Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Survivors

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 05: Trust

Eliza Danvers walked into the kitchen at 8 AM to prepare breakfast. She customarily slept in on Sundays and still customarily had to drag Alex out of bed or she would sleep till noon. To say she was surprised to find a note from her daughter on the counter would be an understatement.

Gone hiking. Packed a lunch. Be back later. Text me if you need me.

“Thats… weird.”

“Whats weird?” Jeremiah asked, walking in, kissing his wife on the cheek.

“Alex is already up.”

“That is weird.”

“And she has gone hiking.”

Jeremiah laughed. “Seriously, where is she?” Eliza handed him the note. The smiling face gave way to confusion.

“She actually went… no, she probably went to the beach.”

“The water is too cold and you know her friends aren’t up yet. Or at least those miscreants she wants acceptance from.” Eliza finished. The mother knew her daughter was special, intelligent, inquisitive and brave. She had no social problems but Eliza knew how hard it was for a smart kid to be accepted. Alex strove for acceptance though. The people she wanted acceptance from were idiots however, both figuratively and literally.

“Maybe your encouragement for her to get out in nature actually worked.” Jeremiah shrugged. “Want me to mix up a couple ham and cheese omelets?”

“That would be great, dear.”

Jeremiah opened the fridge, confused immediately. “I know I bought two packs of ham two days ago. The cheese is nearly all gone too.”

“And the sticky buns.” Eliza added. “I could swear the container was full yesterday. Surely Alex didn’t take all of was a bag of chips in the cabinet that is gone. Have you been snacking at night again?”

Jeremiah threw up his hands. “Nope. I have not been snacking. I guess I can go to the grocery store and buy more ham and cheese. We must have had less than I thought. Unless Alex has suddenly started smoking pot and has developed the same massive munchies you had in college.”

“Jeremiah! Alex would never. And we don’t talk about those days… in the house. Who knows when she could sneak back in.”

“Oh, but those days were so fun.” he joked, holding her from behind and tickling her ribs.

“Stop it! Stop…” she finished squirming out with a grin. “I can just mix up some scrambled eggs and toast.”

“Nope, bread is gone.” her husband pointed out, looking at the top of the fridge. “I think someone may have broken in and ate our food last night.”

Eliza’s smile was gone when she looked at the fruit bowl that had been full yesterday. “You may be right or Alex has developed a very healthy appetite. The bananas and apples are gone.”

“Maybe she got picnic together for some early risers or lunch. I’ll run to the store and we can ask her later. I guess eggs it is for now?”

Eliza looked at him and Jeremiah knew he had not gotten away with anything. “I’ll have the coffee ready when you come back with the ham, cheese and bread. Did Alex seem… off to you last night? Her mind seemed to be a million miles away.”

“She is growing up, out of school, about to be in 8th grade. I would imagine we are going to have to get used to her mind being a million miles away. I’ll be back.”

Alex was not a million miles away, only two miles actually. She had a large bag, packed with her sneakers from last year that she had grown out of, fresh clothes she had that were slightly to small for her now, boxes of plastic spoons and forks and a lot of food. The girl hoped her parents wouldn’t notice the food that was gone. If they ever try to feed an alien in the future maybe they will understand.

Walking into the rocky hallway, being very careful this time not to bump her head, she did it anyway. She heard moaning in the cave and supposed Kara had not slept as well as she hoped. Walking quietly to not wake the girl from her restless slumber, she could see her in the dim light lying flat on her back with Kal next to her on his stomach, his head resting on the pillow. Kara was mumbling in that language Alex couldn’t understand, alien language she supposed, and was shaking her head side to side.

The brunette’s heart nearly stopped when Kara say up with a scream and her eyes exploded into the rock wall to the right of the entrance. Alex covered her eyes to shield them from the light, but the heat quickly became too much. She dropped her elbow watching Kal who was now sitting up and screaming as well. Thankfully lasers were not coming out of his eyes. Alex ran, careful to stay behind Kara and hoping she didn’t turn her head. Stepping behind Kal she grabbed Kara from behind, wrapping her arms around the girl and not surprised to discover she couldn’t move her in the slightest.

