here we are, on the mother effing ship again!¡± he answered Jared with continued joy at this new turn of events.

    ¡°Go us¡± Jared stated as he halfheartedly raised his fist before returning it to its previous position again.

    ¡°Your enthusiasm is inspiring Jared, really¡± Kyle returned sarcastically, turning his attention back to the computer again, obviously feeling more than in his element once more.

    Ignoring Kyle¡¯s comment, Jared moved on, ¡°so how much did you tell Miranda, anyway?¡±

    ¡°About?¡± Kyle returned, obviously still distracted by being with his own baby once again.

    ¡°Um, the entire last year of our lives?¡± Jared offered as if that was obviously what he was referring to.

    ¡°You mean did I tell her about the b-a-b-y?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not quite sure that¡¯s how the spelling thing works¡± Jared shook his head. ¡°But yeah, that...among other things¡± he added more quietly, casting a furtive glance toward the door, despite knowing Miranda was still safely out of earshot, recovering in her bed, ¡°like all the things that eventually led to said baby¡± he added with the same discomfort.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Miranda knows where babies come from¡± Kyle chuckled, amusing himself.

    ¡°Kyle, you know what I¡¯m talking about¡± Jared said with a bit of impatience, which was such a rare thing for him to display, at least compared to his three companions of the last year.

    Kyle just let out a disbelieving chuckle of his own, ¡°I¡¯ll say it again: I am a genius¡± he smirked before continuing, ¡°do you really think that I¡¯m gonna say ¡®hey Miranda, so glad you¡¯re alive. Sorry you¡¯re currently feelin so shitty. And by the way, while we were out, one of us knocked up your daughter. Only we originally had no clue who, since we were all pretty vehemently fucking her on a nightly basis. Oh by the way, here¡¯s the one who took her virginity in the first place, he¡¯ll be saving your life today.¡¯¡±

    Jared just scoffed, ¡°or some version of that.¡±

    That was when Tyler stepped forward from the doorway behind them, looking between the two teens with widened blue eyes, ¡°wow, you definitely did leave out some pertinent details, Kyle.¡±

 Chapter 87

    Due to Tyler¡¯s superb sense of timing, Jared ended up spending what was left of his evening in the cafeteria with the only slightly younger male, trying his hardest to make any of the last year make sense to anyone other than the four people who had lived it. Perhaps he was attempting to rehearse the conversation for when they¡¯d have to have it with Miranda. But more likely, he was trying anything he could to keep Tyler from sharing any piece of that story without the first-hand understanding of exactly why they had all done...all the things they had done; some of the most shockingly intense and passionate of those things, just that very morning.

    Kyle also kept himself occupied with the attempted repair and restoration of the computer system which had been beyond devastated by Serena literally wiring herself into it. More accurately, the devastation mostly occurred when she had then gone and gotten her throat torn out, somehow, by the attractive young brunette who lay recovering from her own brush with death at that very moment.

    It was past midnight already when Kyle¡¯s continued slaving over the computer system was interrupted again. Looking a bit worse for wear, but still wearing a small smile, Miranda had now appeared in the doorway to the computer hub. Kyle moved his eyes up to greet her, hoping she didn¡¯t notice the way his breath caught at the prospect of her asking about her daughter, which she almost certainly was sure to.

    ¡°Well this definitely brings back some memories¡± she attempted as she took a few shaky steps toward the seat Jared had occupied earlier.

    ¡°You mean of the last time you were in this room, or the last time I was?¡± he had to ask.

    Miranda thought on that a moment as she sat, with a bit of remaining pain obvious from the surgery, ¡°let¡¯s just go with last time you were; that involved less death and terror at least¡± she then swallowed as she looked around the long since abandoned room that had used to be the heart of the ship she had spent twenty years of her life commanding, ¡°so, I¡¯m hoping my daughter¡¯s story has a better ending than mine, anyway¡± she stated sadly.

    Kyle took another shallow breath as he also averted his eyes before attempting to smile back at her, ¡°ending? Pretty sure us finding all of you would more likely be considered a new beginning, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    Miranda seemed to be trying to find more words then as she looked around once more, ¡°you weren¡¯t just saying what you thought I wanted to hear cause I was dying at the time, were you?¡±

    Kyle narrowed his eyes at that, ¡°not sure I follow.¡±

    ¡°All I got when I begged you for news of her, was ¡®Lili¡¯s alive.¡¯ You barely said another word about her. Is there something you all are leaving out? Please, I need to know.¡±

    Kyle allowed another smile, slight though it was, ¡°I swear to you Miranda, Lili is indeed alive.¡±

    She simply shook her head again, ¡°see, you¡¯re doing it again. No details whatsoever. How am I supposed to not worry about what the whole story may actually be, especially after...¡± her voice then trailed off as she averted her eyes again.

    Another skeptical look from Kyle as he finally turned his full attention to the older woman, ¡°after what?¡±

    Miranda took another deep breath, once again searching for words, ¡°Serena told me about your theory.¡±

    ¡°What theory would that be?¡± he had to know.

    ¡°About the E-children, and the things they can do as they get older¡± she supplied, then watching him closely to see the way he did quickly avert his eyes as she feared that he would. ¡°And then I saw it for myself, up close and personal¡± she stated as she shivered slightly at the memory of all the death Serena had rained down on them that day, ¡°and all I could think is: My god, my daughter is out there with two of them¡± she added with another shaky breath as Kyle continued to look down, silent. ¡°So how am I not supposed to think the worst when you keep leaving so much out?¡±

    Kyle thought a long moment before calling on his logic, ¡°yeah, the E-children are different¡± he admitted softly, ¡°but every single person on this planet with you right now is one of them...and other than Serena, have any of us ever hurt you?¡±

    Miranda allowed a small sigh, ¡°but you so easily could. All of you. It¡¯s pretty scary when you¡¯re one of the obsolete models.¡±

    ¡°Normal humans used to hurt each other every day¡± Kyle pointed out, ¡°were you scared of all of them too?¡± he asked her pointedly.

    ¡°It¡¯s just...¡± she began, only to cut herself off before she could finish that cliche.

    ¡°It¡¯s been just as hard for Ian and Lili¡± he attempted, as if just realizing it himself, ¡°but they¡¯ve been trying, really trying, cause they know they have to get used to the idea of ¡®us,¡¯¡± he swallowed a bit, ¡°especially now.¡±

    Miranda then looked up quickly at the last bit of his statement, ¡°I suppose you mean because of the fact that there¡¯s now twenty of them, and only three of us?¡± she asked, another slight shiver.

    ¡°Well, they didn¡¯t even know about the other sixteen here, til today¡± he offered. It was then that he almost decided to tell her about the fact that she now had a grandchild who was indeed one of these E-children, but after taking a breath, and biting his lip, he made himself move on from being the one to drop that particular bombshell. ¡°I have something that might make you feel a slight bit better about your daughter...and about all us scary E-kids, too.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    She looked up quickly again at that, but expectantly, ¡°what would that be?¡±

    ¡°The computer may not be up to sending Lili a message about you being alive and well again, but I could¡± he offered, with more than a bit of nervousness at confessing one of his own abilities to her right then.

    <hr>

    When Ian returned from his hunting trip earlier that evening, he was more than a bit shocked to find that Will had not once, but twice in the same day traversed space and time to get himself back to their shack. More surprising than that though, was that he found Will and Lili sitting close together in the open doorway of the shack as the stars had slowly begun peeking out. Not only were they sitting so close you¡¯d think they¡¯d known each other for years, they were both laughing and conversing with each other with a happiness that had been way too foreign to any of them for way too long.

    Upon hearing Ian approach, they both looked his way, still each wearing their smiles. Not making any move to get up from his cozy seat next to Lili, Will yawned slightly through his greeting, ¡°Ian, you came back.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I tend to do that¡± he said with another skeptical glance at his two most recent lovers and that easy familiarity the two seemed to have immediately fallen into upon their very first ¡®official¡¯ conversation with one another even.

    ¡°You can barely keep those pretty eyes open¡± Lili teased Will with another smile, ¡°why don¡¯t you go cuddle up and get some rest inside. You¡¯ve more than earned it.¡±

    ¡°I guess I am a little tired.¡± he agreed with another smile as the two finally stood and he stretched a bit before heading over to where Ian had just finished tucking that day¡¯s game away for later use.

    He then easily moved to wrap his arms around Ian as the older man stood. In the next moment he leaned in for a passionate kiss, sliding his tongue inside the other man¡¯s mouth for several long moments before finally moving back.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stay out here too long¡± he then looked back at Lili¡¯s still smiling face, ¡°either of you. It¡¯s getting colder¡± he added with another smile before moving back toward where she was still leaning against the door frame. He then moved close to her and placed a slightly less passionate kiss upon her lips, briefly, ¡°good night, girl¡± he teased with a sort of inside joke between the two of them, before heading inside at last.

