But it’s rampant throughout the galaxy and difficult to stop. The warriors will be searching for me. We can survive this, but we will have to be smart and stay together.” She paused and her tone grew ominous. “And hope that the Protectorate warriors arrive before the Krilex do.”
I chose in that moment to focus on the sliver of hope that someone was coming to rescue us and not the idea of being sold to these unknown aliens she called the Krilex.
I stood back and surveyed the entire room this time. A few dirty blankets were scattered on the stony ground. A hole in a corner of the room gave off the odor of urine, telling me it was likely the alien version of a toilet.
There was no running water to be seen and no windows.
The only exit was a sliding door located 10 feet away. I pointed at it. “Has anyone tried to go through that door?”
Avery rolled her eyes. “We would, but there’s just the minor problem of the fucking force field in front of it,” she snapped.
I gulped.This keeps getting better.
Force field?”
Avery’s nose scrunched up in a sneer. “Yeah, the assholes have an invisible force field keeping us in here. A couple of us have experienced it firsthand.” She glanced at Joele who narrowed her eyes at her in what seemed to be a silent warning.
Goosebumps rose on my skin as a shiver ran up my spine. Okay, so theremightbe a reason to be afraid it seemed.
If Joele couldn’t get out of here, how the hell could I expect to?
DAYS SEEMED TO DRAGon with very little sleep and even less food. I felt dirty and exhausted, and Avery’s short temper began to grate on me.
I wished for the peace of my tiny home back on Earth, but tried not to let desperation take hold of me.
Not knowing when the Zinids were going to come for us left all of us feeling tense and worried.
Olivia and I had been spending the most time chatting about our lives on Earth. She was a kind and gentle soul who seemed more sad than afraid.
Something about her demeanor made me want to look out for her like the little sister I never had. Comforting her proved easier than convincing myself I would get through this.
I desperately needed a distraction.
While I stood talking to Olivia, the voices outside suddenly came closer to us, making me anxious about what would happen next.
Their voices rose as they approached our little decrepit building.
We all stopped and stared at the only door beyond the force field.
I swallowed hard. My eyes darted around the room, wishing there was another way to escape.
Riley and Avery changed their stances, as if preparing to fight.
Olivia clutched at my arm, gripping it tight. I patted her hand and held my breath.
Joele released a threatening growl, extending her claws as she positioned herself defensively in front of us.
The door slid open with a thud, causing everyone to snap to attention.
I rooted to the floor, my breath catching in my throat.
My skin prickled with unease as the two Zinid aliens inched closer to the force field, their menacing gazes fixed on our group.
The stench of their foul-smelling bodies permeated the air.
Olivia and I huddled together and watched as one of them put his hand to the wall next to the door.
There was a brief zapping sound as the force field disappeared.
