J'avais ouvert ce blog pour y stocker mes histoire. Et au fur et à mesure de son utilisation, je me suis rendue compte que ça n'était pas pratique.
Du coup, je passe au site, pour y voir plus clair.
J'espère que ça vous plaira aussi!
I had opened this blog to storemy stories, but as I was publishing, I realized it wasn't practical.
So I created a website and I hope you'll like it!
16.
It took them almost four more days to reach Japan. The weather had been bad, and the reverse currents strong enough to slow them down. They stayed on the ship until nightfall, when they disembarked quietly.
Like they had found a car at Starling Airport, one was waiting for them here. Two sailors helped them stow the crates in the trunk and they were off without a look back. They exited the port area without encountering anyone. Oliver set a course through the GPS and took the road. Nola always enjoyed documenting her travels, and she was sort of sorry she couldn't take pictures. This voyage had taught her to be stronger, both physically and mentally, she supposed those were the memories she would take home.
Little by little, the smell of the port, saturated with oil and metal, dissipated, but the smell of the sea remained. They drove through the city and it was kind of a shock to Nola's sense of smell to find civilization again. Cars and people. Concrete and asphalt.
They turned on the highway, leaving the city and tunnels for open air and hills. The night was warm and the air filled with the smells of nature, despite the traffic.
« Too bad we can't stop for some Shinrin Yoku. »
Oliver turned his head and looked interrogatively at Nola.
« What ? »
« Shinrin Yoku. Literally forest bath. You walk into a forest to relax, you don't keep track of time, you just unwind. »
« You'll have all the time you want for that on Lian Yu. It's covered with forests. »
« Cool. »
« You know I don't count on coming back to Starling City. »
« I kinda figured that out. »
« You plan on staying with me for the next five years ? It's how long I was there the first time. »
« I'll stay as long as I can smell the black hole. After that, I'll find a way back. »
Nola found a radio station that play American pop music and turned the volume low but audible. They stopped a first time to answer nature's call and snack, but were back on the road quickly. She offered to take the wheel but since she had no previous experience of left side driving, Oliver declined. She turned her head to look at the landscape and had a passing thought that all interstate roads looked alike at night.
The road was monotonous and soon Nola drifted and fell asleep. Oliver made sure his speed was constant and his driving even. He didn't want to be pulled over by cops since neither of them had visas.
Around two in the morning, he stopped at a gas station, filled his tank and decided he needed a nap. Nola had stirred in her sleep when he had slowed down, but not woken up, so he lied down on his seat, set his internal clock to one hour and closed his eyes.
Nola woke up slowly and stretched to ease her aches. Oliver was asleep at her right and she looked at him for a minute. In high school, he'd been a bit soft around the face, with a haircut that didn't suit him. Now his shadow of a beard and short brush cut made him look tough and unyielding. And so handsome. But it was his eyes that had captivated her lately. The blue-grey pools that had forgotten how to smile.
She sighed and looked around. They were parked in the back of the lot, near the trucks. Two persons equipped with lamps, obviously security, were checking if everyone was okay. She shook Oliver's arm and he woke up at once.
« What ? »
« Over there. Police or highway security ? »
« I don't know. »
« If we leave right now, they're gonna chase after us ? »
« Or have us arrested at the next toll. Wait, Japanese police wear blue. Those men wear green. Maybe rest stop security ? »
« Can they ask for our papers ? »
« I hope not. »
Oliver looked at Nola.
« There may be a way to avoid embarrassing questions. »
« What way ? »
« By being caught in an embarrassing situation. »
Nola looked uncomfortable.
« I see. »
« I have a fake ID, but none for you. »
She shook her head in disbelief.
« Of course not. All right, I can play a prostitute. »
« Not prostitute, girlfriend. I'm an American sailor stationed in Okinawa, I'm on leave and you came to visit. »
« I like that plan better. »
The men were approaching, they had to act quickly. Oliver moved his seat all the way back. Nola took her jacket off, opened her blouse showing her bra and straddled him.
« You're okay with the plan ? »
« A lot more than being sent back to the US or worse, in jail. »
Oliver put his hands around Nola's waist, she placed hers on his shoulders and bent over. Their lips touched, lightly at first, and the kiss deepened. And they both forgot why they were making out.
*****
Oliver let his hands roam over her back, savoring the softness of her skin. Nola pressed herself against his hard body, letting his taste and scent submerge her. She felt him grow hard against her and she moaned softly when he scraped her neck with his teeth. They looked at each other with desire and kissed again, hard. Nola pulled on Oliver's t-shirt to feel his skin against hers.
