Death Planet (DarkAngel76 and Kosmik_Khaos)

[Kosmik_Khaos]

The twin suns of Tyr stood high in the clear blue sky casting their unforgiving light onto the dull brown, dusty landscape. The dry wind kicked up small dust devils that danced in spastic jigs before falling out of existence and reforming several feet away to resume their dance. In all directions the world seemed to fade into obscurity due to the heat waves that rose from the scorched ground. Off to the East heavy dark clouds were forming and making their way west towards a small town that was the only a blurred image forty miles east.

A creature with a build close to a horse but covered in hard black scales, a lizard like tail, five clawed toes instead of hooves one each leg and head closer to an alligator than a horse, full of pointed, serrated teeth. The things vibrant orange eyes focused on the town sensing its riders intent to go there. A large sun darkened hand reached out and caressed the next of the creature getting what could only be described as a purr, but much much louder than any cat could produce. "Yeah, we will rest there tonight Bicona." The man spoke in softly to his mount but his voice low voice held a natural hardness to it. The rider was a tall man wearing dark pants and shirt under a steel gray duster. His wide brimmed hat cast a shadow over his face hiding his eyes that were a stunning shade of green and held a darkness deep within them.

The wind picked up and sent his duster and shoulder length black hair whipping. The smell of the oncoming rain wafted past him and so did a feeling of imminent death. Gripping the reins he heeled Bicona into movement. The creature moved with in the sinuous grace of a feline before taking off into long, almost leaping bounds. It would only take a couple of hours at that ground eating pace to reach the town.

The only sounds were those of the wind whipping past the rider and the soft distant rumble of thunder on the horizon. Bicona's footfalls made virtually no noise as she made her way across the land in the comfort of the silence of her rider.

Less than two hours later they arrived to the edge of the small town. The sign that stood outside the limits held the name of the settlement. "New Hope". Now that he was at the threshold of the town his assumptions of the place were beginning to set. The town was small, but not tiny. There was at least five hundred people here, but no more than seven. Most of the buildings were made of wood and only a few were more than a story high. All of them had a sun bleached look to them, as well as a coating of dust. Looking skyward the clouds had started to darken the day prematurly and the weight of rain was tangible in the air.

Making his way down the main street he paid no heed to the people staring at him and Bicona as they made there way to the first saloon they found. Dismounting he didn't bother to tether her to the watering trough, she would wait for him as long as it took and God help anyone that tried to steal her. They would become her lunch before they knew what happened. Walking into the saloon he felt every eye in the place snap to him, first out of general curiosity of who was walking in, but the stares lingered as they tried to figure out who this new stranger was in their town and for what reason he was there. Going straight to the first empty table he sat heavily in the chair with one arm resting extended on the table while the other rested on his thigh with his hand draped between his legs.

After a few moments a serving girl made her way to his table and looked down at his head not able to see his face due to his hat. "Pardon me ser, can I get you anythin'?" She asked in a sweet voice that held a note of hesitation in it. Not saying anything for a moment the man reached up and slowly removed his hat and laid it on the table. He could see the girl growing uncomfortable beside him. A slew of small, tell tail signs. She kept shifting from foot to foot and her hands worried the hem of her apron. "A hot meal, strong drink, and if you have it, a room, if not directions to a place that does." He said in a flat tone never looking at her directly. In fact the only movement after removing his hat came from his mouth. With a nod the girl quickly scurried away from him obviously glad to be away from him.

Sitting absolutely still he listened to the saloon and it's inhabitants. Scraps of conversation started to give him a picture of life in the area. Things were better here than they could be, but this was no paradise. Crops were smaller this year than last, but the herds were doing strong. The raids had finally died down after a new sheriff was inducted into the town. Several people went missing in the glade to the south of the town that provided hunting and most of if not all of the towns wood supply. He was brought back to attention when a bowl of hot stew and a mug of liquor were laid out before him. "Sorry ser, but we don' have any rooms open at the moment." The girl said in a tight voice that was on the verge of being little more than a squeak.

Turning his face up to her she started back and he could hear her breath catch in her throat. His eyes caught hold of hers and it was as though he nailed her feet to the floor with that gaze. His piercing green eyes bore into her brown ones for a moment. He could see her trembling and the sweat starting to bead on her face. "Come now child I cannot be that frightening now can I?" He asked his low voice still harder than stones. It was true though, he carried an air of intimidation around him and his face held a look that could freeze lakes of fire. The poor server opened her mouth to speak but words failed her as terror started to spread from her eyes to her face. Breaking eye contact with her he waved her away but she stayed locked in place. Sighing heavily he took up the spoon and tapped it against the lip of the bowl. "You can go, thank you." He said politely, but it was without a doubt a dismissal of her. His words snapped her from her daze and she did let out a squeak before all but running from his table.

With the first bite of his food the sky opened in a torrential down poor that filled the room with the sounds of water beating wood, helping drown out the human noise that had started to annoy him. Something was going to happen in New Hope. He could feel it and whatever it was, it would not be good. Settling into his chair he ate in relative silence waiting for the rest of the world to catch up to the storm that was growing overhead.

 

[darkangel76]

Kaira looked up into the sky as the clouds rolled and billowed. A storm was coming and that only meant her job would be harder. She heaved a sigh and blew at the tendrils of hair that had fallen down and into her pale face. If only her hands had been free, she could've easily brushed it away. Her tiny hands tightly gripped the handles on the water pails, the things filled to the brim with water. Her hands ached and she was forced to suffer having hair in her face, partially obscuring her vision. She scowled and blew again at the hair in her face. But try as she might, the long auburn locks weren't going anywhere.

"Damn it," Kaira muttered, her pale eyes clamping shut as she tried not to dwell on her current situation. The night was about to get a whole lot worse as it was.

Once inside, Kaira set down the pails and began working her fingers, trying to get the circulation moving. Her hands hurt terribly and a blister had popped making her job all the more painful and slow. Perhaps Hal would have bandages stashed away somewhere and she could wrap her hands. The guy was always hoarding stuff, trying to keep it under wraps since he didn't want the new sheriff to confiscate it for public use. What was his...was his. Just then, she frowned. She knew damned well that Hal wouldn't give her shit. She was lucky she had a corner of the storehouse to call her own. As it was, she didn't have the money he wanted her to pay even for that dusty hole. So, she was forever working, doing chores and other menial tasks to appease him for letting her have some sort of shelter over her head.

"That the water?" Hal bellowed, peeking his head into the back room where Kaira stood rubbing her hands. "Dump that into the basin stores and get some more, Kai," he demanded, his gaze hard and his expression serious.

Kaira's face contorted and she gave Hal a disgusted look. Despite Hal's size, the girl wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Not like Saffy who cowered any time the brute so much as sniffed. It was infuriating.

"I'll get it when I'm ready," Kaira blurted, her eyes locking with Hal's. She knew he could easily kick her out, but so long as she was willing to work...he wouldn't do anything. And, she knew it. Hal just grumbled, muttering something about women and other such nonsense. Only, Kaira paid him no mind. She put her nose in the air and stalked off to empty the pails.

One by one, Kaira emptied the things, but she was in no rush to head back outside. It was a fair distance to the well and she didn't like the looks of the clouds after her last run. The thought of becoming soaked to the skin hardly appealed. As she stood there, lost in thought, she overheard a voice she didn't recognize. Her curiosity piqued, she edged toward the door and looked out into the main area of the saloon. She saw Saffy standing there, glued to the spot and quivering like some ridiculous kid getting caught stealing by the authorities. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over toward the source of her timidity and silently huffed.

Well, the new guy did have an air about himself, that much was plain. Kaira could immediately tell he was the sort who thought he was always right. She wondered if that was true or just his own self-perception. The notion made her laugh inwardly, so she shook her head and let her lips quirk up into a smile. Saffy still stood there, her nerves clearly getting the better of her. At that, Kaira pursed her lips and walked out of the back room and toward the shaking girl.

"Come on," Kaira suggested, her hand finding Saffy's.