“Kara! Kara stop!”

The sound of Alex’s voice and Kal’s screaming brought Kara out of her nightmare. She hadn’t slept that deeply since coming to this planet and as a result the nightmare took hold and became very, very real. Realizing what was going on, seeing her vision was red once again, the girl closed her eyes, feeling the power behind them, trying to break out.

“ Run Alex! Run please, run away!”

“Calm down…

“ Run!”

“I’m guessing that isn’t space talk for good morning. Breathe Kara.” Alex pressed herself against the girl and could still feel the heat behind her closed eyelids. Taking a deep slow breath, Kara began squirming but Alex held tight, moving with her, having no other option and kept taking slow deep breathes. Eventually Kara began breathing slowly as well, still keeping her eyes closed. The pressure the blonde felt went away and Alex could feel the drop in temperature. Kal was still screaming, trying to climb to Kara’s shoulders but Alex couldn’t let her go right now.

“There you go. Breathe. Wax on, wax off, all that kung fu stuff.”

Kara slumped her shoulders, wondering how long it would be before she could open her eyes. How could she care for Kal if she couldn’t see? The nightmare she had, her mother was gone, a blackened skeleton, blown to pieces, turned to nothing in the flames that surrounded her.

“Open your eyes. It’s okay.” Alex prodded.

Kara kept her head down, barely opening her eyes and seeing her vision had returned to normal, she turned away from Alex.

“Look at me. You won’t burn me. Look at me!”

Kara stood up, breaking free of her arms without trying and keeping her eyes half closed, moved to the backpack, slipping it on. Alex saw what she was doing and grabbed the pack as well.

“No! You are not running!”

“ Let go. I have to take Kal and go. I’m not safe but I can’t leave him. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not safe.”

No! I don’t know what the hell you just said but I think I got the idea. You aren’t going anywhere. Stay!”

Kara dropped the bag but remained staring away from Alex and Kal, who had finally calmed down but from the smell definitely needed a diaper change.

“Look at me!”

Kara recognized the tone of Alex’s voice and slowly turned towards her. Alex lifted her chin, tried to lift her chin, grunted trying to lift her chin before Kara finally let her.

“Okay, so nightmares mean exploding eyeballs. At least I know that I can bring you frozen meals now. Sit.”

Kara looked at her in confusion so Alex sat on the rocky floor and pointed to Kara. “Sit.”

Kara did as told, then repeated.

“Sit?”

“Yes, sit means… sit. I wonder if I can teach you to roll over. Okay, not funny but that scared the hell out of me and I joke until my heart goes back to beating at a normal rate. So I learned something today to add to the list. You have really strong lasers that come out of your eyes when you are scared. I definitely won’t be sneaking up on you. We can deal with this. You can deal with that.” Alex finished, pointing at Kal. Kara was confused so Alex pinched her nose.

“Stink.” Kara guessed.

“Stink.” Alex agreed. Kara sighed, definitely understanding stink when she looked at Kal’s diaper. Kal’s eyes were still red but he climbed into Kara’s lap and snuggled into her shoulder. Kara picked up the boy and took off his diaper.

“Oh God thats horrible. This is why I never wanted a pet or ever want a kid. Just… oh God.”

Peeling back the diaper, Kara did her best to use the clean side to wipe the baby. “I usually use a stream of water but have’t found one near here.” the alien explained.

“Okay, unsurprisingly I have no idea what that means but its either I suck at keeping this kid’s butt clean or you have no diaper wipes. Okay, please take that thing outside, far away and I will keep an eye on Kal.”

Kara placed a diaper on Kal then looked at the one on the ground.

“Take away. Go.” Alex instructed pointing towards the exit. “I will watch Kal.” she continued, pointing at her eyes and at the baby. Kara looked at her doubtfully.

