Sentient by Wendy L. Koenig

Author:Wendy L. Koenig [Koenig, Wendy L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lands Atlantic Publishing
Published: 2015-08-09T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

19

Even though exhausted, it took Pala a long time to fall asleep. Memories of Cabot alive and laughing filled her thoughts. After tossing and turning, she finally dozed off, where dreams of still loving him morphed into nightmares that echoed the reality of what had happened. After jerking awake several times, disoriented and upset, she bolted to her feet and got dressed. She could be doing something productive.

Outside, the lights over most of the clearing had been turned off, leaving only one or two over the field hospital. Even though it was the early hours long before dawn, the body prep area was still burning brightly. They’d be going strong for at least a couple more days. Pala pivoted away from the lights, wandering to put trees between them and her. At last, the fringes of the forest blocked the glow and she looked up into the night. The bright streaks of pink, green, purple, and orange of an aurora twisted acrss the black, void of space, shimmering as if alive. Taking a deep breath, the air had a fresh, clean wet earth smell to it.

Quade’s voice came up from behind her. “Beautiful.”

She turned, but didn’t startle. “Yes, it is.”

He came up beside her, becoming more than just a disembodied voice in the black of night. Looking down in her face, his dark-rimmed eyes searched hers. Her five foot seven inch frame next to his bulk reminded her of Physe and Stastny the day before. Suddenly, she felt small and vulnerable.

Quade said, “I heard you walk past my tent.”

Pala shrugged. “Too keyed up or something.”

“Somethin’.” His voice was soft.

She frowned and turned away again. “When I sleep, I have nightmares. Then I wake up and find out it's not just a dream.”

He sighed beside her. “All day I’ve turned around expecting to see him. Sometimes, I catch myself startin’ to look for him.” He reached over and put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned against his chest. They stood like that for a long time, watching the sky, Pala taking comfort in a trusted friend. She yawned and he laughed, a gruff rumble in his chest. “Now you get sleepy.”

“Mmm-hmm. It’s nice to feel a warm body next to mine. I’ll have to get a puppy when we get back to Earth, just to keep me company.”

He laughed again. “A puppy?”

“Someone to talk to.”

“I talk.”

A laugh started within her, but died in her throat. She spoke dully. “Quade, my boyfriend wanted me dead.”

“He wanted us all dead. Come on, I’ll buy you breakfast.”

"It's free."

"You think I can afford anything that isn't?"

She tried to smile and nodded, following him to the kitchen tent. Quade pointed at the table closest to the entrance. “Sit and I’ll cook.”

Pala plopped down on a bench and laid her head on the table while he disappeared inside the tent. From her vantage, she had a good view of the myriad exam tables and formed tents. A few tents were wide open and empty. More fatalities from the attack? Stastny and his friends would be held accountable yet.

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