Saffy glanced over at Kaira and winced. "Kai..." she whined.

But Kaira shook her head. "Just go, don't let this dunderhead scare you." She gave the stranger a look, daring him to say something cruel. She could take it. She dealt with Hal daily. But as she looked into the stranger's eyes, she felt a tiny flutter. Pushing it away, she held her ground and tugged on Saffy's arm.

It didn't take much to get Saffy to move. The girl wanted out of there. Once Saffy was gone, Kaira turned toward the newcomer and placed her aching hands on her hips.

"You know," Kaira began. "You're a bit of a jerk for someone so new to this place." She frowned and then raked a hand through her auburn tresses. When they reached the back of her head, she redid the sloppy knot she'd made earlier, finally tucking away those wild tendrils that had been bothering her and itching her nose. "So what brings you to New Hope?"

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Seeing the second girl walk up to him, he continued eating without giving her a second glace, completely ignoring her insult. He was only passing through, he didn't care what the people of New Hope thought of him. In the morning after the storm broke he was gone, same as always. A low rumble of thunder grew steadily louder in the distance.

Despite ignoring her the girl stayed. From the corner of his eyes he saw her place her hands on her hips and sighed softly. "That is the second time you have insulted me little girl." His voice was like frozen iron. Lifting only his eyes to her face the green of his eyes seemed to almost glow. They were dangerous eyes, eyes of a predator and they were boring into her pale ones. A crack of thunder rattled the window of the saloon.

Taking the last bite of his stew he polished off his drink and sat the cup down with a light thunk against the table. Sliding the chair back as he stood he towered head and shoulders over the girl. Looking past over her head he listened intently for a second before muttering just barely over his breath. "This is going to be more than a storm." The howling of the wind picked up and the sudden sound of a torrent of rain against the walls and roof dulled most of the noise in the saloon out.

"Girl." Looking down at the pretty little woman in front of him he gritted his teeth for a second and then let out a inaudible curse. Grabbing her by the shoulder roughly he all but dragged her towards the back of the saloon. Ignoring the looks everyone was giving him he continued to lead her along into the back. "This place is about to become a blood bath." He said reaching into his duster he pulled out a eight shooter and handed it to her. "Stay back here and do not move, if anyone comes back here other than me shoot." He ordered pushing her away from him. "Hide..." His words were cut off by the sound of gunshots.

Turning away from her he drew from under his coat a machine gun and a rather large revolver. The gun fire was now in full swing. Stopping at the door frame just outside of the common room he smiled and let out a slow breath before spinning into the doorway.

Bodies littered the floor, mostly the patrons but a few scattered marauders laid dead or dying. Tables were over turned and most of the bottles behind the bar were reduced to piles of broken glass and puddles of spilling alcohol. Devilish green eyes swept the room and everything moved in slow motion. Seven marauders were left, evenly spread out against the front wall. Raising his left arm he squeezed the trigger of his machine gun and laid a line of death across the room from left to right. rapid bark of the machine gun muffled the cries and thumps of the now dead bodies hitting the wall and floor.

Crossing the room another marauder entered the saloon only to have his face blown from the back of his head with the revolver sending him right back out the door. Exiting the building piercing green eyes scanned the streets. Every where there was chaos. Building were burning and people screaming. Gunfire was only drowned out by the roars of thunder overhead. A shot whizzed past his face from the left, the whine of the bullet audible to him. Snapping his head in the direction he drew up his gun and let a torrent of bullets fly into the marauders body. Turning and walking with intent purpose towards the shooters corpse he drew up the revolver and the moment a head poked out of the door it was splattered.

Holstering his revolver he reached deep into his duster and pulled out a stick of dynamite and a lighter. Holding the explosive in his teeth he lit the fuse and tossed it at the building. Turning he walked away as cries were suddenly drowned out with a concussive blast that he felt against his back. Walking towards the bedlam that was the town square he took out several more marauders along the way, never breaking his stride or altering the composure of his face.

Getting to the town square found the main body of the marauder group. They were not surprisingly at the local bank. The sounds of the storm as well as the destruction the smaller groups were making allowed for the stranger to walk up unnoticed to the woman loading sacks of money into a carriage. Staying silent he holstered his revolver and drew a knife that was almost long enough to be a short sword. Grabbing the woman by the back of her head he jerked her back and before she could let out a cry his blade sprouted from her throat. Removing the blade he dropped her. No longer moving slowly he ran silently to the next taking his head off.
Next, disemboweled.
Next, impaled though the heart from behind.
Next, impaled though right temple.
Last. Cut into pieces.

Back outside and covered in gore from head to toes the rain did little to help with his demonic appearance. More buildings were burning and the screams of towns people were more scattered. This night was going to be the worst that New Hope had ever seen.

Over the next half hour the Stranger shot, stabbed, burned, exploded, beat, and stomped to death every marauder that was stupid enough to not run for their lives, and those unlucky enough to not run fast enough.

Standing in the middle of the main street, buildings on both sides of him in flames throwing crazy shadows all around. The rain washed blood, both his and his enemies from his body. Breathing heavily trying to find himself again in the torrential blood lust that filled his mind. As he found his calm he was surprised his thoughts first turned to the girl he left in the saloon.

 

[darkangel76]

"Hands off, asshole," Kaira grumbled. But the new guy clearly had other plans.

One moment Kaira was staring at the newcomer, the next he was shoving her toward the back. Hal glanced over at them and mumbled something incoherent, but he did nothing to stop the interaction. It would figure...the coward! Kaira's blue eyes widened as she was suddenly pressed up against the wall, cold metal thrust into her hands. She looked down at the gun she now held, her thoughts spinning, while her heart began to race.

Blood bath?

Just then, the doors thrust open and something smashed at the windows! Everyone in the saloon began to scream, to shout...it was complete and utter chaos. Kaira slid down along the wall as her eyes fixed upon the stranger, the only collected person in the entire room. She had no idea how he managed to remain so calm. Or how he knew everything was about to turn into a shitstorm. It had been a while since New Hope had dealt with marauders and it was obvious that no one had any idea as to how to handle them. She saw Saffy out of the corner of her eyes, the other girl panicked as she frantically searched for a place to hide. For a moment, Kaira considered calling out to her, letting her in on her little hiding space. But before she had time to put her idea into action, Saffy's body convulsed where she stood, bullets striking her small body before she crumpled to the floor in a heap.

Kaira placed a hand over her mouth to muffle the scream she couldn't hold back. She watched the girl fall, her dark eyes open, but not a bit of light shone from them. She was dead, a lifeless corpse among the insanity. Kaira tucked herself into a tiny ball, her thoughts out of control as she heard the roar of gunshots and screams. Terrified, she tried to pull herself together. She looked up and searched for a way out, but every exit seemed to be blocked and the fear of being trampled was raw and real.

Finally, Kaira found her out. She crawled along the floor, her body close to the wall. She pulled herself through the door Hal usually reserved for setting out the garbage. It wasn't the best option, but it would work, though she wondered how much safer she'd be outside. As she moved through the tiny opening, she glanced over her shoulder. The newcomer was exiting the saloon through the front door. Just...what? Without further thought, she scrambled over the bags of garbage and rolled onto the ground with a splash. She landed in a puddle, the dirty water soaking her to the bone. But, she had no time to think on such things. Her life was at stake here.

The thunder rumbled and the lightning cracked causing the sky to light up as if the sky were on fire. Fire! Kaira whipped around and saw the building go ablaze. She let out a shriek as she ran around to the front. She caught sight of the strange man who'd entered New Hope, a pile of bodies marking the trail to where he stood. The rain poured down on him, his entire form looking like some ethereal beast as the blood ran in tiny rivulets down his rain soaked body and along the muddy ground. She was in awe, dumbstruck by the look of him.