    ¡°So, girl¡± Ian spoke as soon as Will had gone inside, taking a tentative step toward Lili, ¡°how exactly did pretty eyes earn his nap, or that kiss?¡± he had to add.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure he kisses everyone, doesn¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°Nice deflect¡± he called her on it, ¡°now confess¡± he added, though managed to keep a trace of playfulness in his tone.

    Lili chuckled softly, ¡°Well, he did sort of single-handedly get us our ship back, and survivors too. I¡¯d say that¡¯s a pretty big earn.¡±

    ¡°Go on¡± he prodded as he moved close to her as well, knowing enough to know there was more to the story.

    Lili just allowed another only slightly nervous laugh before responding, ¡°I can see why you fell for him so fast. Everything about him is just so...refreshing¡± she decided on.

    Ian thought about that statement as he gave her another skeptical look, ¡°I don¡¯t recall ever saying I fell for him¡± he teased.

    ¡°Oh, you did¡± she disagreed, though with a continued smile.

    ¡°So you¡¯re the mind-reader now?¡± he chided her, reaching out to gently wrap his arms around her waist as they spoke.

    ¡°It¡¯s impossible not to fall for him¡± she allowed herself to admit as she lay her cheek against his chest wistfully, ¡°maybe that¡¯s his third super-power¡± she chuckled, more to herself.

    ¡°They get three now?¡± Ian narrowed his eyes again, while the two continued holding each other under the stars.

    ¡°He is the oldest¡± she reminded.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware¡± he returned, then looked down at her again, ¡°so, you¡¯ve just admitted that you¡¯ve fallen for my other lover. Dare I ask?¡±

    Lili laughed again, allowing herself to give him a little squeeze as they continued standing in each other¡¯s arms, ¡°what exactly are you asking again?¡± she stalled for a bit of time to prepare for whatever question was coming her way.

    ¡°I guess the loudest question is, should I be preparing for my second threesome with you in one day?¡±

    ¡°You really think I¡¯d have sex with three guys in one day?¡± she asked, though her look made it seem like she really wanted to hear the answer.

    ¡°So, that hasn¡¯t happened before?¡± he asked, his own curiosity about that particular question having crossed his mind more than once since their arrival there.

    She just looked up at him warily, ¡°I¡¯m not sure how I should take that question, actually¡± she then quickly moved on ¡°plus, don¡¯t I already have three different lovers? Wouldn¡¯t a fourth kind of...well....make me...¡± she wasn¡¯t sure how to end that question honestly.

    ¡°Make you...have even more than twenty orgasms in one day?¡± he offered with a slight smirk.

    She just scowled up at him as she finally pulled out of his arms to head back inside, Ian following quietly behind her. As he followed her into her room, she spoke again, ¡°but seriously...how fucked up would I be if I actually did do anything with Will now too?¡±

    Her question was followed by a long silence before Ian finally looked up at her expectant expression, ¡°that wasn¡¯t rhetorical?¡±

    Lili scoffed again, ¡°I mean...my mother might be one of those survivors Jared went to help, and she doesn¡¯t even know she¡¯s a grandmother yet. If I were to...let anything happen with Will now too...don¡¯t even wanna know what she¡¯s gonna think of me as it is.¡±

    Ian was silent a long moment, as he and Jared had spoken that same day about what Miranda might think of them as well. So, he definitely understood Lili¡¯s worry. But, he decided he needed to give her an honest answer to her soul-searching on that particular evening.

    ¡°If you still thought that you were never gonna see your mother again, then what would you want to do, or not do. with Will?¡± he asked her pointedly. ¡°And keep in mind, I know how you like deflowering E-children¡± he had to get in one more little teasing comment.

    ¡°That comment didn¡¯t help¡± she scowled, ¡°besides I thought you already took care of the deflowering of our little ghost, weeks ago¡± she called him on it.

    ¡°Well, technically, I only took his boy-virginity¡± he smirked.

    ¡°That¡¯s actually a thing?¡± she had to laugh again.

    ¡°Believe me, that¡¯s a thing. Take me; I know you like to¡± he teased again as he sat down next to her on the bed, ¡°but I lost my girl-virginity when I was thirteen. However, I didn¡¯t lose my boy-virginity til I was fifteen. See, it¡¯s a thing¡± he assured her with another smile.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help another laugh, but it soon got lost in her throat as she had much to still ponder about her own true desires right then.

 Chapter 88

    It was just passing midnight when Lili found herself in a familiar situation. Ian lay in her bed next to her, clad only in dark boxer briefs, sound asleep. Meanwhile, she lay there next to him, in a simple t-shirt and panties, staring up at the ceiling as she went at least ten rounds with insomnia.

    She sighed and pushed herself up from the bed once more. She then moved to the common room to get a sip of water and check on their daughter. Once those two tasks were complete, she found her turquoise eyes wandering to the doorway that led to Ian¡¯s quarters. She forced down the million arguments for or against going through that doorway and finally took a breath as she let her feet carry her in that direction.

    As she poked her head through the door, those doe-eyes came up to meet her, as Will offered her a small smile. Inside, he was laying atop Ian¡¯s bed, upon his stomach, his arms cradling Ian¡¯s pillow against him. Lili managed a smile, though just barely, as her eyes wandered over him, where only his mid-section was hidden by a sheet draped haphazardly over those impossibly narrow hips.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re still awake too?¡± she hoarsely stated the obvious as she stepped into the room, letting the door, of sorts, drape shut behind her.

    ¡°Thinking¡± he smiled back at her.

    ¡°I have that problem too¡± she returned his smile, letting her feet carry her a few more steps into the room, ¡°I¡¯m sorry if you were waiting up for Ian. He fell asleep¡± she informed as she gestured back over her shoulder.

    Will allowed another small smile before responding, ¡°I know I only had a, how do you say, fifty-fifty chance, of him choosing to be inside me tonight instead of you¡± he stated with that unshakable innocence in the face of any and all subject matter.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help biting her lip nervously as she moved to take a seat at the edge of the bed, ¡°we didn¡¯t do that tonight either, actually¡± she attempted to offer some consolation, not then mentioning the entirely different matter of the previous morning.

    ¡°Why not?¡± he asked with that same childlike way that somehow managed to make him even sexier, as strange as that thought was.

    ¡°Well, after the baby, and all that¡± she looked down slightly, ¡°we haven¡¯t been doing that nearly as much as we used to¡± she offered, again selectively editing out that morning from her explanation.

    Will looked down for once then himself, ¡°he doesn¡¯t want another baby to come and hurt you that bad again?¡± he posed his oddly correct guess as to the reasoning behind such deprivation on their parts.

    ¡°Yeah. That¡¯s the main reason we¡¯re, uh, not doing that as often now¡± she agreed with a slight blush.

    Though before their slightly awkward conversation could continue, Lili startled as she looked up from her companion.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Will asked, his own alertness obvious from spending his entire life there, alone.

    Then Lili smiled, ¡°it¡¯s Kyle¡±

    Will blinked a bit at the sound of that name, considering his own morning activities with the teen she now spoke of. ¡°In your head?¡± he asked, to which Lili just nodded and smiled.

    After another moment of listening to whatever Kyle needed to tell her, she grinned widely over at Will.

    ¡°Good news?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s my mother¡± a long breath, ¡°she was one of the survivors that you took Jared there to save today. And she¡¯s actually ok now!¡± she wiped away a few tears of happiness as her relief flooded her with so much joy, she just had to share it by moving across the bed to give Will a huge hug. Her gratefulness to him for his part in saving her mother¡¯s life, more than obvious.

    As she pulled him into that embrace, the sheet fell away from him when he sat up to more easily wrap his arms around her in return, also glad that he could save yet another mother.

    Finally pulling back slightly from the embrace, Lili couldn¡¯t help her eyes moving downward to where the evidence that he was truly a male, was quite obvious now that the sheet had completely fallen away. More than that, he was starting to slightly harden at their closeness already.

    She swallowed a bit as she moved her eyes back up to his. Though neither said much else as Will couldn¡¯t help responding to his arousal for her. In the next moment, he was pulling her closer still, covering her mouth in a kiss much more similar to the one Ian had received earlier that night.

    When they both had to break off the kiss simply due to the need for oxygen, they still remained close, breathless, their foreheads still touching. Will kept one hand upon her cheek, and the other upon her waist, holding her there next to where he had now fully hardened in response to that kiss.

