What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You?)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with the Predator movies or AVP, although I would like to. They belong to Fox.


Chapter 5


“What if you could?”

Turning to face Tor’ac, I stared at the Yautja sitting down near me. He couldn’t possibly be serious…could he? It seemed almost funny…so why weren’t one or both of us laughing?

“Uh…well, I…” The phone suddenly rang, interrupting my sentence, and I closed the book, getting up to answer it. “Hello?”

“Mya, dear, would it be possible for you to come to work in the library tonight? I can’t reach Kyle or Matt, and I have to leave early,” Mrs. Henderson’s voice came through the receiver.

“Oh, uh, I guess I can come in until closing time, Mrs. Henderson.” I twisted my mouth to the side as I glanced at Tor’ac where he sat watching me. “So I need to come in now or possibly at 8 o’clock?”

“8 will be fine, Mya,” she replied. “Just be careful when coming over here and heading back home.”

“Right, I’ll see you in about half an hour, Mrs. Henderson. Bye,” I told her, hanging up the receiver. Facing Tor’ac again, I saw him standing next to the futon and looking through the book I left there. I frowned, wondering what on Earth had made me cry like that; it was just a picture. There was only one logical reason I thought was the answer. ‘Hormones,’ I sighed, shaking my head and looking at the Yautja in my living room.

I had to tell him we couldn’t go outside to allow him to train tonight, at least not until closer to midnight since the library closed at 11:00 p.m. And the longer I waited, the less time I had to get to the bus stop and eventually the campus library.

Turning toward him, I said, “Tor’ac, I need to go work tonight for about…three hours. Do you think you can wait until later to do your…uh, training?”

“W’urk?” He looked up at me, tilting his head to the side and asking, “What is ‘w’urk’?”

“It’s just…um…looking after the building with lots of books in it and making sure all the people inside leave at the appropriate time. Oh, and I loan out the books to them, too.” It was a little hard explaining the way the library worked to him without getting too complicated, especially with the little amount of time I had.

Clicking, Tor’ac said, “The structure where you helped me…that is where you are going?”

“It’ll only be for a little while, but I need to get over there fast. The sooner I get there, the sooner I’ll be able to leave.” Racing into my room, I grabbed my bag and dashed past Tor’ac into the kitchen. I opened the fridge and grabbed the last package of the recently bought steaks, setting it on the counter. “If you get hungry, have at the meat or the apples. Bye, Tor’ac!”

Hurrying out the door and almost tripping down the stairs, I noticed the bus pulling up to the stop at the end of the complex. I gritted my teeth, gripped the strap on my bag and made the mad dash to the stop, praying the driver would see me. It would be another fifteen minutes before another bus came along, and I didn’t have that much time to waste.

He did see me and smiled, keeping the doors open long enough for me to leap aboard and take a seat. Panting as I sat down, I said, “Thanks…so much.”

“No problem.” Closing the doors, the bus lurched forward and we were on our way.

Trying to catch my breath, I thought, ‘Damn, I really should train more. I know it’s been awhile, but still.’ I recalled the past several nights when Tor’ac and I were out in the pasture. He had offered to allow me to train with him, but I’d shaken my head, respectfully refusing. There was no way that I could possibly compare to Tor’ac when it came to the fluidity in which he moved when performing any forms, or kha’tas as he called them.

What in the world had made him ask me that kind of question? Leaning against the back of the seat, I wondered what it really would be like up there. Then, I shook my head, thinking, ‘No way. There is no possible way for me to go up there, really, so why even bother thinking about it? Why am I letting it get to me?’

Inhaling, I released my breath in a huff, glancing back in the direction of my apartment complex. Still…Tor’ac had seemed so…I stopped. I couldn’t really tell what he was thinking when he asked me that. Looking down at my hands, I was cracking each of my knuckles, a sign of anxiety for me. The last time I cracked my knuckles this much was when…I shook my head. Dragging up things from the past…not a good sign in my book.
With the way things were going, it seemed like tonight was going to be a long night at the library.


[Tor’ac’s POV]


What the pauk had I been thinking when I said that? What had possessed me to ask her that question of all things? Clicking my mandibles, I noticed the b’uuk was still in my hands, and so chose to set it back on the fu’tahn. Then, I lowered my body to the floor, crossing my legs and inhaling slowly in order to clear my thoughts. But my mind still recalled what I said and even Meeya’s reaction…wait. Did she really react or even answer me?

Closing my eyes, I remembered her eyes growing large as in surprise or shock…perhaps even horror. I clenched my fists, wanting to either kick or just strike myself for even thinking such things. ‘She is ooman…but she is honorable for an ooman.’ Even my own thoughts seemed to defend her, and that alone made me chuckle a little.