Suddenly, Kaira was filled with rage. She stomped over to the man and brought her hands up to her face to push away her dampened red hair. "You left me to die!" she shouted, her face twisted into a seething rage. "You...you left me!" She wasn't sure why she felt he needed to feel obligated, but he'd given her his gun, shoved her aside in an attempt to hide her. Why do that if he had no plans of getting her out unscathed. Just then, she heard a muffled sound. She turned around only to see a few more marauders charging toward her, their eyes angry and thirsty for blood.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Turning to the sound of the girls accusing voice he let out a small breath. She was alive. He didn't understand why it was important she survived but it was and she did. Looking down at her soaked body he shrugged his coat off and in one smooth motion flaired it around her and engulfed her in its bulk.

The coat was sturdy and dry on the inside despite the rain, but it was heavy, real heavy. The coat was lined with a flexible ballistic absorbing armor and full of pockets that held extra clips, shells, bullets, small handguns, knives and a couple explosives.

With the duster removed the stranger stood tall and thin, with bandoleers of bullets around his waist. Hanging on his left, a holster with a partially broken down rifle. On the right a double barrel sawed off shotgun. Straps crossed over his chest and six pistols were holstered along them as well as several throwing knives.

Before he could speak to explain he didn't just leave her to die he saw the marauders charging. Like a snake he slithered past Kaira. What sounded like two gun shots dropped the four bodies that had been charging. Each one was missing their face.

"Let's go little girl." He said coldly walking to her and taking her by the shoulder and leading her away. "No one is left alive here that matters and in a couple of days things will much worse."

 

[darkangel76]

Kaira was seething. She was mad! More than anything, she wanted to pound her fists against this man's chest and tell him what for. But words escaped her as she stood there, glaring, her face contorted into a pretty pout. Her lower lip jutted out, while her nose slightly crinkled. She wracked her brain, trying her best to find the worst and most offensive insult she could think of, only her mind was blank. Instead she stood there in silence, while the thunder rumbled and the lightning illuminated the sky. When the newcomer turned, she half expected him to shove her to the ground...it was what Hal always did. But, instead, he placed his coat over her shoulders, causing her to gasp in shock.

"Wh..." Kaira mumbled, words eluding her. The coat was heavy, the weight making it hard to stand up properly. But, it was clear that this man had no plans of letting that get in the way. So, he grabbed her shoulder and nudged her along, like some petulant child about to be punished.

Kaira overheard him call her a 'little girl'...just who was he calling litte? She was a woman! Or, well, she was twenty and that meant enough! She'd seen her fair share of trials and tribulations. Hell, New Hope wasn't built overnight and the people were just as shady as anywhere else. She never let the town's chosen name fool her.

"Little girl?" Kaira asked, her tone full of disgust. She pushed at her auburn hair and turned to get a better look at the man who escorted to who only knew where. She thought about the town, the people...Saffy. It was hard to swallow that the girl was dead, her body pumped full of bullets. She'd be a meal now, a means to fend off the predators that swarmed and lurked. The thought of someone she knew being food for the dead was more than unnerving. "Watch who you call little, old man," she spat, a smug grin plastered all over her face.

But Kaira felt instant regret the moment she locked eyes with the man. She hadn't meant it, not really. But she'd be damned if he knew any better. He was strangely easy on the eyes, the way he walked and carried himself without a care. The arrogance exuded from his every pore, but with that arrogance came confidence. No doubt it was how he'd managed on his own. He was a drifter. She was sure of it. Everything about him screamed 'back off', 'stay away'. Men like him had no ties, their only goal...to save thine own ass.

But why had he saved hers? His words hadn't been lost on her, though Kaira refused to acknowledge them. After all, he'd teased her, called her a little girl! It was infuriating when she knew better.

"J-just...where are we going?" Kaira then asked, her mouth blurting out what she was thinking before she could stop herself.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

He could see her anger playing plainly across her face and in all honesty, it was adorable. The way she pouted stirred long forgotten feelings somewhere inside him. There was something about this girl that drew him in like a moth to flame. Ignoring the stirring deep inside he continued to lead her away from the ruined town.

Pausing at her outburst he looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. If he thought she was mad before he had no doubts anymore. Smirking when she called him 'old man' he sighed heavily and took his hand from her shoulder. Taking a few long strides he placed a gap between them before spinning on his heel and facing her with a hard glare. The smug grin on her face annoyed him to no end. Her words didn't bother her but her attitude was pissing him off.

"I may be an old man, but you are still a child, a little girl with the smell of milk still on your breath." His voice was level but seethed with dangerous undertones. "You wouldn't survive more than a week on your own before you died from the elements, or got carted off by marauders to be a fuck puppet." Pausing her watched her like a hawk watches a rabbit. After she blurted her last question he waited for a moment before drawing his revolver and shooting her dead in the chest.

The retort echoed in the dead town and the slug met home on the left side of her chest where he heart would be. Just as the slug hit the coat the ballistic lining hardened and effectively stopped the bullet from killing her, but the impact from less than three feet away still took Kaira off her feet and planted her flatly on her back in the mud. The hit would feel like getting kicked in the chest by an angry horse and would most definitely leave a mark.

Walking to her he looked down at her the revolver still in his hand. "I could have let you die like the others. I could have killed you myself just now. I could have done many things and can do many things to you that the things of your nightmares have nightmares about." Stooping down he grabbed the front of the coat and hefted her to her feet with one hand. Holding her shoulder to keep her steady on her feet he watched her for a moment then sighed. "We are going east. That's the best I can tell you, we will stop at the closet town and you can start over. Now lets go." Taking his hat off he laid it gently onto her head covering her from the rain.

"So little g-- Lady. Do you have a name to go with that lovely face of yours?" He might as well know who it was he just decided to take under his protection. Normally he wouldn't give a damn, but that insistent stirring compelled him to find out more about the pretty woman in front of him. 'When did I decide she was pretty? Who am I trying to fool she is gorgeous and I know it.' Growling at himself he turned away and started walking east, the rain hammering down on him soaking him through. "We need to move, it will get cold soon and if we don't find somewhere to make camp out of the rain neither of us will make it very long before getting sic k, and in case you have delusions about being alright, being sick out here is a death sentence. No doctors or medicines to help you in the wilds."

 

[darkangel76]

Kaira hit the ground with a hard thud, her tiny body sliding backward through a muddy puddle. She stared up at the sky, her thoughts jumbled and her lungs suddenly burning as she tried desperately to gasp for air. She couldn't move. It was as if her body had become paralyzed, holding her prisoner as she willed her muscles to clench, her limbs to tremble. Finally, after what felt like eons, she began to stir, her head aching from having bumped it on the ground as she'd fallen.

Sitting up, Kaira glared at the man. She attempted a sigh, but all she could do was wince. Her shoulder hurt, her chest. Hell, her head! Just what had happened... For a moment, she worked at collecting her thoughts, her stare icy as they slowly pieced together.

She'd been shot! He'd shot her!

Her hand moved to touch the sore spot on her chest and she whimpered. Kaira had no idea what had compelled this man to do such a thing when he hoisted her up causing her to let out a tiny whine. His hands came down gentle, yet firm. He kept her steady as her legs threatened to give out beneath her. Just as she got her bearings, he placed a hat on her head, covering up her rain soaked hair. A few tendrils of auburn stuck to her face, so she raised a hand to shove them away. At that, the man was off, his hand on her shoulder, nudging her along.

He seemed to have a difficult time keeping his hands to himself, Kaira thought as she felt the weight of his palm against her one shoulder. Fortunately, he was favoring the one that wasn't hurting due to his stunt. In a way, she supposed it was the small things. Still, it was strange. She probably should've died along side Saffy, but there she was. She was god only knew where with some man she didn't know, yet who wanted to lead her...east? East. Kaira tried to think on what settlements had sprung up in that direction since the crash. She'd not been born just yet, as she was a product of the people being scared and feeling a need to keep the race going on this godforsaken planet. It was that whole panicked craze, a dark time as people acclimated to their new life. Their hell. When her mind was allowed some quiet, she sometimes thought on her parents. She'd never known her dad and her mom just up and left her one night without word. She wasn't sure what she'd done to make them both abandon her as they did. Perhaps they just knew she'd be a burden. That she'd somehow get them killed. In some ways, she couldn't fault them that. But it stung and she'd hold her pain close where no one could see it.