“Trust? Remember?”

Kara nodded slowly, took one look at Kal and was gone.

“Wow, I wish I could run like that. I’m a pretty good athlete but yeah, she is freaky fast Kal.” Alex took a deep breath and Kara was back.

“I hope you are even faster than you were exiting because that thing needs to be far away. Something tells me Mom wouldn’t approve of nature being improved in that manner. She and Dad are bio chemists so they are big on life and I like biology too, I might be a doctor one day, and I am talking to you and you have no idea what I am saying. Okay, lets get to work. You can’t stay here. He is going to get a diaper rash or worse a cold. He doesn’t seem to be like… you. Maybe its an age thing, You can’t control the powers you have, though you do seem to have the speed thing down and considering the kid hasn’t been crushed I guess you have the strength thing down, most of the time. My parents could really help here. You two can’t stay here and you can’t be found but I am afraid the kid is going to get sick and this is no way to live Kara. I’ve been thinking about this and we either have to find a better place or go to my house and convince my parents not to say anything.”

“Parents?”

“Yeah, Mom and Dad, mother and father, uh… hold up.” Alex pulled her phone and tried to log on to her Facebook account. Realizing she was not going to get a signal in her new friend’s underground lair, she looked through saved photos.

“Here we go. This is a photo my Mom’s friend took of us and posted. We really need to figure out how to get you wireless.”

Alex showed the picture of Jeremiah and Eliza with Alex in between. “Mom.” she pointed, “Dad, and then me.” she finished pointing at herself. Kara reached for the necklace that was no longer there and her eyes began misting over. She could see the resemblance between Alex and the male. These were her parents.

“What happened… where are… Parents?” she decided, pointing at Kara. Kara looked up and Alex saw the tears threatening to fall were now slowly gliding down her cheeks.

“Yeah, I shouldn’t have asked that. That was dumb, Alex. Okay, this would be a lot easier with my parents helping but there is no way they are going to believe me, short of you tearing metal with your finger nails and we do not want a repeat of space vision. So we need a place that is somewhat normal but abandoned, and… fireproof. Yeah. Its warm so we don’t have to worry about heat… the fireproof is a problem. I thought the lighthouse would be perfect since no one uses it anymore. The bottom is wasted from the last hurricane, flooding and all, but the top with the light bulb isn’t messed up. Its been locked up and I can pick a lock but I would imagine a lock wouldn’t keep you out. Hey, stop crying. It’s going to be okay… his butt still stinks. We need I look in your bag?”

Alex pointed at the backpack and Kara nodded. Opening it, the brunette began pulling out is contents.

“We got diapers, no wipes, I think something like powder is needed, empty bottles, a couple unwashed ones, ewww, those are done, one, two three, yep ten cans of food left although those beets look awful so I’m not sure if they should count. Cans of formula, thats good, some really, really dirty white…”

Alex took out Kara’s clothes that she had worn on her journey, taking in the mud caked slippers, the pants that used to be white and the top that had some weird S symbol in an upside down triangle. This top was also covered in filth but what concerned her was the back. Several small holes in a large pattern peppered the garment.

“Kara these were your clothes you wore… but… did you get shot? Let me see your back!”

Kara didn’t move when Alex scooted behind her and lifted the sweat shirt, relieved to see her skin was unmarked. Being curious and knowing she was possibly risking death by space beams, Alex tried to pinch Kara’s arm. Kara just looked at her.

“Wow. Okay this is badass. You feel normal but, I can’t budge your skin. Kara what are you hiding for? I’m pretty sure you can kick anyone’s butt… of course if anyone knew that you would be really chased, wouldn’t you? Nobody can find out. Crap.”

“Crap?”

“How come you pick up those words like screwed and crap but not others? I guess I haven’t really tried yet. I have to teach you English. I… hold on. I need to make a list.”

Alex pulled out her phone and began typing.

Diaper wipes and powder.

