Chapter 31
THIRTY-ONE
Tai
The cold metal of the blaster against my waist provides some comfort as we work our way through the colony. We are so close, I don’t want anything to stop us now. Even though it’s unlikely I’ll need to use the weapon, it’s a relief to have it back.
“Follow my lead when we get up there. I’ll take us to the nearest exit,” I tell Bri, taking the opportunity to remind her I’m the one calling the shots.
“You’re the prisoner. Follow my lead.”
“Bri.” It comes out as a growl.
“Relax, I’m joking. You’re the big bad alien in charge. I fully acknowledge you know the best way out. I’m not that stubborn.”
“I think you are exactly that stubborn.” I resume walking.
It’s only a matter of time before they realize we left. We need to be as far as possible by the time they come looking for us.
The main level of the colony shows signs of activity. Feet scuffing on the stone floor and bells warn us that we aren’t alone.
A brethren approaches us and I slow my steps, feigning defiance to the “brethren” at my back.
“Come on, prisoner. Pick up the pace,” Bri says with a deep voice and nudges me forward.
She has some sharp elbows for a little human.
Her pathetic attempt to imitate the brethren is comical. If they fall for it, they are dumber than I thought. I shield Bri from the approaching brethren. The two of them are deep in conversation when they pass by, completely oblivious to us.
We approach the main hub in the colony’s center and tension from Bri emits behind me.
We carefully avoid the dining hall. My heart rate picks up and a cold sweat clings to my skin.
Bri steps closer to me, her body pressed close as we wind our way through the crowded space.
Brethren are hustling through, all of them distracted and in a hurry.
Bri’s plan to distract them with the promise of the ceremony was brilliant.
She keeps us moving through the maze of tunnels as I subtly tilt my head to signal her as to where to go next.
I keep my head down, doing my best to convey “dead man walking.” The human reference I learned fits the situation perfectly.
Bri would be so mad that I knew this one without her having to explain it to me.
I can tell she enjoys correcting me whenever possible.
“Stop! Or I’ll shoot!” a brethren yells from across the space. Our luck has officially run out.
Bri stiffens behind me. She grunts an acknowledgement and murmurs something low. My stomach drops. She pushes me forward slowly, pretending like she didn’t hear the warning.
"Stop! I'm serious!" he calls out, and I hear footsteps and bells approaching.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
I shuffle my feet forward. We’ve got to get out of the main area. I can take him on, but I don’t want to risk the entire colony coming down on us at once.
“Hey! You! Did you hear me? Where are you…? Wait, where is your bell?” The voice is louder and sounds alarmed. From over my shoulder I recognize the sleeping guard, who inconveniently chose this moment to wake up.
“Fuck. Let’s go.” Bri and I break into a sprint. Those fucking bells. The tunnel winds around, giving us a few seconds of cover from the brethren at our heels. I skid to a stop after a sharp turn and Bri collides into my back with an “oomph.”
I push her behind me and stand ready to meet him head-on. A wide-eyed brethren comes around the corner. Before he can say a word or call out a warning, I slam his head against the wall, just hard enough to knock him out. He crumbles to the ground with hardly any noise.
Shock freezes Bri’s face, her eyes darting between me and the unconscious brethren. I walk toward her and she steps back away from me.
I grab her shoulders, holding her still, and step closer. Eyes locked on mine. Briefly, I forget where we are and why we’re here. All I can see is her beautiful blue eyes boring into me.
My lips graze the outer edge of her ear and her eyes close.
I whisper, “I’m sorry.” It takes every ounce of strength to pull back.
Her eyes flutter open and a tiny little line appears between her eyebrows. I want to smooth it away.
“For what?”
I’m pulled back into reality.
“For this.”
I push her shoulders until she’s off balance and falling straight back into the nearby garbage chute.
I look back at the brethren one last time and jump in after her.