    He then breathed his next words, as best he could speak them at all in his current state, ¡°I¡¯m sorry Lili. I don¡¯t want to put another baby in you that may hurt you like that again. I just want to know, so badly, how it really does feel to be inside of you.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Lili was more than a little floored by the sincerity with which he shared both his desires and fears all in one somehow nearly heartbreaking statement. She then breathed her own response, ¡°we can keep another baby from happening. Jared found medicine that will stop it.¡±

    Then Will looked up immediately at her words, ¡°You mean, I can touch you? Be with you? Feel myself finish inside you?¡±

    Lili thought a long time on his words. She knew then that the decision she had been struggling with all evening was finally upon her in that moment. This would be her very last chance to decide once and for all if she wanted to fall back into trying to once again be all the things society expected her to be; or if she wanted to continue to follow her own heart, her own desires, her own needs, no matter what strange and unfathomable places those may take her. Then she mentally scolded herself with the reminder that there was no society anymore, not in the true sense of the word. And it was now up to her to be one of the few people who would decide if she truly wanted her daughter to grow up into a new one that was just a carbon-copy of the old, after all.

    On that final realization, she finally looked back up at his waiting face and found her own voice, ¡°just...go slow, ok?¡±

    Will then smiled down at her as he realized he had just been given permission, ¡°I can be slow¡± he smiled as he moved closer, allowing his hand to move down from her cheek and join its twin at her waist.

    Ever so slowly, just as Lili had asked, he began pulling her t-shirt up from her waist where Lili easily lifted her arms above her head to let him remove it. Letting it drop to the bed beside them, those huge brown eyes of his hungrily moved down to take in the sight of her now there on her knees before him. Seeing her now clad only in the thin panties as he let his gaze move over her full breasts openly then, closer than he had ever been before, even during all those months of watching her other companions make love to her.

    He gently, almost curiously allowed himself to reach out, gently cupping her breast in his hand, where her nipple was already hardening at the prospect of his touch there in the dim lamp lip quarters. With the same ever so strange combination of innocence and desire, he gently let his thumb move over her nipple, as his eyes continued to just take in all that he was seeing.

    Then, moving closer still, he let his hands move back to her waist as he lifted her slightly towards him, leaning down to place the gentlest kiss upon the nipple he had just been touching. As his desire grew he began taking it into his mouth, tasting it, feeling the way it reacted to the feel of his tongue against it, and even smiling as he tasted the slightest bit of milk that that tongue of his easily coaxed to the surface.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help the tiny gasp of pleasure as he continued to the other breast, as she reached out to wrap her arms around his shoulders, her eyes closing in anticipation of even further pleasure as he continued to explore her body with all the awe that only he could display at the very ¡®newness¡¯ of her.

    Moments later, he finally moved back from her breasts again, only, this time it was to reach for her last remaining piece of clothing. As he slowly begin inching her panties down from her waist, Lili easily moved from her knees to lay on her back where he could easily pull them the rest of the way down her legs, leaving them discarded upon the floor. His eyes then moved over her once again. He only faltered a moment, with a slight sadness as his eyes moved to the scar that was left from when he had had to cut into her flesh on that terrifying summer¡¯s day to save the life of Lili and her daughter both. But he soon pressed himself onward from that memory, his breath catching as his eyes moved over the small patch of red curls between her legs.

    ¡°Can I...?¡± he whispered after having moved to lie next to her, leaving the rest of his question unspoken.

    Lili simply smiled and nodded her answer to him, accenting her agreement as she slightly parted her legs to allow him easier access to her body. Will took a deep breath then, moving to kiss her mouth once more before he then turned his eyes downward again, to the newest part of her yet. Just as slowly, he moved his hand to that scar, and gently traced his fingertips downward from it, where he couldn¡¯t help smiling as another small gasp of anticipation left her lips.

    Only a moment¡¯s exploration later and his fingers had moved further down to find a flood of wetness waiting between her legs. He then smiled back up at her in response, causing her to speak, ¡°I guess that means I really do want you to¡± Lili breathed the words through a smile down at him.

    ¡°Wetness means same as hardness, for boys?¡± he asked for that final confirmation from her.

    Lili allowed another ragged breath at that question before responding, ¡°the wetter I am, the more it means I really, really want you inside me¡± she confirmed once more, her voice shaking with desire then.

    Will smiled again at her words as he found the courage, and the desire, then, to slide his fingers deep inside her, though slowly, causing an even louder gasp from her as she arched her back in response.

    Feeling how warm, and wet she was inside, soaking his fingers as he gently moved them, he had to smile back up at her as her back arched again to meet his touch, drawing those fingers even deeper into that intense wetness, which was only growing more intense with each passing second.

    His own breath ragged then, he managed more words, ¡°I definitely think I like how you feel, inside.¡±

    Lili couldn¡¯t help the small laugh that turned into a near moan as his fingers moved even more deeply inside her, ¡°and that¡¯s just how it feels when you only put your hand inside me¡± she managed.

    Will smiled again at her words, taking a brave breath as he finally removed his fingers from inside her and moved to place another long kiss over her mouth, pulling her tight against the length of his body where his own hardness was throbbing for release just then.

    Another deep breath as he ended the kiss, then cautiously, slowly moved to a place above her; taking a position that was beyond foreign to his usual one during the passionate moments he had shared with Ian and even Kyle. Smiling up at him, Lili immediately parted her legs to him as he took that spot above her.

    ¡°Is this right, then?¡± he had to ask, though his words barely made it past his lips as the tip of his hardness just barely grazed her, feeling all that wetness there waiting for him to enter her.

    Lili couldn¡¯t help another smile at that same innocence, despite the very activity they were sharing. Rather than answering with words though, she instead reached up, placing her hands over those narrow hips of his. Another deep breath as she looked up into those waiting brown eyes. Then, in the next moment, she grasped those hips even more tightly and guided him so easily to slide himself deep inside her, both of them gasping at the feel of suddenly becoming one at last.

 Chapter 89

    Two mornings later, at a little before nine am, Jared had entered Kyle¡¯s temporary quarters in the commons hall of the since grounded ship. He approached the bed where the younger teen still slept soundly, giving him a bit of a nudge to try and stir him back to consciousness. Kyle just moaned his disapproval and rolled away from the interruption to his slumber.

    ¡°Get up, Kyle.¡± Jared prodded further.

    ¡°Pass¡± he mumbled into his pillow.

    ¡°Get up¡± Jared repeated, ¡°we need to talk.¡±

    Kyle moaned in further annoyance, still not turning back from his pillow, ¡°really pass.¡±

    Jared sighed in frustration as he took a seat on the mattress behind Kyle, deliberately going out of his way to jostle him further from his sleep, ¡°we can¡¯t stall her for another day. You know that.¡±

    Kyle groaned in further annoyance, ¡°I don¡¯t know anything at this hour. Go away.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s almost nine¡± Jared put in with another scowl down at the tangle of brown curls he was still speaking to rather than the other teen¡¯s actual face.

    ¡°Go away anyway¡± he mumbled again.

    ¡°I realize that you are probably thrilled to be sleeping in an actual bed, indoors once again, but turn your ass over and talk to me before I have to deliver some Ian-type threats in regards to your backside¡± Jared told him with some attempt at humor.

    Though, that did seem to jar Kyle as he immediately rolled over to look up at the nineteen year old sitting next to him, ¡°what¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± he asked a little roughly.

    Jared was a little surprised by that reaction, considering Kyle didn¡¯t really say much to any of Ian¡¯s little taunts over the last year. Though, for some reason that one seemed to get to him a lot more than any of the previous jokes had.

    Jared just narrowed his eyes, ¡°a joke. It¡¯s only been a few days since you saw Ian. I¡¯m sure you remember those.¡±

    ¡°Well, it wasn¡¯t funny¡± Kyle muttered as he finally moved to push himself up from the bed, looking more than a little awkward as he cast a sideways glance at Jared and forcibly slid his discarded jeans back up over the boxers he had slept in.

    ¡°You really aren¡¯t a morning person, are you?¡± Jared responded, more than a bit thrown by this sudden touchiness Kyle was displaying.

    ¡°Now what bullshit were you saying about stalling...whoever¡± he shook his head, eyes still turned from Jared as he moved to replace his t-shirt then as well.

    Jared just shook his head again before continuing, ¡°Miranda. We have to let her see Lili...and all that¡¯ll mean¡± he added more quietly, still more than a bit distraught over Miranda¡¯s inevitable reaction to the life the three of them had been living with her only daughter for the last year.

    Kyle took a deep breath as he finished dressing, still not turning back toward Jared, ¡°fine, go tell her. Have fun. And good luck¡± he added with a slight shrug.