It had been rough learning that your life was filled with monsters. It was the worst kind of bedtime story. One Kaira wished she didn't live day after day.

Glancing up, Kaira squinted as she focused on the dark sky. She was wet and cold. A part of her wondered if space had been cold. Space. She'd never experience that either. Now all that was left were dying towns and corrupt cities. It wasn't a life...it was just waiting for death to take you.

"Kaira," Kaira stated plainly, though her throat felt raw from her earlier shouting. She frowned at how stupid she sounded. "And...start over?" she asked, her voice sounding pinched. She suddenly felt dizzy. "So, you mean to say that you uproot me from my life, leave my home destroyed and then...then you're just going to up and leave me in some strange place to fend for myself?" She was astounded, flabbergasted! Just who did this guy think he was? And why did everyone who entered her life always leave it! She felt her eyes prick with tears, but she refused to let them fall. No. She wasn't going to cry for this man. She didn't even like him!

So what if he was easy on the eyes. Kaira would never tell him that. Not ever!

Wiping a hand across her face, Kaira let out a groan. Her shoulder hurt. Hell, her whole body hurt. More than anything, she longed for somewhere warm and dry and quiet.

"How...how can you do that?" Kaira whispered mostly to herself. Fighting the tears, she set her jaw and looked over at him. "And what should I call you?" she then asked, a tiny frown pulling at her full lips.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

He expected anger from her, he expected her to lash out at him, but what he didn't expect was seeing the tears in her eyes. Even though she didn't shed a single one he could see them pooling. It also caught him off guard that she was more upset that he was planning on taking her safely to another town than him shooting her. Watching her for a moment longer it suddenly hit him like. She was like him. Always alone, no one sticking around. Suddenly a flood gate opened in his mind.

A six year little boy stood crying in the streets covered in dust and debris, in his tiny hand was the hand of a woman who laid on the ground in a broken heap with half her face missing. Men in uniforms found him and carried him away screaming and reaching out desperately to the corpse. The last time he saw his mother.
Flicker
The same boy, now ten stood in a line at attention. All traces of the crying child were removed from his young face. Four years of reconditioning, education and training had changed the child into a living weapon. This was the final test before graduation. Of the remaining fifteen boys only one would live past the day. It was part of the process to make the best soldiers available.
Flicker Flicker
Twelve years. two hundred and seventeen confirmed kills.
Flicker Flicker
Fifteen years. Wars, death, violence, hate, rage, loneliness, contempt.
FLICKER FLICKER FLICKER
Seventeen years. Faces of the dead, faces of the soon to be dead. Cancerous melancholy eating away at the soul.
FLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKER
Nineteen years. War is over. The planet ended the fight with its death throes. The Earth no longer could sustain life. A mass exodus of humanity into the stars. Final kill count. 11,267.
FLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKER
Twenty years of suspended animation suddenly put to an end in a reality shattering crash that rained down the surviving human masses onto a shit hole planet along with the alien race they crashed into.
FLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKER
Three years. A man who finally found happiness. A smiling woman. A child. Life without conflict.
FLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKERFLICKER
Six years. Darkness returns. All that was gained reduced to rotting flesh and ash. Woman, dead. Child, dead. Man....Alive on the outside.
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Twenty years. A pretty face with eyes full of tears. A feeling long forgotten....hope?

The sound of bone against bone echoed somewhere far away in his ears. It took a moment to realize it was coming from him. His jaw was clenched so his teeth were at risk of cracking. Taking in a slow, deep breath he let it out calmly. "I am not safe to be around for long." He answered her question in a voice that could barely be heard above the storm. Looking back to frowning girl he couldn't help but to smile. "Cassidy." Turning to her looked her dead in the eyes. "Lets make a deal Kaira. You stay with me until we arrive at the next town. If you don't like the feel of the place you are a grown woman, leave. If you choose to follow me out of there so be it. I won't turn you away, nor will I force you to stay." Saying his peace he looked up into the downpour letting the rain wash over his face. Those memories were something painful that he fought to forget everyday of his miserable life.

Raising his hand to his mouth he tucked two fingers between his teeth and blew a shrill, very loud whistle. Waiting for less than a minute Bicona came stalking into view, her wet scales gleaming, and reflecting the light of the lightening. "Kaira, this is Bicona, my friend." He said walking to the huge lizard beast and caressing her long snout. The monster nuzzled against his hand and let a thirty inch tongue snake out from her maw and wind around Cassidy's arm and up to his face licking his cheek. "Enough of that. We have a guest who will be riding with us." Locking eyes with the creature he stared intently at it. "No harm comes to her understand." He asked and the beast responded with a nod of its head. "Good."

Turning to Kaira he looked at the soaked girl and could see her lips turning slightly blue. "We need to move fast." He said grabbing her by the hips and lifting her onto the back of Bicona. Mounting behind her he held the reins in one hand and wrapped the other arm around Kaira's middle holding her firmly against his chest. "HEYAHH!" He cried out suddenly and heeled Bicona into a full run. She easily managed the rough terrain at her ground eating pace. The ride was fast, but the furthest thing from smooth. After an hour of hard riding they came across a small cave, though it would be better described as a cubby. Being only fifteen feet deep, seven high, and eight across at the widest point it was dry. Fortune smiled on them, as in the back of the cave was a pile of dead branches and some tumble weeds.

Going into the cave Cassidy quickly started a fire towards the entrance of the cave so not to smoke them out. As soon as the fire was made he started to strip down, first removing his weapons, then his shirt. Stopping he looked at Kaira for second. "Take off your clothes." He said like it was the more normal thing in the world to tell a young woman you just met. "Seriously, if you stay in those cold wet clothes you will get sick, if you already haven't so you can undress or I can do it for you." He said dropping his pants into a soggy heap around his ankles. Standing stark naked without an ounce of shame Cassidy spread out his clothes near the fire to dry. Even though he was thin, his body was very well toned, but the most eye catching thing was his skin. It was a spastic road map of violence. Scars ran across one another competing for space on his naked skin. Though what could one expect from a person with a thirty plus year history of violence.

 

[darkangel76]

First, he took her away from all that was familiar. Next, he shot her. Then, his plan was to dump her off at some strange place probably worse than New Hope...and now he wanted to cut a deal? This man was unbelievable! Kaira had all she could do to not scream out. She was angry, frustrated...terrified. She thought on her life at New Hope, how she'd been found hiding out in someone's store shed. For three years she'd managed to stay in hiding before those assholes had found her. Their jeers and leers would forever be emblazoned on her brain. But she wouldn't give up. She wouldn't submit. They didn't deserve it and she hadn't wanted to! It was then, that Saffy had found her and the living arrangement she'd had with Hal had begun. The big man had been a bastard from the start, but at least he kept his hands off and would eye down anyone who tried to cop a feel. It had been a strange relationship, but, in its way, it had worked.

Kaira looked up at Cassidy. She softly said his name, letting the word roll over her tongue as she tested it out. Her eyes settled on his, though half his face was in shadow. The darkness of the sky only made darker by the storm had made it difficult to make out his finer features. She stood there seemingly silent for several moments when the man let out a shrill whistle. Slowly, she turned her head toward the soft squelching stomps as a large shadow began to approach. Her blue eyes widened when she saw the monstrous lizard. The instinct to run was overwhelming. She'd dealt with her fair share of monsters...

Though Kaira had expected the beast to trample them over, its teeth gnashing before feasting on their flesh...it didn't. Instead, Cassidy pet the thing, its large head bobbing as if it knew him well and expected all his doting attention. "What..." she whispered, her entirely body rigid with fear. But Cassidy wasn't paying her much mind just then, he was muttering things to...Bicona. A name? Well, if that didn't beat all! Then, she supposed it took a certain sort to have a soft spot for such a beast. And Cassidy definitely fit that bill. Kaira looked at Bicona as the lizard sized her up. The thing gave a nod, which seemed to satisfy Cassidy, and at that they were off. Heading east.