*****
The rap on the window had them both jump in surprise. It took them a second to remember where they were and why they were in this situation. Nola slipped back to her seat and buttoned back her shirt while Oliver rolled down the window. He said a few words in Japanese, that had the security guards laugh. She was out of breath, aroused, but also mortified. One kiss and he could have had her here and now.
« So, Russian and now Japanese ? Looks like you picked up some skills lately. I mean, I can speak French but not that fluently. »
« Well, I never mastered French. »
« Madame Lebon would be crushed. »
Oliver laughed and shook his head at the memory.
« She tried her best. »
They exchanged a smile, wiping out the last remnants of unease.
An hour later, they stopped in a small roadside motel. After their encounter with law enforcement and still a long road ahead, Oliver preferred taking a nap in a safer place. The room had only one bed, so he offered it to Nola and settled on the floor.
« Ollie, don't be stupid. It's the last time we're able to sleep in a real bed, at least for the foreseeable future. We can share. I promise I won't seduce you. »
« All right. Thanks. »
They laid down on the covers, keeping their distances. But when Oliver woke up a few hours later, they were in each other's arms, like they did when they were a couple. He didn't move, enjoying the feel of her against him. When she had left him and gone back to her place, he had missed her more than he could have imagined. He had been in love with Laurel for years, but she had chosen Tommy over him. And finding Nola had soothed his soul and opened his heart.
She had seen past the playboy image he wanted to give the world. She had discovered many of his secrets and he didn't need to pretend around her. And he was sorry he'd lost all that. When she had refused to let him leave without her, he had thought she would give up, especially after seeing the journey he'd planned, but she had stuck with him, whatever the cost. She'd become tougher and stronger without losing her warm personality. He thought about how much he wanted to make love to her and felt her stirr. And when she opened her eyes, he kept his desire in check and smiled at her.
« Hi. »
« Hi. »
Nola hadn't seen Oliver's smile for a while and felt her heart skip a beat. She had a vision of her pulling his head down for a kiss and a morning snuggle, but she resisted the impulse and rolled over.
« I'm going to do something I haven't done in what seems like forever. »
She foraged in her backpack and went for the bathroom.
« I'm gonna take a shower. »
Oliver rolled on his back and closed his eyes. He had been very close to bending over and kissing her. He missed their morning cuddles, when everything was quiet, light was dim and they were alone in the world.
The scream made him jump, grab the knife hidden in his jacket and run to the bathroom.
« Nola ! »
But when he entered, there was no one in sight, and he just heard the sound of the shower.
« Nola ? »
She pulled the curtain enough to show her face. He hid the knife from view.
« What ? »
« You're okay ? What was that ? »
« Oh, nothing. You know what, you go to Lian Yu on your own, and you come back for me in five years. I'll still be in the shower. »
Oliver shook his head with a smile.
« I'll go get breakfast. »
« Thank you ! I'm not sure there'll be hot water left when you come back, though. I plan on emptying their boiler. »
He turned around and left the room.
« I need a cold shower anyway. »
15.
Later in the afternoon, Oliver gave Nola her first lesson in self-defense.
« All right, feet apart, put your support foot in front. »
« Well, that's part of the problem. It's the left one, the one that was amputated. »
« It doesn't change anything. You just have to balance your body to find your equilibrium. Lets try this. Close your eyes and extend your arms on your sides. »
She did as he told her. The ship had a slight roll and she had to compensate to keep her balance. He observed her and showed her some basic movements to start. Punch, punch, evade. She wasn't fit, but she could move with ease. He had made a tour of the ship and seen the gym room they could use to get her in shape. Her stunt in front of the captain and his own presence should prevent any harassment from the crew.
They ate dinner and went to bed without having said much more. Oliver had planned his trip back to Lian Yu without thinking anyone could discover his true destination so he was still bothered by Nola's presence.
Meanwhile, Nola still regretted having tricked Oliver into taking her on that journey. She was feeling a bit ashamed of her behaviour and promised herself she would do her best to mimic a mouse and be nearly invisible.
The next day started their new routine. After a large but tasteless breakfast, they would go to the gym and work out a couple of hours. Oliver showed her how the machines worked, what exercises to do. He would train by her side, usually bare chest, so that every man walking in would see his tattoo. He ended up telling her the star was the mark of the Bratva, the Russian mob, and that the crew owed him the respect due to a captain. Nola found it disturbing. The mobs were not known for their peaceful manners and kind hearts, so she wondered what Oliver had done to get that star.