    Jared scoffed with a smile of disbelief, ¡°pardon?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re so eager to tell her, then good luck¡± Kyle shrugged again.

    ¡°Um, Kyle, this involves you too¡± he reminded the younger teen with a bit of condescension.

    Kyle let out another sigh, ¡°like I said, I think I¡¯ll pass. I¡¯ve still got the computers to fix... and all that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really think ¡®passing¡¯ is an option here, Kyle¡± Jared returned, his voice only raising slightly as he continued disapprovingly looking at the eighteen year old.

    ¡°What?¡± Kyle stated, finally looking back, his own volume coming up slightly, ¡°just cause you can¡¯t wait to throw yourself under the bus, doesn¡¯t mean I have to come with you.¡±

    Another look of disbelief from Jared, ¡°you can¡¯t be serious right now.¡±

    ¡°What? It¡¯s not our kid¡± Kyle said more quietly, looking away again.

    Jared looked up at the ceiling to take a moment to quell any immediate response he was having to Kyle¡¯s attitude, before trying to speak as calmly as he could once more, ¡°I think we both know that this is about a lot more than ¡®the kid.¡¯¡±

    Kyle shook his head with his own shaky breath, ¡°is it though?¡±

    ¡°Meaning?¡± Jared replied, eyes narrowed.

    ¡°The kid is the only proof there is that anything at all happened between Lili and any of us. And she¡¯s Ian¡¯s. Can¡¯t we just leave it at that? I mean, Miranda was already pretty aware that Ian fucked everything that moved; she¡¯s hardly gonna be shocked that he managed to impregnate Lili after spending a year with her. Can¡¯t that just be the story?¡± Kyle asked, almost pleading for Jared¡¯s agreement then.Stolen story; please report.

    Jared rubbed his eyes in further disbelief then, trying very hard to keep a hold on his own reaction, ¡°and I guess you¡¯re already forgetting that Tyler overheard your whole commentary about our last year with Lili. We can¡¯t exactly change that, now can we? He could very easily let something slip, and then...¡±he shook his head, ¡°it¡¯ll be even worse¡± he stated the obvious.

    ¡°But, maybe we can¡± Kyle suggested, though in a near whisper.

    ¡°Maybe we can...what?¡± Jared asked with further confusion.

    ¡°Change the fact that Tyler knows what really happened, for the most part¡± he had to add.

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about, Kyle?¡± Jared had to get clarification.

    ¡°I mean, I could...change it...change what Tyler actually heard, or...thinks he heard¡± Kyle dared at the same low volume, biting his lip as he warily watched for Jared¡¯s reaction.

    Jared let out another sound of disbelief as he looked back up at Kyle, ¡°are you seriously suggesting re-writing his memory?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I could do it¡± Kyle returned, trying not to sound like he was proud of his own growing abilities.

    ¡°That is beyond fucked up¡± was the only response Jared could come up with. He then had to add, ¡°you would do something like that, just to avoid having to tell Miranda that you slept with Lili...I mean, are you really serious right now?¡±

    ¡°Come on Jared. It would make things so much easier, going forward now. Tyler wouldn¡¯t even know I changed anything. And who would it really hurt, I mean, honestly?¡± Kyle asked as he looked back over at Jared warily.

    ¡°If you really don¡¯t think that there¡¯s anything wrong with that suggestion...then you¡¯re a hell lot more like Serena than you thought¡± Jared told him coolly as he quickly moved to leave the room, not able to deal with any more of that conversation right then.

    <hr>

    It was less than an hour after his falling out with Kyle that Jared found himself sitting outside the main entrance they used to access the ship now. He stared up at the gray sky worriedly, trying to figure out how to possibly move forward now. He and Kyle obviously were not seeing eye to eye at the moment, and as worried as he was about what the impulsive teen would actually do on his own; he was also just as worried about the prospect of reuniting either himself or Miranda with Lili at all now. As they needed Will to do that, and right now, the only person who could actually contact Will was Kyle.

    As if his own thoughts had made it so, Will then appeared there before him, where he quickly removed his helmet, violently coughing as his lungs readjusted after yet another trip between planets. Jared swallowed a bit as he pushed himself up from the ground to approach the older man, awaiting him to regain his breath long enough to explain his sudden appearance.

    ¡°You all right?¡± Jared asked him with concern once the coughing finally started to subside.

    ¡°You¡¯d think it would get easier¡± Will told him a little breathlessly, finally standing to finish removing the bulky, uncomfortable suit he wore over his much more comfortable animal skins.

    ¡°So, did Kyle call you?¡± Jared asked with surprise once Will finished the task.

    ¡°No, Lili sent me¡± Will answered with a strange combination of sadness and apprehension as he looked over at the man who was literally only a fraction of an inch taller than himself.

    ¡°She ok?¡± was Jared¡¯s first question, always, ¡°and Hope, and Ian?¡± he then added.

    ¡°Yes, all fine...are fine¡± he corrected his English, ¡°she is just eager to see her mother.¡±

    Jared took a slight breath at how that meeting would actually go, ¡°she is?¡±

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t she be?¡± Will smiled back at him, which simply caused Jared to shake his head again.

    ¡°So, why didn¡¯t you bring her with you then?¡± Jared asked with continued apprehension of his own about that mother-daughter meeting finally happening at last.

    ¡°I think...¡± he began, ¡°she wants her mother to meet Hope before...before she explains all the rest.¡±

    Jared took another ragged breath as he looked back into eyes that were just barely a darker shade of brown than his own, ¡°so, she does wanna explain everything to Miranda, herself, then?¡±

    ¡°She wants to try¡± Will said softly. He may not fully understand all the reasons why, but he knew that all of his new friends, and lovers, seemed to be very worried about this upcoming reunion with Lili¡¯s mother, and so he sympathized.

    After a slight pause, Jared looked back at Will, ¡°well, I¡¯m glad you showed up here again on your own, cause right now, I don¡¯t think I¡¯d have much luck getting Kyle to contact you...or getting him to do much of anything else¡± Jared added quietly.

    Will narrowed his eyes a bit at that, ¡°what happened between you and Kyle?¡±

    Jared hesitated a moment at that particular wording, but moved on, ¡°he and I just aren¡¯t in agreement about how to deal with certain...situations¡± he decided on.

    ¡°Sounds like Kyle¡± Will stated quietly, sadly, as he looked down in thought, which only caused Jared to suddenly want to ask Will what happened between heand Kyle just then. But Before Jared could, Will spoke again, ¡°I need to see him again anyway.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sure, he¡¯s in his---¡± but before Jared could finish the sentence, Will had blinked away yet again.

    Moments later, Kyle was in his recently acquired quarters, sitting at the desk in the corner of the small apartment-like cabin, attention glued to his LU, still diligently trying to sort out their computer problem.

    Having the sudden feeling he wasn¡¯t alone, he turned to look back at his bed where Will sat at the edge of the mattress, just watching him silently.

    ¡°What the?¡± Kyle shook his head, the small computer easily forgotten, ¡°I didn¡¯t call you.¡±

    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t¡± Will agreed, sad eyes cast down, ¡°you haven¡¯t spoken to me at all, really, since you were inside me.¡±

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help the blush as he looked away, ¡°must you say it like that?¡±

    ¡°Say what? The truth?¡±

    Kyle let out a slight sound of frustration, still not meeting those gorgeous eyes of Will¡¯s, ¡°you sound like such a girl right now¡± he mumbled.

    Will then let out his own sound of frustration, ¡°girl, boy...you are so caught up on these things¡± he exclaimed, his own volume raising, as rare as that ever was for him, ¡°you know what I am, Kyle? I¡¯m a human, just like you. That¡¯s all I am. And I¡¯d just like you to acknowledge that that¡¯s what we both are, and treat me like I mean something. Like it meant something. Even if you never want to do it again, then say so. Don¡¯t just pretend it didn¡¯t happen and hope that makes it true. Just say what you fucking feel for once....no matter what that truly is¡± he added, his voice finally trailing off again, turning his eyes downward then to hide the tears that were fighting to be shed.

 Chapter 90

    Centering his eyes on Will at last, Kyle spoke, ¡°you wanna know how I feel?¡± he then raised his voice slightly, ¡°how I really feel?¡±

    Will simply nodded as he dared to look back up at Kyle. A moment later, Kyle was reaching for Will¡¯s wrist, clasping it tightly in his hand as he pulled him up from the bed and with him into the cabin¡¯s restroom, where he kicked the door shut behind them, pushing Will back against the sink.

    There was a brief flash of what was almost fear in those doe eyes before Kyle closed the gap between the two men, roughly covering his mouth with his own, as he tore at Will¡¯s clothing. After nearly ripping the clothing off of the other man¡¯s slightly trembling body, Kyle moved to quickly turn on the shower, pulling at his own clothes and tossing them to the floor a moment later.

