Beyond Midnight

|09|

Fray

     The water falling from the sky reminds me of home. It rains a lot on Rytaria, and the thunder in the sky makes me homesick as well. It's odd, even the smell is pleasantly familiar.

      I didn't know this planet could be similar to ours, it's so different in every possible way. From the females to the blazing weather, Earth is very different indeed.

      Most of the team of warriors I brought with me are becoming antsy around me as each cycle of the Moon comes to a close and the sun rises over the horizon. I don't blame them. This is taking a lot longer than we first suspected it would. Days have come and gone, and they have yet to glimpse a female. They're going mad with upset.

       Of all of them, Locanas is the most persistent in asking me when we will pursue the den. He wants to break in and grab as many females as possible. If he had his way, we'd be on our way back to our home planet right now with a ship full of humans.

      Wouldn't that be nice? No more waiting. No more wondering what if. No more torture.

      I think of Soleil. I want her so bad that I consider all my options with a lot of debate. I could so easily snatch her. But would she agree? Would she fight me and hate me for stealing her away from her life? She might very well enjoy her existence here at the human den. I wouldn't want to take her against her will. It has to be her choice alone. If she so wished it, I would leave her here.

     It pains me to contemplate such a horrible reality, but I have to look at it from all possible angles.

     I begin to wonder as I stray, trailing around and avoiding the tents brimming with the warriors that sit around the edge of the trees. I rush, feeling drawn to the place where I typically see the sweet little female. I put my hands in the pockets of my long sleeved shirt. It is growing cold today. A staggering contrast to the past days when the sun was blistering. The fabric of our clothes is waterproof, so my skin is remarkably dry despite the rain. Not that it would be terrible if I caught a chill, we don't get cold easily.

     I begin to walk away, thinking of Soleil again. She's so incredibly clear in my memories. I hope she will be there tonight to see me again. She always is, but I still worry she'll forget about me.

     "Fray!" I still, my name being called demands my attention. At first, I expect it to be a warrior needing me for something trivial, but I realize it's not a deep voice at all. In fact, there's nothing remotely masculine about the tone at all.

      It has to be Soleil. Panic surges through my system like a restart, I whirl around, rain pouring down my face. But I see her anyway, racing across the grass like a haunting dream. My heart soars, my legs weaken, my resolve strengthens. I don't know what to do, I silently stand there as she comes to me.

      She's here. She's outside. She's sprinting my way.

      I stumble forward with my jaw clenched as she gets nearer. I have to excessive restraint, but I already know it will be difficult when I catch a whiff of her tender scent. Soleil smells so delicate and yet overpowering at the same time. I'm not disappointed at all.

     She's right in front of me, and I can't help reaching out and putting a hand on the side of her head, culling her cheek and her wet hair. Everything is wet because of the water falling from the sky. I don't even mind now.

     "Thank goodness I found you." Soleil says, going into my arms. Her voice is sad, frightened. I pull her closer, volunteering myself to be her comfort.

     I touch her shoulder, run my palm over her neck. I know I'm crowding her, probably frightening her a little with how touchy I am, but I can't stop myself. I have to know that she's real.