The fire that appeared within her eyes whenever she spoke about anything of interest to her was enough to rival any seasoned veteran hunter. I had seen that look more often recently and decided I liked it. It reminded me even more of a Yautja’s spirit…an ooman female with a Yautja’s spirit. The idea seemed laughable, if not mocking…yet I failed to see it as such. To recall that fire blazing in Meeya’s eyes drew a low, growling purr from me, unexpectedly.

Blinking, I shut my eyes and shook my head, telling myself, ‘You pauk’de fool…you should focus on your mission, the reason you are even here on this backwater planet.’

Then, I heard a small sound and opened my eyes to see ‘Kat’, the non-prey, sitting in front of me. The creature stared at me, opening its…her mouth, and another small sound came out. Sighing, I reached down and, with two fingers, began stroking along the top of her head to the back. ‘Kat’ arched towards my touch before climbing onto my crossed legs.

Glancing down at her, I sighed and rolled my shoulders back in a stretch before placing my hands on my knees. As I straightened my back, I closed my eyes and inhaled once more, releasing the breath slowly. I coughed, thinking, ‘Damn, this excuse for air is getting to me again…I’ll need to wear my mask when we go out tonight.’

My brows raised as that thought made me remember the previous night cycles when Meeya and I were outside. She had seemed so fascinated and focused on my movements as I executed several kha’tas. I would almost swear she was trying to memorize, if not mimic what I was doing. But when I said she could join me, Meeya shook her head and stepped back, clinging to her arms.

Her manner had always been…odd when it came to my training and practicing kha’tas. Even on the very first night cycle that she brought me here, Meeya had stared as though fixed upon my every move during a kha’ta. Yet something about it also caused her distress, and it confused me enough to make my head ache. Still, it was something to ponder at a later time, and I inhaled again, clicking my mandibles.

~~~

My eyes snapped open as it felt as though something crept along my skin, and I glared at the door leading to the outer area…the bal’ko-nee. Standing up, I noticed it was reaching the middle of the night cycle, and I walked out onto the bal’ko-nee. I gripped the cold metal barrier while scanning the surroundings; something didn’t feel right.

The intuition that every Yautja hunter and warrior possessed was making me apprehensive, but I could not find the source. Removing the mask from my side, I placed it over my face and once more scanned the area while also breathing deeply of my own air. Nothing. There was nothing on the scanners…which meant the feeling could involve something else. ‘Meeya…’ I thought as I touched my mask, bringing up her body’s signature, at least where it had been in the last few cycles, onto the grid.

Climbing onto the roof of the structure, I had a much better vantage point of which direction Meeya had gone. She had traveled far, no doubt taking one of the ooman land transports like the one she used the night cycle we met. I clenched my fists as the feeling of unease moved along my skin again, and leaping from the roof to the second structure, I made my way to the trees. But instead of moving towards the cleared training area, I rushed in the direction where many land transports traveled at a faster, more urgent pace.

As I reached the edge of the trees, I noticed most of the moving transports were small…too small to be like the one Meeya took. And they were definitely too small for the roof to hold my weight. My pumping blood fueled my body, making me even more anxious about what was going on beyond my sight. What the pauk was happening and why would Meeya be involved?

Gripping the trunk of the tree I stood on, my claws dug inside the outer layer as a growl rumbled from my throat. I hated not knowing what went on during a situation; I loathed being practically blind or hindered. Then, a large enough transport came into view, and I noticed it had similar patterns to the one I had seen before. I flexed my hands, bracing my body for the leap. ‘Just a little closer…closer…now!’

Thick leg muscles bunched as I propelled my body from the tree into the dark sky. Lengthening my body in a stretch, I swung my legs forward and landed in a roll as the momentum of the transport forced me back from my original mark. My claws dug into the metal plating on the transport’s roof, preventing me from being thrown off. Staying in my current position was actually the best thing I could do to stop any other oomans from spying me.

Looking at the grid in my mask, I saw the transport was heading in the same direction as Meeya’s signature. That had been luck, but if it veered off-course, I’d have to move either to another transport or continue tracking on foot. I had to reach her…the sense of dread crawling along my skin demanded it.


[Mya’s POV]


A sigh left my mouth as I sat behind the reference desk in the library, looking around at the few people scattered among the tables on the first floor. Feeling my hair falling out of place, I huffed and removed the long, metal hinge-clip, setting it on the counter. Then, I gripped my hair for practically the hundredth time and twisted it up, using my clip to clamp it in place.

I had been fidgeting throughout the night since I arrived at the library, and I just couldn’t settle into a comfortable sitting position. No one had approached the desk, not even to use one of the separate conference rooms. This meant I had all the time to dwell on what had happened in my apartment earlier.

‘Tor’ac, why did you ask me that?’ I thought for what felt like the thousandth time, gripping my head in my hands. But it wasn’t just his question; it was what seemed to be beyond the question that had rolled through my mind. It had reminded me that Tor’ac was only here temporarily, most likely until he could repair his cloaking device. I guess I should have been relieved that life would return to normal once that happened. So why did this notion bug the crap out of me?

With another sigh, I laid my head on my arms against the counter, thinking, ‘I’ve kinda gotten used to him being around…he’s almost as good a friend as Leah or Cassie.’ Twisting my mouth to the side, I knew when I helped Tor’ac it would only be a temporary situation; I just hadn’t really thought about it all the time he’d stayed with us.

Thinking back, I remembered coming home and seeing him sitting and staring at me when I entered the apartment so many times. Almost as though waiting patiently just for me to return. I smiled before I even knew what I was doing; I couldn’t help it. It gave me such a…a good feeling when I saw him stare and nod to me in greeting. Even if it was just as a friend, it was enough to make me feel…special. Closing my eyes, some part of me knew that I had to let him go when the time came. It was selfish of me, I know, but I still didn’t want that time to be soon.

Looking up at the clock, it was already five minutes to closing time, and I quickly stood to do my rounds in the library. The scant people that had been on the first floor had all apparently left, but I still needed to check and be sure no one remained.

