Free 1942664419 (S) by Jennifer M. Eaton Page A

aliens. I adjusted my lens to compensate for the odd lighting and resumed shooting.
    The Erescopians’ coloring appeared slightly darker than it had the morning the ships landed. Especially the deep purple, nearly blue blotchy markings that seemed scattered across their bodies. I tried to discern if there was any similarity between the markings, but I could find none.
    A shiver crossed my spine. Even in the bright lighting, I still couldn’t tell male from female. What would I do if I found out David wasn’t a guy?
    The Erescopians left their workstations and formed a half moon, facing Nematali and me. Each held their arms at their sides and waved a hand. Some waved both hands. The gesture created a buzzy-hummy noise, kind of like the racket all those cicadas made that year when the nasty bugs all climbed out of the ground. I clicked the video button, hoping the microphone would be able to capture the odd sound.
    “What are they doing?” I asked.
    “They are appreciating you.”
    Appreciating? Maybe this was the alien version of applause. “Am I supposed to do something in return?”
    “Place your hand in the center of your chest and bow your head slightly.”
    I snapped two pictures before doing as she instructed. Once I bowed, the Erescopians turned and moved about the room. I took advantage of the opportunity to take a few dozen shots of the interior. The scientists seemed to be typing on low keyboard-like panels. Some of the workstations came up out of the floor. Others hung mounted on the walls, poised at their waist level. I couldn’t imagine typing standing up, let alone having the keyboard that low. Looked uncomfortable.
    I closed my eyes for a moment and reached out with my senses, searching for the serenity, the calm, the comfort that was David.
    Nothing.
    Could he block his resonance from me? I glanced around, ashamed of myself. They all looked alike. I mean, their markings were slightly different, but I didn’t think there was any way I’d be able to tell them apart.
    Ever.
    It made me feel like chicken liver knowing the guy who’d breathed life into me might be in this room, and I wouldn’t even recognize him.
    Nematali introduced me to one of the scientists, who offered me a bowl of green, red, and purple leaves.
    Salad. Lovely.
    I pretended to enjoy the bitter plants as he spoke to me about terraforming and schmoozed me about how excited they all were to have a sentient neighboring world. I tried to be as polite as I could. I even managed to take a few more pictures, but my attention kept trailing across the room, hoping David would appear. The longer the tour went on, the more my gut twisted.
    Nematali translated as one of the scientists explained their research to me. Completely zoned out, I depended on my camera to record what she said.
    Until my heart fluttered.
    Joy. Peace.
    An undeniable sense of serenity eased into me, caressing me from inside.
    My breath hitched. David may not have been in the room the entire time, but he was there now. He could hide among his people, but he couldn’t hide the way he made me feel.
    Nematali moved on to another station, but I didn’t follow. I closed my eyes, severing myself from to the one sense I counted on too much. The lack of sight opened up the room in ways I never dreamed possible: the movement of the floor, the humming of the walls, the musical chatter of different scientists working at their stations. And—there it was … that pull, like being tied to someone. Someone close.
    I spun toward the entrance, where a tall Erescopian stood, wide-eyed. The pull drove me forward, the intensity heightening as our gazes locked.
    David.
    He shook his head. “Jess … ”
    I closed the gap between us and placed my palm on his cheek. “I’m sorry. Please—”
    My hand stung, and I pulled it away. David grabbed my wrist and flipped it over, holding me with two warm fingers. An angry, puffy, red rash marred my palm, reminding me of the time Maggie and I went