The ride was hard on Kaira's body. She was still quite sore from Cassidy's earlier stunt with the gun. She still wasn't sure why he'd done that. Was he trying to show her something? She just didn't know, but she did know he was holding her far too close. It bothered her that she actually liked the way it felt as his arms snaked around her, pinning her to his chest as he gripped her tightly against him. Was he afraid she'd fall? Probably not. More than likely, he was afraid she'd die and that would mean the monsters lurking out there would have a field day and follow him wherever he went. Yeah. That was it...save thine own ass. It had to be.

After some time, Bicona stopped and Cassidy helped her down. Kaira looked at Bicona, trying to decide if she truly trusted this creature. At least she hadn't tried to bite her head off or her hand. She'd take that as a decent enough start. She then looked at Cassidy, who nudged her toward a cave. It was small, but it was dry and right then that made it the loveliest place in the world. She just hoped the monsters would stay away.

Once inside the cave, Kaira took off Cassidy's coat and hat. Gently, she laid them upon the hard, dry ground. Cassidy busied himself, gathering up branches and dry weed. Biting down on her lower lip, she moved to assist, but her chest and shoulder hurt, the movements coming slower than usual. God, she'd never forgive this man for injuring her! It wasn't long before Cassidy had a blaze going. It would keep the monsters away. They hated fire and it was now a barrier between them. So long as it burned, they'd be safe enough. Just then, Cassidy looked over at her and ordered her to undress.

"What?" Kaira stated, rather than asking. This guy couldn't be serious! Could he? As her mind went wild, she realized that he was. Without a care, he peeled off his wet clothes and began to lay them out flat next to the dancing flames. She supposed he had a point, but there had to be some better options. The man just stared her down as he removed each wet item from his body. It was hard to look away. Never had she been in such a situation and certainly no one had ever seen her. She was luckier than most in that regard as she remembered Saffy's story. She shivered just then, her eyes clamping shut as she cursed at how Cassidy was right about the clothes. "B-but..." she protested, though her hands went to work, following the demands she'd been given.

Kaira wasn't sure why she was listening to this Cassidy. He'd been nothing but a jerk since he'd dropped into her life. Yet, she found herself doing as he demanded. Perhaps it was the mere fact that if even for a split second he'd given a damn about her life ending. It wasn't much, but it was still something to hold onto. Besides, she'd die out where they were without him. She knew that full well. Even still...there was something about him and it unnerved her.

As Kaira pulled off her shirt and pants, her eyes took in the sight of Cassidy's body in the firelight. He was toned and...scarred. Never had she seen so many scars. Oddly enough, she was hardly repulsed by them. Instead she found herself intrigued and wanting to know how he'd gotten each one. A small warmth crept through her belly as she stared, looking away when he looked back at her. Her cheeks reddened and she suddenly realized she was standing in nothing but a bra and a thin slip of panties.

Kaira found her nerve and dared to look at Cassidy as she just stood there. "If you think I'm taking these off, you're sorely mistaken." The bruise on her chest was large, a blossom of dark purple and deep blue making its way down the one swell of her breast from where Cassidy had shot her. "You'll have to make me," she said with a tone of defiance. Her face felt hot and she found herself unable to hold Cassidy's gaze. "You're lucky I went this far," she added and then crossed her arms about her middle, shivering slightly as she stared at the ground.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Cassidy watched the girl closely. They had been in the rain for hours and the wastes held almost no heat at night. She was cold, almost dangerously so. He could see it on her face, dark circles and pale lips with a faint blue hue. It didn't occur to him to look away as she undressed. He wanted to see her body, check her for wounds. It would do him no good to try and save her life just to let an infection kill her slowly.

Cocking an eyebrow at her defiant tone he smirked at the challenge. "Do you really want to keep your most sensitive areas covered in cold, wet cloth to chafe you until you bleed?" He asked not really caring about the answer. With a quick two steps he closed the small distance between the two of them and snatched both her wrists in one hand. Lifting her arms high above her head he spun her to face away from him and unclasped her bra. Pulling her arms down he knelt on one knee and bent her at the waist over the other. Still holding her wrist in his shackle like grip he reared back his free hand and brought it down in a firm slap across both her cheeks with an echoed crack. "Quit acting like a obstinate child." He said firmly as he grabbed the waistband of her panties and peeled them from her and took them to her ankles.

Letting go of her wrists he stood and straighten her up with a firm grip on both her shoulders. "Be still." He commanded with absolute authority . Looking her body up and down the only injury he could see on her front was the bruise he caused. It would hurt for a while, and if she let it, it will lock up her shoulder. Letting her shoulders go he cupped her face and lifted her chin up and looked straight into her eyes checking her pupils. Head injuries where nothing to play with. After his quick check of her eyes he let her face go and spun her around to face the fire. "Start rubbing your chest and stomach. You need to get your core warm. Don't worry about your arms and legs, they can take care of themselves." He said while rubbing his hands together. Once his palms were warm he put them on her back and started to rub her back with surprising tenderness.

"You are going to have to forget whatever is in your past and learn to trust me Kaira. I can tell what kind of woman you are and I know at the next town you won't be happy with just getting dumped off. I know you will stick with me because why the hell not, I'm a complete stranger but I am the only familiar thing left in your life." He paused for a moment his hands still caressing her back, returning blood flow and warmth to her body. "I had no reason to give you that gun and hide you. I had no reason to take you away from that place. I have no reason to be keeping you alive now. I don't need a reason though. I am going to do it. Lets sit." Again not giving her a chance to argue he pulled her down as he lowered himself to the ground sitting her on his lap. Cassidy was so concerned about keeping her alive, that his mind was unaware that he had a pretty, naked, woman on his lap.

"Give me your arm." He said while grabbing her left arm and extending it straight out. Holding her arm up with his left hand he poke and prodded her shoulder with his right. He could feel the swelling and bruising in the muscles. "This wont feel great." He said just as he pressed his thumb firmly into the tense muscles and started to work out the stiffness. "But if you let it sit, it will be much worse."

 

[darkangel76]

One minute she was just standing there, smug and proud for making things difficult for Cassidy, the next Kaira was bent over his knee like some spoiled girl. She could still feel the sting of his slap against her backside, her panties pooling at her ankles. Once standing up again, she felt her face flush and she just stepped out of the bit of material. She felt vulnerable in that moment, his eyes watching her, taking her in. It was as if he saw deep inside her, the notion making her tummy flutter. When he grabbed her chin, forcing her eyes to look into his own, her heart began to beat wildly, finding a rhythm she couldn't understand, but it was oddly one she could get used to.

Finally, Kaira found herself looking at the fire. She'd brought her arms about her middle again, letting her fingers brush her sides for warmth. She was just beginning to feel bold enough to let her palms move over her chest, her hands encircling each breast as her fingers gave them a squeeze per instruction. She bit down on her lower lip, the heat swelling inside. Her hands moved over her breasts, working the soft bit of flesh until her nipples perked against her palms. Suddenly, she felt Cassidy's hands against her back, strong fingers working her muscles, easing the tension.

Kaira closed her eyes, taking in the sensation when she felt herself being tugged backwards. She let Cassidy pull her onto his lap, her entire body trembling at this new closeness. His hands were surprisingly gentle, his tone firm yet soothing. She wanted to hate him, but instead she let him touch and manipulate her body as he saw fit. She was alone...and so was he. Perhaps that had been reason enough for him to keep her alive. Just then, Cassidy prodded her sore shoulder. She let out a small whimper, unable to stifle the sound beckoned forth by the pain.

But Kaira knew Cassidy was right. Her shoulder would hurt more if she ignored it. She had to work the muscles, loosen them up. It was the only way she'd heal quickly.

