ã€ŠSustainã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Aura groggily struggled to open her light blue eyes as the sun rose outside the Hollywood penthouse apartment. The apartment wasn¡¯t her home though. She was only a visitor there, and completely out of her element, whatever that element even was. She guessed that she must have fallen asleep there on the lavish black sofa sometime after two the night before. It was true that she had been watching some show or movie she¡¯d already seen, but she was still shocked that she had managed to fall asleep at all.

    Aura had been plagued with insomnia all her life, a condition only worsened by a million other factors; many of which had been in play the previous night. The most prevalent being that she had suffered severe anxiety for longer than she cared to remember in her relatively short seventeen years of life. And that anxiety was only multiplied at least ten times over by her current surroundings, and company.

    For starters, she was not in her own home. And though her home life was far from relaxing, it was at least one thing she was used to, if nothing else. And the fact that she was in a fancy, expensive penthouse where people like her normally wouldn¡¯t even be allowed past the doorman, that made her feel even more uneasy. And the one thing there that reminded her of her ¡°real¡± life was the thing that made her the most uneasy of all.

    Yes, Adan was her best friend. He was the longest relationship she had ever had, aside from her parents. But Adan was so much more than that to her, even before he was much more than that to the rest of the world. He was her polar opposite in all honesty. He was ambitious and confident and successful. Whereas Aura was unsure and plagued by worries and fears every waking second of her life. He was talented and beautiful, so very beautiful. Aura was just Aura, nothing special or beautiful about her. She was just a wreck of worry and doubt. And those differences between them were painfully apparent to her every time she looked at him, which she could never stop doing for long.

    For some reason she still couldn¡¯t fathom, even after a decade and a half of friendship, he still seemed tobeher friend. Her best friend. He still seemed to actually want to spend time with her despite the fact that there were millions of other girls, and guys, who wanted his time and his friendship, and certainly everything else he had to offer. Despite all of that, all of them, he still called her his best friend. Every day Aura tried to figure out why he hadn¡¯t cut her out of his luxurious new life, but she was so fearful of the day when he would, she would never dare to ask him why he hadn¡¯t yet. The thought was terrifying to her, as so many other things were as well.

    As her eyes opened she was immediately aware that her subconscious brain had somehow gotten its way during her four or five hour slumber. That traitorous brain of hers had moved her closer to her companion as she slept. When she regained consciousness she found herself nestled against Adan, her head resting on his shoulder as the two slept. Forcing herself not to move as quickly as her panicked mind wanted to, she gently moved back as slowly as she could, until she was seated on her knees a few safe inches away from where his head rested against the back of the sofa, his infuriatingly gorgeous dark brown eyes still thankfully closed.

    Still angry that he could have woken first, forcing her to stumble through some explanation for why she had been cuddled up with him as they slept, Aura tossed a long disheveled black-dyed lock over her shoulder. She bit her lip as she forced her eyes away from Adan and moved them around the apartment and to the window where the sun had just come up outside. Remembering why she was even still there in his apartment, she tried to stifle a small sigh.

    Adan was only seventeen as well, but this washisapartment. Thanks to that ambition and confidence he had found his way into the spotlight. He was incredibly talented even when they were only children. He was able to sing, model and act his way to the top of what was a cutthroat business for even adult actors. He had done talent shows, school plays, musicals, modeling jobs and even commercials before they even reached middle school. Then the modeling jobs and acting jobs garnered him even more fame, money and adoration.

    First there were some small roles in movies which then led to even more opportunities. Adan was barely fourteen when he got a recurring role on a musical teen sitcom. After all, he could sing, act, and make millions fall in love with those dark eyes, long black locks, and the body that Aura had to force herself to stop staring at on a minute by minute basis ever since puberty blessed him with it. Then by the time he was sixteen, he got the male lead in a dark teen drama which was just about to start filming its now second season, or at least that had been the plan.

    But plans do sometimes change. And this time the change was big, worldwide even. Two weeks ago, Adan had invited her to see his very first apartment. It was true that he wasn¡¯t technically an adult yet. He had only turned seventeen two months earlier and Aura technically came to visit him for her seventeenth birthday, only twoweeksprior. The plan had been for her to celebrate her birthday weekend there with him at the apartment. He had moved in to make it easier to make those five am call times for the second season of his show. Otherwise, he would have had to spend another season commuting from his parents¡¯ home in their old neighborhood, which was a little over an hour outside of Los Angeles.

    Then the world changed. And no one was even allowed to leave their homes anymore ¡°for their own safety.¡± And this government imposed lock-down in response to the virus that had already claimed hundreds of thousands of lives was even more stringent in a place like L.A. So, she was supposed to spend a birthday weekend with her closest friend and it had now turned into a quarantine that had lasted two weeks already with no sign of it ending any time soon. And the current state of the world and her present situation did nothing to reduce Aura¡¯s anxiety and even guilt about being there at all.

    As she thought about their current situation and tried to hide that small sigh, Adan stirred, and her anxiety levels rose once more. Yes he was her best friend, and she wanted to spend every moment with him. But it was still a much easier thing to do when he was unconscious. Then she didn¡¯t have to worry that every time she let herself meet his gaze he would see inside her and laugh her out of his life. Not that she evencouldleave his life now, even if she wanted to. He was stuck with her now, just her. And that fact made her feel guilty too. Now that they had no choice but to be in each other¡¯s company, the fear of him realizing how she truly felt and wanting to end their friendship was a million times worse.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Adan murmured, barely opening his eyes yet as a small smile attempted to curl the corners of that mouth of his. ¡°We fell asleep I assume?¡± he asked as he reached up to wipe that sleep from his dark eyes.

    ¡°I guess so,¡± she concurred, her voice barely a whisper.

    ¡°Were we watching something of mine then?¡± he teased as he smiled over at where she still stiffly sat on her knees in a plain black tee and equally dark jeans.

    ¡°No,¡± she assured, as she cast her eyes down, trying not to smile at the humility he still managed despite all his success.

    He smiled over at her again as he pushed a long black shoulder length lock behind his shoulder. Luckily he wasn¡¯t forced to cut his hair for his current role of the misunderstood bad boy; something he was rather good at playing. And it was even more impressive when placed next to his normally optimistic and playful personality off screen. Then again, why wouldn¡¯t he be optimistic, with all the success he had managed at such a young age? Of course, that was before. But still, seeing him play such a dark character when she knew what he was normally like, just went to prove how good an actor he really was.

    ¡°You¡¯re a woman of few words,¡± he teased as he moved to reach past her to the end table where a since forgotten bowl of popcorn had gone stale in the night.

    Not seeming to notice that Aura had tensed even more as he reached past her, Adan returned to his previous position and started on a handful of the popcorn. After a few bites he glanced back at where she continued to stare wordlessly at the cushion between them.

    Adan narrowed his eyes and decided to be the one to break the silence, as he was definitely more outgoing than her, even when she wasn¡¯t a bundle of nerves, which seemed her normal state for the past few years.

    ¡°Been up long?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± she asked as she dared to glance up at him for the briefest moment.

    ¡°I was just wondering if you heard anything else about the virus and the lock down and everything yet this morning?¡±

    ¡°Um no, I just woke up too,¡± Aura managed, though her eyes were once again on anything but him.

    ¡°Well at least you finally passed out,¡± he returned.

    The words caused her to shoot another look back at him. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve barely slept since coming to visit me. I was starting to worry,¡± he replied without pause.

    She swallowed again, her eyes once again turning from him. ¡°I can never sleep in a new place. I have a hard enough time sleeping at home let alone...¡± another nervous pause, ¡°in a new place,¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Well, the way this quarantine is going, you should be used to this place in no time,¡± he replied as he held the bowl out to her, as she only shook her head in response to the offer.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she blurted out a moment later.

    ¡°For what?¡± Adan smiled back at her. ¡°The stale popcorn? No worries. This lock down might actually be the thing that makes me learn to cook. No craft service here after all,¡± he added wryly.

    ¡°I mean, for you know, being here,¡± she managed in an even smaller voice.

    ¡°Being here?¡± he asked with another perplexed look.

    ¡°You know, being here, in your apartment, during all this. When we can¡¯t you know, leave. I mean, I was only supposed to be here for one weekend and...¡±

    ¡°The weekend I invited you to spend here?¡± he returned in a teasing tone.

    ¡°Well you couldn¡¯t have known that this was gonna happen when you invited me, and now...¡±

    ¡°Neither did you. Unless of course it was one of your parents¡¯ crazy theories,¡± he then allowed a feigned look of worry. ¡°It wasn¡¯t, was it?¡±

    Aura took a moment to determine whether he was serious or not. Though she knew him better than just about anyone else, she also knew how well he could fool anyone about his thoughts or feelings. After all, that was in his job description.

    ¡°They¡¯ve had many crazy theories. Virus wiping out the world is a pretty popular one. Of course, I don¡¯t think they knew it was happening two weeks ago. I seriously doubt they would have let their only daughter go visit... anyone, if they had actually thought that one was coming true right now.¡±

    ¡°Well is the world officially wiped out yet?¡± he attempted lightness, though the world¡¯s situation was indeed dire right then.

    ¡°They locked down Hollywood. That¡¯s gotta be the end of the world,¡± Aura made the attempt at returning his humor, though it was a slightly dark subject to find humor in.

    Before their conversation could continue, her cell phone buzzed, causing them both to turn their eyes toward where it sat on the end table.

    ¡°See, cell towers still work. We¡¯re not at the apocalypse quite yet,¡± Adan teased as she reached for her phone.

    ¡°Speaking of my parents...¡± Aura mumbled before answering the call.

    ¡°Where are you right now?¡± was her mother¡¯s greeting.

    Aura narrowed her eyes at the question, but replied. ¡°Same place I¡¯ve been for the last two weeks, mom. That whole quarantine thing?¡± she added with a wry tone of her own.

    ¡°Adan has a car, right?¡± her mother continued without pause.

    ¡°A few actually. Mom why do you sound even more freaked out than usual? Did something else happen?¡± Aura asked with concern, though rolled her eyes slightly to keep her worry from spreading to Adan just yet.

    ¡°You remember how to get to the bunker?¡± her mother continued in the same panicked tone.

    ¡°What?¡± Aura exclaimed, ¡°Come on mom. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s quite that bad. I mean as long...¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s worse. Get him to take you there, now.¡±

    Aura scoffed to cover her own worry. Her parents had always leaned a bit toward conspiracy theories and survivalist tendencies. Her father had even acquired a bunker after having reconnected with an old military friend who apparently was even more convinced that the world was about to end. But her mother usually just humored her father and never seemed quite as convinced. But now it was her mother who was in full panic mode, and that did nothing to calm Aura¡¯s already raw nerves.

    ¡°There¡¯s a lock down mom. Even if we wanted to go anywhere...¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not actually enforcing it. It¡¯s too late for that anyway.¡±

    ¡°Too late?¡± Aura shook her head again. ¡°Mom, what the hell are you even talking about?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just under three hours away. You need to go, now,¡± her mother repeated.

    ¡°Not until you tell me what this is about, mom. Convince me that the lock down just hasn¡¯t driven you guys to drink or something. Come on. I need more than ¡®go now.¡¯¡±

    Her mother sighed in frustration. ¡°The virus was only the beginning. You have to trust me. Your father¡¯s friend Reese just called cause he knows we have the bunker. Just believe me when I say you have to go, now. Get there before noon, Aura. You have to.¡±

    ¡°Before...?¡± but before Aura could finish her sentence, the call cut off.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°I still can¡¯t believe no one tried to keep us from leaving the garage, let alone the city,¡± Adan was saying to Aura as he followed her into a heavily wooded area less than three hours later.

    ¡°Mom said they weren¡¯t enforcing it,¡± she replied distractedly as she tried to remember the proper path through the woods to their destination. After all, the bunker was her father¡¯s pet project. She had only been there herself when he first acquired it, then again when he deemed it ''finished.''

    ¡°I thought for sure they would be, but I guess people are following it anyway. There was barely any traffic. It¡¯s just past nine now and we¡¯re already here,¡± Adan continued. He then took another wary look around the forest as he moved to keep up with Aura. ¡°Wherever here is,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding under his breath.

    ¡°The bunker my crazy dad bought, remember?¡±

    ¡°Yeah but I honestly thought you were joking when you told me. I mean, who does that?¡± Adan continued as he glanced back toward the road which was no longer even in sight anymore.

    ¡°My crazy dad,¡± she said in a tone designed to try and hide her own worry.

    Adan shook his head and continued to follow her deeper into the woods. ¡°OK, so he has a bunker, but still not quite sure why we¡¯re going there now. Last I heard the virus wasn¡¯t airborne yet, and they¡¯re supposedly working on a cure, right?¡±

    ¡°Supposedly,¡± Aura mumbled as she pressed onward past a vaguely familiar looking patch of trees.

    ¡°Now you¡¯re starting to sound like them,¡± Adan teased.

    Aura finally halted long enough to look back at him. ¡°I¡¯ve been the one saying my parents are nuts for years now. But you didn¡¯t hear her Adan. She sounded really upset and then...¡± she just shook her head and began moving again.

    ¡°Then?¡± he coaxed as he continued following her to this secret destination of hers.

    ¡°The whole ¡®too late now¡¯ and ¡®get there by noon¡¯ shit? And she hasn¡¯t answered any of my calls since we left. There¡¯s definitely something weird going on,¡± Aura told him, trying to puzzle it out herself, despite the panic that was already inherent in her before the last two weeks had nudged the entire world a little closer to panic mode.

    ¡°So you think your parents are crazy but we¡¯re the ones in the woods looking for some bunker?¡± Adan tried to keep his tone light, but that was becoming increasingly more difficult, even for him.

    Aura shook her head again. ¡°I¡¯m guessing they plan to meet us there. And maybe Reese too. I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t understand any of this. I just know how scared she sounded.¡±

    Adan sighed and was quiet for another few steps before his own well hidden worry made him speak again. ¡°And who¡¯s Reese again?¡± Another pause. ¡°Wait, is he that military friend of your dad¡¯s?¡±

    ¡°The same,¡± Aura continued in her muffled tone.

    ¡°So some crazy military survivalist guy tells your mom to send her seventeen year old daughter to a bunker in the middle of the woods by noon, and she does it? And we¡¯re going? How does that not sound just a little sketch to you?¡± he couldn¡¯t help asking, causing her to turn back to him once more.

    Though this time the upset on her face was clear, as well as the tears in the corner of her light blue eyes. ¡°You can go back in you want. Mom just told me to get you to bring me here. You don¡¯t have to stay if you really think it¡¯s all just a joke. But it will be noon before you get back to your fancy apartment. So, do you wanna risk it not being just some paranoid delusion of theirs? After what¡¯s already happened? She also said the virus was just the beginning. And the virus is definitely real.¡±

    Adan sighed softly and managed a small smile. ¡°You don¡¯t like my apartment?¡±

    ¡°Adan,¡± Aura returned in a scolding tone.

    He gave her another smile before continuing. ¡°Hey I went from Hollywood craziness to being locked inside with junk food and Netflix for the last two weeks. I could use an adventure. I just think we should take this all with a grain of salt. Your parents are a little out there, Aura. You know that.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Yeah if only they were crazy stage parents like yours, instead of survivalist nuts. Yours are much more sane.¡±

    ¡°Touche,¡± he smiled again.

    Aura then sighed as they continued through the trees. ¡°Though my parents forcing me to be rich and famous instead of paranoid would probably have been a nice change. Not that I could ever have accomplished all the things you did.¡±

    ¡°You never know. You could always go to some auditions too. I know some people,¡± he teased.

    She just scoffed. ¡°Please, even if I had any talent I don¡¯t have anything else Hollywood is interested in. Especially for a girl,¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°What, implants?¡± he smirked.

    ¡°For starters,¡± she grimaced as they continued on.

    ¡°Well if you really want ¡¯em, I could spot you the cash,¡± he teased again.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she returned as she shook her head.

    ¡°Not that you need em, I...¡± he just shook his head and took a breath. ¡°We there yet?¡±

    She then cast him a wary look, ¡°You¡¯ve thought about whether or not I need implants?¡± she asked, not sure whether she wanted to smile or hide.

    ¡°No,¡± he laughed. ¡°well not really.¡±

    ¡°Not really?¡± she asked a little louder than she meant to.

    ¡°I mean I haven¡¯t...¡± he just shook his head. ¡°How did this conversation get started again?¡±

    ¡°We were talking about being a girl in Hollywood. You know, your natural habitat.¡±

    Adan couldn¡¯t help a chuckle. ¡°Believe me, there¡¯s nothing natural about Hollywood.¡±

    ¡°Especially the boobs,¡± Aura mumbled as she forced herself to turn back to the path ahead of them.

    Adan smirked again as he moved to continue following her, though couldn¡¯t help a quick glance toward her chest. He was a seventeen year old guy talking about breasts after all. It was almost impossible for him not to look at the only set in the vicinity, even if they were hidden behind a plain black tee instead of some low cut sequinned number.

    When they finally came to a small clearing, Aura checked her phone once more. ¡°I just don¡¯t get why she¡¯s not answering. I mean she could at least send a text,¡± she complained as she moved her eyes around the clearing trying to find the rather well hidden hatch that she was pretty sure was there, but it had been a while since her second and last visit to the place.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a reason,¡± Adan attempted.

    ¡°But is it a good one?¡± Aura mumbled as she began kicking at some leaves in search of the entrance they were looking for.

    ¡°Well it¡¯s not even nine thirty. Guess we at least have two and a half hours til the world ends or whatever. Plenty of time for your parents or crazy Reese to call or show up... or for us to find this bunker,¡± he added as he followed her lead and kicked at some leaves as well despite not having any honest idea of what he was looking for.

    After another few moments, Aura finally found the hatch and wasn¡¯t sure if that honestly made her feel any better. ¡°Well, here it is.¡±

    ¡°Wow, he really has a bunker,¡± was Adan¡¯s only response as he moved to take a closer look.

    ¡°Last chance, Adan,¡± Aura made herself say before kneeling next to the entrance.

    ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°If you really think this is all just my parents being crazy, you don¡¯t have to go in there with me. But...¡± her voice just trailed off as her eyes moved to the ground.

    ¡°Well, does it like lock behind us or what?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a bunker,¡± was her simple response.

    ¡°So that¡¯s a yes, then?¡± Adan returned, his voice finally showing some of that nervousness that was so rare in him.

    ¡°I completely understand if you don¡¯t wanna do this. But if there really is something about to happen out here that we need to be in there to avoid?¡± she sniffled slightly.

    Aura honestly didn¡¯t want to force him to come inside with her. She already felt guilty about him being trapped in that apartment with her for the past two weeks. And that was very different from being locked in that bunker with her would be. After all, Adan had everything he could ever want out there. At least if the world ever returned to normal. But if her parents were right and something horrible was about to happen, she couldn¡¯t bear the thought of him not being saved from it, whatever it even was.

    Adan thought a moment as his eyes moved around the forest. He took a deep breath. ¡°Well it¡¯s not noon yet, shouldn¡¯t we wait for your parents or Reese if the door really is gonna lock behind us?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not calling back,¡± Aura sniffled again.

    ¡°But we should still probably wait though, right? I mean, I really wanna hear from them too before...¡± he just glanced at the entrance to finish his sentence.

    Aura attempted to compose herself before responding. Though she had nearly lost all hope at this point, as she barely had any on normal days. She supposed she should at least give them time to call or arrive and explain what was so dire that it required her dragging him out there to the middle of nowhere.

    ¡°Well it won¡¯t be a secret bunker if we¡¯re sitting out here. We should probably at least wait inside the outer door. We can postpone going through the inner door til closer to noon though I guess. I just hope whatever might happen doesn¡¯t happen any earlier,¡± she added with another shaky breath.

    ¡°So, there¡¯s an inner door too? And it¡¯s the one that locks behind us?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a bunker,¡± she repeated as she moved to pull up the hatch door, coughing a bit at the dust that came loose as she did.

    ¡°Guess I need to do more movies or shows about the apocalypse,¡± he mumbled as he moved to follow her hesitantly.

    ¡°Or just watch them. Like the rest of us mere mortals,¡± she attempted humor in the face of their entire situation.

    ¡°Well, my schedule seems pretty clear these days. Does this place have a TV?¡±

    She just managed a smile and started down the steel stairs into the darkness below. Adan took another breath, another glance back at the outside world and then followed her downwards.

 Chapter 3

    It was just past eleven thirty when Adan finally looked up from the latest distraction on his phone. It was the sound of Aura¡¯s water bottle rolling away from her across the metal floor that had caused him to glance her way. The two were seated against opposite walls at the foot of the steel stairs, his phone being their primary source of light right then. Opposite the stairs was a thick steel door with a metal plate next to it, likely covering the computerized access to the bunker itself.

    Aura had released the bottle from her white knuckled grip in order to move her hands to her face, trying to hide another sniffle as she wiped at her eyes behind the mussed black locks she often used to hide her face.

    Sensing his dark eyes on her, though not looking up to meet them, she managed to find her voice. ¡°It¡¯s been two hours since my last text. They¡¯re still not here and still not answering. Why did she say we had to get here if they weren¡¯t planning to come here too? I don¡¯t get it. Why can¡¯t she even answer?¡± she repeated desperately.

    Adan sighed sadly. It was eleven thirty and noon was supposedly the time they just had to get inside the bunker by. Though why was still something neither of them had managed to find out yet. ¡°It is almost noon¡± he replied in a soft tone. Her only response was another sniffle. ¡°I assume our phones won¡¯t work in there¡± he gestured to the heavy door. ¡°Call her one last time, just to see if she finally answers?¡±

    ¡°One last time¡± the words were choked in her throat.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean...¡± though his voice trailed off. He doubted any way he ended that sentence would really matter at that point anyway.

    Aura only let out another shaky breath and moved to call her mom¡¯s number once more. Already prepared to hear it go to voice mail yet again, she was startled when her mother¡¯s voice, broken though it was, greeted her.

    ¡°Why are you calling? It¡¯s almost noon! Why aren¡¯t you in the bunker?¡± her mother exclaimed hoarsely, the panic clear.

    ¡°Mom?¡± she swallowed hard, as Adan looked up, just as shocked that she had gotten through finally as well. ¡°We¡¯re here, right outside. But why aren¡¯t you and dad here? You said we had to get here, but you¡¯re not? Why did you tell us we had to come if you weren¡¯t coming too?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t¡± her mother¡¯s words were more of a sob.

    ¡°What do you mean you can¡¯t?¡± Aura asked as Adan leaned forward, only able to hear her side of the conversation, but that was worrying enough.

    ¡°It¡¯s too late honey. Your father and I... It¡¯s too late for us, but not for you. You have to get inside, now!¡± she repeated desperately.

    ¡°What the hell do you mean too late?¡± Aura bit back, her own fear hardening her tone.

    ¡°Please Aura. Get inside. We love you so...¡± and then the call cut out again, as more tears ran down Aura¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Adan asked desperately as he moved toward her.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t fucking know¡± Aura cried as he moved to place his hands on her now shaking shoulders. ¡°She just kept telling me to get inside. Said it was too late for her and dad¡± she added through a sob of her own.

    Adan swallowed hard as he looked up the steps toward the hatch above then back at the thick door next to them. ¡°Then I guess we need to get inside¡± he whispered.

    ¡°You believe there¡¯s really something about to happen now?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know either, Aura. But I know that they¡¯re not here for some reason, so that kind of makes me not wanna risk not believing them anymore¡± he admitted as he helped her to her feet.

    ¡°You really wanna risk being trapped in there... with me? For who knows how long?¡±

    Adan managed a small smile of disbelief that that was her question. ¡°I¡¯d rather risk that than whatever the hell your mom is so scared of.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± she asked as she looked up into his eyes at last.

    ¡°Eleven forty, Aura.¡±

    She let out another deep shaky breath and took a step toward the metal plate next to the thick door. She then reached up to the key she had worn around her neck since her father gave it to her years ago. She gave Adan one more look and turned the key in the small lock above the metal plate. It slid downwards, revealing the computer screen Adan had only suspected it was hiding when they had first reached the bottom of the stairs earlier.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    She then entered a code and stepped forward to allow the laser scanner to move over her face. ¡°And you haven¡¯t been here for years?¡± was all Adan could say as the green access light flashed.

    ¡°My father drilled how to get in into my head. Said only me or him or mom could get the door open¡± was her brief explanation as the door began to unseal for them.

    ¡°Well this is very sci-fi¡± Adan attempted lightness once more, despite how dire that phone call truly had sounded.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bunker¡± Aura repeated with a failed attempt at a smile as the door slid open to allow them access and possibly save them from whatever her parents were convinced was coming, and keep them safe inside... for who knew how long.

    As they passed through the heavy steel door it slid shut behind them, sealing itself back into place. They were now standing in a short well lit corridor. On either side of the entryway were large glass cases with various survival supplies from hazmat suits to weapons. Adan¡¯s eyes widened as he took a step further inside, moving his eyes over the cases¡¯ contents.

    ¡°Wow, your dad really was convinced of this doomsday thing¡± he stated absently, his eyes moving from the cases to the heavy steel doors at the other end of the corridor as well, then back to where Aura looked up at him. She had since slumped down into a seat on one of the steel benches in front of either case.

    ¡°Was?¡± she whispered, the word choked in her throat.

    ¡°Is. I meant is¡± Adan told her apologetically.

    ¡°If something horrible really is about to happen, your parents are out there too, Adan. And you¡¯re stuck in here, with me. How can you be this calm?¡±

    ¡°There we are with the ¡®stuck¡¯ again¡± he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve chosen to be stuck with you since we were three, Aura. Get used to it¡± he attempted lightness again as he took a seat on the bench as well.

    She just took another shaky breath, her eyes on the steel beneath their feet again. ¡°And your parents?¡±

    ¡°The parents who were OK with their seventeen year old getting emancipated so he could have his own apartment and be on the set twenty hours a day?¡± he reminded her of his less than close relationship with his parents since he had decided that he wanted to control his own career. He still paid their bills for them, so they were surprisingly accepting of him making the move to gain his independence.

    ¡°Well they may be crazy parents too. But their crazy is what pushed you to all your success. And they¡¯re still your parents. And they¡¯re still out there. And...¡±

    ¡°And we still don¡¯t even know what it is that we¡¯re even hiding from. It can¡¯t just be the virus. The whole world has been hiding from that for weeks. And they didn¡¯t need bunkers to do it. So I guess I¡¯m just waiting til I actually know what this catastrophe is before I let myself press my inner panic button¡± he told her with another attempt at a smile and a hopefully comforting hand on her shoulder.

    As was always the case any time he shared even the most innocent of contact with her, Aura¡¯s heart began racing even faster than her distress had already had it going. She silently cursed herself for that reaction to his touch. They had much bigger problems to think about right then, even if Adan wasn¡¯t quite convinced of that fact just yet.

    ¡°My panic button is always pressed¡± she managed, though the words were a mumble.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware¡± he smiled over at her as he gave her shoulder a squeeze which continued to do nothing to calm her.

    ¡°So you still think this could all just be my parents¡¯ paranoia? Really?¡±

    ¡°I came inside, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. If you don¡¯t believe there¡¯s any real danger, why did you?¡± Aura returned. At this point she had to keep talking just to avoid thinking. Avoiding thinking was honestly the only way she ever got through any day, let alone this one.

    ¡°Better safe than sorry, right?¡± Adan shrugged, finally removing his hand from her shoulder, which barely put a dent in her anxiety levels at this point.

    ¡°Pretty sure that if there isn¡¯t any actual danger you might be pretty sorry to be trapped in here¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°Trapped?¡± he repeated, a bit of his worry finally breaking into his tone.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bunker, Adan. It¡¯s designed for nuclear fallout and who knows whatever else. Once that door sealed, we can¡¯t just open it again after a few hours.¡±

    Adan swallowed slightly as he looked back at the door in question. ¡°So, when exactly can we open it again?¡±

    ¡°Fuck, Adan!¡± she said as she stood and buried her face in her hands again. ¡°I told you to only come in if you really meant it!¡±

    ¡°That long, huh?¡± he swallowed again as he leaned back against the glass case behind him, his eyes somberly moving over the door again.

    ¡°Great, now you¡¯re trapped in here with me, where you really don¡¯t wanna be. That¡¯s gonna make this go really well¡± she whimpered, more to herself. She was now nearly biting a hole in her lip, unable to look back to see the upset and disappointment that she was sure was on his gorgeous face right then.

    ¡°Aura calm down. We were already trapped in my apartment, right?¡±

    She just scoffed. ¡°We walked right out the door. I¡¯d hardly call that trapped¡± she mumbled, the despair still obvious in her voice.

    Adan sighed and looked around again. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you stopped taking your meds again?¡±

    She finally turned back long enough to give him a look of disbelief. ¡°And that so doesn¡¯t make me sound like a crazy person¡± she scolded sarcastically.

    ¡°You know I mean your anxiety meds, come on¡± he stated apologetically.

    ¡°And you know why I quit taking them. The only way they make you stop feeling like this is to make you stop feeling everything. Might as well be dead¡± she added in a bitter whisper.

    ¡°Well good. And when you add in today, I guess we can officially say that you don¡¯t actually want to be dead¡± he stated plainly.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked as she looked back at him in confusion.

    ¡°You always talk like you think being dead is the only way to fix your life, ironically. But if you wanted that, really, you wouldn¡¯t care about feeling nothing. And you sure as hell wouldn¡¯t have convinced me to come here with you to keep us from dying, right?¡±

    ¡°You really think I came here cause I was afraid of dying?¡±

    Adan was the one with the perplexed look then. ¡°Pretty sure that was the overarching theme of our little morning road trip, wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    She just shook her head, trying to find the words to clarify to him why she was so desperate to get him to bring her to this place, if there truly was some disaster about to occur. Only before she could find any of those words, the world shook as the sounds of explosions began all around them, out there.

 Chapter 4

    ¡°What the hell is going on out there?¡± Adan asked the question in both of their heads as the muffled sounds of distant gunfire, explosions, helicopters, jets and even more unrecognizable noises continued outside.

    ¡°Something...¡± Aura breathed, both their worried eyes locked to the door they now stood inside.

    ¡°Thanks¡± he said, his own fear sharpening the sarcasm of his response. He then shook his head and moved toward the computer screen on the inside of the door. ¡°What¡¯s the code?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asked as she gave him a worried look.

    ¡°To get the door open¡± he bit back.

    ¡°You can¡¯t¡± she reminded.

    ¡°But you can. Come on, open it¡± he told her impatiently.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be seriously thinking of going out there. Come on Adan.¡±

    ¡°We need to know what the fuck is going on. Like you said, our parents, and everyone else, they¡¯re still out there!¡± he told her urgently.

    ¡°To answer your earlier question,¡± Aura tried to force calm into her voice, ¡°yes there¡¯s a TV in there.¡± She gestured to the doors behind them. ¡°And I think we might wanna try turning it on before going back out there, even if we could¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°You really can¡¯t open the door?¡±

    ¡°You really don¡¯t get that we shouldn¡¯t, even if I actually could? Come on¡± she ordered with all the strength she could muster as she grabbed his wrist and led him back toward the doors to the actual bunker itself.

    As they stepped inside, he couldn¡¯t even allow himself a moment to take in their surroundings, extensive as they were. What was important now was figuring out what actually was going on. And taking note of how much like an actual home, and a nice one at that, the bunker looked like, was hardly a first priority.

    Everything was white or black or metallic or glass. It looked look something out of modern architecture. Never mind the fact that they were nearly a hundred feet underground. But the awe of their new home would have to wait. Aura quickly turned on the television, and both turned their rapt attention to the screen in an attempt to understand any of what was going on outside right at that very moment.

    <hr>

    It was nearly midnight when the news coverage cut out, only to be replaced by the looping emergency broadcast message. Her mother had said that the virus was only the beginning and it had been true. Once it was discovered that the virus was a manufactured weapon specifically used to thin the herd, so to speak, the retaliatory attack was scheduled for noon that day. Or more precisely, the war.

    And it wasn¡¯t any war. It was global. And it wasn¡¯t one country fighting another. Their enemy was something completely different, and something completely superior. By the time the news signal was lost, almost nothing was left up there for them, anywhere. Their world was outmatched, entirely. Extinction nearly assured, and all but confirmed.

    Adan and Aura sat there on the sofa inside their bunker: Their home now. They clenched each other¡¯s hands, staring in horror at the message flashing across the screen, reflecting off the tears running down both their faces now.

    ¡°I guess they weren¡¯t crazy after all¡± were the only words Adan could manage then, though they came out as a choked whisper.

    Aura blinked back more tears as there was now no reason to correct his use of the past tense when referring to her parents this time. But she couldn¡¯t form any more thoughts than that right then. The shock was too great, and no words would even matter at that moment, even if any could be found.

    <hr>

    Having long since reached, and passed, their mental breaking points for the day, Aura¡¯s and Adan¡¯s exhaustion didn¡¯t take a lot longer to cause them to fall into a fitful sleep. There they were again, asleep together on another sofa, in another place, but in a world that was no longer their own. If it could even be called a world anymore at all now.

    At one side of the main living area of the bunker were the steel double doors they had entered through. At the other side were a set of glass doors that led to a long, narrow hall and the other rooms of their new home. Directly across that hall from the main living area was a dining area. To the right of the dining area was the kitchen, pantry and freezer. Further down the hall from that were the hydroponic gardens and the room which controlled such things as water and air supply for the bunker, which was meant to be able to support a small family for years if need be.

    To the left of the dining area were the bathroom and bedrooms. There were two bedrooms, as the place had been designed for only sustaining a family of three or four until the world would be safe for them again. However long that would even be, as all they could do when designing the place was guess at what tragedy might send them into it.

    Once the two were safely asleep, he appeared in the hallway between the living and dining areas. He stepped through the glass doors and into the living area silently, not seeming to disturb either of the teens, despite how fitful their sleep seemed to be. He moved toward the sofa and looked down at them for a long moment, almost studying them. After a time, he leaned closer, as if trying to see inside their very minds as they slept. Several more minutes of observing them and he moved away, once again disappearing through the glass doors, silently.

    With the same stealth and silence he moved into the bathroom. He stopped in front of the mirror for a long moment, concentrating deeply. Finally, dark brown eyes looked up at his own reflection, taking it in.

    Like Adan, he had deep brown eyes and long black locks. He appeared to be only slightly older than his sleeping companions in the other room. His body was toned, his clothing a simple black button down shirt and matching jeans and boots. Also like Adan, he had the slightly darker complexion that made one wonder if he had Native American blood in him, which Adan did, though rather diluted by his generation. Though the presence of it was still obvious to the trained eye.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    He took an unsure breath as his eyes studied his own reflection almost as intently as he had studied the sleeping teenagers moments earlier. Now all that was left was to decide how to make his presence known to either of them, and when. Though that prospect would be more than a bit of a difficult one, considering their current situation and the state of this world they were all now possibly among the last inhabitants of.

    <hr>

    Aura was the first to wake the next morning. Her overactive brain usually never let her get more than a couple hours of sleep at a time. Due to that fact, she wasn¡¯t sure it even was morning. And it wasn¡¯t like she could just look out a window to find out. She¡¯d never do that again. She then glanced in the direction of a desk in the corner of the room with a computer and multiple monitors. There were hidden cameras outside the bunker, or at least there used to be. So she could technically find out if it was indeed morning now. Though she honestly wasn¡¯t sure she was ready to see what was outside, if anything even still was.

    This time she and Adan had fallen asleep over opposite arms of the sofa. So at least she would be saved from having to try to scamper away from him before he awoke to avoid having to apologize for any subconscious cuddling this time. On that thought, she sniffled again, her guilt inching its way into the swirling mess of anxiety, despair and hopelessness that had already taken up permanent residence inside her brain.

    ¡°We fell asleep in front of the TV again¡± Adan mumbled as he woke a few moments later. He once again wiped sleep from his eyes and glared at the emergency broadcast message that was still the only thing displayed on the screen. With more force than necessary, he clicked the off button on the remote and tossed it aside. ¡°Guess nothing has changed after all¡± he mumbled with bitter sarcasm.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, again¡± were all the words she could come up with right then.

    ¡°For what this time? Did you end the world?¡± he sighed as his eyes moved to the floor, where her gaze had already been locked.

    ¡°You know what¡± she whispered back.

    ¡°Are you seriously apologizing for keeping me from dying?¡± Adan returned as he looked over at her.

    ¡°No, I just... I know you didn¡¯t wanna get...¡±

    ¡°Stop, Aura. We¡¯re way past any of that. We¡¯re way past everything. Literally¡± he finished with another somber sigh as his eyes moved back to the steel doors.

    ¡°I just don¡¯t know what to say¡± she whispered apologetically.

    ¡°Who would? I sure as hell don¡¯t. No script this time¡± he shook his head as he finally allowed his dark eyes to move around the room and take in their surroundings at last.

    Another long moment passed before Aura forced herself to attempt to find any more words. ¡°We haven¡¯t eaten for like, a whole day. We should probably do that at some point, right?¡±

    ¡°Not really hungry¡± he mumbled as he stood and took another look around the room. ¡°I think I just wanna take a long, cold shower, and hope it wakes me up. Cause this can¡¯t fuckin be real. Any of it¡± he stated, still not meeting her eyes as his mind had now fully moved into denial mode.

    ¡°Adan...¡±

    ¡°Please tell me this place has running water, or any damn water?¡± he asked, finally allowing the briefest look back at where she still curled her knees to her chest at the end of the sofa.

    ¡°Of course it does, there¡¯s enough water for...¡± she swallowed again, ¡°a long time. And even if it runs out, then there¡¯s a sort of recycling system that kicks in to make more.¡±

    ¡°Water recycled from what?¡± he asked. He then paused a moment. ¡°Never mind. I doubt I want to know.¡± He then simply shook his head again, the denial and hopelessness having a dogfight inside his beautiful head.

    He then looked around once more, as if searching for something. ¡°The bathroom is through there¡± she offered, gesturing to the glass doors. ¡°First door on the left.¡±

    After Adan had gone in search of the bathroom, Aura made herself get to her booted feet as well. She sighed heavily and shuffled through the glass doors, heading for the kitchen to ponder what their meals would even be like from this point on. She honestly didn¡¯t feel like eating either, despite the ache in her empty stomach, But she just couldn¡¯t think clearly enough to come up with any other plan for the day. The first day of many endless days. Unless of course another tragedy occurred and the bunker was breached and their days came to an end as well. Just like everyone else¡¯s had.

    Just as she reached for what she hoped would be a not terribly unpleasant breakfast, Adan yelled for her from down the hall, inside the bathroom. She furrowed her brow, dropped her prepackaged meal to the table and headed down the hall toward his voice.

    As the bathroom door opened, she swallowed hard as Adan was now standing in the tiny shower stall, door still open, fiddling angrily with the faucets, and now loosely holding a towel around his waist to cover only his midsection.

    ¡°I thought you said there was water¡± he stated, still not moving his attention from the unsuccessful turning of the faucets long enough to see how much trouble Aura was then having breathing, or pulling her eyes from his nearly naked body.

    ¡°What?¡± she choked on the word, painfully dragging her eyes back to his face.

    ¡°There¡¯s no water!¡± he stated worriedly as he gestured to the faucets after giving them another unsuccessful turn. Only then did he look up to see her current state of distraction written all over her face. ¡°You OK?¡± he asked as he narrowed his eyes at her.

    ¡°Uh... um...¡± she swallowed again trying to beat her brain into submission and remember the English language. ¡°You have to activate it first. From that panel. There¡¯s a timer after you do. It¡¯s a conservation thing¡± she managed to explain in a stammer, drawing on every bit of willpower to call all her father¡¯s instructions from years earlier back into her brain. And that task was beyond difficult at that very moment.

    ¡°A computerized shower?¡± He blinked with further disbelief at this new reality of theirs.

    Adan shook his head as he stepped out of the stall to stand in front of the panel she had shakily indicated earlier. He looked it over a moment, still using one hand to hold the towel around his waist, then glanced back at where Aura had lost the fight to keep her eyes above his shoulders. Not that staring at his face would have any chance of calming her either. It never did.

    Despite everything, Adan couldn¡¯t help biting back a small smile as he noted her eyes moving over him as she had appeared to have forgotten how to breathe yet again. ¡°A little help here?¡± he stated after biting back the smile and gesturing to the panel.

    ¡°What?¡± she choked again, her cheeks reddening as she yanked her eyes back up at the sound of his voice. ¡°Oh it¡¯s the button with the wavy blue lines. Aquarius, the water bearer, your sign¡± she fumbled through the explanation.

    ¡°That¡¯s a lotta words¡± he teased as he bit back another smirk and moved his eyes back to find the button in question. ¡°You sure you¡¯re feeling alright, Aura?¡± he asked as he looked back at her again.

    ¡°Well pardon me for finding it uncomfortable to have a conversation with someone when they¡¯re nearly naked¡± she stated defensively, looking down at the floor in a futile attempt to hide her reddened cheeks.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done movie and TV scenes pretty much dressed just like this. You¡¯ve seen them all I believe. Didn¡¯t think it would really matter now.¡±

    ¡°Shut up. That¡¯s way different.¡±

    ¡°It is?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Just take your damn shower!¡± was the only response she could find as she turned on her heel and fled from the tiny room and that smirk he was trying to hide. She was the one who needed to hide right then.

 Chapter 5

    It wasn¡¯t long before the computerized environmental systems of the bunker had determined that Adan had used the ¡®appropriate¡¯ amount of water for his shower and cut the supply off once more. He sighed and pushed wet locks from his eyes before stepping out of the stall again. He retrieved the towel and wrapped it about his waist yet again. He then gathered his discarded clothing into his arms and stepped out of the bathroom.

    Assuming Aura had made her way back to the main room, he glanced at the first of the other two doors down the left side of the main hall. With a breath he tapped lightly upon the door, just in case she had hidden herself away inside there instead. Upon receiving no response, he pushed the door open to the first of the two bedrooms. His eyes moved around the room, which looked pretty similar to any normal bedroom in any normal home, except for the decided lack of windows and the monochromatic metals that pervaded the style of the place. He sighed again and made his way toward the sturdy white dresser.

    Having found several one-size-fits-all tee shirts and sweatpants stored there, he set aside his much more stylish black v-neck designer sweater and leather pants from the day before, as well as his towel, and slid the sweatpants over his narrow and well tanned hips. Grasping one of the t-shirts in his hand rather than sliding it on while his shoulder length locks were still dripping, he moved out of the bedroom again and back in the direction of the glass doors that led to the main room.

    As he stepped back into the room, he found Aura burying her face against the knees which were once again pulled up to her chest. It appeared that she was once again trying her best to fight back the latest of her anxiety attacks, which had become even more frequent in the last twenty-four hours.

    He sighed softly, sadly, knowing that her anxiety had to be ten times worse than his, which was already pretty strong itself. He then swallowed and tried to think of anything he could say in an attempt to distract her from her own thoughts right then.

    ¡°Guessing the news isn¡¯t back on yet?¡± he asked.

    ¡°What do you think?¡± she mumbled against her knees, not looking back at the sound of his voice as she tried to get her breathing under control once again.

    Another soft sigh and a sad look over at her. ¡°So, the shower didn¡¯t work.¡±

    Still not lifting her head to look back at him, Aura furrowed her brow. ¡°What do you mean it didn¡¯t work?¡±

    ¡°To wake me up¡± he replied, hoping that maybe she¡¯d find the slightest bit of humor in him recalling his earlier comment to her. Not that humor was even remotely easy to come by after the horrors they had watched unfold on the TV screen the night before.

    ¡°If you really wanna know what¡¯s happening out there, feel free¡± she mumbled, finally lifting her head just enough to gesture to the computer in the corner of the room.

    But when Aura allowed the slightest glance in his direction to see the questioning look on his face, another hard lump formed in her throat. Her eyes moved over his bare torso as tiny rivulets of water dripped from his still wet hair, gliding down over his smooth tan chest, only to die upon contact with the waistband above where the sweatpants were almost obscenely clinging to his body.

    Though her face must have said more than her voice could at that moment, as he changed his next statement from asking her to clarify what exactly she was telling him about the computer and instead gave her a worried look.

    ¡°Seriously, Aura, are you OK?¡±

    ¡°Seriously, Adan, have you suddenly developed an allergy to wearing a shirt?¡± she bit back, her frazzled nerves leading to a harsh defensive tone to force down any of her current inner thoughts before they could become even more apparent.

    ¡°What?¡± he replied, then added, ¡°my hair¡¯s still wet so I...¡± She simply glared in response to his excuse and dragged her eyes away from him again. With another sigh, he pulled the shirt on over his wet locks, wrinkling his nose as he did. ¡°OK, my apparently extremely offensive body is now covered. So what were you saying about the computer?¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Offensive?¡± she scoffed loudly, then just shook her head and quickly moved on before he could say anything more. ¡°There used to be cameras outside. If they¡¯re still there, and functioning, you can use that to see the feed¡± she told him sharply, her tone not matching her words at all right then.

    It was then Adan who swallowed hard as he was beginning to wonder if there was going to be a whole new level of difficulty inherent in their current living situation; one that hadn¡¯t even occurred to him to worry about before seeing her obvious reactions to him that morning.

    Trying to compose his thoughts and move past the new worries he now had, he moved back to the other subject at hand. ¡°Well don¡¯t you wanna know what¡¯s going on outside too?¡±

    ¡°I think that was pretty apparent from the news last night. Wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    Adan sighed again as he took only a few steps further into the room. ¡°They only showed what was happening in the big cities. We¡¯re three hours from the nearest city. Things might be OK here.¡±

    ¡°OK?¡± she replied with a loud tone of disbelief.

    ¡°Well, maybe not ¡®OK¡¯ but probably better than it is in the cities.¡±

    ¡°Former cities¡± she mumbled before curling herself back into that tight little ball of anxiety again. With another sigh, he moved over to the computer to find out once and for all how ¡®OK¡¯ things really were right outside this new home of theirs.

    After nearly half an hour of watching the feeds from the four cameras hidden in the forest outside the bunker Adan let out a sound of resignation at not having found any more answers on the monitors either.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t see any smoking craters or mushroom clouds. That¡¯s promising, right?¡± he asked as he looked back at where she still sat on the sofa, Though now she was at least no longer curled into a ball, and instead just staring at the floor through watery eyes.

    Speaking in a numb tone, Aura managed a reply, ¡°I¡¯m sure everything¡¯s fine now and they all went home. Not like they had a reason for trying to wipe us all out with a virus. Sure they were just visiting and it was all a big misunderstanding. And all those people and buildings getting blown into nothingness on the news last night? They¡¯re all fine. And you can go back to filming first thing Monday morning.¡±

    ¡°Now you¡¯re just abusing sarcasm¡± he returned as he glared back at the monitors once more.

    ¡°What do you want me to say, Adan? What¡¯s even left to say? You saw the same things I saw. It¡¯s all gone. And oddly, you should be even more upset than me right now.¡±

    He looked back at her with another confused expression at that particular statement. ¡°When have I ever been more upset than you about like, anything?¡±

    ¡°The end of the world might be a good time to start.¡±

    Adan scoffed softly as he rose from the desk and moved toward the sofa. ¡°Pretty sure the end of the world would be pretty upsetting to everyone equally, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Pretty sure you lost a hell of a lot more than I did,¡± she sniffled sadly.

    <hr>

    A few hours later, the two found themselves sitting across the dining table from one another after having had a somewhat bland lunch. The silence of their meal continued well after they were both finished, though neither of them made any move to rise from their seats. It¡¯s not like they had anywhere else to be, or anywhere else they even could be.

    As was usual during any awkward silence between them, he was the first to speak. ¡°So, just tell me.¡±

    Aura looked up at him questioningly. ¡°Pardon?¡±

    He let out a soft sigh and decided to try a subtler approach. ¡°I¡¯m your best friend, right?¡± Her only response was narrowing her eyes at him from across the table. ¡°I¡¯ve been your best friend since my parents moved and I started going to daycare with you, right?¡±

    She shook her head over at him. ¡°Why the recap, Adan?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been your best friend for fourteen years, right? All through all the craziness of my career and becoming famous and moving to the city, and everything, haven¡¯t I?¡±

    She continued to give him a puzzled look before finding a response. ¡°Are we breaking up or something? Cause I gotta say, if so, your timing kinda sucks.¡±

    Adan couldn¡¯t help a smirk, sad though it was. ¡°I¡¯ve told you any time anything has ever been bothering me. It¡¯s the whole reason people even have friends. So why is it that you can¡¯t seem to tell me what¡¯s bothering you so much, right now?¡±

    She swallowed and tried to keep what little composure she could. ¡°You mean, aside from the whole apocalypse thing?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been way off, way upset, ever since lock down started, Aura. Even before whatever the hell is going on out there now.¡±

    ¡°Pretty sure the whole virus, lock down, quarantine thing had a lot of people acting ¡®way off¡¯¡± she responded, though she could feel that anxiety bubbling underneath, ready to explode at any moment.

    Adan just looked down sadly as she continued to evade and deflect his every attempt at getting her to open up to him. ¡°You still can¡¯t tell me, even now, can you?¡±

    Forcing back the urge to run, or cry, or both, she made herself speak, ¡°tell you what?¡±

    ¡°Why are you so scared to just be honest with me? Isn¡¯t your best friend supposed to be the one person it¡¯s OK to be honest with? What the hell are you so scared of now? Like you said earlier, what the hell¡¯s even left to lose now?¡±

    She took a long moment before she forced an answer, ¡°everything.¡±

 Chapter 6

    Not surprisingly, Aura rushed from the dining area after her answer. Adan was then left to adopt her more usual posture and bury his face against his arms as he leaned over the table. He had somehow thought that giving her permission to confess what was really going on in her head, and what was really responsible for her increasing discomfort over the last two weeks would actually make things easier. Though it didn¡¯t seem that easy was anywhere in the cards for either of them anymore.

    Several moments later, his inner worries were interrupted as she returned to the room once more. He looked up from the table with surprise at her timely return, considering the inherent fight or flight tendency that kicked in the moment she felt any loss of control.

    ¡°How about you tell me something?¡± she managed as she stood near his seat, arms wrapped around herself protectively.

    ¡°What would you like me to tell you?¡± he asked, trying not to sound too hopeful just yet.

    ¡°First, you¡¯re over the denial now? You do realize that if we were to leave this place, we would both be dead in a matter of hours?¡±

    He took a deep breath, ¡°now, now, don¡¯t sugarcoat it.¡±

    ¡°Adan¡± she scolded.

    ¡°Yes, denial gone. I get that out there equals fucked. Does that make any of it any better though?¡±

    ¡°I just need to know that you understand that this is it for us. This is our lives now. We could be in here together for a long time. Just us. You get all that, right?¡± she asked, seeming to struggle to hold back tears with every word.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty aware of the situation, Aura. That¡¯s why...¡±

    ¡°So tell me,¡± she interrupted while she still had any strength left to get through the conversation at all, ¡°what do you think is gonna happen?¡±

    He gave her a perplexed look. ¡°Can you be any more specific at all?¡±

    She took another shaky breath as she pushed herself on. ¡°If we¡¯re stuck in here for let¡¯s say, five years. And honestly, it could be longer than that. But let¡¯s say five years. Tell me how that looks.¡±

    ¡°Looks?¡± he repeated, still not quite sure of what answer she was expecting here.

    ¡°Most actors wanna be writers or directors, right?¡± she said as she pulled up the chair next to him. ¡°So, let¡¯s do an experiment. We¡¯re writing the script for this fucked up sci-fi horror movie that we¡¯re now living in. Producers say we need to do a flash forward in the plot. So write it for me, right now. What are our lives here, together, five years from now? Go.¡±

    ¡°Aura...¡± he stated in a sad whisper as he looked back at her pleading eyes.

    ¡°Write me the script, Adan. What are our lives in five years? I need to know.¡±

    ¡°Aura, I have no way of....¡± he just shook his head as he looked down.

    ¡°No way of knowing?¡± she finished the sentence for him. ¡°Welcome to my brain, every second of every day, Adan. It¡¯s a scary fucking place. And all I know is that you¡¯re all I have left in the world now, literally. And every goddamn second I¡¯m terrified of doing or saying something that makes me lose it all. Lose you. And I never wanna be in that movie.¡±

    Seeing the tears on her cheeks, he could feel his own struggling to escape. ¡°How could you ever lose me, Aura? Literally?¡± he gestured to their surroundings as he attempted a smile, though it didn¡¯t quite fully form.

    Aura then stood again, and turned away to gather the strength to keep speaking, afraid of whether she even should. ¡°I know that I haven¡¯t been me at all lately. Not since the lock down started, and definitely not now. I haven¡¯t been the girl who you somehow decided you wanted to be best friends with.

    ¡°I have so much fear, and guilt and, it¡¯s just screaming at me every second. Like you just pointed out. I can¡¯t literally lose you. You can¡¯t leave me now. You can¡¯t get away from me now. You can¡¯t choose to be with someone else now. All your choices are gone.

    ¡°Even if you came to your senses and wanted to run screaming from me. You can¡¯t now. Being with me here, like this, it could make you miserable, and you would just have to endure it. And I¡¯d have to watch you being miserable, knowing I¡¯m the reason, and I just...¡±

    ¡°Just hold up¡± he said as he also stood. He took a step toward her and placed his hands on her shoulders from behind, where he stood about six inches taller than her. Trying to push past the immediate tension that sprang into her body at his touch, he continued, ¡°how exactly are you planning on making me miserable again?¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Aura took another deep, shaky breath as she closed her eyes, trying her hardest not to run from the room again. ¡°You always told me that the way you become a good actor is by studying human behavior. And you¡¯ve had fourteen years to study mine. Do you really not understand why I¡¯m so fucking terrified right now?¡±

    Adan allowed a tiny smile, though she couldn¡¯t see it. ¡°I have had fourteen years to study you. That¡¯s why I started this whole conversation by asking you to just tell me already. Tell me what¡¯s really going on in your head. I thought that just letting it out would finally make you stop being so terrified of doing just that. There¡¯s enough terrifying shit out there now. Didn¡¯t think you needed any more in here. Or in there¡± he added as he moved one hand from her shoulder and gently touched her head instead.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying you think you already know what I¡¯m so afraid to ¡®just tell you?¡¯ Then why don¡¯t you just tell me what you think it is? Prove you already know, and you¡¯re not gonna shut me out once you do¡± she then forced herself to turn out of his grip and look back up at him. ¡°Or is ¡®just telling¡¯ a lot harder than it seems, Adan?¡±

    He was then the one who looked down, though briefly. ¡°I guess I am a little scared to tell you what I think you¡¯re so afraid to tell me. I mean, on the tiny off chance that I am wrong, then I¡¯m gonna kind of come off sounding like some conceited Hollywood asshole¡± he admitted with a crooked smile.

