Page 8 of Rock Hard Alien

I stared at him. Was he making a joke or was this actually possible?

A dog barked in the distance. It was high time to get out of here.

I pulled out my phone and dialled Cleo's number. I'd not talked to her in weeks. She had three children, the youngest only a year old. She was usually too busy to meet up. But this was an emergency.

She picked up on the third ring.

“Georgie? Give me a moment, I'm just changing nappies.”

“Nappies?” Cairn whispered. “I do not know that word.”

He had excellent hearing. Good to know.

“Doesn't matter,” I whispered back. “Not something you'll ever encounter.”

He raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet. I could hear rustling in the background, then a baby crying, followed by cooing sounds from Cleo. She was a great mum. Her having children and me being both single and childless had moved us in different directions, but the occasional times that we did manage to meet, it felt like no time at all had passed.

“Sorry about that. Megan always gets a bit upset by nappy changes. What's up?”

Well. How to even begin...

“I need your help. Are you able to pick me up from the Wallace Monument in Stirling? I'm kind of stranded here.”

“Stranded at the Wallace Monument? That's a weird one.”

“Tell me about it. I'll explain everything later.”

“Have you called the AA? I assume your car broke down?”

“Uhm... Not exactly. I didn't get here by car. I'll explain. Can you pick us up? Please?”

“Us?”

Ah. Yes.

Four

Cairn

A dog barked close by. I knew all about these creatures. They'd existed when I'd crashed and still followed humans around like they had nothing better to do. I didn't like them. Not since one had peed on my leg, just before I'd been raised onto the wall of the castle. This forest seemed to be full of them. This one was the third we'd had to evade.

Walking hurt, but I was getting steadier on my feet with every step.

“She should be here any minute now,” the female said from in front of me. A tree stood between her and me, but I could have pointed to where she was with my eyes closed. I felt her presence inside my chest, an invisible band tying me to her. It was thin and weak, but it was there. Once we completed the bond, it would become stronger. I'd have to broach that subject with her soon. But first, we had to get to safety.

She still hadn't told me her name, but I'd heard her friend say it. Georgie. It was alien and strange and beautiful. I couldn't wait until she introduced herself to me properly, telling me about her heritage and family. As much as I'd watched her kind from afar, I had very little experience interacting with them. I would learn so much from her.

A rushing sound heralded the arrival of a vehicle. I was rather excited to finally enter one of them after wondering just what that would feel like for so many rotations. Cars, they called them. A short, strange word that felt unfinished.

“Is that her?” I asked, coming to a stop behind my mate.

“I hope so. You stay here while I make sure it's her car. I want to give her some warning before you appear.”

I inclined my head as the humans liked to do. It felt weird. I had observed their gestures, but had no experience in emulating them.

Georgie laughed. “You don't have to move your chin all the way to your chest. Just a simple up and down movement will do.”

“Ah. Thank you. I have much to learn.”