Free Oden by Jessica Frances

alive.”
    “I know, but he didn’t personally set out to harm us. He’s a good man, and like I said before, he’s saved my life countless times. I don’t think it’s fair to judge an entire species on the actions of just a few.”
    Marduke feels tense next to me, and this time, I squeeze his hand to give him support. I hope he doesn’t believe I blame him. I already know he’s placed enough guilt on himself without Hannah and Lisa placing more on him.
    “Look, can we speak in private?” Lisa asks. I look back at her to see her staring pointedly at Marduke.
    Ival has already rushed ahead, and since Logan is still soundly asleep, I nod at him to give us some time alone. He’s hesitant to leave, I can see it in his face, yet he doesn’t voice his complaint. He just stares at me for a while in silence and then moves away, catching up to Ival. I have no doubt our voices will carry down the tunnel to him anyway.
    When he’s far ahead of us, Hannah leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Are you crushing on him? Do you seriously have a crush on a freaking alien ?” She doesn’t exactly sound judgmental, but I don’t hear excitement, either.
    “Of course she’s not! As soon as she found out what he is, she would have never had feelings for him,” Lisa wrongly defends me.
    “Actually, I do like Marduke a lot. I love him,” I admit, wincing as I prepare myself for the outburst that is sure to come.
    Lisa doesn’t make me wait long. “No, you don’t, that is ridiculous. You could never love an alien, especially one who has invaded our homes and stolen us away. You’re mistaken.”
    “I’m not, Lisa. I know it sounds—”
    “Insane? Ludicrous? Seriously fucked up?” she yells, her voice sounding even louder as it echoes back to us.
    “I’m sorry.” I shrug, not knowing what to say to her. If she’s reacting this way about me loving Marduke, I imagine she’s going to completely loathe me over the fact that I’m actually pregnant.
    “Sorry that you’re in love with the enemy? Sorry that you’re betraying your own species? Sorry you’re a disgrace to your own family?” Lisa snaps, her sharp tone waking up Hope in her arms, who immediately starts crying. “I can’t be around you right now,” She says, glaring at me as she pushes me out of the way and storms off, still keeping her distance from Marduke and Ival.
    I see him glance back at us, and even though I can’t see his expression from this far away, I assume he can see mine. I give him a small smile, hoping to express to him that I’m okay, although I’m far from it.
    After I take several deep breaths and get control of the tears that are threatening to break loose, I turn back and glance at Hannah. “Your turn,” I say, but I see her staring at me in curiosity rather than with hatred or disgust like I’ve expected.
    “You love him?” she asks me slowly.
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    I take a deep breath. “Because he’s not just an alien to me. He’s a good man, a brave one, who is kind and sweet, and he cares about me. The first time I saw him in Vancouver, he was risking his life to save a young girl. He nearly died saving that stranger. He has risked his life over and over for me and Logan, and I feel safe in his arms.” I tell her the truth, hoping she won’t tear me apart when I feel so vulnerable.
    “You forgot something else,” she says, her voice giving nothing away to her reaction to my declaration.
    “What?” I whisper, fearful she’s about to yell at me. She’s going to tell me I’m an awful person and she hates me. I’m not sure I can lose any more people today, and definitely not Hannah. She’s the only family I have left. The only connection I have to Mum and Dad.
    “You forgot that he’s incredibly hot. Look at those arms!” she whispers, smiling at me when I stare at her in disbelief. “What? I have eyes, you know? I can see why you’d like him. Did you see his eyes? I’ve never seen eyes so green and