    Aura let out a derisive laugh before she spoke again. ¡°Pretty sure your PR and public image aren¡¯t really gonna be much of an issue anymore, Adan. There being no paparazzi or public left and all. For once, you have a hell of a lot less to lose than me. At least in this¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I no longer have to worry about losing the adoration of a million strangers who don¡¯t even know me. Only have to worry about losing the most important person in my life. Right?¡±

    ¡°The only person left in your life¡± Aura corrected as she also looked down. ¡°Whether or not it was your choice to have me be that or not.¡±

    ¡°Aura, you know I¡¯ve already chosen to have you in my life for fourteen years. Even when I did have everyone else on the planet to choose from. Why is it that you don¡¯t seem to realize that I actually do want you in it?¡±

    She had to bite back more tears then at the sound of the affirmation, but still couldn¡¯t stop her true inner fears. ¡°But you¡¯ve chosen to have me there as your best friend. And when it comes to being anything else...¡± she just shook her head again as she felt the anxiety attack building up at just the mere prospect of her deepest fear about to come to fruition; the fear of losing him the moment she admitted how she had really felt about him all this time, sure that he had never felt that for her.

    He looked down again, taking in her words, trying his best to really decide how they made him feel. But he knew it hurt him to see her in so much pain. And that was at least a good starting point, he thought. He swallowed and took a step closer to her. He then tilted her face up and leaned down to softly kiss one of the tears from her cheek.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m pretty good at studying human behavior after all?¡± he teased as her teary eyes looked up in shock at even that most innocent of kisses. Only even comprehending his actual words a moment later.

    ¡°So, you know?¡± she replied in a raspy whisper.

    ¡°I love you, hon. But I am a much better actor than you¡± he teased with another playful smile as he remained standing close as she continued to look up at him with panic in her eyes.

    Aura let out a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a cry. It wasn¡¯t him saying that he loved her that was what had made her heart forget to beat in that moment. She knew he loved her. He had even said it in that same playful manner many times throughout the years. But loving your best friend, and being in love with them were two very, very different things. And here he was admitting that he knew damn well that she was guilty of the latter. And she still was pretty sure that he had never loved her like that. His list of beautiful people who he had been semi-involved with, brief as any of those relationships may have been, was proof enough to convince her that she could never be on that list herself. At least in her mind.

    ¡°So... you know?¡± she choked on the words.

    ¡°You already said that¡± he replied in the same teasing tone, still standing close to her, still studying her as he did.

    ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for you to run, I guess.¡±

    Adan then let out another small chuckle. ¡°Well, I¡¯m still here, aren¡¯t I? Sorry to disappoint¡± he teased further.

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re the disappointment in this scenario¡± she mumbled sarcastically.

    She looked down again, wanting to hope that all her fears weren¡¯t true, but still convinced that the reason he was not running away wasn¡¯t because he felt the same way about her after all. It wasn¡¯t possible. She had studied his behavior all their lives too. And not once did she ever think that he may have been in love with her too. Never mind how brilliant of a damn actor he really was. That was something you couldn¡¯t hide for that long. She was proof of that.

    ¡°You really thought I¡¯d run away if you ever admitted it?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that guy 101?¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°Best friends are the only people who don¡¯t run away from you when you need them, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Him confirming their relationship status once again somehow didn¡¯t make her feel any more secure right then. She sniffled again. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what they do when this happens. It¡¯s like a law or something.¡±

    Adan couldn¡¯t help a small smile. ¡°They¡¯re supposed to run when it becomes clear that someone feels a lot more than just friendship?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much¡± she stated, still bracing for impact.

    ¡°Then I guess I¡¯m about four or five years late for that running away thing, huh?¡±

    As predicted, that did get her to look back up at him. ¡°You¡¯ve known, for that long?¡± the words came out as a whisper.

    He then smiled again before responding. ¡°Best friends don¡¯t run away, no matter what. Even if the world ends.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Later that night, over another bland dinner, the two of them started on the extensive DVD collection there at the bunker. After all, boredom-inspired insanity could also be a very real danger in the apocalypse.

    Aura had barely taken three bites of her meal before setting it aside, and Adan had just leaned forward to set his aside after finishing with it. That was when he caught her gaze on him out of the corner of his eyes. He smiled over at her, which of course caused her to quickly look down at having been caught staring at him yet again.

    ¡°Yes?¡± he coaxed.

    She took a breath to find a response. ¡°You really are an amazing actor.¡±

    Adan gave her an unsure smile, glanced at the nearly forgotten TV screen and replied, ¡°I have like three lines in this or something. But thank you¡± he added.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about that¡± she stated, tilting her head toward the screen as she tried to keep her eyes on him without looking directly into his.

    ¡°Elaborate¡± he said as he didn¡¯t have nearly as much trouble trying to hold eye contact with her.

    ¡°We¡¯re going into our second night here. You know, since everyone we know and love was wiped out of existence and we had to start spending every second hoping like hell that this bunker is as hidden as it¡¯s supposed to be. Oh, and after you found out... other things¡± she managed. ¡°And you¡¯re completely fine. Or at least completely convincing at seeming fine.¡±

    Adan started to speak, then stopped and changed his planned response before it left his lips. ¡°And which part of any of that should I address first?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a complete wreck. And you¡¯re just... fine¡± she repeated. ¡°Even after...¡± she just let her voice trail off as she looked away again.

    ¡°After I ¡®found out?¡¯¡± he offered. ¡°As stated earlier, I found out years ago, so we can wipe that off the list of the current traumas I¡¯m supposed to be suffering right now, can¡¯t we?¡±

    She just let out a sound of disbelief. ¡°Well I¡¯m really not fine about that in any way. So let¡¯s just go back to the other stuff you seem fine with. I mean, you¡¯ve lost everything and everyone, and yet?¡±

    ¡°Not everyone¡± he stated softly.

    Swallowing hard again, she made herself move past that comment. ¡°And everyone else? You¡¯re OK with losing them?¡±

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m not, but...¡± he was then the one who let his sentence die before it reached its end.

    ¡°But what?¡± she pressed, desperate to figure out whatever his secret way of attaining zen in the middle of tragedy and loss truly was. She needed to unlock that secret just to keep herself from shattering into a million pieces every moment.

    He was quiet for a long moment, as though thinking deeply about his response. ¡°I guess I just learned how to lose people a long time ago.¡±

    She looked back at him in confusion. Adan was now the one with his eyes cast down, as if actor Adan had suddenly at long last been replaced with human Adan, and she was finally seeing his inner workings for the first time.

    ¡°What does that even mean?¡±

    ¡°The reason me and my parents first moved to our hometown. Back when I was only three. It was my first memory; his funeral¡± he spoke softly.

    ¡°Your brother?¡± Aura whispered back. It had been years since he ever even spoke of his brother at all, and they had been so young and he had moved past the subject so quickly, that the fact that it had even happened had long since been relegated to the recesses of Aura¡¯s muddled brain. Though hearing Adan now, it was obvious that it had never left his mind, even if he never spoke about it.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even understand what was happening. I was surrounded by strangers, and everyone was crying, and... And there was my big brother. Only six years old and there in the middle of this strange room. Laying in a big box surrounded by flowers, and looking like he was sleeping. And all I knew was that he was never going to wake up, and I never would see him again. That¡¯s all I could comprehend at that age.

    ¡°I guess I just spent the rest of my life just waiting to see everyone else I cared about in one of those boxes. It was what I just expected from that point on¡± he shook his head as he pushed down emotions. ¡°Three years old and just waiting for everyone around me to start dropping dead at any moment. And you thought your brain was a scary place?¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve spent your whole life mentally prepared to lose everyone in it?¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡°And now you get why I chose to spend that life pretending to be other people. I¡¯m as dark as you girl. I¡¯m just a hell of a lot better at hiding it¡± he told her with a somber smile.

    Aura was taken aback by everything he had just admitted. Though it somehow made perfect sense, even if she had never imagined him to even come close to matching her darkness. He always had, deep down inside. And that was likely the very reason the two had been so drawn together for their entire lives.

    ¡°Now what was that other thing I was supposed to not be fine with?¡± he asked her a moment later, as always, injecting humor into the conversation despite everything he had just shared with her seconds earlier.

    ¡°You really wanna talk about that again?¡±

    ¡°Got something better to do?¡± he teased.

    She scoffed and allowed him to goad her into the new subject, despite how terrifying it still was for her. ¡°I just have a really, really hard time believing that...¡± again, she had trouble finishing her sentence.

    ¡°Believing what?¡±

    ¡°Come on, Adan. The way I feel about you is way, way different than the way you feel about me. And now here we are, with only each other, for who knows how long. How are you not flipping the hell out?¡±

    ¡°Flipping out how exactly?¡± he asked, as though it was the most common question in the world.

    ¡°Come on¡± she began again. ¡°Every second aren¡¯t you just gonna be thinking that I... that I want... something from you?¡±

    ¡°Want what thing exactly?¡± he continued, keeping a straight face through every word he spoke, infuriatingly.

    ¡°You¡¯re actually amused by this, aren¡¯t you?¡± she exclaimed, his playful tone not getting by her any longer.

    ¡°Amused how exactly?¡± he asked with a smirk.

    ¡°Oh, shut the fuck up!¡± she exclaimed as she moved across the couch to smack his arm with one of the pillows in frustration rather than an intent to actually cause any real pain.

    ¡°OK, it¡¯s kind of amusing¡± he finally admitted with a small chuckle.

    ¡°That¡¯s just mean, Adan¡± she bit back with a pout that made it hard for him not to keep smiling.

    ¡°No, I mean, it¡¯s amusing that this is what you¡¯ve been so terrified of me finding out. Something I¡¯ve already known for years. And you somehow got it in your head that if I did find out I would suddenly go from being your best friend to being just another asshole high school guy? It¡¯s a pretty silly fear that loving someone will make them suddenly hate you for it. It¡¯s kind of self defeating, really. If someone loves you, then they should be one of your favorite people on the planet, shouldn¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°You hurt my brain¡± she whimpered softly. She then tried to compose herself once more. ¡°And it¡¯s not silly. It happens every fucking day. Person A falls for Person B. Person B only wants to be friends. Person B¡¯s solution is to avoid Person A for the rest of their natural lives. It happens every fucking day, Adan. You know that.¡±

    ¡°Guess I¡¯m just not your typical Person B¡± he shrugged helplessly.

    ¡°But seriously, you know that every time I look at you, I...¡± she just shook her head.

    ¡°You what?¡± he asked coyly.

    ¡°And every time you look at me, you don¡¯t...¡± she sniffled and turned away again.

    ¡°You always got A¡¯s in English. Never thought you¡¯d have such a problem finishing sentences¡± he teased.

    ¡°Are you actually enjoying this, Adan?¡± she accused.

    ¡°What am I supposedly enjoying again?¡± he asked as he moved a hand up to brush some hair from where his expression remained coy.

    ¡°Knowing that you¡¯re sitting here talking to someone who would do anything in the world for just one fraction of affection from you¡± she sniffled again.

    His smile finally started to falter then. He took a breath and spoke, ¡°where did you get all these ideas that I would be like that? Yes, I¡¯m amused that you were so scared of me finding out something I already knew. It is kind of ridiculous that you¡¯d be so afraid of me, Adan. The guy I¡¯ve always been. But you sound like you think I¡¯m just laughing at you for liking me at all, like that. What convinced you that I¡¯m that kind of guy? Honestly?¡±

    ¡°Because you said that you knew. That you always knew.¡± That was when she got to her feet and rushed from the room once more.

    It didn¡¯t take long for Adan to make himself follow her. He did study human behavior and had a feeling that not going after her was not the reaction she was truly hoping for from him. So he followed. He then found her laying face down in one of the bedrooms, her face buried in the pillow.

    He sighed as he stepped into the room behind her, taking a moment to decide what he could possibly say that would lessen her obvious upset any at all. ¡°So, you¡¯re not happy that I coaxed you into admitting your feelings, finally?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re observant¡± she mumbled into the pillow.

    ¡°But you¡¯re also not happy that I didn¡¯t do it as soon as I knew you had them?¡± he offered his first attempt at an analysis.

    She then growled into the pillow in frustration before finally pushing herself up to a sitting position and centering an angry look on him. ¡°You wanna know what I¡¯m really mad about?¡±

    ¡°Yes please?¡± he responded, though his tone was much less convincing that time.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re still doing this! You¡¯re still acting like everything is still OK between us! And it can¡¯t be!¡± she exclaimed angrily.

    ¡°So... You¡¯re mad that I¡¯m not being the jerk you were terrified I¡¯d become?¡± he offered her another perplexed look.

    ¡°Please, Adan. I know you can¡¯t possibly be comfortable around me anymore. Not now. And you¡¯re still pretending you are. You¡¯re still fucking acting!¡±

    ¡°So... you want me to love you and hate you?¡± he shook his head at her again. ¡°I¡¯ll have to work on that one, I guess.¡±

    Her only response was another frustrated growl as she looked away. Adan let out a frustrated sigh of his own then before taking a step toward the bed.

    ¡°Seriously, Aura, I¡¯ve gotta know. What made you so convinced that I would never possibly feel the same way about you? Where did you get that secret knowledge that you¡¯re so damn sure of?

    ¡°I mean every argument you¡¯ve made about why you¡¯re so upset right now starts with ¡®I know what you think, I know what you feel.¡¯ When exactly did you acquire this knowledge of exactly how or what I honestly think or feel about you?¡±

    With a shaky breath she gave him an answer. ¡°You¡¯ve always just known how I feel about you, haven¡¯t you? So maybe I just know how you really feel about me too.¡±

    ¡°Or maybe I¡¯m just a better student of human behavior than you are too.¡±

 Chapter 8

    It was just past one in the morning when Adan sighed and changed positions atop the bed for about the twelfth time since attempting to fall asleep. His ears then caught the sound of the shower shutting off in the bathroom next to the bedroom. Then he heard her footsteps leaving the bathroom and moving past his door. Then they stopped, and the door opened the tiniest crack.

    ¡°You¡¯re still awake?¡± she asked softly as he looked up in the near darkness at the sound of the door opening.

    ¡°Guessing you can¡¯t sleep either?¡± he replied as she hesitantly opened the door the rest of the way, though remained standing in the hall, her long locks dripping water upon the black bath robe she had slid on after her shower.

    ¡°Well, it is a new place¡± she said softly.

    ¡°Yeah, that must be it¡± he returned with only the slightest tinge of sarcasm, knowing full well she had plenty of other reasons for her current trouble sleeping. As did he, apparently.

    ¡°I just...¡± she began, then stopped again.

    ¡°If you¡¯re gonna keep talking that quietly, you may wanna come in, so I can actually hear you¡± he suggested with another failed attempt at a smile.

    She sighed, but it was more a sound of resignation as she made her feet carry her to a spot just inside the bedroom door. ¡°I just have to ask you one more thing.¡±

    Adan stifled a sigh too, and ran his hand through his disheveled locks once more before speaking. ¡°Well, seems like neither of us are sleeping any time soon anyway¡± he replied as he sat up, leaning back against the headboard as he did.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re an actor, not a liar. Even though some would dispute the difference. I know you never lie, not really. So after what you said earlier. You insinuated that...¡± She lost her voice and cast her eyes downwards once more.

    ¡°There¡¯s that sentence finishing problem again¡± he stated wryly.

    ¡°You insinuated that maybe, possibly in some alternate world or dimension or timeline, that it might be remotely possible that you could someday actually feel something for me. And I just... I have so much trouble believing that that could ever be a reality for you and me. But then you implied that maybe, just maybe it could be and...¡± she shook her head. ¡°And you can¡¯t do that, Adan. Not if it¡¯s not true. Not now.¡±

    ¡°Why are you so convinced it could never be true?¡±

    She bit her lip and looked up at the ceiling, hoping to find the solution there. ¡°You¡¯re doing it again. You¡¯re asking questions, and not giving answers.¡±

    ¡°Please, humor me. Tell me why you have all that trouble believing that I could ever feel what you feel.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re doing it again. The insinuating!¡± she complained tearfully.

    ¡°But what have I actually ever said or done that gave you such a strong conviction that it could never be possible? If I did something that convinced you that you¡¯d never be good enough, or whatever, please tell me what it was, so I can apologize. Cause I never would wanna make you feel inferior like that. And I apparently did at some point, and I feel horrible for whatever it was that I did do to just compound all this self-hatred of yours. Tell me what it was, please Aura.¡±

    ¡°Your life¡± she stated simply.

    He looked entirely confused by that response. ¡°My life?¡±

    ¡°You apparently like my personality. Like it enough to wanna be my closest friend in the world. And you¡¯ve never wanted to push me away. And you¡¯ve always enjoyed spending time with me. And all the rest. Right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m very lost. But yes, those are all accurate statements.¡±

    ¡°And wouldn¡¯t someone describe their significant other with all those statements too?¡±

    ¡°Ideally, yes¡± he went along with her, though still seemed very puzzled by what point she was skirting.

    ¡°Following that rationale, I would be the perfect person for you to be romantically involved with, wouldn¡¯t I? But I never was, Adan. There was one thing I was always missing. Even when you knew, years ago, that I would be your girlfriend in a split second. You still never went there. Never even let on that you knew I was willing to. Because, as stated, there was always something missing when you looked at me, wasn¡¯t there? And now you¡¯re trying to convince me that there wasn¡¯t? When you¡¯ve already proven, for years, that there was.¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    There was such a long moment of silence from him that Aura was about to flee once more before he finally found words. ¡°Maybe I was scared too, Aura.¡±

    She just looked back at him in disbelief. ¡°What could you possibly have been scared of, Adan? I was the only one with anything to lose in that scenario at all.¡±

    ¡°You are the most important person in the world to me. You¡¯ve always been. And maybe that¡¯s why I can get through any of this stuff that¡¯s happening out there now. Cause I still have you. But if I had...¡± he just looked down.

    ¡°Had what?¡±

    ¡°If I had went there with you...¡± he took a breath, moving himself to the edge of the bed. He stared down at the floor for a long moment as his hands tightly gripped the mattress on either side of him. ¡°I did see how you felt. I saw it so clearly. How in love with me you were. And... And I knew that in your head I was fucking perfect. I was everything you could have ever wanted. Do you know how hard it is to live up to something like that? I¡¯m not perfect, and you were so convinced I was. If I let you see behind the curtain, so to speak... Then you¡¯d know that for sure. That perfect image you had of me would have shattered and fallen away. And then I would have lost the most important person in my life too.¡±

    The two of them were quiet for another painfully long moment following Adan¡¯s words. Aura still stood just inside the open bedroom door, clutching her arms to herself tightly, trying her best to really decipher everything he had just said to her. While Adan watched her warily waiting for her to do just that.

    But as he did watch her, his dark eyes moved to the hallway behind her for the briefest of moments, his expression changing as his attention was drawn there. He then got to his feet and quickly walked toward the doorway, gently moving her aside and looking down the hall both ways.

    ¡°What?¡± Aura asked him worriedly as she turned to look up at him as his eyes scanned that hallway from their place there in the doorway.

    ¡°I just...¡± he shook his head as if to chase away the thought.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked more loudly.

    ¡°I just thought I saw...¡± he narrowed his eyes once more and looked up and down the hallway again, seeing nothing out of place or out of the ordinary at all.

    ¡°Saw what?¡± she asked, the worry hardening her tone again.

    ¡°Like a shadow or something, but maybe it just...¡±

    ¡°A shadow?¡± she repeated, her words coming out as nearly a yelp as she also turned to look up and down the hallway as if she¡¯d see something he wouldn¡¯t.

    ¡°Well not that exactly. I mean all it looked like was that something had passed in front of one of the lights down the hall. Like blocking it out for a moment. But I mean... I¡¯m guessing one of the lights just flickered or something. I mean, it¡¯s a little early for us to be going all stir crazy or whatever. And I¡¯m pretty sure the power in here¡¯s supposed to last more than two days, right?¡± he excused, trying to reason away the impossibility of there being anyone or anything else in there with them at all. Especially anything that had gone unnoticed for all of those two days.

    Aura swallowed again, and pulled him back from the doorway with her, quickly closing the door behind them and leaning back against it.

    ¡°OK, a light flickered, Aura. That¡¯s all. Disengage panic mode and remember to breathe¡± he told her gently as he moved to touch her shoulders again, his inherent need to look after her canceling out their current blurriness about what their relationship was even going to be with one another anymore.

    ¡°But if you really saw something...¡±

    ¡°I saw a light flicker. That¡¯s all¡± he repeated, trying to convince himself as much as her. ¡°I mean, think about it Aura. What else could it have possibly been? You know way more about this place than me. And do you honestly think there¡¯s any way on earth there could actually be anyone else in here with us? I mean really? Let logic rule here. Think about it.¡±

    She was quiet again, trying to beat back the panic attack and once more remember to breathe, as instructed. Finally, she managed words again. ¡°No, it¡¯s not humanly possible for anyone else to have gotten in here without us knowing it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. That¡¯s what I just said, right?¡±

    ¡°Not humanly possible¡± she repeated forcefully, her eyes pointedly moving to the ceiling above them.

    ¡°Come on¡± he tried to downplay her insinuation, though there was the tiniest sliver of worry behind his eyes, knowing what they both now knew about the world they were currently living in. Or what was left of that world, at any rate.

    ¡°What if...¡± she began, the tears welling up.

    ¡°Don¡¯t¡± he told her, trying to push confidence into his tone as he felt her shaking as the panic attack began to win, as it usually did. He then gathered her into his arms, hugging her to him in an attempt to further calm her. ¡°A light flickered, that¡¯s all¡± he repeated once more as he held her tightly against him, gently moving his hands over her shoulder blades the way one would try calming a crying child who had just woken from a nightmare. After all, when her panic attacks hit her, it was the same fear and loss of control that usually came with the most terrifying of dreams.

    After another few minutes her shaking finally slowed, at least somewhat. She sniffled and then took the tiniest step backwards, out of his embrace. ¡°But what if...¡±

    ¡°Aura¡± he quieted her with a slightly scolding tone, still looking down at her from his place standing only an inch or so in front of her. ¡°Your immediate panic mode theory is that some alien used their freaky alien powers to get in here with us, right?¡± He shook his head. ¡°What little I know about these fuckers from what I saw on the TV, is that they¡¯re not the sneaking around watching the silly little humans in secret type. They¡¯re more the blow you into a million pieces on sight type. And we¡¯re still in one piece each. My theory, therefore, is no alien here. Logic, remember?¡±

    ¡°But first they did just watch us. They tried to kill us with the virus and just wait it out. They are the...¡± she argued, fear driving her at this point.

    But before she could finish reciting all the possible fears now swirling around in her brain, he stepped forward. He then did the only thing he thought could have even the slightest chance of making her forget all those fears. And he covered her mouth with his.

 Chapter 9

    When he finally ended the kiss, Aura just stood there, looking up at him, frozen in shock. He couldn¡¯t help smiling down at her though. After all, shock was a slight step up from terror, he assumed. So he had accomplished his goal of calming her. At least a little bit.

    Taking a moment to remember how to speak, she finally did, ¡°we could be about to die, at any second. And you pick now to finally kiss me for the first time ever?¡±

    ¡°Well, if we¡¯re really about to die at any second, does any of the rest of it even matter anymore?¡± he smiled again, and leaned in for a second, even more shocking kiss.

    As he kissed her, he led her with him toward the bed. Pushing her down to the mattress behind them, his body following hers, never breaking the kiss as he did. Upon feeling her back come into contact with the mattress and his body laying above hers, Aura used every bit of will to place her hands on his chest, gently pushing him backwards just enough to end the kiss and give them both a chance to breathe again.

    ¡°What is this, Adan?¡± she managed through broken breaths.

    ¡°That¡¯s a rhetorical question, right?¡± he smiled down at her, his hand moving up to wrap around her still wet hair.

    ¡°I...¡±

    ¡°If you really believe it¡¯s all about to end, do you really wanna spend what could be our last night just being afraid to finally let yourself have one good thing before it¡¯s all gone?¡± And with that, he kissed her again.

    As the kiss continued, Aura felt him slide his hand inside the top portion of the robe that was the only thing covering her body right then. And at that moment she lost all ability to think at all, let alone speak. His hand moved to her breast easily, showing none of the fear of intimacy that she had always had, especially when it came to expecting it from him. He caressed her skin and moved his lips against hers as his thumb moved over her nipple hardening it in response to the gentle touch.

    As if he were also somehow afraid of this possibly being their last night, he barely wasted any more time before sliding his hand down from her breast, over her ribs and stomach, pulling the loosely tied robe open as he did. As the material fell away from her, exposing the rest of her pale skin to him there in the semi-darkness, his hand continued moving down over her abdomen, and further.

    Barely able to comprehend anything but his touch, she felt him move his lips to her throat, and then her chest, and then downwards to her breast. But even more distracting than all of that, was when she felt his hand slide down between her thighs, ever so gently caressing her as it reached it¡¯s destination.

    As his tongue teased her breast, his fingers slid inside all of that overwhelming wetness waiting inside her for him, causing her to gasp at the penetration. Sure that she had to be the one dreaming now, and that the earlier nightmare of the evening had now turned into a completely different sort of dream, Aura closed her eyes tightly, pressing her head and body back into the mattress, as her hips rose to meet his caresses, almost of their own volition.

    It was mere moments before the motion of his fingers and her hips combined to make her begin shaking in ecstasy as the orgasm overtook her. Smiling as she whimpered and moaned, and let the tremors eventually begin to slow, Adan finally removed his hand and slid back just enough to begin pulling the sweatpants off.

    Finally forcing her eyes open, despite her ragged breathing, and still shaking body, she looked up in time to see him drop the pants to the floor at the foot of the bed, exposing that perfect body of his now as well.

    ¡°You¡¯re... you¡¯re...¡± she struggled with the words.

    ¡°Naked?¡± he teased as he moved back to her side. ¡°You too¡± he stated playfully as he ran a finger over her stomach as he continued to smile down at her.

    ¡°I was gonna say... you¡¯re actually...¡± she swallowed, her eyes moving down over his body and back up, unable to even finish the sentence.

    ¡°What? Turned on?¡± he offered with the same playful smile down at the shock in her eyes, as well as the way she was still trying to recover from the pleasure he had just made her feel.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡± she swallowed hard.

    ¡°It¡¯s pretty...hard...¡± he smirked, ¡°not to get turned on after seeing how much pleasure you can give another person with just your hand¡± he teased again.

    ¡°Are you actually gloating?¡± she whispered, not able to keep her eyes off of his body, considering their current subject of conversation, as well as a few hundred other factors right then.

    ¡°Are you actually complaining?¡± he smirked. He then moved to pull her closer, her naked body against his now as he kissed her once again. When this kiss finally ended, he looked down at her again. Repeating her words from before they stepped through that door, ¡°last chance, Aura.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°To tell me not to do this, if you really don¡¯t want me to.¡±

    ¡°This?¡± she choked on the word.

    ¡°Well, I mean, so far, only one of us actually... I mean, I could finish by myself if you don¡¯t wanna...¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡± she said as she was then the one who pulled him close and kissed him this time.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°So, was that a green light?¡± he teased as the kiss ended.

    ¡°Considering where your hand just was, and a million other things. You already know that answer¡± she whispered, though for the first time, the tears in her voice were not quite ones of despair.

    He smiled down at her again, and then moved to reclaim his spot above her. He gave her another of the gentlest kisses before taking a breath and reaching downwards. He then, even more gently, slid himself inside her at long last.

    She gasped at that penetration as well. At first it was the mere shock of it. Then it was the briefest moment of biting pain inside her, as he was the first person who had ever actually been there. Trying to keep his own tiny hold on his wits at the feel of being inside her, he just barely registered the fact that it actually was her first time, and tried his best to find words in the face of that fact.

    ¡°Are you OK?¡± he managed. ¡°Should I stop?¡± he added, silently pleading that that wouldn¡¯t be her request. The mere pleasure of being inside her was heady, and he honestly didn¡¯t want it to stop as soon as it had even started.

    Closing her eyes and breathing heavily as she held him tightly above her, she gave him the only answer she could, ¡°never.¡±

    <hr>

    When the sounds of their lovemaking finally stopped. And their soft muffled speech during those moments of afterglow finally gave way to the sound of their breathing changing; he knew then that they were once again asleep. He waited out there in the hall for a long while, his back against the outer wall of the bedroom, next to the door. Finally, he moved, silently, to turn toward the bedroom door and open it just enough to peer inside.

    Though the only lights in the room were the four tiny security lights along the ceiling at the top of each wall, there was still just enough illumination to see. There the two of them laid atop the bed, their naked bodies wrapped around each other as they slept. His eyes moved over them. First the girl, then the boy. Then his attention moved to the bed next to their sleeping bodies. There he saw the bloodstain, and knew immediately that it was the girl¡¯s blood, recently shed.

    At that realization, his eyes quickly moved back to the sleeping male. Adan, his name was. His expression darkened as he looked back at the blood, then the boy, then the girl, Aura, then back again. None of it truly made much sense to him, but he knew that any time there was blood, it usually accompanied some kind of pain or suffering. And that was what had darkened his expression as he took in the scene.

    He tried to force those dark thoughts away and remember his reason for entering their room that night while they slept. He had heard them talking earlier. Before they had closed the bedroom door and before the talking changed to something very different inside that room. And he knew that something had to be done about the fears they had expressed during that conversation.

    It was still too soon for him to even try to explain his presence. And now he was even less sure of whether he should, and when, and how. Taking another awkward breath, he moved toward the sleeping teenagers again, and leaned over them.

    <hr>

    Aura was the first to wake the next morning, as usual. And when she did, she opened her eyes and looked around the room, trying desperately to piece together what it was that she was even seeing.

    She easily came to the obvious conclusion in the face of all the evidence her eyes provided her with. As well as the way her body felt. As though she had run a marathon the night before, though she was positive that hadn¡¯t been what happened.

    Their naked bodies asleep together on the bloodstained bed made it pretty apparent what had actually happened, but somehow she felt disconnected from the truth of what had occurred between them the night before. It was a strange feeling, and a scary one. And all she could think to do while she tried to figure it out, was grab her robe and leave the room, and Adan, behind while she did.

    At the feel of Aura leaving the bed, and the sound of the door closing behind her, Adan also stirred. He groggily pushed himself into fully waking up, finally opening his eyes to look around the room then as well. As his eyes moved over the bed and to the door and over his own naked body and back, he felt a bit of that loss of control over his own brain that Aura was normally the one suffering from.

    Though he had managed to avoid the pitfalls of drugs and drinking that most child stars fell victim to, he had indulged a few times. And right now, he felt like he was suffering a major hangover or comedown of some kind. Looking around the room, it was impossible not to know what had happened between he and Aura, at long last. But knowing it happened and clearly remembering it? That was somehow the problem. And the way she had bolted from the room, waking him as she did, that made him wonder if she was suffering this same fog that had now taken over his own brain.

    Despite his current lack of clarity about everything that had happened the night before. Or more precisely, how it had even happened, he made himself dress and leave the room in search of his companion. He had to know if she was feeling the same confusion he was right then, painful as it was for him. Knowing it would be even worse for her.

    He eventually found her fumbling with the opening of one of their prepackaged meals as she stood over the table, her hair falling forward to hide her face once more. ¡°So, last night, huh?¡±

    ¡°Please Adan.¡± her voice shook as she couldn¡¯t manage to look up and just kept struggling with the wrapper, not that she was remotely hungry. But she had to find some distraction, any distraction at all.

    ¡°There¡¯s no alcohol or drugs in this bunker, is there? Like maybe mixed in with our food, or water, or something?¡± he grasped at straws.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked, finally looking up at him with tear streaked cheeks.

    ¡°I just kind of feel really fucking hungover or something. It¡¯s weird¡± he tried to keep his tone light, though couldn¡¯t help biting his inner lip, despite how rare he ever succumbed to nervousness. This was a definite exception to the rule.

    ¡°Are you actually asking me if I drugged you?¡± she asked, appalled.

    ¡°God, no, Aura. Just my head¡¯s all foggy right now, and I don¡¯t understand why. Do you even understand what happened last night?¡± He had to know.

    ¡°I think that was pretty obvious the moment I woke up.¡± She sniffled and went back to struggling with the container.

    ¡°I mean, there¡¯s this gap. I don¡¯t get it, that¡¯s all. One minute we¡¯re fighting... ish. And the next we¡¯re waking up together naked? I just need to understand what happened between point A and B. Do you remember how we even got from where we were to where we... ended up?¡±

    ¡°No¡± she admitted through a sob as she gave up on breakfast and slumped down into a chair, hiding her face in her hands once again.

    ¡°So you really can¡¯t remember either?¡± he asked sadly as he took a seat across from her.

    ¡°No. I just know what happened. Not how it actually did.¡± She sniffled again.

    ¡°Same¡± he whispered as he looked up at her as more tears slid down her cheeks. He then made himself speak the thought that was scaring him even more than their unexplained memory gap. ¡°And I¡¯m guessing the tears are because you actually do regret it happening?¡± he stated in a whisper.

    ¡°What?¡± she said as she looked back up at him quickly.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t the girl crying the next morning a pretty good indication of that?¡± he managed in the same sad tone.

    ¡°You idiot¡± she responded.

    ¡°OK, that¡¯s a yes then?¡± he replied, wounded.

    ¡°How could you ever think I regret it happening, Adan? Really?¡± she let out another cry of disbelief. ¡°What I really fucking regret is that I can barely remember any of the most important and special thing that has ever happened in my entire life.¡±

 Chapter 10

    Adan looked down again, trying to take in the full meaning of her last statement. While also trying his hardest to remember what that path from point A to point B had actually been for them. That seemed like the most important piece of the entire puzzle that led to this new level of their relationship after all.

    Surprisingly, she found her voice before he did for once. ¡°Besides, shouldn¡¯t I be the one asking you how much you regret last night?¡±

    Adan scoffed, casting his eyes away once more before making himself look back over at her. ¡°I¡¯m guessing not really being able to remember what exactly led to... It¡¯s gotta be even worse for you. I mean. It was your first time and all¡± he added, his volume dropping as he skirted that particular fact of the whole scenario.

    ¡°And definitely not yours¡± she stated, more to herself.

    Adan couldn¡¯t help another slight look down. ¡°So you do remember parts of it?¡±

    ¡°Pieces,¡± she admitted then shook her head, ¡°and that¡¯s beside the point. We need to figure out what the hell even happened, don¡¯t we?¡± She then quickly clarified, ¡°what happened, before what happened.¡±

    Biting back the urge for any other coy comments, ¡°agreed¡± he stated with a slight nod of his head. ¡°So what is the last thing you really remember? Perfectly clearly I mean.¡±

    ¡°You saying that you were afraid that you weren¡¯t going to be as perfect as the fantasy of you I created in my head¡± she admitted.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think those were my exact words, but¡± he sighed, ¡°yeah that¡¯s pretty much the last thing I remember clearly too. Then we woke up. And it was pretty obvious that some pages of last night¡¯s script got lost somewhere during the night.¡±

    ¡°But how, how does that happen?¡± she asked desperately.

    ¡°How does which that happen?¡±

    She looked down with a blush. ¡°I was referring to the selective amnesia this time.¡±

    ¡°I have no fucking clue, literally¡± he admitted. ¡°But obviously, at some point after what we remember, I said or did something that made other things happen between us. We know that much, at least¡± he stated, trying desperately to grasp for that knowledge.

    ¡°Or I somehow made you forget that you never really wanted me, like that?¡± she stated sadly.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you know that¡¯s not entirely true. Wanting someone is a pretty big requirement for what we know actually happened between us last night.¡±

    ¡°Or it was just the fact that I may very well be the last woman on earth now¡± she sniffled.

    ¡°Stop¡± he shook his head over at her. ¡°I made love to you last night, Aura. I took your virginity for crying out loud. Do you honestly believe that I would do that with you, if it was only about getting laid? Do you really think I would use you like that, knowing how much I do care about you? Really, Aura?¡±

    Aura let out a sound of frustration at her inability to immediately come up with any sort of counter argument to his logic. But she couldn¡¯t dwell on that now. ¡°All of this emotional stuff aside; us both forgetting a chunk of last night? You¡¯ve gotta admit it is pretty fucking scary... and fucked up! Something really strange is going on here, Adan.¡±

    ¡°Agreed¡± he repeated with a hopeless shake of his head. When he looked back her way, her eyes were pleading with him for some explanation that made any kind of sense at all. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on any more than you do.¡±

    ¡°They already tried to kill us all with a virus. Maybe now they poisoned the air too. To get rid of anyone who¡¯s still left. And our brains are just melting every time we take a breath,¡± she mumbled as she covered her face once more.

    ¡°You really have watched a lot more sci-fi and horror movies than me,¡± he stated, once again using humor to deflect any kind of tension.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°We¡¯re in a sci-fi/horror movie!¡± she reminded him loudly.

    ¡°OK¡± he shook his head again, ¡°let¡¯s go with that. But isn¡¯t one of the points of a bunker to protect you from poisoned or irradiated air outside? Doesn¡¯t it have its own environmental system in here?¡±

    ¡°Yes dammit¡± she conceded. ¡°But I just don¡¯t fucking understand how we could just forget. Forget whatever made us go from fourteen years of friendship to...? In the span of one conversation!¡±

    ¡°We did have a few conversations about it, technically¡± he corrected quietly.

    ¡°Adan!¡± she just shook her head.

    ¡°Well, I guess we could always just have sex again. Maybe that¡¯ll fill in the blanks¡± he shrugged, though couldn¡¯t help casting a small glance her way as he did.

    ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡±

    ¡°Do you want me to be?¡±

    ¡°Adan, come on!¡±

    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry. But I¡¯m really at a loss for any other ideas on how to figure this thing out.¡± He then just sighed heavily. As did she.

    <hr>

    Late that night Aura somberly made her way to the pantry in search of a beverage with more taste than just water. As she scanned the shelves and shelves of non-perishables she sighed. Just as she turned to step around to the other side of the shelf, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

    He immediately held his hand up. ¡°Please, don¡¯t make noise¡± he said softly, as though unsure of every word as it left his lips.

    And inconceivably, Aura didn¡¯t make any noise. It was as though she actually couldn¡¯t right then. Her breath caught as terror filled her eyes and she just stared at the man now standing before her in the shadows of the tall shelves.

    Other than her immediate fear and confusion, there was another layer to her reaction as she took in his appearance. It was only the second time in her life she had ever only been able to describe a man with one word: Beautiful. And the only other one who ever garnered that description from her was currently in a completely different room, totally unaware of this man¡¯s presence. Just as she had been until that moment.

    The man seemed to struggle with finding more words for a long moment before speaking again. ¡°The only reason I¡¯m talking to you now, like this, and letting you know I¡¯m even here, it¡¯s because I need to know. Is he dangerous?¡±

    Aura mouthed the word ¡®what¡¯ though sound didn¡¯t seem to find its way out of her throat still. Seeing that she still was unable to respond to him properly, the man seemed to give in and held his hand up again.

    ¡°Please, tell me, but quietly¡± he instructed as he lowered the hand and she almost had the feeling of an invisible noose suddenly loosening around her neck.

    ¡°Who the fuck even are you?¡± she demanded in a loud whisper, surprised that she suddenly had regained use of her voice again.

    ¡°Is he dan--¡±

    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked more loudly.

    He stared at her for a long moment, as if trying to figure out the proper answer to her question himself. Finally, after giving her the impression that he was seeing inside her very soul, he spoke again. ¡°Colonel Reese?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the one who warned... your family? Before the attacks? And sent you here?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± was all she could repeat. She then shook her head and added, ¡°you know him?¡±

    ¡°Yes¡± he stated, as though not sure of the answer himself, somehow.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°His son. I am¡± he added.

    ¡°OK, Yoda¡± she shook her head, ¡°I didn¡¯t even know he had a son. And how the fuck did you even get in here, and when?¡±

    ¡°Before you, and Adan¡± he stated warily, never letting her out of that dark gaze of his.

    ¡°Me and...¡± she shook her head in frustration. ¡°How?¡± she asked again.

    ¡°Reese... Father¡± he corrected, ¡°he¡¯s the one who told your father to get this place. Years ago.¡±

    ¡°And he never bothered telling us that he had a son who could get in here too? Maybe cause his son¡¯s obviously so high he can barely speak, perhaps. Just a theory. Feel free to correct¡± she bit back sarcastically. Yes she found him stunning, physically at any rate. But everything else about his presence and mannerisms and every other thing she was dealing with made her tone harsh and angry with every word.

    ¡°I just need to know if Adan is dangerous. If he hurt you, last night¡± he stated firmly.

    ¡°Fuck you!¡± she bit back, appalled, and feeling her cheeks redden.

    He blinked at that response as though actually trying to decipher it. ¡°That¡¯s all I wanted to know.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got some issues, buddy. And you¡¯re not even supposed to be in here goddammit! And you¡¯ve been sneaking around and listening to us, watching us? What the fuck? I mean, really?¡±

    He blinked again, looking as though her words caused more confusion than offense. ¡°Neither of you can remember all of last night. Not clearly.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she asked, her breath catching.

    ¡°That¡¯s why you can¡¯t answer me.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for that.¡± He then moved forward, causing her to recoil from him. ¡°I just want to help you remember. Then you can answer.¡± and with that he moved his hand toward her head, and suddenly the memory of every moment of she and Adan¡¯s lovemaking, and the panic that led to it, came back to her, all at once.

    She gasped at the flood of memories. Stammering, she forced more words, ¡°you¡¯re not really Colonel Reese¡¯s son, are you?¡± she asked, the words barely audible.

    ¡°Did Adan hurt you?¡± he asked her again.

    ¡°What? No!¡± She shook her head. ¡°But you... you¡¯re...¡±

    Though before she could finish her sentence, he moved his hand again, only to then catch her as she fainted. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, again. I just needed to know if he was dangerous¡± He then gently placed her body upon a nearby sack of foodstuffs, and disappeared into the shadows once more.

 Chapter 11

    Adan was sitting in the main room watching the DVD the two had turned on earlier to try and distract themselves from their current problems for at least a little while. He had just finished his drink and set it aside, his eyes moving to the clock. Even if time didn¡¯t have any real meaning anymore, it was a comfort to at least know what time it would be, in the old version of the world. But as he saw the digital readout changing from 12:30 to 12:31, he adopted a worried expression.

    Having finished her drink earlier, Aura offered to go grab them each a new one from the pantry. But that had been just before midnight. Adan swallowed and hit pause before pushing himself up from the sofa.

    Entering the pantry a minute later, he called to her. ¡°Aura? You still in here? How long can it take to grab a couple of drinks?¡± he asked loudly in the direction of the expanse of high shelves that lined the room.

    Receiving no response, he took a breath and began moving down the first aisle and then the second. It felt like nearly five minutes had passed before he made the turn that led him to where she was, still laying unconscious atop a sack of stored foods.

    ¡°Aura!¡± he stated her name with more worry as he rushed to her side, squatting down to gently shake her.

    It took a few panicked moments before she finally began to stir and climb back into consciousness. ¡°Adan?¡± she murmured as her light blue eyes slowly opened.

    ¡°Who else?¡± he replied with relief, ¡°and what happened? You''ve been gone for over half an hour, and... I know you don¡¯t sleep much but...¡±

    ¡°Do you remember it?¡±

    Adan looked down at that statement, perplexed. ¡°Did you hit your head? Remember what?¡±

    ¡°The shadow¡± she whispered.

    ¡°What? Wasn¡¯t that a movie from the nineties or something? Are you OK?¡± he asked as he helped her to her feet.

    ¡°The shadow. The one you saw last night. You said it was probably just a flickering light¡± she stumbled through her explanation, as her brain was still feeling a bit muddled right then.

    ¡°OK, so you did hit your head?¡± he stated as he reached up to try and tilt her head forward to assess the damage.

    ¡°No, dammit. I¡¯m talking about what happened last night!¡± she told him in frustration.

    ¡°What?¡± he looked down at her warily. ¡°You remember last night now? I mean, the missing part of it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡± she admitted with a shuddering breath as she sadly looked up into his eyes. ¡°And I¡¯m guessing you still don¡¯t?¡±

    He was at a loss for what he should say there. She looked so heartbroken by the fact that he didn¡¯t seem to remember what she now did. Which just happened to be the most significant moment of the shared portion of their lives.

    ¡°Well, maybe it¡¯ll come back to me too¡± he decided on. ¡°Temporary short term memory loss is a thing, right?¡±

    She then looked down sadly. ¡°Yeah, I guess it is. I just really hoped you would...¡± she then shook her head to compose herself. ¡°And there¡¯s still the question of what even caused it. I mean, pretty sure brain cancer isn¡¯t a contagious thing, right?¡±

    ¡°Now you think you have brain cancer?¡± he asked with a raised brow.

    ¡°Well, it would make sense, with the forgetting, remembering, fainting... But like I said, it¡¯s highly doubtful we¡¯d both get it at the same time. Unless they did something else to us¡± she added in a mumble.

    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re back to the alien conspiracies now¡± he said with a slightly sarcastic tone.

    ¡°They¡¯re not conspiracies when we know there really are aliens, Adan¡± she told him pointedly.

    He just sighed. ¡°I think we both might need some sleep right about now. Playing ''what if'' is kind of exhausting after a while.¡±

    ¡°But what about the shadow?¡± she asked a moment after he started leading her back out of the pantry.

    ¡°The one I said was probably a flickering light?¡± he stated as he looked back down at her.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°Are you remembering that now?¡± Aura asked hopefully.

    ¡°You just said that, like a minute ago¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°But that was the thing, Adan¡± she pressed as they neared the bedroom door.

    ¡°What was what thing again?¡±

    She just whimpered in frustration. ¡°This would be a hell of a lot easier if you actually remembered too!¡±

    ¡°Trust me, I know!¡± he returned.

    ¡°Fucking hell¡± she mumbled as she stepped into the bedroom. ¡°Just... fuck!¡± she exclaimed with further frustration as she plopped down at the foot of the bed. Adan couldn¡¯t help a tiny smirk as he closed the door behind them. Catching his expression she looked back up at him. ¡°What the fuck are you smirking about?¡±

    ¡°Was just wondering if the thing you just said before that was like, an order.¡±

    ¡°Jokes, Adan? You still got jokes?¡± she complained.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Aura¡± he stated, actually sounding sincere as he moved to take a seat next to her. ¡°I guess I just gotta laugh, cause otherwise...¡± He didn¡¯t need to finish the sentence.

    ¡°Otherwise you¡¯d be as much of a wreck as me?¡± she finished for him.

    ¡°At least you can remember it. And believe me, I wish to hell I could too.¡± He then placed a hand gently over her knee. ¡°So tell me what it was actually like. I do wanna know¡± he finished softly.

    ¡°What it was like?¡± she asked with a shake of her head up at him.

    ¡°Well, what led to it, of course, but also,¡± a pause, ¡°if it was what you wanted it to be. I guess I¡¯d like to know that too.¡±

    ¡°It was you, making love to me. Of course it was what I wanted it to be¡± her voice cracked as she spoke. He just smiled over at her and moved to kiss her lips again, for what felt like the first time, at least for him.

    As Adan pointed out, a good night¡¯s sleep was something the two of them could probably both use right then. So it didn¡¯t take long before they agreed to at least give that a try. Though this time they would try sleeping, just sleeping, in a real bed. Though the two of them still lay close together as they moved back against the pillows, Adan on his side next to where she lay on her back, with his arm draped loosely over her waist.

    Their heads shared a pillow as he closed his eyes and made the attempt at sleep. His warm breath tickled her ear as he gave her a little squeeze and went about the normal human¡¯s nightly ritual of actually trying to sleep. Though that tradition was one that Aura herself had never been all that good at, even before this new world they now were residing in.

    While he tried to sleep, she stared at the ceiling in the near darkness of only the security lights once again. Her brain was always going a million miles a minute due to all the regular anxieties of the world, let alone all the new ones they were now dealing with. And a racing mind was not a sleeping mind, and she was still a long way from figuring out how to slow it enough to actually get any of that much needed sleep.

    Though he hid his worries a lot better than she ever did, it still took Adan nearly an hour before he finally started to drift off to sleep himself. And the moment he seemed to start to succumb to slumber, Aura lost her fight against her own worries. Almost as though she feared being awake while he was asleep was just a little too similar to being alone.

    ¡°OK so now I remember last night, but I still don¡¯t get why the hell I passed out in the pantry tonight. And you said I was in there for like half an hour? I only remember being in there for like five minutes before you were shaking me awake. And I¡¯m not the fainting type. And it just doesn¡¯t...¡±

    Adan sighed as her voice jarred him back to the consciousness he had just released his own hold on, ¡°so, trouble sleeping again?¡± he stated the obvious as he moved closer and gave her another squeeze, though still didn¡¯t open his eyes again just yet.

    ¡°How are you still so calm?¡± she pleaded with him. ¡°I told you about the shadow, flickering light, whatever. And now I¡¯m missing whole half hours, and passing out, and...¡±

    He finally opened his eyes and looked over at where she had now turned her head to give him a pleading expression.

    ¡°Should I start kissing you again? Would that help?¡±

    ¡°Adan.¡±

    He sighed again as he finally pushed himself back up into a sitting position, leaning back against the headboard, as she sat up and leaned back next to him as well.

    ¡°Neither of us know what¡¯s really going on, and I think just sitting here driving ourselves nuts trying to figure out the things we can¡¯t figure out... It just...¡± he sighed again with a defeated shrug.

    ¡°What is that? The Serenity Prayer? Did you go to rehab without telling me? Now you¡¯re all about accepting the things we can¡¯t change, or what?¡± she complained as she looked away.

    ¡°If we stayed up all night, inventing a million theories about everything that we honestly don¡¯t understand at all, is that gonna make us feel any better? Honestly?¡± he attempted.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re OK with all this weirdness?¡± she asked with disbelief.

    ¡°There are a few shades of gray between being OK with stuff and letting yourself stay up all night panicking about it. Isn¡¯t there?¡± he suggested softly.

    ¡°Not for me¡± she whispered as she looked away from him again.

    Adan let out a sad, heavy sigh as he turned his eyes to the ceiling and tried his best to think of anything at all he could say right then. ¡°God, Aura, I wish I knew what I could do or say to make you stop feeling the way you feel all the time. Especially now. I just don¡¯t¡± he said softly, his tone full of regret that he didn¡¯t honestly know how to help solve any of this for her.

    She then looked over at him again, as he hopelessly stared at the ceiling above their bed. ¡°Is that what you meant, when you said I would find out that you¡¯re not perfect?¡±

    He finally turned his eyes back to her, ¡°I guess it probably is¡± he whispered as he reached up to touch her hair.

    ¡°Nobody¡¯s ever been able to fix this for me, Adan. Why do you think you should be able to?¡±

    ¡°Cause I just want to, so badly. I just want, so much, for you to finally be able to be happy for even a moment and...¡±

    She let out another sound that was somewhere between a cry and a laugh as she leaned over and covered his mouth with hers once again.

 Chapter 12

    Another week passed there in the bunker, and it was now May. At least it would have been if the world was still one in which things like that even mattered anymore. Though the two made a mutual decision to keep the clocks set and keep crossing the days off the calendar if for no other reason than being able to hold onto some small semblance of normality.

    In that week, Aura had managed to rein in her urge to constantly dissect and analyze and theory craft the hell out of the things that made no sense. Even if the faraway look Adan often caught her wearing made it obvious that that was still all she was ever doing inside her own head, every moment.

    Also, in that week they had not yet made love again. They had shared a few more kisses and held each other at night, but the lovemaking was something neither of them had decided to press for again just yet. There was a sort of unspoken understanding that it would just be strange to do that a second time when there was still one of them who didn¡¯t fully remember the first. And choosing to wait until he somehow got those memories back, if he ever did, seemed a prudent decision to them for the time being.

    There was yet another unspoken reason why that level of intimacy hadn¡¯t returned yet either. At least for the one of them who remembered their first time together. Remembering that night also led to Aura remembering that it was the riskiest thing she had ever allowed herself to do. Especially in this world. She was already petrified of the idea of ever having a child, even before this had become their life. And if that were to happen now, when the two of them were here in this place, alone, no doctors, no way to properly raise a child, even if they had wanted to? She shook her head to chase away those thoughts. That was a mental spiral she couldn¡¯t succumb to if she ever hoped to be able to keep pretending she wasn¡¯t one crack away from shattering into a million pieces every moment.

    They had just finished their late night dinner in the living room and Aura had given him a little kiss before leaving the room and padding down the hall toward the bedroom. He allowed a little smile as his eyes followed her from the room before he turned to begin gathering up the remnants of their meal and turn off the television once more.

    Only, when he turned back to the glass doors, he stopped in his tracks, nearly dropping the plates and dishes as he did. There, just inside the doors, he was standing, looking at Adan warily. In that moment, Adan felt enough panic to match Aura¡¯s on any given day.

    ¡°Who, in the fuck...¡± Adan began breathlessly, with a greeting that nearly matched Aura¡¯s when he had revealed himself to her a week earlier. Not that she remembered the encounter now.

    ¡°Adan¡± he began, the use of the other man¡¯s name only causing another wave of distrust to appear. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt either of you. I just needed to know that neither of you would try to hurt me either.¡±

    ¡°Jury¡¯s still out on that one¡± Adan replied, trying to sound imposing, but afraid to take his eyes off the other man for even a moment as he warily set the plates and dishes back on the coffee table. ¡°Now who the hell are you, and how are you even in here at all?¡±

    The other man almost smiled, but couldn¡¯t quite manage it. ¡°At first I thought you may have been a bigger danger. But you¡¯re the much calmer one, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thanks, but still not an answer to my goddamn question¡± Adan bit back impatiently.

    Taking another breath, the stranger decided that if this were ever going to work, memories needed to return and something called trust would have to be built. So he attempted to give Adan the same explanation he had already given Aura.

    After hearing the story, Adan thought on the other man¡¯s explanation, attempting to determine how likely it was that it actually was the truth. He wanted to call to Aura, to let her know of this man¡¯s presence too. But on the off chance that the man wasn¡¯t trustworthy after all, endangering her would not be a wise plan either.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°So, you and your crazy military survivalist dad could have always gotten into this bunker too? It wasn¡¯t just Aura¡¯s family?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s the one who convinced them to buy it¡± the man confirmed, watching Adan¡¯s dark eyes with his own which looked so strikingly similar.

    Adan took a breath, still studying the other man warily. ¡°I¡¯ve known Aura a long time. Have you and I actually met? Like when we were kids or something? Cause you seem really fuckin familiar. Really strange, but really fucking familiar¡± he repeated, his volume dropping again as he moved his eyes over the other man once more.

    ¡°Possibly¡± was the only answer he gave Adan.

    ¡°OK Mr. Creepy, do you have an actual name, or will that one do?¡±

    The other man paused a moment before answering, ¡°Ilian¡± he offered.

    ¡°You sure? You seemed like you had to think about it a minute¡± Adan retorted, distrust still apparent.

    ¡°She panics. You use humor and sarcasm¡± Ilian responded, as if taking mental notes out loud.

    ¡°Yeah, thanks¡± Adan returned in the same biting tone. ¡°So, I guess you¡¯ve just been in here with us hiding and eavesdropping for over a week? Not really that great of a play if you want people to trust you, Ilian. Just sayin.¡±

    ¡°Sorry. Like I said, I needed to know the two of you were safe too.¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡± Adan scoffed. ¡°It all sounds pretty fuckin sketch and so fucking creepy, man!¡± Adan shook his head. ¡°I mean were you watching us too? I mean even when we...¡± Adan just looked down, stopping himself from finishing that sentence.

