Page 43 of Black Mamba

Recalling what Shelby said, I must be sick because why else would I be wet?

I sit upright. I’m being ridiculous. I’m not sick.

I’m not.

And yet…

It makes sense.

I sigh, not for the first time wondering if I’m going crazy. I just have to wait it out, right? My immune system will fight it off eventually. Right? It’s not like I ever plan on acting on it.

I return to the window to watch Lukys, Levy, and Greg as they begin speaking, unable to hear much of what they’re saying.

Eventually, Levy and Greg walk into the woods and Lukys, with a brief glance my way, turns back to the firepit.

I don’t think I’m going to be collecting water today.

Instead, I watch as he approaches the center of his circle then lowers on his tail. Using his hands and his tailtip, he digs, spreading the soil along the sides. He makes a hole several feet across before his attention shifts to the rocks he collected. Picking up the first one, he lines them around the hole. He leaves again and doesn’t return.

For the rest of the day, I hang out in the front of my ship, watching what’s happening. I tell myself it’s because I have nothing better to do. Meanwhile, I listen to the broadcasts, my sister’s music.

By the time Lukys reappears, Levy and Greg have collected a large pile of branches.

He’s carrying a dead animal, which hangs limply in his grip. He looks at me and I cock a brow at the corpse curiously. It’s brown and fat and covered in bristles. Levy and Greg come out of their ship with several stools, placing them at the edge of the circle, also eyeing the carcass. Levy points at the animal and the three of them start speaking again.

Then Lukys abruptly faces me. I shuffle on my feet as he approaches me with the dead animal.

With his cloudy gaze on me, he shows off his kill. “Join ussss. I will strip pieces of meat.” He lifts the animal. “And we will cook them over the fire. You will not have to use your nest’s stores, and the meat will strengthen you.”

I know I shouldn’t say yes, but I want to anyway, not realizing how badly I’m craving company and distraction. Part of me is willing to risk the possibility of me being sick to take him up on his offer, to not be alone.

Greg has his gun. I can sit next to him.

It’s also my birthday, after all.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

He raises his chin and his ears dip back. It makes him look cuter, younger. “Do you fear I will take you again?”

I glimpse Levy and Greg watching us from the firepit.

“No.” I fear I might try and touch you—or worse, get to know you better. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea right now anyways.”

He nods and, after considering me for another moment, takes his corpse and leaves in the direction of the river. I lose sight of him when he enters the brush and lowers.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come out?” Levy calls out from behind me. I turn to find him at the window where Lukys had been. “He’s not that bad. Pretty communicative too, surprisingly,” he yells some more. “Greg will have his gun. We’ll protect you if anything happens.”

“I’m good. I don’t want to come out tonight. Thank you, though.”

Levy frowns and shrugs. “I understand. Just make certain you let Greg or me know when you’re needing some water. We’re both fine retrieving you some.”

“Thanks. I will.”

Levy gives me a small smile then walks back to the firepit.

Lukys returns that evening with slabs of raw meat.

Levy and Greg set the branches in the pit. They bring a firestarter out from their ship and set the kindling ablaze. A fire roars to life that’s supplied with the wood that’s been gathered. Greg leaves to collect a metal sheet and some plates.