Free The Abduction by Erin Durante Page A

unwell again?”
    Samantha shrugged him off. “I’m fine. Now leave me alone.”
    Krissik stepped back, his face hurt and hands up protectively. His brow scrunched as he stared at her, as if trying to decode her face.
    “I am attempting to make you comfortable,” he said slowly. “Please, do not—”
    “Why?”
    He seemed lost; unsure where the questions were taking them. “Because… because I do not like to see you unhappy.”
    Krissik looked down at her, his face guarded but his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil; they danced in his head as he stared at her. His lips twitched as if itching to speak, but were unable to form words. He swallowed, and looked down at the ground and took a shaky breath.
    “I am sorry.”
    She nearly bounced against the cushion’s springs in surprise. That wasn’t what she was expecting, and especially when it sounded so… sincere.
    “For what?” she asked hesitantly, her voice no more than the squeak of a mouse.
    He sucked in his breath and looked up at the ceiling, as if searching for words. After a moment he sighed and shrugged, his shoulders sagging under some heavy load.
    “Everything. For upsetting you. For bringing you here.”
    Samantha stared at him, watching him struggle for words as he fought to explain past the limitations of the translator. She allowed herself to settle further onto the couch, the tension slowly seeping out of her shoulders and running down into her back to transfer into the cool microfiber of the cushions. The air around them seemed to still as she waited, suddenly patient and no longer angry.
    “I know you do not want to be here,” he continued. “I do not like to see you unhappy… I just want a chance to…”
    Whether it was his being young on a planet lacking in females, a cultural issue or simply the language barrier, Samantha realized he truly lacked the capacity to express his apparent care for her. There was no doubt she wanted off that planet, but it wasn’t in her nature to destroy people on the way out. And the kid really did seem genuine.
    Letting my anger get the best of me isn’t going to get me home. But maybe figuring out what makes him tick will get him to understand why I can’t stay.
    “I’m sorry for yelling,” she said.
    Krissik thought for a moment, and then let out a sigh and wrapped his arms around her stiff shoulders, his body molding around hers. He pressed his lips against the top of her head, breathing in her scent.
    Samantha felt him smile against her hair, and she closed her eyes and allowed herself to lean into the hug. Regardless of the source, it did feel nice to just be held. She sniffed the air, frowning.
    “What’s that smell?”
    He jerked upright and darted into the kitchen.
    Samantha heard the pan sizzle as he flipped the meat and added water. She looked up to see a small plume of smoke billowing around Krissik’ head. She laughed and stood to get a better view.
    Krissik turned and glared at her. “This is not funny.”
    “A little.” She stifled her chuckle. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
    The smoke subsided, and Krissik picked up the knife to finish chopping the vegetables. “I have to get ready for work. Please go see if Rikist is hungry.”
    Samantha frowned. She wasn’t keen on going into Krissik’ brother’s room to wake him, especially not knowing what she might run into or what rude greeting she could receive. He could starve for all she cared.
    She sighed and walked to the closed door, steeled herself and knocked.
    “Rikist?”
    No answer. She wrapped her knuckles louder, her other hand reaching for the panel.
    “Rikist?”
    A grunt and the shuffling of sheets fluttered through the door, followed by a groggy, “Y-yeah?”
    “Are you hungry?”
    No answer.
    Samantha waited, knocked again, and glanced back toward the kitchen where she could hear Krissik moving about.
    “He’s not getting up,” she called.
    The kitchen went silent, and Krissik’s head popped around the corner; a look