~~~

After checking all the levels and the conference rooms, I locked the doors to the library and headed down the stairs towards the bus area. The outside air had grown colder than when I arrived, and I rubbed my hands together, trying to warm them. ‘Should have brought your gloves,’ I scolded myself, shivering as I continued walking.

“Mya? Is that you?”

Someone called from behind me, and I turned to see a tall, slightly broad-shouldered figure approaching. Frowning, I knew the voice all too well; Kyle had finally decided to show up to do his job after the fact. He stopped next to me, brushing his hand through his short, dark hair and grinning like a loon at me. “I thought it was you, Mya.”

“Yes it’s me, Kyle, going home after doing your job,” I said coolly. Looking up just slightly at him, I don’t know why I thought he was tall when he was only a few inches above me.

“Was I scheduled to work tonight? Damn, I knew there was something I was forgetting,” he told me, glancing at the sidewalk before meeting my gaze again. “Anyway, thanks for covering for me.”

“Sure…no problem.” I winced, feeling slight pain from my midsection. ‘Oh, God, not now…’

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Kyle, I’m just tired and want to go home. Goodnight, and next time just do your job, please?”

Before he could try to say anything that would possibly make me snap at him, like asking if I could cover for him again, I turned and continued down the sidewalk. Kyle wasn’t a bad guy; he just didn’t know where his priorities were when it came to work. I was surprised he hadn’t been let go already, but Mrs. Henderson tried to give people the benefit of the doubt. Pursing my lips, I thought, ‘Sometimes, she does that too much…at least in his case.’

I suddenly heard footsteps approaching me at a quick pace from behind, and I groaned, turning to face who I thought was Kyle. “What is it now…you!” My eyes widened as I didn’t see Kyle; in his place was a large man I had only seen once before…two weeks ago. In a motion I barely saw, he grabbed my arm, yanking me to him. Quickly clamping his free hand over my mouth, he said,

“You are going to answer my questions, girl. And you’d better not scream for help…otherwise, there’ll be more trouble than you’re worth.”

As he said this, I watched as three more men, no doubt the others from before, approached where we stood. Each of the three wore some sort of military uniform, and I was certain they all had some sort of small firearms hidden in their jackets. Swallowing, I tried to calm my erratic breathing, and I forced my tense muscles to relax as much as they could. These men may not have seemed bright, but I didn’t doubt the danger they posed.

“Where is the creature?” he demanded, removing his hand from my mouth. “That thing that we chased into the building. Where is it?”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stammered a little, lying outright. “What creature?”

“What the fuck do you mean ‘what creature’?! You know damn well what creature!” One of the other men bellowed at me. Glancing in his direction, I recognized him as the one who wanted to practically break down the library doors to get inside the first time.

“Shut up, Kane!” the man holding me snarled at him before looking back at me. “I think you’re lying, girl. You know exactly where it is…so you’d better tell us now.”

“I honestly don’t have any clue what you mean,” I said, giving him a frightened look. It wasn’t far off from how I really felt as my heart was threatening to hammer against my chest once more. But I had to stay calm in this situation; I couldn’t let them know anything about Tor’ac.

“Well, you’d better get a clue because if you don’t…” He grabbed my jaw in a viselike grip and forced me to face the guy called ‘Kane’. “I’ll let Kane continue this interrogation. And believe me; it won’t be as painless as this.”