Baby clothes.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

FIre place proof to live.

Air mattress.

Bottles

Formula?

Plastic spoons

Alien food (Likes sticky buns and sandwiches)

Alien baby food (no beets)

batteries for lantern

More blankets.

Baby toys because this kid has to be bored.

“Okay, thats what I can think of for now. Wow, this is… just need some money. A little theft might be in order, not that I approve! But sometimes the end justifies the means and… yeah I can get a fire extinguisher from that back corner of the public library. Amy and Scott make out there all the time because no cameras are covering it and no one ever goes back there. The other stuff… I can’t shoplift. That would be wrong… and too much to sneak out. I am going to have to lift a card and hope my parents think some single mom stole their identity. Oh yeah, I need to find something to teach you English. Lets start now. Want to see my photos? Of course you do, its not like you have anything better to do or anywhere to be.”

Alex pulled out her phone and Kara and a curious Kal began looking at the photos. Kara stopped her at one particular photo, excitedly.

“Oh yeah. That was what I was doing yesterday before I saw you sneaking around. My Mom was making me take photos of birds. Lame right?”

Kara pointed at the creatures again.

“Bird.”

“Bird?” Kara asked, smiling.

“Yeah Bird.” Alex told her recognizing that look. A smiling Kara was better than a depressed or scared Kara. “Pretty, huh?”

“Pretty huh?”

“No, no, no.” Alex pointed to the bird. “Pretty.”

“Pretty.” Kara nodded.

“Did you have birds… up there?” she deeded on, pointing to the ceiling, then pointed at Kara.

Kara caught her meaning and shook her head.

“Okay lets start with basics. We got the nodding of the head down. Fix you some sandwiches while I feed the munchkin and we can start with yes and no, before I have to go lift a card and steal a fire extinguisher. I guess the extinguisher can wait since nothing in here burns. Let me check the rest of your pack. Maybe there is an idiot’s guide to space language in there.”

Alex dug deeper but only found… she brought one of the objects up, a beautiful crystal about 6 inches long.

“What is this? There are a lot of these.” Alex held one up for Kara but the girl shrugged her shoulders.

“ Thats what Mother decided I needed to bring with me instead of food and clothes.”

“I don’t know what that means but I have a feeling sarcasm and bitterness were involved. Not a fan of the crystals. Whoa, these must be space crystals! They aren’t from Earth, no way, You didn’t stop running to go searching for crystals here. Where are these from?”

Kara looked at her blankly. Alex huffed, then had an idea.

“Earth? You know what Earth is, right? The name of this planet?” Alex circled her arms around her, causing Kara to snort instead of laugh.

“Me,” she pointed to herself, “Earth. You?”

You Kara had figured out meant her when Alex spoke the word. Earth, the planet she was sent to. At least she knew for sure this was Earth. Alex seemed to want to know the name of her planet.

“Krypton.”

“Krypton? Cool name. Sounds like something from a sci fi movie. A lot cooler than Earth. Krypton. I like it. Is it spelt with a C or a K? Wait, you guys probably don’t have the same alphabet as we do. You know my Mom is a teacher. I mean her and Dad are researchers but she teaches also. She could really help with the whole language thing. Maybe you could lift a car for her or something? Just to show that you really are an alien and not some kid hiding in the woods with a baby? Yeah, probably not. We will talk about it. Right now, lets eat. I have a large assortment of food, that I am praying my parents don’t notice is gone… and I hope you still have a water bottle left because I forgot water. Screw water. Want to try something really cool? I’ll bring you back some water but we also have Gatorade, Coke, Sprite, yeah you definitely need to try those. Okay, eat, drink the water and I am going to steal… I mean borrow without them knowing, my parents credit card. I’m sure if I hit some sales the cost won’t be too much, right? How much could baby formula actually cost, right? Then I have some more clothes for you and I am definitely bringing wipes and… maybe a diaper genie? Something because wow. Kal that baby food stinks but it really smells bad coming out.”

