Chapter 71 The Girl in the Corner

Safety is just danger out of place

-Harry Connick Jr.

 

Emma

 

Dinner is awkward again. Everybody is keeping a distance, just like they did during lunch. At least this time we’re not denied food.

Blake sits with us again and chats amiably, but I see him give suspicious glances towards Burns every now and then.

I don’t pay much attention to the conversation. My mind is working overtime. They allowed us to stay here, but I’m still afraid someone will hurt Burns.

“… decide yet?”

“Emma?”

I look up. “Hm?” Both Burns and Blake are watching me.

“I asked if you decided yet,” Blake says, “about playing tonight.”

“I don’t know,” I answer.

“It’s not so different from playing in my backyard,” Burns offers.

Blake blinks surprised, but to his credit he keeps from commenting. He shakes his head. “I won’t force you, squirky. We could just use some music, that’s all.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Coming Blake?” One of the men has walked up to us and slaps Blake’s shoulder, “you owe me a rematch.”

Blake grins. “Sure thing. I’ll be right there. You wont win though.” He turns to us. “You two coming?”

I study the newcomer carefully. I wonder what rematch the are talking about.

“You’re inviting them?”

“Don’t be a jerk, Carlos.”

Carlos looks at me and sighs. He holds out his hand to me. “Carlos. You’re Emma, right?”

I nod and hesitantly accept his hand. He looks at Blake again. “I’ll see you at the table.” Without another word he walks away. I narrow my eyes. He completely ignored Burns.

“Don’t glare, squirky. They’ll come around. Just be nice.” Blake stands up. “Come. I’ll show you what we do to have fun.”

We follow him to another room. There’s a dim light and a few tables and chairs are spread around the space.

Blake sits down at one of the tables where Carlos is waiting. On the table is a wooden board with rudely carved figurines on top. I takes me a moment before I realize what they are. “I didn’t know you played chess,” I say.

Blake grins. “There’s a lot you don’t know abut me, squirky.”

I roll my eyes. I’ve decided not to respond to his nicknames anymore. It only encourages him.

“You want to play?” Carlos asks while placing the figurines on their respective positions.

“I can’t play chess,” I say apologetic.

“That’s okay,” Blake grins, “neither can Carlos.”

“Is that so?” Carlos replies, “we’ll see about that.”

“Maybe Burns wants to play,” I comment.

Carlos gives Burns a quick glance but then pretends he hasn’t heard me.

Blake eyes him for a moment before turning to Burns. “You know how to play?”

Burns laughs softly and scratches his neck. “No, sorry. I only know checkers.”

“I can help you with that.” Blake stands up and rumbles through some box. He comes back with a dish cloth that has some plaited pattern on it and a handful of stones. “There you go.” He winks at me. “Shouldn’t be too complicated for you, squirky.”

I narrow my eyes at him and sit down at the table. Burns sits down across from me.

For a while the room is peaceful. If I try real hard, I can even imagine a wintry night at home with the fireplace lit and snow outside the window.

But it’s not.

It’s an underground mineshaft, somewhere in the desert, with a broken world outside.

***

I look up when Blake appears at the entrance of our sleeping space. Nate came to pick up Burns earlier to accompany him to the bathroom. He promised to bring him back in one piece. I suppose I’ll have to trust him. I can’t watch Burns every single second.

“Can I come in?” Blake asks.

I eye him for a moment. “Okay,” I agree uncertain.

Blake pushes away from the wall and saunters over, lowering himself on the mattress. “How are you doing?” His voice is serious and his eyes concerned.

“I’m fine,” I say, “why?”

He shrugs. “Just looking out for you.” He leans back against the wall. “You’re tougher than I thought, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Surviving on your own for so long. Sticking up for an alien…”

“Burns is a good person,” I say.

Blake sighs. “I know you believe that and I suppose he took care of you, but he’s not human, Emma. I’ve seen how deceptive these creatures can be. They’ll say anything to get you to trust them.”

“No,” I shake my head, “not Burns. You don’t understand.”

“Then tell me.”

I sigh. “I thought you trusted him.”

“I never said that,” Blake answers.

“Then why are you nice to him? Why are you protecting him?”

“I’m not a monster, Emma, no matter how hard you are trying to make me one. I know you trust him. And it’s obvious that he cares about you. That doesn’t mean he won’t turn on us. I’m just trying to figure it out.”

“He won’t turn on us,” I mutter. I’m tired of saying the same thing over and over.

“Alright,” Blake says, “let’s talk about something else then. Do you still draw?”

“I… yes… sometimes…”

“Do you have them with you? Can I see?”

I eye him warily. “Why?”

“Don’t be so suspicious all the time, squirky. I just always thought you were talented. I’ve seen your winning mural and a few of your sketches. I’m just curious.”

“They’re not that special,” I sigh.

Blake smirks. “Then there is no problem in showing them to me.”

I roll my eyes and lean forward to grab my bag. Two seconds later I’m on my back with Blake pressing me down.

“Blake!” I shriek, “what the…” But the words die on my lips when I feel the knife against my throat.

I look up at his narrowed eyes and freeze at the hate that shimmers there.

“Now,” he says through his teeth, who are you really?”

“What are you…?”

“You’re not Emma. I saw the scar! Who are you?!”