Inhaling sharply, I watched as Kane gave me a twisted grin and produced what looked like a field knife from his side. He looked like he knew how to use the blade, and I didn’t want to find out how much he could do. My eyes darted to the large man holding me; he had to be the one in charge since the others seemed to obey him. They even gave him a little distance as I noticed an opening to the left where the closest man stood about eight feet away.

“I…” My voice trailed off into a whisper that none of them could hear.

“What the hell did you say?” The man gripped my arm a little harder.

“I…” I repeated what I said, still in a voice compared to a breeze. Soft and quiet, just enough to make one strain to hear.

Huffing, the man leaned the side of his face down to my mouth, ordering, “Say it again.”

Opening my mouth, I shrieked in my highest pitch at the top of my lungs right into his ear and twisted my arm, breaking out of his grasp. I jammed my right elbow into his gut before bolting towards the open space. It was a few moments before I heard the others shouting from behind me. ‘Damn it!’ Gritting my teeth, I felt my shoes trying to slide off my feet; I had worn slip-on clogs, which were just "perfect" for running.

‘Oh, hell with it,’ I thought, turning quickly and swinging my left leg up to kick the shoe off and hopefully hit someone. It didn’t, and I cursed under my breath again as I tried with my right leg. This heavy shoe actually struck one of the three pursuers, right in the family jewels. I watched long enough to see him grip his groin before facing forward, still running in just my socks.

Ducking through a thick cluster of bushes, I veered away from the sidewalk and dashed around one of the large buildings. I backed away from the building’s edge and pressed my body against the brick wall, panting and trying to catch my breath. As I felt my blood rushing through my veins, I tried to think of something I could use to defend myself. Then, my hand went to the clip holding my hair, pulling it out. The clip was metal, long and somewhat pointed on the end; it would have to do.

With the hinge end gripped in my hand like a knife, I waited and listened for any sound or body to appear around the corner. Someone was running closer, and I braced my body against the wall, deciding, ‘It’ll either be him or me…and I’ll be damned if it’s me.’ When I saw Kane coming around the side, I clenched my teeth before bringing the clip back and jabbing the point into the side of his neck. Blood began trickling down his jacket in a flowing red stream.

Pulling the clip back, I turned to make another run when he suddenly grabbed my long hair, yanking me back. I hissed in pain but stayed focused, swinging the point of my clip around in an arc and slashing his cheek.

“Damn fucking bitch!” He yelled, wrenching my head to the side and shoving me to the ground. Grunting as I hit earth, my arm flew up making me lose my grip on my only weapon. No…not my only weapon. Glancing up, I saw Kane holding the wound in his neck, but he still stalked closer to me, a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Rolling to my side, I brought my left leg up before kicking against his knee; the snap I heard was music to my ears as he crumpled to one leg. I dug my fingers into the ground, struggling to get up, but a grip on my ankle jerked me back. Turning, my eyes widened in horror as I saw Kane holding my ankle in both hands, blood streaming down his torso.

Twisting his hands quickly, I heard the pop before pain surged through my leg, and I bit back the scream rising in my throat. Tears welled in my eyes, and I fought them down if only to keep my vision from blurring. I heard another approach us and lifted my head in time to see a heavy boot slam into my stomach. Shocked, I couldn’t breathe…couldn’t get any air inside. The blow forced the air from my lungs, and I gasped deeply, struggling to breathe.

Closing my eyes tight, the pain in my stomach was intensified as the cramps I already felt increased. Both hands went to my middle as I doubled over in a delayed attempt to protect my body. It felt as though my insides were being clenched and squeezed beyond any means tolerable; it was like a sharp, thick blade had been thrust through my entire torso.

“Turn her over,” I heard Kane demand as hands gripped my shoulders roughly, ripping my sweater. In the dimness of my mind, I cringed after hearing a zipping sound. “We’ll make her talk…by any means necessary.”

TBC


A/N: First of all, many thanks to all of you for your wonderful (look, SeskiLexi’s rubbing off on me) reviews, especially: kami_no_yami, Cara, Zee, KeenandNifty (Cam), Narranasa, DawnOfTime, chancelor22, Leedar, Viewerfinder, shortest_warrior, Scars Lady 13, Bluflame, Curves_of_steel, SeskiLexi, lorna, Ripe wickeD plUm, Max, and PheonixHiss. ^_^ I am so honored by all of you. You’re all so awesome! *huge hug for all* And special thanks to those who gave support when the “troll” was causing issues earlier this year.

In regards to the current chapter, please don’t be mad with this cliffy! ^^; Somehow, class work piled up, and I had to catch up on it along with my regular work. I promise to have the next chapter up as soon as possible! Don’t worry; I wouldn’t leave Mya in a lurch like that.