Kal laughed, finding this funny, probably because of the face she was making while holding her nose. Alex noticed besides a few small smiles Kara seemed to be much more reserved than she was the day before, not eating with the same gusto and appeared very, very tired.

“You are probably upset about your eyeballs exploding huh? Look, these things happen but its not all bad. At least they aren’t always exploding like some busted water line that you can’t stop flowing. That would definitely suck. I’ll be back in an hour or two. Chin up kid, its going to be alright.

Alex ruffled Kara’s hair to the blondes’s great annoyance and bewilderment and was gone, leaving Kara to her thoughts with only Kal as her sounding board.

“She talks a lot. I would appreciate that if I could understand it. I really need to learn the language. It would be nice to have someone to talk to again. How am I supposed to translate my planet blew up and we were rocketed here with minimal supplies by our parents who had the forethought to build an advanced spaceship but not pack decent supplies? By the way, I have no idea how to take care of a baby but I am responsible for raising you because I was given the sacred duty five minutes before I never saw my parents again.”

Kara sighed and took another bite of the sticky bun, then prepared Kal a bottle.

“Maybe Rao is finally giving us a break? I am glad I decided to trust her. She is like an answer to a prayer. I honestly thought she was going to bring back more humans yesterday but she didn’t. She is nice. Right now though? I am stuck Kal. We can’t live here forever. I think she was saying something in one of those long conversations that only she understood, to that affect. We can’t. I’m supposed to raise you in a hole in the ground? Really things are looking better but what are we going to do a week from now, a month from now? She can’t keep sneaking us food everyday. She is going to get in trouble.”

“Baba?” Kal asked, offering her the bottle.

“No thanks. I’m going to have this incredibly clean water. I guess they make water in a lab here also. Speaking of, I need to find a stream to wash your little butt because you still kind of stink. Everything here is more sharp. I’m beginning to get used to the sounds, everything is loud but I can almost tune it down or at least focus on certain sounds. But everything, I’m still seeing through things accidentally I can see so much clearer and your diapers smell so much worse here than they did on Krypton. Plus the fact that when I get scared my eyes, I don’t know what that is about, but it is scary. If she had been in front of me, she could have ended up like the beast at our last stop. I could have killed my only friend now because I had a nightmare. Do you think we should go? She is so nice but keeping our secret and being near me… it is so dangerous for her. Its dangerous for you too but I can’t leave you. I won’t. Meaning you are going to have to sleep behind me every night, or maybe I can sleep… I don’t know. I’ve had nightmares nearly every night since we got here but that creature unlocked something and now… I hate it. Look at the rock. I almost burned through it, I did burn it for a couple inches. Who does that?”

Kara took a look at the yellow fruit in the bag.

“I wonder what this is?”

Taking a bite, she chewed and found the outside skin was horrible and stringy but the inside looked good. It tasted like nothing she had ever eaten before. Examining the fruit carefully, Kara decided to take the peel of the banana off and ate the inside.

“Whoa. This is really good. I wonder why humans keep the skin on it. Want one?”

Kara peeled another one, and handed the tip to Kal who munched it and seemed to be enjoying it, using the few teeth he had to mush it up.

“Here is the problem Kal. Even though it is dangerous for her, even though I know we should leave before she becomes even more involved in the disaster of our life, I don’t want to. I don’t feel so alone, you know? Not that you aren’t great company but I just need… I don’t know. I can trust her. Its selfish but I don’t know what else to do. This is the first place we have been sine we landed that I felt it was okay to spend more than a night in and it is a hole in the ground! That is the nightmare of our life Kal. She is the first good thing that has happened to us here and she is danger by being around me. Yeah Mother said I would have great power. Its great alright. I have to hold you like you are made of glass, my eyes shoot streams of fire out of them when I get scared, everything is so loud my ears hurt and the cities we go near smell horrible. Not to mention that no matter how much I try not to think about it, I am going to have a need of a refresher and I’m not sure I can make myself go into one of those plastic stalls again. Oh, and you don’t want to know the other problem I have. Lets just say it caught me by surprise last year and if the solar cycles are the same based on the stars and rotation around the sun, sometime between now and three or four weeks I am going to have a bad couple days.”