She, on the other hand, worked out in a big t-shirt and large jogging pants that would hide her figure and make her less visible and less susceptible to unwanted solicitations. After lunch, they would go to the hold where his crates were stored and he would show her how to fight with her fists, her feet and her cane.
Day after day her strength and fighting skills improved. Oliver was actually proud of her, he enjoyed training with her. She took hits without whining, always got up when she fell, and carefully listened to his remarks.
On day twelve of their travel, Nola decided to skip the morning workout and have a couple of hours to herself. She didn't mind Oliver's presence, but she wanted to wash her hair and didn't need him around to do that. She was in the rinsing phase, which was a pain because the washbasin was so small, when she heard the cabin door open. She was about to shout to Oliver that she wasn't finished when she smelled grease and sweat and something dark red that scared her. She was still hidden from view so she took a second to put her t-shirt back on and think about what was going to happen. There were two men outside the closet, exploring the cabin, obviously joking in Russian. She took a deep breath and prepared herself.
When the first man showed through the opening, she used the heel of her hand to hit him hard under the nose. Blood spurted, staining her. She dropped on her knees and punched him hard again, this time in the crotch. The man fell, whimpering, in a fetal position. The second man hurried to his side. Still crouching, Nola evaded him, grabbed her cane and gave him a good whack in the legs. He stumbled forward and she used his momentum to hit him on the head. He fell down without a word, knocked out.
The fight had lasted only a few seconds. Nola stood in the middle of the room, unsure of what would happen next. She heard running in the gangway and Oliver burst inside the cabin.
« Are you okay ? I heard crewmen talk about you. »
He looked around and saw the two sailors lying on the floor. She was standing on her own two feet, shaking slightly but barely out of breath, blood on her right hand. He took it in his own to examine her.
« Where did he hurt you ? »
« It's his blood, not mine. I think I broke his nose. »
Oliver took them both by the collar and threw them in the passageway.
« I should never have left you alone. This is my fault. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. »
« Ollie, I'm okay, don't beat yourself up. If anything, I'm glad it happened. »
« Glad ? Are you crazy ? »
« I told you from the start I wanted to take care of myself. I proved I can. I didn't freeze, or tried to run, I fought back. And I even discovered something. When you're in a fight, you have to want to hurt your opponent. I never thought I'd be capable of that. Now, if it's okay with you, I'd like to finish washing my hair. »
Oliver looked at her and saw that she was still wet, dripping even.
« Sure. But Nola… it was your first fight. Don't expect things to go well the next time. »
« I'm not. This time I had a few seconds to release the fear and find my courage. I wasn't hurt, they didn't have time to put a finger on me. I'll have to train harder. »
« Nola... »
« Oliver, I never want to feel helpless again, like I was when I got shot. Today I got lucky. Tomorrow I may not. When we train this afternoon, don't go easy on me. I have survived worse than bruises. »
« I don't want to hurt you. »
« And I don't like pain. But I need this. Don't hold back your blows as much. Let me figure out what I'm capable of. »
Oliver hated the idea of hurting her, but he understood the helplessness, and the need to overcome it. This time, they didn't spar in the cargo hold. They went to the gym.
They started with simple moves. Punch, punch, evade. Hit, block, pivot. Moves they had already practiced enough so Nola was familiar with them. She concentrated on Oliver's eyes and scent to avoid being distracted by all the men not on duty showing up, including the two Nola had beaten up, one of them supporting two black eyes and a bandaged nose.
Oliver passed her guard and landed a punch on her shoulder. She winced, used the propulsion to turn and hit him in the back. The crew cheered. His next move made her fall down on her face and she was almost hit again trying to get up. He jabbed her in the thigh and she fell down again. He wasn't pretending anymore, he was kicking her ass thouroughly and she couldn't touch him.
Nola suddenly remembered a phrase she heard somewhere "The only way to win is to deny the battle." She decided not to try to hit Oliver but to avoid getting punched by jumping sideways, crouching, or rolling. After a minute or two where he mostly grazed her, he ended the sparring lesson by bowing. Nola bowed back under the applause of the men and became acutely aware of their scents. Enjoyment, virility and… the deep red hue of lust.