Kaira glanced over her shoulder, her blue eyes tearing slightly because of the pain. Again, she whimpered, but she didn't protest as Cassidy continued to touch her. On her own, she began to move it, her eyes clamping shut when the pain became too intense. "It...it hurts," she complained, turning forward and letting her head loll forward, chin against chest. She let her hands massage her breasts before sliding down her torso, palms rubbing against her smooth, flat tummy. She let out a sigh just then, her bottom wiggling against Cassidy a little as she settled against him.

He was so warm.

"What's going to happen?" Kaira then asked, her eyes fixed on the fire as she thought about her future, the unknown. Everything seemed dark, like she was running blind through a tunnel...no end in sight. Yet, for his own reasons, he'd had a hand in her fate, forcing their paths to cross. Now she was at his side, her past all but turned to ashes. She was frightened and unsure. But she knew he was right...she wouldn't leave him. In fact, she'd do everything to hang on to the one familiar thing left in her life. "What else is...east?" It wasn't just a question, but a promise, an admission. They were one now even if she didn't fully realize just how deeply that went.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

"Of course it hurts." He said calmly easing up on the pressure as he spoke. It wasn't until she wiggled against him that his mind snapped to the real of things. Her skin was still slightly cool to the touch but she was warmth that he hadn't felt in what felt like a lifetime. Sliding his hand from her sore shoulder to her now presented neck he began to work his fingers gently easing any tension from her neck.

Keeping a contemplative silence after her questions as he weighed them in his mind and work the answer out the best he could. "What's going to happen now is we are going to get you properly warm, then you sleep." Continuing to massage her neck his other hand moved to her thigh and with is palm flat on her leg he slowly rubbed it up and down trying to stimulate blood flow. That was his intentions at least, but he could not ignore the softness of her skin under his hand and against his body. A stirring deep in his stomach long forgotten reminded him that he was still a man, and she a beautiful woman. 'Heh, desire....I've missed this feeling.'

"Away from West." Was his answer to her question on choice of direction. "There are things that I would like to put distance between them and myself." Giving her thigh a reassuring squeeze he smiled at her back. "But don't you worry about those things, I will be with you." His words held many unspoken promises but his tone implied them heavily. "Your safe." Wrapping both his arms around her middle he pulled her against his chest, knowing the skin contact would warm her faster, but wanting to feel her against him. The movement caused her to shift against his lap against and this time there was something there pressing against her soft ass.

Letting his hands wander he caressed both her thighs the warming skin sending chills through his palms and into his chest. Moving his hands up he caressed the curves of her hips up to her waist before moving his hands towards each other across her smooth tummy. She felt amazing, and the pressure against her ass was evidence enough that she was effecting him in a very positive way.

 

[darkangel76]

Warm. Safe. These two words flitted through Kaira's mind as Cassidy's palms slowly moved over her body. For the moment, she'd forgotten about his arrogant demeanor earlier that evening, the fact that he shot her, the fact that he'd humiliated her by slapping her ass as if she were still a child. Oh the things she'd seen and run from. She was hardly a child, but she was certainly alone. His hands seemed to know what to do as he massaged her thighs and pulled her ever closer.

Kaira found she wasn't minding the attention. Not many gave her the time of day unless they wanted something in return...work, a favor. It was nice to have someone give a damn whether she lived or not. Even if it was just for a few minutes. She couldn't forget that Cassidy's first desire had been to leave her behind, dump her off in some town where she didn't know anyone or anything. She was still frightened he'd go back on that promise. Everyone broke promises. So why wouldn't he?

So, Kaira found herself dwelling on things. Attempting to lace her thoughts with a hope that the same cycle wouldn't repeat itself like it always did. Settling against Cassidy, her eyes then went wide. He was hard, aroused. He was... She blushed, her skin reddening as heat washed over her entire body. She hadn't expected such a reaction from the man. Not once! He called her 'child', 'little girl' and those were just what he'd said out loud! She'd had no doubts he thought worse, more humiliating things since their paths had crossed. But there was no mistaking the bit of pressure she felt pressing firmly against her backside.

Kaira bit down on her lower lip, her blue eyes closing as she sat against Cassidy. Suddenly, it was hard not to be aware of his body, how it felt against hers. His hands weren't eager, but slow and methodical, taking as they saw fit. The planes of his chest were hard, yet a comfort. And his arms were strong, embracing her tightly, while his hands did their work. Then there was that one thing she couldn't ignore. Shifting a little, it pressed harder. A reminder that she was a woman and he was a man.

"Wh-what's West?" Kaira then dared to ask, curious about why such a man as Cassidy wanted to run. He didn't seem the sort, but he definitely seemed like someone who liked to avoid people.

And now he was stuck with her. Indefinitely.

Or so she hoped.

Kaira glanced over her shoulder, her cheeks red, her eyes slightly glazed. "Is it...is it really worse than East?" She shifted a bit more, her breasts squishing slightly between her arms and Cassidy's chest. Taking in the feel of him, she averted her gaze. "I...I feel hot," she suddenly blurted, wishing there was somewhere to hide. But she was being held fast, skin on skin, the fire crackling as the storm raged on.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

The quite man knew a silence of deep thought and Kaira was sitting on him in one. It wasn't hard to guess what she was thinking about. This uncertain future that laid sprawled out in front of her, her past a burning husk that can never be returned to. It was a feeling that he knew himself all to well. He was going to have to do everything to keep this girl safe, keep her from falling into a pit of darkness that would leave her with nothing inside. 'Cass, when did you decided to go soft for this brat?' He questioned himself in her silence.

Cassidy instantly knew when she discovered what she was sitting on. A chuckle rolled from his chest, the sound seeming foreign even to himself. The blush that grew across her entire body was endearing, cute even, oh hell who was he trying to kid, it was down right sexy. "What the matter brat? Surely this isn't the first time you've sat on a man's lap." He teased lightly. He honestly didn't know, but a woman even as young as Kaira, usually has gotten intimate with a man by her age. Survival and the continuance of the species and such.

Those two words echoed in Cassidy's ears over and over. Closing his eyes he took in a slow calming breath and released it. "All my demons, the ashes of my past and a whole slew of people that want me more than dead." He answered with a heavy sigh. "And all I want is to put distance between those and myself. I am not sure if the East is worse but I do have one thing that is better here than there so far." He said looking down at her. How she was twisted in his lap the softness of her breasts were pressed against his chest, a feeling that he hadn't known in a long time.

Cassidy smiled at her sudden comment. "I bet you do little girl." He said teasing her again. Still holding onto her he laid back onto the hard ground and pulled her down on top of him. Grabbing her hips he turned her so they were chest to chest and face to face. Holding fast to her hips he enjoyed how her curves fit into his hands so perfectly. Running both hands up her sides he moved them to her back up to her neck. Sliding his fingers up her neck he cupped her face and tilted her head so she was forced to look him dead in the eye. "Get some sleep kid." He said lifting his head from the ground and planting a quick kiss on her forehead. Laying his head back to the ground he reached out and grabbed his coat which was still dry on the inside and with a practiced flourish covered both of them. "If you get any ideas, feel free to act on them. There is nothing stopping you out here." He said with a grin before draping his arms around her under the coat holding her on his body in a light, but solid hold.

"Don't fret precious, I won't let anything get you, and I will not do anything to you. Sleep we have a long few days ahead of us." He said in a kind tone that was just barely audible even with their current closeness.

 

[darkangel76]

For a moment, Kaira forgot to breathe. Her lashes fluttered and she let her gaze drift somewhere that didn't make her head spin or her tummy warm. For some reason she felt embarrassed that she knew as little as she did. Sure, she'd caught men glancing her way, making suggestive gestures. Hell, one overly confident patron had tried to show her the ways of the world. But her knee had been swifter than his hands as he'd fumbled and miscalculated his actions. Hal had a field day with that asshole, but it hadn't stopped others from getting a grope in a time or two when the big guy wasn't looking. But it ended there.

She'd been...fortunate.