Kara finished a second banana and leaned back, looking at the dark ceiling.

“Yep, the sad thing is, if I am found out, if these humans knew what I was, they would try to study me. I don’t think they can. I think I am stronger than they are but you aren’t. I can’t protect you if I am being attacked. I won’t be a test subject for their labs. They will probably try that sonic weapon on me again. I won’t let you be taken. So where does that leave us? We are going to be hiding, at least until you are older and can… I don’t know. I really don’t. I would take a nap but I may wake up burning this rock structure down around us.”

“Ba ba?”

Kara smiled. “Still don’t want a bottle, but thanks cousin. I need to think. I don’t know what to do Kal. She is so nice but we are going to bring nothing but trouble to her life. But she is also literally the only one in the universe who I know and she cares. Despite seeing my eyes blow up she grabbed me from behind. She makes me calm. What am I supposed to do?”

While Kara contemplated the immediate and near future, Alex Danvers made her way back to the house. Unfortunately for her, instead of taking a romantic stroll on the beach or having a nice time shopping in town, her parents were in the living room when she walked in.

“There you are princess. Where were you off to so early today?” Jeremiah asked, turning off the TV.

“Oh… uh I went back to where I was bird watching yesterday. Thought maybe if I got there early I might see some new… birds. Love those… birds.”

“Thats nice. I’m proud of you Alex.” Eliza offered. “I am glad you have taken such an interest. You have definitely earned time on the beach with your friends. Are you going out today with your friends?”‘

“Yeah, maybe. But… I was wondering if you would mind me running into town. I thought I would go to the bookstore and buy a few books on… birds.”

“Sure, want me to come with you?” her father offered.

“Nope! No… I got it. I’m not sure how long I will be and there were some other… books I wanted to check out.”

“Of course Alex. Jeremiah there is money in my purse…”

“I’m not sure how much I will need. If there are more than a few books, hardcovers, audio, notebooks, photo books. Could I just take your… bank card?”

The parents looked at each other but Jeremiah shrugged. “Sure, don’t see why not. Just don’t go crazy over your new hobby, okay? And do not lose the card or let it out of your sight.”

“No problem. Thanks Dad!” Alex kissed her father on the cheek hugged her mother quickly, pulled the card out of his wallet and was gone.

Jeremiah and Eliza looked at each other once more, a little taken back. “Bird watching? I thought Alex would be more into dissecting birds and seeing what makes them tick.” Jeremiah joked.

“Leave her alone. Its a great hobby, especially for someone who has such intelligence. It is probably relaxing. It will pass and she will be back on the beach in no time.”

90 minutes later, Alex Danvers was done, ready to check out. She had everything she needed and felt like it shouldn’t be too much. Her Dad probably wouldn’t even miss the amount.

So this is a lot of stuff Alex.” the clerk told her unnecessarily. “Your mom have another baby I didn’t know about? I see her in here all the time and she hadn’t looked pregnant.”

“Oh no, no new baby. A friend she works with just had a baby. Mom just sent me with a list of stuff to help her get started.”

“Oh, okay. Air Mattress?”

“Yeah, we had a hole in ours and need one for camping. Those don’t catch fire right? Just kind of melt?”

“I wouldn’t know. Not much of a camper myself. These clothes… are you sure your mother wanted these sizes? You said the child was just born? These would fit a twelve or eighteen month child.”

“He was a big newborn. Like 16 or 20 pounds according to Mom.”

“Oh my God!”

“I know right? Hurts me just thinking about it. So how much is all this going to cost?”

“Lets see… $226.32”

Alex’s jaw dropped and she began to sweat a bit.

“I’m sorry? How much was that?”

