Not Until I Met You
994 Words
As the ship hurtled through the dark expanse of space, Dahlia leaned back in her seat, still trembling from the adrenaline rush. She turned to Kael, her mind racing with questions.
"Kael," she began hesitantly, "how did you get my number? How did you know how to find me after last night?"
Kael's glowing eyes flickered, his expression unreadable. "Your technology is primitive but predictable. When you approached me the first time, I scanned the devices on you, including your communication tool."
Dahlia's brow furrowed. "Wait, you mean... my phone?"
Kael nodded. "It holds much of your personal information. I used it to ensure I could contact you if something went wrong."
Her initial irritation at the invasion of privacy faded as she realized how crucial that act had been. Still, she couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy.
"You're saying you hacked my phone?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Kael tilted his head. "If that's the word you use, yes. I apologize if it upset you, but it was necessary."
Dahlia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Guess I should be glad you did."
---
As the ship hummed softly, Dahlia's thoughts drifted back to her parents.
"What about my parents?" she blurted, sitting up straighter.
Kael's expression hardened. "They're safe for now. The Sentinels won't target them unless they think they're hiding me."
Dahlia wasn't convinced. Her father, Captain William Vega, wasn't someone who backed down from a fight, especially one involving aliens.
"My dad's not exactly the 'let it go' type," she said. "If he finds out I'm gone-"
"They'll assume you were taken," Kael interrupted.
Dahlia's stomach dropped. "Taken? By you?"
Kael nodded grimly. "It's the logical conclusion, given the events of last night."
Dahlia clenched her fists. "But that's not true! They'll come after you because of me."
Kael's glowing gaze softened. "They would have come after me regardless. You've only accelerated their timeline."
"That's not exactly comforting," she muttered.
---
Kael turned his attention to the ship's controls, his hands gliding over the glowing panels with ease. "Your parents are skilled, but their resources are limited. They'll be looking for me while also dealing with the fallout of the Sentinels' arrival."
Dahlia leaned forward. "You don't know my dad. He'll stop at nothing to find me."
Kael paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Your father's determination is dangerous. But it may also be useful."
Dahlia blinked. "Useful? How?"
Kael's expression turned calculating. "The Sentinels operate with precision, but they underestimate human ingenuity. If your father is as relentless as you say, he might unintentionally create distractions that I can use to protect you."
She frowned. "You're talking about using my dad as a pawn?"
Kael's gaze didn't waver. "I'm talking about survival, Dahlia. Yours and mine."
---
The hum of the ship grew louder, signaling their approach to a destination. Dahlia glanced out the viewport, expecting stars and empty space. Instead, she saw a massive asteroid field, the rocks glowing faintly with streaks of green and gold.
"Where are we?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.
Kael's voice softened. "The Celon Expanse. A safe zone-at least for now."
Dahlia's gaze lingered on the shimmering field, but her thoughts were still on her parents. She could picture her mother pacing the living room, her face etched with worry, while her father barked orders to his team.
"They're going to hate you," she said quietly.
Kael glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "That's expected."
Dahlia turned to him, her voice rising. "You don't care, do you? About what they'll think, or what they'll do?"
Kael's glowing eyes flickered briefly. "On my planet, emotions are... discouraged. They complicate decision-making and weaken resolve."
Dahlia narrowed her eyes. "So you don't feel anything? At all?"
He hesitated, the faintest c***k in his stoic demeanor. "I didn't. Not until I met you."
Her breath caught, but before she could respond, the ship jolted violently, throwing her against her seat.
"What the-"
Kael's hands flew to the controls. "We're not alone."
---
Through the viewport, Dahlia saw a sleek black craft weaving through the asteroid field, its sharp design unmistakable.
"Sentinels?" she asked, her heart pounding.
Kael nodded grimly. "They've tracked us faster than I anticipated."
The ship's alarms blared, and Kael's glowing skin pulsed brighter as he focused on evading their pursuers.
"Hold on," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos.
The ship darted and twisted, narrowly avoiding the oncoming fire from the Sentinel craft. Dahlia gripped the sides of her seat, her knuckles white.
"Can't you fight back?" she shouted over the noise.
Kael shook his head. "This ship isn't equipped for combat. Our only chance is to lose them in the asteroid field."
Dahlia swallowed hard, watching as the ship wove through the glowing rocks, the Sentinel craft hot on their trail.
"Can you do it?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Kael's lips curved into a faint, almost mischievous smile. "We'll find out."
---
The chase was a blur of motion and light, the ship jolting with each near miss. Dahlia's heart felt like it might burst out of her chest as Kael navigated the treacherous field with precision that seemed almost supernatural.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the Sentinel craft fell behind, its sleek form disappearing into the distance.
Kael exhaled, his glowing skin dimming slightly. "We're clear-for now."
Dahlia slumped in her seat, her body trembling from the adrenaline. "That was... intense."
Kael turned to her, his gaze steady. "You handled it well."
She managed a weak laugh. "I didn't exactly have a choice."
---
As the ship settled into a quieter pace, Dahlia's thoughts returned to her parents. They might be safe for now, but how long would it last?
And more importantly, how long could she stay in Kael's world without becoming a target herself?
For now, though, she was alive-and so was Kael.
And for reasons she couldn't yet fully understand, that was enough.
- Writer
