Free Eden by Louise Wise Page A

the alien had made his kill or, and the thought plagued her constantly, whether he had fallen victim to the wolves” wide jaws and snarling teeth, and now dawn had long changed into daytime.
    She stopped the buggy at the top of the decline, and looked across at the spaceship. Its size still sent a thrill through her veins, even though the sight of it was becoming familiar.
    She climbed out and began to walk and slide down the slope. She was afraid she was too late and had missed him. She wondered what his name was, and what he was doing here. Had his race simply been exploring too?
    The door to the spaceship was closed. Hesitating, she knocked and stood back primly.
    Feeling his presence, rather than hearing it, Jenny turned. The alien was standing at the top of the hill looking down. His long hair was taken by the wind and whipped across his face; he brushed it away as he continued his appraisal of her in silence.
    The animal skins he wore hung loose from his upper body, but they didn’t conceal the weapons hanging from a twine belt around his waist. They were crudely made; probably from bone and wood. The vision, he portrayed for Jenny at that moment, was one that made her want to bolt away and as fast as she possibly could, and hide.
    But she couldn’t. He was standing beside her only transport and shelter, and without his help she would die.
    Or die at his hands?
    She shivered, but found her legs moving towards him.
    As she reached the top, he turned around and began to walk towards the dense forest.
    Soon they were inside the wood, and enveloped within its green surround. The alien turned a few times to see if Jenny was still behind, but he didn’t slow his pace. She tripped and fell twice in the tangle of foliage, and cursing beneath her breath, had to hurry after his quickly disappearing figure.
    “Not so considerate now, eh, Mr. Alien?” she muttered crossly, after she’d slipped up to her knees a cold marsh. She pulled her legs free, holding her boots on to her feet as the bog tried to claim them, and trying to look which way the alien was heading at the same time.
    Just three or four paces in front and she would quickly lose him among underbrush and find herself alone beneath the canopy of dark, dank towering trees.
    Or not alone; the lone howl amongst the chattering creatures above in the trees made the threat to her safety a very real one. She scurried after the alien.
    She passed many of the giant killer-flower, and was careful to avoid them. She was interested to notice the alien was also as wary.
    Soon they came to a clearing with a wide view of a lake, which, at first glance, she thought was an ocean. In the distance, a truculent flood of water gushed over a high wall of rock with such force it left her breathless. And even from where she stood its spray dampened her hair. Tall feather like reeds in oranges and reds grew from the bottom of the lake like some kind of alien giant water flower.
    The trees weren’t as dense here, and sunlight fell on her cool skin and warmed her. She noticed most of the dry, spiny bush was covered with tiny buds and wondered what type of flower or fruit would follow. She looked around. It really was a beautiful place, almost tranquil.
    She looked across at the alien; he was crouching beside an unlit fire. He lit it, and carefully began to build the fire up. An animal, already prepared, was on a spit above.
    A spot on the ground by her feet startled her and broke the spell she was under. She was standing in a puddle of dark blood. She moved away, crossed her arms tightly around herself, and watched as the alien settled himself beside the fire.
    He didn’t look once at her, but continued to stare into the flames. Jenny moved nearer to its warmth, but made sure the fire was between them before she knelt on the cold ground. As if hot, the alien removed the top half of his clothes, and Jenny had a delicious view of his chest and abdomen again. She scowled. He was doing it on