“$226.32”

“Great… here you go.” Alex told her, handing the card over with a shaking hand. The clerk noticed.

“You want to call your Mom or Dad? Was this more than they thought it would be? Maybe you got too much of something? That is a lot of cans of formula and the cost of those cans are unbelievable.”

“No! No this is what she wanted. I’m just surprised. I didn’t think baby stuff… cost this much. Wow. Yeah, lets ring it up.”

I am so going to get busted. Maybe I can pass it off as identity theft? Nope, cameras are all over this place. She needs these things. I cant take this stuff, stealing is wrong. Okay, I couldn’t get it all out without multiple attempts but stealing would be wrong except in cases where a girl is helping out a homeless alien kid and her alien baby. I’m pretty sure the ends justify the means in that case. No problem, I will just make up… something. Maybe they won’t notice. They didn’t notice I cleaned out the fridge and snacks this morning and they bought the bird watching story which is kind of disturbing that they don’t know me better than that. I would rather dissect a bird and study its tissues and bone structure than take a picture of one. Yeah, this won’t be a problem. I just have to get all this stuff to Kara three miles away through the woods, then run two miles back to the house to return the card with no books, and hope they don’t notice how much I spent until I think of a really, really good lie. No problem. If nothing else I will be in great shape.

Such were Alex’s thoughts as she made the trek with five large bags in hand. She felt a great deal of relief that Kara was still there, seeming to be in a better mood and playing with Kal, She was in a much better mood, even shocked speechless when Alex showed her all the bags contained. Kal stood clapping his hands at the toy balls and rattles, while Kara grabbed the moist towels and immediately pulled his diaper off and cleaned him up. Of course the minute she put another one on he wet it. They used a bag for the two diapers and wipes and Kal seemed to like the feel of the powder. He even liked the clothes and shoes.

Alex introduced Kara to the wonders of Pepsi, Coke and chocolate, and by the time Alex returned from getting the card back to her parents her little alien friend was smiling widely. Alex went over photos, naming things while Kara sounded them out behind her. Everything was great until evening time just as the sun was setting. Kara grabbed her stomach and bent over.

“Whoa, Kara? Whats going on? Please tell me I didn’t kill you with chocolate?”

Kara moaned but shook her head, keeping an arm around her abdomen. Alex recognized that look.

“Oh boy. I bet… you ate bananas, didn’t you? Of course you probably haven’t in days… and there is no indoor plumbing in a cave. Why would there be? Its a cave! Okay, I would say go outside but we don’t have toilette paper. I guess we could use the… who am I kidding, I won’t go outside. Hey… what are you doing?”

Kara had stood up straighter and picked up Kal. “ I have to go into the village and find one of those disgusting buildings with the paper.”

“I’m going to guess that is space language for where the hell is the bathroom. You can’t go into Midvale. The town is too small and you will stand out and why the hell do I keep talking about these things when I know you can’t understand me?! Okay… we got this. Trust?”

“ Trust?”

“Yeah, you trust me.”

“I trust you.” Kara answered.

“Yes! I am an awesome teacher. You got I and you when talking about me and yeah… I am awesome. Follow me and trust me.” Alex beckoned with her finger. The two girls and the baby made the trek through the woods to Alex’s home as the sun set. Alex looked through the window and saw her parents on the couch focused on their own laptops.

“Okay, we are going to sneak around the back and make a move for the stairs. Follow me and Kal stay quiet.” Alex finished putting her fingers to her lips.

“ Play? “

“No stay quiet… screw it, we will just hope for the best.”

The two followed Alex around the back and entered through the kitchen. Moving quietly they made it to the stairs. All Alex had to do was race up the stairs quietly with Kara and a baby behind her and let her in the bathroom then sneak back down without being caught. Pushing Kara in front of her and motioning for her to move, the two were gone. Alex made to follow when her father heard her footsteps.

“Alex?”

“Damn it.” she whispered. Kara had stopped at the top wide eyed and ready to run.