"Course not," Kaira lied, her face blazing like the flames of the fire. She wondered if he saw through her, if he somehow knew and had decided to mercilessly tease. She pouted a little, her life wounded just a little bit. But soon she found herself settling in with Cassidy who just chuckled and draped his coat over them both for warmth. He talked more about 'east' and things that made the skin on her bones crawl with shivers.

Looking down in Cassidy's eyes, his hand cupping her chin, Kaira felt that wave of uncertainty flood her veins. The way he looked at her, gaze intense and unwavering. It was enough to make her melt, to make her forget that monsters were real. How she hated the world she lived in. The future grim, bleak. She bit down on her lower lip as soon as the word 'kid' left his mouth. Her brows furrowed, a small crinkle forming along the bridge of her nose.

"Kid?" Kaira restated. "I'm hardly a kid," she spat. "I'm twenty-one." She let out a small puff of air, slightly put out that this man thought her a child. She'd been around, experienced life. A child she was not!

Then again, Kaira had never been with a man. Not really. She wondered if Cassidy gauged his women by their experience and...why did she care!? The jerk shot her, made fun of her and, worst of all, humiliated her.

"I'll sleep when I need it," Kaira protested, her hips shifting slightly of their own accord. Cassidy's hands were on her hips, her breasts squished against his bared chest. Somehow her legs fell about his, her blush only deepening at how intimate they'd look should someone happen upon them both.

Not wanting to call anymore attention upon her embarrassment, Kaira laid her head down and sighed. More than anything, she wanted to prove to Cassidy that there was more to her than being some silly girl. But she doubted he'd ever see her as anything but... And then she heard his final comment, her breath catching as she gasped loudly and tried desperately to stifle the sound. But it was impossible given their situation.

Kaira swallowed hard, but let out a tiny 'humph' despite it all. There was no way she'd sleep now. She couldn't. She wouldn't! She fought sleep, not wanting Cassidy to be right about them needing their rest. But it was impossible. She was beyond exhausted and her body still rather sore from Cassidy's earlier lesson. She glanced at the fire, the blaze burning brightly against the dark sky. Slowly, she drifted off to sleep, her dreams coming and going out of her control. More than once she saw Cassidy's face as she slept, the intent in his eyes enough to make her pant, while she grew damp between her legs.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Cassidy could easily see that she had never been with a man by her reaction to his teasing. Though it didn't really surprise him it was still a bit unusual for a woman as attractive as Kaira and at her age to not know a man sexually. The look on her face when he called her a kid sent his pulse racing. 'Gods below this woman is gorgeous.' He admitted to himself. It took quite a bit of self control on his part to not just kiss her then and there consequences be damned.

"Yeah, kid." He replied to her with a smirk. "I'm forty...sixty if you want to count the twenty years of cryo sleep before we all ended up on this shit heap." He stated matter of factly. "Also I have lived far more than you in my fist ten years of life than you have your entire life so, if you still wish to act like an obstinate child I will gladly put you back over my knee." He threatened halfheartedly, though the thought of his hand against her ass again caused his erection to twitch.

'This girl is getting to you Cass. You don't have time to be playing with strays regardless of how attractive they are.' His thoughts stopped dead in their tracks. Again he had admitted that he was attracted to the girl laying against his body, and it wasn't just because she was naked and laying atop him. There was something beyond the annoying bratty exterior that drew him to her like a moth to the flame.

Not bothering to argue the point of needing sleep with her, Cassidy let her attempt to fight the inevitable. Soon Kaira was sleeping with her head on his chest.

Lying on the hard ground in a personal silence he noted Kaira's steady breathing against his chest, the soft sound of her breath escaping her lips that kept rhythm for the crackle of wood burning a few paces from their tangled bodies.

As he laid there in the silence that only the knight could bring he noticed that every so often Kiara shifted and a definite heat was coming from between her legs. A small piece of him wanted to take claim to her body's reactions, while the majority ignored it completely. He had given her his word she would be safe with him and he wasn't about to break it because he was horny.

Keeping his arms around her he stared out into the darkness beyond the light of the fire and let his mind wander. How was he going to protect her from his enemies, how was he going to keep her alive on a world that felt like it was designed specifically to kill people, and most importantly, how was he to deal with these feelings that this girl was unearthing after so many years. Those questions echoed in his mind for hours as he laid awake staring out into the darkness.

After some hours a sound caught Cassidy's ear. Footsteps. Not human. Moving only his head so not to wake Kiara Cassidy stared out into the darkness, the firelight causing his emerald eyes to shine ominously. After a few moments a pack of Gruul appeared at the cave entrance. The beasts eyes reflected the firelight causing them to glow as they gazed at what was just beyond the barrier of light.

Catching the eye on the Alpha, Cassidy stared the Gruul down. After a couple of second that seemed to stretch an eternity the Alpha dropped its ears and laid flat on the ground, followed by the rest of its small pack. In the short seconds that passed between the two, Cassidy established his dominance over the beasts in nothing more than a stare.

Ever since the experiments he'd been able to connect on a primal level with all manner of beasts. It was the whole reason that he rode Bicona instead of a horse. Watching the pack lying passively outside the cave he knew that to them he was now an entity that stood higher than their alpha and that nothing would be able to get close to the cave without them attacking it first.

With the added security Cassidy let his gaze roam to the ceiling of the cave idly watching the shadows dance over the faulted surface. After hours of lying awake with Kiara on top of him the first light of the suns stared to peak over the horizon. Soon he would have to wake the girl and start moving again.

Turning his gaze to the gruul that still lurked outside of the cave the alpha stood, its pack following suit. Nodding to the animal it bowed its head before turning and leaving with its pack.

Once the gruul were out of sight Cassidy began to gently stroke Kiara's back. "It's time to wake up." The first sun was less than halfway above the horizon and the second was just starting to peak over. "Come on girl, we don't have the luxury of sleeping the day away, we have a lot to do." He said shaking her gently to rouse her.

 

[darkangel76]

"Mmm..." Kaira sighed. She was warm and comfortable and something was petting her back in the most wonderful of ways. She made a few more soft sounds, her body shifting a little atop her modest 'bed'. Slowly, she blinked her eyes open, everything coming into focus. Suddenly, she gasped and pushed herself up into a sitting position.

Kai's cheeks reddened, her face hot as she let her gaze drift down. She was straddling a man, his face slightly worn, but beautiful. His body just lied there, a picture of calm between her thighs. Biting down on her lower lip, she suddenly realized she was naked. A sense of shyness washed over her and she lifted her arms so as to cover her bare breasts. But her attempts were in vain. Her body was totally exposed and the pulsing heat emanating from her sex poured over him as she sat there.

"I...I..." Kaira stuttered. She started to fidget, but didn't dare move. She could hardly ignore the dampness between her legs or even the dreams she'd had while asleep. Unable to look Cassidy in the eye, she glanced over at the fire...and her newly dried clothes.

Her clothes seemed so far away, a means to hide these strange sensations awakening within her body. If only they'd been closer. If only she had woken first.

"I should g-get dressed," Kai stammered, the sweeping heat moving from her cheeks and making its way along the swells of her breasts. The heat between her legs just rose, her face contorting as she willed her clothes closer. "Like you said," she went on, interrupting her own silence. "We have to get moving."

East, Cassidy had said. Kaira wondered just what they'd truly find in that direction. One thing she knew for certain, her old life was gone. Her old life would soon become 'west'. Would it become part of the forgotten or something to always runaway from? She hardly knew. But in the moment, it didn't matter.

She just hoped the monsters would stay away.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Cassidy couldn't help but grin at her startled awakening. Her shifting about did little to help his current 'situation' that was now pressed against her ass, resting hotly between her cheeks. The sight of her naked body didn't help situations, but what drove it home was how she tried in vain to cover herself. Her shyness was alluring, an aspect that went against the entire tough girl facade she had to wear.

