I lifted one of my hands to look at it, shaking like a leaf.
Yet I wasn’t afraid. Not really.
Having seen my fair share of awful things in the emergency room, it took a lot to freak me out.
In my line of work as a nurse, I had attended to both knife and gunshot wounds more often than I could count.
With fewer people, the Earth should have become better, but violence persisted and life was harder than ever. The way humans treated each other no longer shocked me.
But aliens?
Quite surprising since I never thought I’d see one in person.
I was frowning and my jaw tightened as I thought.
Whatever my expression, Joele’s forehead creased as she tilted her head, watching me.
“I am not a threat to you. And I will not harm you.” Her tone was no nonsense. “Unless you give me a reason, of course.” One corner of her wide mouth curled.
Fascinated by Joele’s unique features and surprised by the lack of fear I felt toward her, I grinned.
“I’m not afraid. Just surprised. I’ve never met an alien before.”
Turning to look at the others I saw them watching me with a hint of surprise. If they expected me to be crapping myself in fear, they were out of luck. I had never been, nor would I ever be the helpless damsel in need of saving. Life had taught me to look after myself and not rely on anyone.
I’d learned a long time ago that I was better off on my own because People...usually men, lied to get what they wanted.
However, I saw myself as someone who was emotionally sensitive and felt lonelier than I wanted to admit.
In my heart, I secretly hoped to find someone to love me back.
Running my hands up and down my arms I asked, “How long have you been here?” Joele took a step closer and put her hands to her hips. For the first time, I noticed a slender red tail with a pointed tip, curled around her leg.
“I was taken after a diplomatic meeting on Targus 4. I have been here for many rotations, but uncertain how many.” She looked somber.
“Rotations?”
Riley put her fists to her hips. She looked at me as she spoke. “A rotation is sort of like a day, I think. Who the heck knows? They’ve fed us a few times while I’ve been here.”
Avery scoffed. “You can’t call that slop food.” She sighed, her shoulders slumped.
Riley put a comforting hand on Avery’s shoulder. “We can’t give up. We will get out of here.”
“Where are we?” I asked Joele, hoping she had some answers.
“We are possibly on a slave planet. We likely aren’t in Alaran space, which is why the Protectorate has not yet found me.”
I tensed. “Wait, what do you mean by slave planet?” Bile rose in my throat. Not only had I been abducted, but now I was going to be a slave to some alien?
This time Ididfeel afraid.
It wasn’t the excitement I had in mind when I dreamed of going to space.
Joele’s face remained devoid of emotion as she explained. “The Zinids...the one’s you called pig aliens...are holding us on what appears to be a planet’s surface...not a ship. They will sell us as slaves. Eventually.”
“You said something about someone coming for you? Do you really think there is a chance we could be rescued?” I asked, feeling hopeful.
“The Protectorate Alliance patrols Alaran space in an attempt to stop Krilex attacks and their purchase of slaves in their section of space.