    On the reminder of the night that was stolen from Adan¡¯s memory, Ilian looked down a moment. He then took a wary step closer, slowly moving his hand toward Adan¡¯s face.

    ¡°OK, bud, you''re getting a little handsy for having just met me¡± Adan warned as he took a step back, watching Ilian with another suspicious look.

    ¡°Just, please¡± Ilian said softly as he more slowly raised his hand again.

    A moment later, Adan staggered a bit as he was suddenly deluged with the memories he had been missing. He took another moment to catch his breath as he gave Ilian another wary look. ¡°You were the shadow I saw that night.¡±

    ¡°And I didn¡¯t mean to frighten either of you. I didn¡¯t even want either of you to know I was here yet¡± Ilian admitted.

    ¡°I need to go talk to Aura¡± Adan said, still a little shaken by the sudden return of his memories, let alone everything else he was dealing with in that moment. ¡°But where the hell have you even been hiding this whole time?¡±

    ¡°The garden, mostly¡± Ilian offered. ¡°You two rarely go in there.¡±

    ¡°You got stuff in there?¡± Adan asked, still watching him carefully.

    ¡°Stuff?¡±

    ¡°You know, like a pillow, blanket, toothbrush, anything?¡±

    ¡°Some things¡± Ilian offered after a moment.

    ¡°Well, may as well go get them. I might be able to convince her to let you stay in the other bedroom, like a normal person¡± Adan stated, though his tone remained wary. ¡°And that means you gotta stop bein so fuckin creepy by the way. Think you can manage that?¡±

    After taking a moment to take in all of Adan¡¯s hurriedly spoken words, he replied, ¡°I can try, I suppose.¡±

    ¡°Good plan¡± Adan stated with obvious sarcasm. ¡°Now, go get your stuff.¡±

    Ilian simply nodded, gave Adan another hesitant look of his own, then left the room to head back in the direction of the gardens. The moment Ilian left the room though, Adan turned in the opposite direction, toward the heavy steel doors that led to the entry corridor, and the glass cases, and the weapons.

    When Adan returned to the bedroom, he took pause as he stepped through the door. Aura was leaning over the bed, spreading a light blanket over it. And she was only wearing a long t-shirt as she did. And now that he had just gotten his memory back, that was almost an impossible fact for him to ignore right then.

    ¡°Um, so¡± he swallowed as he took another step into the room, causing her to turn to look at him, while self consciously pulling the shirt down further around the pale skin of her hips. ¡°I figured something out tonight. A few things really, but...¡± he struggled through his explanation, his hands nervously trailing over the handles of the two guns that were now tucked into the back of his pants, his own long t-shirt pulled down over them.

    ¡°OK...¡± she responded warily. His nervousness was obvious, and considering how rare it was for him to act nervous, that just made her more nervous then as well.

    ¡°I know what the shadow was¡± he began hesitantly.

    ¡°You remember it now?¡± she asked hopefully again.

    ¡°Yeah, that too¡± Adan confirmed softly.

    ¡°So you remember all the rest of the night too now?¡± she continued as she took a step toward him.

    ¡°Yeah, I do, which I¡¯m really happy about, but the shadow; it was actually---¡±

    Then her eyes flew to the doorway behind Adan. And suddenly she was hit by a flood of missing memories too, ¡°Colonel Reese¡¯s son...¡± she whispered, causing Adan to turn quickly around to see Ilian standing in the hall outside the bedroom again, seeming pretty nervous himself right then.

 Chapter 13

    Adan looked between Aura and Ilian as he tried to find words in that moment. Turning to her, he spoke, ¡°so you actually do know him? He is actually the guy he says he is?¡±

    Aura swallowed as she held Ilian in her sight. She wasn¡¯t sure she was quite convinced of that herself either, but right then, thinking clearly seemed to be a bit of a problem. ¡°I just remembered meeting him, that night I passed out in the pantry and couldn¡¯t remember why I had been in there for like half an hour. But that¡¯s who he said he was then. But I only remembered it, now¡± she stated warily.

    Adan took a few steps backwards into the room, closer to Aura, holding Ilian in his gaze as he did. ¡°But you don¡¯t remember him from before the bunker?¡±

    ¡°Reese hardly spent a lot of time socializing with my parents in his off time. I didn¡¯t even know he had some son who was around our age¡± she admitted as Adan reached her side, taking her hand in his protectively.

    ¡°And you couldn¡¯t remember meeting him in the pantry before somehow passing out for half an hour, til now?¡± Adan repeated, both of them centering suspicious looks on Ilian.

    ¡°I¡¯ve revealed myself to both of you now. I¡¯m not here to hurt either of you. I promise¡± Ilian stated as he moved those dark eyes over them both, watching for any signs that they were going to become hostile due to their understandable distrust.

    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking creepy, man¡± Adan told him coolly. ¡°And if I ever find out that you did hurt her, or plan to try hurting either of us...¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t. I¡¯m actually...¡±

    ¡°Actually what?¡± Aura asked.

    Ilian paused a moment, as though rethinking what he had originally planned to say. ¡°I actually want us all to be safe. I do¡± he insisted.

    ¡°Fine, bud, but just go be safe in the other bedroom for right now, would you?¡± Adan told him pointedly.

    Ilian let out a slight sigh, but did not argue before slowly moving down the hall to the other bedroom. Disappearing inside and closing the door softly behind him, he heard their bedroom door shut, and lock as well a moment later.

    ¡°So, do we actually trust this guy or what?¡± Adan asked her worriedly.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who studies human behavior, and who isn¡¯t a complete and total anxiety-ridden wreck. You tell me¡± Aura responded.

    ¡°Everything about him being here and everything else seems pretty fucking weird....¡±

    ¡°But?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, he just...¡± Adan sighed as he took a seat on the bed.

    ¡°He what?¡± she asked softly as she joined him.

    ¡°Just something about him, it... It seems like familiar to me or something¡± Adan tried to explain that strange impression he had gotten from Ilian ever since first laying his eyes on him.

    ¡°So we do trust him?¡± she asked with doubt. She then moved her hand to his back comfortingly as he seemed to be struggling with his decision on the matter quite a bit. Only, when she placed her hand on his waist, she felt the hard cool metal gun under his shirt. ¡°Is that a gun?¡± she choked on the question.

    ¡°Two, actually¡± Adan admitted as he reached behind his back and pulled them free. ¡°Just in case, right?¡±

    She swallowed hard as she turned a shocked look to the guns in his hands now. ¡°Just in case¡± she whispered her agreement.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    <hr>

    The following morning, Adan was sitting at the dining table stirring a bowl of cereal more than actually eating it. He was having difficulty convincing himself that powdered milk was even remotely similar to real milk when Ilian cautiously entered the room. Both boys were now wearing nothing more than the pants they had each slept in the night before, and both still had sleep-mussed long black locks falling over dark brown eyes. And both continued regarding each other hesitantly as Ilian slowly moved into the room.

    Adan continued to watch the allegedly just slightly older man seem to struggle with the very concept of taking a glass from the overhead cupboard and filling it with water from the sink. ¡°You¡¯re so weird¡± Adan mumbled to himself as he forced down a bite of his breakfast.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Aura?¡±

    ¡°You mean you didn¡¯t poke around spying on us to answer that question already yourself?¡± Adan replied in the same mumble.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you still don¡¯t trust me?¡± Ilian responded quietly.

    ¡°Imagine that¡± Adan replied shortly as he took another bite.

    Ilian let out a slight sigh as he looked suspiciously at the glass before taking a sip of the water. ¡°So, what can I do to get you to trust me then?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know¡± Adan retorted.

    ¡°Sarcasm again, right?¡±

    ¡°Well you are pretty fucking shady. Even without the whole sneaking around in here with us for over a week thing. What do you expect?¡±

    ¡°Well, I could leave but...¡± Ilian offered with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Funny¡± Adan scoffed as he took another bite.

    ¡°So, am I why Aura didn¡¯t want to come out of your room?¡± Ilian asked after a few more unsure sips of water.

    ¡°Probably¡± Adan offered, unapologetic.

    ¡°So you didn¡¯t... calm her down again, last night?¡± Ilian asked innocently, causing Adan to glare up at him.

    ¡°See, it¡¯s shit like that that makes you so goddamn weird, and makes us so goddamn uncomfortable around you. Spying on people not a great way to break the ice. A fact that seems to have escaped you in the last twenty years, when she apparently never even met you¡± he added pointedly.

    ¡°I needed to make sure...¡±

    ¡°Yes, I heard.¡± Adan grumbled his interruption.

    <hr>

    It was just over an hour later when Aura could no longer ignore her hunger, and made herself actually leave the bedroom where she had been mindlessly messing with whichever apps would still work on her phone now.

    When she reached the glass doors, she found her now two young male companions sitting awkwardly at opposite ends of the sofa while another DVD played across the television screen. Ilian was watching the screen with rapt attention, as though whatever was on it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. Meanwhile, Adan was watching Ilian, while pretending he was not.

    When she stepped into sight behind the glass doors, Adan noticed her presence first. Aura gave him a pointed look, gesturing for him to come speak with her. As she ducked back out of sight, Adan looked over at Ilian. ¡°You keep watching that, buddy. I¡¯ll be back¡± he excused as he moved quickly to leave the room and join Aura where she was staying out of sight in the hall. ¡°You beckoned?¡± Adan asked in a whisper as the two stood just off to the side of the glass doors speaking furtively.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Answering your summons?¡± Adan offered with a shrug.

    ¡°I mean, in there¡± she returned in a loud whisper.

    ¡°Keeping an eye on our new friend so he doesn¡¯t you know, decide to kill us and keep the bunker for himself or something?¡± Adan offered.

    ¡°Or erase our brains?¡± she stated pointedly.

    ¡°Yeah, that would probably be bad too¡± Adan admitted with a tone of discomfort.

    ¡°Or roofie me and leave me laying on a burlap sack in the pantry?¡± she added in the same raspy whisper.

    Adan glanced back toward the doors with more worry, then back to her. ¡°You really think he did that?¡±

    ¡°Well what do you think?¡±

    ¡°No idea. I wasn¡¯t there¡± he had to admit.

    ¡°No kidding.¡±

    ¡°What? If you really think he did something like that, do you want me to go get the g--¡± he began, causing her to quickly clamp her hand over his mouth to prevent him from finishing the sentence.

    ¡°Did you suddenly forget how to be subtle?¡±

    ¡°Sorry, but if he really did some shit like that to you...¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just know this is all kinds of fucked up. Him. His story. The memory losses. The fainting. All of it!¡± she exclaimed, her volume rising with her panic levels.

    That was when Ilian moved to open the glass doors and look over at where the two of them were standing there in the hall. ¡°Are things... OK?¡± he asked warily.

    ¡°Yeah, just fucking peachy¡± Aura responded bitterly as she pushed past Adan and headed for the kitchen, leaving him to force a fake smile as he looked back at their new roommate.

    ¡°Should I have waited until you put your mouth over hers again? The way you did last time she got like that, and then...¡±

    ¡°Would you shut the fuck up?¡± Adan bit back. He then sighed heavily as he looked off in the direction of the kitchen. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go get a shower or something? I mean, you probably could use it after sneaking around in here for the last week.¡±

    ¡°Shower?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, in the bathroom¡± Adan added impatiently.

    ¡°So you can go and calm her down?¡±

    ¡°Or try to. And shut up¡± he repeated with frustration as he moved off after Aura.

 Chapter 14

    Aura nearly jumped when Adan entered the kitchen behind her. ¡°So, where is he now?¡± was her greeting.

    ¡°I told him to go get a shower.¡± He sighed as he watched her grudgingly return to her overly angry breakfast preparation. ¡°If you¡¯re gonna be this freaked out about him...¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll what?¡± she asked as she continued to keep her back to Adan. ¡°Throw him out of the bunker? Oh wait¡± she added sarcastically. ¡°Shoot him for the crime of making me feel really fucking uncomfortable then?¡± she scoffed.

    ¡°I know everything about this is weird...¡±

    ¡°But?¡± she bit out the word as she finally turned to face him.

    ¡°But,¡± he stated as he moved closer to her, placing his hands on her arms, ¡°he¡¯s been in here with us for over a week. And we didn¡¯t even know he was here; while we slept, while we ate, while we showered, while we...¡± he swallowed and continued, ¡°if he honestly wanted to hurt us, he¡¯s had a hell of a lot of chances already¡± he stated quietly.

    ¡°So you do trust him?¡± she replied with disbelief.

    ¡°Again, there¡¯s a few shades of gray between ¡®trusting¡¯ him and thinking he¡¯s about to murder us at any moment.¡±

    She just continued to look at him with a shake of her head. ¡°How were we ever best friends again? You¡¯re so fucking zen about everything! Up to and including being stalked by someone while being locked in a bunker in the middle of an alien invasion! How do you not think that I must be the biggest fucking nutcase on the planet?¡±

    Adan bit back a smile, ¡°when you put it that way, I¡¯m the one that sounds nuts.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, maybe a little¡± she agreed as she turned away again, only to have him catch her arm, and pull her close to him.

    ¡°Wanna hear something else crazy?¡± Adan allowed a tiny grin.

    ¡°Sure, there isn¡¯t enough of that already¡± she replied sarcastically, trying to ignore the way her pulse raced even more as he held her against him.

    ¡°Ilian there thinks I have some magic ability to calm you down when you get all upset like this.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that is crazy¡± she replied with the same sarcasm.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it though?¡± he smirked back at her as he leaned closer and covered her mouth with his again.

    As their kiss continued, it somehow led to Adan¡¯s hands finding their way into the back of Aura¡¯s t-shirt. As their tongues continued to tease one another his hands gently caressed her heated pale skin underneath the dark material. She had just, against her own better judgment, moved her fingers to the waist of his pants when they were interrupted by the sound of Ilian pushing open the kitchen door behind them.

    ¡°Fucking hell¡± Adan muttered as the two separated and he turned slightly away in frustration, readjusting his pants as he did.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry but I had trouble with the... shower?¡± he stated hesitantly.

    ¡°It¡¯s a shower!¡± Adan replied with a bit of impatience.

    ¡°I had to explain it to you¡± Aura couldn¡¯t help reminding Adan, though quietly.

    He then looked back at her, appearing wounded by the comment. ¡°Fine, would you like to go explain it to him too then?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the expert¡± Adan returned wryly.

    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna help him figure out the shower. You go¡± Aura argued.

    ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s... a he!¡±

    Adan just looked back at that comment and couldn¡¯t help his next. ¡°How does that matter? I¡¯ve had sex with more men than you¡± he reminded her. Ignoring the look she shot him on that comment, he quickly moved on. ¡°Besides, I doubt he wants me to help him take a shower quite that literally¡± Adan returned.

    ¡°Who knows, with him¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have to take a shower¡± Ilian offered quietly as he looked awkwardly between them.

    ¡°God, let¡¯s just go¡± Adan gave in as he moved toward the door with a huff, Ilian following warily.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°That was strange¡± Ilian said thoughtfully once Adan had led him back to the bathroom.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Adan asked, still frustrated by the earlier interruption.

    ¡°You and Aura. You were being... affectionate? Then suddenly angry?¡±

    ¡°That was hardly angry¡± Adan scoffed. ¡°And you¡¯re one to call anyone else strange¡± he added in a mumble as he stepped into the bathroom, waiting for Ilian to follow, which he did, hesitantly. ¡°You hit the button with the blue wavy lines, then turn the faucets. Enjoy¡± he told him with brevity as he gestured to the computer pad and moved to make his way past Ilian and out of the tiny room again.

    As he moved past Ilian he caught him looking toward the shower and the computer panel blankly, as if trying to solve a puzzle. Adan sighed and stopped just short of the doorway.

    ¡°Seriously, what is you deal, dude?¡±

    ¡°Deal?¡± Ilian repeated, giving Adan the same puzzled look he had been giving the shower a moment earlier.

    ¡°Is English like not your first language, or what?¡± Adan prodded, his nerves wearing rather thin these days too, no matter how ¡®zen¡¯ he appeared to be when placed next to Aura.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s new¡± Ilian admitted.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Adan furrowed his brow at that admittance. ¡°But your dad is American, right? I mean you do look like part Native American or something, but still. Did you grow up on a reservation or something?¡±

    ¡°Yes. A reservation¡± Ilian stated flatly.

    ¡°OK¡± Adan continued to look at him curiously. ¡°I guess that would explain your weird way of talking, and why all this shit,¡± he gestured to the computer panel, ¡°must seem pretty strange to you, I guess.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡± Ilian agreed again.

    ¡°Whatever man. Just take off your clothes and get in the shower. I need to go check on...¡± before he finished, Ilian had already begun pulling away the pants which were his only article of clothing that morning anyway. ¡°OK then¡± Adan swallowed as he attempted to turn his eyes away, but couldn¡¯t help letting them linger an extra moment. As he had mentioned earlier, he had had relationships, at least physical ones, with males and females alike. And it was quite difficult to ignore how incredibly attractive Ilian was, despite all that aforementioned weirdness. Especially once he undressed right there in front of him. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m.. yeah, enjoy¡± Adan repeated, taking one last glance at him before making himself leave the room, closing the door tightly behind him with a deep breath.

    When Adan returned to the dining area, looking a tad flustered, he found Aura having her late breakfast. She looked up at him with an unreadable expression before speaking. ¡°You mean you didn¡¯t decide to stay and help him wash his back or something? You having been with so many men and all.¡±

    ¡°Aura...¡± he just shook his head, ¡°I said, more men than you, and I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t thinking. But ¡®more men than you¡¯ could technically mean like two¡± he had to point out.

    ¡°Mmm-hmm¡± she said as she cast him a look of doubt before taking another bite of her breakfast.

    ¡°And I seriously doubt I¡¯ll be reconnecting with any of them any time soon¡± he added with a sheepish grin.

    ¡°Yeah, now you¡¯re just stuck with me. And Ilian¡± she couldn¡¯t help adding.

    ¡°Stop¡± he shook his head, but managed to hold his smile. ¡°Besides, I know your type. Shouldn¡¯t I be worried about competition too now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah cause I¡¯m so into the creepy stalker man¡± she stated with a roll of her eyes.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t hear you say you don¡¯t think he¡¯s hot though.¡±

    ¡°And was that you just saying that you do think he is?¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡± he shook his head again with a small chuckle. ¡°At any rate, if we both think he¡¯s hot, then maybe we¡¯ll end up getting along with him really well after all, right?¡±

    ¡°Oh you stop!¡± she told him with feigned offense.

    ¡°Anyway¡± he smiled again, ¡°I found out that he apparently grew up on a reservation. Which I guess explains one iota of his weirdness, right?¡±

    ¡°A reservation?¡±

    ¡°Apparently.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I feel completely safe now¡± she told him wryly.

    ¡°And there¡¯s that abuse of sarcasm I love so much again¡± he teased.

    <hr>

    When Aura crawled into bed with Adan that night, he almost immediately pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his. They had gotten into the habit of kissing one another goodnight since the night they had made love. But tonight, his kiss was more urgent; the type that usually signaled the start of other activities.

    As always, it was impossible for her not to kiss him back. And as she did, she felt his hand slide under the t-shirt which was her usual nighttime apparel and up her side to begin caressing her breast as he pulled her even closer. Though it was only a few moments before he ended the kiss and looked over at her.

    ¡°You¡¯re shaking¡± he smiled at her as he gently kissed her forehead, awaiting her response.

    ¡°I am?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not all that cold in here, and it¡¯s not your first time, this time¡± he smiled coyly, ¡°and I haven¡¯t made you start coming yet, so...?¡±

    ¡°Sorry?¡± was the only response she managed.

    ¡°What is it, Aura? You¡¯re not, like, scared of us doing this again... Are you?¡± he asked with concern as he moved back from her to prop his head on one hand, and wipe some hair from his face with the other.

    ¡°Scared? Why would I...¡± though she simply averted her eyes.

    ¡°OK, so why are you scared? Let me know so I can help alleviate it¡± he told her gently.

    She seemed to struggle more than a moment before finding the strength to give him an answer. ¡°I¡¯ve always been scared of sex, Adan. You know that¡± she admitted softly.

    ¡°Well you¡¯re not a virgin anymore, so...¡±

    ¡°And that fact¡¯s the main reason why I¡¯m so scared right now¡± she sniffled slightly.

    ¡°You¡¯re scared cause you¡¯re no longer a virgin?¡± he asked with confusion.

    ¡°Come on, Adan. You know why I was still a virgin at seventeen. And it wasn¡¯t just because I wanted it to be with... the right guy¡± she added, refusing to let herself replace the phrase with the word ¡®you.¡¯ He already was aware of that fact too.

    Searching his brain a moment, he found the answer she was hinting at. The two of them had talked about sex before. They were teenagers after all. But knowing how she felt about him, he tried to avoid the topic with her on most occasions, for reasons of awkwardness alone.

    ¡°I mean, aren¡¯t you scared of that happening too?¡± she blurted out, no longer able to contain her fears after being called on them.

    ¡°Of course I am, but...¡± he was at a loss for how to finish that sentence.

    ¡°But what?¡±

    ¡°If that does happen, we¡¯ll figure it out,¡± he then squeezed her tightly to him again.

 Chapter 15

    ¡°I do love you Adan¡± she went on after he had pulled her into another close hug there atop the bed. ¡°And being with you was so, so perfect, and it was all I ever wanted. And I can¡¯t stop thinking about how much I want to do that again, and again.¡± She blushed and took a shaky breath as he kissed her hair. ¡°And I¡¯m so sorry, I just...¡±

    ¡°Shh, you don¡¯t need to apologize for a perfectly natural and reasonable fear. Like I said, I have that fear too. And if we have to, we¡¯ll figure out how to deal with any of that. In the meantime¡± he smiled as he gave her another soft kiss, ¡°pretty sure there are a few other ways we can still make each other feel pretty good.¡± He smiled again before going in for a more passionate kiss.

    When he stopped the kiss to allow them both a breath, she gave him a wary smile. ¡°I assume you¡¯re talking about foreplay type things?¡± she dared.

    ¡°Now that I have my memory of that night back, I¡¯m almost positive I gave you your first honest to goodness assisted orgasm without even taking off my pants¡± he teased as he leaned in for yet another kiss, his hands simultaneously finding their way under her shirt again.

    She couldn¡¯t help a small chuckle as his mouth moved to her neck while his fingers continued teasing her nipples into hardening. ¡°Yeah, but you didn¡¯t get to have yours until we did... the rest.¡±

    Adan chuckled against her neck, ¡°though it¡¯s an unexplored theory between the two of us as of yet, I¡¯m also pretty positive there are ways to make me have one of those that won¡¯t lead to pregnancy. I¡¯ve heard some things¡± he teased.

    ¡°Did you just ask me for a blowjob?¡± she couldn¡¯t help another tiny laugh.

    ¡°That¡¯s one idea¡± he teased back as he removed one of his hands from their previous task, and then guided hers to the front of his pants, where it seemed he was currently having a few ideas of his own.

    <hr>

    The next day, Aura was once again putting off breakfast while Adan had gotten dressed and headed to the kitchen when his brain had decided he was done sleeping for the night. After quickly finishing his breakfast, he decided to go on a mission, of sorts. There may not be a lot of things that he could fix for Aura, but perhaps there was one. Which would also happen to fix something for him too. But that was beside the point.

    When he had been watching the camera feeds their second day there, the internet had still been working on the computer in the living room. And as with all things his generation weren¡¯t sure of, they would usually turn to the internet for answers. So he went about doing just that after he had finished eating.

    As he conducted his search, Ilian also rose and made his way from the second bedroom. He was about to go try and find some sort of breakfast too, when he glanced through the glass doors of the living room and noted Adan there at the computer.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked Adan as he pushed the doors open.

    ¡°What¡¯s what?¡± Adan asked distractedly as he continued reading the screen.

    ¡°What you¡¯re doing there¡± Ilian replied as he took a few steps closer.

    ¡°The internet hasn¡¯t died yet, so I¡¯m doing a search on it. That¡¯s all¡± Adan answered with the same distraction.

    ¡°Oh¡± Ilian said quietly.

    That¡¯s when Adan turned to look back up at him. ¡°Let me guess, no computers on the reservation?¡± he asked as he furrowed his brow.

    ¡°It was, different there¡± Ilian stated, after another of those long pauses any time one asked him a question.

    ¡°Still don¡¯t even know how you managed to get into this place at all¡± Adan mumbled as he got up from the desk, gathering up a post-it note he had been scribbling things upon as he conducted his search.

    Ilian swallowed as he watched Adan leave the room again. He then glanced down at the computer. He took another long moment as though attempting to translate the words on the screen. And once he did, he took another unsure breath, and looked after Adan as the doors closed behind him.

    Ilian found Adan again a few moments later. Now he was in the small room between the pantry and freezer where the medical supplies were stored. After all, if one wanted to survive for years underground, one would need a rather vast medical supply.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°You lonely or something?¡± Adan asked with slight irritation as Ilian appeared in the doorway there too.

    ¡°Lonely?¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡± Adan mumbled as he continued to look through label after label of the supplies stored there.

    Ilian watched him struggle to find what he was looking for; something from the list of medications he had written down. Though Adan honestly had no idea what they were even used for and whether or not any of them would have even been deemed necessary for surviving the apocalypse when this place had last been stocked.

    ¡°I was a sort of healer before...¡± Ilian spoke quietly.

    ¡°What, like a medicine man?¡± Adan looked back at him with a mix of curiosity and continued suspicion.

    ¡°Something like that¡± Ilian stated hesitantly, ¡°maybe I can help.¡±

    Adan gave him a look of doubt, ¡°I¡¯m just looking for certain medications. Only requires the ability to read, honest¡± he shook his head back at Ilian before returning to his search.

    Ilian was quiet for a long moment as he continued to watch Adan search. Finally he spoke again. ¡°Just tell her to start taking something you call Ibuprofen. It could do the same thing¡± he stated bluntly before turning and leaving the room once more.

    Adan narrowed his eyes and watched Ilian leave the room once again. As soon as the other man was gone, Adan turned his attention to the huge supply of Ibuprofen that he had barely noted earlier, as that was something he fully expected to be there, and hadn¡¯t even thought of, until now.

    He took a bottle into his hand and started scanning the warning label, only to have his breath catch as he looked toward the door that Ilian had just left through again. He swallowed and shoved the bottle into his pants¡¯ pocket before leaving the room himself then.

    When he returned to their bedroom, Aura was just sliding into her pants for the day. ¡°I may have found a solution, to at least one problem. And it¡¯s a long way from ideal, but...¡± he sighed nervously.

    ¡°What solution to what problem?¡± she asked warily as she spread the bed again before turning back to him.

    Adan tried to find the best way to even broach the subject before speaking. ¡°You remember the million and one drug commercials we¡¯d have to watch every time we tried to stream anything?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± she gave him a puzzled look.

    ¡°And you remember how all of them ended with the don¡¯t take if such and such stuff?¡±

    ¡°Yes...¡± she returned, continuing to watch him warily.

    ¡°And what was the most popular warning?¡±

    ¡°What? Adan what are you even talking about drug commercials for?¡±

    ¡°Humor me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, most of them said do not take if you¡¯re pregnant, nursing, or plan to be...¡± her voice trailed off then as she remembered the conversation they had just had last night before getting distracted by other activities.

    ¡°Like I said, it¡¯s not an ideal solution, but...¡± he shrugged warily before reaching into his pocket. He took out the bottle of Ibuprofen and tossed it to her. ¡°Care to read the warning label on that? I figured it would be the easiest one to find here, and the one with the least freaky side effects, right?¡± he asked her hopefully as she caught the bottle and gave him a shocked look.

    ¡°This could...¡± she asked as she scanned the label.

    ¡°I mean it isn¡¯t the pill. It won¡¯t keep you from getting pregnant at all, but if you were to...¡± he stated hesitantly, watching for her to take some great offense. ¡°Like I said, not hardly ideal, but...¡±

    Aura sat at the foot of the bed again, still looking down at the bottle in her hand. ¡°Then I at least would only have to survive a miscarriage, instead of childbirth or watching a baby die cause it would be impossible to even raise it like this¡± she stated more to herself.

    ¡°I know, not ideal but, that¡¯s kind of what I was thinking too.¡±

    She finally allowed a tiny smile and a look up at him. ¡°You¡¯re right, not hardly ideal. I don¡¯t really wanna deal with a miscarriage either, but I suppose lesser of three evils¡± she swallowed hard. ¡°How did you even think of this?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s amazing the ideas a guy can come up with in order to keep getting laid¡± he teased.

    ¡°Shut up¡± she said as she tossed a pillow at him.

    He smiled back, ¡°Sorry,¡± he then sighed as he moved over to reach for her hands and help her to her feet. ¡°Honestly, I just wanted to at least try and fix the one thing I could for you. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Still going for perfect huh?¡± she smiled up at him as the two pulled each other into a tight hug.

    ¡°I am a perfectionist¡± he stated as he squeezed her close. He then looked down at her with another smile. ¡°But I found out something else that might be construed as good news, possibly.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± she gave him a questioning look.

    ¡°Our new friend was also apparently a healer, at his reservation or whatever. So I guess that might come in handy at some point, right? You always need a doctor in the apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°Not sure medicine man qualifies as doctor, but it¡¯s a start¡± she agreed cautiously. She then added, ¡°and he talks to you a hell of a lot more than me.¡±

    Adan just chuckled, ¡°well, you do normally hide from him and then get a little bit agitated every time you see him. Just a li¡¯l bit¡± Adan smirked down at her.

    ¡°And when you see him, what? You take showers together and braid each other¡¯s hair?¡±

    Adan chuckled again, ¡°not hardly. I¡¯m kind of a little bitch to him, honestly.¡± He then added, ¡°I have however seen him naked.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she looked up at him with more interest than anger somehow.

    ¡°Shower shenanigans combined with his really significant boundary issues.¡±

    ¡°Yet you don¡¯t seem that offended by the fact,¡± she told him with her own smirk.

    ¡°Yes, he¡¯s fucking hot, but you think so too, so don¡¯t even start,¡± he warned her playfully.

    ¡°We are the weirdest couple ever,¡± she smiled, then adopted a look of panic a second later. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna freak out now that I used the C word, are you?¡±

    Adan allowed another chuckle, ¡°I don¡¯t know what we actually are anymore. But we love each other. And that¡¯s a pretty damn good start, right?¡±

 Chapter 16

    ¡°So, you want me to make you breakfast?¡± Adan was asking Aura as he was leading her from the bedroom.

    ¡°Make me breakfast?¡± she raised a brow as she let him lead her into the hall. ¡°I guess you actually did enjoy last night, even if we didn¡¯t do... everything.¡±

    Adan couldn¡¯t help smirking, ¡°and you thought you didn¡¯t have any talent.¡±

    ¡°Oh fuck you¡± she let out a tiny laugh.

    ¡°Maybe after you¡¯ve had breakfast¡± he told her with another playful grin as they reached the glass doors. There they noted Ilian sitting at the computer now, intently scrolling through site after site. ¡°Well, he¡¯s discovered the internet. He¡¯ll never bother us again¡± Adan stated wryly as he gave her a quick kiss before relinquishing her wrist and turning in the direction of the kitchen.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± she asked him worriedly.

    ¡°To make you breakfast, like I just said¡± he smiled back at her.

    ¡°But...¡± she said as she gave Ilian a worried look before turning back to Adan with a pleading expression.

    ¡°Hey, if you get too nervous, offer to show him how to work the shower again. That should be a good ice breaker¡± Adan teased as he gave her another grin before heading for the kitchen.

    She whined her disapproval of the plan and forced herself to move into the living room grudgingly. ¡°Morning¡± she mumbled as she took a seat on the couch, trying to avoid any eye contact with Ilian now as well.

    ¡°Hello?¡± he looked away from the screen to return her greeting, a bit surprised that she had come into the room with him at all, let alone spoken to him.

    ¡°Found the internet, huh?¡± she managed, trying her best to make an awkward attempt at conversation.

    ¡°There¡¯s so much information. Everything there is to know about your---about anything¡± he corrected his original statement once more.

    ¡°Yeah, well eighty percent of it is bullshit; just so you know¡± she mumbled as she flipped on the TV and called up the video library.

    ¡°Pardon?¡± he asked.

    She just shook her head as she navigated through the collection of movies and TV shows for yet another day there in the bunker. ¡°So, you and Adan have been talking a lot I guess, huh?¡±

    ¡°Not that much¡± he countered softly.

    ¡°Well, more than you and I have talked¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°He has an easier time trusting than you do¡± he replied in the same soft spoken manner.

    ¡°Yeah, understatement¡± she scoffed. ¡°Plus he¡¯s got some weird idea in his head that you seem familiar to him or some shit. I don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Ilian looked down a moment before continuing, ¡°maybe I remind him of someone.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, maybe¡± she said sarcastically before turning her attention back to the TV screen.

    After a few more moments of Ilian pouring through websites and Aura clicking through viewing selections, Ilian looked back at her and decided to make another attempt at the two of them being able to actually speak to each other.

    ¡°So, did he give you the Ibuprofen?¡± he asked innocently.

    She whirled around in her place on the sofa and gave him a cold look. ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°To try and keep any offspring from being born¡± he added, his volume lowering as he saw her expression.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she said more loudly as she stood, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him. She looked angrily toward the glass doors before bringing her attention back to Ilian. ¡°First of all, who the hell says ¡®offspring?¡¯ Second of all, we don¡¯t even know if there is any fucking offspring! Third of all, he told you that?¡± she asked, appalled.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Ilian stood, getting the impression he had said or done something wrong yet again, though not quite sure what it had been, as usual. He took a step closer to where she still stood glaring at him, waiting on his explanation.

    ¡°I saw the search he was doing on there¡± he gestured to the computer. ¡°Drugs that may cause miscarriage¡± he clarified. ¡°He was looking for ones that weren¡¯t here, so I told him to just use that instead. That¡¯s what the two of you wanted, right?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re un-fucking-believable!¡± she exclaimed. ¡°Do you literally have no fucking concept of privacy, or boundaries, or keeping your goddamn mouth shut about shit that you don¡¯t understand, and is frankly none of your fucking business?¡± she was shouting at him at this point, all of her emotions cranked up to ten right then, as they so often and easily were.

    Seeming at a loss for determining what exactly he had done to anger her so much, Ilian decided to try the only thing he thought might have some chance of calming her emotions. He stepped forward then, and placed his mouth over hers, the way Adan had done to calm her so many times.

    Having heard the shouting from the kitchen, Adan had hurried back toward the living room to make an attempt at diffusing the situation. Of course, he got there just in time to see Ilian placing his mouth over Aura¡¯s, and immediately froze in shock as he reached the door.

    Once Aura was over her own initial shock at the situation she now found herself in, she quickly pushed him away, ¡°what the fuck?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, what she said¡± Adan interjected as he quickly stepped into the room, placing himself between Ilian and Aura.

    Ilian looked between the two angry sets of eyes glaring back at him accusingly. ¡°She was upset, so...¡±

    ¡°No shit!¡± Aura exclaimed, clenching her fists so tightly that she nearly drew blood.

    ¡°Kissing a girl without her permission is really not a good fucking way to calm her down¡± Adan stated, his own anger obvious.

    ¡°But, it¡¯s how you calm her down¡± Ilian defended with confusion.

    ¡°I fucking have permission!¡± Adan returned. ¡°Fuck, man!¡±

    ¡°How can you not even understand normal basic fucking human concepts?¡± Aura growled back at him. ¡°I seriously doubt your little reservation or what the fuck ever was that fucking different!¡±

    Ilian seemed at a loss still as he looked between them. ¡°I truly don¡¯t understand what I did that was so upsetting, to either of you. I was only trying to help.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well you fucking failed¡± she returned, letting out some combination of a scream and a growl as she stormed out of the room once more.

    Adan and Ilian then looked at each other awkwardly, the former¡¯s anger still simmering just under the surface. Ilian warily spoke again. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°There is something seriously wrong with you man¡± Adan just shook his head. ¡°I almost had her OK with you being here, or at least tolerant of the situation. What the fuck did you say that pissed her off so bad? You know, before making a try at sexual assault?¡±

    Ilian looked down, trying to find an acceptable response. ¡°It¡¯s so hard to understand most of the things either of you say. So I say the wrong things back, or do the wrong things¡± was his only defense right then.

    ¡°Oh, so this is all because of the language barrier then? That¡¯s your excuse?¡± Adan scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be perfectly fine once we explain that¡± he added sarcastically.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying¡± Ilian stated as he turned away again.

    ¡°Yeah, whatever you say, man¡± Adan shook his head again before leaving the room once more.

    When Adan found her in the bedroom, he offered a sympathetic sigh before stepping into the room with her again.

    ¡°What started all that anyway?¡± he attempted, closing the door behind them.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t fucking matter¡± she mumbled. She was now seated against the headboard, holding a pillow protectively against herself.

    ¡°Well, it must have mattered enough to get you to start shouting at him before... the rest¡± Adan stated as he moved to take a seat on the bed next to her.

    ¡°So this is my fault?¡± she shot back, her emotions still through the roof.

    ¡°I did not and will not say that. Come on, Aura. We both know he¡¯s like a fucking child or something. No concept of what he should say or do. Figures, he can¡¯t be that hot without a severe flaw, like brain damage perhaps?¡± he shrugged.

    She scoffed, ¡°you¡¯re still calling him hot?¡±

    ¡°You were the one kissing him¡± Adan made a weak attempt at humor.

    ¡°Fuck off!¡± she bit back.

    ¡°Teasing!¡± he assured her. ¡°Believe me, I know how fucked up that kiss was. Not how I envisioned it when and if either of us started making out with him at all.¡±

    ¡°I still wanna hit something, Adan¡± she warned.

    ¡°Teasing, still,¡± he promised as he leaned over to place a tiny kiss over her cheek. ¡°You know how I like hiding behind humor when things are...¡±

    ¡°Really really fucked up?¡± she offered.

    ¡°Yeah, that,¡± he agreed. He sighed as he leaned back against the headboard with her. ¡°I probably shouldn¡¯t have actually called it sexual assault. I don¡¯t even think he gets the concept of what a kiss even is, and why it¡¯s something you only do with certain people, who you have a certain... level of intimacy with. He is like a fucking a---¡±

    They both stopped and looked at each other then, each swallowing hard. ¡°Like a what now?¡± she pressed, though there was fear in her voice.

    ¡°No, let¡¯s not go back down that road again right now,¡± Adan tried to sound dismissive, but the comment couldn¡¯t help causing them both to take a long, concerned breath as they turned their worried gazes to the door in deep contemplation.

 Chapter 17

    Aura spent almost the entire next week only leaving their bedroom long enough to scurry to the bathroom next to it, then disappear back to the bedroom the moment she had finished. It wasn¡¯t that different from her old life, honestly. Social anxiety had always been a large part of her overall anxiety, the only people she ever felt even close to comfortable around were her parents, out of necessity, and Adan, out of love.

    Adan had brought her her meals in the bedroom all week, though he was starting to find the routine a bit repetitive as well by the end of the week, and finally spoke up that Saturday. ¡°So, was breakfast good?¡± he asked her after he had returned to the room to take her plate after she had finished.

    ¡°As good as it was the other times I ate it¡± she told him warily.

    He just sighed as he looked at the door behind them, then back to where she still sat curled up on the bed. ¡°Can I say something without you getting pissed off?¡±

    ¡°If you have to ask that, then probably no¡± she responded as she gave him a suspicious look.

    He just faked a smile before moving to take a seat at the edge of the bed. ¡°You haven¡¯t left the bedroom for like a week, Aura.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±

    Adan stifled another sigh. ¡°As upset as that kiss made us, I¡¯m pretty sure he isn¡¯t planning on trying it again any time this decade at least. He seriously doesn¡¯t even seem like he was trying to do anything but calm you down. Just in a really fucked up way¡± he had to add.

    ¡°So, you¡¯ve spent all week getting all buddy buddy with him I assume?¡± she asked coolly.

    ¡°One, yeah right. Two, not really, he¡¯s spent the entire week glued to the internet as though he was cramming for a final exam on well, everything. And three, don¡¯t even go there, I will always be on your side. Always and forever. And four,¡± he added as he took another breath, ¡°being trapped in this place with you is one thing, but lately it feels like I¡¯m only trapped in here with him, and yeah, not cool.¡±

    ¡°So we just pretend like---¡± she began, only to have Adan move closer to her and place a finger over her mouth.

    ¡°I miss you. Do I have to fucking beg?¡± he gave her a mischievous grin.

    ¡°Adan, I...¡±

    ¡°Or will bribery work then?¡±

    She scoffed, ¡°bribery? Yeah gimme your credit card, I¡¯ll head down to Rodeo.¡±

    ¡°Please, my bank probably got leveled, along with Rodeo, but... I¡¯m sure I can find something else you might like¡± he teased.

    ¡°Really? Like what?¡± she retorted, trying to keep her expression blank.

    That was when he stood again, giving her another mischievous grin. He then slowly began pulling up the front of his shirt in the manner of a stripper trying to con some tips out of their latest customer.

    ¡°Please Adan¡± she replied, though couldn¡¯t help her small laugh as he began humming and playing at taking his shirt off a few times before finally pulling it over his head and tossing it to the floor.

    ¡°Tempted yet?¡± he smiled as he moved back before running his fingertips under the waist band of his pants. ¡°I know you are... come on.¡±

    ¡°Would you stop?¡± she laughed again as he continued with his stripper impression as he moved backward toward the door.

    ¡°Laughing while you tell me to stop, and you keep on staring at me, while I do this?¡± he began pulling the pants down from his hips, exposing the tight black boxer briefs, ¡°not very convincing.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous¡± she smirked again, blushing as she covered her eyes, but only for a moment before turning them back to where he continued to wiggle his behind at her as his fingers touched the doorknob.

    ¡°You wanna see more? Do ya?¡± he teased.

    ¡°Ridiculous!¡± she repeated with another laugh.

    ¡°Then I guess you better follow me, huh?¡± he called back to her as he pulled the door open and stepped out into the hall, giving her one more wiggle and wink before closing it behind him.

    ¡°You¡¯re fucking crazy!¡± she called after him through the closed door, though she was still laughing at his absurdity, as well as his confidence and willingness to do nearly anything that had gotten him all that success in his old life.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Can¡¯t hear ya, you better come out here!¡± he called back to her through the door, ¡°only one thing left for me to take off after all.¡±

    She giggled again as she got up from the bed and moved to the door, opening it a crack to see him still continuing his performance in the hallway, in his underwear. ¡°You¡¯re legit dancing in the hallway in your underwear¡± she laughed to him again through the crack in the doorway.

    ¡°For now¡± he said as he slowly began inching the waist of his underwear down.

    ¡°Ilian could step into the hall at any moment, you freak¡± she laughed through her words, though continued to stand inside the room, holding the door only open enough to hear, and see, her companion.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve already seen him naked. It¡¯s only fair. And he might enjoy it. Maybe he¡¯ll try to kiss me instead of you next time. Oh!¡± he said as he began pulling the underwear down his hips.

    ¡°Stop it!¡± she exclaimed through a giggle. She finally stepped out of the bedroom and into the hall to quickly reach out for his hands, stopping him from actually going through with removing that final article of clothing, revealing as the clinging material already was over that perfect body of his. A body which he obviously knew he possessed; as well as how to use it to get exactly what he wanted.

    Though now that she was out of the room, and within his grip, he turned the tables and pulled her into his arms, covering her mouth in another passionate kiss as he gently pressed her back to the wall as the kiss continued.

    When they finally came up for air, he remained holding her in his bare, darkly tanned arms, pleasantly trapped between the wall and his nearly nude body. Upon catching her breath, though still wearing a smile, she looked up at him. ¡°I thought you wanted me out of the bedroom. Now you¡¯re in your underwear, and kissing me like that? Your plan might just backfire¡± she warned him playfully.

    ¡°Oh, look who¡¯s manipulating who now¡± he smirked down at her.

    ¡°Am I manipulating you, or just giving in? This is what you were trying to tempt me with, isn¡¯t it?¡± she smiled up at him as she squeezed him in her own arms, which were much paler than his due that Native blood that sprinkled itself throughout his family tree.

    ¡°So, uh, if I take you right back into that room and have my way with you on that bed, which of us actually won this battle of wills?¡±

    ¡°Both of us?¡± she offered with another giggle.

    ¡°I think you may be right¡± he agreed with a grin as he scooped her up into his arms and took her right back into the bedroom he had been trying so adamantly to remove her from only moments earlier. But plans do change.

    That last article of clothing of his didn¡¯t survive the journey across the room to the bed after all. Nor did Aura¡¯s shirt. And as they reached the mattress, and she slid back to lay upon it, his hands reached down to remove her pants and panties in one motion. Now both completely naked, Adan followed her to the bed and immediately lay above her, taking her mouth with his once again.

    She couldn¡¯t help smiling through the kiss as she felt him hardening against her thigh. The mere fact that he did indeed get aroused by her touch after all made so many of her previous fears about his actual attraction to her wash away every time they were intimate with one another. Though they had only engaged in full intercourse on the night he had taken her virginity still, there had been plenty of other moments of indulging in other forms of intimacy in the two weeks since.

    And Adan assumed this would be another of those times when they did ¡®everything but.¡¯ So he began moving his mouth down from hers, over her neck, breasts, stomach and lower. Just as he began kissing that tiny patch of hair between her thighs, he felt her hands in his long locks, coaxing him back up to look into her eyes.

    ¡°Pretty sure you stopped me before the best part¡± he breathed through a smile once they were looking into each other¡¯s eyes once more, as he balanced himself above her body.

    ¡°Did I?¡± she spoke breathlessly as well, then parted her legs even farther, her hands trailing down over his back.

    As her hands reached his behind, she pulled his hips closer. Close enough for his erection to press against her waiting wetness. ¡°Well this could lead to... things¡± he told her hoarsely, trying even harder then to keep himself from giving into the urge to lower his hips and enter her again at last.

    ¡°It¡¯s OK¡± she whispered as she kissed him, raising her hips just enough to cause the tip of his penis to now slide just inside her. ¡°I¡¯ll just take another aspirin later¡± she smiled and kissed him through the grin of pleasant surprise he now wore.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± he asked, his brain struggling to retain even the willpower to ask that question right then.

    In response, she just pulled his hips closer, sliding him the rest of the way inside her with a pleasurable gasp from both of them at the sensation neither had truly felt for two long weeks.

    <hr>

    It was lunch time before Adan finally emerged from their bedroom. Ilian was once again in the living room, sitting at the computer, taking in every bit of information he could find. He looked up as Adan entered the room, now wearing just a pair of pants. But more surprisingly than that, he was leading Aura into the room by the hand. She was now dressed in a long t-shirt and Adan¡¯s boxers.

    ¡°Morning, or well, afternoon¡± Adan greeted Ilian with a bit of a guilty smile as he looked back at Aura, giving her hand a gentle squeeze to coax her into actually entering the room with him.

    ¡°Adan. Aura,¡± Ilian greeted them with an understandable look of surprise at seeing her again for the first time since their last heated encounter in that same room.

    ¡°Who wants to get lunch ready today?¡± Adan asked Aura as he gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, both of them trying to ignore the way Ilian continued to watch them inquisitively.

    ¡°Well I doubt he¡¯s any better of a cook than I am,¡± she told Adan as she tilted her head slightly toward Ilian.

    ¡°Was that a vote?¡± Adan teased back.

    ¡°You seem to be in a better mood,¡± Ilian interjected. ¡°Both of you¡± he added more quietly.

    Adan smirked as he looked back at Ilian. ¡°Yes she does seem less tense and stressed out, and more relaxed, doesn¡¯t she?¡± he gave her a knowing grin. She gave him a glare to keep from smiling. He then chuckled and gave her another quick peck. ¡°Guess I¡¯m doing lunch then,¡± he stated as he finally relinquished her hand and headed out of the room once more, leaving Aura and Ilian to just give each other a mutual look of distrust.

 Chapter 18

    An uncomfortable silence pervaded their entire lunch. After finishing eating, the three of them sat at the table, taking quiet sips of their drinks as the silence continued. Upon looking up from her drink to see Ilian watching her, only to then quickly avert his eyes, Aura finally was the one to speak.

    She directed her question to Adan while continuing to watch Ilian. ¡°So, Adan, did you ever tell Ilian what you used to do? Before all this?¡±

    ¡°Ever?¡± Adan asked. ¡°Like, in the two weeks since we knew he was even here?¡±

    Aura continued for him, ¡°yes, Adan was an actor. Honest to goodness. Which I suppose is a strange term to describe an actor. But yep, he did all sorts of movies and TV shows.¡±

    ¡°Really? I thought I might have seen him on a few of the sites I went to. Entertainment ones¡± Ilian attempted to converse normally, he and Aura both still regarding each other suspiciously.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t do that many sci-fi shows though, did you?¡± she asked as she briefly glanced at Adan. ¡°Shame, that would¡¯ve been helpful right about now I suppose.¡±

    ¡°There was the one with the robots¡± Adan offered, though he still watched Aura warily as well, wondering where she was going with this line of conversation exactly.

    ¡°Oh yeah, the robots who looked like people, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah I played the boyfriend of the daughter of the guy who created---¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but none about aliens, right?¡± Aura interrupted, feigning curiosity, as she knew his filmography better than he did.

    Adan stifled a deep breath as they both inadvertently glanced at Ilian. Ilian just glanced down at his drink, rather quickly. ¡°No, not a lot¡± Adan admitted.

    ¡°Just robots that look like people, not aliens who do? Odd, that¡¯s a pretty common theme in sci-fi, isn¡¯t it though? You know, they blend in, try to be friends with the humans. Some even mess with their minds. Their memories even,¡± she added with a bit of chill in her tone. ¡°But it usually never works out in those movies or shows. They just always end up with one side destroying the other¡± Aura said pointedly, never moving her gaze from Ilian as she spoke.

    ¡°Well, what else would humans write when it comes to aliens, right?¡± Adan surprisingly continued, though he too kept watching Ilian. ¡°Not like we ever actually had a chance to interact with them before.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, before¡± Aura agreed pointedly as she took another sip, still watching Ilian every moment, as he still stared at the table as intently as she stared at him.

    ¡°So, I made the food. You wanna do the dishes Aur¡¯?¡± Adan interjected.

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good¡± Aura answered a bit quickly before continuing right where she left off. ¡°I wonder what aliens write about us? You know, assuming they do things like write, or read, or anything else even remotely similar to the way humans behave. Guess they could be too busy building ships, and weapons, and viruses to destroy us all though¡± she continued, not letting Ilian out of her gaze, which he still avoided, looking beyond uncomfortable right then.

    Adan made himself find a response. ¡°Well that¡¯s probably the way it would go in most movies. But hey, maybe there¡¯ll be a twist we don¡¯t see coming. That would be pretty good writing for once¡± Adan attempted to continue mediating. ¡°So, hey, dishes?¡±

    ¡°What do you think Ilian?¡± Aura asked him directly then, causing Adan to wince slightly.

    ¡°Think?¡± he managed to respond, though hoarsely.

    ¡°Yeah, what do you think they¡¯d write about us? Or hell, we may as well leave movie-land. We¡¯ve got real fucking ones out there right now, after all. You think they actually want anything else? Anything plot twisty even? You know, other than just murdering everyone on the planet. Which they¡¯re doin pretty well with so far, it seems, right?¡± she asked, though her voice was cracking a bit as she recited, out loud, the reality of the world they now lived in.

    ¡°Well, the humans did attack... them¡± Ilian made himself respond.

    ¡°Yeah, after they sent a virus to try and kill us all. Remember that part?¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°Yes¡± Ilian said as he looked down again, forcing another sip of his drink.

    Adan interrupted loudly, ¡°Will somebody please come do the fucking dishes with me now, Aura?¡± he added pointedly.

    ¡°I will¡± Ilian offered, quickly rising and beginning to gather them into his hands, leaving the room, head down as he did.

    Adan just gave Aura a pointed look before scooping up the rest, and taking a deep breath before following Ilian from the dining area to the kitchen with a shake of his head.

    ¡°You do realize what that was all about, don¡¯t you?¡± Adan was asking Ilian in the kitchen a moment later, as Adan carelessly loaded the dishwasher.

    ¡°What what was about?¡± Ilian asked quietly as he handed him the dishes.

    ¡°That whole what do you think the aliens really want, Ilian, stuff?¡± Adan stated bluntly.

    ¡°She¡¯s trying to make sense of what¡¯s happening out there¡± Ilian stated in the same soft spoken voice, his days on the internet improving his manner of speaking greatly it seemed.

    ¡°Not just out there¡± Adan scoffed as he finished loading the dishes. ¡°You do realize what she was getting at, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Getting at?¡± Ilian repeated, finally turning his dark eyes to Adan¡¯s.

    ¡°You¡¯ve acted so goddamn weird that she thinks you¡¯re a fucking alien, Ilian¡± Adan finished with a shake of his head.

    Ilian swallowed hard, looking down again, ¡°so what do you think I should do?¡±

    Adan let out a derisive laugh, ¡°convince her that you¡¯re fucking not? Just maybe?¡± he added with a bit of sarcasm.

    ¡°How?¡± Ilian asked with a pleading tone as he looked back over at Adan again.

    ¡°How?¡± Adan just shook his head. ¡°I mean...how?¡± Adan repeated again, shaking his head. ¡°How do I even answer that question? Stop being so weird about every goddamn thing. That could be a good fuckin start¡± Adan shrugged helplessly, as he wasn¡¯t honestly sure how to convince Aura either.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying¡± was all Ilian could say to that suggestion.

    Adan then turned to look at Ilian for a long time. Finally, he took a deep breath, ¡°see this? This reaction to being told that someone is legitimately wondering if you¡¯re an actual human. This is not a normal reaction¡± he said with a bit of his own suspicion seeping into his tone.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what else I need to do to...¡± Ilian began, then just looked down again.

    ¡°And stop that¡± Adan ordered, though spoke gently.

    ¡°Stop what?¡±

    ¡°Acting like a wounded puppy when we question your trustworthiness. Again, not normal¡± Adan reiterated.

    ¡°How should I act?¡±

    ¡°Oh my fucking god¡± Adan said as he turned away, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand¡± Ilian stated with a bit of desperation.

    ¡°No, you really fucking don¡¯t¡± Adan shook his head up at the ceiling again, before finally turning to look back at Ilian once more. ¡°It¡¯s like you really are a goddamn alien¡± he sighed heavily. Ilian simply looked down quickly again.

    That was when Adan¡¯s breath caught as he seemed to finally understand something himself. He trembled slightly as he looked over at where Ilian stood frozen, saying or doing nothing more than looking defeated.

    ¡°You really are¡± Adan whispered, more to himself, his voice hoarse and shaking, as he took a step back against the counter.

    Ilian finally looked back up. ¡°But like I said, so many times, I¡¯m not here to hurt either of you.¡±

    ¡°Was that a confession?¡± Adan¡¯s voice broke in a whisper as he continued to stare at Ilian with a million emotions that even he could no longer hide, skilled as he was at projecting any emotion he had wanted at any time.

    ¡°Do I even need to make a confession, when nothing I do can seem to convince either of you that I¡¯m not what you think I am?¡± Ilian asked quietly.

