Only Human

I surfaced as fast as I could, and gasped. “This water is so warm!” I exclaimed.

Limdo laughed, and splashed me playfully. “Kate girl expecting what?”

I splashed him back. “I dunno, cold, maybe?”

Limdo’s brow arched.

I sighed, and looked around. “It’s a nice…er…cove.”

Limdo smiled, and started to say something, but was pulled under the water with a startled look on his face.

“Limdo!” I shrieked. “Omigawd, Limdo! Limdo!” I called.

A few feet away, Limdo surfaced shrieking, and pushing on something under the water. “Rin Limdo playing stop!” He half moaned, and glancing at me, blushed.

I turned away, and made for a rock sticking up out of the water. I pulled myself up onto it, and sat blushing.

“Kate girl!” Limdo shrieked, and after much splashing, he swam over, and sat with his back to mine. “Limdo Kate girl apologies.” He said panting.

I nodded. “That’s okay.” I looked up at the top of the canyon high above us. There was a moment of quiet, if not angry whispers from Limdo. “So,” I said, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Who was…er…attacking you…underwater?”

Limdo hesitated then slowly replied. “Attacking…Limdo…” He shifted. “Rin Limdo…er…playing.”

I chuckled. “Sorry I asked. Is Rin still here?” I asked.

“Yes.” Limdo turned. “Kate girl Rin meeting?”

I shrugged. “Why not?”

Limdo called out, and a moment later a brown head slowly surfaced from the water, and moved toward us. I could only see the upper half of the being’s head, but it considered me with two pairs of slanted black eyes.

I smiled and waved. Rin nodded, and lifted its head up so we could see the head and shoulders.

Limdo climbed onto Rin’s shoulders, and hugged the creature’s head with a loving sigh. “Limdo Rin having.”

I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Kate, Limdo’s friend.” I extended a hand.

Rin considered my hand then slowly a brown-red claw like Samael’s pincers lifted from the water, and my eyes grew wide as the thick end set in my palm.

“Oh! You’re one of the sea scorpions,” I smiled. “I heard about you from Sam…ael…” I sighed, and averted my gaze.

Rin lifted its head from the water. It considered me then looked over its shoulder where Limdo was perched making a purring sound, cuddling Rin’s head.

“U’rrha mie O’o na’ha’me kieel.”

“Oh.” I slumped. “You don’t speak English.”

Rin looked at me, and nodded once.

“Rin knowin’ Kate girl O’o mate bein’ not.” Said Limdo with a shrug. “Kate girl O’o bad feelin’ havin’, yeah?”

I sighed. “I dunno.” I pulled my legs up, stacked my arms on my knees, and set my chin on my arms.

Limdo spoke to Rin, I assumed he was translating what I had said. “O’o Kate girl na’ha’me rreees’eh nrek.” He leaned closer to Rin as if telling a secret. “O’o na’ha’me kieel.”

I looked at Limdo, glanced at Rin, who looked mildly amused. “What does – um – Namay keel mean?”

“Na’ha’me kieel?” Limdo tilted his head.

I nodded. “Yeah, what does that mean? You keep repeating it.”

Limdo looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Is…” He scratched his head. “mate wantin’.”

“Oh.” I set my chin back on my arms. “You’re talking about me and Samael as a couple.”

Limdo nodded. “O’o Rin tellin’ Kate girl mate wantin’, but…” He pouted. “Kate girl bad feelin past havin’.”

Rin gurgled something just below the waterline.

I looked at Limdo. “What did Rin say?”

Limdo pressed his lips together. “Rin Limdo sayin’ O’o Kate girl tellin’ bad mating.”

I started. I looked at Rin. “Wait, did Samael tell –uh – Rin – about my rape?”

“Rape…um…” Limdo looked confused. “Kate Limdo sayin’ Rape what bein’?”

I frowned. “You don’t understand what rape is?”

Limdo translated for Rin. Then both shook their heads.

“Oh.” I thought about how to explain it. “Well, it’s when…” I sighed. “There was this guy named Kelli back home. He wanted to,” I flitted my hand. “punish me, I guess, for having boyfriends that aren’t human. So, he forced me to have sex, and beat me, and almost killed me.”

Limdo’s eyes grew wide. “Kate girl Kelli wantin’ not?”

“Right.” I said.

Limdo and Rin conversed again. Then Limdo looked at me. “O’o Kate girl wantin’ havin’ what?”

I squinted at him. “Say that again?”

Limdo looked like he was thinking extra hard about what he was about to say.

Rin squinted at me, and lifted its head. “What does your rape have to do with wanting O’o Tz’tziki?”

I started. “You speak English.”

Rin’s head lowered into the water again, and watched me expectantly.

Limdo leaned his hands on Rin’s head, nodding. “Limdo Kate girl sayin’.”

I shifted. “It was traumatized.”

Rin squinted again, glanced away from me then gurgled something.

Limdo sighed, and smiled dreamily. “Rin true speaker. Kate girl O’o good wantin’.” He looked down at Rin. “Together bein’ important, yeah Rin?”