She had been so focused on the fight she hadn't noticed the pheromones in the air and now she felt hot and turned on. She pushed through the crowd and headed back to the cabin. In this state she needed only one thing and she figured asking Oliver or a sailor was a bad idea. She was out of breath and flushed when they arrived.
« You're okay ? »
« Could you leave me alone ? »
« Not when you're like that. »
« Ollie, you have no idea the effect odors can have on me, do you ? Even if you already saw me like that. »
« Like what ? »
« Do you remember the club ? »
Oliver did remember the moment they spent in the office was well spent.
« Yes. »
« When I told you I can smell desire, it's more than that. »
« It wakes up yours. That's what you told me the first time. »
« Yes. I'm like intoxicated by all the pheromones in the air. At the moment, I'm barely in control. When I was in college, they called me WildFire because I didn't control myself. You have no idea how wild I can get. At the club, we were going out, so that was okay to have sex with you. But not now. I'd be using you and I don’t like the idea. And I don't see myself asking a crewmember. So please, could you leave me alone for a few minutes, so I can cool down. »
Nola turned away and heard Oliver leave. She went to the sink and splashed cold water on her face. But she was much too high now to be relieved that way. She took her clothes off and lied down on her bed.
*****
She had always enjoyed making love with Oliver, but if she conjured him up now, she would feel very awkward afterwards. So she pictured one of the sailors. She'd seen him in the gym pretty much every day since she started training, an African man of slender build who smelled like sand and desert.
She closed her eyes and put her hand on her sex. She pictured his dark skin against her own so pale, imagining what he could do to her. And there he was.
His kisses were intense, demanding, and her lips met his with fervor. His hands were caressing her body, fondling her. The image of his black hands roaming her white body was intensely erotical and enhanced her pleasure. She pinched her nipple and imagined he was biting her. She felt his body on hers, her hand mimicking the strokes she was fantasizing about. In her mind’s eye she saw the sailor penetrate her and pushed two fingers inside herself. It wasn’t quite the same as reality, but it would have to be enough. She started to move her hand rhythmically, like a lover would, felt the pressure build inside her body and finally release. She let out a moan and just laid there, not quite satiated but calmer.
*****
She got up a little while later, washed herself and put on some clothes. She opened the door and saw Oliver sitting across the passageway.
« I knew you’d be here. Thanks for watching over me. »
« Always. You’re feeling better ? »
« Sort of. I need a good night’s sleep. »
Nola laughed.
« Actually that’s not what I really need, but that’ll do. »
« I didn’t understand how intense it could be, your… »
« Oversensitive sense of smell ? Scents-induced drunk-like state? »
« Gift. »
« Most of the time, I’m in control. One or two men who feel lust, I can deal. More than twenty, that’s really hard. And when we fought, I was so focused on you and your moves, I didn’t realize I was getting intoxicated until it was over. And I got overwhelmed. »
« You know… I could have helped you. »
« I know. But I didn’t want our friendship to be smeared by this need. I’m gonna be fine, don’t worry. »
« No more workout in the gym. We should be in Nagoya in three days, until then you can do pushups and crunches here. »
« I suppose. »
In the middle of the night, Oliver woke up to the sound of Nola’s sobs. He jumped off his bed and shook her shoulder to wake her up. She turned to him, and in the moonlight he saw the pain in her eyes.
« Ollie… »
« Shhh… I got you. »
He got in bed with her, spooning against her body and pillowing her head on his arm. She was burning up and sweaty. He linked his fingers with hers and thought about what she had told him about smelling desire. He tried to think about anything but her. Like Tommy’s body under the fallen building. He didn’t know if guilt had a particular scent, but if it had, it would probably be what she could smell at the moment.
Nola was thankful for Oliver's presence at her back. She was used to smelling his scent in their room, but being so close to him, it was like she was surrounded by a rainforest. She inhaled deeply the crisp and dark scent and they fell asleep quietly.
14.
The cabin was cramped, with bunk beds, a table, a chair and a small closet with toilets and a sink, and it smelled strongly of rust and diesel fuel. Oliver turned to the sailor who had shown them in and handed him a hundred-dollars bill.
« Bring us our meals in here. »
The man lifted two fingers. Oliver obliged and closed the door. Nola opened the tiny porthole to let the fresh air in and sat on the lower bunk. Oliver slid their bags under the bed and looked at her.
