7

The crates were hard against her back and legs, but April didn’t mind. Feb had wedged herself onto her lap in the midst of the weaponry, and they were headed down in the hovercraft to make the deal.
Mayo had refused to come out of her room, which was just as well, considering the lack of space in the hovercraft. The top of Jani’s head could barely be seen, and Jun was up front in the pilot seat. Feb twisted so she was sideways in April’s lap.
“How convenient.” she murmured into April’s ear. “No seats left except your lap.”
“I swear, this is the way Jani loaded it.” April grinned. “But I’m not complaining.”
“So –why didn’t you tell me the truth back then?” Feb stroked April’s face.
“The truth? About what?” April was confused.
“About you- and women. When you kissed me in the tub, you stopped and said you weren’t like that.”
“What? Oh- that- I meant I wasn’t like those men that took advantage of you. It was pretty insensitive of me to kiss you and make you squeal like that. I’m sorry.” April looked at Feb. “I never meant to hurt you.”
Feb closed her eyes and leaned her head onto April’s chest. She kissed her lightly on the neck.
“Well, the main reason I squealed- was that the tub wall was cold when you pushed me into it.” Feb sighed. “I was shocked…then that cold wall…” she gave a low laugh. “That was it for me. My nerves were gone.”
“So it wasn’t because of me.” April wondered aloud at this revelation.
“No….no….and ever since then…” Feb took April’s hand and placed it on her thigh. “I’ve wanted you to touch me again.” she slid April’s hand up under her dress.
“No...underwear.” April moaned and dropped her gun to the floor.
“I’m counting to three. And when I turn around, you better have your clothes on!” Jani shouted loudly, making them jump. They both began to laugh, and Feb slid off to retrieve the gun.
“I believe this belongs to you.” She handed it to April, then leaned in closer to kiss her. “And so do I- please, don’t ever leave me again.” she whispered.
“I won’t- never again. I promise.” April met her mouth again to seal the promise. The hovercraft shook and Feb fell into April’s lap.
“Landing! Get ready!” Jani stood up and grabbed a crate for support. “I’m gonna grab the demo box and carry it. Be sure you cover me.”
“Got it.” April was back to business, and Feb adjusted her belt on her dress, and took out her gun. “Ready. Here’s to the money.” She smiled and lifted her gun in a mock toast. They clinked their guns together as the hovercraft gave one last landing jolt.

“So where do we go?” April surveyed the landscape. They were in an area of hills that hadn’t seen rain in a long time. “Maybe we should have sold them some water instead.”
“This is…this is Avelo, isn’t it?” Feb’s voice sounded worried.
“Well you’re a smart one. Been on this planet before?” Jani looked up from her navigation pad. “If so, you can be the tour guide.”
“No thanks.” Feb’s voice was faint. April glanced at her and noticed she seemed to look pale.
Avelo…April suddenly remembered that this planet was in the same solar system where she’d rescued Feb. The memories of that time were probably coming back to her. Feb gave her a weak smile as if to reassure her. April stepped to her side and squeezed her hand.
“I’m with you.” she mouthed to Feb. “You’re safe.”
“Ok then, it’s about 200 meters up on the left. An abandoned church.” Jun read aloud from her tablet. “There will be a boy on the steps. We are to ask him if his father has any horses for sale.”
“Let’s go then.” Jani hoisted the box up onto her shoulder. April could feel Feb hesitate, and pulled her hand.
“Come on. I don’t want to leave you here alone, and we need you.” She urged. Feb sighed and nodded her head.

The church was one of three buildings surrounding a well. All were in bad shape, but the church at least had an intact roof. A boy sat out on the steps, whittling a piece of wood with a small knife. He had the same brown skin as Feb; it was obvious that most of his time was spent outdoors. It was also obvious that he was in dire need of a bath. He looked at them with eyes that had long ago lost their wonder of the world.
“What you want?” he spit onto the ground and shoved the wood in his pocket, leaving out his knife.
“We want to know if your father has any horses for sale.” Jun said politely. The boy looked at the box Jani was holding, then at the group. His eyes lingered on Feb and narrowed with scrutiny. April stepped protectively in front of Feb and crossed her arms.
“You better ask my father about that then.” He got up and opened the doors of the church, and nodded his head, inviting them in.
The only light came from the windows, but it was enough to see. Most of the pews were gone; the ones that remained had been pushed up against the wall, clearing the center of the floor. A small square table was in the middle of the room, with three men standing behind it.
“Drop the box here.” The tallest one gestured. Jani walked forward and dropped the box. The men peered inside and seemed satisfied. They looked up at the group, and fell into an eerie silence. The one on the end, his hair back in a ponytail, came forward cautiously.
“Diego.” Feb whispered, and April felt her back up. She held her hand tightly, not sure of what to do.
“Febrista?” his eyes were on Feb, as if he’d seen a ghost.
“What’s this?” Jani sounded displeased. “What’s going on?”
“Marco!” the man turned and ran to the end of the room and disappeared. “Marco!”
“No…” Feb choked. April turned to see her face was pale and eyes wide.
“What the hell!” Jani cursed and banged her fist on the table. “Are we in business or not?”
A tall man came out of a door at the end of the room. April felt Feb’s hand slide away from her own.
“Marco….” she gasped out as she fainted to the floor.
“Feb!” April knelt down next to her, only to be pushed aside by the man called Marco. He was heaving as if he’d been running; suddenly April noticed tears running down his cheeks.
“Hey- just who do you think you are!” she grabbed his arm as he went to gather up Feb. He shook her off, and she heard the unmistakable sound of guns being readied and aimed. She stilled herself as he gathered Feb up in his arms, her arms limply hanging down. He turned to face them and nodded his head. The men put their guns down.
“I am Marco Inestes. And this is my wife.”