“Once we’re out, we need to find a shuttle or ship. I’m pretty damn sure I could fly it,” said Avery.
My head snapped in her direction. “You can fly an alien ship?” My voice rose an octave.
Avery lifted her eyebrows and shrugged. “I fly shuttles between the Moon and Earth...I’m sure I can figure it out. It’s better than being someone’s plaything here.”
“Let’s go!” said Joele, waving for us to hurry and follow her outside.
We obeyed, and I released a tight breath, praying that we would make it off the planet alive.
Olivia hesitated.
I summoned all the confidence I had. In a low voice, I told her to stay close and prepared myself for what awaited us outside.
The commotion gave us the ideal cover to escape out the door and around the building.
The air was thick with the sounds of punches landing and people yelling in languages I couldn’t understand, drawing my attention to the bizarre scene we were fleeing from.
I was stunned to see the Zinids fighting a bunch of much larger, muscular aliens. Some had blue-green skin, while one of them looked less turquoise and more tawny colored. They were impressive and formidable looking, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
“C’mon!” Riley growled in my direction.
With Olivia now next to me, we hurried to follow the others toward a thick forest of blue, orange, and green trees of various sizes and shapes.
Next to the forest was an open field with a decent sized spaceship sitting in the middle of it.
It wasn’t huge and was likely more of a shuttle, not that I knew anything about space ships. It was sleek, and metallic looking, but I wasn’t sure it was made of metal as I got a better look at it.
Avery gestured and sprinted, with Riley and Joele right behind.
I was amazed watching them. They were in great shape.
Me, not so much.
When I saw how breathless Olivia was, I stayed close to her to make sure she didn’t get left behind. I held onto her arm to steady her when she stumbled. Olivia expressed gratitude with a smile and we quickened our speed.
We sprinted up the ramp and entered the ship through the open door, only to discover its enormous interior.
The rich scent of masculinity, mixed with an intriguing, exotic woodsy spiciness, caught me off guard as I took a breath.
My stomach flipped, wondering who the ship belonged to. If it was the muscular aliens, would they punish us if they found us?
I walked toward a wide corridor to see there were a couple of closed doors further down, and an open space at the end of the hall.
On my left appeared to be a cockpit, orwhateverspaceship pilots called it.
Directly behind me, across from the open cockpit, were a row of seats bolted to the floor, with belts to strap over our shoulders.
Though based on the sheer height and size of the seats, I wasn’t sure how well the strap would fit my five-foot-six curvy frame.
“I’ll get this thing lit up,” said Avery, moving to one of the seats in the cockpit.
I took a seat, attempting to use the seat belt and failing miserably since the straps were made for someone much bigger than me.
The seat was well padded, and the orange fabric looked durable but felt soft to touch.
Joele pushed something on the wall and the door shut with a quiet click, then took a seat next to me.
Olivia followed my lead and took the seat on the opposite side of Joele.