    ¡°And you¡¯re still saying you¡¯re not here to hurt us?¡± Adan breathed.

    ¡°Not every member of the same race agrees with the things that other members do. Isn¡¯t that true in all races?¡± Ilian stated with a calmness at being able to actually stop acting the way he thought they expected or wanted him to for once.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re a revolutionary then? That it? A traitor to your own species? Is that the story now?¡± Adan whispered, wanting to flee but somehow not able to.

    ¡°I suppose those things are all true¡± Ilian responded in the same quiet tone. ¡°I have been trying to keep all three of us safe after all. I¡¯ve even hidden this place from them.¡±

    ¡°Them? The rest of your... people?¡± Adan clarified. Ilian simply nodded. ¡°The ones who have spent the last two weeks wiping out all of mine? Those ones?¡±

    Ilian sighed softly. ¡°And believe me when I say that if I were to stop hiding us, they wouldn¡¯t even acknowledge you and Aura until after they dealt with me. In some wholly unpleasant way, I¡¯m sure.¡±

    ¡°Why are they here? What do they want, Ilian? You can answer that question now, can¡¯t you?¡± Adan continued, his need to know just slightly outweighing his need to run.

    ¡°Everything left on your planet. That¡¯s why they sent the virus first. To wipe out all of you before you destroyed the rest of it.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t agree with that plan?¡± Adan questioned, having trouble believing he was even having a conversation like this at all.

    ¡°We could have looked for some other place. One not inhabited by an intelligent race. But this one was unlucky enough to be closer. That¡¯s the only reason they chose it,¡± Ilian admitted sadly.

    ¡°And what happens after they¡¯ve killed everyone and taken everything? What then?¡±

    Ilian sighed again. ¡°They move on.¡±

    Adan bit back some more emotions then. ¡°And you¡¯ve decided to just stay behind on our dying planet and die with us? Instead of surviving with your own damn people? How does that make sense?¡±

    ¡°At least this way I won¡¯t have to watch them wipe out anyone else,¡± Ilian said sadly as he turned away and began leaving the room.

    ¡°Will I even remember this conversation? And if i do, what the hell do I even tell Aura now?¡± Adan called after him.

    ¡°I think you¡¯d know that answer a lot better than I ever could,¡± Ilian replied before leaving the room and Adan behind.

 Chapter 19

    As afternoon turned to evening, Ilian had since returned to the computer. Aura had since returned to the television. And Adan was sitting silently on the sofa with her, though he was staring blankly in the general direction of the TV rather than comprehending anything that was actually on the screen.

    When the hour finally reached six pm, Aura had to say something. ¡°You¡¯ve literally not spoken a single word in like five hours¡± her voice broke into Adan¡¯s blatantly obvious distraction.

    ¡°I guess I was just really interested in the show¡± he excused.

    ¡°Really? Which episode did you like best?¡± Aura pressed.

    ¡°I mean all of them were, you know, great¡± he shrugged and attempted a smile.

    ¡°Right¡± she said with obvious disbelief. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll just go get dinner ready¡± she grumbled as she pushed herself up from the couch with a bit of a huff as she left the room.

    That was when Adan cast a dark look back at Ilian, who looked just as uncomfortable as earlier still. ¡°Do you see the position you¡¯ve put me in?¡± Adan whispered angrily once Aura had disappeared to the kitchen.

    ¡°Position?¡± Ilian replied with a deep breath.

    ¡°I don¡¯t tell her, and I¡¯m putting her in danger. As well as breaking fourteen years of trust between us. If that even means anything to you at all¡± Adan told him accusingly.

    ¡°Then I guess you should tell her¡± Ilian replied in that constantly soft spoken manner of his.

    Adan scoffed loudly. ¡°I do tell her and I send her directly into a permanent state of full on panic for the rest of our lives. However long that even will be. And she has a horrible enough time trying not to feel like that all day every day as it is! How do you not see the fucking problem here?¡± he exclaimed.

    ¡°How should I fix it?¡± Ilian said with a little more volume as he finally turned in the chair to look back at his companion. ¡°If I leave this place, I can no longer hide it from them. Then you both die as soon as they find you anyway. Me as well. But either way, it¡¯s not good for any of us.¡± Adan just glared back in response. ¡°See? You don¡¯t have a solution either¡± Ilian finished with a slight sigh.

    ¡°I guess you¡¯ll just have to find some way to make her trust you, huh?¡± Adan offered with another shrug.

    ¡°Has she ever trusted anyone? Besides you?¡± Ilian asked.

    Adan let out another breath at that particular question. ¡°I¡¯ve known her since we were three. And besides that...¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s in love with me. She wants to trust me. And now she sort of has to. Which is the main reason why me keeping your damn secret is next to impossible¡± he reminded roughly.

    ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll have to find some reason to make her want to trust me too¡± Ilian returned.

    ¡°Yeah. Good luck with that¡± Adan shook his head and left the room then as well.

    <hr>

    Dinner was even more awkward and silent than lunch had been. And as soon as he had finished, Adan announced that he was going to head to bed for the night. Aura gave him a look that was equal parts surprise and worry.

    ¡°It¡¯s like seven o¡¯clock¡± she told him as he began to move away from the table.

    ¡°Guess it¡¯s been an exhausting day¡± was his only explanation.

    ¡°Is this like code for something?¡± she asked furtively as she let herself have the tiniest bit of hope that maybe he was just trying to be subtle about wanting her to come to bed with him early for some reason or another, such as an encore of their earlier encounter in the room that very morning.

    ¡°No. Just feel like calling it a night¡± was Adan¡¯s only answer. He then moved from the room without saying anything else.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    Aura looked after him, then back at Ilian, then back at the door. ¡°I better go see if he¡¯s... I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s been weird all... Never mind¡± she interrupted her own sentence, remembering who she was even speaking to. ¡°I better just go see what¡¯s going on with him.¡±

    ¡°Please stay¡± Ilian said just as she began to rise from her seat.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡±

    ¡°Like you said. We¡¯ve barely spoken, just you and I¡± he offered as he turned those eyes to her which were just as annoyingly gorgeous as Adan¡¯s.

    ¡°Yeah, I wonder why that is¡± she scoffed, though didn¡¯t finish rising just yet, instead just watching him with her usual helping of suspicion.

    ¡°We¡¯re all stuck in here together. I just want to try and make it easier¡± he told her sincerely.

    ¡°Really?¡± she raised a brow. ¡°By us having a nice chat?¡±

    ¡°For starters¡± he offered with a slight shrug.

    ¡°Right¡± she said as she crossed her arms over her chest, continuing to watch him. Though at least this time there was the tiniest sliver of curiosity behind all her obvious distrust.

    ¡°Where should we start our ¡®chat?¡¯¡± he asked a moment later.

    ¡°This should go great¡± she mumbled. ¡°Fine, tell me about your childhood.¡±

    ¡°My childhood?¡± he swallowed as he tried to maintain eye contact with those pools of light blue that were still filled with suspicion. ¡°When I was a child?¡±

    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s what childhood means¡± she returned. She then sighed. ¡°Let me guess. Too much peyote after Colonel Reese knocked up you pretty Indian mom and left her to raise you on some reservation? I mean, that¡¯s the story, right?¡±

    ¡°It is rather hard to believe, I suppose¡± Ilian replied.

    ¡°Ya think?¡±

    ¡°How else would I explain being able to get into this place at all?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I mean that¡¯s the only way it would be remotely believable that any other human could have gotten past the bio-coded door lock¡± she told him pointedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting the impression that you¡¯re having trouble believing my story, then?¡±

    ¡°You are observant¡± she replied, trying her best to maintain a brave front. But confrontation of any kind was something she had always avoided like her life depended on it. And now it very well might.

    ¡°I just thought that maybe if my identity and appearance were familiar to both of you, then it would be easier to make this work¡± he stated sadly.

    Aura felt her breath catch, trying to determine exactly what he meant by that particular comment. Then part of it caught her. ¡°Your appearance?¡±

    ¡°I took that from his head. Then just altered it slightly¡± he told her with another deep breath, locking his eyes on her then.

    ¡°What?¡± she shook her head, ¡°and what do you mean took it from his head, and, what are you even admitting to here, Ilian?¡± she asked as she felt her breath quickening as the panic attack began.

    ¡°I know it¡¯s pointless now to keep pretending. And all I can do is hope you both believe me when I say that I really am not here to hurt either of you. I was hiding here myself, then you two arrived. I guess I panicked a little too. I had to find a way to try and explain why I was here. And I didn¡¯t think the truth would have been that easy for the two of you to deal with. So I tried to invent another. And used parts of both of your lives to do so.¡±

    ¡°So I¡¯ve been right this whole time?¡± her voice cracked as she spoke, now gripping the seat of her chair tightly with both hands.

    ¡°Pretending to be one of you is not easy. I failed at it. No point in pretending anymore, right?¡±

    ¡°So, you are one of them?¡± she breathed the words, frozen in place then.

    ¡°Only biologically. I was telling the truth when I said I was hiding here. I don¡¯t want them to find us any more than you and Adan do¡± he assured.

    Tears formed in her eyes as she continued to have trouble breathing, but also continued to be unable to run from the room. What good would it have even done if she could have?

    ¡°And this isn¡¯t even the way you really look?¡± was the first thing that popped into her muddled brain then.

    ¡°It is now. To change yourself so much, to this extent? It¡¯s something that can only be done once. And, I got the impression that both of you enjoyed this appearance as well. So I guess that was maybe one thing I got right¡± he attempted a smile, but the fear remaining in her eyes made it difficult to achieve.

    ¡°Why are you hiding from them?¡± she asked, surprising herself with her ability to even manage to continue speaking with him in light of everything she now knew.

    ¡°I opposed their plans for this world. They did not like that. I fled before the attacks started. I found this place. Then the two of you found me in it. That¡¯s the shortest version.¡±

    ¡°You just found it?¡± she needed to press him to explain that.

    ¡°With our technology and abilities, if we¡¯re really looking for a place like this...¡± seeing a new wave of fear produced by his words, he changed the direction of his sentence. ¡°But I¡¯m using those same abilities to hide it from them now, to keep us all safe. They won¡¯t stay here forever. Not after they¡¯ve taken all they want.¡±

    Aura swallowed hard again, ¡°and how long will that take?¡±

    ¡°That I can¡¯t give you a solid answer on. I fled before we finished fully researching this planet.¡±

    ¡°Can you give me a ballpark figure maybe, Ilian. I mean, this is my life we¡¯re talking about,¡± she pleaded.

    ¡°Ballpark?¡± he thought a moment, ¡°that means an estimation, right?¡±

    ¡°Ilian,¡± she pressed.

    ¡°Ten, twenty years, maybe? But I honestly don¡¯t know. And it depends on how many...¡± he looked down, deciding against finishing that sentence.

    ¡°How many what?¡±

    ¡°How many of you are still alive, out there. And how long they will be,¡± he made himself give her the answer, to which she only choked back another sob in response to. ¡°Like I said, I opposed their plan. If I hadn¡¯t, why would I even be here talking to you now, Aura?¡±

 Chapter 20

    When Aura returned to the bedroom, she found Adan still quite awake. He was sitting atop the bed, making an attempt to distract himself with anything on his phone that still worked. ¡°So now you¡¯re the one hiding in the bedroom?¡± she greeted him as she closed and locked the door tightly behind her.

    ¡°Not hiding.¡±

    ¡°Not sleeping¡± she returned as she moved toward the bed. ¡°And have you ever gone to bed at seven pm, like ever?¡±

    ¡°Not a lot else to do¡± he mumbled. ¡°And hey, maybe insomnia is contagious¡± he responded, though he still seemed to have trouble making any eye contact, which was usually a problem of hers, as well as the insomnia.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a million other things in my head right now, and still I can¡¯t help worrying that you may be ignoring and or avoiding me for some reason¡± she suggested worriedly.

    ¡°Aura, come on. That¡¯s ridiculous, on several levels¡± he said as he gestured to their surroundings to accent his claim.

    ¡°That¡¯s not a denial¡± she said softly.

    ¡°Aura¡± he gave an apologetic sigh and set his phone aside. ¡°Come crawl into bed with me. An offer that is decidedly the opposite of ignoring and or avoiding¡± he attempted a smile, though it was faint.

    She sighed heavily as well, but still came to join him atop the bed. She hesitantly slid closer to lay her head on his shoulder and wrap her arms around his waist. She then gave him a tight squeeze as she cuddled closer.

    ¡°See? Full bodily contact. No ignoring or avoiding to be had¡± he said as he leaned over to kiss the top of her head, wrapping her in his arms as well. Though there was still a tension behind his attempts at reassurance.

    ¡°Not quite full bodily contact¡± she allowed a small smile as she pointedly moved to run her hand over the front of his pants.

    That did manage to wheedle a smile out of him as he laid his head back against the headboard. ¡°Oh my, have I created a monster?¡± he teased.

    ¡°So humble¡± she teased back. Though she did stop her assault on his libido, and instead settled on going back to just cuddling close to him, holding him tightly.

    He looked down at her and took another small breath, ¡°something wrong?¡± he made himself ask after another moment of her just continuing to hold him tightly, as if afraid to let go at all right then.

    Her breath shuddered as he once again saw through her so easily. ¡°He really is¡± she whispered, causing Adan to look down at her in confusion.

    ¡°Who really is what?¡±

    ¡°Ilian, he really is... one of them¡± she admitted in a hoarse whisper, causing the tension to immediately fill Adan¡¯s body again.

    ¡°OK... what did he do this time?¡± he made himself ask, as he could no longer bring himself to even try to make any argument against the claim.

    ¡°Admitted it¡± she choked on the statement.

    ¡°What?¡± Adan replied, choking on his words as well, both of them now looking back at each other.

    ¡°Yeah, he admitted it¡± she managed to repeat.

    ¡°Are you... sure?¡± he asked, not sure what else to say just then himself.

    ¡°Yeah. And he''s apparently hiding from his own people. And hiding us from them too. That¡¯s why he was in the bunker at all¡± she managed to make her way through the explanation, though shakily.

    ¡°And you believe all of that. He¡¯s not just a really lucky escaped mental patient by chance?¡±

    ¡°Adan¡± she scolded.

    He took another breath and thought a long moment. ¡°So, like, what do we do now?¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me?¡± she let out another combination of a laugh and a cry.

    Adan took another deep breath. ¡°I think the real question, the only question, is do we actually trust him, or...¡± he turned his eyes pointedly to the stand where the guns were stowed into a drawer.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± she stated, her eyes following his. ¡°Guns may not even work on him for all we know.¡±

    ¡°Well the point is, do we think we need to find out?¡±

    ¡°He hasn¡¯t hurt us, Adan. Other than fucking with our heads, I suppose¡± she had to admit as she looked down again. ¡°But he could have done a lot worse. He¡¯s had plenty of chances, right?¡±

    ¡°So we do trust him?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But if he really is protecting us from his own people... Do we really wanna risk losing that?¡±

    ¡°So, we just have to go on blind faith then? Us?¡± Adan asked.

    ¡°I guess there¡¯s a first time for everything, right?¡± she replied, hugging him tightly against her once again.

    ¡°And if he does turn on us?¡± Adan had to make himself ask.

    ¡°Then we¡¯re as good as dead anyway. But if he is helping us, it¡¯s all we got now, isn¡¯t it? Other than each other.¡± Aura whispered. Adan sighed in concession and hugged her tightly as well.

    <hr>

    When they awoke the next morning, neither Adan nor Aura seemed in much of a hurry to actually rise from their bed. Instead, they laid together, holding each other close, and sharing a few gentle kisses.

    Finally, she had to speak up again. Her brain was never quiet, and now it seemed her lips were having the same problem. ¡°Who does he look like?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Adan asked as he gave her a puzzled look.

    ¡°He said he took his current appearance from your head.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he repeated more loudly.

    ¡°And then altered it, whatever that means. So think, who in your life does he even look like?¡±

    Adan scoffed, then thought for a long moment, then shook his head. ¡°No fucking idea.¡±

    ¡°Helpful¡± she sighed as she laid her head on his chest again.

    ¡°Well that¡¯s just fucking weird. Why would he even say that? Or do that?¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Weird?¡± she couldn¡¯t help a smirk against his dark nipple. ¡°As opposed to all the normal things about being locked in a bunker with a member of the race of aliens who are killing every other human on the planet?¡±

    ¡°Sarcasm abuse strikes again¡± he returned with his own wry smile.

    Ignoring his jibe, Aura continued, ¡°he said he took parts of this fake identity of his from both of our heads. The story from mine, the appearance from yours. So who does he look like? Think harder¡± she pressed, trying anything she could to make any sense at all of this new reality of theirs.

    ¡°No idea¡± Adan insisted.

    ¡°Maybe one of your ex boyfriends?¡± she taunted, ¡°you do think he¡¯s hot.¡±

    ¡°Shut up, so do you¡± he defended.

    ¡°Of course I think he¡¯s hot. He looks like he could be related to you for fuck¡¯s sake¡± she defended. It was only once the words were out though, that they seemed to strike a chord.

    They both seemed to have the same thought at the same moment as they looked back at each other. ¡°No. No way¡± Adan denied, though his voice faltered. ¡°He was six when he died¡± he refuted the idea, though there was doubt in his eyes as the two of them both moved to sit up.

    ¡°He said he altered it too, maybe...¡± she just shook her head, as this was a more than raw subject for Adan.

    ¡°So you¡¯re actually saying you think he made himself look the way Brady would have looked if he...¡± Adan swallowed hard and looked away, trying to reconcile that thought in his head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Adan, but... it could be possible, right? I mean. Just the mere fact of him making himself look human at all. He had to have some kind of template to go on, right?¡±

    ¡°OK, I just need for this conversation to not be happening right now¡± Adan stated, more than a bit disoriented by the entire subject as he got up from the bed and headed toward the bedroom door, Aura sighing sadly after him.

    Adan was still standing in the hall, trying to compose himself, when Ilian emerged from the second bedroom. ¡°Morning¡± Ilian greeted him quietly, easily taking note of Adan¡¯s heavy sigh in response to his presence. ¡°Are you making breakfast again today?¡±

    Adan just shook his head at him, ¡°feel free.¡± he stated as he gestured for Ilian to make his way to the kitchen ahead of him.

    Ilian just gave him a hesitant nod and moved down the hall past him. After another moment, and another sigh, Adan finally moved to follow him. He caught up with him just as Ilian entered the kitchen.

    ¡°So you told her. Congratulations¡± Adan stated brusquely.

    ¡°And she apparently told you. Good. No more secrets¡± Ilian stated softly as he moved toward the pantry.

    ¡°Well I don¡¯t know how true that is just yet¡± Adan stated under his breath as he moved to follow him.

    ¡°So, is she alright? Calm?¡± Ilian asked as he began gathering food a moment later.

    Adan scoffed, ¡°yeah, great.¡± He then took another breath. ¡°And you apparently told her even more than you told me. What¡¯s this stuff about how you came up with... this?¡± Adan asked coolly as he gestured to Ilian¡¯s appearance.

    ¡°This?¡±

    ¡°Looking like this,¡± Adan enunciated more clearly, anger barely veiled behind his tone. ¡°You told her you pulled this from my head?¡± he asked with disbelief.

    ¡°Like I said, I thought it would help you both trust me if I seemed familiar.¡±

    ¡°Familiar? That¡¯s what you call this? Familiar how?¡±

    ¡°I wanted to look like the people you loved. The only person she loves is you. And this was the only other person you loved, besides her,¡± Ilian admitted quietly.

    ¡°Do you know how fucked up that is, Ilian?¡± Adan retorted, voice strained with emotion again.

    ¡°I thought the appearance was the one thing I got right,¡± Ilian stated with a sigh.

    ¡°Looking like my dead brother? You know, if he hadn¡¯t actually died? How does that strike you as right?¡±

    ¡°Apparently it wasn¡¯t,¡± Ilian conceded. ¡°But I can¡¯t change it now.¡±

 Chapter 21

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± was the only thing Aura could think to say when she found Adan a little while later.

    He was now laying on his back on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. The agitation clear on his face. No acting hiding the way he truly felt right then.

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not hiding in the bedroom anymore, right?¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Just in the living room?¡± she attempted to tease, though he was much better at playfulness in the face of upset. He had had years of practice at that with her after all.

    ¡°Kind of hard to hide in the main room of the place. Which has glass fucking doors¡± he defended, though the words still lacked conviction.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± she said softly as she moved to take a seat on the floor in front of the sofa. She reached her hand up to gently clasp his and laid her head back softly against his hip. ¡°I know this has gotta be really hard for you, on a level that I can¡¯t even understand.¡±

    ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not like I even thought of my brother when I looked at Ilian. Not really. I mean, I remember Brady as a six year old¡± he shook his head up at the ceiling. ¡°I always wished I could see him grow up with me of course. And now I guess I get to, every day. But it¡¯s all tangled up now with Ilian being... what he is, and being really...¡± he sighed heavily again.

    ¡°And being really fucking hot?¡± Aura offered.

    ¡°Thanks for that¡± Adan scoffed, though he continued holding her hand, so he must not have been too offended.

    ¡°Well, he¡¯s not actually your brother. So I think it¡¯s OK for you to find him attractive, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, much better to be attracted to a member of an entirely different species whose entire race wants to wipe out yours, than your own brother. It¡¯s all good¡± he scoffed.

    ¡°Now who¡¯s abusing sarcasm?¡± Aura replied, giving his hand a little squeeze.

    ¡°How the hell did life get this fucked up?¡± Adan mumbled with another heavy sigh.

    ¡°Life has always been fucked up. We just get a bunch of exciting new flavors of fucked up now¡± she shrugged, which did actually cause the tiniest trace of a smile to touch his lips then.

    He then pulled her up onto the couch, and onto his own body and gave her another kiss. Then a more sincere smile. ¡°I do love you, Aura. And you gotta know that I need you to get through any of this, just as much as you need me. You know that, right?¡± he asked as he gave her another squeeze.

    ¡°I¡¯m beginning to suspect it¡± she managed with a tiny smile of her own.

    ¡°Suspect, huh?¡± he asked as he gave her another kiss, still holding her there above him, where she had no choice but to adjust to the new position by straddling his hips, as he pulled her closer for more of those gentle kisses.

    ¡°Breakfast is, uh, ready¡± Ilian interrupted from the doorway a moment later.

    ¡°Thank you so much¡± Adan responded in a loud sarcastic tone as the interruption easily ended their latest embrace. ¡°We weren¡¯t busy doing anything else at all, Ilian.¡±

    Aura just blushed and laid her head against his chest for a moment before managing to push herself up off of the couch and him. She then reached her hand down to where Adan was pushing long dark locks back from his face in frustration.

    ¡°Breakfast then?¡± she attempted a smile.

    ¡°I may need a minute¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Really?¡± she couldn¡¯t help a little giggle at the implication.

    ¡°Now who¡¯s gloating. Go have your food¡± he smirked as he waved her away with another shake of his head as she stifled another giggle and moved to follow after where Ilian had just awkwardly moved across the hall to the dining room following the interruption.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± Ilian told Aura a moment after she had sat down across the table to have breakfast with him. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you had been upset again.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± she asked as she picked up her silverware.

    ¡°That¡¯s when he kisses, and touches you like that, right?¡±

    Aura felt her cheeks reddening all over again. ¡°That¡¯s not the only time he does that¡± she denied awkwardly, averting her eyes again.

    ¡°There¡¯s another reason then?¡±

    Not sure how her cheeks could feel even hotter then, she fumbled for more words. ¡°Apparently there¡¯s one corner of the internet you haven¡¯t found yet¡± she stated more to herself.

    ¡°Sorry?¡±

    ¡°Ilian, showing affection like that to each other... It¡¯s something we do for a lot more reasons than just trying to calm each other down or something¡± she shook her head, once again finding herself in the most awkward of conversations.

    ¡°What reasons?¡±

    She was at a loss for words then. She had no idea how to even try to explain something like that. Especially since she was pretty new to the world of physical affection herself.

    ¡°People just do that when they like each other, a lot. And when they wanna make the other person feel good, in general. Not just because one of them might be upset¡± she shook her head again.

    She tried to lock her attention on her breakfast then, in the hopes that that would be a sufficient enough explanation. Though she doubted that it would be, considering who, or what, she was speaking to.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, again. I really am trying to understand you. There¡¯s just a lot I still don¡¯t. Obviously¡± he added more quietly.

    Aura just shook her head. ¡°What? Your race doesn¡¯t have sex? I mean, all races have sex. That¡¯s sort of how they became races¡± she mumbled again, still not able to look directly at him.

    ¡°Sex? Like male and female?¡±

    ¡°No that¡¯s... OK, the English language is fucked up, I admit. But in this case, sex means like... mating?¡± she attempted to come up with the only word he might understand.

    ¡°To produce offspring?¡± Ilian offered.

    ¡°Fuck! Can we have one conversation that doesn¡¯t involve offspring? Just once? I¡¯m freaked out enough about that goddammit¡± she complained.

    ¡°You¡¯re getting upset. Should I do... something? To help?¡±

    ¡°God, stop¡± she blushed again.

    ¡°So, you mate with each other to make each other feel good. But mating with each other could lead to... producing children? And you¡¯re terrified of that happening right now? But you still enjoy mating with Adan, despite that?¡±

    ¡°Oh my god, would you stop saying mating?¡± she continued having to fight the urge to hide under the table.

    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to make sense of it. That¡¯s all¡± Ilian told her apologetically.

    ¡°News flash; sex, mating, it¡¯s never made sense. But we still really like it. Our whole race is crazy. Happy now?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, when you walk in on the middle of a conversation, you just know you shouldn¡¯t have...¡± Adan said with a raised brow as he entered the room in the middle of Aura¡¯s last exclamation.

    ¡°Well you try explaining the whole concept of sex to a really fucking hot alien. Good luck¡± she defended as he warily moved to his seat.

    ¡°Yeah, I think I¡¯ll pass¡± Adan said with a shake of his own head as he reached for his food.

    ¡°Exactly¡± she mumbled as she forced her attention back to her own food, leaving Ilian just to look between them with confusion. But he thankfully said nothing else just then.

    Though, at that point, Aura was so flustered, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from speaking up again. ¡°So how does your race make children, Ilian?¡± she had to ask.

    ¡°So, do we have anything stronger than juice from concentrate?¡± Adan interrupted with discomfort of his own then.

    ¡°What? He wants to learn about us, and we wanna learn about him. Seems as good as place as any to start, right?¡±

    ¡°Or we could say, ask him about their economic system?¡± Adan offered pointedly.

    ¡°He was already asking me to explain your way of ¡®calming me down.¡¯ We¡¯re already on this subject. May as well get it all out there, right?¡± Aura defended.

    ¡°Maybe I could go eat in the living room¡± Adan mumbled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare¡± Aura ordered, causing him to put up his hands in defeat, though he stayed, awkward as it was.

    ¡°How we procreate?¡± Ilian asked warily.

    ¡°Yeah. You know how we do, mostly¡± she pressed.

    ¡°Uh, we take male and female cells and place them together to create a hybrid of the two. Then, when it is fully formed. It joins our society¡± Ilian explained slowly. ¡°That¡¯s mating the two cells together. But it¡¯s nothing like, what your people do, apparently?¡±

    ¡°A whole society of test tube babies?¡± she narrowed her eyes at that.

    ¡°Of what?¡± Ilian asked.

    ¡°So your people don¡¯t actually have sex. Mate. With each other?¡± Adan asked, trying not to appear too shocked by the idea.

    ¡°That would be rather inefficient¡± Ilian stated plainly.

    ¡°Can¡¯t argue that I guess¡± Adan shook his head and just returned his attention to his breakfast.

    ¡°I¡¯m still not absolutely clear on how your people procreate though. I assume it also ends with the cells from each gender being joined. Just unclear on how you accomplish that differently than we do. And what it has to do with the kissing and touching you seem to enjoy.¡±

    Adan and Aura just looked at each other with more awkward silence. Finally, she spoke, ¡°care to take this one, Adan?¡±

    ¡°No, I really, really don¡¯t care to¡± he stated plainly.

 Chapter 22

    ¡°It¡¯s fine¡± Aura said, after taking a breath to compose herself. ¡°We¡¯re practically adults. You even were one, legally. And we both had sex-ed, right? So, we can both explain this like adults, right?¡±

    ¡°I actually mostly had tutors¡± Adan corrected, though quietly.

    ¡°But you had plenty of hands on experience in Hollywood, didn¡¯t you though?¡± she shot back.

    ¡°Aura...¡±

    ¡°So, we can explain this to him, easily enough, I¡¯m sure¡± she repeated.

    ¡°Why do we need to explain it at all, again?¡± Adan asked with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°Would you rather just have him constantly walking in on us during increasingly awkward moments, then asking us about them after?¡±

    Adan just let out a resigned sigh. ¡°Fine, explain away.¡±

    She took another deep breath as Ilian just looked between the two of them warily. ¡°OK, so, the kissing and touching, we ¡®seem to enjoy?¡¯ That often leads to even more kissing and touching.¡±

    ¡°This is going well¡± Adan mumbled.

    ¡°You wanna take over?¡± she bit back.

    ¡°Nope, your show, doll¡± he passed.

    ¡°And, when a male is kissed and... touched, enough, it causes his sperm, or seed¡± she shook her head, ¡°to leave his body.¡±

    Adan couldn¡¯t help stifling a small chuckle.

    ¡°You wanna take over now?¡± she repeated loudly.

    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m actually interested in hearing the rest of this myself now¡± he smirked again.

    ¡°Shut up¡± she shook her head again, ¡°anyway, if he positions himself in a certain way, or location?¡± Adan tried to stifle another chuckle. She just glared at him. ¡°If he places part of his body inside a part of a female¡¯s body, this causes an intense pleasure that in turn causes that sperm to be released from his body and enter hers. And this could lead to it fertilizing her egg cells, and then a child is created¡± she raced through the rest of her sentence as quickly as she could.

    ¡°And there you have it¡± Adan smirked again.

    ¡°Shut up¡± she repeated.

    ¡°He places part of his body inside part of hers?¡± Ilian asked as he looked between the two of them.

    ¡°Fuck. You take over¡± Aura finally gave up, and grabbed her food and took it with her to go and eat in the living room, just as Adan had wanted to do earlier.

    ¡°Thanks hon¡± he called after her with a shake of his head.

    ¡°That sounds very confusing¡± Ilian added. ¡°And...¡±

    ¡°Inefficient?¡± Adan offered as he took a long sip of his drink.

    ¡°A bit¡± Ilian agreed.

    ¡°Welcome to human reproduction 101¡± Adan mumbled as he took another drink.

    ¡°She said that it causes intense pleasure though?¡± Ilian continued.

    ¡°That¡¯s one word for it¡± Adan shook his head again, though still couldn¡¯t look directly at Ilian, for many different reasons right then.

    ¡°So, it gives the female pleasure too?¡± Ilian asked, nearly causing Adan to choke on his drink.

    ¡°Ideally¡± he managed.

    ¡°So, even though neither of you want to produce a child, you risk the possibility anyway. Because of that pleasure?¡±

    Adan just sighed shakily. ¡°Hence my earlier raid on the medical supplies¡± he admitted quietly.

    ¡°That sounds... stressful¡± Ilian attempted.

    ¡°True enough¡± Adan admitted.

    ¡°The pleasure must be very intense¡± Ilian stated thoughtfully.

    ¡°And there you have the story of how there ended up being 7.5 billion of us on the planet. You know, before your people found it¡± he had to add.

    ¡°I am sorry for what¡¯s happened to yours¡± Ilian stated softly.

    ¡°Yeah, me too¡± Adan replied a little shortly.

    Adan then also gave into his overwhelming urge to flee from trying to justify their indeed, very stressful love life. He then gathered his food and headed out of the room after Aura.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Well, that was incredibly awkward¡± Adan greeted Aura when he found her finishing her meal on the sofa a moment later. ¡°Thank you for that¡± he added, though as he complained, he sat next to her and leaned over to give her a quick kiss to prove he wasn¡¯t angry as much as just uncomfortable, understandably.

    ¡°Hey, I explained. I didn¡¯t offer to answer any follow up questions¡± she defended weakly.

    ¡°I think it may have been less awkward if we had just invited him to watch us... mate¡± he smirked.

    ¡°Oh eww¡± she said as she gently smacked his arm, ¡°must we keep using that word?¡±

    ¡°So your disgust is due to the term, not the idea?¡± Adan teased.

    ¡°You can¡¯t really...¡± she looked at him, as he pretended to be keeping his attention on his meal rather than the conversation. ¡°Adan.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he laughed. ¡°He may have already watched us for all we know. He was kinda stalker-y during our first couple nights.¡±

    ¡°Well, I guess you would be more comfortable than me doing a love scene in a room full of people, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± she scoffed.

    Adan just laughed. ¡°Love scenes are not remotely romantic. Common misconception.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you say oh wise one¡± she retorted with a roll of her eyes.

    ¡°Just playin. Though it would definitely spice up the apocalypse, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s plenty spicy already, Adan¡± she faked a glare.

    He was quiet for a while as they each finished their food. Once their plates were set aside on the coffee table though, he spoke again. ¡°But if the three of us really are gonna be all stuck in here together for years, I mean... Assuming he doesn¡¯t actually murder us and stuff. What¡¯s our lives, all three of us, here together, what¡¯s that look like? What¡¯s that script?¡± he asked her, seeming sincere in his curiosity about what she thought on the matter.

    ¡°You think it¡¯s going to involve intergalactic threesomes?¡± she raised a brow.

    ¡°I mean, you¡¯ve seen him. And he¡¯s obviously pretty fucking curious.¡±

    ¡°And he looks like your brother¡± she reminded.

    ¡°Not fair. You were the one saying that it¡¯s not that freaky, since he¡¯s not really my brother, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Are you being serious right now?¡± She shook her head. ¡°The two of us have only had sex together twice, fully. I¡¯ve only ever had sex twice, period. And now you¡¯re thinking about throwing a male alien into the mix?¡±

    ¡°Technically you are more experienced than him, honestly¡± Adan reminded.

    ¡°Adan!¡±

    He just allowed a small chuckle. ¡°Of course I don¡¯t mean tonight, or any time soon even. But if we are gonna be here for years together... and we¡¯re both attracted to him... and he wants to understand us... I mean, who knows what might happen in a year or so? You can¡¯t say it hasn¡¯t crossed your mind too.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to try really hard not to let myself think that this means that you¡¯re already bored with me, sexually.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he exclaimed. ¡°Not even close. I guarantee it.¡± He gave her knee a reassuring squeeze, ¡°I¡¯m just trying to write that script in my head like you asked me to. Trying to imagine what it really will be like for the three of us here, years from now. I mean, you¡¯re attracted to him too. You can¡¯t honestly say that you haven¡¯t thought about it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m mostly spending my time actively trying not to think about it¡± she admitted.

    ¡°So, not that crazy of an idea after all, is it?¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡± she mumbled, causing him to just smile and give her another soft kiss. It seemed they did understand each other just as well as they thought they did, even if she didn¡¯t want to admit it, out loud just yet.

    <hr>

    The three of them had their dinner in the living room. At least then the sound of the TV could offset the awkward silence. Though, as usual, Aura¡¯s ingrained anxiety pushed her to need more and more answers. It was all she could do to help herself feel even slightly in control of anything at all anymore.

    ¡°So, tell us about your abilities, Ilian¡± she asked suddenly once the meal had finished.

    ¡°Abilities?¡± he asked as he looked over at where she sat in the center of the couch, though quite a bit closer to where Adan was seated on her opposite side.

    ¡°Yeah, stuff you can do that... we can¡¯t¡± she clarified, as Adan looked on warily but made no move to interrupt the conversation just yet.

    ¡°Not sure where to begin, since I¡¯m not completely sure of all the things your people can or cannot do¡± he stated hesitantly.

    ¡°Well, you talked about using your abilities to hide this place. How do you do that?¡± Aura started with the least terrifying of his abilities that they were aware of as of yet.

    ¡°It¡¯s a sort of mental camouflaging technique that extends to a certain radius around me. Including whatever building or structure I happen to be inside. Since they don¡¯t expect any of their own kind to be hiding here, on your planet. They won¡¯t look for any signs of it¡± he explained quietly.

    ¡°So you make them see nothing, instead of what¡¯s really there?¡± Adan finally joined the conversation.

    ¡°Something like that¡± Ilian agreed, as they inadvertently touched on exactly how he was able to remain unknown to them, and unseen by them on those first few nights.

    The two teens took deep breaths as Aura thought about all the things she wanted to ask him, trying to decide which, if any, she was brave enough to actually ask. ¡°And you can also change your appearance?¡± she dared, Adan tensing next to her at that particular point.

    ¡°Like I said, that¡¯s a lot harder to do, especially to this extent. Making others see something differently than it is? That¡¯s much easier than actually becoming something different than you are. Once you do that, it¡¯s next to impossible to undo.¡±

    ¡°And you got this appearance from my head?¡± Adan couldn¡¯t stop himself from fixating on the thing he found most disturbing personally. ¡°How exactly do you do that? Do you read minds or something?¡±

    ¡°When you¡¯re asleep, it¡¯s easier to see what¡¯s going on inside your mind. That¡¯s when I saw your memories, and adjusted this appearance accordingly. And I¡¯ve already given my reasons for why I chose it.¡±

    ¡°So, you can sneak around while we sleep reading our minds?¡± Adan asked a bit more loudly. ¡°That oughtta really help us relax every night¡± he added sarcastically.

    ¡°I only did that at first, to try and figure out a way to make you trust me¡± Ilian assured.

    ¡°Having someone steal thoughts from your head while you sleep?¡± Aura interjected, ¡°not great for building trust, Ilian.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t steal them. I only witnessed them. And it only works on memories that are stored there. Not current thoughts.¡±

    ¡°But you did steal our memories too, didn¡¯t you? And make Aura pass out? You did that too, right?¡± Adan pressed.

    ¡°I only took them to hide my presence from you for a bit longer. And I gave them back¡± Ilian reminded. ¡°And I made her pass out so I could end our conversation in a way that wouldn¡¯t do any real damage. I know none of these things probably help you to trust me. But I have never actually harmed you. Either of you. I am protecting you¡± he insisted again.

    ¡°But you¡¯re mainly protecting yourself, right?¡± Adan retorted.

    Ilian sighed heavily. ¡°I understand that you¡¯re afraid of me because of the things I can do. But isn¡¯t what I¡¯m not doing a better way to judge my true intentions? Honestly?¡±

 Chapter 23

    Even after getting into bed for the night, they both were still thinking on the earlier conversation. Aura moved closer, wrapping herself around him, though his eyes remained on the door.

    ¡°It¡¯s locked¡± she assured.

    ¡°Like the door to the bunker was?¡± Adan returned, which just caused a sigh from her.

    ¡°After everything that you said throughout the day, I¡¯m still not clear on whether you wanna fight him or fuck him.¡±

    Adan almost smirked at her wording, but managed to fight the urge. ¡°I just want him to understand that the things he did; they¡¯re not acceptable human behavior.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not human¡± Aura returned softly.

    ¡°No kidding.¡±

    She sighed softly as she hugged him tightly. ¡°And I think he does understand, now. We¡¯ve made it pretty clear.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully¡± Adan mumbled, not sounding entirely convinced just yet.

    ¡°Oh no. Now am I gonna have to be the one to get you so distracted you forget what you¡¯re upset about?¡± she teased as she began spreading kisses over his chest with a small grin on her lips.

    ¡°That¡¯s not playing fair¡± Adan replied as he felt her inching his pants down from his hips. Though he made no move to stop her either.

    ¡°Now you know how it feels¡± she teased as she finished her task and began moving her kisses downward, eventually causing another pleasurable gasp from him as she slid him into her mouth, causing him to quickly harden in response to her attentions.

    ¡°Should we invite him to watch?¡± he managed hoarsely, between slight moans of pleasure.

    She momentarily stopped to look up at him, ¡°you really wanna make me laugh right now? Talk about living dangerously.¡±

    He let out a small chuckle. ¡°I guess the risk is worth the reward¡± he managed. Aura just shook her head up at him before going back to her previous activity, making him forget anything else he may have thought of saying right then as well.

    <hr>

    When Aura woke before Adan, she groggily pushed her body up off the bed and moved to retrieve the bathrobe she had left draped over a nearby chair after her last shower. She smiled back at where he still lay naked and asleep atop the bed and allowed herself an extra moment to just admire how beautiful he was again before making her way from the bedroom.

    With a yawn, she turned and headed for the bathroom, only to be stopped in her tracks. Ilian had already made his way there even though it was barely past six. And when she appeared in the doorway, he was just standing there, in front of the mirror, studying his own reflection curiously. And he also had apparently removed all of his clothing before doing so. And that was why Aura found herself forgetting how to breathe once again.

    ¡°Sorry, did you need this room?¡± he asked with complete innocence, turning to face her as he spoke.

    ¡°Uh...¡± she stammered, not even able to pretend not to be moving her eyes over his body.

    His skin was the same pleasantly tanned mix between Caucasian and Native American, and his body even more muscular and toned than Adan¡¯s already perfect physique And there were other things she couldn¡¯t help noting too, proving that he really did model his entire appearance after the apparently adult version of Adan¡¯s brother. The similarities between them were remarkable, which she was now painfully, or pleasantly, aware of. She couldn¡¯t decide which. And his skill at making himself look perfectly like a human male was flawless in every way, it seemed.

    ¡°Aura?¡± he asked as she continued to just stare at him, unable to get her voice to work as much as she wanted it to. And she apparently was also finding herself unable to turn away from him either.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°What are you doing¡± she finally managed, ¡°just standing there like, well, like that?¡± she asked, every word a struggle for her to form, her eyes still moving over him of their own accord.

    ¡°I was just trying to make sense of all the things you told me yesterday. Understand it all better¡± he answered her conversationally, though still looked puzzled as to why she seemed so obviously flustered right then.

    ¡°Uh huh¡± she stated with the same distraction in her voice and her eyes.

    ¡°You know, trying to figure out what you said about which parts you were even---¡±

    ¡°Yeah, got it¡± she interrupted, finally making herself turn away through sheer force of will alone.

    ¡°Sorry, this body is new to me. I don¡¯t understand it the way you do¡± he added.

    ¡°Yeah, I get it. It¡¯s gotta be pretty fucking weird for you too, right?¡± she conceded, still making herself keep her back to him as she stood in the doorway. ¡°But can you please put your clothes on now, Ilian?¡± she made herself say, not believing she was even able to make that request as much as she really, really didn¡¯t want him to put his clothes on at all. Though she immediately forced that thought down as best she could.

    Ilian gave her a puzzled look, but moved to retrieve the pants that had been discarded on the floor earlier. ¡°That¡¯s another thing I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked, still not allowing herself to turn back just yet.

    ¡°Why you say things you don¡¯t really mean. And do the opposite of the things you really want. It¡¯s very strange¡± he said as he zipped and snapped the pants after replacing them as she had requested.

    ¡°I thought you couldn¡¯t read thoughts, Ilian. Only memories¡± she had to ask, finally daring to cast a sideways glance back at him.

    ¡°That is true. But your body language is obvious. You and Adan¡¯s both. You both enjoy this appearance and are actually... aroused? By it? Then you act as though you¡¯re not. It¡¯s all very strange.¡±

    ¡°Body language?¡± she scoffed to try and cover the redness burning her cheeks just then.

    ¡°Your heart races, your breath falters, you perspire, there¡¯s a flood of hormones...¡±

    ¡°OK, you can stop now¡± she interrupted.

    ¡°See. That¡¯s what I mean¡± Ilian stated plainly. He then added, ¡°and now will you pretend you want me to replace the shirt too?¡±

    ¡°Yes please. And then find another room to be in right now, will you?¡± she bit out.

    ¡°So strange¡± he shook his head as he pulled on his shirt then gave her one more puzzled look before leaving the room, as her voice had requested, even though her body clearly wanted the complete opposite.

    A moment later, she stormed back into the bedroom with a slam of the door, which caused Adan to easily startle awake. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked groggily as he pushed himself up.

    ¡°He¡¯s impossible!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Adan asked with confusion, wiping sleep and hair from his eyes.

    ¡°And pull the sheet up! It¡¯s hard enough to talk to you when you¡¯re not naked. You and him both¡± she muttered.

    ¡°Wait, what now?¡± that one caught him as he warily pulled the sheet up over his hips, giving her the same puzzled look Ilian had just been blessing her with moments before.

    ¡°Our little alien friend was in the bathroom just now. Naked even!¡±

    ¡°Um, OK?¡± Adan responded, trying not to smile at the vision her words produced, and how flustered she so obviously was.

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything,..¡± he shook his head.

    ¡°God, you¡¯re both impossible!¡± she added in frustration.

    ¡°I sense I¡¯m missing some part of this conversation¡± Adan replied thoughtfully, still watching her with mild amusement.

    ¡°He had the nerve to ask me why I wanted him to get dressed since I so obviously enjoyed seeing him... not dressed! The nerve!¡±

    ¡°And how exactly did he come to the rather obvious conclusion that you enjoyed seeing him naked?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just it! Body language! That was what he said! Can you believe that?¡± she continued in the same agitated manner.

    ¡°Well, kind of¡± Adan shook his head.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± she growled at him in frustration once more.

    ¡°OK, so you¡¯re angry that your body language let him know that you¡¯re attracted to him?¡± Adan summarized slowly.

    ¡°Yes! Aren¡¯t you paying attention?¡±

    Adan bit back a chuckle. ¡°Seems like you should be mad at your body¡¯s treacherous machinations then, really¡± he shrugged.

    ¡°Impossible! Both of you!¡± she repeated angrily as she left the room again.

    Adan chuckled and shook his head after her. ¡°That script is just writing itself¡± he mumbled with further amusement.

    When Adan joined Ilian in the dining room for breakfast after getting dressed, Aura was still in the shower. Ilian looked up upon Adan¡¯s arrival.

    ¡°Are you inexplicably angry with me now too?¡± Ilian asked in greeting.

    Adan just shook his head and took a seat, though he managed a smile. ¡°You¡¯re right. Humans don¡¯t make any fucking sense. Especially when they¡¯re attracted to someone. You just kind of get used to all the mixed signals, and try to work around them until you and the other person can come to a mutually pleasant agreement, sooner or later. Usually later¡± Adan explained as he started on his breakfast.

    ¡°That all sounds very confusing, and exhausting¡± Ilian replied.

    ¡°Oh believe me, it is¡± Adan agreed without pause.

    ¡°Then why do you keep trying to be with one another, even though it¡¯s that hard?¡±

    Adan looked down a moment as he thought on the question. ¡°I guess, because it¡¯s all worth it in the end.¡±

 Chapter 24

    By the time June started, Ilian had still been spending almost all his time at the computer. He was still determined to learn everything he could about the dying planet they were now inhabiting, as well as the dying race that used to populate it. It may have seemed a strange thing to do now that both were coming to an inevitable end, but he still felt the need to at least try and understand the two that would be spending the rest of their lifespan there in that place with him.

    But even that way of passing his time seemed to be coming to an end that afternoon. ¡°Do you know how to fix this?¡± Ilian asked Adan and Aura. The two were sitting together in front of the TV in that continued attempt to distract themselves from having the time to really think about how their world had now changed.

    ¡°Fix what?¡± Adan asked as they looked back at Ilian¡¯s question.

    ¡°This site cannot be reached. Please check your internet connection¡± Ilian read out the message that greeted him at every site he tried to access now.

    Adan and Aura both looked down with a somber expression. Aura could already feel her breath getting shorter. ¡°It seems like the internet finally quit working now too¡± Adan made himself supply that answer, giving Aura a comforting squeeze with the arm that had been wrapped around her shoulders already.

    ¡°Quit?¡± Ilian asked with a moment of his own worry. After all, the computer was the one way he had to try and make sense of a completely new world himself, other than just constantly asking the two of them to talk about all they had now lost.

    ¡°If the worldwide servers go down, and there¡¯s no one left to fix them...¡± Adan just let his voice trail off as he felt Aura trying her best to force back a sob.

    ¡°Then the world really is over¡± she finished in a raspy whisper.

    Ilian swallowed as he looked back at the computer, then at them, then back again. He began clicking on anything else he could to try and disprove that possibility. But it seemed it may have been true after all. That was when he clicked on the icon that brought up the camera feeds from outside. And then his breath caught too.

    ¡°I was wrong¡± he spoke, more to himself.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Adan said, still trying to help Aura fight back her anxiety attack, and not quite catching Ilian¡¯s statement.

    ¡°Nothing¡± Ilian answered as he quickly clicked away the window, and sat back in the seat, now having adopted Adan¡¯s mannerism of running a hand through his long locks in a sure sign of stress.

    Looking back at Ilian again in time to see how quickly he had closed the window on the computer and how obviously upset he suddenly seemed, Adan gave Aura another small squeeze and rose from his seat. ¡°What is it?¡± he asked Ilian again as he took a step toward the computer.

    As Adan moved closer, he noted that the feed from the cameras was only minimized, not closed, and reached past Ilian to call up the window once more. He shook his head and looked back at Ilian, then back at the monitors.

    ¡°What even is that?¡± Adan asked Ilian as he pointed to the screen, where off in the distance of each feed, could be seen large specks of bright blue in the forest outside.

    Ilian tried to think of any answer at all he could give, but he knew that the truth would be his only option, painful as it was sure to be. ¡°That¡¯s a type of vegetation, a fungus really, that is from my planet¡± he spoke the last two words under his breath.

    ¡°What?¡± Adan asked as he looked back at him.

    ¡°They¡¯re Terra-forming you mean?¡± Aura spoke up as well, moving to also view the monitor.

    ¡°Why would they do that if they¡¯re...¡± Adan began, but then his voice trailed off, as they all already knew the way that sentence ended.

    ¡°They¡¯re not leaving after all?¡± Aura choked on the statement.

    ¡°You said they were going to take everything and then just move on¡± Adan reminded Ilian loudly.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°That had been their plan, when I left¡± Ilian assured.

    Adan and Aura both took a deep breath, as Ilian continued to look down at the floor. ¡°Why would their plan have changed?¡± Adan made himself ask.

    Ilian took a moment before supplying the only answer he could. ¡°The reason your planet was dying is because there were too many of you.¡±

    ¡°And now there¡¯s not¡± Adan made himself add.

    ¡°There won¡¯t be¡± Ilian stated quietly.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Adan asked defensively.

    ¡°The firefights have stopped. We haven¡¯t heard any fighting out there for weeks. But no matter how superior we were, technologically speaking, there was still one advantage your kind had¡± Ilian attempted to explain.

    ¡°And that would be?¡± Aura made herself ask.

    ¡°There was a lot more of you than us¡± Ilian admitted. ¡°I told you about how we reproduce. It¡¯s all planned and only happens when we want it to. It¡¯s how we made our own planet last so long. But our planet was much smaller than yours, and eventually all our resources were dwindling too. So we stopped reproducing and started searching.

    ¡°Your planet is enormous, and you were all still destroying it. It was all going to be gone. So, our leaders decided that one thing could solve our problems and yours. So we came here. We sent the virus. We waited.

    ¡°Then the attacks started, and now they¡¯ve stopped. But there¡¯s no way that all your people could have been killed in those attacks. Your numbers are too great, and your places to truly hide from the fighting too vast. So either we would have to accept only a partial victory, or a war that could last for decades, costing our kind even more than yours. Or...¡± Ilian just shook his head and looked down again.

    ¡°Or what?¡± Adan made himself ask.

    ¡°Find another way to wipe out the rest of you, without costing us anything¡± Ilian made himself finish.

    ¡°And what way¡¯s that?¡± Aura forced the question from her lips.

    Ilian just gestured to the computer screen. ¡°Those plants release spores. My people won¡¯t have to do anything at all to win now. You¡¯ll all be gone, and all of your resources on this enormous planet will be left completely untouched. But the air itself will no longer be safe for any of you anymore. Your people can¡¯t hide from air, not unless they¡¯re in a place like this bunker. And even then, whatever they have left to sustain them, it will eventually run out too.¡±

    ¡°So, there really isn¡¯t any hope that they¡¯ll eventually leave and we can have what¡¯s left of our planet back again?¡± Adan whispered as Aura tried to hold back tears, each of them gripping the other¡¯s hand tightly.

    Ilian was quiet a long moment, trying to come up with anything at all that could give either of them any remaining hope. ¡°I mean, there is one thing. But...¡± he shook his head sadly.

    ¡°What thing?¡± Adan asked.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d be able to get away from my own people. But I was a scientist and a healer, so I took one thing with me, in case they caught me before I could find a place to hide from them.¡±

    ¡°Care to be more specific?¡± Adan pressed.

    ¡°I guess, the only equivalent I can come up with that would make any sense would be like a cyanide pill, but more like a cyanide bomb. Them catching me, a traitor? That would be worse than death for me. So, I figured that if they ever did, I¡¯d end it myself. But take my captors with me at least¡± Ilian stated with another shaky breath.

    ¡°What does that even mean, Ilian?¡± Aura asked.

    ¡°I do have one thing that could kill my own people. The same way they¡¯re trying to kill yours. But...¡± he looked down again.

    ¡°But it¡¯d kill you too?¡± Aura whispered, causing her and Adan to both give him a look of despair.

    ¡°It¡¯s the precursor to those blue plants you see outside. They were engineered. But there was another strain before that. And it was toxic to us, deadly. A lot of lives were lost before we found the right combination to make the ones you see out there now. But the seeds from the first strain, they were locked away. Destroying them would have just released the toxins into our air. So I took them¡± he admitted with a shaky breath.

    ¡°There¡¯s some toxic plant in here with us?¡± Adan asked loudly.

    ¡°It¡¯s contained¡± Ilian assured. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t, I¡¯d be dead right now. But more importantly¡± he continued quickly, ¡°there¡¯s nothing in it that would be toxic to humans. Only us¡± he added in a whisper.

    Adan spoke up then, ¡°so... we just what? Un-contain the seeds if they ever find us? They die, you die. But we get to live in here just until our resources run out anyway? But we can still never go outside again? How is that really a long term fix?¡±

    ¡°If we planted some around the place. It would eventually release gas, spores, spread. But they¡¯d never be able to get anywhere near here. And if we could get it into a water supply, it could actually poison them, and make all your resources unusable for them.

    ¡°The seeds I have, the dark strain. They produce black mushrooms instead of the blue. And they¡¯re much heartier. That¡¯s why we couldn¡¯t destroy the seeds without endangering ourselves. The blue ones out there now are weaker. They take longer and die faster. They need to be replanted regularly. If we can introduce the black ones into your Eco-system, they would eventually overtake the blue. Poisoning this whole planet for them the way they¡¯re now trying to poison it for the rest of your people.¡±

    ¡°But if the kind out there now are toxic to us¡± Aura spoke after a moment, ¡°and the ones that we¡¯d need to take outside to counteract those are toxic to you...¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way we can do it, without one of us dying, anyway¡± Adan finished sadly, managing to put it together in his head, and causing them all to look down in somber thought.

 Chapter 25

    ¡°I¡¯ll just do it¡± Ilian stated after a long moment and stood.

    ¡°What?¡± Aura and Adan said in unison.