    In the next instant, when both were each relieved of all their clothing, Will could do nothing more than just keep his shocked gaze upon him. Then, Kyle reached for some small tube the previous resident had left behind on the sink. He then pushed Will backwards into the shower, stepping up into it with him, the luckily still heated and running water cascading over them as he placed another rough kiss over Will¡¯s mouth.

    After that kiss continued long enough for the water to thoroughly drench them both, Kyle finally moved back from the other man¡¯s lips. With just as much nearly scary intensity, he pushed Will down to his knees and moved to take a place behind him. Will tensed more than a bit as he felt the warm water and the cool lotion combine upon his skin. He then gasped loudly as Kyle entered him deeply, turning the gasp into a moan as he began thrusting into him once more.

    It was literally only moments before both men reached their climax, Kyle collapsing across Will¡¯s back, where he struggled keep his arms and legs from buckling beneath them both after their intense mutual orgasm.

    After several heavy breaths on the part of each of them, Kyle finally spoke again, ¡°how you make me feel is like nothing in this entire fucked up world even makes any sense anymore. And I don¡¯t know if it ever will again¡± he added through what almost sounded like his own tears.

    At hearing the breaking of Kyle¡¯s voice through his words, Will slowly turned beneath him, separating their bodies as he moved to face Kyle. Leaning back against the wall of the shower now, he pulled Kyle to him, wrapping his arms around him, holding him close, as he just let Kyle feel it all; more than willing to be right there for him, holding him, as he did.

    <hr>

    It was several hours later when Kyle awoke with a start, his mental,physical, and especially emotional exhaustion having all taken their toll. When he came to, his head was still laying against Will¡¯s chest, his equally nude body cradled between Will¡¯s long, only slightly bent legs.

    They were still there in the bottom of the shower stall. Will was looking up at the shower nozzle high above them, just barely dripping water in tune with their heartbeats now. His fingertips slowly tracing the frosted glass on one side, and the smooth porcelain on the other. Noting Kyle¡¯s return to consciousness, Will smiled down at him happily.

    ¡°This is really how you, all of you, grew up, in this place?¡± Will asked in wonderment.

    Kyle bit back a small smile as he slowly moved back to sit against the opposite side of the stall, their legs still touching in that somewhat confined space, ¡°actually this is just where we showered; we grew up in the whole dang ship¡± he told him matter-of-factly.

    ¡°I know that¡± Will allowed his own little laugh, ¡°but it¡¯s amazing¡± Will returned. Kyle still held the smile as he simply shook his head over at how Will was in awe of, and just so appreciative of every tiny discovery, and amazed by them all.

    ¡°You¡¯re one to talk about thing¡¯s being amazing¡± Kyle replied, though in a slight whisper, his eyes trailing over Will¡¯s body once more, trying to come to grips with this entirely strange new relationship he never thought he¡¯d find himself in. Then again, he never thought he¡¯d find himself in any of the relationships he had experienced since originally leaving this home of theirs, over a year earlier.

    Will almost blushed then, before speaking, ¡°I¡¯m not amazing. I barely understand any of the things you all know¡± he stated with a bit of sadness to his tone.

    Kyle couldn¡¯t help the small chuckle of disbelief, ¡°Will, you survived, all alone, on a huge planet, all by yourself, from the time you were only five years old, til now. How can you not see how amazing that is? The rest of us; we barely survived one year, and even then, we needed you to save us, more than once¡± he told him with his own amazed look back at his companion, who almost looked about to shed tears again at the sound of Kyle recounting his life in such a way.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Will took a shaky breath as he did then reach up to wipe away a tear from those stunning eyes of his, ¡°you keep saying things like that, and I might think you actually do like me, after all.¡±

    Kyle just let out another tiny laugh, and moved to kiss him once more.

    <hr>

    It wasn¡¯t too much later that the two finally decided that they had spent enough hours in the shower stall that day, and both stepped out to re-acquire their clothing. But at least both were still wearing smiles as they dressed there together in the small bathroom.

    Though before they could make their way back out to the main part of the cabin, there was a persistent knock on the bathroom door. ¡°You in there, Kyle?¡± Jared¡¯s voice came to them through the door.

    Will took a breath as he moved his eyes to Kyle, awaiting the younger man¡¯s response to his friend; not able to keep from wondering if it would be reminiscent of the way he acted the last time the two had been caught together sharing small confines, while in an obviously post-coital state.

    ¡°Just a minute, Jared¡± Kyle called through the door, his eyes coming up to meet the expectant look in Will¡¯s.

    Outside the bathroom door though, Jared was slightly caught by not being greeted with anger by the younger man, considering the last time he had paid him a visit in his quarters earlier that same day.

    ¡°One second, ok?¡± was all Kyle managed to mouth in regards to Will¡¯s continued look, just waiting to see how Kyle would behave this time.

    Kyle cleared his throat as he moved to inch the door open a crack, as Jared looked down at him from the other side, the same expectant look on his face, but for entirely different reasons than Will¡¯s.

    ¡°Trying to find something to throw at me?¡± Jared offered, then added, ¡°cause I¡¯m pretty sure I could throw it back, without even using my hands¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    ¡°What?¡± Kyle asked as he awkwardly stepped through the slightly ajar door and into the main part of the cabin with Jared, closing the door quickly behind him.

    ¡°You building a bomb in there or something?¡± Jared asked as he glanced at the door that Kyle still held tightly shut behind him.

    ¡°Did you need something, Jared?¡± Kyle asked in the same distracted tone, his hands still clutching the doorknob behind his back.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re being held hostage then, is that it?¡± Jared then had to ask furtively, completely puzzled by Kyle¡¯s behavior, especially after their last conversation.

    ¡°What?¡± Kyle asked again.

    ¡°Last time I talked to you, I hinted at your possibly sociopathic tendencies, and you¡¯re apparently...over it?¡±

    Kyle scoffed as he averted his eyes, ¡°so did you just come here to go another round then?¡± he finally managed.

    Jared shook his head at Kyle¡¯s suspiciously calm behavior, but moved on, ¡°actually, I needed to find ghost---Will¡± he corrected himself again.

    ¡°Will?¡± Kyle repeated, his voice tightening a bit on the other man¡¯s name.

    ¡°You found me¡± Will then stated, now having appeared behind Jared, causing the nineteen year old to turn back to face him, startled.

    Jared allowed a nervous smile over at the other man, ¡°that still takes some getting used to¡± he greeted him.

    Trying to ignore the relief that now flooded over Kyle as he stood behind Jared now, Will attempted to turn his attention back to the elder teen, ¡°did you need me for something?¡±

    <hr>

    Miranda was now nearly fully recovered from her surgery a few days prior; and she found herself going more than a little stir-crazy waiting to find out when she would finally see Lili again. She took a breath, got up from the sofa in her cabin and headed down the hall toward the apartment they had converted into a nursery/playroom of sorts for the younger children.

    Once she poked her head in, she was not able to help the smile at where several of the children were playing, completely unaware that the world around them had changed so drastically. India was also there, changing the diaper of the youngest, Oddra. The little one was still only two years old and sadly, would never even know the parents who worked so hard to even bring her into the world.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯re feeling better too?¡± Miranda asked.

    ¡°Figured I better get some practice in, since I can now apparently have one of these¡± India smiled back from gesturing to the little girl with a bit of worry.

    ¡°Well there¡¯s obviously no need to rush¡± Miranda assured her. India simply smiled back as she continued her task. ¡°Here, let me¡± Miranda offered as she moved forward to help the girl who wasn¡¯t even seventeen herself yet. ¡°I may be outta practice, but I think I can still swing it¡± Miranda smiled as she tended to the diaper instead.

    ¡°I bet you can¡¯t wait¡± India smiled as she watched as Miranda gave Oddra a playful tickle above her new diaper.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait for what?¡± Miranda asked as she glanced back at the young girl¡¯s pretty aqua eyes which were framed by long brown curls that nearly reached her waist, where she already had all the curves of a grown woman.

    ¡°To meet her¡± India smiled back at Miranda¡¯s own still pretty turquoise eyes.

    ¡°To meet who?¡± Miranda asked, finally turning her attention from Oddra.

    ¡°Your granddaughter of course¡± India smiled innocently. Though soon swallowed her smile as she saw Miranda pale. ¡°Oh god, they didn¡¯t tell you yet, did they?¡± India asked with a near flinch, knowing she had just revealed a huge secret, without even meaning to.