« Okay, one rule, you never leave the cabin without me. »
« Listen to me, Oliver, I may be confident enough to stand my ground, but I'm not stupid. I have no intention of leaving this cabin, period ! Now, what's our next stop ? »
« Nagoya. »
« Great, I always wanted to visit Japan. »
Oliver shook his head and opened the cabin door.
« I have to check up on something, I'll be back later. »
« All right. »
Once she was alone, Nola sighed. The adrenalin rush she had when she confronted the captain has started to wear off, leaving her shaky and cold. She grabbed the cover and draped it around her.
She started to realise that wanting to save Oliver from a potential suicide attempt was laughable. He was not her mother. Even depressed, Oliver would never imagine taking his own life. He'd much rather live in Hell than die. She had made a fool of herself, disrupted his carefully planned journey and probably put them both in harm's way. She could say she was sorry, but what good would it do ? He couldn't smell her self-reproach, so she wallowed in it for a few minutes, sighed and decided it was best if she just forgot about the whole thing and made the best of the situation. She took her phone out, wanting to call Roxanne to pour out her heart, but she realized the hull of a ship was stopping all form of communication.
When he came back with lunch half an hour later, Oliver found Nola lying on her bed, reading quietly. He handed her a sandwich and sat on the chair to eat the other.
« Thanks. I really have to start keeping a record of what I owe you. »
« Don't bother. Please. »
« It's a question of principle. I don't want to be in your debt. »
« Don't die and we'll call it even. »
« About that… »
Oliver wondered what she was going to ask now. A kidney ?
« Will we have some free time, or are you working to pay your fare ? »
« I pay so I don't have to work. Why ? »
« I'd like you to teach me how to fight. »
« What ? No. No way. »
« I just want to learn how to defend myself. If the captain had only slapped me, I'd have been knocked out. Basic moves, simple techniques. With half a foot missing, and even with a good prosthesis, my balance is different from what it was and I need to learn how to move. I thought you could help me. »
Oliver looked at her. He had seen her courage in the face of danger, in the face of pain, her determination and her resilience. She didn't want to be a vigilante, just learn self-defense.
*****
He was back on Lian Yu. Slade had been taking care of him for a couple of days, teaching him how to fight. They both had bamboo sticks and Slade was kicking his ass at every move. His whole body hurt and his bruises had bruises. Slade had no patience, and no respect for him. But he had to train in order to fight and leave this Hell.
*****
« All right, I'll teach you. »
« Thank you. »
« And how is your foot ? »
« Good. I had another surgery, and now I'm more bionic than ever. »
« Bionic ? »
Nola removed her shoe and sock. There was a tattoo of an anchor with a heart on her ankle she didn't have the last time he'd seen her.
« Your tattoo's new. »
« Yes. I had it done the day I got back home after my stay at the manor. It's the symbol for hope. »
« It looks great. »
« Thanks. You'll have to tell me what yours mean one day. »
She took her artificial foot off and showed him what she meant by bionic. There was a metal implant in her stub, with two holes that seemed to go inside her bones. Oliver was stunned. He had seen her struggle with accepting her stub, and now she had voluntarily undergone an invasive procedure that would further modify her.
« See that ? Inside the prosthesis, there are two metal rods that connect with my implant. Inside, it's wired to my nerves. »
She put her artificial foot back on, there was an audible click and she bent her toes.
« I have some control over the movements I make, but since walking is mostly done unconsciously, it happens in my brain without even thinking about it. »
She took some steps around the cabin and Oliver could see she was barely limping. He was blown away.
« You've come a long way since the amputation. »
« It's thanks to you for a good part. We started… sleeping together before it happened, and once it was done, it didn't change anything for you. You still wanted me. It helped a lot. »
« And you wanted me too, even if you knew I killed. »
The air got heavy with the scents of their desires, but Nola made sure not to react. She had left Oliver because she wanted to be in charge of her own life, and she had the feeling if they ever started something again, he would want to protect her, and that meant making choices for her.
« You said you have a hiking foot ? »
She plunged in her bag and pulled a prosthesis where the forefoot had been replaced with a carbon and rubber blade.
« It's derived from the blades the athletes wear to run. I haven't had a chance to try it on yet, so I'm happy about the opportunity. »
« All that because I didn't want to go hiking with you ? »
Nola laughed. While they cleaned the remnants of their lunch, the low rumble intensified and the whole ship started to vibrate.
« Last chance to change your mind. »
« I never change my mind. »
And through the porthole, they watched the city diminish and disappear from view.