“Yeah Dad?”

“I didn’t know you were home. Find anymore birds this afternoon? I was looking up some books on Amazon since you didn’t find what you were looking for…”

“Dad that is so sweet! But I’ve been out for a while and really need to get to the bathroom. Like really bad.”

“Oh, sorry honey. Come check out what I found when you get back down.”

“Sure thing!” Alex raced up the stairs trying to push Kara in the direction of the bathroom. All three entered and Alex locked the door behind them. The blonde took in her surroundings. This was much nicer than the refresher at the camp grounds. Kara looked at Alex.

“ Could you take him outside, please ?”

“You are as bad as remembering that I can’t understand you as I am. Do your business!” she whispered.

“ I can’t go if you are watching.”

Kara looked at the door and then the toilet, and Alex got the meaning.

“You think this is fun for me? I can’t stand outside especially with a baby, if they walk up. Mom wants to have bonding moments at the weirdest times. I don’t like it any better than you do but it is this or the woods. Which one?”

Kara looked around, looked in a mirror and nearly jumped back. She hadn’t seen herself in days. Despite Alex cleaning her face, living in a cave had taken its toll. She ignored the mirror so she wouldn’t cry thinking about what her parents would say if they saw her like this, noticed the curtain and handed Kal to Alex, jerking a thumb towards the barrier.

“You want me and him to get in the bathtub and stand behind the curtain while you take care of nature’s call?”

Kara said nothing, just jerking her thumb with a pleading look.

“Fine brat. You owe me like a hundred. If I need a bully beat up thats all you. I’m not much of a fighter myself. I wanted to take karate but Mom thought it was too violent. Whatever. When I get out of here and go to college I am going to learn every martial art there is to know.”

Alex and Kal stepped into the tub and closed the curtain behind them. Neither said a word, but both made faces as the minutes went on.

“Kara, I get that being strong and all that, must burn calories so you eat a lot, but if this is going to be a regular occurrence you are going to have to lay off certain foods.” Alex whined.

Kara said nothing, but Alex did hear the turning of a page.

“Are you seriously looking at a magazine right now?! I’m having to stand here and smell this. Light a candle or something, with a match, not your eyes!”

The flipping of pages was done and the rolling of toilette paper happened. The shower curtain was pulled back and Kara was pointing to the toilet.

“ Where does it go now? The other place, it just kind of stayed there.”

“Okay this is called flushing. See the silver handle? We press it down and the water circles and poop goes by by.”

“ How primitive. Why isn’t it disintegrated? It has to wind up somewhere in liquid form. Probably in those larger cities from the smell. Breaking it down on a molecular level would be much more efficient.”

“Tomorrow you are coming back here. My parents will be at work and we can hang out, watch TV, you can take a shower because you definitely need one and we can keep working on English. Yes?”

“No.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Stop it. Okay when I say Yes you say yes. yes… yes. Now yes?

“Yes.”

“Awesome, high five!” Alex raised her hand and Kara slapped it like Alex had done with Kal earlier.

“Oww. Oh God. That really, really, yeah, ow. We need to work on those. Okay, remember what your spot is called? Cave?”

“No… Yes.”

“Good answer. I am going to sneak you two out the back and you are going to have to make your way back to it. If you get lost… don’t get lost. I will be there as soon as my parents go to work in the morning.”

Alex led the way downstairs, hoping she had a good lie if they were caught and hoping Kara wouldn’t get lost on the way back. Checking downstairs, she was relieved to see her Dad playing with his telescope with her mom beside him.

“Okay they are in front. Follow me.”

At the back door Kara prepared to leave but first turned around and brought Alex in for a hug, surprising the girl. Then Kara used one of her new phrases learned today.

“Thank you.”

“Your welcome. Be careful. I’ll be there in the morning. Don’t forget how I showed you to blow up the air mattress. It is going to be okay. I’m really smart. I’ll figure this out, okay. Trust me.”

“I trust you.”