    ¡°Granddaughter?¡± Miranda repeated with a deep breath, all the secrecy suddenly making much, much more sense to her right then, shocked as she obviously still was.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Tyler overheard, and I figured....¡± India was now tripping on her words, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sure that I wasn¡¯t the one meant to tell you. Sorry¡± she repeated with another slight cringe as she left Miranda behind in her attempt to flee from that particular conversation.

    A moment later, Miranda had followed the sound of voices to Kyle¡¯s door, and pushed it open to the three men inside, her face saying it all right then.

 Chapter 91

    ¡°So, which one of you is it?¡± was Miranda¡¯s emotional greeting to the three E-children standing before her.

    ¡°Which one of us is what...?¡± Jared stammered as the three looked between each other.

    ¡°The father of my grandchild. You know, the grandchild none of you even told me I had. Ring a bell?¡±

    Jared and Kyle both went even paler than Miranda then, while Will just looked on with a slight confusion. Trying to think as quickly as he could, Jared responded, ¡°Lili wanted to be the one to tell you¡± he answered, not sure it was that far off from the truth, honestly. ¡°That¡¯s why we couldn¡¯t really say much, ourselves¡± he attempted to add for weight.

    ¡°So which one of you is it¡± Miranda didn¡¯t back down, though she did try to force a calm into her tone.

    ¡°None of us¡± Kyle gave into the pressure of the question and was the first to provide the answer.

    Jared cringed slightly at how quickly Kyle gave that answer even though it was technically true. But before any of the men could say more, Miranda turned away in obvious agitation and upset, ¡°fucking Ian¡± she almost spit his name. ¡°I guess that¡¯s why he never had the balls to come here himself, huh?¡± she asked them as she turned back.

    ¡°Um¡± Jared stammered again, as Will¡¯s face was blank and Kyle was trying his best to melt into the wall behind him, ¡°Ian stayed behind to look after Lili, and Hope¡± Jared replied softly, hoping it would take at least some of the edge of off Miranda¡¯s anger.

    ¡°Hope¡± Miranda whispered the name, obviously trying to calm herself, as difficult as that was. After another few deep breaths, she finally looked back at them again, ¡°why am I surprised, really? Ian has been trying to sleep with my little girl since, forever¡± she admitted knowingly, ¡°just never thought Lili would fall for it, ya know?¡±

    ¡°It was technically the end of the world, as far as we knew¡± Kyle attempted to joke, before looking away as he saw that she remained unamused.

    Miranda took another breath before managing to continue, ¡°at least tell me that being a dad made him fucking grow up already.¡±

    Jared just looked down a moment before answering, ¡°he actually treats her really well, Miranda. You¡¯d be surprised¡± he finished, trying to ignore the slight look of victory Kyle seemed to allow into his eyes as Jared continued to uphold the story that Kyle had actually wanted to tell her about the last year.

    Miranda just shook her head again, ¡°Lili¡¯s father was just as much of a dog as Ian too; and I fell for it too. It¡¯s a curse in our family I think¡± she offered that slight bit of insight into her own past, her anger seeming to have at least calmed somewhat after the shock had passed.

    Jared awkwardly looked back at Kyle then, where the younger man couldn¡¯t help mouthing ¡°told you¡± to which Jared just glared back at him before looking away once more.

    After another long moment of silence, Miranda turned back to them again, ¡°well, now that this huge secret is out of the way, can I please see my daughter?¡±

    Will then stepped forward with a smile, ¡°I can take you.¡±

    <hr>

    ¡°So, you¡¯re gonna be ok with this, right?¡± Lili called after Ian warily as he had started away from the shack on another hunting trip that afternoon.

    ¡°This?¡± he smiled back at her, though with the ever so foreign tinge of nervousness, ¡°believe me, I¡¯m in no hurry to see Miranda again. Sorry hon¡± he apologized with a shrug, ¡°making myself scarce for an hour or two while you try to explain...¡± he looked around, ¡°any of this to grandma-ma?....that I¡¯m fine with¡± he smirked as he went on his way, leaving Lili alone behind with more than a bit of her own nervousness; but it had been her suggestion for him to let her speak to her mother by herself in the first place. And they didn¡¯t have a lot of time according to the mental warning she had gotten from Kyle only minutes earlier.

    Lili swallowed hard as Ian moved off toward the tree line. She then went back inside to cast one more anxious look down at Hope before the reunion began, terrifying as that thought was becoming with each passing moment.

    Will had decided that he and Miranda¡¯s first stop back on ¡®Planet One¡¯ as the others had begun to call it, would be at the original pod from their ship. That way they could take a moment for their lungs to adjust and also safely store the suits in the pod before Will¡¯s next jaunt through the atmosphere. After that was taken care of, he would then, finally, blink her back to her daughter; a prospect that Will seemed to be the only one not on pins and needles about.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    When Will did make them at last appear in front of the shack, Miranda was still quite disoriented by the reality of Will¡¯s ability at all. But she had bigger concerns right then than getting her head around another of the E-children abilities.

    Seeing that Miranda seemed as nervous as all his other new friends, Will sympathetically smiled as he glanced at the older woman, then the shack, ¡°Lili, we¡¯re here¡± he called toward the open doorway, his smile still remaining present as he actually relished the opportunity to reunite mother and daughter.

    Lili took a deep, startled breath at the sound of his voice, before forcing her feet to shakily carry her to the doorway, ¡°mom?¡± her voice broke, the tears immediate in both sets of turquoise eyes as the women moved to embrace each other with a flood of emotions.

    When the hug finally ended, Miranda¡¯s voice was still shaky as she continued to stand close, her hands on her daughter¡¯s shoulders, ¡°so this your new place?¡± she teased as she smiled at the haphazardly put together shack.

    ¡°Livin large¡± Lili teased back as she glanced over at where Will still stood nearby, happily smiling down at the two women.

    ¡°Um, Ian went to grab us some dinner at that clearing. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be glad to see you too¡± she urged Will on his way before even attempting that day¡¯s conversation with Miranda.

    Will simply smiled again with a little nod before disappearing before their eyes once more. Pushing away the urge to comment on the mention of Ian¡¯s name right then, Miranda just shook her head and turned back to Lili, ¡°well, that definitely takes some getting used to.¡±

    Lili couldn¡¯t help a small smile as she gestured for her mother to take a seat near the fire-pit with her, ¡°so, how are Kyle and Jared?¡± Lili asked awkwardly as they sat.

    ¡°They¡¯re Kyle and Jared¡± her mother teased back with another smile, ¡°what about you? I¡¯m sure I¡¯ve missed some stuff, obviously¡± she added as she looked around again.

    Lili took another breath to steel herself, ¡°so, what have you heard?¡± she asked, attempting to sound jokingly conversational, though her voice still seemed to break with each word she tried to form.

    Miranda then allowed her own knowing breath as she also tried to decide where to begin, ¡°well, they did let a little something slip about me suddenly being...¡±another deep breath, ¡°a grandma, apparently¡± she finished, seeming to choke on her own words then as well.

    Lili felt her throat tighten, but she had tried to brace herself for that question at least, even if none of the others, ¡°oh yeah, so, nothing big then?¡± she attempted to joke again.

    Miranda couldn¡¯t help a small laugh, ¡°how...¡± she just shook her head before trying to continue, ¡°how did you ever manage to bring a little girl into this world, safely, I mean? I just....¡± she then looked around once more to accent her question.

    ¡°Believe me, it was...difficult¡± Lili decided on, pushing back tears at those particularly new, and still rather fresh memories of laying on the ground only a few feet away, bleeding to death, and sure she actually had been dead even.

    ¡°God I could kill Ian¡± Miranda muttered, more to herself.

    Lili cringed a bit as she realized her mother did know at least one more little bit of the story, ¡°mom¡± she scolded her as she placed a hand over the older woman¡¯s hand.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m serious baby. Mothers die in childbirth, even in perfect conditions. How could he do that to you? Jeopardize your life that way?¡± she asked, a bit of her upset returning easily.

    ¡°Come on, mom. It¡¯s not like he did it deliberately¡± she attempted to defend, regardless of her own feelings of terror she experienced herself, at the prospect of having a child in that place.

    ¡°Oh, he accidentally had sex with you? Is that it?¡± Miranda scoffed, not able to stop the question before it left her lips.

    ¡°I meant, the pregnancy wasn¡¯t deliberate, mom¡± she shook her head, already feeling her cheeks redden. Especially since the fact of having Ian¡¯s child was really only a portion of the whole story, still.

    ¡°Your IUD was gone, and you guys didn¡¯t exactly have access to birth control here. I know you may want to defend him, but think about it Lili. He should have known better.¡±

    Lili scoffed as she pulled her hand away, sad eyes cast down, ¡°actually, mom, Ian thought I still had the IUD when we...¡± she just shook her head.