    ¡°I was planning on using the seeds to kill myself anyway. If it came to that. And this is worse. When it was just a war, there was still a chance that our numbers would run too thin before yours did. With this new way they¡¯re planning to end your race. They¡¯re guaranteed success. Me contaminating your planet for them is the only way there is any hope at all for your people¡± he insisted.

    ¡°Just stop, Ilian¡± Aura grabbed his arm as he moved to leave the room.

    ¡°It¡¯s the only way¡± he repeated, though his voice faltered.

    ¡°You¡¯re a scientist you said. Right? And we¡¯ve got the gardens here, and you¡¯ve got the seeds, and we¡¯ve got the suits in the entry corridor. Can¡¯t you use all those things to science it out?¡± she pleaded desperately.

    ¡°To do what?¡± he asked as he narrowed his eyes at her.

    Adan clarified, ¡°I think she means to find another way. A way that won¡¯t kill you, or us¡± he finished.

    Ilian just shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s a good idea, in theory. But the technology that created these plants? It¡¯s so much more advanced than anything you have here¡± he explained sadly.

    ¡°Well then advance us. You figure it out¡± Adan argued. ¡°Like your life depends on it even. Cause it sort of does, doesn¡¯t it?¡± he stated in the same somber tone.

    <hr>

    Ilian had spent the rest of the evening in the gardens, trying to ¡®science it out¡¯ as it were. At around seven, Adan and Aura entered the garden room and moved toward where Ilian sat at a desk in the corner, running his hand through his hair and continuously scanning pages of information he had now sketched out before him.

    ¡°You missed dinner¡± Aura said softly as she held a plate out to him.

    ¡°And I¡¯m not any further ahead than I was this afternoon. Anything I use to kill my own people, it¡¯d be deadly for me too. We may just have to accept that I have to die too, in order for your kind to have any chance.¡±

    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t accept that¡± Adan stated plainly. ¡°You¡¯ve been protecting us this whole time. And we¡¯re not going to thank you for that by sending you out there to die for us. There has to be another solution.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you need to look at it another way¡± Aura said thoughtfully after a long moment.

    ¡°What other way?¡± Ilian asked, though didn¡¯t honestly expect her to have that answer.

    ¡°I think, what you should be trying to do is finding a way to make it possible for you to survive this new plant being introduced onto our planet. Not the rest of your people, just you¡± she attempted to explain her thought process.

    ¡°Like an antidote for him being exposed to it, you mean?¡± Adan offered, going along with her on that subject.

    ¡°Or at least a way he could resist it. I mean, he¡¯s the one that has to do this, ultimately. He¡¯s the only one of us who can go outside until the blue stuff is gone. And he knows all about the plant and how it would have to be introduced into our world to make it unlivable for them. He¡¯s gotta survive exposure to it, somehow¡± she thought out loud.

    ¡°But finding an antidote for anything, it¡¯s difficult. Even if I still had the resources I used to have¡± Ilian warned.

    ¡°But not impossible?¡± she asked him hopefully.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Ilian shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I¡¯d have to do a lot more research, and find some way to test that research without dying along the way. It definitely won¡¯t be easy.¡±

    ¡°Well, then you better eat your dinner and keep up your strength in order to do that, right?¡± Aura replied as she pushed the plate into his hands with a small smile.

    <hr>

    By midnight, Adan had drifted off to sleep in bed next to Aura. She was having her usual trouble sleeping, and had not yet heard Ilian return to his room for the night either. She sighed as she pushed herself up from the bed, slid into her robe, and decided to try and do something other than just toss and turn until she finally fell asleep.

    When she reached the gardens, she had a moment of panic when she first saw Ilian. He was now dressed in one of the hazmat suits from the entry corridor as he studied a small black seed sitting on the desk in front of him.

    ¡°Am I about to die now?¡± she asked loudly.

    Ilian looked back at her. ¡°No¡± he told her without pause. ¡°This is the one that¡¯s safe for your kind, remember?¡±

    ¡°Well, you were wearing that suit, so I thought...¡± she shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s not safe for my kind¡± he reminded her softly as he turned back to the desk.

    ¡°If only you were more like us, right?¡± she offered innocently, stifling a sad sigh.

    Ilian then looked up at her quickly.

    ¡°What?¡± she asked as she caught the look.

    He just shook his head and returned his attention to the seed. ¡°Just thinking¡± he said distractedly.

    ¡°Vague¡± she said as she bit her lip. She then moved to peer more closely at the seed. ¡°But there can be such a thing as too much thinking. You should probably at least attempt to get some sleep. Might even help you come up with an idea. I get all my ideas when I try to sleep. I have a lot of ideas. So I don¡¯t sleep much¡± she sighed softly.

    ¡°Adan¡¯s asleep then?¡± He asked as he moved to place the seed back into the glass container with the others, safely sealing them away again.

    ¡°Yeah, his mind doesn¡¯t stay in permanent panic mode, keeping him awake all night, like mine does¡± she answered quietly.

    Ilian then removed the suit as he looked back at her with a sad look of his own. ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out to save the two of you, and hopefully what¡¯s left of your world. Even if I have to d---¡±

    ¡°Stop. We¡¯re not gonna let you die for us, Ilian, OK?¡±

    ¡°Be careful¡± he stated as he set the suit aside. ¡°I might start thinking the two of you actually trust me now. Like me, even¡± he managed a small smile.

    ¡°We do, Ilian. Especially if you¡¯re actually willing to try and find some way to wipe out all of your own people just to save us, and our planet. That gains you quite a bit of trust, I¡¯d say¡± she told him quietly, their eyes meeting as she spoke.

    Just as they very nearly gave into whatever primitive urges they were both experiencing, he pulled away again. He stepped back, turning away and running a hand through his hair again. ¡°Yeah, sleep might be something I need to get a bit of right now. Goodnight, Aura¡± and with that, he quickly left the room.

    <hr>

    When Ilian joined them for breakfast the next morning, he looked hesitant as he took his seat. ¡°You were right, Aura. When I tried to sleep, I did think of one thing.¡±

    ¡°What thing?¡± Adan asked as they both looked up at him expectantly.

    ¡°It was because of something Aura said. It¡¯s just a theory though. No guarantee it will work. But it¡¯s the only one I¡¯ve come up with so far, given what I have to work with here¡± he began attempting to explain.

    ¡°Well, tell us¡± Aura pressed.

    ¡°And testing it, or anything, it will be dangerous. I mean, if I¡¯m wrong...¡±

    ¡°Then you die¡± Adan said softly.

    ¡°So don¡¯t be wrong¡± Aura interjected loudly.

    ¡°The only way I can find out if I¡¯m wrong is by testing it. And if I am...¡±

    ¡°What is it anyway?¡± Adan asked just as worriedly.

    ¡°The facts are that I can only poison your world for them if I first make myself immune to the dark strain. And, there¡¯s only one thing I have access to here that might have any chance of doing that. And I don¡¯t even know if it will until I actually do test it, then expose myself to the strain. I only get one shot at this. If I¡¯m wrong... I do die¡± he agreed sadly.

    ¡°And then we die¡± Aura whispered, ¡°eventually, anyway.¡±

    ¡°What do you have to do, Ilian?¡± Adan asked.

    ¡°Make myself more like the two of you.¡±

    They both looked at him curiously. Aura spoke first. ¡°Other than already looking completely like one of us? Completely¡± she couldn¡¯t help adding under her breath.

    ¡°That¡¯s only on the surface. My cells are all still mine. And all of them are still able to be poisoned by the dark strain¡± he attempted clarification.

    ¡°So, you need to change, inside too?¡± Aura asked as they both looked at him with more confusion.

    ¡°Can you actually use your abilities to do that?¡± Adan asked in shock.

    ¡°Not those abilities. But maybe through a more concrete method.¡±

    ¡°Like?" Aura asked.

    ¡°Science¡± Ilian stated simply.

    ¡°OK, care to elaborate?¡± Adan spoke.

    ¡°Human DNA¡± he stated as they both continued to just look at him. ¡°If I introduced human DNA into my body, then there¡¯s a chance that could protect my cells from the poison of the dark strain. A small chance¡± he stressed.

 Chapter 26

    Adan and Aura looked to each other, then back to Ilian. Again, she spoke first. ¡°And you¡¯re sure that injecting yourself with our DNA won¡¯t like, harm you or anything?¡±

    ¡°Highly doubtful. I¡¯ve been surrounded by human DNA this whole time. It¡¯s even in your hair and skin cells¡± he pointed out.

    ¡°And, he did kiss you¡± Adan interjected, causing Aura to blush and Ilian to look down.

    ¡°It was hardly that... intimate... of a kiss¡± she defended weakly.

    ¡°But no¡± Ilian interrupted, ¡°your DNA is very unlikely to have any adverse effects on me. It may produce small changes, but I can¡¯t foresee any major problems with the DNA itself.¡±

    ¡°You foresee a problem with something else though?¡± Aura asked, catching his subtle wording.

    ¡°Just getting it into my system at all¡± he answered quietly.

    ¡°Well I mean, you¡¯ll just have to get it from us though. Like our blood or something?¡± Adan stated.

    ¡°That would be the plan. Assuming I can make it work.¡±

    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it work?¡± Aura asked.

    ¡°We¡¯ll see¡± he said quietly.

    They both gave him a curious look, but decided that he was the expert in the matter, so didn¡¯t press just yet. Adan spoke then. ¡°I guess you should take it from my blood then.¡±

    ¡°Why yours?¡± Aura asked.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m guessing it would be the most physically compatible with him. Considering, his current body, and all¡± Adan explained more quietly, still not quite fully comfortable with Ilian¡¯s chosen appearance.

    ¡°That¡¯s the only reason?¡± Aura asked warily.

    ¡°Why else?¡± Adan returned.

    ¡°Cause there¡¯s something wrong with me, right? The way my brain works¡± Aura sniffled a bit.

    ¡°You know I wouldn¡¯t ever say that about you. Come on, Aura¡± he assured her as he reached across the table to touch her hand. Though, she only looked down in response.

    Ilian interrupted then, ¡°we still have to see if it¡¯ll work at all. No matter whose blood I try to use.¡±

    ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling us?¡± Adan asked then.

    Ilian let out a sigh. ¡°We¡¯ll see. But before we can do that, we need an intravenous needle. Which are likely with the medical supplies¡± and with that, he stood and headed off in search of the item.

    It wasn¡¯t much later that they had all finished eating and then began their experiment. Adan took a breath and allowed Ilian to go about preparing to take his blood. He winced slightly as the needle pierced his flesh, but it was over nearly as soon as it started.

    ¡°That¡¯s all you need?¡± Adan asked as he held the cotton ball against the puncture in his arm.

    ¡°Just to see if it works at all. Then we¡¯ll determine how much more I need, if I do¡± Ilian answered as he took a breath, and a seat, and looked down at the needle warily.

    ¡°You sure this won¡¯t hurt you? You look a bit uneasy¡± Aura pointed out.

    ¡°Well if it doesn¡¯t work¡± Adan interjected, ¡°we¡¯re all fucked. That¡¯s a bit stressful, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Ilian took a breath, then cautiously moved the needle toward his own arm. A moment later, it became clear to them why he was so unsure of this working at all, and why. As he attempted to puncture his own skin with the needle containing Adan¡¯s blood, it came into contact with his skin, but did not pierce it at all.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    Upon that realization, Ilian let out a defeated breath, while the two of them just looked on in confusion over what was even happening at that moment.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Aura asked worriedly after another moment.

    ¡°What I was afraid of happening¡± Ilian stated, all hope seeming gone from his voice then.

    ¡°Explain¡± Adan said as he moved to take a closer look at where Ilian still shakily held the needle against his still completely unmarred flesh.

    ¡°The needle can¡¯t break my skin¡± Ilian made himself give the answer, hopeless as he now sounded.

    ¡°What?¡± they both asked in unison once again.

    ¡°I have no way of getting your blood into my own bloodstream. This can¡¯t work after all¡± he made himself admit, sadly.

    ¡°Um...¡± Adan stated, at a loss himself then, suffering a bit of shared shock, and awe with Aura at that revelation as well. ¡°There¡¯s gotta be another way¡± Adan insisted.

    ¡°There¡¯s the original plan¡± Ilian made himself say, though his voice was strained as he did.

    ¡°You mean the one where you die?¡± Aura exclaimed with disapproval.

    ¡°This was the only other thing that could have worked, Aura. Now...¡± he just looked down again.

    ¡°Can¡¯t you just like drink it or something?¡± she asked as she came up with the first desperate straw she could grasp at.

    ¡°Did you just tell him to drink my blood?¡± Adan looked back at her.

    ¡°Works for vampires, right?¡± she shrugged hopelessly.

    ¡°I think you¡¯re getting your genres mixed up¡± Adan shook his head back at her.

    ¡°But I mean, think about it¡± she continued, ¡°it¡¯s not that crazy. Wouldn¡¯t that still get your DNA into his bloodstream?

    ¡°His digestive system, maybe¡± Adan replied.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that close enough?¡± she continued desperately.

    ¡°Let¡¯s ask the scientist¡± Adan responded. ¡°Is that ¡®close enough¡¯ to make you think you can withstand exposure to it, if you just... drink my blood?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long shot. A really long shot¡± Ilian answered after pondering it a moment. ¡°If it works at all, and that¡¯s not in any way guaranteed. It would only be temporary, at best. As soon as your blood passes out of my system, the spores and gases would be toxic to me again.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a start though. Right?¡± Aura asked with what little bit of hope she was still managing to cling to.

    <hr>

    That night, Ilian was suffering the same sort of insomnia that usually plagued Aura. But his failed attempts at sleep were soon interrupted when the door to his bedroom opened a crack sometime before one that night.

    ¡°Aura?¡± he asked warily as he pushed himself up onto his elbows, turning his eyes to the door as it opened.

    ¡°I was trying to sleep¡± she began, her voice tiny as she stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. ¡°I got an idea¡± she swallowed hard as she stepped further into the room.

    He looked at her curiously and sat up the rest of the way. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡±

    She took a deep, broken breath as she moved closer to the bed in the semi-darkness of the room. ¡°It¡¯s an idea that I find just a bit terrifying. That¡¯s why I¡¯m having so much trouble explaining it, I guess. And well, other reasons¡± she added under her breath as she glanced at the wall between his bedroom and the one she shared with Adan.

    ¡°You¡¯re worried Adan won¡¯t approve of the idea?¡±

    ¡°You reading thoughts again?¡± she asked defensively.

    ¡°You know I don¡¯t do that. I just read body language¡± he reminded.

    ¡°Whatever¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°So, is the idea dangerous for you? Is that why you¡¯re afraid he won¡¯t approve?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s one word for it¡± she managed, still speaking under her breath and moving her eyes around the room to avoid looking directly at Ilian right then.

    ¡°Well, if it endangers you, I doubt I¡¯d find it very appealing either. I am trying to save you after all. That would defeat the purpose¡± he explained plainly.

    She took a deep breath, using all of her willpower to speak her thoughts aloud. ¡°There is one other way we can mix our DNA with yours. No needles necessary¡± she added as she looked down.

    ¡°I¡¯m still listening¡± he stated with further curiosity, brushing hair from his face as he slid to the edge of the bed.

    ¡°About forty years ago, another virus started killing a lot of our people. Only it wasn¡¯t spread by some evil alien race. No offense¡± she added.

    ¡°Go on¡± he said with a shake of his head.

    ¡°And the way this virus spread was by people sharing DNA, so to speak¡± she blushed slightly, which only caused him to crease his brow. ¡°And that happened when one person was infected with it, then spread their... DNA... to another person. Then the virus would enter the other person¡¯s bloodstream, and infect them too.¡± She took another deep breath, ¡°the real point of the story though is that people were sharing DNA. It¡¯s something our kind did every day. And they did it without needles, or drinking each other¡¯s blood.¡±

    ¡°Mating?¡± he offered, his scientist¡¯s mind easily following her through her explanation, circuitous as it was.

    ¡°Again, with that word¡± she blushed more deeply.

    ¡°So, if I were to... do that with you or Adan, then your DNA would mix with mine, enter my bloodstream?¡± he summarized, just to make sure he was fully understanding what she was speaking of.

    ¡°And now you know why this is so hard for me to even suggest.¡± She took another shaky breath. ¡°But if it could actually save your life. Our lives? Then I guess it would be worth it in the end. Wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

 Chapter 27

    Ilian stood, and Aura took a step closer to him, trembling as she did. Watching her closely, he spoke again, ¡°you realize that this is all just a theory. Mixing... us... may not actually work at all.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s the best theory we have, isn¡¯t it?¡± she whispered as she took another step, stopping mere inches in front of him.

    ¡°You seem scared to go through with it though¡± he pointed out with continued worry.

    ¡°It¡¯s always scary to do this with anyone for the first time¡± she excused.

    ¡°Adan said it caused intense pleasure for both partners though. How is that scary?¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t talking about the physical side of it. Though, with my fear of even having a human baby, that¡¯s also pretty scary¡± she couldn¡¯t help adding more quietly.

    ¡°There¡¯s a side to it that isn¡¯t physical?¡±

    ¡°For me there is¡± Aura attempted to smile up at where he stood about six inches taller than her as well, just like Adan.

    ¡°Sorry, I still don¡¯t really quite understand how ma¡ªthis, works for your kind. You¡¯re the expert here¡± he apologized, continuing to look down at her.

    She couldn¡¯t help a nervous laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that. I only did this for the first time ever, after the world ended¡± she admitted.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this, Aura¡± he assured her.

    ¡°I think I do¡± she whispered, swallowing a lump in her throat. ¡°Our lives really might depend on it.¡±

    Ilian let out a soft sigh. ¡°If you really want to, then tell me what to do. How this all works.¡±

    ¡°I think telling might even be more difficult than just showing¡± she stated with another nervous laugh.

    ¡°Then show me, I guess¡± he smiled down at her.

    She took another deep breath as she bravely moved her hands to the waist of the pants he had worn to bed that night. With another moment to try and steel her nerves, she slowly began inching his pants down from his waist, exposing his beautiful body to her in the dim light for the first time since that overly awkward encounter in the bathroom weeks prior.

    Following her lead, he stepped out of the pants as they fell to the floor. He couldn¡¯t help a small smile as all those tell tale signs of her attraction showed even more clearly in the way her body reacted to him than even they had the last time.

    With another shaky breath, she dropped her robe to the floor as well. His eyes moved over her body too then. He had seen her naked before, on the night he had stolen their memories, back before they even knew of his existence. But somehow, this time was very different. She was willingly sharing it with him, and quite conscious as she did. And then he felt a slight stirring in his own body that he could not find the proper words to describe, even in his own head, his own language. There were very few words for things such as desire and arousal in his people¡¯s tongue.

    ¡°Lay down¡± she whispered to him, the words catching in her throat.

    He simply nodded down at her and then moved himself back onto the bed. Aura took another deep breath before slowly moving to join him there. Taking another long moment to gather any courage she could, she finally moved closer to him, hesitantly wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling herself closer. Close enough for her breasts to now press against his chest, which only made her heart race even faster; and his as well it seemed.

    She then moved in to place her mouth over his. Though it was technically their second kiss, this one was much more willingly given, and more passionate, as her body¡¯s wants were finally beginning to overtake her brain¡¯s fears at last.

    Once past his own shock at the feel of her mouth on his again, he began kissing her back. Her tongue slid inside his mouth then, and he followed her lead there as well. It was strange to him, beyond strange. But also pleasant somehow.

    After a few more moments of that kiss, she made herself pull back just enough to look down at where he awaited her next cue. She took another breath, and then moved her hand down between his legs, wrapping shaky fingers around his penis. His breath caught immediately at the feel of her fingers encircling him.

    Not even sure he could react the way a human male would, she had gone too far to let her fear take over now, and so she began caressing him. Her touch caused his breath to become shorter and shorter, and much to her simultaneous relief and fear, he began hardening as the slightest moans of pleasure escaped from his throat.

    Once he fully hardened, and it began to feel as though he were almost very near that final moment as well, she made herself cease her caresses and look back into his eyes again. He seemed unable to form the question behind those eyes then either. Aura gathered that final bit of courage and moved to place herself above where he still waited for her, now fully aroused by her touch.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    With another breath, she reached down below where she now straddled his hips, and took him in her hand once more. One more moment to convince herself that this was really about to happen, she slid him inside her, a moan escaping both their throats then at the sensation.

    After the initial shock of the penetration passed, she allowed her body to fully take over, and began moving above him with deliberateness and passion both. All she could comprehend in that moment was that need for release brought on by all her own desires, and all of his newfound ones as well it seemed.

    Once their passion was spent, Aura and Ilian lay there together in the darkness for a long time. They waited for their heartbeats to return to normal, and their bodies to remember how to breathe. And she thought, and thought.

    Finally, she made her voice work again, hoarse though it now was. ¡°Will you do something for me, Ilian?¡±

    He looked over at where she still lay in his arms next to him. ¡°I don¡¯t think I could refuse any request just now¡± he admitted in the same hoarse tone.

    Trying not to smile at that particular response, she searched for the words that were in her head right then. ¡°Will you please let me be the one to explain this to Adan?¡± she asked, her voice pleading with him to grant her that kindness.

    ¡°You¡¯re afraid of how he¡¯ll react?¡±

    ¡°Part of me wants to believe he¡¯ll understand. I mean we¡¯ve even talked about both of us becoming your lover. Even before the DNA thing. But part of me is also frightened that he¡¯ll somehow think that this... That it means something that I don¡¯t want him ever to feel is true¡± she whispered as she curled closer to Ilian.

    ¡°Your fear of him thinking that untrue thing, that¡¯s why you were so scared to do this when we began?¡± Ilian determined, even if he wasn¡¯t quite sure of how all of this really worked for their kind, he understood that much.

    ¡°Exactly¡± she confessed as she swallowed again, then pushed herself up from the mattress. She leaned over him to give him another soft kiss. She then moved from the bed, replaced her robe and gave him one last worried smile before leaving the room at last.

    <hr>

    When Adan stirred the next morning, Aura was already awake, as usual. However, she¡¯d normally get up and head to the bathroom for her shower or to the kitchen for her breakfast. This morning, she was seated at the edge of the bed, her back to him, her head down.

    ¡°I hope you managed to get some sleep¡± he yawned his greeting.

    He then pushed himself up and scooted closer to her, where he wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently kissing her neck through her hair. Though her main reaction was the way her body tensed at that show of affection.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± he asked. ¡°More wrong than usual, I mean¡± he corrected.

    Aura took a shaky breath. She had spent most of the night rehearsing this conversation. But she somehow still found the words impossible. ¡°He¡¯s willing to die for us, Adan. We can¡¯t let that happen.¡±

    Adan sighed as he gave her a gentle squeeze, ¡°agreed. The fact that he¡¯s willing to at all? Pretty sure that¡¯s earned our trust now, hasn¡¯t it?¡±

    She took another breath. ¡°I thought about it all night. There may be one other way to help him try to do this.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m listening¡± Adan replied, though those particular words just filled her with more tension, somehow.

    ¡°We talked about it, before all this. And now it might actually be the one thing that could help him¡± she attempted to broach the subject, difficult as that was at that moment.

    ¡°What thing is that?¡± Adan asked.

    She took another long breath, sure that she had used up all her courage for the night. And now she needed even more. ¡°There¡¯s one other way we can mix our DNA with his. No blood involved¡± she added in a whisper.

    Adan thought on her words a moment, then allowed the slightest smile, hesitant though it was. He then turned her to face him. ¡°Are you suggesting what I think you are?¡±

    ¡°What do you think I¡¯m suggesting?¡± she asked warily.

    Adan smiled again. ¡°Something we talked about?¡± he repeated. ¡°You¡¯re actually considering it now? For real?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t let him die Adan. We need him¡± she spoke softly.

    Adan smiled again and tilted her face up to his. He gave her a soft kiss. ¡°Then we won¡¯t let him die. No matter what that takes.¡±

    <hr>

    Silence pervaded their dinner that night, as it usually did. Though Ilian couldn¡¯t help noting the knowing looks between his two companions throughout the meal. And he understandably couldn¡¯t help wondering if those looks had anything at all to do with the strange, and as promised, intensely pleasurable, night he had just spent with Aura. But he kept himself silent about that subject, as he had promised her he would.

    When the meal was finished, Aura volunteered to take care of the dishes. ¡°After I do these, I think I¡¯ll go have a shower. I think Adan has something he needs to... show you anyway, Ilian¡± she said as she gave Adan another knowing glance, and went about her task.

    Once Aura had finished clearing the table, and then started down the hall to the bathroom, Adan looked over at Ilian with a deep breath. Ilian looked back at him, noting his eyes on him. ¡°Something you needed to show me?¡± Ilian asked warily.

    ¡°You need to be more like us, but you can¡¯t do it with our blood¡± Adan stated as he slid his chair closer around the corner of the table. ¡°There¡¯s another way you might be able to do just that though¡± Adan stated, sliding closer still, his voice a bit breathy as he closed the distance between them.

    ¡°What way would that be?¡± Ilian made himself ask, after tossing a glance down the hall after Aura again.

    Instead of answering in words, Adan leaned close, covering Ilian¡¯s mouth with his own, just as Aura had done the night before. Ilian tensed a moment, but it did not take him long to realize exactly what Adan had been referring to.

    With little or no pretense, Adan continued kissing Ilian, pulling him to his feet with him as they continued that kiss. It was only another moment before he had pushed Ilian back against the table, and moved his fingers to the buttons of Ilian¡¯s shirt, making short work of it.

    This was all a whirlwind, and a bit of a shock to Ilian, but remembering the pleasure that followed Aura¡¯s passionate kisses the night before, he found himself making no move to deter Adan on this night.

    It had been merely a second after dropping Ilian¡¯s shirt to the table behind him, before Adan¡¯s fingers found their way to his pants as well. Easily undoing them, Adan moved to his knees in front of Ilian. He finished undressing him, then went about his task of defining what exactly he had meant by ¡®intense pleasure.¡¯

    Again, Ilian¡¯s shock and curiosity, and his desire to feel the same sort of release he had felt with Aura the night before, kept him from making any protest. The reason behind their sudden affections toward him somehow faded even further into the background for Ilian then. And it seemed that may have been the case for Adan now as well in that heated encounter between them.

 Chapter 28

    ¡°So, how was it?¡± was Aura¡¯s greeting when Adan returned to their bedroom that night, his hair slightly damp, his cheeks slightly flushed.

    ¡°It?¡± Adan asked innocently as he closed the door behind him, though no longer felt any need to lock it.

    ¡°Yes, you are quite good at playing coy, Adan. But considering I already know what you were doing, since I¡¯m the one who told you that it was OK to? Just tell me¡± she giggled slightly.

    Adan shook his head with his own grin as he made his way toward the bed. ¡°You really wanna hear how it was? Really?¡±

    ¡°See previous comment¡± she smiled back up at him as he reached the bed.

    ¡°Yeah, but you always seemed a little... weird¡± he settled on, ¡°when it came to me having other lovers. Even before you and I were each other¡¯s lovers¡± he reminded cautiously.

    ¡°Well, this is pretty different. And not just because this lover happens to be an alien¡± she couldn¡¯t help adding. ¡°So, just tell me. Did he? Did you?¡± she prodded, continuing to wear the small grin.

    Adan shook his head, but sat down and attempted to find the words to even begin to describe his evening¡¯s activities. ¡°Well, I kinda rushed through things at first. Figured if I just uh, got to it, it would be easier to push past the dead brother of it all¡± he stated a little awkwardly.

    ¡°OK, so you managed to though?¡± she replied.

    ¡°Yes, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He definitely understands the appeal of certain activities now. And definitely has proper human physical responses¡± Adan slowly managed the words to supply that much information, looking down as though to blush. Though with his complexion, and his confidence, blushing was never really a thing he did.

    ¡°And?¡± she smiled as she moved closer, wrapping her arms around his neck.

    ¡°And, he is really, really good at um... deciphering...¡± he chose, ¡°what someone else¡¯s body language tells him that they want, and enjoy¡± he smirked as he looked down again, still amazed that she seemed to want to hear any of the details at all.

    ¡°So, it went well then?¡± she smirked again.

    ¡°Yes, orgasms had by all¡± Adan admitted with another grin, ¡°DNA thoroughly shared¡± he added.

    She let out a small laugh at that. ¡°Good. Maybe now he really can do what he hoped he could¡± she said softly, laying her head on his shoulder.

    ¡°Well, I sure as hell hope so too¡± Adan replied, as he hugged her close. ¡°And I¡¯m glad you actually seem really OK with all of this¡± he added.

    ¡°And?¡± she asked, looking up at him, sensing that he was not finishing his current thought out loud just then.

    ¡°So, what now?¡± Adan asked.

    ¡°What now?¡± she repeated, narrowing her eyes at him.

    Adan took a breath as he pondered his next words. ¡°Assuming he can withstand the dark strain now. And he can spread it into the Eco-system, like the plan. I imagine it won¡¯t kill them or be completely safe for us out there overnight. We may still have a lot of time to spend in this place together. The three of us¡± he added more quietly. ¡°So, what now?¡± he repeated in a near whisper.

    ¡°Are you asking what our relationship will be with Ilian now?¡±

    ¡°It has crossed my mind¡± Adan admitted.

    ¡°I think¡± she began with a deep breath, ¡°that there¡¯s a bond between the three of us now, that isn¡¯t likely to just go away.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re OK with that too?¡±

    ¡°If you are¡± she whispered back. Adan simply smiled back at her. And the two kissed each other¡¯s lips once again.

    <hr>

    The next morning, Adan and Aura exited their bedroom together. They then stopped in the hall just outside the closed bathroom door, sharing a tender kiss.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure you¡¯re OK with this? I mean, technically, he already has mine, so if you¡¯re uncomfortable with this at all...¡± Adan began.

    ¡°I am OK with this¡± she promised, ¡°as long as you are¡± she stressed.

    ¡°Considering what I did with him last night?¡± Adan smirked, ¡°wouldn¡¯t I be the biggest hypocrite like ever, if I wasn¡¯t OK with it?¡±

    ¡°I suppose there¡¯s that¡± Aura admitted.

    ¡°I just really wanna make sure you are though. I never would want you to feel like you wouldn¡¯t have a choice about something like this. Or like you were being pressured to.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m OK with it. He is hot as hell after all¡± she teased.

    Adan just shook his head down at her. ¡°True enough¡± he allowed as he gave her another little kiss. ¡°But remember, if you want me to come join you, all you gotta do is holler¡± he grinned.

    ¡°Maybe next time¡± she returned with a blush, and kissed him once more. They then squeezed each other¡¯s hand before he moved off toward the kitchen, giving her one more look as he went.

    She then took a deep breath, and moved to push open the bathroom door. Inside, Ilian had already undressed and stepped into the shower stall, and was just about to turn the faucet. He looked up at her arrival with a smile, surprised though it was.

    ¡°Can we just pretend like this is our first time doing this?¡± she asked as her eyes moved over him with more desire than nervousness this time.

    ¡°This?¡± Ilian repeated. In answer, she simply dropped her robe to the floor once more. ¡°Oh, that¡± he stated as he took a deep breath of his own, his eyes moving over her. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want¡± he gave her the answer to her question as she moved toward him.

    ¡°It¡¯ll just be easier that way¡± she whispered as she moved to gather him into her arms, the two moving to take each other¡¯s lips once more.

    <hr>

    When Ilian and Aura left the scene of their passionate encounter in the shower, they both made their way to the dining area, with locks still dripping, and breath still somewhat short.

    ¡°Morning¡± Adan gave them each a knowing smile as he slid them their plates. He then gave her a furtive look. ¡°You OK, still?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I think so¡± she smiled back, her tone still a bit breathless.

    But before moving to start on her breakfast, she instead turned to the cupboard and took out the bottle of Ibuprofen. The two men both gave her wary, if somewhat guilty looks as she proceeded to remove two from the bottle. She then glanced at Ilian out of the corner of her eye, and removed another four as well, before pouring herself a large glass of water.

    ¡°Six?¡± Adan couldn¡¯t help asking worriedly.

    ¡°Just in case¡± she stated a bit shakily before gulping them all down, and managing a nervous smile before taking a seat at the table with them.

    ¡°Is that safe?¡± Adan had to ask.

    ¡°It¡¯s Ibuprofen¡± she said pointedly. Though he still looked a bit worried. ¡°Prescription strength is usually 800 milligrams a pill, and those are only 200 milligrams each. It¡¯ll be fine¡± she assured.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re OK, with all of this?¡± he asked her in the same furtive manner, as Ilian just continued to watch them with his own concern.

    ¡°The thing I¡¯m so nervous about is the same thing I¡¯ve been nervous about since... you and I¡± she settled on. ¡°It¡¯s just... magnified now. But that doesn¡¯t mean I regret... things. I¡¯ve just got a slightly more potent version of the same worries I¡¯ve been having this whole time. That¡¯s all¡± she insisted.

    ¡°Aura if you¡¯re not OK with---¡±

    ¡°I am!¡± she insisted, ¡°I enjoy the hell out of making love to both of you¡± she blurted out, causing them both to look down slightly. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯m not still terrified and worried about that one thing happening eventually. That¡¯s all this is. That same worry I¡¯ve always had. Don¡¯t make it into a different one, alright?¡±

    And that seemed to silence both of her lovers, at least for the time being. After all, they had a whole new worry to be thinking about; the second Ilian would do that first test to see if they had now made him truly immune. And if it didn¡¯t work, none of the rest of their fears and phobias would matter anymore anyway. Nothing would.

    After breakfast was finished, Aura made her way to the living room. Ilian headed for the gardens to further research his current theory, hoping to make it as sound as possible before he would have to test it. Adan decided to join him there.

    He watched Ilian at work for several minutes, though not having any firm grasp of what Ilian was doing or trying to determine. But watching him work was still rather pleasant. Finally though, Adan¡¯s worries got the better of him.

    ¡°Do you think she¡¯s OK?¡± he had to ask.

    ¡°OK?¡± Ilian asked as he glanced back at him.

    ¡°You know, with us both now being her lovers, mates¡± he clarified.

    ¡°I know what lover means now, Adan¡± Ilian offered a slight smile.

    ¡°OK good¡± Adan shook his head, ¡°but do you think she¡¯s OK with it? Or just trying to be strong about it or something?¡±

    Ilian only thought on the question a moment before giving his honest opinion on it. ¡°She seemed very much to be enjoying it when I was inside her¡± he offered with a slight shrug.

    Adan looked down to bite back a crooked smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure she did.¡±

    ¡°Then why do you think she¡¯s not ¡®OK with it?¡¯¡± Ilian continued the conversation while also managing to keep a good deal of his concentration on his work as well.

    ¡°I mean, all those pills? She¡¯s scared out of her mind it seems, and...¡± Adan just shook his head.

    ¡°It seems¡± Ilian repeated part of Adan¡¯s own statement, ¡°that she¡¯s terrified of creating a child. Not of making love to us. Just like she said¡± Ilian added.

    ¡°They¡¯re kind of both fears that are intrinsically linked though, aren¡¯t they?¡± Adan pointed out.

    Ilian looked back at him again. ¡°Would it make either of you feel better if I just told you whether or not she¡¯s got a child inside her yet?¡±

    ¡°You can tell that? Just by looking at her?¡± Adan stammered.

    ¡°I can¡± Ilian stated plainly. Adan just looked down at that admission, not honestly sure whether knowing or not knowing would actually be worse just then.

 Chapter 29

    Adan had trouble making his voice work for a long moment, Finally, ¡°I just don¡¯t even know how I should answer that. I mean, shouldn¡¯t she be the first one to know something like that about her own body? Before either of us do?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just as scared of the possibility of it happening as she is¡± Ilian replied.

    ¡°Well yes, but¡± Adan shook his head. ¡°If it did happen... has happened¡± he made himself correct, ¡°then me knowing about it and having to be the one to tell her that her biggest fear...¡± he shook his head again.

    Ilian sighed softly as he turned back to Adan. He then moved to place his hands on Adan¡¯s shoulders in a comforting gesture he had seen between them on more than one occasion. ¡°As of the moment she came into the bathroom this morning, she wasn¡¯t.¡±

    Relief flooded Adan, though it only lasted a moment before he spoke again. ¡°Did I ask you to tell me?¡±

    ¡°Your body---¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah¡± Adan mumbled, before making himself look up, his worry not fully gone. ¡°And what about since she went into that bathroom with you?¡±

    Ilian shook his head. ¡°I believe it takes a bit longer than that for our cells to finish the journey, as it were.¡±

    ¡°Is that your way of saying you don¡¯t know yet either?¡± Adan responded, somehow equally relieved and upset by that idea.

    ¡°You want to know and you don¡¯t want to know a thing at the same time. It¡¯s an interesting dichotomy.¡±

    Adan just shook his head again, then had another thought. ¡°But if I don¡¯t make love to her again, and she is, then we¡¯ll know it¡¯s yours now, won¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°If you haven¡¯t made love to her in the last twenty four hours, then yes, that would be an accurate statement at this point in time. Assuming I could even get her pregnant¡± Ilian had to add thoughtfully. ¡°I mean, we are different species; mostly anyway¡± he added. ¡°But I have trouble believing you won¡¯t make love to her again , soon¡± Ilian couldn¡¯t help a small smile before returning to his work.

    Trying not to dwell on his commentary on their biological differences too much just yet, Adan addressed the latter comment, ¡°does that make me an asshole, I mean really?¡±

    ¡°Asshole?¡± Ilian repeated with a raised brow.

    ¡°A bad person¡± Adan clarified more loudly.

    Ilian stifled a smile, always amazed by the miasma of emotions inside both Adan and Aura, and even more amazed at how quickly and constantly they changed every moment. ¡°If it¡¯s something you both want to do, then how could it?¡±

    ¡°But, if it puts her in danger...¡± Adan shook his head again.

    ¡°She knows of the danger too, and it seems it¡¯s something she still wants to do as well¡± Ilian reminded. ¡°She must believe the risk is worth it in the end.¡±

    <hr>

    The next time they shared breakfast, Ilian was looking even more distraught than his companions, which was quite unusual. And now that they all were on such intimate terms with one another, it was even more obvious when one of them was upset.

    ¡°You alright?¡± Adan dared to ask him.

    ¡°Just nervous, I suppose¡± Ilian replied.

    ¡°You?¡± Adan returned with a look of surprise.

    ¡°Just because I don¡¯t show my emotions in the same ways the two of you do, it doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t have them¡± Ilian informed softly.

    ¡°I doubt he meant that¡± Aura interjected.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I know what it¡¯s like to not fully understand the inner workings of your companions, after all¡± Ilian attempted a smile, though it fell short.

    ¡°So, what are you so nervous about?¡± Adan asked. ¡°Not what we were talking about in the garden the other day?¡± he asked with a moment of panic.

    Aura just gave them a questioning look at that statement. Though Ilian spoke before she could ask for clarification. ¡°It¡¯s been long enough now that I can test the theory¡± he stated, though he didn¡¯t sound as though he was that eager to do so.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Aura asked, his words making her forget the earlier ones for the moment.

    ¡°Of course I¡¯m not sure about any of this. That¡¯s why one tests theories¡± Ilian returned with a slight shrug.

    Both Adan and Aura looked nearly as worried as Ilian then. Adan spoke first, ¡°if you¡¯re not actually immune to that strain now after all, what will actually happen? I mean, is there a window of time we have to like, help you? You know, to keep you from dying?¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°It is possible that your DNA will provide me with some sort of resistance to the strain. I¡¯m just not sure to what extent, or for how long it may last¡± Ilian informed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if we should actually do this¡± Aura worried aloud. ¡°I mean, as long as they don¡¯t know we¡¯re here, we should still be safe as long as we don¡¯t go outside, right?¡± she argued weakly.

    ¡°The longer we let the plants out there survive and spread, the harder it will be to counteract them at all¡± Ilian reminded. ¡°And even more of your people will die, the longer we wait.¡±

    ¡°But...¡± she began, though just looked down, not sure what she could actually say to that fact.

    ¡°But what if...¡± Adan began, then stopped himself.

    ¡°What if what?¡± Aura asked as Ilian also looked back at him expectantly.

    ¡°DNA works both ways, right? We¡¯ve got yours inside us now too. What if the blue shit out there is no longer toxic to us now?¡±

    Ilian thought on the words a moment. That possibility had occurred to him, but it was still too risky in his opinion. ¡°And they could still find you and kill you in any other way if you were to go outside. And even if they didn¡¯t...¡± he shook his head.

    ¡°It still won¡¯t help anyone else¡± Aura made herself say, though quietly, ¡°not unless Ilian decides to go find, and fuck, every other human survivor who might still be out there. And I doubt that would be very practical. He might get a bit tired, too¡± she added wryly, making an attempt at humor in the face of tragedy, the way Adan usually managed to.

    ¡°Yes, doing that with two humans expends plenty of energy already¡± he managed a smile. ¡°Pleasantly though¡± he had to add, which did cause a tiny smile from each of them.

    Adan just grinned over at him, ¡°sweet talking us is not gonna help us wanna let you risk your life though. Just sayin.¡±

    Ilian sighed after a moment, ¡°I¡¯m the one who doesn¡¯t belong on this planet. Your people do. If I die trying to save them, then at least I die trying to set something right¡± and with that he made himself leave the room in thought. The two of them looked after him with admiration and gratitude, but even those were far outweighed by their worry and fear of losing his protection, and Ilian himself.

    Though, it didn¡¯t take long before they did follow him from the room after all. Neither of them could sit idly by while he risked his life. They needed to be there with him. Of course, their hopes were that the experiment would actually work and everything, including their planet, eventually, would be OK. But as optimism wasn¡¯t in high supply in their world, their more realistic hope was that even if he still had an adverse reaction to the original strain of the plant, that the two of them could save him before it could damage him too terribly. Their least optimistic hope would be that if it all went wrong, at least he wouldn¡¯t die alone.

    When they stepped into the gardens a few moments after Ilian did, he gave them a grateful, if sad smile. ¡°You two don¡¯t have to be here, you know.¡±

    ¡°I think we do¡± Adan replied, he and Aura giving each other¡¯s hand a squeeze before they moved toward him.

    The two each reached out to wrap him in a hug, and even each gave him a rather passionate kiss as well. ¡°This is starting to feel like you¡¯re saying goodbye to me¡± Ilian stated once their kisses ended, turning his eyes to the floor as he spoke.

    ¡°We¡¯re hoping like hell that that isn¡¯t the case¡± Aura returned.

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s still plenty more pleasant sensations we were hoping to share with you while we were all stuck in here together¡± Adan teased with a bit of flirtation.

    ¡°That is tempting¡± Ilian returned their smiles. ¡°But you know I have to at least try to do this.¡±

    ¡°We know¡± Aura sniffled slightly, ¡°but that doesn¡¯t make it any easier.¡±

    Ilian gave them each another tight hug before moving back to his makeshift lab there in the gardens, and taking a breath to compose himself before reaching for the glass vial filled with the black seeds.

    ¡°No suit?¡± Aura asked worriedly.

    ¡°I already know I can survive them with the suit. But I need to know I can survive them without it too. Otherwise, I¡¯ll never be able to survive on your planet after it¡¯s done either¡± he reminded with another deep breath as he picked up the vial with slightly shaking hands.

    ¡°But living in the bunker forever isn¡¯t that bad, right?¡± Adan spoke quickly, before Ilian could finish opening the vial. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s doable, right?¡±

    ¡°The resources in here won¡¯t last forever¡± Ilian warned. ¡°That¡¯s precisely why I have to try and do this, to make it safe for the two of you to leave eventually too. But until my people and their blue poison are gone, neither of you, and none of your race will ever be safe out there.¡±

    ¡°But we¡¯ve got years before the resources in here will be depleted. Years to figure this out!¡± Aura pleaded as she moved her hands to cover his, and keep him from opening the vial just yet.

    Ilian moved to gently kiss her forehead. ¡°Like I said; the longer we wait, the harder it will be to get rid of my people and their poison. Maybe even impossible. And if we let them take any more than they already have, there won¡¯t be anything left on this planet for either of you if you do have to leave this bunker someday. I have to try to do this, Aura¡± he whispered as he moved to give her a long, tender kiss. He then wiped away a tear that had escaped and slipped down her cheek, before turning away. Adan moved to wrap her in his arms then instead, as they waited to find out if there was going to be any hope for Ilian, or them.

 Chapter 30

    Upon Ilian cautiously opening the glass vial filled with innocent looking black seeds, there wasn¡¯t any immediate consequence, aside from all three of them holding their breaths. Ilian waited a few more moments as if bracing for the inevitable tragedy to occur, whatever that truly would be. He looked back at his companions a moment before letting out a deep breath and turning his eyes back to the vial.

    Adan and Aura remained standing nearby, frozen with worry and anticipation. Still having no apparent adverse effects, Ilian took another breath. He then moved to gingerly pick up a pair of tiny tongs that looked more like tweezers, and even more carefully leaned down in preparation to remove one of the seeds from the vial.

    Though just as leaned toward the vial, his breaths became shorter and more ragged. His hands began shaking so badly that he dropped the tongs and quickly moved to grip the desk, as if to make some attempt to regain his balance even as his breaths became more rapid and his vision clouded over.

    ¡°Ilian?¡± Aura asked with panic, she and Adan then moving quickly toward him.

    At this point, Ilian was quickly losing consciousness as he continued in vain to try to grip the desk, only to have the wood beneath his fingers break apart like Styrofoam as he stumbled backwards, the room swirling around him.

    Operating out of pure fear, Aura quickly lunged for the cap and fumbled to get the vial of deadly seeds safely closed again. In the same moment, Adan was rushing to try and soften the fall as Ilian blacked out, collapsing to the floor unconscious.

    <hr>

    Hours later, all three of them were now in Ilian¡¯s bedroom. It wasn¡¯t easy for them to get his tall, lean, muscular body back to his room in his unconscious state, but they had managed. It was nearly dawn now, and Adan was now in an overstuffed chair pulled up close to the bed. Sometime late into the night, he had slouched over onto the mattress, his head on his arms as he fell into a restless slumber waiting for Ilian to hopefully wake up again.

    What else could they do? After all, it¡¯s not like either of them were anything close to experts on how to provide any kind of real medical help to their fellow humans, let alone an alien poisoned by an equally alien strain of plant life.

    Aura was there too, of course. Only she had chosen to take a place sitting against the headboard next to Ilian. As his breaths remained too shallow for him to find his way back to consciousness, assuming he ever even would; she had just sat there, tearfully stroking his hair and hoping he would even be able to return to them at all.

    Eventually Aura had given into an even more fitful sleep, curling down into the pillow next to where Ilian had remained still all through the night. Just as the sun was starting to rise somewhere out there, high above their new home, Ilian finally stirred at last.

    The pain in his head was intense. His lungs felt like they were full of shards of glass. His mouth felt as though there wasn¡¯t an ounce of moisture left in it. But he was still alive, against all odds. Thanks to his two human lovers, he had managed to beat that inevitable, painful death. Though small, it was still some kind of victory. Or at least a glimmer of hope that there could be one. He just had to figure out how to attain it.

    Forcing his sore and dry eyes open, he slowly became aware that he was back in the bedroom he had slept in since making his presence known to them. He was now in the same bed where Aura had come to him and first given him that life-saving DNA, along with much, much more. His dark bloodshot eyes moved around the room, noting his two companions sleeping there on either side of him. And he couldn¡¯t help a smile, despite the terrible ache in his skull.

    He remained silent, in thought, in pain, but he had to figure this out. He had gotten closer than he honestly thought he even could. And if it was possible for him to survive at least a brief exposure to the dark strain, then there was the chance that he could find a way to make that resistance even stronger. There was a chance that he could make it last longer, and ideally, cause a lot less pain and loss of consciousness.

    After several long moments of thought, he came to a conclusion: Their DNA was obviously the thing that had saved him. And perhaps, just perhaps, all he needed to do was adjust his dosage, so to speak.

    On that thought, he swallowed, and looked between his sleeping companions once again. He took another deep breath, painful as it still was to breathe right then. He then moved his eyes over both of them and rolled to his side, despite the painful headache that was still lingering. His body was now right next to Aura¡¯s. His front pressed against her back as he gently reached up to brush her long black locks away from her neck.

    It was true that he was a long way from experienced when it came to human lovemaking, having only done it three times ever. And that was just that one week. Nonetheless, there was one thing he was an expert at, and that was reading all of their nonverbal cues. And all of those cues screamed even louder when their bodies touched his. He could easily tell exactly what they wanted him to do to them and how. And the pleasure that came afterwards, for he and them both, made him an apt pupil when it came to learning all about their brand of affection.

    Perhaps that was the side effect he got from mixing their DNA with his. He needed to be intimate with them for the sake of the future of their entire race, as well as his own life. But also, he began realizing that he didn¡¯t just need that closeness, now he found himself wanting it as much as all those crazy humans had seemed to want it too.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    He moved and began placing gentle kisses upon her neck, the way he knew she enjoyed, without her even having to tell him so. As his kisses continued, his hand moved around in front of her, finding its way under her shirt as she stirred and pressed closer back against him. Her behind pressed tightly to his hips, and his body reacted just the way it was supposed to, causing him to smile through the continued kisses.

    When he moved his hand up to cup her breast, and began caressing it, she easily, eagerly, returned to consciousness at his touch. ¡°Adan?¡± she murmured through a sleepy smile.

    Ilian¡¯s kisses at the back of her neck faltered a moment, as did the way he was caressing her already hardened nipple beneath his fingers. Feeling his affections stop, Aura groggily rolled to her back to look up at him. Her blue eyes widened as she realized that it wasn¡¯t Adan at all who had woken her with such sweet touches.

    ¡°Ilian?¡± she asked in a breathless whisper.

    ¡°Morning¡± he managed a smile, hesitant though it was.

    Aura swallowed hard, continuing to stare back at him, keenly aware that his hand was still on her breast, and his erection was still pressed against her thigh. ¡°You¡¯re alive and....well... well¡± she managed.

    Ilian gave another nervous smile and just as awkwardly moved his hand from her breast to her stomach, though allowed it to remain there against her heated flesh under the material of her black t-shirt. ¡°I don¡¯t know about well. I kind of feel... not great¡± he attempted, ¡°but I¡¯m alive. I¡¯m still alive¡± he repeated with a relieved grin.

    ¡°Very¡± she said as she couldn¡¯t help an awkward glance downward before pushing herself up onto her elbows.

    As Ilian also sat up, more than a bit awkwardly, Aura¡¯s eyes moved around the room to find Adan asleep, hunched over the mattress still. Her lips curled into a tiny smile then, as they always did when she found herself waking up near him for yet another day she couldn¡¯t yet believe was even real; even after a month as lovers.

    Still waiting for his current state to fully dissipate, Ilian managed another nervous smile. ¡°You both stayed with me all night?¡±

    Aura pulled her eyes back to him then, trying her damnedest not to look back down at his pants again, and managed a smile of her own before speaking. ¡°Of course we did. We were terrified you weren¡¯t gonna wake up at all.¡±

    Ilian swallowed again, ¡°I think I know what might make it work better. My resistance I mean. It¡¯s a theory anyway¡± he offered, Adan finally beginning to stir, though refusing to fully awaken just yet.

    Aura gave him an equally nervous look, though she couldn¡¯t help having a guess at that theory, considering the very way he had woken her up just minutes ago. ¡°More of our DNA?¡± she offered in a tiny voice.

    Ilian looked down then, ¡°like I said, it¡¯s just a theory. And if you don¡¯t want to...¡±

    Aura just shook her head as Adan finally yawned and lifted his. As his eyes opened, he looked a bit startled as well. ¡°You¡¯re alive?¡± he exclaimed.

    ¡°Apparently¡± Ilian managed another smile.

    ¡°He¡¯s fuckin alive¡± Adan repeated as he looked over at Aura then.

    ¡°I see that¡± she replied with an awkward smile.

    ¡°Fuck man! Do not scare us like that!¡± Adan told him as he moved to the bed. He then took Ilian¡¯s face in his hands and placed a long kiss over his lips, causing a shocked look to pass over Ilian¡¯s and Aura¡¯s faces too then. ¡°What?¡± Adan laughed as he moved back to take a seat on the bed. ¡°He almost died¡± he stated pointedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m aware¡± Aura replied, looking down with a slightly guilty smile.

    ¡°So, when¡¯d you wake up? What I miss?¡± Adan asked as he brushed some hair from his face, eagerly awaiting their answers.

    Another awkward look passed over both of their faces before Ilian answered. ¡°I have some resistance now. Just, not enough. Not yet, anyway¡± he added more quietly, not looking up at either of them just yet.

    Adan couldn¡¯t help a smirk, ¡°need more of our DNA do you?¡± he asked with a grin.

    Ilian gave him a slightly hopeful smile, as Aura looked away with a biting of her lip. Noting the obvious differences in their reactions to that news, Ilian took another breath before continuing, ¡°I was just about to tell Aura that I understand if she didn¡¯t want to... help with that, anymore¡± he decided on.

    Adan gave her a worried, questioning look as she paled. Struggling to find her voice, she spoke, ¡°I never said that. I was just... startled.¡±

    ¡°Startled?¡± Adan gave her a more questioning look.

    ¡°I just meant, the way he woke me up, startled me¡± she forced her voice not to falter as she spoke.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Adan asked, looking even more confused then,

    ¡°Long story¡± she mumbled. She then looked back at both their faces, and tried to find more words. ¡°The way he woke me up, I didn¡¯t expect it. I thought it was you, Adan¡± she managed to get that last bit out, though barely above a whisper.

    ¡°How¡¯d he wake you up?¡± Adan asked with a curious grin.

    With a blush, she managed, ¡°the way a human guy would¡¯ve woke me up.¡±

    Adan narrowed his eyes, ¡°care to be more specific?¡± he asked with a chuckle.

    Obviously flustered, Aura looked back at Ilian pleadingly. He simply looked down at the bed. With a grumble, she grasped for words, ¡°a week ago, he didn¡¯t even know what sex was, and now...¡±

    ¡°Now?¡± Adan pressed, some combination of curiosity and amusement on his face.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t human enough, and now I¡¯m... too human?¡± Ilian asked her softly.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mean...¡± she shook her head. ¡°And no,¡± she changed gears, ¡°before either of you go there, this doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t like having sex with you... both of you¡± she added. ¡°Just, I never thought that Ilian would be the one, you know, initiating it¡± she settled on with another bright blush.

    ¡°Is that... wrong?¡± Ilian asked worriedly as he looked between them for his answer.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not wrong. Adan does that all the time...¡±

    ¡°I think ¡®all the time¡¯ might be a bit of an overstatement, considering...¡± Adan had to interject.

    ¡°I just, with Ilian, I was always the one...¡±

    ¡°Always?¡± Adan raised a brow.

    ¡°Fuck¡± she whispered as Adan continued to center a questioning look on her. ¡°We did it twice, OK?¡± she confessed at last.

    Ilian kept his eyes glued to the bed while Adan seemed to be struggling with anything at all to say right then. Aura just looked terrified. Finally, Adan took a deep breath. ¡°Well, I guess we need to even the score or something then, right?¡±

    ¡°Even the score?¡± she asked, Ilian looking up then too.