Rin’s head tilted up, and they shared a small kiss that made Limdo chirp, and wiggle happily.

I smiled. “You two look really happy together.” I thought about the comforting feeling I had when I was with Samael; waking up to see him and his girls in my hotel room, the way he had slept in the bathtub just so he wouldn’t wake me, our talk over coffee, the softness of his voice, and the trust he put in me not just with his children, but his injured leg. “Well I’ll be god damned.” I sighed.

Limdo clicked at me. “Kate girl O’o still bad feelin’.”

“No,” I lifted my head, knowing I was smiling, and had tears streaming down my face. “Sam and I…we’re already a couple. I just didn’t realize it until now.”

Limdo beamed.

“Limdo, I need to get back to town.” I got off the rock into the water.

Limdo nodded. “Limdo Kate girl O’o getting’ yeah!”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

Limdo led me over to a hidden formation of rock that looked like a stairway back up to the overhang where we’d climbed up at. As we left, Rin shouted something up before disappearing under the water.

“What did he say?” I asked.

Limdo laughed. “Rin male bein’ not!” He shook his head.

“Rin is a girl?” I gasped.

Limdo nodded. “My hope you.” He snorted. “Limdo Rin sharin’!”

I looked down over the overhang as Rin floated on her back, belly bulging pregnant. “Huh.” I smiled. “I guess you just can’t tell about people. I hope you have a healthy baby, Rin!” I called down.

Rin waved, and kept swimming in circles on her back.

I chuckled, and ran after Limdo, climbing down the cliff, and walked hurriedly back to the camp in the setting sun.

There was a familiar jeep parked outside Limdo’s house.

“Slug gutter snatcher!” Limdo barked, and threw open the curtain into the house.

“Heeeey Limdo!” Hook grinned.

It didn't look at all like the stick bugs didn't want Hook there.

Limdo hugged Hook, and they clicked back and forth for aminute.

“Er…I thought you hated Hook.” I said, one eye squinted.

Limdo shrugged. “Limdo Hook hatin’ like brother hatin’.”

“Ohhhhh.” I said in realization. “Okay. So, that was your version of playful sarcasm.”

Hook snorted. “Yeah, what else would it be?”

I shook my head. “Nevermind. Hook, I need a ride.”

Hook slipped away from Limdo, and snagged his right arms around my waist. “Thought you’d never ask. I’ll lay out a sleeping bag, and you can ride all the way to the moon if you want.”

I punched his right arm. “No, I mean back into town.”

Hook shrugged. “That’s fine, too, I can multitask while I drive.”

I glowered at him.

“It was a joke!” Hook shrugged all four arms then rolled his teal eyes. “Sheesh, humans,” he looked at the others in the tent. “Am I right?”

“Damn right.” Fly winked at me.

I ignored it. “Moma? Oh, there you are. Thank you so much for having me over.”

Moma patted my cheek. “Kate girl Moma home any be.”

“Thanks, I’ll take that as an invitation to come back.” I started to leave. “Oh! I almost forgot.” I turned, and hugged Limdo. “Thanks for listening, and be sure to send me pictures of the baby.”

“Limdo Rin seven sharin’.” Limdo grinned.

“Seven? Wow.” I coughed. “Well, send me pictures, but I’ll be back before I leave Pompeii.”

Limdo walked out with me, and closed the door as I got into the jeep.

“Kate girl O’o gettin’.”

I nodded. “Yup. I’m gonna go get my O’o back.”

“Say what?” Hook started.

I looked at the roach. “Samael.” I smiled.

Hook stuck his head out the window then pulled it back in. “Maybe.” He started the car, leaving it cryptic as he started off.

“What do you mean ‘maybe’?” I asked after waving goodbye to the sick bugs, and Fly.

“I mean Samael was so depressed after you humiliated him in public that he went to Gilgamesh saying he wouldn’t disgrace his people with his face again.” Hook explained with an attitude that I didn’t appreciate.

“Sam what?” I started.

Hook sighed. “He’s gone, Kate. Everyone knows it, so let it go.” He slowed and stopped the car, turned, and grabbed my wrists with his lower hands. “You rejected him, and he’s acc-“

“No! I- I didn’t. I was scared Hook, but it isn’t Sam I need to be scared of, I know that now.” I pulled my wrists free from the roach’s grasp.

Hook shook his head. “Stop calling him that! I can be your sam,” He pulled me closer. “Kate, you have to forget it now. You screwed up, but you can’t fix it.” His arms tightened around me.

I sighed. “I’m sorry, Hook. I know you have feelings for me, but,” I gently pushed away from him. “I love Samael, Hook, and I want to make sure he knows that.” I pulled away from the roach, opened the car door, and got out. “I’ll walk back if that’s what it takes.”

I heard Hook groan. “Oh come ooon, get back in the car! I’m sor-Kate! Get back in the car!” His voice grew urgent. “KAAAATE!”

I turned, facing the headlights. “What?” I shaded my eyes. “I’m right here, why are you screaming?” I would learn to just what people tell me to…eventually.

I didn’t hear or see a thing before I was cracked on the back of the head.