    Miranda was a little caught by that, ¡°but you knew it was gone, right?¡±

    That was when Lili closed her eyes tightly, trying to regain some composure. Finally, after a few more deep breaths, ¡°do you at least wanna see her?¡± she finally offered, figuring any way she could distract Miranda from their previous conversation was welcomed right then.

    Miranda couldn¡¯t help a slight scowl at Lili quickly trying to re-direct the conversation, but she did want to meet her granddaughter, so she allowed it, for now, ¡°of course I do¡± she answered with an attempt at a smile.

    <hr>

    Fawning over the tiny baby did do well to distract Miranda from their prior conversation, or any other, for the rest of the afternoon at least. But as evening approached, the stress of that looming discussion returned like a tidal wave as Ian finally made his way out of the woods and back to the shack once more, Will tagging along with him, of course.

    As the men approached, the smiled discussion between he and Will was quickly forgotten when he saw Lili and Miranda sitting in the doorway of the shack. Miranda was cradling the baby in her arms still, as Lili looked on, trying to hold her smile as she just waited for the newness of the child to wear off, and the tension to begin anew.

    The two women looked up from said child as wary footsteps approached, Ian wondering if he would need his gun again, the moment Miranda laid eyes on him. Miranda¡¯s eyes darkened, but only slightly, as the two women stood, Lili¡¯s nervousness tangible.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take her back inside¡± Miranda offered, her voice unreadable as she moved through the door behind them. Lili herself only took a step or two from the door, nervously looping her fingers in the waist-band of her jeans as Ian and Will dared to come nearer now that Miranda had gone inside again.

    Ian¡¯s eyes had a million questions in them as he and Will reached Lili¡¯s side. However, the only answer she could provide while her mother stood just out of sight inside the shack behind her, was a biting of her lip as she shook her head up at Ian in silent warning to keep him from asking all the questions he had about their ¡®warm¡¯ reunion just then.

 Chapter 92

    Attempting to keep some kind of control over the situation, Lili finally found words. Glancing back toward the door of the shack, where Miranda tended to Hope inside, Lili called out ¡°we¡¯re going to go down to the river to get some water for dinner, ok?¡±

    Miranda just shook her head at Lili¡¯s continued avoidance, but didn¡¯t press just yet, ¡°I¡¯ll be right here, hon.¡±

    Breathing the tiniest sigh of relief, Lili grabbed Ian¡¯s hand and begun leading him toward the river. Only two steps later though, she and Ian both halted, turned back, and each grabbed one of Will¡¯s wrists to bring him along. They both knew enough to know that Will was completely open and unassuming about sex in general, and also about the fact that that the three of them had made love to each other quite a few times that week alone. On that thought, they knew they couldn¡¯t risk leaving him there with Miranda just yet.

    Once they reached the river, Lili slumped down to a seat upon the bank, hiding her face in her hands with more than a bit of obvious stress. Ian simply sighed and moved to take a seat next to her, pulling Will down to the ground with them as well.

    ¡°I take it things didn¡¯t go well?¡± he stated the obvious as he put an arm around Lili¡¯s shoulders as she continued to hide her face in those slightly shaking hands; a sure sign that another anxiety attack was likely quickly approaching.

    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to try to talk to her, Ian¡± Lili mumbled into her hands.

    ¡°Well, she didn¡¯t try to murder me and Will on sight¡± he stated, causing Will to look up at the words as well, ¡°so I¡¯m guessing it could¡¯ve gone worse, right?¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t even get past the point of, ¡®how could you let yourself have a baby¡¯ before we got to anything else even¡± Lili confessed.

    ¡°Ok, so are you still planning on telling her all about that ¡®anything else¡¯?¡± Ian had to ask.

    Then Lili looked back at him, ¡°don¡¯t I sort of have to?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s no more laws at all anymore, let alone one stating that you have to explain your sex life to your mom¡± he chided.

    ¡°But how, how could I even explain this?¡± she shook her head as she asked that question again, ¡°I couldn¡¯t even explain to her how I could let myself get pregnant. Hell, I can¡¯t even explain that one to myself¡± she added, under her breath.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t a boy finishing inside a girl make that happen?¡± Will asked innocently, which simply caused Ian and Lili to both shake their heads, almost smiling at his comment, almost.

    ¡°We¡¯re more talking about why I let myself have a baby, more than how¡± she attempted to explain.

    ¡°Because it feels good when we are inside you?¡± he offered with his own smile.

    ¡°Yes, Will, that it does¡± she agreed, too defeated to argue his point, not that it was incorrect, anyway.

    Ian finally sighed after another moment, or five, of silence, ¡°maybe you actually shouldn¡¯t tell her¡± he dared.

    Lili just scoffed, ¡°we both know she¡¯ll eventually find out some way. The walls are pretty damn thin. And certain people,¡± she glanced furtively at Will, ¡°don¡¯t understand why it would practically kill her to know... those things¡± she settled on.

    ¡°So you have to tell her, or she finds out herself and then it¡¯s even worse?¡± he rephrased, ¡°seems like pretty shitty options.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, no kidding¡± Lili agreed, though the tears had then started, try as she had to hold them back.

    ¡°Why do you cry?¡± Will asked with sudden concern.

    ¡°Because¡± Lili sniffled again as Will moved around to her other side, to join Ian in wrapping his arm around her shoulders, ¡°my mother¡¯s going to hate me.¡±

    ¡°Lili...¡± Ian attempted, though couldn¡¯t really find any other words himself.

    ¡°Why would she hate you?¡± Will asked, his continued naivete making it nigh impossible to explain the situation to him in a way he¡¯d truly understand.

    Lili¡¯s tears only replenished then as she closed her pretty eyes against them there below the setting sun, ¡°because I¡¯ve done things...things she¡¯ll never understand. There¡¯s no way she could. No way anyone else could¡± she whispered through more tears.

    Looking more upset himself then, trying desperately to figure out how to comfort her, Will spoke again, ¡°what things?¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Lili¡¯s sobs only intensified at being asked for that answer. Ian pulled her closer as he looked over at Will with a sigh, ¡°she can¡¯t really explain that Will. At least not right now¡± he told him in an effort to stop his questions while Lili was already trying so hard to come to grip with their answers.

    <hr>

    As the sun set outside the ship, Kyle decided to take a break from the computers to grab a snack. Though, once he approached the one still accessible dining area of the ship, he faltered at the door as he heard Tyler and India speaking furtively inside.

    ¡°So literally, all three of them?¡± India was stating with disbelief, ¡°I mean really?¡± she repeated with a shake of her long curls.

    ¡°Shocking I know¡± Tyler agreed as he took a bite of his meal, ¡°still can¡¯t get my head around it. I mean, when I found Kyle, it was pretty clear that he and the...¡± he shook his head, ¡°that he and Will were a thing. And that was shocking enough. Then to find out that all three of them were sleeping with Lili this whole time? And they were all just completely cool with it? Even after she had a kid?¡± Tyler shook his head again, ¡°that¡¯s gonna be one hell of a conversation between her and Miranda.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s so bizarre¡± India agreed as she took a bite of her own food, ¡°I mean, Lili was like Miss Virgin when she was up here. Blew Ian off fifty times a day. And then she starts fucking all three of them...nightly? I just don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Kyle¡¯s breath caught as he listened to their commentary, only to be startled when he found Jared behind him in the hallway, ¡°so, did you hear any of that?¡± he asked Jared quietly as he took the older teen¡¯s arm and led him back out of earshot of the dining hall.

    ¡°Not really a surprising opinion though, is it?¡± Jared returned with his own soft sigh as the two leaned against the wall once they got around the next corner.

    Kyle shook his head, ¡°and you still think that it¡¯s not a good idea for me to---¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not¡± Jared scolded him before he could pose that plan again. ¡°Besides, Miranda¡¯s with Lili right now. And Lili wanted to be the one to tell her. So whatever the fuck those two think, it isn¡¯t really gonna matter, now is it?¡±

    Kyle shook his head up at him, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s gonna matter.¡±

    ¡°You know what I mean¡± Jared stated with another sigh of his own worry and frustration.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m serious, Jared, this is why I never wanted Miranda to find out, however the fuck she finds out. It ain¡¯t gonna go well¡± Kyle told him plainly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be a little rough...¡± Jared then looked down at Kyle¡¯s pointed look back at him, ¡°ok, a lot rough, for a while...maybe a long while...but...¡±

    ¡°Your vision, Jared.¡± was Kyle¡¯s simple response.

    ¡°Not sure I follow¡± Jared returned as he looked back down at him.