    ¡°You mind giving me and Ilian a... bit of time then, Aura?¡± Adan said as he moved his dark eyes to Ilian with an unmistakable look of desire on his face.

    ¡°Wait...¡± she stammered. ¡°Are you mad or not mad?¡±

    Adan just smirked back at her. ¡°Just to avoid any further, imbalance here, how about after this, we just all three crawl into one bed together from now on? Deal?¡± he asked with a grin.

 Chapter 31

    ¡°Um, can we talk for a minute?¡± Aura stammered as she stood and moved to grab Adan¡¯s arm.

    ¡°You mean, like, elsewhere?¡± Adan asked as he looked back at her.

    ¡°Come on¡± she grumbled as she began leading him out of the bedroom, leaving Ilian to just look down at the floor awkwardly as the door shut behind them.

    Upon arriving back in their own bedroom, Aura shut the door tightly. ¡°Really?¡± she asked as she looked up at Adan with disbelief.

    ¡°Really what?¡±

    She just gave him another look, ¡°do you really think we need to quite make that kind of... guideline?¡±

    Adan looked back down at her with a cross between mild amusement and caution, ¡°What? He needs our DNA to stay not dead, right? You know, like he very nearly just was. And it¡¯s not like we both haven¡¯t already slept with him. Some of us more than others¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding.

    Aura gave him a rueful look, ¡°so, you are mad then?¡± she asked, emotion choking her voice.

    Adan just shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know if mad would be quite the right word.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re mad¡± she repeated hopelessly, taking a seat at the foot of the bed as she buried her face in her hands again.

    Adan took a breath. ¡°more like surprised. Extremely surprised, all things considered¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding that either.

    She just shook her head. ¡°At first I just wanted to help him. Then I panicked. Imagine that. So, afterwards, I told him to just please let me try to explain it all to you.¡±

    Adan furrowed a brow. ¡°I already said I was cool with it. We had that very discussion. In multiple parts, Aura.¡±

    She took another ragged breath. ¡°I¡¯m talking about before that. Or at least before our final discussion about it.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    She sighed heavily. ¡°My second time with Ilian was actually...¡± she shook her head again.

    ¡°Yeah, I was wondering that. I mean, I know you and he did it in the bathroom. But not sure when you found time to get it on again. Especially in light of those six pills you chugged right after.¡±

    Aura felt her cheeks reddening as she looked down. Gathering every bit of courage she could, she finished her confession. ¡°The time in the bathroom was our second time together.¡±

    Adan narrowed his eyes again as he tried to process her words. Finally, after a painfully long moment, ¡°so, you slept with him, before I did?¡±

    She let out another ragged breath, trying her hardest to keep from breaking down then. ¡°Still gonna claim you¡¯re not mad?¡±

    Adan shook his head again, turning away as he continued to appear to be in deep thought. That didn¡¯t make her feel any better, but at least he wasn¡¯t yelling, or screaming, or storming from the room, so she tried to hold onto any hope she could. Even though she was feeling very real terror about having shoved a wedge between the two of them right then.

    Not able to bear him just standing there, turned away from her as he still appeared to be processing any kind of reaction at all, Aura had to speak again. ¡°I didn¡¯t really plan for it to happen that way. But, after it did, it just seemed... easier to let you think that it was me just deciding to go along with your plan rather than...¡± she shook her head.

    Adan finally managed to find his voice again, ¡°so, I¡¯m guessing this all was why you were so uncomfortable with whatever it was that he actually did this morning? Coming onto you or whatever?¡±

    ¡°Well, it was definitely unexpected. I mean... like I said, he didn¡¯t even know what sex was before¡± she just shook her head again.

    ¡°And if you and he would have made love this morning, it would have been your third time with Ilian, apparently¡± he added more quietly, ¡°and you and I have really only been...¡± it was then Adan who averted his eyes with a shaky breath.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Aura was silent, looking down guiltily for a long moment before speaking again, ¡°did you really mean that you think we should only have like actual, literal threesomes now instead?¡±

    Adan let out another slight scoff, ¡°I thought I was maybe just protecting you from feeling uncomfortable being alone with him or something. I just didn¡¯t know the real reasons you were so particularly uncomfortable about it this morning. Though, I do now¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°Adan, I¡¯m still getting used to being with one human lover alone. Let alone an alien one alone. But both of you at once?¡± she shook her head, ¡°I mean, it sounds nice, in theory, but...¡±

    ¡°But?¡± he asked, finally looking back at her.

    She took another breath. ¡°It¡¯s not about that, not really. And I¡¯m not saying I may not consider that, at some point¡± she made herself admit, refusing to look up to see his reaction to that concession. ¡°But, before I start doing that, I think I¡¯d rather at least get used to, something more... or rather something less...¡± she shook her head again, her brain failing to even find those words.

    ¡°OK, summary though, you do still want to be with both of us? Is that still true?¡± he attempted, moving back toward the bed at last as he spoke to her. ¡°Complete honesty¡± he added for weight.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m still more than willing to do... things¡± she decided on, ¡°with both of you. I just want it to be different I guess. Being with you and being with him. And if it got all mixed up together¡± she shook her head again, powering through the words, ¡°I just still want it to keep being special with you, like it¡¯s... special¡± she repeated, frustrated at her attempt to form her thoughts properly into words right then.

    Adan then smiled as though he did somehow understand her fumbled attempts at explaining her own thoughts. He took a seat next to her, covering her hand with his. ¡°So, you want romance with me, is that it?¡± he allowed a small grin.

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for candlelit dinners or anything, Adan¡± she told him, afraid to smile, or look directly at him. ¡°I just want to feel like what you and I have is somehow different than what he and I have. I have to keep them different in my head. I don¡¯t know why. I just do¡± she whispered softly.

    ¡°You just want me to know that I¡¯m still your first choice?¡± he offered as he squeezed her hand.

    She let out another breath. ¡°I guess I do¡± another pause. ¡°Cause then, maybe I could still believe that I¡¯m your first choice too.¡±

    Adan looked over at her then. ¡°Aura, this is not about me talking about evening the score, so to speak, is it? That was just--¡±

    ¡°But you were with men before. Out in the real world¡± she reminded unnecessarily.

    ¡°And women too¡± he reminded with a wary grin.

    ¡°And isn¡¯t guy-guy sex supposed to be like, more intense or something? Even when they¡¯re both human?¡± she added under her breath.

    Adan just bit back a chuckle. ¡°Did you hear my last comment? About the women too? Who I do happen to enjoy quite a bit as well. Which I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re aware of¡± he chided.

    ¡°But I mean, if you¡¯d rather--¡±

    ¡°Stop¡± he scolded her. ¡°I think this is more about you trying to punish yourself than anything I actually want or feel. Isn¡¯t it?¡± he coaxed gently.

    ¡°But I slept with another guy. And didn¡¯t tell you as soon as it happened. Doesn¡¯t that mean... I¡¯m like a terrible person or something?¡±

    ¡°Pretty sure most of those rules no longer apply. Even without the DNA of it all. I mean, I never said you couldn¡¯t be with anyone else, did I? Pretty sure that once we knew he was here, I kind of said the exact opposite of that, didn¡¯t I?¡± he teased.

    ¡°Yeah but the fact that I didn¡¯t tell you. I mean. That makes it wrong somehow, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    Adan shook his head again. ¡°It was only the third time you had full sex ever. Let alone the first time since me. The only time since me. And with a complete stranger. Not to mention, an alien. Pretty sure you had a lot of reasons for not telling me. And they probably all seemed pretty valid at the time, right?¡± He then gently cupped her chin in his hands. ¡°Especially with how quick you tend to panic and jump to the worst possible conclusion ever, right?¡± he reminded her with another small smile.

    ¡°I just never would wanna do anything that would make you think that I could ever want anyone more than I want you, Adan¡± she whispered as she sniffled.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that will ever be a thought that occurs to me. I promise¡± he smiled again before moving to kiss her lips once more.

    After another long moment, Aura¡¯s worry forced more words to her lips. ¡°I guess it¡¯s actually pretty silly.¡±

    Adan smiled over at her as he still sat close, an arm around her shoulders, a hand over hers. ¡°Which thing is silly now?¡±

    ¡°Me ever thinking you¡¯d even possibly be jealous. I mean, it just took me so long to ever get you at all, and even with practically the whole world gone, I¡¯m still in constant fear of losing you somehow¡± she admitted sadly.

    Adan let out a soft sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t know how much of a factor jealousy could even play in a world that is essentially only three people that kind of need to now share DNA in order for any of us to have a chance of surviving at all.¡±

    She stifled her own sigh. ¡°Like I said, silly.¡±

    Adan gave her another soft kiss, ¡°sorry if I made you think I was upset by you and Ilian. You know that¡¯s not it. I¡¯m just worried, same as you. I mean, that¡¯s the same reason why Ilian has already tied my record with you, cause of how worried we both are, right?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s records now?¡± she repeated with a laugh and a blush.

    ¡°You know what I mean. Trust me, I¡¯ve wanted to make love to you a hell of a lot more than two times this past month. Just trying, really, really, really hard¡± he smirked again, ¡°to limit the amount of panic attacks you have a reason to have each hour, you know? And I was a bit surprised you voluntarily signed up for a few more, is all.¡±

    She shook her head, ¡°trust me, I am terrified of having any baby at all, let alone one that¡¯s...fuck.. part alien¡± she shuddered. ¡°but if he can¡¯t develop a proper resistance, then anything about any of our futures is kind of a moot point, really. Isn¡¯t it?¡±

 Chapter 32

    It was decided that Ilian would wait until July to test his resistance to the dark strain a second time. This would give them a few more weeks to ¡°dose¡± him with more of their DNA, in a manner of speaking. And in that time, Adan and Ilian got into the habit of having intimate encounters with one another at least every two or three days.

    Adan did worry that Aura would understandably begin to think that he actually did prefer Ilian as a lover. But it didn¡¯t change the fact that all three of them knew that they needed to continue helping Ilian build that resistance. And the sad fact of the matter was that sex between Ilian and Adan definitely had a few less consequences than sex between Aura and either of her male lovers could have

    Aura was in a constant fluctuating state due to how intimate Adan and Ilian now were. She did have less worries about having to risk pregnancy just to make sure Ilian had what he needed and Adan did too, so to speak. But she also had the constant fear of losing her own intimate relationship with either of them. It was obvious she was completely in love with Adan and would risk anything and everything to keep from losing any fraction of the affection between them. And she had to admit, if only to herself, that she quite enjoyed her physical intimacy with Ilian as well, and had no true desire to lose it either.

    During those weeks, Aura did allow herself nearly as many intimate moments with each of them as they had been having with each other. Of course, anything and everything went during Adan¡¯s and Ilian¡¯s nights together. Aura had to be a bit more careful. Though, nonetheless, her fear of ever being replaced in Adan¡¯s heart, as well as either of their beds, did lead her to giving in to having full intercourse with each of the men more than once over that time period.

    July had only started now, and Ilian was deciding on when to conduct the next test of his resistance against the dark strain. That morning Adan was sleeping in after another long, passionate night. And Aura¡¯s insomnia always woke her early in the morning with no chance of falling back asleep anyway. So most days, she didn¡¯t even try to force her brain back to sleep, and just got up to deal with practical things like showers or breakfast, or staring blankly at the TV, at the very least.

    Aura had just finished breakfast and was emptying another half a dozen ibuprofen into the palm of her hand when Ilian had now risen from bed for the day and made his way to the dining area.

    ¡°Morning¡± she turned to greet him with a shy smile as she reached for what was left of the drink she had had with her breakfast.

    Ilian stepped toward her to give her a soft kiss good morning; another habit he had adopted from she and Adan. But his smile faltered nearly as soon as it touched his lips.

    As she noted his expression change, and his eyes moving to the pills she was about to swallow, Aura furrowed her brow. ¡°Something wrong?¡±

    ¡°You probably shouldn¡¯t take those¡± he stated warily.

    With a look of confusion, she replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been taking them for two months. And you know exactly why I do take them. So why are you now suddenly telling me not to?¡±

    Flashing back to his conversation in the garden with Adan less than a month earlier, Ilian thought a long moment on how he even should answer her question. He swallowed slightly, settling on the truth. ¡°Because there¡¯s no guarantee it will work. And even if it does, it will be painful. And could damage you¡± he told her with his volume barely above a whisper, his eyes cast down.

    Trying not to fly into immediate panic, she managed more words, ¡°what will be painful and could damage me?¡±

    ¡°The miscarriage¡± he made himself answer, though in a whisper.

    ¡°The---¡± she stammered. The panic attack had no build up then, as she was instantly sent down that dark spiral, hyperventilating as tears rushed to her eyes.

    ¡°Aura...¡± he made some attempt at comforting her as he moved closer, placing a hand on each of her shoulders as she struggled for breath while the tears flowed unhindered over her reddened cheeks, sobs shaking her body.

    ¡°You¡¯re telling me I¡¯m¡ª¡° the word choked her, which just caused more coughing through the sobs. ¡°I can¡¯t, Ilian... I can¡¯t...¡± a new wave of sobs choked her words again, her shaking intensified. ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to try to---¡± more sobbing as he pulled her to his chest.

    Making one last attempt at helping her reclaim her senses, Ilian lifted her face and placed his mouth over hers. Instead of kissing him back, she just pushed him away with a look of disbelief.

    ¡°You think a kiss will fix this?¡± she exclaimed, her throat barely forming the words. ¡°Nothing will fix this! I can¡¯t fucking do this!¡± she immediately moved for her drink again, determined to choke down the pills, pain and damage be damned.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Stop Aura, please, listen¡± he pleaded as he reached to stop her hand from shoving those pills into her mouth.

    ¡°Listen? To what? I cannot fucking do this, Ilian. I will not!¡± she was nearly shouting through her tears now.

    ¡°Aura, listen¡± he said more loudly, tightly gripping her wrist that held the pills in shaking hand. ¡°Remember what I was before? I might be able to fix this for you. Just give me a chance before you take that route. Can you do that, please?¡±

    Her breaths only slowing slightly, she made her tear filled eyes look back into his dark pools of brown. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me you know how to perform abortions or some shit, Ilian. Your race didn¡¯t even have---¡± she just shook her head again, trying to push down another sob.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure I could figure out how to do that, if you want me to. But before that, remember what I still am? I might be able to do this an easier way. I mean, look what I did to myself¡± he reminded her as he gestured to his appearance.

    ¡°What? So you changed your appearance? Not the same thing, Ilian. You¡¯ll just make me stay skinny after I start to show or what? Still not gonna solve the real problem here!¡±

    ¡°I was a healer as well. Back home. I have abilities that you and Adan aren¡¯t even aware of, because I¡¯ve never had to use them here, thankfully. But just give me the chance before you cause yourself any more pain. Please?¡± he asked her as he softly reached up to brush a tear from her cheek.

    ¡°And what are you gonna do? Honestly?¡± she stated, her tone making it obvious how little hope she had for any other solution at all being possible.

    Ilian sighed as he glanced down the hall. ¡°The way your system works is by expelling unfertilized eggs each month, right?¡±

    ¡°Are you really asking me about my period?¡± she shook her head. ¡°Well, unless I take these fucking pills, I won¡¯t be having that for a while, will I?¡± she scoffed to try and force the panic attack into a holding pattern, at the very least.

    ¡°You also have my DNA in you. Even if I¡¯m not the father¡± he added upon seeing her widened eyes. ¡°And I think it¡¯s obvious that I have pretty amazing control over my DNA, don¡¯t I?¡± he gestured to his appearance again. ¡°I can program it to do exactly what I want. Even if it defies the laws of your own. But as I said, you have mine in you now too. And just because it¡¯s in your body, it doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that I can¡¯t control it still, if necessary.¡±

    ¡°What the fuck are you even talking about, Ilian? Gonna make me into a male now or something? Guess that could be one way to solve this problem I suppose, but not quite sure I¡¯d prefer a gender bending mind fuck to a miscarriage. Just sayin.¡±

    ¡°Or I could convince your DNA to get rid of unwanted cells. The way it already gets rid of them when they¡¯re not fertilized. What do you have to lose by at least letting me try? Except possibly a baby you¡¯re not ready to have anyway?¡±

    <hr>

    Aura spent nearly the next full hour in Ilian¡¯s bed. However it was a much less intimate encounter than the last time she had found herself there. This time she just tried to lay still while he held his hands firmly against her abdomen, his dark eyes shut, almost as though in some sort of trance. Or possibly some sort of telepathic communication with the very cells that were now inside her body; including those unwanted ones.

    It was once they heard Adan stirring in the next bedroom to go and find his way to a morning shower and meal, was when Ilian finally seemed to mentally return. He moved back from her as he opened his eyes, looking down at her with a soft sigh.

    ¡°Gonna take a wild guess and say it didn¡¯t work?¡± she asked as she began feeling that barely buried anxiety inching to the surface again.

    ¡°We should know that fairly soon¡± he responded quietly.

    Aura let out a heavy sigh then as well. Fully prepared to go and down all those pills after all, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Just as she was about to rise from the bed, still dressed only in her long t-shirt, she felt a sudden and intense wetness rush to her thighs. Though it also wasn¡¯t exactly the sort she normally felt when she found herself in a bedroom with Ilian or Adan.

    She tossed the light blanket away to look down at herself, only to gasp in shock and fear at the growing pool of blood between her legs.

    Ilian touched her trembling hand gently. ¡°I managed to keep it from being painful, but unfortunately this part is still unavoidable¡± he told her in a soft, apologetic tone.

    Her breath trembling, she just stared down at the blood. ¡°You mean I... It¡¯s... it¡¯s gone?¡± she whispered hoarsely.

    ¡°More efficient and hopefully less problematic than filling yourself with dozens of pills¡± he answered her as he squeezed her hand gently.

    ¡°It¡¯s really gone? I¡¯m really not anymore?¡± she asked, still staring numbly at the pool of red beneath her.

    ¡°That is what you wanted, right?¡± Ilian asked her as he moved to help her to carefully stand.

    ¡°Well, I definitely didn¡¯t want to actually have a baby, so...¡± she just swallowed as she shakily stood, holding his hand for support.

    ¡°Then it is what you wanted, right?¡± he asked once more, moving to hand her a nearby towel he had taken from the bathroom on their way to the bedroom earlier.

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s not what I wanted! But having it... That would be worse, in so many ways¡± she insisted, angrily forcing back the urge for tears.

    It was what she wanted, she told herself again; even if it somehow left her feeling like she had a hole inside; an even deeper one than the one she normally had always felt she had there. Despite that, it was still better than the alternative.

    ¡°I think Adan¡¯s probably in the shower now. But I can go get a wet cloth from the sink, so you can---¡±

    ¡°You mean in the bathroom?¡±

    ¡°That is the nearest sink¡± Ilian stated with a furrowed brow.

    ¡°And what will you tell Adan?¡± Aura returned worriedly as she continued to try and wipe more blood away from her legs and thighs.

    ¡°What do you want me to tell him?¡± Ilian asked cautiously.

    Aura sniffled slightly as she looked back at him. ¡°I have no fucking idea¡± she admitted as she failed to push back the next sob.

 Chapter 33

    Once again, Aura requested that Ilian let her figure out how to deliver Adan the news of what had happened. Though she honestly had no clue how she would manage to do that. It was true that there was a very real chance that it had been his baby, and she would not deny that he had the right to know of its fate. However, every fiber of her being was completely terrified that the second he did know what had happened, he would swear off all affection with her ever again, for fear of another pregnancy occurring.

    Aura had spent her entire life longing for Adan¡¯s affection. To willfully do anything that might cost her it was like willfully choosing not to breathe. At least to her it was. And therein lay the problem. Telling him about the child would be sure to make him pull away. Keeping it a secret would drive a wedge between them anyway. There was literally no good option. Even if she had been emotionally equipped to deal with either.

    She supposed he might still choose to remain partially affectionate with her. After all, their nights of ¡®everything but¡¯ were still way more common than the nights that child may have been conceived. And she supposed she could try and make herself settle for only that partial affection with Adan. But it still tore at her. After spending nearly two decades believing that she would never have that kind of connection with him, only to lose it merely two months later?

    And none of that was even taking into account that there were only two souls left in their world that even could have a sexual relationship with Adan at all anymore, or any other kind of relationship for that matter. And the one of those two that wasn¡¯t even human, he was honestly the safer choice for Adan. There was no denying that, no matter how much she wished it weren¡¯t true.

    Then there was the other major fear gnawing at her. There were hundreds of those fears at any given moment, but some, like this one, were much more pronounced: If Ilian were to test his resistance with even more disastrous results this time around, then they would lose more than she was sure they could survive losing at all. Of course, Adan would then only be left with Aura once again. But more importantly, they would lose Ilian¡¯s protection as well as his ability to help her through any possible recurrences of the ordeal she had experienced that morning. They just couldn¡¯t lose him. That was an undeniable fact.

    After finishing with his shower, Adan headed for the kitchen to decide on one of their limited options for breakfast. Upon returning to the dining area, his dark eyes moved to the table. Atop it were the still full glass of water, the open Ibuprofen bottle, and the six pills sitting next to it. Adan narrowed his eyes as he sat down to begin his breakfast.

    It was only a few moments later, when Ilian somberly moved past the dining room to head to the gardens to make any last minute adjustments or preparations for his next resistance test.

    ¡°Hey Il¡¯,¡± Adan called to him as he passed.

    Ilian sucked in a breath as he turned equally dark eyes back toward his other lover. ¡°Hey, morning¡± he replied in a mumble.

    That greeting caused Adan¡¯s puzzled look to deepen. ¡°Any idea why Aura just left her pills out like this, instead of taking em?¡±

    ¡°Guess you should ask her¡± Ilian said quickly before heading on his way back toward the gardens and his makeshift lab.

    ¡°Kay then¡± Adan stated more to himself as he took a bite of food.

    It was only a few more bites of his breakfast before he heard Aura¡¯s feet shuffling down the hall from the bedrooms as well. When she moved into view, two things were immediately apparent. One was that she looked even more somber than Ilian. The other was that she was moving slowly, awkwardly, as though too exhausted then to even make that short walk down the hall.

    In the face of her apparent upset, Adan attempted humor as he so often did. ¡°Wow, I guess if you¡¯re this tired, our alien boy has even more stamina than I thought, considering my night with him¡± he managed a smirk to hide his worry over whatever it was that had her looking quite that bedraggled.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been with Ilian, like that, for a few days¡± was her barely audible response as she leaned against the wall of the dining area with a slight sniffle.

    ¡°Maybe we need to find something in the medications that¡¯ll actually help you get some sleep once in a while then. Cause you¡¯re obviously exhausted, even without having a pleasant reason for being so¡± Adan offered as he finished off another bite of his food.

    ¡°I doubt Valium was on the list when stocking meds for the apocalypse¡± she mumbled, not able to look directly at him.

    ¡°Speaking of meds¡± Adan dared, his eyes moving back to the forgotten pills on the table. ¡°How come you didn¡¯t take your pills this morning?¡± Aura¡¯s only response was biting back a sob. ¡°OK, I didn¡¯t think it was that hard of a question¡± he stated warily as he got to his feet and moved toward her, placing his hands on her shoulders. ¡°Aura?¡±

    ¡°God I hate this¡± her voice broke, as she continued to keep her head down, still not able to look directly at his beautiful, questioning face.

    ¡°Hate what?¡± he asked warily, not moving back from her as he awaited her explanation.

    ¡°Knowing I have to tell you something. Something that will just... mess up everything¡± she sniffled again.

    ¡°Well, good thing I¡¯ve had over two months to get used to everything being messed up then, right?¡± he coaxed gently.

    ¡°You know that being with you, the way I am now, it is literally the most important thing in the world to me. You know that, right?¡± she asked desperately.

    ¡°Yeah, I had that suspicion¡± he teased as he tried another smile to get one out of her, to no avail.

    ¡°And telling you something that¡¯ll make you not want to be with me anymore? May as well just stick a knife in my heart. Same effect¡± she whispered, her voice breaking again.

    ¡°What on earth do you think could possibly make me not wanna---¡± then his voice trailed off mid-sentence. He tossed a quick glance back at the table, then back at her. He tightened his grip on her shoulders and took a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s happened then?¡± his voice was now a whisper too.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°Happened?¡± she whispered back, finally daring the tiniest look up at him.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t take the pills today, Aura. Is it because you¡¯re--¡± instead of finishing, his eyes just moved to her stomach.

    Rather than answering, Aura just let out a heavy sob and crumbled into his arms. Adan took a deep, shaky breath as he hugged her tightly against him, his eyes moving to the ceiling, desperately searching for whatever could even come close to being the proper response in this situation.

    ¡°It¡¯s OK, we¡¯ll get through it, somehow¡± he whispered as he kissed her hair.

    ¡°You don¡¯t...¡± she began as she looked up at him again. The words escaped her though.

    ¡°I mean, look at it this way. If you already are, then we just have to wait to see if the pills work. And while we wait, there¡¯s at least one activity between us that¡¯ll be a lot less stressful for a bit, right? We can make up for lost time or something, right?¡± He attempted to find the one positive in all of it, as trivial as that positive was compared to her impending miscarriage.

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Adan¡± she forced the words to her lips as she stepped back slightly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t think us having lots of sex in the meantime might trigger it, do you?¡± he asked warily, as he was hardly an expert on the subject of pregnancy. After all, before the world ended, he had never even experienced sex without a condom. So he had a first that night with Aura as well.

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand¡± she made herself say once more.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re not then?¡± he asked with further confusion as he looked back down at her.

    ¡°And this, this is the part I was talking about¡± she sniffled again as she turned away from him.

    ¡°I¡¯m very confused, Aura. Are you pregnant or aren¡¯t you?¡±

    With the only courage she had left in her being, she plunged that knife into her heart with her answer, ¡°I was.¡±

    Adan was shocked into silence for a long moment before finding his voice again, ¡°you had a...¡± he swallowed. ¡°You lost it?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much¡± she whispered, still not able to look back.

    Another shocked silence before he spoke, ¡°are you OK, though?¡±

    Aura just shook her head sadly, ¡°physically, I guess¡± she shrugged, as she had hardly had a check up to confirm her current physical health, all things considered.

    Adan took a seat at the foot of the table, heavily dropping his body into the chair. His eyes stayed on the metallic floor as he searched for any kind of further response. ¡°OK, so no baby then. Anymore.¡± He took another deep breath, ¡°but that¡¯s what we wanted, right?¡±

    ¡°Well, I definitely didn¡¯t want a baby¡± she confirmed, finally making herself look back at where his eyes remained down in thought.

    ¡°I hear a but¡± Adan asked as he cast her a wary glance.

    ¡°Did you hear any of what I said earlier?¡± she asked, though her voice was too weak to sound very accusatory.

    ¡°Pretty much forgot everything before ¡®baby¡¯¡± he admitted.

    Aura just let out a soft scoff, ¡°now that this happened, I know you¡¯re never gonna wanna touch me again, Adan. And that is what¡¯s killing me. That is the reason I was so scared to even tell you about the miscarriage at all¡± she told him, the tears returning at once. ¡°But Ilian was there, and expecting him to keep it a secret too... And I just...¡± At this point she was too upset to even try to explain.

    ¡°The thing that you¡¯re the most upset about is the idea that I may not wanna be your lover any more?¡± Adan summarized as he looked back at her.

    ¡°Well, and a million other things. But that¡¯s the main one right this second.¡±

    Aura then moved to take a seat at the table as well, wiping at her eyes with futility, just waiting for him to confirm her fears. After all, discontinuing their physical relationship was the most logical and safest option. But for her, this was a lot more about love than logic. The two things were practically polar opposites.

    * * *

    Adan did his best to convince Aura that her fears were unfounded. Though perhaps his acting skills were already getting rusty, as neither of them seemed very convinced that everything would remain the same between them, physically. How could it? She still had tears in her eyes when she finally gave in to that exhaustion and went to make another fruitless attempt at getting some rest that morning. Adan sighed as he watched her slowly move down the hall and back toward their bedroom.

    Adan tried in vain to distract himself with the phone or the TV for the next couple of hours. But it seemed her anxiety was contagious that morning, understandably so. He eventually pushed himself up from the sofa and headed off toward the only other living soul that was part of this very complicated equation. After all, the baby that had ceased to exist now could have just as easily been Ilian¡¯s child, assuming he and she even could make a child together. Which it seemed was still a bit of a mystery. It¡¯s not like his kind had ever had intimate relationships with their own species, let alone a human.

    He found Ilian in the garden hunched over his makeshift lab table with his notes in front of him. Once more, he was running a hand through his hair in that mannerism he had also adopted from his human lovers. ¡°Morning?¡± Adan greeted him warily as he moved to reach for another chair and pulled it over to the one Ilian now sat in.

    ¡°Morning¡± Ilian answered, his eyes moving over Adan with wariness.

    ¡°So, what do you think?¡± Adan stated as though the words couldn¡¯t be kept inside another moment.

    ¡°What do I think?¡± Ilian narrowed his eyes, continuing to watch Adan nervously.

    ¡°About what happened with Aura¡± Adan supplied, though his volume dropped on the question.

    Ilian looked only very slightly relieved then. ¡°So, she told you then. What happened?¡±

    ¡°That she lost, well, a baby¡± Adan admitted, though he wasn¡¯t sure what word choice to use, as the child could have been created by either of the two of them.

    ¡°She did¡± Ilian said as he looked away again, trying to seem as though he were still concentrating on his notes rather than the trauma of the morning.

    ¡°Could you tell?¡±

    ¡°Tell what?¡± Ilian asked, casting him a sideways glance.

    ¡°Well, firstly, that she even was pregnant?¡± Adan began with the easier question.

    Ilian sighed slightly, ¡°I¡¯m the one who told her¡± he admitted.

    Adan let out a breath as he tried to make himself ask his original question, ¡°could you tell what...¡± he then quickly corrected himself, ¡°whose it even was?¡±

    Ilian¡¯s sigh was heavier then. He finally turned in his seat to meet those nearly identical eyes of Adan¡¯s. ¡°Would you really want to know if I could?¡±

    ¡°Ilian¡± Adan pressed. Once again he wanted to know and didn¡¯t want to know. He wanted to be with her still, and was afraid to be with her now. It was an endless series of fights in his head. And he could only imagine how much worse it had to be for Aura.

    ¡°It was a bloody mess, Adan¡± Ilian answered, which just caused Adan to choke on his next breath as his eyes flew to the floor. Ilian softened his tone sadly then, ¡°I could test... and find out for sure if you really want me to.¡±

    ¡°Test?¡± Adan asked, eyes widened back over at Ilian again.

    ¡°The... remains?¡± Ilian offered, not even sure if that was the proper term, considering the aforementioned mess, and how early on she even was in the pregnancy.

    ¡°God¡± Adan just looked away again.

    ¡°So, is that what you want, really?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t fucking want any of this, Ilian¡± Adan exclaimed. ¡°I never wanted to put her through anything like this. Or put myself, or even you through it. But here we are. Do we just shut her out, cut off all affection to save her from dealing with it again? Even though we know it would kill her to lose the only thing any of us even have left in this life? I mean, what the fuck do we do?¡±

    Ilian looked down sadly before answering, ¡°I think that¡¯s something none of us have the answer to.¡±

    ¡°The logical answer would be to just never risk her getting pregnant again. But I somehow don¡¯t think logic has anything to do with any of this. And certainly not with how Aura is feeling right now¡± Adan admitted, proving again just how well he did know the girl.

 Chapter 34

    Ilian let out another pained breath. He then gave up on trying to pretend he was still concentrating on his notes. With a look back at Adan and a sigh, he spoke, ¡°after I saw that search you did about the medications, I did another search.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Adan narrowed his eyes, thrown by the statement.

    ¡°To determine if there was a better way to help with the... situation¡± Ilian settled on.

    ¡°Situation?¡±

    Ilian let out another breath, ¡°there are, or were, a lot of different ways your people tried to keep from having unwanted children. And all of them are a lot better choice than what we¡¯re dealing with right now.¡±

    Adan scoffed, ¡°you mean using birth control is a better choice than just waiting for Aura to have any more miscarriages? Thanks, I already knew that¡± he stated sarcastically. ¡°But as you can see,¡± he gestured around them, ¡°we don¡¯t really have those options here, do we?¡±

    ¡°I could likely at least find some of the pills, or condoms or other things like that if I searched what¡¯s left of any nearby towns¡± Ilian offered, though his hesitation was clear.

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about, Ilian? If that was an option, then we would have already done it.¡±

    ¡°You two can¡¯t go out there with those blue mushrooms everywhere still. But they¡¯re not toxic to me. I can still go into the nearest town and search for whatever we can use to keep this from happening again¡± Ilian continued.

    ¡°Are you insane? You can¡¯t go out there either. If any of your people see you...¡± Adan just shook his head. ¡°And you said you were protecting this place. If you leave, you can¡¯t do that anymore, can you?¡±

    Ilian let out another sigh, ¡°that is true. But you still have the black seeds. If they find you before I return...¡±

    ¡°If you return¡± Adan cut in pointedly.

    ¡°Then you can use those¡± Ilian finished. ¡°But I¡¯ll try to get back before anything like that happens.¡±

    ¡°Ilian, you can¡¯t go out there!¡± Adan refuted more loudly.

    ¡°If this next resistance test works out, I¡¯d have to go out there anyway, Adan. And I think we both know how important this is. We can¡¯t survive with this fear surrounding us. And Aura definitely can¡¯t. We have to fix this¡± Ilian stated firmly, though there was a sadness to his voice.

    Adan just shook his head with disbelief, ¡°and how well do you think she¡¯ll survive if you get yourself killed just to try and find her some kind of birth control? How do you see that working out? Really, Ilian?¡±

    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait til after the resistance test, leave a few black seeds behind here, just in case. Then, when I go out there, it¡¯ll be to deal with the rest of the mushrooms and dark seeds. Then, I¡¯ll just make an extra trip to find the other things. That way, if something does happen, she won¡¯t think it was all because of her¡± Ilian offered some sort of middle ground.

    ¡°And you¡¯re assuming that you are resistant to the dark strain now?¡± Adan pressed.

    ¡°More like hoping than assuming. I do still have to test it, after all.¡±

    ¡°And if you¡¯re not? You still planning on going out there and raiding drug stores and clinics anyway?¡± Adan continued.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just see what happens with the test¡± was the only answer Ilian gave then.

    <hr>

    Another stress-filled night passed before Ilian did undertake that second test of his resistance. And it had improved. It still was not full immunity though. He doubted it ever truly would be. However, he was now able to withstand exposure to the seeds for three to four hours, and that was a definite sign of progress. And all other current problems considered, Ilian decided that it was enough.

    He began making his plans to go back outside and begin contaminating their planet for his own people. It would still take quite a while, months at least, if not longer. And it would still be highly dangerous. But waiting even longer to put the plan into action, not to mention, to take care of the other issue at hand; he felt that was not a good option either.

    ¡°Are we really letting him do this?¡± Aura asked Adan furtively. Ilian was going about gathering the things he would need, such as a large portion of the seeds, weapons, and a hazmat suit. The latter was just in case he found himself stranded outside when his temporary resistance started to wain, possibly causing him to have a need for a bit more time to get back to the bunker.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure ¡®letting¡¯ would be accurate¡± Adan mumbled, as both of them warily watched Ilian moving about making his preparations.

    ¡°But DNA works both ways. We¡¯re probably just as immune to the blue stuff now as he is to the black stuff. Shouldn¡¯t we go with him?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll draw less attention alone¡± Ilian interjected as he passed by them again. ¡°And you¡¯re not immune to my people¡¯s weapons¡± he reminded pointedly before leaving the main room where the two teens were clasping each other¡¯s hands as they sat upon the sofa.

    ¡°I doubt he¡¯s immune to them either¡± Aura mumbled. ¡°I mean, is that really supposed to make us feel better?¡± Aura asked Adan as Ilian moved out of the room again.

    ¡°Well, he¡¯s got that camouflage thing. And he is the one who can¡¯t even get a needle to pierce his skin. Chances are he would stand a better chance out there than either of us, Aura¡± Adan attempted to assure her, though he shared plenty of her worries as well.

    ¡°The camouflage that¡¯s no longer going to be protecting this place?¡± she scoffed. ¡°And, we don¡¯t even know whether he still even is ¡®impervious¡¯ or whatever. Maybe our DNA has made him weaker. What if--¡± Adan cut off her fears as he then leaned over to kiss her. Once the kiss ended, she just gave him a scolding glance. ¡°Why does every man I know think that kissing me will make me forget how truly fucked up everything else is?¡±

    ¡°It helps a little though, doesn¡¯t it?¡± Adan asked with an attempt at a charming smile. Aura just shook her head back at him. ¡°OK, how¡¯s this?¡± he continued, ¡°chances are that his people probably aren¡¯t even looking for survivors out there anymore. It¡¯s been a couple months now, and the whole point of the plants was to kill us all off without having to do any more of the dirty work themselves. That could make it at least somewhat safe out there now, right?¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t like it¡± Aura mumbled through the pout on her lips.

    Adan let out a sigh and put his arm around her shoulders, ¡°neither do I, really.¡±

    <hr>

    When the time changed from pm to am that night, Ilian was still sitting atop his bed, mentally going over his plan for the next day. He would not only be starting the contamination process of the planet, but he would also need to make his way to the nearest town, assuming any were still left, and trying to find any of the various forms of birth control that may still be attainable. And he would have to do it all in less than four hours.

    That was the longest he could remain outside once he introduced the dark strain into the environment. And even that long could be difficult. Especially if any of his kind were actually still keeping an eye out for any survivors.

    It was true that Ilian now looked human, but it wasn¡¯t as though humans were safe out there either. So if his kind were still conducting any sort of surveillance, he would have to fully depend on his mental camouflage to work as it did before, despite the human DNA now coursing through his body.

    His thoughts were soon interrupted though as the door to the bedroom opened. Both Adan and Aura stepped inside. Each attempted a smile as their eyes moved over where Ilian sat atop the bed, clad in a simple pair of black boxers.

    ¡°Are you here to try again to convince me not to go out there tomorrow?¡± he greeted them quietly.

    ¡°Would that even work?¡± Aura asked with a frown as she and Adan took a few measured steps toward the bed.

    ¡°Do you have to ask?¡± Ilian replied, dark eyes down.

    ¡°We¡¯re actually here¡± Adan interjected, ¡°because we don¡¯t want you to be alone tonight.¡± He then looked over at Aura for a brief moment. ¡°Nor do we want to be alone tonight either¡± he added as he gently squeezed her hand.

    ¡°You might die tomorrow¡± Aura said sadly as she and Adan moved to take seats on either side of Ilian. ¡°We could die tomorrow¡± she added pointedly. ¡°So, yeah, I doubt any of us will be getting any real sleep.¡±

    Ilian looked between them before responding, ¡°so, if you¡¯re not just here to spend the entire night trying to talk me out of it, then--¡±

    ¡°Was thinking we wouldn¡¯t really be doing much talking at all¡± Adan stated wryly as he moved to reposition himself in a seat against the headboard next to Ilian. ¡°I mean, this could honestly be the last night the three of us even have together, if things go terribly wrong somehow.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s uplifting¡± Ilian returned sadly, his way of speaking having now been quite highly influenced by his human companions, up to and including the concept of sarcasm.

    ¡°Give it a minute¡± Adan purred against Ilian¡¯s ear. As he spoke, his hand found his way to the front of Ilian¡¯s boxers, gently gliding his fingers over the thin black material as his lips grazed the other man¡¯s neck.

    Ilian cast a cautious look at Aura then. She simply smiled back and also moved to take a seat closer to him. She then gently placed a hand upon his chest as her lips began sprinkling kisses over the other side of his neck.

    Allowing himself to enjoy their touch for another moment, Ilian found his voice again. ¡°I realize that I¡¯m pretty new at this lovemaking stuff. Not to mention even being in a human body at all. But how exactly would this work? I mean, all three of us... together?¡±

    Adan smirked against Ilian¡¯s neck, and even Aura¡¯s lips seemed to curl into a smile then as well. Though Adan couldn¡¯t help his teasing tone, ¡°oh sweet summer child.¡± On that statement, he and Aura both chuckled slightly as Ilian just looked rather confused by the reference. Though his confusion was minor compared to his arousal at their attentions right then.

    ¡°See, he can¡¯t die tomorrow¡± Aura spoke to Adan as he began removing his t-shirt in preparation for the night the two teens seemed to have planned. ¡°We have so much to teach him still¡± she added with another smirk.

    It was true that there were reservations about the intimacy levels between them, especially now. But at the same time, they were truly afraid that this would be their last night with Ilian. And neither of them could let the night pass without she and Adan both being able to properly say goodbye; twisted as that goodbye may have looked to an outsider. Though outsiders were hardly an issue in their lives anymore. After all, the three of them were all each other even had in this world now.

 Chapter 35

    When the sun rose outside the bunker the next morning, Aura actually wasn¡¯t the one who was laying awake staring at the ceiling above, as she usually was nearly every morning. This time it was Ilian¡¯s dark eyes looking up in thought. Aura lay next to him after having finally given in to a fitful slumber. Adan lay asleep at her other side. And all three of them were still covered by nothing but a sheet draped over their midsections after the passion of the previous evening.

    Not surprisingly, Aura didn¡¯t remain asleep for long. She murmured as she climbed back to consciousness. Upon opening her eyes and becoming aware of all the memories of the previous night, she took a shaky breath.

    ¡°Morning,¡± Ilian spoke softly, though his eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, his thoughts still too numerous to allow much more of a greeting.

    With another breath, Aura carefully moved closer to Ilian, making sure not to wake her other sleeping lover. She draped her arm over Ilian¡¯s stomach and lay her head upon his shoulder with another broken breath.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡±

    ¡°Something right?¡± she responded without pause. Ilian then finally moved his eyes back to her.

    ¡°So, what wrong thing are you the most upset about at this very moment then?¡± Ilian asked, keeping his voice low as well.

    Aura took a deeper breath to try and form her numerous fears into words. ¡°Before you go out there, I suppose I should ask you.¡±

    ¡°Ask me...?¡± Ilian left the sentence at that.

    ¡°How much will I regret... the... things that I let happen last night?¡± she managed hoarsely.

    ¡°How much?¡± Ilian narrowed his eyes at the question.

    ¡°I know you can tell, just by looking at me. And I probably should know that before you leave. Considering, you may never come back,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me if we... either of us, made a child with you last night?¡± he rephrased her question.

    ¡°I don¡¯t really want to hear the answer, but I¡¯ll hate myself and drive myself even crazier if I don¡¯t ask it, while I still can,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°Aura, I...¡± he began regretfully. Though even that much of his sentence was enough to start her panic attack, automatically finishing his sentence in her own head, in the worst way possible; as she was always prone to do.

    ¡°God, again?¡± she sat up, her voice cracking.

    ¡°Aura, let me finish,¡± he stated with a firm gentleness. He then sat up next to her. ¡°First of all, from all the things I¡¯ve learned about the way that even works, it takes at least twenty four hours for the... process to complete.¡± Seeing that his answer only deepened her fear, he continued, ¡°Secondly, you can¡¯t be. Not yet.¡±

    She quickly looked back over at him, ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°When Adan looked up the stuff about miscarriages, I had to search to be sure of what the word even meant. And, from what I read, a woman can¡¯t conceive again for at least two weeks after having one. So please stop panicking, OK?¡± he told her as he placed a gentle hand over her thigh through the thin sheet.

    Aura was speechless for a few moments, though she was fighting the urge to let herself feel total relief just yet. After all, feeling calm was more strange to her than panic ever was. ¡°Are you sure?¡± she made herself ask.

    ¡°According to the internet, so...¡± Ilian simply shrugged, remembering her warning about the bullshit quota when trying to garner all your knowledge of a new world from that particular source.

    ¡°So, now I have to fight the urge to actually be relieved that I have a tiny window of time without that one worry. And I also have to feel guilty that I had my first threesome ever, less than two weeks after my first miscarriage ever? What is my life even?¡± she sniffled slightly.

    ¡°Who¡¯s making you feel guilty about that?¡± Ilian asked.

    ¡°Same person that makes me feel guilty about anything and everything: Me.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Ilian asked innocently. All Aura could do then was look back at him, realizing that she honestly had no idea what the answer to that question even was.

    <hr>

    Only a half hour or so had passed since Ilian had shared a tender goodbye with Aura and Adan, before venturing from the supposed safety of their underground home and back out into a world that was nearly as dangerous for him as it was for them. And that half hour was the limit for how much silence Aura could bear. They both hadn¡¯t moved from their seats on the sofa, both staring wordlessly at the metal doors after Ilian¡¯s departure.

    ¡°Fun fact:¡± Aura¡¯s hoarse voice cut into the silence, causing Adan to finally turn his eyes from the door and back to her, ¡°The only way I¡¯ve ever survived the nonstop panic in my brain is by finding constant distractions to keep from thinking at all. In case you didn¡¯t know that,¡± she added with the tiniest tinge of sarcasm.

    ¡°Yes, I seem to recall that fact,¡± Adan told her with a slight look of guilt, despite his attempt at a coy tone.

    ¡°So fucking talk!¡± she pleaded.

    Adan let out a long breath, ¡°What could I possibly talk about that would in any way help reduce your current sources of panic? Considering how much of my own I¡¯m having right now too,¡± he couldn¡¯t help adding at a slightly reduced volume.

    She gave him a rueful look before answering, ¡°You don¡¯t have to find a way to reduce my panic. Nothing ever really does that, anyway. Just keep me from sitting here in silence imagining every worst case scenario that my brain keeps coming up with on a second by second basis!¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s all,¡± Adan returned with a pointed look.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but you know when I think... it¡¯s... It¡¯s just bad,¡± she returned desperately.

    ¡°Guess it¡¯s hard right now, since the only thingsIcan think to talk about are the same things that you¡¯re probably panicking over too, I¡¯m sure. And I also know that when you talk about the things that are upsetting you, it often just makes it even harder for you to hold back the attacks. So...¡± He just sighed.

    Adan had known her long enough to know that any time she managed to hold it together for any period of time, the one thing that almost always caused her to break down was usually something as innocent as asking her how she was doing. Talking about her feelings seemed to make them even more real for her more often than not. And that often made it difficult to decide whether to offer to listen and talk, or pretend that he didn¡¯t notice her upset while she continued her inner battle to force it down.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re too upset to deal with my being upset?¡± she sniffled.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t quite put it that harshly,¡± he quickly replied. ¡°I just mean that I¡¯m so worried about things right now too, that I¡¯d probably be a pretty useless source of distraction.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Adan¡± she whispered, eyes down. ¡°Maybe knowing that it¡¯s possible for someone else to be just as upset as me will help in some little way. I can hope, right?¡±

    Adan let out another sigh as he moved closer on the sofa and put an arm around her shoulders. ¡°So, you actually want to hear about the things I¡¯m freaking out about too?¡± he asked her warily.

    ¡°Odd how freaking out still seems to look pretty calm on you,¡± Aura mumbled.

    ¡°Actor, remember?¡± Adan responded. Aura just scoffed. ¡°And yeah, I mean, obviously I¡¯m scared to death he won¡¯t come back. And what that will mean for us. That¡¯s a given. And...¡± he then just let the sentence drop off there.

    She looked up at him warily, ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°And, well, last night,¡± he stated more quietly, his dark eyes cast down then too.

    ¡°Last night?¡± Aura repeated, forcing down a lump in her throat about that particular subject as a near tangible tension took up residence in her body.

    ¡°Well, I mean it was pretty intense. And...¡± Adan once again let the words trail off, which was usually only a problem Aura had. Perhaps he was just as upset as her for once after all.

    ¡°And?¡± she prodded, despite her fear of what he had planned to originally say.

    ¡°Well, the obvious reasons for being worried about... things that happened last night. That¡¯s nothing new of course,¡± he skirted the subject, focusing on the easier explanation for his worries over their passionate night.

    ¡°You talking about me getting pregnant?¡± she restated, forcing herself not to end with the word ¡®again.¡¯

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that kind of a continuing worry we¡¯ve had ever since the apocalypse, and us, even started?¡± he stated quietly. ¡°And, I mean... after...¡± he finished the sentence there again.

    ¡°After the miscarriage,¡± she finished for him, her voice harder, leaning forward, away from where his arm had been still encircling her shoulders.

    Adan dropped his arm back to his side, his eyes moving to the floor rather than Aura. ¡°It has only been a couple of days, Aura. And you and I barely even talked about it. I mean, I wasn¡¯t even sure that you¡¯d ever want to do... quite what we all did last night. Let alone so soon after...¡± he shook his head rather than finishing that sentence either.

    Aura sniffled again, ¡°In other words, I must be a real idiot, or really fucked up? Or both, right?¡±

    Adan finally looked up at her, though she still faced away from him, now perched at the edge of the sofa cushion, as though moments from fleeing from the room. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that, Aura. Come on.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you?¡± she returned in a raspy tone, now clenching her hands tightly, as though trying to keep her grip tight enough to hold the rest of her together as well.

    ¡°It was Ilian¡¯s last night before going out there. I get why it happened. I really do,¡± Adan attempted to assure. ¡°I¡¯m just worried about how OK you are with what all actually happened last night. Honestly, Aura,¡± he stressed.

    Trying to push past her immediate reaction to Adan¡¯s concerns, Aura made herself respond. ¡°According to Ilian it¡¯s too soon for me to get pregnant again. So if that is really the only thing about last night thatyou¡¯reworried about, then you can relax,¡± she then took a breath. ¡°But it sort of sounds like that¡¯s not all you¡¯re worried about, Adan,¡± she added defensively.

    The slightest look of relief passed over Adan¡¯s face at hearing her that information. He then continued, ¡°Of course that was a worry, but I¡¯m even more worried aboutyourreal feelings about that. I mean, you just had a miscarriage, Aura. Even if we never wanted to have a baby, I know that that isn¡¯t the kind of thing someone just gets over in a few days.¡± He then took a moment o debate whether or not to speak his next sentence before doing so. ¡°I don¡¯t even know if it was mine, and I¡¯m not over it myself. Not cause I wanted to be a dad. But because I know that I might have been the one that made you go through that. And then, when we did those things last night... I can¡¯t help wondering if it was truly what you wanted. What you wereactuallyready to let happen, after everything.¡±

    Aura finally looked back at him in disbelief. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m not the only one who ¡®let it happen,¡¯¡± she retorted as she stood.

    ¡°I know. Believe me, I know. I mean I was so shocked that you seemed to want it, I wasn¡¯t thinking straight either. I admit that. I¡¯m just worried that once you have time to think about it, you¡¯ll end up regretting it. And why would I want you to feel any worse than you already do all the time, Aura?¡±

    Aura took a long moment to make herself speak again. ¡°Well, if Ilian dies out there, I guess neither of us will have to worry about living to regret anything at all anymore, will we?¡±

    Adan looked down again, ¡°So, that¡¯s why you let it all happen? You¡¯ve already given up hope that wewilleven live to regret anything at all now, haven¡¯t you?¡± he whispered quietly.

    There was another long silence before Aura made any kind of response, ¡°You really think there¡¯s any chance at all that we¡¯ll actually see him again?¡±

    ¡°I have to believe it¡¯s possible, Aura,¡± Adan replied softly. Then he quieted for a long moment too before adding, ¡°But I¡¯m even more worried, now that I know.¡±

    ¡°Know what?¡± she asked as she allowed the briefest glance back his way.

    ¡°The real reason why things played out the way they did last night,¡± Adan sighed heavily. ¡°Just entertain the possibility that Ilian might survive. Just for a moment.¡± Adan took another breath. ¡°If it turns out we might all live a bit longer after all, then how will you really feel about... everything?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so focused in on last night. We both were sleeping with him already. Just not at the same time. And you even joked about it before it happened. It¡¯s starting to sound like you¡¯re the one who¡¯s really having regrets, Adan,¡± she tried to turn the conversation back on him.

    ¡°What I¡¯m upset about is my fear of how you¡¯ll really feel, when you let yourself deal with last night, with the miscarriage, with everything that you¡¯ve just tried to bury by convincing yourself that you won¡¯t have to deal with any of it after all.¡±

    Aura scoffed, ¡°Thanks for the psychoanalysis.¡±

    ¡°Think about it, Aura. Ilian coming back through those doors safely should be the one thing we¡¯re both hoping for. But I can¡¯t help thinking that if he actually does survive. If we all live to see the rest of our lives after all, then that¡¯s when you¡¯ll just... crumble, when it all finally hits you,¡± he stated sadly.

    Aura bit back more emotions and chose fight instead of flight at that moment. ¡°You must really think I¡¯m the biggest mental case on earth, don¡¯t you?¡± She then mumbled, ¡°Though now I probably really am.¡± She then quickly continued, ¡°I mean is that why you ever even fucked me at all? Cause you were afraid I¡¯d have a breakdown if you didn¡¯t finally give in? It only took the end of the world before you decided that was the only way to deal with the silly little love-struck puppy and all her ¡®issues¡¯. Is that really it?¡±

    Adan gave her a look of disbelief then, ¡°So being concerned about you equals thinking you¡¯re a total mental case who I have to pity fuck just to keep her from having a breakdown?¡±

    ¡°Seems that way,¡± she choked out her response.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious right now, Aura,¡± he exclaimed, trying to force back his anger at the allegation. ¡°Are you forgetting that I was just as fucking concerned about you for the fourteen years of friendship before I ever had sex with you?¡±

    ¡°So concerned,¡± she mumbled sarcastically.

    With another sound of disbelief, he replied, ¡°As you¡¯ve pointed out, I had no reason to keep you as a best friend, unless of course I actually do love and care about you, which you know damn well that I do, no matter how much you¡¯re trying to deny it right now!¡±

    The two of them couldn¡¯t find much else to say for the remainder of the four hours they had to wait to see if Ilian would survive the outside world and make it back to them in one piece. Aura felt guilt for lashing out at Adan for no reason other than him speaking out loud, the fears that had been mentally plaguing her nearly every moment. And Adan couldn¡¯t find his own words to try and convince her that the things he had said were truly concern and not him passing judgment or trying to make her feel guilty or any sort of personal attack at all.

    Though as the four hours were drawing to a close, both their panic levels rose that much more every time they looked at the clock. Finally, the sound of the bunker door opening caused them both to look at one another in fear, trying to determine whether it was Ilian returning, or something much more sinister coming to put an and to all their worries and fears once and for all.

 Chapter 36

    At the sound of the door unsealing, Adan quickly got to his feet, turning toward the steel double doors that separated the main living area from the entrance hall of the bunker. Seeing him take a step toward those doors, Aura stood just as quickly, reaching out to tightly grasp his arm, pulling him back to her.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°It could be Ilian,¡± he stated plainly, though matched her lowered volume.

    ¡°It could be them!¡± she warned urgently.

    Before they could debate the question any further, one of the steel doors opened. It was indeed Ilian returning to them. Though he was now dressed in the hazmat suit, and struggling for breath as he nearly fell through the door. He only managed to hold himself upright at all by leaning heavily upon the door as his eyes turned toward them.

    ¡°Seeds... He¡¯s coming,¡± he choked out before tumbling through the doorway and falling to the floor.

    Somehow forcing themselves to only act rather than react, Aura and Adan took only a moment before moving their eyes to the small vial that sat on the coffee table in front of the sofa, containing three of the little black seeds.

