The Dangers of Touch: A Short Story by Hoffman Nina Kiriki

Author:Hoffman, Nina Kiriki [Hoffman, Nina Kiriki]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

She opened her eyes because something touched her, something foreign to her existence: not one of the little fast-livers that flicked in and out, not one of the gnawers, not water from the sky, not a tunneler under the earth, not an eater, not the wind.

She opened her eyes and saw a pale gray-green face staring at her out of darkness, phosphorescent light glimmering along its brows, shining from its eyes. Its silvery hair glowed. Its features looked human, but she knew, in her waking mind, that it was not human, that it was Castanya, and she was old enough now to be in danger from its touch.

She looked away from it. Everywhere else was dark. She became aware that her whole body ached, that she was exhausted and sticky, and something hot was leaning against her. Kit. She jerked her shoulder, trying to wake him up. His breath against her cheek was silent and tree-slow and smelled now of green instead of coffee.

"Kit?" she said. Her voice was rusty. It was night. How long had they been tree-thinking? What if they had missed the shuttle back to their ship? Captain Zamaroff would be looking for them, Maggie would be looking for them; something must be happening back at the spaceport.

"Unless they've manufactured some story to explain our disappearance," Kit murmured, answering her thought. "They would have to, wouldn't they? If you're supposed to lure psis to the planet and leave them here…what?" His tone was full of startled awe.

In the circle of Kit's arms, Skye glanced around, and saw that the Castanya's hand lay on Kit's arm. "Light lord," she said, her voice quavering. "Do not touch us, please!"

"New think," said the Castanya, its voice light and liquid. "New-for-human think." It stroked Kit's arm, edged closer, touched his face. His arms dropped from around Skye; suddenly he was no longer leaning against her. She turned, every muscle in her body protesting. For a moment the pain blinded her. When she could see again, she looked up and saw Kit standing, his eyes wide, as the Castanya touched him, its long slender fingers drifting across his face, down his arms. It knelt and touched his ankles. It rose and reached for the sticktites on his shirt. He stood still, his eyes fixed on the spot where the Castanya had been, as it tugged his shirt off.

"Kit," wailed Skye, and she crept to him and hugged his leg.

The Castanya laid a hand flat on Kit's chest. His eyes fell shut.

Skye wrapped her arms and legs around both his legs and pressed her forehead against his thigh, hoping that even through cloth he would feel her thoughts, etiquette be damned. Don't go, she thought, don't leave me here.

He put his hand on her head. "I'd love to stay and talk with you," he said to the Castanya, "but we have to get back to our ship."

"New think," said the Castanya. "Tree think. We think. Come."

Kit leaned over and gently unwound Skye from his legs.

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