    ¡°Us, all still there, on Planet One, in three years...I think that tells us all we need to know about how Miranda¡¯s going to react, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    <hr>

    After failing to comfort Lili for several more minutes, Ian knew they couldn¡¯t just stay out at the river all night, and would eventually have to face Miranda, and all that that would mean. Ian took a deep breath as he looked over at Will who looked almost as sullen as Lili, minus the tears.

    ¡°Do you think you could go and bring Jared and Kyle back here. I think we just might need a united front tonight¡± Ian asked, which also caused Lili to look up. Not sure what ¡®united front¡¯ really meant, Will nonetheless easily agreed, and blinked away to the pod to ready himself for yet another trip through the nether.

    ¡°I love him, but thank you¡± Lili whispered once Will was gone.

    Trying not to read too much into her using a word most of them had tried their best to avoid over the last year, even during their most intimate moments, Ian attempted to move on, ¡°I figure if we¡¯re all here, at least we won¡¯t have to explain anything more than once¡± he stated with another deep breath, ¡°plus, if she¡¯s outnumbered, maybe she¡¯ll think twice about killing us all.¡± Lili just shook her head again, and once more laid her cheek upon his shoulder with another sniffle.

    ¡°Seriously, how do I even begin?¡± she asked him a few moments later, despite knowing he didn¡¯t have the answer either, ¡°I mean, how do I even try to justify this all to her?¡±

    Ian was quiet another moment as he tried to find any answer he could for her. He then decided on, ¡°maybe you¡¯re making this harder than it needs to be¡± he attempted, to which she only scoffed. He then continued, ¡°I mean, how did you justify it to yourself? I know it wasn¡¯t just that you were really achin to sleep with us all for twenty-five years and then suddenly got your chance; there was obviously a lot more to it than that.¡±

    Another small scoff from Lili as she thought on his words, ¡°well, I guess the obvious answer is that I thought we were literally the last four people in the entire world. At least in the world we were now trapped in.¡±

    ¡°See, that¡¯s a pretty good start¡± he encouraged as best he could, considering he was hardly an objective party in this all.

    Lili shook her head again though, ¡°but what about Will?¡± she asked, looking back to him.

    ¡°What about him?¡± Ian asked, eyes narrowed.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t even with him until after I knew that we weren¡¯t the last people in the world after all. But I still let him make love to me...even though I had already made love with you and Jared both, that very same morning. I still did it...how the hell do I explain that one to her too?¡±

    Ian shook his head, having to give that one some thought as well. But then he decided to use the same logic, ¡°well, that first night that you let Will make love to you, what was going through your head? Why did something make you wanna be with him, despite all the rest?¡±

    ¡°Cause he¡¯s Will?¡± she shrugged.

    ¡°Try harder¡± he told her scoldingly, though with a slight smile.

    Lili took another long breath, ¡°I guess, right then, I was just thinking that the only reason I had not to be with him was... was just because of what other people would think of it. Not because I didn¡¯t wanna be with him...just cause I was scared of being judged for it¡± she admitted, voice breaking again. She then moved on, ¡°and I guess I just started thinking about the way people did judge each other in the old world. I spent my whole life up there, teaching kids that judging others for being different was sure to lead to nothing but pain and hate. And then, there I was; hating myself, judging myself, for being different than what everyone thought I should be. And I didn¡¯t want to fall back into that kind of world. And I sure as hell don¡¯t want our daughter growing up in that kind of world either.¡±

 Epilogue

    Epilogue

    Needless to say, Miranda did not react favorably to finally being told about the new life Lili had chosen for herself since she had left the old. As a matter of fact, the only immediate reaction Miranda could muster after hearing the long, sordid tale, was to stand there, completely numb, frozen in shock for several long moments. She was not even able to look any of them in the eye after; least of all, her daughter. When she finally regained any sliver of composure, she simply turned toward Will, refusing to meet his eyes still, and asked him to please take her back to her ship.

    And that was that.

    And that...was three years ago, now.

    Lili and her mother had not spoken once in that three years. Miranda stayed on Planet Two, helping raise the other E-children. And Lili stayed there on Planet One, raising her own child; with the help of the four men who loved she and Hope more than her own mother even seemed to anymore.

    It was heartbreaking to Lili, but it was her choice, and she lived with it. She was sticking to her conviction to not let this new world become just like the old; despite her mother seeming to want to still be a part of that old world, even if it meant doing so without her only remaining family with her.

    <hr>

    It was now a warm afternoon, late in summer as their strange household prepared the day¡¯s lunch. Lili was outside, sitting near the fire pit and keeping an eye on her now three year old daughter playing in the grass in front of the shack. Ian, Jared and Kyle were joking over the meal they prepared. Will was inside, gathering dishes for their lunch, and all did almost seem right with the world; as right as it ever was for Lili when she managed to stop thinking of how things had ended with her mother that is.

    That was when the cat came out of the woods. It most resembled Earth¡¯s mountain lions, but much larger, and it was slowly making it¡¯s way toward the shack that day. When her eyes caught the movement in the distance, as it was now barely thirty feet from Hope, Lili was engulfed in pure panic.

    ¡°Ian!¡± she called out to get his attention, causing all of the men to turn at the terror in her voice.

    That same terror was reflected on all their faces as the cat was now within only a few feet of the little girl who simply smiled as she turned to face the big cat, reaching out to it with her tiny arms. That was when all of them had their breaths catch as they realized what they were seeing.

    It was the same thing Jared had already seen himself, years ago. They all finally remembered to breathe, though with the same wariness as they watched Hope reach out to hug the big cat to her tiny body with all the glee that only a toddler could display at seeing such a thing so close.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°Did that just happen?¡± Kyle finally asked as the cat laid down next to Hope, turning on its back to allow the little girl to scratch its furry underside.

    ¡°Told you they come true¡± Jared swallowed hard as they all took a slow step toward Hope and the cat.

    That was when Will also stepped outside to the scene before him as the other adults just stood around toddler and big cat, looking on with disbelief. Surprising them further, if that were possible, Will let out a slight chuckle as he moved to join where they crowded around Hope and her new friend.

    ¡°Is that why you didn¡¯t want me to tell them you were here?¡± he seemed to ask the cat, which only caused them all to look up at his smiling face with more than a bit of confusion on each of theirs.

    ¡°I do like to make an entrance¡± a young woman¡¯s voice responded, causing them all to turn back, startled.

    There, smiling down at Hope, was the now nineteen year old, and very human, India; the cat now nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°What the...¡± all of them stated some version of, except Will, who simply moved forward to offer India a blanket to cover herself with.

    ¡°Nice to see you all too¡± she chuckled as she wrapped it around herself and finally rose from the ground.

    ¡°That¡¯s how you did it¡± Kyle breathed his own reaction as he just stared at her with a sudden clarity on his face.

    India looked down briefly, but managed to smile back, ¡°like you said, we were the only ones who could stop her¡± she sighed softly, ¡°at least after, Tyler could use his healing to keep the gas from killing us long enough to get the kids out...after I used...this¡± she gestured to herself, ¡°to put her down¡± she then bit her lip slightly ¡°I just wish I¡¯d known about the gas before that¡± she offered with sadness, ¡°guess we coulda used a mind-reader up there¡± she added with another sad smile.

    ¡°If yours hadn¡¯t been sent away, Serena wouldn¡¯t have gotten her paws on the computer at all¡± Kyle returned.

    ¡°Guess that¡¯s why she wanted to make sure you¡¯d never come back¡± India stated with another sigh before forcing the smile back to her lips.

    Finally, Lili had to ask, ¡°what are you even doing here?¡±

    ¡°I wanted to come tell you guys: We finally did it¡± she smiled again.

    ¡°Did what?¡± Jared was the first to ask.

    ¡°Well, us E-kids can be pretty smart sometimes¡± a small smile, ¡°and we got another pod working well enough that we can finally at least travel back and forth between the twin planets, without needing the beautiful Will¡¯s constant assistance, that is. That¡¯s how I got here last night, and Will just happened to stumble across me trying to find you guys this morning, and lent a hand¡± she added as she smiled up at him.

    The men couldn¡¯t help small smiles at the news, until they saw Lili¡¯s look downwards. Lili then took a breath before speaking up, ¡°I¡¯m not really sure that my mom really cares about a way for any of us to go back and forth.¡±

    India just shook her head over at Lili with a smile, ¡°she¡¯s had a lotta time to think¡± she stated the obvious, ¡°the pod was actually her idea; since she had no other way of getting in touch once she lost Kyle FM¡± another small smile, ¡°it took her a long time, but she wants her family back Lili. And all that comes with it.¡±

    THE END

    (for now)