Truths

“Sorry just that I've never met someone like you before” he apologized before continuing to eat.

“And I’m not easy, unlike my older sister.” Kimber rolled her eyes at the memory. “I pray you never meet her…”

“I never thought you were easy” he replied “ just thought maybe once I get settled we could get some dinner maybe a movie afterwards.” Scratching his head for a moment he continued “ they have movies here right?”

“Movie theaters close before dark, so we’d have to go around noon, which is usually the last viewing during this time of year.” She answered and finished her meal. Grabbing up her plate and utensils, she went to the sink and washed them. “Going out at night is dangerous, almost forbidden. They come out at night…”

“Who are they?” He asked in a curious tone as he got up to help her clean. “From your tone they sound pretty bad.”

“Who? No, they…they’re creatures without real form, yet they are solid and dangerous. Anyone caught out at night is on their own against them.” Kimber explained slowly. “I’ve seen them rip people apart like it’s nothing. Even immortals don’t stand a chance against them. It’s like they suck the life right out of you.”

“That doesn't sound like a good time” Amit replied, leaning against the counter. “Has anyone ever killed one before?”

“One person,” Kimber said. “But she doesn’t exactly get along with anyone and keeps to herself deep within the forest of rot. She’s a hunter of some kind…”

“Does she have a name?” He asked in a curious tone “sounds like she might have some useful information.”

“Yeah, she’s called Klaire, I think.” Kimber said with a shrug. “Hard to know since we barely ever see her. Only the registry knows it and they’re not about to give out people’s information.”

Amit nodded for a moment taking everything in. It wasn't every day you wind up on that alien planet talking to a cute greenskin girl. “So how did you get here last thing I remembered was camping out on the beach during a meteor shower.”

“No one knows, honestly. I was getting ready for bed…at least that’s the last thing I remember.” Kimber answered with a heavy sigh. “I think I might have blacked out because next thing I knew I was waking up here with a group of doctors staring down at me with concern. They’d found me half naked in an alleyway…thought I’d been raped when really I’d just, you know, not gotten full dressed.”

“I'm glad you weren't,” he replied with a smile. “So does anyone know how they got here or why we're here?” Sitting down he looked deep in thought. “I mean somebody has to know something right?”

“Maybe the brains behind the city know, but they’re all locked up.” Kimber shrugged. “I’ve been looking into it, but…havent’ gotten much. I want to find that Klaire woman and see if she knows anything. She’s a one in a million that doesn’t like the city…at all.”

“She sounds interesting so I'll help you” he replied with a smile “how come she doesn't like the city?”

“She prefers natural elements or something.” Kimber shrugged. “I don’t know her well enough to have that answer, honestly.”

“I can relate to that back on Earth I used to camp all over the place” he paused for a moment thinking about the places he wanted to go to but would possibly never get the chance. He thought of his friends he made along the way and how he'd never see them again.

“Ya got this faraway look on her face, Amit.” Kimber commented, tilting her head to the side. The flowers echoed her concern.

“I guess it's just hitting me now that my old life is over” he replied.

“I’m sorry…” Kimber murmured.

“It's ok at least I met you” he replied while looking over to her “thank you by the way for being so helpful even though we just met.”