He had the sudden urge to flee. [3]

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But to where?

He realized the idea was ridiculous as soon as it crossed his mind. He was essentially nowhere. How would he survive? He was certainly no Boy Scout.

And honestly, nothing about her raised his suspicions or caused him to be wary. Obviously, she was different, but he didn’t feel threatened. Yet. Famous last words, he smirked to himself.

As they continued on in silence, he suddenly wondered if she were female at all. He stared at her out of the corner of his eye. Her soft shape, her high voice, just the way she carried herself led him to assume she was female, but it wasn’t as if she had all of the sexual secondary characteristics typical of women back home.

So maybe she wasn’t. Maybe gender was something entirely different here. Who knows. She wasn’t unattractive, though.

“Stand here,” she instructed him, breaking his train of thought. He realized she had stopped behind him.

She pointed to a dark circle on the ground.

From a distance, ORB [2]

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was somewhat disappointing, certainly nondescript. Its only distinguishing feature was its being the only visible landmark along the six kilometer or so walk.

As if countering his thoughts, she said, “It’s pure. Perfect. Existing before all things,” and her eyes clung to their mysterious destination for a few moments until her gaze broke away to find his, possibly hoping for a glimmer of understanding.

She found none.

“We should be there in fifteen minutes,” she said.