The girl awoke to touchable sounds.
And sun.
Thick vibrations twisted in its heat, comforting waves uncovered consciousness, washed over her body, healing, empowering.
Black pulled back from her eyes, revealing alien surroundings. She sat up. No words could roll from her mouth. A mind sinking heavy and blank. The music that had pulled her back to life ceased. Allowing pain to drill holes, invade from skull to spine. She winced, teeth grinding, reality fading, sleep racing to catch her. It was interrupted, cut off by deep molasses.
“You are safe here.”
Emotionless wonder.
Safe. You, girl, nameless, unwanted, abused, discarded. Are safe.
She turned to him, corking pain. Every beat of her heart matched a blink of his eyes, eggs dipped in emerald mystery, suspended in a face smooth and unlined. Below could be consumed, wither in those eyes.
Sol nodded and continued to play.
Music. But this was different from the harsh beats from Below.
This was passion.
The Other’s smooth black frame melted into the female-shaped string instrument, becoming fluid. Ink plucked off the pages he played from, constructed as man.
His music choked her insides.
Reshaping.
Making new.
Tears pricked her eyes, jumped from her chin, slid through her neck. Seen by the sun. Nude. New. Exposed.
His song ended and his eyes toured the wet face. Innocent, beautiful.
Beautiful. You, girl, nameless, unwanted, abused, discarded. Are beautiful.
“I have upset you?”
Pause
only the leaves rustled in reply.
“You need not be frightened. I will do you no harm. You are too…changed.”
Emotionless wonder.
The girl blinked slowly, pushing doubt from her eyes. He was next to her. An Other.
Five feet took only a moment.
Cold blew from his smooth frame. Sewed chills through her arms.
“Well, I should be afraid, but…”
I am too changed?
“But I’m not.”
Pain from the journey upward, to protection, sprang active. Her head burned hot, angry.
Eyes closed
she coiled her legs to her chest.
Sinking again
into opaque sleep.
Sol caught the nameless new girl, kept her from crashing.
A mistake?
Their species was not destined to feel without murder. Not designed for natural emotion.
With her touch he now felt all.
Sucked hurt and burn from her body
filtered through him
leaving shadows of emotion.
Green crystal eyes shook with her pain
her wants
her needs.
Let go!
She is unique.
The Other looked at her
alone
unsure
beautiful.
Not knowing what happened.
Wanting more.
Wonder fled.
Desire consumed.