Not all of his thoughts about her body were perverted though. He did take the time to look at the bruise on her chest the best he could with her wiggling about, which in turn brought his thoughts back to the perverse. He could feel the heat pouring from between her legs and his pelvis was moist from her. Seeing that she was pointedly avoiding eye contact with him as she stammered her way though her awkward morning.

Sighing softly he reached up with his left hand and took her chin in his strong fingers and forced her to look at least in his direction. "You will look me in the eye when you speak to me, do you understand?" He asked in a firm, almost lecturing tone. "Especially with eyes as lovely as yours." He added in a much kinder tone. Keeping her chin in his fingers his other hand moved to her thigh. Ever so slowly he traced his hard fingers up her soft thigh to her hip, which he cupped and idly ran his thumb over the ridge of her hip, diving it quite low towards her hot sex.

Slipping his fingers from her chin to her neck he wrapped his fingers loosely around it. Using only his core to lift his upper body, much like a crunch, he pulled himself into a semi sitting position leaving Kaira unmoved on his lap and her face less than two inches from his. Sharp green eyes seemed to bore directly into her soul seeing more of her than was already on display. Moving his face to beside hers their cheeks were touching and his lips were right beside her left ear.

"I know about the dreams you were having. I can see the way you are feeling, hell girl, my lap is soaked because of you." His voice was a low whisper that hinted at unspoken desire on his part. Tightening his grip around her neck just the slightest he wasn't trying to choke her, just hold her still. Pressing his lips against her hot skin just below her ear he smirked and nipped teasingly at her soft skin. "I'll make a deal with you little lady." He said choosing his words carefully. He didn't wan't to offend her again.

Still massaging her hip he slid his thumb lower down her hip, closer again to her waiting sex. "You are going to be traveling with me for a while I presume. I will have to teach you how to survive out here. For every lesson I attempt to teach you, you will be given a chance to earn a reward." Again his lips and teeth taunted her exposed neck. "The reward will vary depending on the lesson learned, but I will make it worth you time." His hand left her hip to travel to her inner thigh where his fingers moved even closer to her wet sex. "But failure will be met with discipline of my choosing." He said suddenly drawing his hand away from her thigh completely.

One final love bite on her neck and his hand feel away and he lowered himself back to laying flat on the ground with her still atop of him. "We can start as soon as you decide to get off of me." A smirk plastered itself onto Cassidy's face. "Unless you plan on getting off on me." He said with a shift of his hips reminding her, if she somehow forgot that his erection was resting between the cheeks of her ass.

 

[darkangel76]

Her breath caught in her throat; her body reacting in ways she never anticipated. Kaira swallowed hard, eyes clamping shut as Cassidy removed his hand from her thigh. She whimpered softly, saddened by the loss of heat and contact. She was aching, somehow worked up and feeling things that made her want to cry out! Pausing a moment, she looked him directly in his eyes, unable to turn away despite that terrible urge to run, to hide. It gnawed at her mind, but she was powerless to do anything of the sort. Instead, she was rooted to the spot, her body becoming more aware of the intimate way in which they sat there. Bodies close and pressed together—skin on skin, flesh against flesh. She thought about Cassidy's hand on her hip, tantalizingly teasing her body in ways she never knew were possible. Then again, she'd never been looked at or touched the way he was doing so right then.

For a fleeting moment,
Kaira thought about the eager patrons. The one who got overly friendly, Hal stepping in to knock them down a peg or ten. She pushed those memories aside, burying them deep within the recesses of her mind. Cassidy wasn't like them. No. Somehow he knew...

She wanted this and now she wanted more. And only moments ago she wanted to hide. Furrowing her brow, Kaira's expression turned into one of confusion. Just what was happening? Why?

Cassidy was right though. She would be traveling with him for a while. Well, until he grew tired of her, she supposed. But Kaira didn't want to think that far ahead. Such a future frightened her, if she was honest about it. The idea of being left alone...it hardly appealed. She closed her eyes briefly, still feeling Cassidy's breath, hot against her ear. His teeth had grazed her neck, sending shivers along her spine, making her shudder. She shifted slightly, that throb between her legs growing steadily stronger, begging for something...anything.

Licking her lips, Kaira did as told and got off Cassidy. Her eyes saw the glistening damp she left behind against his skin, a betrayal of her arousal. She backed away toward the dwindling fire, toward her clothes. She had half a mind to reach down between her legs and let her fingers do their work. It wasn't as if she hadn't at least done that before. But certainly never in front of anyone. But the way Cassidy looked at her, spoke. Somehow, a part of her almost didn't care.

Glancing down at the ground, Kaira saw her clothes, dried and ready. "I...I can be ready," she spoke, reaching down to grab her shirt. As she stood up, garment in hand, she looked squarely at Cassidy. "And...I'm not a child!" she suddenly whined. "Only children are punished and rewarded." Her lower lip jutted out a bit. "Won't you be surprised by how fast I learn! Hmph!" She paused. "I won't be taken off guard again." It was meant to sound like a promise, only she knew better. She knew damned well this man would keep her on her toes. And she was certain Cassidy knew it too, though she'd never admit. Not ever.

 

[Kosmik_Khaos]

Watching her get off of him afforded Cassidy a very pleasant view of Kaira's assets, the only plus to having her off of him he noted to himself as her heat bled away from his body. Never taking his eyes off of her he watched her pick up her shirt standing as she rose. Cocking an eyebrow at her when she began to whine. Annoying as it was Cassidy found himself enjoying it. She was cute and still so untainted by the world, But it was annoying.

Standing at his full height he looked down at the pouting girl and his mind was invaded with deliciously impure thoughts, but most of them would have to wait for later. Her lips though, they captivated his attention as she whined about being punished an rewarded. "I won't be taken off guard again." Her words struck Cassidy as a challenge. A lesson to be taught and learned.

Emerald eyes held their gaze on her like stone and in the span of a breath Cassidy closed the small distance between Kaira and himself. Cupping her face he lifted her head up and their lips connected in a searing kiss. The softness of her lips couldn't begin to be described by Cassidy. His normally sharp mind felt the slightest bit muddled as he let go of her face dropping his hands to her hips and gripping them tightly. Pulling her body flush to his pinning his erection between them, the ten inches felt like a rod of pulsing heat against her smooth skin.

Reluctatly pulling his lips from hers he locked eyes with Kaira once again. "How ready are you?" He asked in a low husky whisper. Snaking his fingers from her hips to her ass he gave her cheeks a firm squeeze and grinned in approval. With a cheek in each hand he lifted her from the ground by her ass so they were eye to eye. "Children are not the only ones punished and rewarded." He spoke in a warning tone before taking her lips in another kiss before taking her lower lip between his teeth biting and sucking it on the edge of being painfully.

Adjusting her until the head of his cock was pressed against her virgin pussy he let go of her lip and looked at his handy work. It was already slightly swollen and looked all the more delicious to him. "How eager are you to show me just how fast you learn?" He asked giving her ass firm grope. How fast do you want to be made into a real woman?" He lowered her slightly causing his cock to press between her lips and against her entrance.

Leaning his lips to her ear he spoke slowly and quietly. "I think I will save this for later." Lifting her away from his erection he stood Kaira on her feet but didn't take his hands from her ass. "Remember Kaira, out here you are mine." His grip on her ass tightened with the last word. "And I can punish and reward you as I see fit. If you don't like it, leave." He spoke honestly knowing she wouldn't leave, but the spark she had also wouldn't be snuffed that simply.

Finally letting go of her ass he stepped from her and grabbed his clothed pulling them on without a sound or look in Kaira's direction. "I know it's heavy but you are wearing my coat and hat again. Consider it part of your survival training, we are building muscle and endurance." He said finally facing her again. "That and with both suns up in a cloudless sky in a the middle of a dessert heading towards a mesa, it is best to keep your fair skin covered. The temperatures will be at least in the one twenties."

Placing his hat on her head he turned and headed out of their makeshift shelter into the blazing heat of the day. There was at least a forty degree difference from the shade to the sun. "Lets move." Cassidy announced and started walking East, thoughts of Kaira running rampant in his mind.