Earth Unknown by M. R. Forbes

Author:M. R. Forbes [Forbes, M. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

“What the hell is this?” Nathan said, grabbing the shower head to keep from losing his temper.

She came toward him again, putting her hand on his chest. “Margie told me to come. She told me I need to do my duty for the family.” She stepped closer, reaching out with her other hand.

Nathan took it before it could touch him. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“You don’t like me, Nathan?” she asked. “You don’t think I’m pretty enough?” She turned her head slightly, making her scar and burn less obvious. "I know I'm damaged. Do you think I'm ugly?"

He hadn’t noticed one way or another and didn’t care. “Rhonna, I can’t do this.”

“I know, you grew up in the mountains. You’ve probably never been with anyone before, have you? If it helps, I haven’t either.”

Nathan couldn’t believe this was happening. “It isn’t like that. I just can’t.”

Her eyes landed on the ring around his neck. “Oh. Is that a wedding ring? I’ve never seen one like that before.” She reached for it.

He turned away. “Don’t touch it. I understand genetics. I understand that your group wants more diversity. But I can’t give you what you want.”

“Yes, you can. Lie down with me, Nathan. Help me help my family, and I can get you whatever you need. Food, clothes, weapons. Anything.”

“Is this what Margie meant by barter?”

She nodded. “Please, Nathan. I have a responsibility to my people. I’m twenty-two, and I haven’t had a child yet. I’ve put it off as long as I can because I don’t want to be with Kilo. He puts on a good show, but he isn't right.”

She sounded desperate. That desperation helped him calm slightly. He let go of the shower head, putting his hands on her shoulders, using his strength to help hold her arms back and keep her away from his body.

“Rhonna, listen to me. I can’t help you. Even if I have sex with you, I can’t help you. I can’t have children. I’m sterile. I’m sorry.”

Rhonna’s expression was one of horror. She reacted as if he had just punched her in the face. “Sterile?” Her voice was weak. She stepped back, out of the stream of water and away from his grip. Her right hand fell between her legs, and her left across her breasts to cover herself.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“Nathan,” she said. “You don’t understand.” She shook her head. “Of all the damn things to happen.”

“It’s fine,” he said, turning the water off. “I’ll keep my old clothes. I’ll go. No harm done. Just show me the way out.”

She laughed sardonically. “You think it’s that easy? We just forget the whole thing, and you leave? Margie isn’t going to like this. At all. She’s going to be pissed at me, and she’s going to be pissed at you.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Damn it; there are over a hundred of us on this train. You’re one man.”

“She would kill me over this?” Nathan asked. “After all of Kilo’s talk about being good people?”

“We didn’t expect you to say no.

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