I am jostled awake, but can't see anything.
"Pen!"
I roll over and can just make out a familiar silhouette. "Luric?"
"We have to go now, while we have the chance."
I jump out of bed and feel better than I have in a long time. What was in that shot?
He takes my hand and drags me out into the hallway, then through the airlocks. There's a larger version of the hovercraft waiting for us, and I get in it with him. The roof opens at a snail's pace, and I bounce in my seat. Freedom is on the other side. The air is fresh and laced with taste of salt. Hurry up.
There's beeping from behind, and I turn around. Luric's father is pressing something, trying to open the door, but it's not responding. Thank goodness.
The hatch now wide open, we ascend. It's nighttime, and I see the toenail moon and think of my mom. If only she could see me now, in the middle of the ocean, running away with an alien boy. The wind rushes around me, and I put my arms up and laugh. I think I'm on an adrenaline high, glee bubbling up from inside of me.
I look over at Luric, expecting a grin and excitement. Instead, I see wide eyes and grit teeth. He glances over his shoulder, and I copy him.
Wish I hadn't.
There's a tall wave gaining ground on us, and I turn back. My ears expand and time seems to slow. That wave isn't natural. It's too much of a coincidence. His parents sent that after us. They want to drown us? Or just knock us off the craft? That's more likely, but no less bad in my mind. I am not going to let them imprison me. My mind wanders to the wave that knocked the boat over, and I wonder if I was shipwrecked by an act of nature.
Luric grabs my hand and holds it over the controls. "Don't move," he shouts over the wind.
I nod and keep my hand where he put it. He slowly stands and faces the wave, and the wind blows his loose shirt around his waist. His hands cross in front of his body, then they jerk outward at his sides. The wave splits and crashes into the ocean, and he crashes back into his seat and takes back the controls.
"How did you do that?" My mouth hangs open.
"Our world is mostly water. We have implanted technology that can control it."
It doesn't surprise me, but I still question whether or not my ship capsized from a natural wave.
Luric must read my mind, because he turns and looks at me, his eyes glistening. "No, it didn't."
My hands ball into fists, and I try not to scream. "Which one of you caused it?"
"Me."
My mouth goes dry. I want out of this craft. Right now.
He sighs. "This is why I wasn't going to tell you. It was an accident. I am learning how to use these implants, it takes decades, and I lost control."
"Do you know what happened to my friend, Sally?" My voice is so flat, it scares me.
"She was rescued. Everyone but you was rescued."
Something's fishy, here. "Why wasn't I?"
"You want the truth? I . . . I messed with currents and made you land on that island."
I stare daggers at him, and my jaw tightens. I'm not sure which I'll do first: pull his hair out or punch him in the nose.
"I'm sorry. I can't say sorry enough."
You're right about that one, boy.
"I'm lonely. Do you know what it's like to not have a friend in the world? And then I saw you. You're . . . gorgeous."
I don't even have the words. I hope he doesn't expect me to accept his apology and fall into his arms. It doesn't work that way. "Thanks, good to know. Now take me to where there's people."
Luric doesn't say anything, just nods.
Time passes me by while my anger stews, and the sun rises. The calls of seagulls fill the morning, and the craft stops over shallow water.
He slouches and points towards the horizon. "If you go that way, there is a crowded beach about a mile away."
Jumping out, I start slogging, the water coming up to my chest. I can't even bring myself to thank him. I kind of feel sorry for Luric, but not enough. You know, I could forgive being capsized in an accident. If he really wanted to win me over, he should have come and rescued me right after the boat sunk. Been a hero. I probably would've fallen into his arms and kissed him old-school, Hollywood style, leg pop and all. I still want to, if I'm honest. I've been single since forever, and I can't deny how tempting it is to turn around and go running back to him.
No, I won't. I won't. I still have my dignity. He won't take that from that me. Maybe he'll learn his lesson and will know how to woo the next girl he accidentally shipwrecks.
But I want that girl to be me. I swallow my pride and turn, ready for that Hollywood, leg-popping, make up kiss.
He's gone. The craft is nowhere to be seen, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
"Luric!" My voice echoes. It sounds lonely and desperate. "Luric?"
I'll wait here. You'll see: he will come running back to me. The sun climbs, though, and I don't see him. I turn and continue in the direction he pointed out, the water soaking every bit of me, the ends of my waves floating around me. It smells fishy, and I think of that soup he made me.
Gleeful shouts and chattering fill the air. I must be getting close to the beach. I don't want be around a bunch of people. I don't want to go home. I want Luric.
I sob, salty tears burning my eyes. Just typical, you know? I finally find a guy willing to risk everything for me, and I drive him away. What's wrong with me? Where's my happily ever after? Guess what? Those don't exist. Life is just a shuffled deck of random variables, and I just dealt myself a lousy hand.
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