    Aura quickly reached for it, nodding to Adan as his worried eyes only took the briefest glance at where Ilian now remained on the floor, trying to desperately hold on to whatever consciousness he still could. Adan moved to open the other door as Aura followed, clutching the vial in her shaking hands.

    Just as Adan pulled the door open, the door at the other end of the small entry way unsealed once more. A moment later they finally saw him: One of them now standing right there, a mere fifteen feet or so away from the two of them. At last they were seeing one of the true faces of the creatures who had spent that entire summer trying to wipe out their entire species.

    Its coal black, pupil-free eyes looked even more surprised to see these two surviving humans there, than they had looked to see it. That momentary hesitation was enough to snap Aura back into that fight mode instead of flight. She uncapped the vial, launching the three tiny seeds toward their intruder, hoping upon hope that it would somehow save all of their lives, hard as that was to believe of such tiny things.

    As the seeds flew toward it, Ilian used what little strength he still had after his ordeal to get back to them, and outstretched a hand back in the direction of his former comrade. The three seeds then exploded into the black toxin cloud that he had spoken only briefly of.

    The intruder raised his weapon towards them and managed to get off one shot of a strange, glowing projectile in the direction of the traitor and his two human companions. A moment later though, he began gasping and choking, the toxins having reached his lungs. He collapsed in the other doorway, beginning to convulse. What Aura could only guess was blood then began seeping from its eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.

    It looked horrifically painful, but there was no time for Aura to even think then as Adan let out an agonized scream in the same moment that their enemy had fallen to the ground. Aura¡¯s head quickly turned at the sound in time to see Adan painfully grasping his shoulder before giving into whatever intense pain that that projectile had caused upon finding its target. In seconds, he lost the struggle to stay conscious through that pain as he also fell to the floor.

    Aura¡¯s breaths came shorter and shorter as her panicked eyes darted between her three now unconscious or possibly dead companions laying around her. Though she couldn¡¯t be sure if her inability to breathe was because of one of her attacks, which would be completely understandable at that moment. Or if it was because its body still lay in the doorway to the bunker, preventing the door from closing and sealing out the toxins from the blue poison permeating the air outside.

    Trying to keep herself from losing consciousness as well, Aura bit back streaming tears and stepped over Ilian. She tried to move quickly toward the lifeless body of the creature who had come to kill them. Though, with her size, how badly her entire body was trembling, and how difficult it was to keep breathing at all, it still took her several long, terrifying moments to pull its body out of the doorway, allowing the door to finally seal them all in there, away from the poison outside.

    Sealing the door still didn¡¯t help Aura with her struggle to breathe much, as she was already deep inside the choking grip of that panic attack. Every second a struggle, she moved back toward Ilian and Adan. She looked down at Ilian and swallowed hard, before moving to Adan and leaning down to reach a shaky hand toward his neck. His pulse was weak, but still there, which barely helped stave off much of her attack.

    She then crawled back toward Ilian to check for his pulse as well. Though, she truly didn¡¯t even know if she could determine his well-being in the same way as a human¡¯s. Especially after the painful and visceral reminder of how patently non-human he was. And that reminder was even more horrifying when she allowed another glance back at the other creature now laying in the entry way. After all, what that thing was, was also what Ilian was, at least inside.

    She choked back that thought as she felt for his pulse as well. But with the pounding of her heart, she couldn¡¯t be sure she was feeling their pulses or her own, in all honesty. All she knew for sure was that the first time since the world ended, she felt utterly terrified... And utterly alone.

    When Aura was finally calm enough, or numb enough, to take a few breaths on her own, she made herself use what little strength she had left to try and get Ilian to the sofa. She knew the bedroom would be near impossible, but she also didn¡¯t want to leave him there in the doorway. She told herself it was concern for his comfort, unconscious though he was. But she knew that it was even more likely because she could no longer bear to leave that door open, where she had a clear view of the thing laying out there in the entry way. Again, she tried to chase away her dark thoughts about Ilian¡¯s true nature, now that she had finally come face to face with it, in a manner of speaking.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    When it came to moving Adan, she ultimately decided against it. Not only did she doubt that she even could move him in her physically and mentally exhausted state; but she was also afraid of whether or not she should even try to. She had no idea what kind of damage that weapon had done to him, let alone what it even was. And she¡¯d hate herself forever if her actions caused any more pain, or anything worse, to happen to the man she loved with all her heart, despite the harsh words earlier.

    The only other person who might be able to tell her about that weapon, or the extent of Adan¡¯s injuries, was also unable to help right then. Though, Aura found herself once again wondering if ¡®person¡¯ even applied to Ilian at all anymore. She had known what he was, even before ever letting him make love to her. And she had still let it happen. Instigated it even. But somehow knowing what he was, and actually seeing what he was, were very, very different things in her head now.

    And on top of all of those inner fears she was now dealing with, she also had to wonder if the dead thing in the entrance hall was the only one who had followed Ilian back. And if it wasn¡¯t, then she supposed nothing she thought or felt right then would matter anyway. At least not once that door opened again, if it actually were to.

    <hr>

    Hours passed and day turned to night. And the bunker had still not received any other visitors from beyond. But Aura could not even feel relief over that fact. She sat stiffly on the recliner near the sofa, as she had done for the remainder of the day, not even moving to use the toilet or eat or drink. Her brain couldn¡¯t even comprehend those sorts of needs right now. All she could think about at all, was the fact that neither Ilian or Adan had stirred once since the events of the afternoon. And with every tick of the clock, Aura felt what little hope she ever managed to hold on to, beginning to slip further and further from her grip.

    It was nearly midnight before the needs of her body finally began seeping ever so slowly into the worries of her mind. She sighed heavily as she made herself stand to at least make a trip to the toilet, if nothing else. Though, just as she took a few slow steps toward the glass doors, she heard a pained groan coming from Adan¡¯s lips.

    She immediately turned from the door and moved to kneel down next to where Adan struggled back to consciousness. With a raspy combination of a whisper and another groan he spoke, ¡°Did I get hit by a train?¡± he managed as she tried to help him to sit up, despite the very real pain he seemed to still be in.

    ¡°Not quite,¡± she whispered back as she leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his forehead, her eyes already tearing up again at the sound of the pain in his voice.

    ¡°So I actually did get shot by an alien then?¡± he continued as if every word just caused further pain.

    ¡°But you¡¯re still alive,¡± she tried to assure him with another kiss to his cheek, her tears having since escaped her blue eyes with some combination of relief and despair over how much pain he was still in.

    ¡°Shit, an alien!¡± he exclaimed as he sat up more straightly, only to let out another agonizing wince at even that slight of a movement.

    ¡°The seeds killed it,¡± she assured in response to his sudden realization of all that had actually taken place that afternoon.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± he breathed, then added, ¡°Ilian?¡±

    ¡°Still unconscious. On the sofa,¡± she added as she nodded her head in the appropriate direction, her hand still tenderly touching his back to help steady him.

    ¡°He got the sofa?¡± Adan replied with an attempt at humor, though that was a tough one to pull off with how much agony he was in, sure that many of bones in his arm and shoulder and possibly even others could very well be shattered right then. Or at least it felt that way to him.

    Aura was caught a moment before realizing that it had been an attempt at humor, despite his current state. She just shook her head at that fact before replying, ¡°I was afraid I¡¯d hurt you even worse if I tried to move you.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine Aura. I think I have bigger concerns right now than having to take a nap on the floor.¡± He winced again as he attempted to reach for his injured arm and shoulder once more, only to immediately regret even that simple of a motion, and drop his good arm back to his side again.

    ¡°Shit, where does it hurt... the most?¡± she added as her eyes widened when she finally let herself look down at his left arm, which was completely discolored from what she could see below the sleeve of his t-shirt.

    ¡°The left?¡± Adan stated as though to shrug, though his injuries prevented such a motion.

    ¡°Your left arm you mean?¡±

    ¡°No pretty much the entire left side of my body, my shoulder, my chest, you know, that whole area,¡± he breathed the words, still letting his head lay back against the wall, his eyes closed tightly against the pain.

    She shook her head again, ¡°There¡¯s not even any blood though. It¡¯s like... ¡° she was at a loss for words.

    ¡°Like some freaky alien weapon that our little human brains can¡¯t even make sense of?¡± he offered with another painful wince as he tried again to sit up more straightly.

    ¡°But if you¡¯re in this much pain, you¡¯d think there¡¯d be blood, right?¡± she continued, still letting her eyes move over him, trying to find some evidence of where that strange projectile even actually hit him. But if its aim was at the upper left side of his body, she could easily guess what the alien had been targeting.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty OK with there not being any blood,¡± he stated wryly.

    ¡°Well of course I¡¯m glad you weren¡¯t laying here bleeding to death, but if there¡¯s not blood, than doesn¡¯t that mean there could still be like internal injuries? And aren¡¯t those even worse sometimes?¡± Aura stated, her panic rising again, not that it had ever really subsided much at all throughout the day.

    ¡°Luckily I don¡¯t have a lot of organs in my shoulder,¡± Adan stated, his breathing still strained.

    ¡°You said your chest too,¡± she managed, despite not wanting to concentrate on that fact.

    ¡°Well, if that thing blew up my fucking heart or lungs, then we¡¯ve moved straight from virus wiping out the world, to alien invasion, to zombie apocalypse. Cause I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m still kind of breathing, anyway.¡±

    ¡°But there could be real damage, Adan. And Ilian isn¡¯t awake to ask. This could be really bad,¡± she continued as her fear for his well being continued growing.

    ¡°Could be?¡± he attempted a smirk, ¡°that¡¯s the part of our current life situation that convinced you that things could be bad?¡± Aura only scowled back at him. Adan managed to make one more attempt at a smile, ¡°Love you hon, but your bedside manner could use a little work.¡±

    She then narrowed her eyes, ¡°That wasn¡¯t a sex joke, was it?¡±

    ¡°I guarantee it was not,¡± he let out a slight chuckle, which only caused more pain of course.

    ¡°But seriously, what if---¡± she began again, only to have him cut off her favorite path to that downward spiral she succumbed to so often.

    ¡°Seriously though, it is pretty fuckin weird that that thing aimed for my heart. It almost hit it even. And still, here I am, almost in one piece, almost,¡± he added, still pretty convinced that that description couldn¡¯t possibly apply to all the bones in his body, as moving his left arm at all was impossible for him right then.

    ¡°And?¡± she said, not quite able to guess where he was going with that line of thought.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Aura. I just know that if it was after Ilian, then it would have been using something that could actually kill the guy who can¡¯t even get a needle through his skin, right? And if it was using that kind of weapon, then shouldn¡¯t it have done a lot worse to me?¡± He paused a moment, debating on whether or not to continue, ¡°I mean, we saw what their weapons did to humans on the news, on that first night. So, why didn¡¯t it do the same thing to me, now?¡±

 Chapter 37

    After a long excruciating walk from the living room, Aura having to hold Adan up the entire time, the two of them finally had made it to the bedroom. Though as the hour hit four am, it seemed that Ilian was still the only one of the three of them getting any sleep at all. Not that that thought was very comforting either. The longer it took him to return to consciousness, the less likely it felt that he would at all.

    ¡°So, you still awake?¡± Adan murmured, the pain still clear in his voice from where they both now lay staring at the ceiling above.

    Aura turned her head slightly toward the clock on the stand next to the bed before answering. ¡°Well, it¡¯s only four, so yes,¡± she sighed softly.

    Adan made an attempt at shaking his head at her response, since it was one of the only parts of him he could move without too much pain. Though the pain was still there, considering his entire left portion of his torso had taken on a purplish hue, which only lent more credence to the theory that that weapon had indeed caused some sort of internal injuries. Though without Ilian¡¯s knowledge any guess at the degree of those injuries was pure conjecture.

    ¡°I seem to be having a bit of trouble sleeping tonight too, it seems,¡± he stated with a soft sigh.

    ¡°But it¡¯s been such a peaceful and trouble free week,¡± Aura returned wryly. ¡°Miscarriages for me. Poisonous toxins for Ilian. Alien visitors shattering half your bones and probably collapsing your heart and lungs. What could possibly be keeping you awake, Adan?¡±

    ¡°Well, I was just gonna say mind-numbing pain, but yeah, that all may be possible causes too,¡± he returned her sarcasm, though sadly.

    Aura frowned as she moved to her side, pushing herself up to her elbow as she looked down at him. ¡°Sorry, do you want me to get you more Ibuprofen?¡±

    Adan blinked slightly at the mention of the drug, considering. ¡°No, you should save it. At least until--¡± he then rethought the statement.

    ¡°Until what?¡± Aura narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re in pain, Adan, come on.¡±

    Adan scoffed, ¡°I doubt anything less than Morphine would help with this particular scenario, Aura.¡±

    She continued to frown at him not answering her question, but moved on, for now, ¡°I could see if there¡¯s some of that I suppose.¡±

    Adan let out an attempt at a wry laugh, only to regret that due to the pain in his lungs that it resulted in. ¡°I¡¯ve never been a masochist, but I¡¯m still not sure I wanna risk getting hooked on that shit. All things considered.¡± He sighed again. ¡°We should at least wait ¡¯til Ilian wakes up and looks me over before I start injecting myself with anything too hardcore.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re in pain,¡± Aura argued weakly.

    ¡°Kinda getting used to it at this point,¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Obviously not, if it¡¯s making it impossible for you to even sleep.¡±

    ¡°As you pointed out, there are other reasons keeping both of us awake right now.¡± Adan let out another sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t know how you survive on like two hours of sleep a night, Aura. It¡¯s amazing you can even function at all, honestly.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s me: Amazing,¡± Aura returned sarcastically.

    Adan managed a smile up at her in response to her tone, ¡°Well, pretty sure you¡¯re the only one who was still standing after our close encounter of the fourth... or fifth kind, is it? I honestly don¡¯t even fucking know. But the fact remains that me and Ilian were down for the count, and you kept it together. You are amazing,¡± he added more gently, reaching his good hand up to gently touch her cheek.

    ¡°I think ¡®together¡¯ is a subjective term,¡± she whispered, sniffling slightly at the reminder of the horror of the day. ¡°So, until what?¡± she asked a moment later.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    ¡°You said I should save the Ibuprofen until something. Until what?¡± she narrowed her eyes down at him once more.

    ¡°Um,¡± he tried to find a good answer to that, one that would not result in him having to mention Ilian¡¯s secondary goal when going outside. One that could very well have been directly responsible for him being spotted by the dead thing that was now laying in the entrance hall of their underground home. ¡°You know, until you need it again,¡± he decided on.

    Aura let out her own scoff then. ¡°I doubt that will be any time soon. You can barely move, and we still don¡¯t know what all was damaged, Adan.¡±

    ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t suggesting that as a way to deal with our current insomnia or anything, Aura. Was just trying to be optimistic I guess.¡± He then added, ¡°And just because I may be outta commission at the moment, it doesn¡¯t mean that Ilian will be. After the last time he nearly poisoned himself with that shit, wasn¡¯t that when he actually woke you up in a particularly eager way?¡± he smirked.Stolen story; please report.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious right now,¡± Aura replied sharply.

    Adan was then the one with the puzzled look, ¡°Just trying to lighten the mood, Aur¡¯.¡± Another pause, ¡°And again, I didn¡¯t mean right at this moment. I promise.¡±

    She just turned away and lay back down, turning her back to him and hugging the pillow to her head. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t need the Ibuprofen. If it ever actually happened again, Ilian could just do what he did before.¡±

    ¡°What thing that he did before?¡± Adan asked, wishing he could sit up and turn toward her rather than speaking to the back of her head, but that was a futile hope.

    ¡°When he told me I was pregnant, he found a different way to trigger the miscarriage. I don¡¯t need the pills anymore. Assuming I ever need them again at all,¡± she added in more of a mumble then.

    Adan wasn¡¯t sure what part of that to address first as he was at a loss for a moment. ¡°Um, trigger it?¡± he decided on.

    ¡°Yes, he could make it happen without pain,¡± she managed, though her voice was still nearly too quiet for him to hear.

    ¡°Wait, he made you have the miscarriage?¡± Adan asked with shock, attempting to sit up anyway, despite the pain.

    ¡°I asked him to, Adan,¡± she assured, though her voice was still just as low.

    Adan had to struggle to find words for another moment, ¡°Exactly how did he actually make you have a miscarriage again?¡±

    ¡°A painless miscarriage,¡± she reiterated, finally turning to lay on her back again and look up at his worried expression. ¡°And I don¡¯t know how he did it. He just did it. He is a fucking alien. In case you forgot,¡± she finished with a bit of bitterness.

    Adan shook his head down at her, ¡°So he just what? Laid his hands on you and made you lose the baby?¡±

    ¡°Pretty much,¡± Aura admitted with a sniffle as she averted her eyes.

    ¡°He can do shit like that?¡± Adan¡¯s shock continued.

    ¡°Did you miss the ¡®fucking alien¡¯ part?¡± Aura retorted. ¡°Cause I sure as hell didn¡¯t miss that. At least not anymore, after today,¡± she added more quietly.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Adan breathed, not sure what else to even say then, as he laid his head back again, both of them sinking deep into their own thoughts once more.

    <hr>

    By afternoon, Adan and Aura had finally at least given into a couple hours of sleep before actually remembering that they might actually need to eat at some point. Aura had just been returning from taking the dishes to the kitchen when she couldn¡¯t help a wary glance towards the glass doors of the living room. She swallowed hard as Ilian was finally just beginning to stir, at last.

    Ilian pushed himself to a sitting position, wincing slightly at the after effects of his exposure to the black seeds. Aura had removed his helmet before leaving him to recover on the sofa, however he was still wearing the rest of the hazmat suit, which he then looked down at with a sigh. Just as he climbed to his feet to remove the suit, he glanced around the room.

    He narrowed his eyes at the fact that the bag he had taken with him on his foray into the outside world was still resting on the floor, next to where he had lost consciousness after the intense chase back to the bunker. He sighed heavily as he absently pulled the suit down his arms and legs. Discarding the suit, he moved toward the bag, only to cast a wary glance at the steel doors.

    As though just putting together the events of the previous day in his head, he cast a worried look around the room. That was when he found Aura watching him through the glass doors as she remained in the hallway. Her expression was troubled, and she quickly averted her eyes once Ilian noted her there.

    He took a few shaky steps toward the glass doors and slowly opened one. ¡°Aura, you¡¯re OK?¡±

    ¡°OK? Also a subjective term,¡± she mumbled more to herself, still not able to look up at him.

    ¡°Last thing I remember before I passed out was him shooting at us. What happened?¡± he asked quietly, afraid of what her answer would be.

    Trying to force down her urge to flee from this conversation right then, she made herself answer, ¡°He shot Adan.¡±

    ¡°No...¡± Ilian choked on the word as he cast another look at the living room behind him, as if trying to find evidence of her statement. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Aura,¡± his voice cracked as he moved toward her as though to embrace her. Aura quickly stepped back from the embrace though, causing Ilian to look even more pained by her reaction, though he supposed it was understandable. ¡°I should¡¯ve been more careful. I hoped I could lose him before I got back here. I knew my resistance was nearly running out though, and I wanted to...¡± he just looked down sadly, knowing any excuse would be futile. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± he whispered again, not able to meet her eyes then either, knowing she¡¯d never forgive him for what had happened.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have time for any of that now,¡± she made herself force back her own emotions then. ¡°You have to tell us if he¡¯ll be OK.¡±

    ¡°What? Us?¡± he looked back at her, perplexed by the statement.

    ¡°Yes, we have no clue what that weapon actually did to him. We¡¯re assuming you can tell us though,¡± she added, still not able to look directly at him.

    ¡°You mean Adan¡¯s not...¡± Ilian shook his head. ¡°Adan¡¯s alive?¡± he asked with both shock and relief.

    ¡°You thought he...¡± Aura finally allowed the briefest glance back up at him. ¡°Yes, but he¡¯s in massive amounts of pain. We don¡¯t know how much damage it actually did.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s actually alive, and conscious?¡± Ilian repeated in continued surprise.

    ¡°He¡¯s conscious now. And yes he¡¯s still alive. But if he¡¯s got internal injuries or something, he may not be for long. Come on!¡± Aura told him a bit roughly as she moved to lead him down the hall toward the bedroom.

    ¡°How?¡± was Ilian¡¯s greeting as they reached the room where Adan had been propped against several pillows as the two had eaten their lunch earlier.

    ¡°How?¡± Adan stated, with a mixture of emotions on his face, only a portion of which was relief at Ilian¡¯s return to consciousness.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t even be alive,¡± Ilian breathed the words as he moved toward the bed.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Adan returned wryly as he looked down.

    ¡°I mean, I¡¯m glad you are but...¡± Ilian shook his head again as he approached. ¡°That weapon should have... done a lot worse,¡± he settled on.

    ¡°Like blowing me into a million pieces?¡± Adan retorted, then added, ¡°We caught the news that first night, before TV died too.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure it was the same kind of weapons they were using on the news?¡± Aura interjected, not really directing the question at either of them specifically.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what weapons were on your TV, but the one he had: It¡¯s definitely meant to kill your kind.¡±

    ¡°But not your own kind?¡± She then made herself ask, ¡°So, why didn¡¯t it kill Adan?¡±

    Ilian was quiet as the two looked back at him with fearful and expectant expressions. ¡°I guess for the same reason that the black seeds no longer kill me. At least not immediately,¡± he made himself admit, though he looked just as shaken as them by the theory.

 Chapter 38

    Aura couldn''t even find words with which to respond to that particular statement of Ilian''s. Instead, she just turned away silently and headed back in the direction of the living room. Ilian gave her a sad look before stepping into the bedroom, softly closing the door behind him.

    Adan looked more than a bit uneasy as well, understandably so. He took a moment to find any kind of response. Once again, he resorted to sarcasm and an attempt at humor, dark though it was. ¡°So, you''re saying we''re all just a bunch of happy hybrids then, huh?¡±

    ¡°Happy?¡± Ilian responded with a crease of his brow as he moved toward the bed.

    ¡°Thought you got sarcasm now,¡± Adan mumbled. Though he said nothing more, as his pained breath caught as Ilian reached the side of the bed.

    ¡°Sorry, a bit distracted,¡± Ilian said softly. ¡°I guess we should have a look,¡± he gestured toward Adan''s shirt.

    ¡°Trying to get me outta my clothes again?¡± Adan continued his attempt at covering his actual misgivings behind more humor. ¡°Not sure I''m really up to that tonight.¡±

    ¡°We need to see how much damage was done, don''t we?¡± Ilian continued, not dissuaded by Adan''s deflections.

    ¡°Then what?¡± Adan replied shortly.

    ¡°So I can determine if I can actually heal you,¡± Ilian stated, having assumed that his intention was clear already.

    ¡°Heal me?¡± Adan scoffed, not able to look up into the eyes so similar to his own.

    ¡°Of course. You know I was a healer, before,¡± he added the last word more quietly.

    ¡°Just can''t help wondering what your idea of healing actually is, Ilian,¡± Adan replied, trying to soften the bitterness in his voice with a lower volume.

    ¡°Why do you sound like you don''t trust me anymore, Adan?¡± Ilian asked worriedly.

    Adan covered another scoff, ¡°Considering you made Aura have a miscarriage just by touching her, and your pal out there just tried to murder us? Are you really shocked?¡±

    Ilian looked wounded as he took more than a few seconds to respond. ¡°She asked me to do that, Adan. And I did it in a way that would keep her from feeling any pain; or from being damaged by the event. Physically anyway. And yes, my former comrade did try to murder us. Us,¡± he stressed pointedly. ¡°And he did it because I was out there trying to keep Aura from ever having to go through such a thing again. And to try and save anything that''s left of your race,¡± he added for weight. ¡°You know all this Adan,¡± he stated in a sad near whisper.

    Adan did pause then, but only momentarily. ¡°Our race? Is that even true anymore? Are we even human anymore? Or did you make us into something else entirely, Ilian?¡±

    ¡°No more than you made me into something else,¡± Ilian responded in the same soft tone. ¡°And we all agreed to do that, again, to try and save your--- to try and save anyone still left out there from those that I''ve turned against. Again, you know all of this, Adan.¡±

    ¡°I don''t know what I know anymore,¡± Adan replied, though his words were barely audible as he cast his dark eyes downwards again.

    Upon returning to the living room, Aura cast a somber glance around her. Her eyes moved again to the abandoned bag on the floor inside the door. With a sigh, she moved to retrieve it, as any distraction from her thoughts was more than welcome right then.

    As she bent to pick it up, Aura noticed that it was partially open. And a portion of the contents easily caught her eye. She moved to finish unzipping it and looked over said contents. Inside were several white and light purple boxes, nearly an entire shelf''s worth. She furrowed her brow and reached for one of the boxes, only to feel her breath catch as she turned it in her hand and read ''Plan B'' on the label.

    Aura dropped it back into the bag and swallowed a lump in her throat. It was then that she noticed, underneath the pill boxes were a handful of white medical supply boxes. Taking another breath she reached for one of them and read the label with another gasp. The side of each of the half a dozen or so boxes read ''Levonorgestrel Implant (IUD).''If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Letting the box fall back into the bag as well, Aura was frozen in thought for several long moments. She honestly wasn''t sure how she felt about her discovery. Was she touched that Ilian likely risked his life to help do away with one of the biggest causes of her anxiety about her present situation? Or was she appalled that he had done so just for the sake of allowing himself and Adan to continue as her lovers? And most importantly, how did she feel about continuing to be Ilian''s lover, even with these sort of assurances in place? And all of it was just now overshadowed by a million other things racing around in her head and making it impossible to even figure out what she did think or feel about any of it at all anymore.

    With a shake of her head, she quickly zipped the bag shut and moved to take it and stash it in the closet at the end of the hallway, past the bedrooms. She needed more time to sort through any of her own thoughts and feelings right then. And the knowledge of the existence of these precautions putting more pressure on her to figure out how she even wanted things to be with her companions any more, was just one complication too many for her to deal with on top of all the others right then.

    * * *

    When Ilian left Adan''s bedside a little over an hour later, he slowly shuffled down the hall back toward the living room. There, he found Aura still seated, much as she had been for almost that entire day already. She still wore a somber expression, staring unwavering at the floor in front of her seat, protectively wrapping her arms around herself.

    Upon hearing his approach, she quickly looked back in his direction. ¡°Is he going to be OK?¡±

    Ilian took pause at her brevity, though it was understandable. ¡°I healed him as much as I could. As much as he would let me,¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Aura pressed.

    ¡°Which part?¡±

    ¡°Is he going to be alright or not?¡± Aura repeated impatiently.

    ¡°It''s hard to know that answer honestly, Aura,¡± Ilian stated apologetically, only allowing himself a few steps toward the couch she was now seated upon.

    ¡°And is that something you''re just saying to try and keep me calm, when the answer is actually a lot worse?¡± Her worry made her question into more of an accusation.

    ¡°It means I honestly don''t know,¡± Ilian stated as he took another step closer to the couch, trying to keep his tone even. ¡°I told you what those weapons normally do to humans. On our kind, it would likely only stun us or slow us down, with a minimal amount of pain. Neither of those seem to apply to the effect it had on Adan though. So, like I said; I just don''t know, with absolute certainty.¡±

    ¡°Helpful,¡± she mumbled with equal helpings of worry and sarcasm as she looked away.

    Not able to continue trying to overlook Adan''s and Aura''s behavior toward him any longer, Ilian spoke up, ¡°What has changed?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Aura returned, looking back toward him again.

    ¡°When I left here to go out there and try and save what''s left of your world...¡± Ilian shook his head before continuing, ¡°and then, last night, what the three of us did...¡± he spoke more quietly, the statement causing her cheeks to redden as she looked away again. ¡°I just don''t understand what''s happening here now. What is different now? Please, explain it to me.¡±

    Biting back any reaction to the pleading tone in Ilian''s voice, Aura made hers work again, ¡°I think we have more important things to worry about right now.¡±

    Ilian stifled a sound of frustration before replying, ¡°I''ve done all I can for him right now, so what other things are you referring to?¡±

    Aura shook her head, still refusing to meet his eyes, ¡°Well, for one thing, there''s a dead fucking alien in our entrance hall. Don''t you think something should actually be done about that?¡±

    Ilian furrowed his brow, though responded, ¡°Fine, I''ll take care of it.¡±

    Then Aura looked back at him at last when he moved in the direction of the steel doors. ¡°How, exactly?¡±

    ¡°In the best way I can,¡± was the only answer he offered before moving through the doors, trying to ignore Aura''s cringe at the ever so brief glimpse of his dead former compatriot once more.

    Not able to push aside her anxiety inspired, if somewhat morbid, curiosity, Aura only managed a few brief moments before pushing herself up from her seat. She moved toward the steel doors he had just passed through and cautiously peered through the small window in one of the doors.

    As she looked through that thick glass, she was just in time to see his fingers then splayed across its eerie gray skin just the way they had been spread across her abdomen during the moments proceeding her miscarriage. The dead thing''s body then shrank to nothingness and eventually crumbled to dust underneath Ilian''s hands.

    Aura swallowed a gasp as she turned away, trying to process what kind of power Ilian truly had, and what he could actually do with it had he wanted to. Not to mention what the rest of his kind, still untainted by human DNA, could also do had they ever discovered any survivors who were still hiding out there somewhere.

    And once again, she felt more than a bit of fear at how truly alien they were. And worse for her than even that, was how to possibly reconcile that fear in her own mind, alongside everything else Ilian was to she and Adan both now. And what he may have made them both into now as well.

 Chapter 39

    Aura was at a complete loss for what to say to Ilian, let alone how to even speak with him at all after witnessing another truly terrifying ability of his. Instead of even making any attempt right then, she fled from the living room. The glass doors closed behind her mere seconds before Ilian stepped back through the steel doors and into the room again himself.

    She moved down the hall with rushed steps and entered she and Adan''s bedroom once more. Closing the door behind her and leaning back against it, her eyes moved to where Adan''s gaze met hers, worriedly noting her agitation, as he always seemed to.

    ¡°God, is there more of them?¡± was his greeting.

    ¡°What?¡± she responded.

    ¡°Something''s obviously got you rushing into the room, looking even paler than usual, somehow,¡± he added, his worry matching hers much more quickly than it ever used to. ¡°Did more of his friends find this place... or something.¡±

    ¡°Now who''s the one panicking at a moment''s notice?¡± Aura attempted a smile, though it failed to come to life on her lips.

    ¡°I suppose we could blame it on the excruciating pain?¡± he offered, attempting another shrug, which in turn caused him to wince again, only proving the truth to the description of his continued physical state.

    ¡°Are you still insisting on just sticking with Ibuprofen, Adan?¡± she asked, worriedly biting her lip as she allowed a few steps toward the bed.

    ¡°You''re deflecting,¡± he told her as he tried to bite back the remainder of the pain his slight movement had caused him.

    ¡°Please, Adan, if there were actually more of his... friends,¡± she shook her head and averted her eyes, ¡°then don''t you think that would have been the very first thing I said when I walked in?¡±

    ¡°So what is it then... whatever had you practically running into the room?¡±

    Aura let out a shaky breath, her eyes briefly turning back toward the bedroom door before moving to take a seat at the foot of the bed with a soft sigh.

    ¡°He got rid of it.¡±

    Adan took pause as he tried to process her brief explanation. ¡°What did he get rid of... now?¡± he asked, the final word nearly a whisper.

    Aura looked down quickly before responding, ¡°It... Its body,¡± she clarified as she momentarily caught his gaze.

    ¡°Oh.¡± Adan looked as though he was also trying to find any further words. ¡°Wait, he didn''t go back out there did he? Is he OK?¡± he asked quickly.

    Aura narrowed her eyes again before answering, ¡°No, he didn''t go back outside.¡±

    ¡°Then...?¡± he left his question there.

    She shook her head, struggling to try to clarify exactly what she had just witnessed their shared lover doing moments earlier. ¡°You really should take something other than Ibuprofen, Adan.¡±

    Adan centered a skeptical look on her. ¡°Why is this a hard question to answer, Aura? He didn''t like... eat it or something, did he?¡± He hadn''t meant the question seriously, but after it left his lips, he also paled a bit at the thought that such an outlandish thing may have actually happened. That would definitely have been disturbing enough to send her running from the room, after all.

    ¡°Adan!¡± she scolded with a grimace.

    ¡°What? These are aliens, we''re talking about, aren''t they?¡± he defended his theory, though weakly, as he hardly wanted it to be true either.

    Aura just shook her head with defeat, looking away as she spoke, ¡°No, he didn''t eat the poisoned corpse of his former friend, or family, or lover, or whoever the hell it could have been, honestly,¡± she added, the thought just occurring to her. After all, this was one of his own people that he helped kill... for the two of them.

    Adan sighed with a slight relief. He then couldn''t help adding, ¡°Well, knowing what we know about him, I think we can safely rule out the possibility that it was his former lover, at any rate.¡±

    ¡°Great. That makes everything better,¡± Aura mumbled as she moved to lay next to him, burying her face in the pillow.

    Adan was only quiet a few more moments before having to continue, ¡°So then... how...?¡±

    Aura let out a groan of frustration which was muffled by the pillow her face was still buried in. She then flipped onto her back to coldly glare at the ceiling once more.

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± she told Adan with brevity, her tone a mix of that continued frustration and then regret upon noting another wince from him in response to the motion of the mattress beneath them.

    ¡°Ahead?¡± he asked, the pain he tried to mask in his voice making her wince as well at that slight amount of added discomfort she had caused him with her physical display of the frustration she was feeling.

    ¡°Tell me I''m being ridiculous. He nearly died for us. Killed his own kind for us. Risked his very life to go out there and help us, and to get me...¡± she left it there as she looked away guiltily. She rushed to speak again though, before Adan could question another of her unfinished sentences, ¡°He''s so obviously on our side here, right? This is all just me being... me,¡± she finished sadly.

    ¡°OK, but what exactly am I telling you you''re being ridiculous about again?¡± Adan offered, though he did furrow his brow at that unfinished part of her sentence nonetheless.

    Aura let out a heavy breath, ¡°Just because he can do... insane things, that doesn''t make him less on our side, right?¡± she shook her head at the mental spiral she had been letting herself succumb to as always.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Adan tried to force any of his own frustration from his tone, ¡°So I''m guessing some other ''insane'' thing happened yet again?¡±

    With a sound of defeat, Aura answered his repeated attempts at getting her to clarify what had brought her to their room in such a state in the first place. ¡°He disintegrated it; that thing''s body.¡±

    Adan raised a brow at her thoroughly unexpected answer, ¡°And how did he do that, exactly?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± she muttered under her breath. One glance back up at him and she knew her answer was still woefully inadequate. ¡°He touched it, and it disintegrated.¡± Adan''s eyes widened as he looked down at her. ¡°And the worst part is, I don''t know if it was his touch that made the thing just... turn to dust, or if that''s just what their bodies do.¡±

    Another moment passed before Adan offered any response, understandably, ¡°Or if we should even still be using words like ''them'' and ''us,'' considering,¡± he added, though his voice was quiet, his eyes cast downwards in thought.

    Aura''s breath was shaky as she moved much more gently this time, to slide up to a sitting position against their headboard as well. ¡°Meaning?¡± she asked him, her voice even more of a whisper than his own.

    ¡°Come on Aura. You heard him talk about the weapon that thing shot me with. And what it was supposed to do. Then look at the effect it actually did have on me instead,¡± he left the words there, as if that was all that needed to be said to make his earlier point.

    Aura sighed, ¡°Shouldn''t you be happy it didn''t have the effect it was supposed to though?¡±

    ¡°Of course. But at what cost? Why didn''t it? I think we can both make a pretty good guess as to that answer by now, can''t we?¡± he whispered, not able to move his eyes from where he watched closely for her reaction.

    Another shaky breath before she responded a few moments later, ¡°So you really do think he''s... changed us?¡±

    ¡°Well, the fact that he was able to go out there with those death seeds of his and well, not die, I think is proof that we''ve changed him. Wouldn''t if be willful ignorance to pretend he hasn''t changed us as well?¡±

    ¡°So now we''re all part us, part them? That''s what you''re really saying,¡± she stated the words softly, as more of a fact than a question though it seemed.

    ¡°As scary as that even is, it does also seem to mean that the three of us are likely the only people who could even survive out there at all. At least until the dark seeds overtake those blue ones.¡± Adan continued to study her face to gauge her feelings on the matter.

    ¡°And when that finally happens, assuming it actually does work that way, and we get the fairy tale ending where the humans can once again safely survive here, then the world will be full of the black mushrooms instead, right?¡± Aura asked as she gave him a worried glance.

    ¡°That''s what Ilian seemed to imply would happen.¡±

    ¡°But then what does that mean in the long run? He''s still only able to withstand the black toxins for so long, even with our DNA.¡±

    ¡°I mean, maybe his resistance will get stronger in time. I mean, it did from the first test to the second, right?¡± Adan attempted a guess.

    Aura scoffed slightly, ¡°And we know how that happened.¡±

    Adan looked down again, ¡°I assume you have some thoughts on whether or not you want it to keep happening? With both of us? You know, when I might actually be able to move again, that is,¡± he added to attempt to lighten the weight of his actual question.

    ¡°You''re asking how I feel about continuing an intimate relationship with an alien whose very touch can cause miscarriages and disintegrate other aliens'' bodies?¡± she scoffed again at the absurdity of the question at all.

    ¡°Well, when you put it that way,¡± Adan mumbled. ¡°But despite... that,¡± he settled on, ¡°there are still some other worries in regards to that continuing too, aren''t there?¡±

    ¡°Ah, you mean getting pregnant again?¡± Aura forced an obviously insincere smile.

    ¡°Pretty sure that was the main worry even when it was just you and I though, right?¡±

    Aura scoffed, ¡°Well, hey at least now I wouldn''t have to worry whether it would be a human baby or a half-alien one. Only whether it''s two-thirds human or two-thirds alien now instead, right?¡±

    ¡°Aura,¡± Adan scolded gently, knowing her well enough to know that there was a lot of terror hiding behind her sarcasm.

    Aura sighed deeply once more, ¡°That honestly won''t matter now anyway.¡±

    He narrowed his eyes before deciphering the comment the only way he thought to, ¡°So I assume that means that you''ve already decided that you don''t want to continue our... encounters, after all?¡± his voice broke slightly as he spoke.

    She looked back at him quickly, a stammer in her voice, ¡°That''s not---¡±

    ¡°I get it,¡± Adan interrupted, unable to look back at her as he made himself continue. ¡°If I was the girl in this situation, I''d be terrified out of my mind too. No one''s gonna blame you for that, I promise,¡± he attempted to console.

    ¡°That''s not what I--¡± Aura attempted to correct him again, though her words fell short, as they often did. She then decided it would be easier to show him rather than tell him. ¡°Be right back.¡±

    Adan looked more than a little apprehensive when she returned to the bedroom a moment later. Then he gave her a questioning look as he noted the bag in her hand.

    ¡°I figured out what took him so long to return,¡± Aura offered as she unzipped the bag and moved toward the bed again to show him the contents.

    Adan reached to push open the bag with his good arm, taking more than a few moments to read over the boxes inside, swallowing hard as he did.

    ¡°That''s what I meant when I said it wouldn''t matter anymore.¡±

    He let out another breath as he looked up at her again, ¡°OK, assuming this stuff still does what it''s supposed to...¡±

    ¡°Wait, why wouldn''t it? It''s only been a couple months since the world ended. Surely this stuff can''t be expired yet.¡± She worriedly moved to take one of the boxes into her hand, searching for an expiration date.

    ¡°No, I mean because...¡±

    ¡°Because what?¡± Aura asked him worriedly.

    ¡°Well, I mean... things are different now.¡±

    ¡°What? What are you talking about, Adan?¡± she asked, pushing the bag aside to reclaim her seat on the bed.

    ¡°Well, we''re different now... biologically speaking, aren''t we?¡± he dared to state that worry out loud.

    Though when he saw her panicked look, he immediately regretted sharing that fear with her at all. She already had enough fears of her own, the last thing he wanted was to add more. But the words were out now, and all he could do was wait for the fallout.

 Chapter 40

    Struggling to find a way to calm her before the full-blown panic attack took her, Adan spoke again, ¡°Listen, Ilian''s the one who was a healer and a scientist. He''s the one who knows how these aliens even work. And he obviously thought it was worth further endangering himself to get this stuff. Which must mean he thinks it''ll work too, right?

    ¡°But listen, I''m just thinking out loud. I don''t know anything about what we are now. I''m no expert on aliens, or hybrids or whatever we even are now. I think, in this, we definitely should defer to his knowledge, right?¡±

    Aura scoffed, though she hadn''t totally succumbed enough to the panic just yet to keep from responding, ¡°And Ilian''s no expert on humans, or hybrids either, is he?¡±

    ¡°Still,¡± Adan began, though didn''t manage to find more words for that sentence despite his previous attempt at comforting her.

    Though neither of them had time to speculate further before the door to their room opened once more. Ilian moved to look over at them with a worried expression of his own then. Of course, seeing that look from him didn''t do much to calm the two of them right then either.

    ¡°Have either of you seen--¡± His dark eyes then moved to the partially open bag that still rested near them on the bed. ¡°I guess you have,¡± he finished his own thought as he looked from the bag back to their expectant expressions, seeming more at a loss for words himself then than he even normally was.

    ¡°Well, speaking of deferring,¡± Adan stated, though his words were a mumble as he awkwardly looked between his companions.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± Ilian was the first to respond to his comment.

    ¡°We were... debating something,¡± Adan took a moment to choose the word.

    ¡°You were?¡± Ilian replied, warily stepping into the room while looking as apprehensive as his companions right then, considering their behavior toward him since his rather traumatizing return to the bunker. ¡°What would that be?¡± he asked, looking a bit fearful of their answer.

    It was true that, on the surface, he would appear to be the one who had the real power over all of their lives and possible futures right then. But in actuality, there was still some, albeit tiny, possibility that the two of them could someday get their home and lives back, eventually. If his plan worked, anyway. For him, that would never be the case. He had lost everything.

    Well, nearly everything.

    In actuality, his two companions were all he really had left, in either of the worlds that he had known. And feeling that some wedge had formed between they and him now, had him feeling a bit more fear than he wanted to ever admit or show.

    Adan looked between Aura and Ilian. Aura stared at the floor next to the bed, looking as though she was willfully holding herself together with every breath. Ilian just looked back their way as if forgetting to breathe at all as he waited on whatever their answer to his question would be.

    Letting out a heavy breath, Adan knew that he was the one who would have to speak next, despite his current state, and the intense pain that was plaguing him still.

    ¡°I think we can all admit to why that weapon didn''t actually kill me, right?¡± he began shakily.

    ¡°I think we have a rather sound theory about that,¡± Ilian admitted, his voice stammering nearly as much as Adan''s.

    Forcing himself onward, despite the confirmation, ¡°So, in light of... that, we were wondering exactly how many other things will no longer... affect us the way they''re supposed to,¡± his dark eyes turned toward the bag in an unspoken explanation for what exactly he was referring to just then.

    Aura''s cringe was visibly noticeable as she waited for Ilian''s response, terrifying as it may be.

    Ilian took a deep breath of his own as he realized that his original worry about their ''debate'' wasn''t actually the debate in question after all. At least not yet.

    ¡°You mean you''re worried that the things I brought will no longer work for Aura the way they''re supposed to?¡±

    Aura painfully bit back her emotions at the prospect of his answer proving that fear true after all. Adan was the one to respond again though, ¡°Well, we''re obviously different now,¡± he gestured to the left side of his torso to accent the statement.

    Ilian sighed almost inaudibly as he dared to move to take a seat at the foot of the bed. ¡°I know it may sound strange after telling you how our kind procreate, but despite that, our reproductive systems are still quite... similar,¡± he offered.

    ¡°Really?¡± Aura scoffed, finally joining the conversation, her voice hoarse. ¡°Cause that thing out there didn''t look very similar at all,¡± she returned, her tone sounding more accusing than she had originally intended.

    Adan then interjected, ¡°I didn''t get a very good look, you know, before the agonizing pain. But I mean, two arms, two legs, one head...¡± he offered, only to receive a glare from her in response. Ilian just averted his dark brown eyes that no longer even resembled the large pupil-free pools of black that were a decidedly dissimilar feature of the creature that had invaded their home only a day earlier.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Is that what you really look like?¡± Aura asked Ilian, despite Adan''s interjection.

    ¡°Not anymore,¡± Ilian answered, though his words were nearly a whisper.

    Aura scoffed again, ¡°Yeah, now we''re just stuck with you looking like Adan''s dead brother!¡±

    ¡°Aura,¡± Adan attempted a calming tone, though it fell short. ¡°I get that things are fucked up. Really fucked up,¡± he added softly. ¡°But he did just risk his life for us, didn''t he? And you just seem, really, really angry. Why?¡±

    ¡°Because, he almost died! You almost died! You still could, even! And I felt that blue poison in my lungs when the door was open. I could have almost died too. Any of us, could have just been gone, and I hate it! I hate that I''m worried about losing either of you even more than I ever cared about losing me! And it could happen at any moment, of any given day, and there''s just nothing we...¡± her words deteriorated into sobs as everything seemed to finally hit her all at once.

    Adan instinctively moved to take her in his arms to try to offer any semblance of comfort he could. Though the terrible pain immediately stopped his attempt as he bit back a sound of anguish as best he could. The last thing he wanted to do right then was draw any more attention to the still precarious state of his own health.

    Reacting quickly to the entirety of the situation, Ilian instead moved to do what Adan couldn''t and wrapped his arms around her shaking body. She tensed at first, but her anger had somehow finally made way to despair, as she wrapped her arms around Ilian in return, sniffling into his shoulder as she finally let out so many of the feelings she had been trying so hard to contain for so long.

    Adan swallowed hard as he looked over at them, reaching out his right hand to gently caress Aura''s shoulder as Ilian held her against him, as that seemed to be the only physical comfort Adan could offer her himself right then.

    Ilian then murmured against her hair, ¡°I know it doesn''t make it any easier, but that''s exactly why I did go out there and risk my life. So you''d hopefully not have to lose either of us. And we wouldn''t have to lose you,¡± he added even more softly as he moved to gently grip Adan''s wrist in a gesture of comfort to him as well then.

    * * *

    The charged emotions of the day following Ilian''s return did do well to convince Adan to rethink his previous stance on how to combat the still very intense pain he was in. Realizing that, in that state, he couldn''t even comfort Aura as he had desperately wanted to when she had needed him, he gave in to finally taking something a bit stronger than the over the counter painkillers that had provided next to no relief since he was shot.

    He had taken an Oxycodone shortly before Aura solemnly returned to their bed after her shower that night. ¡°Feeling any better, at all?¡± he asked her quietly as she entered the room.

    ¡°Shouldn''t I be asking you that?¡± she scolded, though gently. ¡°Is the Oxy helping at all?¡±

    ¡°More than the other shit did,¡± was the only answer he managed as she moved to the bed, a slight scowl at his less than enthusiastic confirmation. ¡°Still not thrilled that now that I''m actually not buried in Hollywood bullshit, now is the time I decide to start hitting the narcotics,¡± he scoffed.

    ¡°This is exactly the time when people are actually supposed to use them, Adan. Is being in unbearable pain actually a better solution? Really?¡±

    ¡°TBD,¡± he mumbled as he slightly readjusted to lay back on the pillow with only a slight wince this time.

    She sighed softly as she also moved to lay upon her side next to him, but still several inches away, making sure not to jostle or touch him in any way as she did.

    ¡°I''m not made of glass, Aura,¡± he looked over at her with a sad smile at the distance between them.

    Her breath caught as she tried to keep her emotions in check, difficult as that ever was for her. ¡°Do we know if there are actually any internal injuries though? Because those could--¡±

    Adan sighed heavily before answering as best he could, ¡°Ilian thinks that if there were, I''d be having a lot of other complications, besides pain, by now.¡±

    ¡°I''m sure there''s some kind of x-ray equipment with the medical supplies though. Shouldn''t we--¡±

    ¡°I''ll make sure to suggest that to him tomorrow. Unless of course you wanted me to try and make my way all the way to the other side of the bunker tonight.¡±

    ¡°But couldn''t waiting--¡±

    ¡°Idea,¡± he interrupted. ¡°How about you try to get through just one sentence that doesn''t begin with the words ''but'' or ''what if?''¡± he told her with an attempt at a playful smile.

    She moved to speak, then caught herself before starting again, ¡°Sorry,¡± she settled on, averting her pretty blue eyes sadly.

    ¡°Or that,¡± he teased further.

    ¡°So you just don''t want me to talk at all?¡± she returned with a less than serious glare on her face.

    Adan shared another soft smile, his pain at least dulling enough now to allow him to manage that again, ¡°Right now, I just want you to slide closer, so we can fall asleep next to each other again.¡±

    ¡°But--¡±

    ¡°Uh uh uh,¡± he told her in a playfully scolding tone as she started that sentence.

    She scowled back, ¡°I thought we were done playing that stupid game.¡±

    ¡°After one round? I know you have more stamina than that,¡± he snickered slightly at the innuendo.

    "Sex jokes, really? I guess the pill is finally starting to kick in after all.¡±

    ¡°All the more reason to slide over here. I can still hold you with one arm. And that''s something I really, really wanna do right now.¡±

 Chapter 41

    Thanks in no small part to the much stronger painkillers Adan was now taking, Ilian was able to help him to the bunker''s version of an infirmary the next morning following their breakfast. Too nervous to sit idly by while Ilian took all the needed x-rays, and appraised the results, Aura tried distracting herself in the kitchen with the dishes instead.

    Performing that menial task as slowly as she could, Aura finished with the last dish only a moment before Ilian appeared the the doorway. Though his expression was infuriatingly unreadable, as it often was.

    ¡°Can I talk with you?¡± he greeted her softly.

    Aura paled at the request, ¡°Oh god, he does have internal injuries, doesn''t he?¡± she returned, making the immediate leap to the worst possible conclusion was more than habitual for her, after all.

    ¡°Sorry, I suppose I should have started with that,¡± Ilian apologized with a downward glance.

    ¡°How bad is it? I mean... will it...¡± she couldn''t make herself finish the sentence.

    ¡°No, no,¡± Ilian quickly replied as he looked back up at the nearly tangible fear on her face. ¡°His heart and lungs did somehow manage to only suffer minor damage.¡±

    ¡°Minor damage?¡± Aura repeated the words, her voice shaking.

    ¡°As in, not life-threatening,¡± he clarified. ¡°Though he has a lot of fractures in his arm, shoulder and ribs, as well as severe muscle damage. It will likely be a long time before he heals completely. At least as well as I can estimate, given his current rate of healing, all things considered,¡± he added more quietly.

    ¡°I''m guessing that means he''ll still be in pain for a long time too,¡± she made herself ask after another moment.

    ¡°Sometimes the healing process can be even more--¡± he then thought better of finishing that sentence as well, after seeing that new wave of fear and sadness take up residence in her expression. ¡°I''m sorry. I wish the news was better, but I didn''t want to lie to you, either.¡±

    Aura just shook her head, sniffling slightly, ¡°And that isn''t what you wanted to talk to me about though?¡± she asked warily.

    ¡°Well, not the only thing,¡± he admitted, though quietly. ¡°But...¡± his voice trailed off with what almost sounded like guilt over wanting to address anything else with her right at that moment.

    ¡°Here''s a hint, Ilian. If I''m not talking, then I''m thinking. And right now, thinking is probably the most dangerous thing I can let myself do much of at all. So whatever else you wanted to talk about, please talk. I need the distraction, desperately.¡±

    Ilian nodded in silent understanding. Though he may not have been as practiced at dealing with her anxiety as Adan was after their lifelong friendship, he was a quick learner.

    ¡°Can we sit?¡± he asked her gently as he nodded in the direction of the hallway behind him.

    ¡°If we must,¡± she mumbled with a slight nod before moving to follow him from the kitchen to the living room.

    ¡°So, you said some... things yesterday,¡± he began once they took seats on the sofa.

    Aura closed her eyes against his words before finding a response, ¡°Yeah, trauma and near-death experiences have a way of making people say... things.¡±

    ¡°I know you blamed your words on your fear of losing us, but... before that, you made it sound like... like you no longer wanted certain... things anymore.¡± He looked down again. ¡°Things between us, I mean.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I got what you meant,¡± she mumbled, her eyes cast down again. ¡°I just... after seeing what you actually were, underneath... and seeing even more of the things you can inexplicably do...? It just really hit home how... different we really are.¡± Aura then scoffed but quickly continued before he could respond, ¡°Which I realize is a pretty fucking ironic thing for a hybrid to now say.¡± She shook her head at her own persisting fears.

    ¡°I don''t want to sound like I''m pressuring you or anything like that. That''s not what I want, at all. I just want to know what things are still OK, or not, between us. I don''t want to do anything that''s not something you actually want me to do anymore. That''s all,¡± he finished, struggling with his words as much as Aura usually found herself struggling with hers on most days.

    ¡°I don''t know, Ilian. That''s the problem. One moment I want one thing, the next I don''t. I don''t even understand what I want myself anymore, so telling you what I want?¡± she shook her head. ¡°A lot more difficult that it sounds.¡±

    A moment of silence before he spoke, ¡°If only I really could read minds the way you originally thought I could.¡±

    ¡°Well you are still pretty amazing at reading body language though, aren''t you? That''s more than most humans can do.¡±

    ¡°But Adan does seem to be an expert at reading you though, mentally and physically,¡± he added.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Aura blushed slightly as she continued to avert her eyes, ¡°I think that could also be because he''s had over fourteen years to learn to decipher me.¡±

    ¡°And him being in love with you helps a lot with that I''d assume.¡±

    Aura''s eyes widened as she finally looked back at him, ¡°Adan? In love with me? I mean we''re best friends, who happen to have sex now that his options are fairly limited,¡± she added more quietly. ¡°And he loves me like that; as my lifelong best friend. But being in love with me? I''d think that''s still a bit of a stretch.¡±

    Ilian couldn''t help a small smile before responding, ¡°What were you just saying about my amazing ability to read body language? Including Adan''s?¡±

    Aura just looked away again, biting her lip as she did. The very idea that Adan could feel the same way about her as she did about him was something she obviously still had a lot of trouble letting herself ever believe. Especially considering they were now pretty much locked together by more than a few circumstances, and he didn''t honestly have the option to choose anyone else over her; except possibly their alien companion.

    But it seemed she was still convinced, even after all this time, that letting herself ever believe he felt the same way about her; that was like asking for an eventual heartbreak that she knew she couldn''t survive.

    * * *

    Ilian suggested that Adan stay in the infirmary, of sorts, for at least a night or two. He wanted to be sure he could act as quickly as possible if there were any unexpected changes to Adan''s health, good or bad. Neither Adan nor Aura seemed thrilled with the idea, but Ilian was still the one among them with the most medical knowledge, so they somberly agreed.

    After the first hour of her failed attempts at sleep that night, Aura pushed herself up from the bed she and Adan had shared nearly every night since their arrival in this place. She cast a longing look back at his pillow before making her way out of the bedroom.

    Moments later, she had made her way down the long hall to the infirmary. She hoped that checking on him again would somehow ease her nerves, as rare as it was that anything truly did that.

