I'm Not From Earth - 1. One

o n e

Rover trembled as he climbed the stairs wrought outside the nightclub, wondering why the breeze that swept through a mid-summer's night could be so chilling. Laboriously, step after step, he worked his sore legs. His breath was short and with every pant he exhaled, a piercing bout of pain ignited through his side. He wasn't sure what exactly was injured, or how bad it was, as the kick his father had given him was slightly harder than usual and his headache pounded excruciatingly enough to impair his thoughts. It was without doubt that something was broken though -- besides, of course, his heart.

Rover believed that his heart had been born unfixed.

He paused to take a breath, massaging the bridge between his eyes, the hum of traffic buzzing a dozen stories below, and he tried to listen past the reverberating bass-line of the nightclub he has just passed through. Listening for voices and any footsteps that sparked of urgency. Could Rover have seriously been followed even after his elaborate escape path? Where could they possibly be? Would they still be travelling in their car, or would they be searching for him on foot?

Would his father be with them?

That very thought alone was enough to make Rover's head spin. A fresh wave of fear shook through him, and his limbs shivered violently from the rush of adrenaline that had coursed through his arteries just minutes earlier. He climbed a few more steps, scanning his surroundings with a sudden new thought, suppressing an additional spark of trepidation.

Forget about running away to Somerset's house -- he didn't even know where he was!

The tall apartments and skyscrapers that surrounded Rover were ominous sentries -- tall, concrete and glass structures that blocked out the stars that he was so accustomed to see. Cold patchworks of lights stared down on Rover, glimmering like thousands of eyes. They were watching his every move, illuminating him in eerie spotlights, as if screaming with silent thoughts, you'll be just fine, as long as you keep running!

He picked up the pace, reaching the top of the rusty metal staircase and entering the flat rooftop of the building.

At least up here, it was silent. Up here it was desolate. Up here, his guards couldn't possibly reach him. Up here was safe.

Rover froze in the action of sitting himself down. Something caught his eye -- A tall figure leaning against the side of the roof, veiled in a black profile cast by the bright and cold moon.

As if he could hear the elevated heartbeat of another presence in his territory, the figure turned, strong arms unfolding almost like an eagle preparing to take flight, and he moved forwards. Step after step he approached, the pad of his shoes against the rough concrete silent, until the meagre lights from the nearby buildings found their way to his face.

And Rover, blinking once and once only in surprise, in fear, in desire, in awe, in endearment, in wonder, and in questioning, surrendered himself completely and utterly to those enchanting, slim eyes of fiery green. Absolute stranger though he still was.

Unwise and incautious as it may have been.

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