    When she quietly pushed open the door, Aura found that the much stronger painkillers seemed to be doing their work. They had finally allowed Adan to drift off into a sorely needed slumber of his own. At least one of them would get some kind of sleep that night, she told herself as she moved back into the hallway with a soft sigh.

    Upon making her way back to the door of their bedroom, she hesitated. With her usual nervous mannerism of gnawing on her lower lip, she let her gaze move down the hall, stopping on Ilian''s bedroom door.

    She had meant it when she had told Ilian of her inner struggle to decide how she actually did feel about their relationship, truly. But upon deciding between laying in she and Adan''s bed alone at the mercy of her own thoughts for the rest of the night, or having someone to lie next to, it seemed a much easier decision right then.

    Taking a deep breath to compose herself as much as she even could, Aura quietly pushed Ilian''s door open a crack, just in case he was having more luck sleeping than she was as well.

    Ilian was indeed awake, sitting shirtless against the headboard of his own otherwise empty bed with the sheet draped over his waist. In his hands were one of the many books that the bunker had been stocked with years before. After all, there was no way of knowing how long anyone would need to be there when the world inevitably ended.

    His eyes met hers at the sound of the door. ¡°I guess you''re awake too,¡± she greeted his questioning look as she gingerly stepped into the room, eyes averted.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± was the first question he had in regards to her unexpected presence.

    ¡°Just... My bed feels a bit empty I suppose,¡± she admitted in a near whisper.

    ¡°I''m sorry. I know it''s probably... difficult to be away from him at night,¡± he attempted to comfort her as he set the book aside on the stand next to the bed.

    ¡°Well, you would know how difficult it is, considering he usually always sleeps in our room, even on the nights you two...¡± the guilt in her voice caused her to fail to finish that sentence, choosing instead to glance around the room, her eyes not really focusing on anything in particular.

    ¡°As did you, even on the nights when we...¡± his voice also trailed off, not sure if he should finish that sentence either, worried that it could be construed as some kind of accusation. And that was the last thing he intended, especially after their earlier conversation.

    ¡°I''m sorry, Ilian. I barely know how to do regular relationships, let alone ones involving three people... and all of this,¡± she gestured weakly around to indicate the state of their world in general.

    ¡°Like I do?¡± he allowed a small sound of amusement at her words.

    That sound did do well to make her relax ever so slightly. Or at least enough to move further into the room. ¡°I think Adan is the only one here who ever had any experience with relationships before all of this happened. And even his were...¡± she shook her head. ¡°Sorry, I suppose it''s not my place to talk about ''relationships'' that I wasn''t even part of, right?¡± She scoffed at her own feelings involuntarily spilling out of her lips once again.

    Ilian looked down a moment as though trying to find the proper words once more, ¡°Did you want to sleep here tonight? I mean, just to...¡± he swallowed a sigh, ¡°I mean, just if you didn''t want to be alone, is all.¡±

    ¡°Like I actually sleep,¡± she attempted humor to cover the way her pulse raced at his invitation. And she wasn''t even sure what emotion was causing its acceleration in that moment.

    ¡°I mean, I understand if you don''t,¡± Ilian stumbled through that sentence as his eyes moved to search her face for any negative response to his offer.

    ¡°I''m the one who came to your room, aren''t I?¡± she stated with a gentle scolding and an attempt at a small smile.

    ¡°I suppose you did,¡± he replied, offering a cautiously hopeful smile to her as well.

 Chapter 42

    Aura moved to take a seat next to Ilian, awkwardly pulling the dark sheet up around that equally dark-colored robe she wore to bed most nights. Ilian mirrored her awkwardness as he also moved to pull the same sheet more snugly around himself as well.

    They each tried to hide a slight sound of amusement, as if they simultaneously realized the absurdity of there being that sort of awkwardness between two souls who had engaged in intercourse with one another half a dozen or so times in the less than three months since their first meeting. That was including the most recent encounter, just a few nights prior, when they had participated in a threesome right there in the same bed: The first such encounter even, for at least the two of them, at that.

    ¡°We''re being ridiculous, aren''t we?¡± Aura asked in a self-effacing manner.

    ¡°Like I said earlier, I''m just not sure what you''re still comfortable with, with me. And I don''t want to make you feel--¡±

    ¡°How I feel is all on me, Ilian, not you. And besides, this could be... nice. I mean, as much as I love sleeping next to Adan,¡± a slight pause, ¡°at least tonight I won''t have to worry about causing my bed mate pain every time I roll over, or... want to wrap my arms around him,¡± her volume dropped to a whisper as she finished the thought.

    Ilian took a breath, ¡°Do you want to then? Wrap your arms around me, I mean. It''s fine if you--¡±

    Aura surprisingly managed a small laugh in regards to how truly considerate of her feelings he was still being since her, possibly somewhat unfair, verbal explosion that had been directed at him earlier.

    ¡°Just lay down,¡± she told him, sliding slightly closer, and still surprisingly, wearing a small, if somewhat nervous, smile.

    To Ilian''s continued surprise, and relief, Aura did snuggle closer to him under the sheet, wrapping her arms around his waist, and laying her head upon his shoulder.

    ¡°You''re right. This is nice,¡± he whispered to her in the dim light of the room. He accented the words by placing the smallest of kisses atop her head; another gesture he had witnessed between she and Adan more than once since their time together had begun.

    Aura swallowed a lump in her throat, but said nothing more just then. Instead, she opted to cuddle closer still to him, wrapping a leg around his then, just the way she did with Adan; as if terrified he''d disappear if she didn''t hold him as close as she could each night.

    That movement did cause Ilian to tense slightly, mainly due to worry that she would immediately pull away again. So he rushed to speak, ¡°Sorry, I should have mentioned that... I still find clothes, well, rather strange. So I usually don''t--¡±

    Aura blushed and let out another small laugh as she finally looked back up at him in the near darkness. ¡°Are you actually apologizing for sleeping naked now, Ilian?¡±

    He then tried to find a response as he looked back down at her as well. ¡°Well, more like apologizing for not warning you of that before you... discovered it yourself.¡±

    ¡°I suppose now you''re going to apologize for this too,¡± she said a little breathily as she moved her leg, causing her thigh to come in contact with where his body was now having an obvious reaction to the nearness of hers.

    ¡°I probably should,¡± he whispered back, though couldn''t manage to pull his eyes from her, despite the breathlessness of his tone.

    ¡°That''s an involuntary reaction, Il''. Part of the fun of the body you''re now living in. In other words, I don''t think you can take the full blame for that one.¡±

    ¡°I just--¡±

    ¡°Besides, if anyone''s to blame it''s probably me, and Adan. We sort of conditioned you to respond that way to being close with us, considering, well, what we normally do with you anytime we are close.¡±

    ¡°So... I''m not sure if I should--¡± Ilian began, almost feeling at as much of a loss for how to communicate with her now as he did during their first few days together.

    ¡°Stop,¡± was all she said before moving to cover his mouth with hers.

    Of course that action did nothing to disprove the theory she had just shared with him as to why he reacted so easily to her nearness. But right then, all she wanted to do was assuage his fears with her kisses, which was quite the role-reversal for her, but it was how she felt in that moment nonetheless.

    The kiss also brought them into even closer bodily contact, causing his response to her to be that much stronger as he passionately returned her kiss, pulling her even more tightly against him.

    As the dizzying kisses continued, and they clung even more tightly to one another throughout, the robe she wore worked it''s way open. The feel of their bare, heated flesh against each other''s only intensified what they were feeling in that moment.

    It was only when his hardness brushed against her overwhelming wetness, that Ilian finally forced himself to break off the kiss before their passion took what was left of their wits.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Shouldn''t we... wait?¡± he breathed the words heavily against her lips.

    ¡°Wait?¡± her volume matched his as she looked up into his eyes, thrown more than a little by his statement.

    ¡°You know, until we can give you one of those implant things I brought back?¡± he managed, using all of his will to form a logical argument in that moment.

    ¡°We''re still in the two week grace period, aren''t we? And you got those pills too. This is the least afraid I''ve ever been to do this with you, Ilian,¡± she breathed the words. ¡°And right now, all I want is to feel something other than fear, for once. For at least a little while. And I know that you can definitely make me feel... something much more pleasant, even if it is temporary. It''s what I need right now, please,¡± she whispered.

    Taking in the sheer depth of feeling behind her words, Ilian simply nodded in understanding, covering her lips with his and pulling her toward him once more.

    * * *

    Later that night, they lay together wrapped around each other''s sweat-soaked bodies and waiting for their breaths and heartbeats to return to normal. As Aura gave Ilian another soft squeeze, a small giggle escaped her lips.

    Ilian looked down at her with a curious expression, ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°I was just thinking, you really are incredible at reading body language.¡± She let out another small laugh as Ilian couldn''t help smiling at her words either. ¡°Especially considering I''m literally the only woman you''ve ever had sex with.¡±

    ¡°You sound shocked. I thought the main appeal of that activity was that it was supposed to feel that good?¡± he questioned.

    Another chuckle from her, ¡°Ideally, yes, but...¡±

    ¡°But?¡±

    She looked up at him, biting her lip through another grin, ¡°In our world, it was kind of, common knowledge that...¡±

    ¡°That what?¡±

    ¡°That well, sex was usually a lot more enjoyable for a man, well during male-female sex, anyway.¡± She blushed again.

    ¡°But isn''t it the woman who has to carry, and then give birth to the children? Which she can only do as a result of male-female sex?¡±

    ¡°Well, yes, but...¡±

    ¡°And if it normally doesn''t feel that good for her, then isn''t that awfully unfair to the woman?¡±

    Aura couldn''t help another laugh, this one louder, which only caused another perplexed expression from Ilian. ¡°Wow, you already understand Earth culture perfectly.¡±

    ¡°I do?¡± his confusion continued in the face of her sarcasm. He then shook his head as she chuckled and cuddled closer to him once more. ¡°So why do the women continue to ma¡ªbe with the men like that? I was more correct than I thought when I said it was an inefficient way to reproduce if it normally doesn''t even give them that much pleasure even.¡±

    Aura laughed again, ¡°Why do they continue to do it? I could be all sentimental and say ''love'' but, I guess they also still do it in the hopes that they''ll actually find a man who can make them feel... what you apparently have no trouble making me feel.¡± She blushed again.

    ¡°It still seems... unfair,¡± he repeated.

    ¡°Wow, it''s a good thing there are barely any women left in the world. I''d have to fight them all off once they discovered your hidden... talents. I mean they already would be beating down the door to get to Adan as it is,¡± she scoffed slightly.

    Then Ilian hesitated before asking his next question, ¡°Does Adan not make you feel... that much pleasure either? He seemed like he did the other ni--¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Aura turned an even brighter red then. ¡°No, believe me he does. He definitely does,¡± she assured. ¡°But I think that could be due to the fact that he''s literally known me my entire life. It makes it a lot easier for him to read me too. Just like you said before,¡± she added more quietly.

    There were a few more moments of silence as they continued to hold each other into the night. Eventually, Ilian spoke up again, ¡°I can see why you miss having him in your bed. This is really nice.¡±

    ¡°I''m not the expert by any means, but I''m pretty sure that''s what they call afterglow.¡±

    ¡°Glow?¡± he looked down at her again.

    ¡°It''s not literal,¡± she smirked. ¡°It''s just the term for the feeling of peace, and contentment that follows a really satisfying... encounter,¡± she settled on.

    ¡°I felt it the night all three of us fell asleep together too. But it was a bit overpowered by what I had to do the next day, I think,¡± Ilian shared quietly. ¡°Even though I''m not really one of you, I think I''m really beginning to understand human emotions better. And how many you can have all at once. How quickly they can change from one moment to the next. It''s amazing. And terrifying,¡± he couldn''t help adding. ¡°I guess even that sentence is an example of that,¡± he allowed a small smile at that.

    ¡°And your understanding of Earth culture continues to grow,¡± she told him with a wistful slant to her tone.

    ¡°All the more reason I want to help save it for you... us,¡± he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers once more.

 Chapter 43

    When Ilian made his way down the hall to check on his patient the next morning, Adan was already sitting up in the hospital bed. He wore an expectant look on his face, eagerly awaiting an all-clear to return to his own room.

    ¡°You''re smiling,¡± Adan greeted him. ¡°Can I assume that means I can finally go back to sleeping in my own bed?¡±

    ¡°Finally? It''s been one night,¡± Ilian teased as he moved into the room.

    ¡°Well it felt a lot longer than that,¡± Adan returned.

    ¡°Understandable,¡± Ilian conceded as he moved to start looking over the results of the tests he had conducted the day before. ¡°I just have to check all the results, and see if everything is in acceptable parameters.¡±

    ¡°So, if telling me I''m free to leave this room wasn''t the reason, why the smile? That''s not exactly that typical of an expression for any of us most days.¡±

    Ilian glanced back at him, ¡°I guess I''m just relieved that last night Aura and I stayed up pretty late... talking. I think she''s actually recovering from the shock of everything that happened when I returned to the bunker. And that''s... comforting.¡±

    ¡°Stayed up talking with Aura all night, huh?¡± Adan repeated. ¡°Must have been nice,¡± he added, an underlying bite to his tone.

    ¡°Well not all night, but,¡± Ilian then narrowed his eyes at the look of discontent obvious on Adan''s face then. ¡°When was the last time you took a painkiller, Adan?¡±

    Adan just let out a derisive breath, ¡°Had to take one just to get to sleep last night. So, around midnight, I suppose?¡±

    ¡°That''s over nine hours, Adan. They only last for six.¡±

    ¡°Probably explains why I''ve been sitting here glaring at the wall for a few hours already this morning,¡± Adan mumbled bitterly.

    ¡°You should have taken another one then, Adan. You''re hardly healed yet.¡±

    ¡°No thanks.¡±

    ¡°Adan,¡± Ilian scolded.

    ¡°Don''t look at me like that. I''m not some masochist, believe me. But I also don''t wanna become a junkie in the middle of the apocalypse. Seems like a bad life decision.¡±

    ¡°Junkie?¡±

    ¡°An addict,¡± Adan shook his head, remembering who he was speaking to.

    ¡°Still, if you''re in too much pain, it''s going to be even harder for you to heal,¡± Ilian scolded further, though gently.

    Adan scoffed, ¡°Can''t you just lay your hands on me and magic my pain away too? Or is your specialty only killing babies and disintegrating aliens? Seems a strange skill set for a healer,¡± Adan bit out.

    Ilian looked wounded by Adan''s words, but managed to let logic prevail, ¡°You''re in pain, Adan. Enough to make you lash out at me right now. You need to manage that pain, as best you can. And that means...¡± he stated firmly as he moved to hand him the pill that still had remained on the table next to his bed.

    Adan glared back at him for a long moment before grudgingly taking the pill from Ilian''s hand, ¡°What good am I to... anyone, if I''m just going to sit here spaced out on painkillers for who knows how long, and how badly?¡±

    ¡°Being in unbearable pain isn''t going to work out much better, Adan. That''s why you need to let your body heal, properly.¡±

    ¡°My body?¡± Adan scoffed, angrily choking down the pill at last. ¡°Is that even accurate anymore? I mean, if it was just my body at all still, I''d be in a million pieces all over the living room, wouldn''t I?¡±

    ¡°I don''t think any of us wanted to see your body like that. So I''d say this is still the better option. Unappealing as it may seem right now, it''s still better than losing you. You know what that would have done to her, Adan.¡±

    ¡°Using Aura''s feelings to convince me we should be OK with becoming part-alien? Really?¡±

    Ilian sighed softly before answering. ¡°If it means having some chance of saving yourselves? Saving her? Then yes. After all, I gave up my home, my people, my entire body as well, just on the off-chance that I could find some way to help your people. To help the two of you, even before I lo¡ªknew you both the way I do now.¡±

    Adan looked back at Ilian then, tears struggling to escape both of their ever so similar pools of deep brown. It was as if for the first time it really hit him that Ilian had also lost everything, perhaps even more than he and Aura had, perhaps.

    With a shake of his head and a slight sniffle, Adan gripped Ilian''s hand with his good arm and pulled him close. He placed a long kiss over the other man''s mouth in some attempt at physically showing him the gratitude that he couldn''t seem to verbally express right then.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Though the kiss didn''t last nearly as long as either of them had wanted, as Adan pulled away with a wince a moment later. ¡°OK, remind me not to move that quickly again until after those damn pills kick in.¡±

    Ilian allowed a tiny smile at his words, ¡°I''ll do my best.¡±

    * * *

    Much to Adan''s displeasure, Ilian decided to run a few more tests that morning, despite the tender moment they had shared earlier. Ilian did assure him he''d be back after lunch to check the results and then give Adan his answer about whether he''d be back in his own room that night. Having to stay there another three hours, and then possibly be told he''d have to spend another full night there too? That did do well to keep his mood hovering around unpleasant, despite their earlier moment together.

    At least the pain had been dulled by the medication by the time Ilian returned. So Adan supposed that was at least a small mercy, despite his feelings on continuing to take such drugs.

    Adan''s expression then changed from annoyed to worried as he watched Ilian''s face as he looked over the test results from that morning. ¡°That''s not a happy look,¡± Adan stated shakily, causing Ilian to turn toward him with a sad sigh.

    ¡°Your lungs and heart are still not performing as well as I''d like,¡± Ilian informed softly.

    ¡°What does that mean, Ilian?¡± Adan returned, trying to hold the brakes on any panic just yet.

    ¡°Just that they''re both functioning at only about... seventy percent,¡± he made himself give the answer.

    Adan swallowed a lump in his throat, ¡°I mean, seventy''s not that bad, right? It''d at least still be a passing grade in school, barely,¡± he weakly argued.

    ¡°It''s not great though, Adan. You should prob--¡±

    ¡°Let me guess. Stay here another night?¡± Adan finished for him with a sound that was an equal mix of frustration and defeat. Probably the only reason it wasn''t the full-blown anger, as earlier, was likely due to the fact that at least his pain was currently somewhat numbed.

    ¡°If anything declines further, it''s better that you''re here,¡± he told Adan regretfully.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it,¡± Adan mumbled, doing his best to appear unruffled, which should have been easy, considering his acting skill.

    After another long moment of silence between the two, Ilian spoke up again. ¡°How about I give you some company?¡±

    ¡°And leave Aura alone to imagine every possible worst case scenario in her head, which is kind of her specialty? I don''t think that''s a great plan either,¡± Adan stated, though his volume was still low, eyes downward in thought.

    ¡°I didn''t say it would just be my company,¡± Ilian stated as he heard her footsteps approaching the door.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Adan greeted her, calling on every bit of his acting ability to greet her with a smile despite the less than optimistic news he had just received.

    ¡°Hey,¡± she smiled back as she approached his bed. Her smile did seem sincere, if somewhat worried. Then again, she hadn''t heard the news yet.

    ¡°Wait, how did you know I''d be stuck here another night?¡± Adan asked her.

    That was when the worry immediately overtook the hopefulness of her smile. ¡°I... didn''t. What''s wrong?¡± she asked, turning pleading eyes to Ilian for an explanation.

    ¡°Just, I''d like his test results to be better before letting him off the monitors, that''s all,¡± Ilian attempted to clarify. Though the look of fear on her face now felt almost tangible.

    ¡°I thought you said it was only minor damage!¡± she retorted, the shaking of her voice apparent.

    ¡°It is, but things still aren''t functioning as well as they should, and if anything does worsen, then--¡±

    ¡°Ilian,¡± Adan quieted him as he quickly noted her shaking overtaking the rest of her body now, rather than just her voice. He reached for her hand, mentally remembering to move slowly this time. ¡°I''m not any worse. I just... haven''t improved as much as I still need to. That''s all,¡± he attempted to soften the blow of the news for her, despite it being his own health he was talking about.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± she nearly swallowed the word, turning her eyes away to hide the tears that always accompanied her attacks.

    After several moments of Adan squeezing her hand in an attempt at further comfort and reassurance, Ilian spoke to her again. ¡°I know this probably seems like bad timing, but did you still want to do the other thing? It may at least distract you, for a little while.¡±

    ¡°The other thing?¡± Adan couldn''t help raising a brow at whatever that statement could have been referring to.

    ¡°I was going to give her the implant today. It''s a minor procedure. We could both keep you company while I do it. That''s what I meant earlier,¡± he attempted to explain.

    ¡°Implant?¡± Adan''s painkiller addled brain immediately jumped back to the conversation they had had on the way to the bunker and raised a brow at the suggestion.

    ¡°The IUD,¡± Aura shook her head at him, almost as though she could read him pretty easily right then as well.

    ¡°Oh, that makes more sense,¡± Adan mumbled, then shook his head. ¡°Wait you want us to just sit here having a chat as you... do that?¡± he gave Ilian another incredulous look.

    ¡°I mean, I just have to... insert it. And if there''s any minor pain, we can help keep her mind off of it.¡±

    ¡°Insert it?¡± Adan blinked as he repeated the words.

    Ilian sighed as Aura just looked away again. Ilian then added, ¡°I mean, the first step is a pelvic exam. And I''ve done that to her in front of you once already.¡±

    Adan couldn''t stop himself from laughing out loud, despite the burning red hue that now covered Aura''s face and the slight pain his own laughter still caused him. ¡°Oh my god, Il'', did you just make a sex joke?¡± he asked, failing to suppress his laughter as he spoke.

    ¡°Great, he apparently does that now too,¡± Aura shook her head, cheeks still burning as she continued looking away from them both.

    ¡°I guess I''m a quick learner,¡± Ilian offered a shrug.

    ¡°That you definitely are,¡± Adan smirked again, and Aura almost did as well. Almost.

 Chapter 44

    By the end of the week, Adan''s vitals had at least improved enough for Ilian to let him off the monitors and back into his own bed. Of course, he still had all the fractures and muscle damage to heal from, which could take weeks. Weeks wherein he''d have to either suffer or continue to take the painkillers. And considering his disdain for the possibility of getting addicted, he chose to suffer more often than not.

    This was one of those nights. He was once again attempting to grit his teeth and bear the pain, which led to him actually not falling asleep before Aura that night. They had shared a bed for nearly three months now, and he could count on one hand the number of times she had actually fallen asleep before him. And nearly all of those times had been since he had gotten shot.

    It was around midnight when he finally gave in and reached toward the pill on the bedside stand. With his still rather limited movement, combined with the darkness of the bedroom, he ended up knocking it into the crevice between the bed and the stand instead.

    Biting back a sound of frustration mixed with pain, he attempted to turn onto his still quite injured side to try and locate the fallen pill. Perhaps it was the darkness, or the searing pain that was blurring his vision, but he had no luck spotting the tiny, elusive narcotic.

    His eyes then moved to where his phone had been left there on the stand as well, still on the charger, though it had been powered down for weeks now. After all, it had been rather useless since the internet gave out. But at least it could still be used as a flashlight, if nothing else.

    His injured arm had been in a sling since his original stay in the infirmary. This forced him to have to do everything with his right arm, as if the blinding pain wasn''t enough of a deterrent for attempting the use of his left.

    Still doing his best to stay quiet despite the pain, Adan managed to eventually get enough of a grip on the phone to pull it off the charger and turn the power back on in search of the built in flash light. Though as soon as power was returned to the device, he was immediately assaulted with multiple missed message notifications.

    ¡°What the...¡± he mumbled as they flashed across his screen.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Aura murmured, the sound waking her from her ever fitful and light slumber.

    ¡°No idea. Haven''t had this thing turned on since like week two,¡± he stated distractedly, though with a bit of guilt in his tone for waking her from the sleep that she so rarely got.

    ¡°Were those text notifications?¡± she asked, pushing herself up onto her elbows and wiping the sleep from her eyes.

    ¡°Sounded like it...¡± he stammered as he slowly laid back, rotating the phone as best he could to read the screen.

    ¡°Who the hell is texting you? Or anyone?¡± Aura asked loudly, now fully awake as she moved closer to peer at his phone as well.

    ¡°There''s like eighty of ''em. All sent from some unknown number. All around the same time every day,¡± he told her, dark eyes wide as he scrolled through them.

    ¡°What? Well, what the hell do they say?¡±

    Having scrolled to the top of the list of notifications, Adan tapped on the first to read it:

    Unknown: ¡°If you see this, please respond. I''ll send this out every night to every phone still working within a twenty-mile radius. I don''t know how much longer I''ll be able to keep sending them, or how much longer we''ll survive here. Please respond if you have a safe place.¡±

    ¡°Shit. Other survivors? Near here?¡± Aura breathed.

    ¡°Well, within twenty miles, anyway. But that may as well be twenty-thousand now,¡± Adan stated softly. ¡°And that was only the first message.¡±

    ¡°Well, what does the most recent say? And when was it sent?¡± Aura questioned, moving closer to continue reading the screen over his shoulder.

    Adan sighed, his pain nearly forgotten in light of this new development. He scrolled to the end of the list of notifications. ¡°It was just sent tonight...¡± he swallowed hard.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°They''re still alive?¡±

    ¡°Or else it''s just automated, somehow?¡±

    ¡°Well, what''s tonight''s say?¡± Aura pressed.

    Adan took a deep breath and tapped the latest message:

    Unknown: ¡°We can''t go outside without masks. The air is somehow toxic now. We''ve blocked off any windows and doors we could, but we''re nearly out of food. If we go out, we''ll either be killed by the air or by some remaining patrol. Please respond if anyone else is out there and can help us.¡±

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Aura breathed the word.

    ¡°Sounds about right,¡± Adan responded, his voice a near whisper as well.

    ¡°Are you going to respond?¡± Aura asked him warily.

    ¡°And say what?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea,¡± she admitted, sniffling as she snuggled closer to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

    ¡°Me neither,¡± he whispered back as the two of them continued to stare at the phone with tears threatening to escape their eyes.

    * * *

    ¡°Get up, Micah! I''m fucking freezing!¡± A light-skinned young black girl was angrily saying as she kicked at the ragged pillow her companion was resting upon as well as a pile of equally ragged blankets.

    ¡°What are you on about now, Cleo?¡± he mumbled in response to the excessively high voice that had rudely awakened him yet again.

    ¡°It''s freezing in here!¡± she told him in the same tone, hugging her arms around herself.

    They both appeared to be in their late teens or very early twenties. His complexion was lighter than hers though. Her mother had been black, his Italian. His longish dark curls were unruly either from his recent sleep or perhaps naturally so. They were both dressed in worn clothing that looked like it had been expensive at one time.

    Cleo wore a tight pastel blue baby tee under an equally expensive but worn leather jacket and excessively snug designer jeans, as if that sort of thing even mattered now. Whereas the male, Micah, was wearing a black shirt that looked like it may have been a rich velvet at one time. With that, he wore equally black leather pants and a long trench coat. Other than the difference in complexion, the two did seem to have nearly identical dark eyes; a gift from their father.

    ¡°It''s a freezer, of course it''s freezing. But it''s also airtight. But by all means, if you prefer warmer, more poisoned air, feel free to sleep somewhere else,¡± he told her with a quiet sarcasm.

    ¡°You''re such as asshole,¡± she mumbled as she turned away from him, knowing she had lost that argument. After all, he was the smart one in the family. But she was the pretty and successful one. Of course that was before all of this, when family or success were concepts that actually meant something.

    ¡°Again, if you''d rather go find someone else to keep you alive, well good luck. Though the alien assholes don''t seem like they''d be very amenable to that idea. But maybe you can charm them. Offer to show them your IMDb page or something,¡± Micah told her mockingly as he pushed curls from his face and moved to reach for one of their last few bottles of water.

    ¡°The world''s ended and you still hate me for all my success, just because I did something with my life, while you just hid in your room with your computers,¡± she continued the argument, hunger and cold doing well to sour the already poor moods the state of the world had left them both in permanently.

    ¡°Yes, you''re success has really helped us out,¡± he scoffed, gesturing to the walk in freezer that had been their latest hiding place to sleep in over recent nights.

    ¡°How quick you forget; I''m the one who convinced dad to even take you in in the first place. You owe me!¡± Cleo shot back in that grating tone that became even more so when angered, which she usually was these days.

    ¡°Yes, I believe your words that day were something like, please come stay at the estate. You''re such a screw up, it''ll make it easy for him to decide who to leave everything to. Or something like that,¡± Micah told her bitterly as he took a sip from the half frozen water bottle.

    ¡°Yes, and it worked. He did leave me everything,¡± she returned.

    ¡°And a lovely pile of rubble it now is. Amazed you didn''t wanna stay there among the debris. Almost like you preferred going into hiding with me here keeping us both alive as best I could for the last three fucking months! Who owes who now?¡± he bit back.

    ¡°Dick,¡± she mumbled as she glared and moved past the makeshift bed to rummage through their remaining food supply. As she moved past, something caught her eye. ¡°You''re phone''s blinking. Did it finally die after all those pointless messages you keep sending to no one?¡±

    ¡°No, cause I''ve been using the generator to keep it charged...¡± he answered distractedly as he moved to retrieve the phone, eyes widening as he did. ¡°Someone finally answered...¡± he breathed the words, both of them looking back at the phone in shock.

 Chapter 45

    ¡°Oh my god, what''s it say?¡± Cleo exclaimed as she moved toward her brother and snatched the phone from his hand.

    ¡°It says ''where are you.'' Now will you give me the damn phone so I can text them back?¡± Micah told her with annoyance.

    ¡°Wait...¡± she stammered as she looked down at the screen with wide brown eyes.

    He scoffed, ¡°You got something better to do than be rescued tonight?¡±

    ¡°Look at the name,¡± she said with disbelief as she turned the screen back toward him.

    ¡°Adan... Jacobs?¡± Micah asked as he looked back at her questioningly. ¡°Wait, didn''t you fuck him on some show, then decide to fuck him in real life too?¡± he asked upon realizing where he''d heard the name before.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± she retorted, looking down at the screen again. ¡°It can''t really be him. There''s no way, right?¡±

    ¡°The chances of not one, but two overblown actors somehow surviving the apocalypse and then just happening to find each other through an SOS text? Doubtful,¡± Micah denied, wearing a skeptical look as he returned his eyes to the phone.

    ¡°He was the star of that show I guested on, you know,¡± she defended.

    ¡°All the more reason it''s doubtful someone like him could ever survive this shit. Guess you''ll have to find another fuck-boy at the end of the world. And I doubt I''ll ever be that desperate. Sorry,¡± he retorted with a smirk.

    ¡°God, death would be better than being stuck here with you,¡± she complained, as she read the text once more.

    ¡°Well, there''s the door,¡± Micah gestured to the freezer door once more.

    She just shook her head at him before taking a breath and beginning to tap on the phone screen.

    Adan and Aura both nearly jumped when the text he had just sent was replied to. Aura squeezed him tighter as he lifted the phone once again.

    ¡°What''s it say?¡± Aura asked with hitched breath.

    Unknown: ¡°OMG, Adan, is that really you? It''s Cleo! I nvr thought I''d c u again!¡±

    Adan looked down at the words on the screen with disbelief being the most prevalent of many emotions on his face at that moment.

    ¡°Who''s Cleo?¡± Aura asked as she read the words on the screen and looked up at him questioningly.

    Adan swallowed an even bigger lump in his throat then as he approached that answer through the continuing shock of hearing from any other survivors at all, let alone, someone he had known personally.

    ¡°Um, the only Cleo I know, really, is a girl who did a guest spot on my show last season,¡± his words were a near whisper as he continued to stare down at the text.

    ¡°O...K?¡± Aura stated, watching as his face seemed to have lost a bit of color. ¡°So, I guess you two were friends?¡±

    Adan felt the sudden urge to clear his throat before finding a response, ¡°Yeah, I mean, we went to a few premieres together, and stuff,¡± his volume dropped even more as he gave the answer.

    ¡°So... you dated her?¡± It was Aura''s voice that was nearly a whisper now, her blue eyes cast down as she moved back from where she had been holding him close as they had awaited that return text.

    ¡°You know... I didn''t really, actually date her per se,¡± he just shook his head and swallowed again. ¡°But I can''t believe she''s the one sending these messages. That just doesn''t seem...¡± Adan then paused as another thought occurred to him, ¡°Unless it''s her half-brother. He was some majorly top level hacker from what I...¡± his voice trailed off as he looked back at where Aura appeared to be on the verge of another panic attack right then. ¡°Aura?¡± he asked worriedly.

    ¡°You didn''t really date her but you know all about her hacker half-brother?¡±

    ¡°Well, I mean they kinda hated each other. Cleo was always bitching--¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Always?¡± Aura latched onto that part of his sentence.

    Adan looked away again as he took a deep breath and looked back down at the phone, at a loss for any other words right then.

    ¡°Well, what are you waiting for? Text your ex back,¡± Aura told him after another moment of silence between them.

    ¡°Aura...¡±

    ¡°Are you really gonna let my anxiety problems keep you from helping the only other survivors we''ve discovered in three months? Really, Adan?¡±

    ¡°Well, I mean, can we even actually help them, really?¡±

    ¡°She''s your ex!¡± she returned with a look of disbelief.

    ¡°Not exact--¡±

    ¡°Adan.¡±

    He sighed heavily and turned his attention back to the phone, trying to decide on what he could even respond with, all things considered. Finally deciding not to directly address the particulars of how they were acquainted, Adan chose to concentrate on the previous message from them:

    Adan: ¡°Are you guys really running out of food? Where are you even?¡±

    Adan finished the text by repeating the question he had asked in the previous one.

    ¡°Just gimme the damn phone, Cleo,¡± Micah said as he grabbed it back. ¡°You can do all the rest of your catching up with lover boy after we get the fuck outta here,¡± he grumbled as he began texting back:

    Unknown: ¡°It''s Micah now. We''re holed up in the ruins of some mall an hr east of LA. Seen enough horror flix to know the best spots to hide. But after 3 mos, food''s getting slim. Do u got a safe place, hollywood boi?¡±

    Adan let out another worried breath and glanced over at Aura once more. She was now sitting at the opposite edge of the bed, eyes down. She appeared to be just waiting for him to relay the rest of the conversation to her, if he deemed it necessary, anyway.

    Adan: ¡°semi safe, but we''re 90 mins from LA. Not sure if it would even be poss to tell u how to get here or come find u. prob lotsa poison air & mebbe aliens too btwn us still¡±

    Unknown: ¡°F this txt shit, I''ll call u¡±

    ¡°He''s gonna call. Guess that''ll at least be easier one-handed,¡± Adan filled Aura in on the conversation, though she still didn''t look back his way. They both jumped slightly when his cell rang a moment later; a sound neither of them had heard in months.

    ¡°Hollywood boi?¡± Micah''s voice greeted Adan as he warily accepted the call.

    ¡°Or just Adan,¡± he responded with another deep breath.

    ¡°Yeah, whatever. Now where the hell--¡±

    ¡°Oh my god! Hi Ade!¡± Cleo''s unmistakably high pitched tone called out in the background of the call, causing a slight cringe to pass over Adan''s face when he glanced back at Aura once again.

    ¡°Could you shut up while I try to save our asses, again?¡± Micah growled back at her before continuing to speak into the phone, ¡°Now, where exactly is this semi-safe spot of yours? And how safe is semi-safe?¡±

    ¡°Well, it''s a bunker that--¡±

    ¡°A bunker?¡± Micah interrupted, sounding almost impressed, and also a bit hopeful. ¡°I guess eccentric rich bitches can be useful. No wonder she was into you. Daddy issues, am I right?¡± Micah teased as Cleo glared and punched his arm.

    Gritting his teeth, Adan replied, ¡°I can see why you and Cleo got along so well.¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright, I''ll try to play nice. I''m just hard-coded to automatically hate anyone my sister would like. But considering I need you to help get us out of the shit, I''ll look past your questionable taste in women. Now, how do we get to you?"

    ¡°Even if I could give you the exact coordinates, it''ll likely be near impossible to get here safely. Either the plants, the aliens, or just not having enough supplies to get here in one piece at all might be a little problematic. It''s why I wasn''t even sure if I should text you back at all. I didn''t wanna give anyone false hope,¡± Adan returned sadly.

    ¡°I''ve managed to keep me and my... wonderfully capable sister alive for nearly three months out here. Don''t underestimate me,¡± Micah told him, sounding as confident as he could, considering how dire things really were getting for them at that point.

    ¡°But aren''t you like a hacker, or something? With the world wide web gone now, I doubt your skill set is that useful anymore,¡± Adan had to at least get one dig in.

    ¡°I found your ass, didn''t I?¡± Micah replied without missing a beat.

    ¡°Yeah, but only because I happened to turn my phone on after like your eightieth text,¡± Adan retorted.

    Then Cleo took the phone to interrupt their jabs, ¡°Listen, I hate this asshole too, but he has managed to get us this far, so just tell us where you are and I''m sure he''ll find some way to get us there.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I love you too, sis,¡± Micah replied in the background, insincerity dripping from his tone.

    Cleo just rolled her eyes, ¡°Besides, I haven''t seen you since the lock down started. Sucks that you had that birthday thing to do that weekend. Otherwise, you and I would''ve probably ended up running from the aliens together, instead of me ending up with this jerk,¡± she continued, sounding way to bubbly in spite of the topic, and the entirety of the situation in general. ¡°So believe me, if it''s possible to get there, we will. I promise,¡± she assured with a smile.

 Chapter 46

    ¡°The chance of them surviving is nearly impossible. Surely Adan must realize that.¡±

    Ilian''s words were spoken to Aura across the dining room table following breakfast. Adan had gone to take his shower, leaving the two of them to clean up after the meal.

    ¡°The black seeds haven''t had enough time to spread. I still have to introduce more of them into the environment if they''re going to be able to fully overtake the blue. The air out there is still toxic to them. And that''s not even taking into account the possibility of more or my--¡±

    Ilian stopped mid-sentence upon realizing that Aura appeared to not even be listening to his words, as she instead stared unblinking down at the phone Adan had left behind on the table next to his plate.

    ¡°Aura? Have you heard anything I''ve said?¡± he asked her more loudly to hopefully pull her out of her current distraction.

    ¡°Yes, seeds, air, aliens, general badness. I know all these things already, Ilian,¡± Aura mumbled, her eyes still on the phone.

    ¡°Then why is Adan even entertaining the thought of having these other two survivors ever try to make their way here on their own? It''s practically guaranteed failure,¡± Ilian pressed.

    ¡°Believe me, I know that. Pretty sure Adan does too. But...¡± her voice trailed off, as she just continued watching the phone.

    Before the conversation could continue, both of them startled at the unfamiliar sound of the cell phone ringing once more. Aura took a shaky breath upon lifting the phone to look down at the screen and moved to answer the call.

    ¡°Micah?¡± Aura''s voice was hoarse as it left her throat.

    ¡°No, he''s out ''scouting'' or something, he said. This is Cleo. Who are you?¡±

    Aura tried to hide the way she couldn''t help flinching at the girl''s voice. ¡°Aura,¡± was her simple answer.

    ¡°Aura? Do I know you? How come you''re answering Adan''s phone?¡± she asked in her usual bubbly manner, which seemed so out of place in the middle of the end of the world.

    So much for best friends, was Aura''s first, rather bitter thought, which she quickly attempted to brush away. ¡°You said your brother''s out scouting? As in outside? That can''t be safe. Why aren''t you two together?¡±

    ¡°Oh he does all that stuff. He''ll be fine. He''s like a certifiable genius or something. His IQ was like two, three hundred. What does it go up to?¡± she then allowed a small giggle, seeming more than eager to just continue chatting about anything that sprung into her head. Perhaps the solitude of the apocalypse was getting to her after all. ¡°But don''t tell him I said that. He may be a genius, but he''s also a complete asshole,¡± Cleo finished with another small laugh.

    Aura just shook her head at the voice that rambled on at the other side of the call. She wasn''t sure what was more shocking: The girl''s words, her demeanor, her familiarity with a complete stranger, her painfully shrill voice, the thought that her brother, the genius, was out there alone? Or the fact that Adan had actually dated this girl? Chosen her... out of all the options that he had back in the real world.

    Aura tried once more to shake away those thoughts, before she allowed any of them to slip through her lips, as she so often did when upset.

    ¡°So, if Micah is still out scouting, what were you calling about?¡± Aura replied, trying to keep her roiling emotions buried underneath a guise of politeness.

    ¡°Oh, I was just gonna see if the vid call thing still worked on this. Gah, I haven''t seen Ade'' since lock down started you know. How did you end up there with his phone again?¡± Cleo asked conversationally.

    Aura found herself painfully biting back her emotions at this point as she attempted to force an answer. Despite the fact that she had only spoken to two other people in the last three months, she still was somehow not eager to continue to chat with this girl at all.

    ¡°I was with him when the quarantine started,¡± was the only response she could make herself give the other girl.

    ¡°Oh wait! Were you his little friend with the birthday on the weekend that everything started? Man, I was so pissed when Adan said we couldn''t hang out that weekend. And then no one could hang out at all anymore for ages after that. It sucked so bad!¡± she continued on.

    ¡°Yes, having to cancel plans... Definitely the one thing that really sucked about the alien virus trying to kill us all,¡± Aura retorted, not even trying to veil her sarcasm at this point.

    ¡°I know, right!¡± Cleo agreed wholeheartedly, Aura''s obvious bitterness towards her somehow going right over her head. Which she supposed she should be thankful for. Meanwhile Ilian just gave Aura a look of disbelief at the side of the conversation he was able to hear.

    That was when Adan finally returned the the dining area. He gave Aura a questioning look as he noted his phone to her ear.

    ¡°It''s for you,¡± was all Aura said as she stood, shoved the phone into his good hand, and left the room without another word.

    ¡°Uh, hi?¡± he asked as he awkwardly put the phone to his ear despite his dripping locks, his dark eyes moving to worriedly follow Aura as she left the room.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Adey! Man I''ve missed you so hard! Can''t believe we''ve both somehow survived this shit storm! It''s like fate or something!¡± she giggled happily into her brother''s phone.

    ¡°Cleo?¡± he asked, not able to come up with many more words right then as he cast another look after Aura''s retreating form, then glanced back at the questioning, and somewhat unamused look Ilian was giving him then as well.

    ¡°Hey, do you think the video call thing still works on this? I mean, I probably look absolutely horrible right now, but I still kinda really miss seein you,¡± she told him hopefully.

    ¡°Cleo, where''s your brother? Are you guys OK?¡±

    ¡°He''s scouting for some way to get to you guys or something. I''m just stuck here waiting for him, as usual. So I figured I''d chat with you, now that I finally can again,¡± she continued on.

    ¡°Scouting? Alone? Outside? That doesn''t really sound safe, Cleo,¡± Adan continued as he moved down the hall toward the bedroom, and away from the somewhat judgmental look of disapproval on Ilian''s face at that moment.

    ¡°Pfft. He does it all the time. Hacker geek finally gets to live his super hero dreams or something I guess. Lame, right?¡± she went on in her continuously carefree manner.

    The world had ended. She and her only remaining family could die at any moment. Micah could have been out there dying right that second. And she seemed completely unbothered by it all. Adan''s first thought was that she was the literal polar opposite of Aura. He swallowed hard as that thought occurred to him. If Aura thought Adan''s ability to remain calm in the midst of a crisis was ludicrous, she would absolutely hate Cleo. Likely for more than just that reason now too, if he were being honest with himself.

    With Adan having moved his call to the bedroom, Ilian let out a perturbed sigh as he went to the living room in search of Aura.

    ¡°Is Adan still having his little chat with his ex?¡± was Aura''s greeting as Ilian entered the room.

    ¡°Ex?¡± he asked as he took the seat next to her.

    ¡°Never mind,¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°You don''t seem thrilled with these others'' plans to come here either,¡± he stated knowingly.

    ¡°I know. It''s ridiculous. I should be thrilled that there are any other survivors at all, right? But...¡± another shake of her head. ¡°And if you knew all the real reasons for my lack of thrill... you''d probably think I''m just being a jealous, insecure bitch too,¡± she sniffled slightly.

    ¡°I''m not even sure I understood most of what you just said. But I know this is a bad plan. I understand that much. And you seem to agree with me. So, can''t you help me talk some sense into Adan as well?¡± Ilian pleaded with her.

    Aura just scoffed, ¡°I don''t even know if that''s possible at this point. I doubt anything I say would really make a difference, honestly.¡±

    ¡°But the things you say always make a difference to him,¡± Ilian told her quietly.

    ¡°Maybe they used to. But now...¡± With that, Aura''s voice just trailed off sadly again. She looked away, trying in vain to hide the tears that once again were trying to escape the corners of her eyes.

    ~2 nights later~

    Only two more days had passed before Micah put whatever kind of crazy plan he had come up with into action. And it had almost succeeded. The masks he and Cleo had salvaged and been forced to wear just to survive outside now had managed to keep them alive long enough to get to a working car. And that car had gotten them to within three miles of the bunker before one of the incredibly rare remaining alien patrols was alerted.

    And the fact that they had gotten that close to the bunker before seeing any of earth''s unwanted visitors still doing patrols; well, that was disturbing on a few different levels.

    Knowing an actual moving car would immediately attract the patrol''s attention, they replaced the masks and abandoned the car. Though with there only being a few remaining empty, out of the way rural homes anywhere near the sprawling woods the bunker was hidden within, it did limit their options for hiding places. Let alone, ones that would keep them safe from the air for long.

    It was around ten that warm July night that Adan and Aura received another text from Micah''s phone, rather than a call this time. They both had turned their phones back on now since making contact with Micah that week.

    Micah: ¡°had to ditch car. Cleo ran opposite direction. I Found old cabin, but uglies are sniffing around nearby. If she ain''t ded yet, she''ll be soon. We''re only 3 mls away now tho. Anything helpful?¡±

    They each swallowed hard before Aura began typing, as Adan was still relegated to only being able to comfortably and accurately text with one hand still.

    Aura: ¡°how do u kno u''r only 3 mls away?¡±

    Micah: ¡°only need 1 working sat 4 GPS 2 still work¡±

    Adan: ¡°no idea where cleo is tho?¡±

    Micah: ¡°she lost her phone ages ago, then freaked when she saw those things 2nite, ofc. But limited options 4 where 2 hide out here, so...¡±

    Though it was always difficult to determine emotions through text, it was still pretty hard to determine if Micah was upset over the unknown whereabouts of his sister or not, all things considered.

    Aura: ¡°consulting¡±

    Micah: ¡°b fast babe¡±

    ¡°What can we do?¡± Aura asked Ilian, as Adan had gone both pale and silent. Ilian had been worriedly following along with the texts over Aura''s shoulder throughout the conversation.

    ¡°I said this wouldn''t work,¡± Ilian reiterated with a mix of annoyance and fear. ¡°But if they''ve actually gotten that close, and the location tracking that he mentioned still works on his phone, I could maybe find them before the toxins, or the patrol, gets them. Or I could at least get to one of them... depending on where they''re each hiding.¡±

    That was when Adan finally spoke up again, ¡°One of them?¡±

    ¡°I could probably find the boy with the phone, but I''d have to use... other methods to find the girl, so...¡±

    ¡°As in the methods that that fucking patrol are using to find her too?¡± Adan replied with a pointed look at the other man. Ilian''s look downward was the only answer needed.

    ¡°So, we actually have to choose who you should risk your life to save?¡± Aura gasped, the fear and apprehension clear on all three of their faces in that moment.

 Chapter 47

    ¡°Ideally, I''d try to find both of them. But that could be difficult, depending on where the girl ran to,¡± Ilian attempted what reassurance he could, despite his overall disdain for the plan at all.

    ¡°And exactly what methods will they be using to find her?¡± Adan asked sharply.

    Ilian let out a quiet sigh, ¡°We can see heat signatures, within a certain range. Without the mental camouflage I use to hide this place and all of us, that is,¡± he admitted.

    ¡°Within what range?¡± Adan pressed.

    ¡°About five hundred feet, approximately,¡± Ilian replied, casting those apparently incredible eyes of his downwards.

    Aura: ¡°b careful, they can see heat!¡±

    Micah: ¡°i assumed as much, but thx babe¡±

    ¡°I suppose I should look for her first, since he''ll be easier to find, if I take a phone,¡± Ilian stated somberly.

    ¡°But he''s the one--¡± Aura caught herself mid-sentence as she glanced at Adan. ¡°You''ve got the heat thing to find her, I can find him with the GPS,¡± she offered with a bravery that shocked her as much as her companions.

    ¡°Aura! That''s ridiculous!¡± Adan exclaimed.

    ¡°I''d have to agree with Adan on this part, Aura,¡± Ilian added.

    ¡°This whole thing is ridiculous! But we can''t just leave him-- them, out there to die when they''re that close, and depending on us. Imagine if it was us out there,¡± she added for weight.

    ¡°But why do you have to go?¡± Adan pleaded, the fear in his voice touching her deeply, considering the very real doubts she had been having about their future together ever since Cleo reappeared in his life once again.

    She just gave his arm a pointed look, ¡°Are you really eager to get shot again, when you can still barely move, Adan?¡± she attempted a smile, but failed.

    ¡°But...¡± he whispered as he moved toward her, wrapping his uninjured arm around her and pulling her close.

    ¡°If you''re really determined to do this, Aura, we don''t have a lot of time here,¡± Ilian interrupted regretfully.

    ¡°But, the air... and if you''re not with Ilian, he can''t keep hiding you. And...¡± Adan continued to plead his case to Aura, which just caused them to both begin tearing up.

    ¡°We''re all they''ve got, Adan. They wouldn''t be out there at all if we hadn''t given them that hope,¡± she sniffled, and squeezed him close as those tears did finally escape his dark eyes.

    Aura gave him the softest, sweetest kiss. Then, despite his tears ripping at her heart, she made herself turn away, looking back at Ilian with a determined nod, despite how badly she was also shaking.

    * * *

    It was almost an hour later when Aura closed in on the GPS signal blinking on her phone. Her lungs were burning despite the mask, her legs aching, and her heart racing. She wasn''t sure if the latter was due to her lack of exercise, the poison slowly seeping into her lungs, or the fear of being discovered by the patrol that had scared Micah and Cleo into going into hiding earlier that night. She imagined it was probably a combination of all of those factors.

    She looked down at the phone once more, then up at the ramshackle old cabin hidden away in the woods before her. She tried to take a deep breath, despite the mask, and the still prevalent blue toxins in the air surrounding her, and immediately regretted it. She had to painfully bite back the urge to cough for fear of the sound giving away her location. Which she assumed was a rather trivial fear when dealing with aliens with infrared vision or whatever the fuck it even was.

    God, is that how Ilian saw she and Adan when he looked at them? Did he have to ''activate'' the ability, or was it always on? Even during... She shook her head to chase away that thought. She then braced herself and peered into the darkness of the cabin through the nearest dirty window she could find.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Meanwhile, on the opposite bank of the wide creek that ran past the cabin Aura had made her way to, Ilian''s vision moved to the lake that that creek had led into. Or more precisely, a small boathouse at the edge of it.

    Fortunately, there did already seem to be less patches of the blue mushrooms in this area of the forest now, but still enough to be deadly for any human who spent too long outside. Looking around the woods surrounding the lake, and the boathouse, he noted that the only heat signature large enough to be something other than an animal, was coming from inside that boathouse.

    Ilian wasn''t sure if it was a blessing or a curse that he felt only a slight burn in his own lungs, due to the black toxins slowly seeping into the air after his endeavors a week earlier. Glancing once more toward the boathouse and then the treeline, he decided he should take every opportunity he could, and he reached into the pack he had brought with him.

    He took out another small vial of black seeds and immediately moved to dump them into the water at the point where the creek fed into the lake. As he did, he felt his eyes and lungs burning even hotter, but he was still able to breathe throughout his task, though with great effort. So he didn''t let himself be swayed from pouring the entire vial into the water and scattering plenty of the seeds upon the fertile banks surrounding it as well.

    He performed his task quickly though, as there was still his original reason for being outside again at all that night. As he finished emptying the vial, he shoved it back into the pack and began moving quietly and carefully toward the nearby boathouse.

    Once Ilian made his way to the small structure, he took one more look around the woods. He then pushed upon the door and could feel that it was barricaded from within. Although that wouldn''t really be much protection from toxins or his former comrades, the effort was commendable.

    With another slightly pained breath due to the spreading black toxins nearby, he easily pushed the door and the stack of lightweight canoes barring it out of the way.

    In response to his breach of the small building, his sharp hearing caught a muffled whimper from behind another stack of canoes. He sighed softly as his eyes moved in that direction, where he could easily make out her red outline hiding there through that enhanced vision of his. If it wasn''t for the fact that he was now on the side of the humans, the ease with which he had hunted his target down would have been truly terrifying.

    ¡°Hello?¡± he warily called out through the darkness of the boathouse.

    ¡°Shit! You''re not one of them!¡± the muffled exclamation greeted him as a pretty young masked girl came out of her hiding spot, overjoyed with relief as she rushed toward the sound of his voice.

    Once she got close enough to see him more clearly in the darkness, she stopped short. Her breath caught as her dark eyes moved over him appreciatively.

    ¡°Cleo?¡± he stated quietly at her approach.

    ¡°Glad people still recognize me, but who the hell are you?¡± she said a little breathily as she moved around him, her eyes taking in his tall, muscular form, long black locks, tanned skin and deep brown eyes that reminded her so much of what she found attractive in a man. She had noticeable trouble pulling her eyes from him at all, despite the entire situation.

    ¡°A friend of Adan''s and Aura''s,¡± was the only answer he gave her. ¡°Put this on,¡± he told her as he pulled a gas mask from his pack and handed it to her.

    ¡°Not exactly flattering,¡± she stated as she took the item with disdain clear in her eyes above the much less efficient cloth mask she was wearing already.

    ¡°Neither is drowning in the blood that''ll slowly fill your lungs without it,¡± he told her plainly.

    ¡°Sheesh. Morbid much?¡± she returned, grudgingly pulling the gas mask on at last. It seemed her self preservation just slightly outweighed her vanity, still.

    ¡°We should go,¡± Ilian told her shortly.

    ¡°You don''t have to tell me twice,¡± Cleo eagerly latched onto his arm, despite the inefficiency of traveling quickly while linked together in that way. ¡°But are those things still out there?¡± she asked as more of an afterthought, continuing to look up in admiration at where he stood about five inches taller than her petite frame.

    ¡°They won''t see us,¡± was the only brief answer he supplied her with again.

    ¡°O...K, trusting you hon,¡± she said with a sweet smile as she held his arm tighter, not acknowledging his slight sound of annoyance as she did.

    Cleo and Ilian had only been moving for about five minutes when that voice of hers broke the silence once again, ¡°Hey, wait, how come you''re not wearing a mask and you''re fine? I feel like I''m snorting razor blades out here, even with this hideous thing on.¡±

    ¡°Long story,¡± was the only answer he offered. There was no way he wanted to even try to give any of that explanation right now.

    ¡°Believe me, I don''t mind the strong, silent type, but we got time, right?¡± she replied with a teasing giggle.

    He finally turned his dark eyes toward her, ¡°Just because they won''t see us, doesn''t mean they won''t hear us,¡± he told her pointedly.

    ¡°Oh! OK, gotcha!¡± she smiled sweetly up at him, dramatically moving her hand to her smiling lips.

    Ilian could only shake his head and sigh heavily as he continued to lead her through the darkness.