I don’t understand her “like a girl” comment, but yes. I did think that.
“Look, you don’t work under whiny, overpaid doctors and not learn how to see things from a different perspective besides your own.” She’s grinning at me now. “Besides, I’ve known you long enough to know that you aren’t the type to coddle anyone or hold back your words. I value your opinion.”
My eyebrows are up in my hairline again. I’ve always liked Anna for being outspoken, but we’ve never had this kind of discussion. The unexpected talk about family is bringing all sorts of unwanted feelings to the surface, and suddenly I can’t get away from the subject fast enough.
“I think you’re going to be an exceptional mother to any young you’re blessed with,” I choke out before turning on my heel and all but running from the room.
Flying through the maze of hallways I could maneuver blind, I don’t stop until I’ve reached my room. Only once I’m safely shut away do I let out the breath I’m holding and allow my hands to begin shaking.
Why?Whyis the conversation about the young affecting me like this? I haven’t thought of my childhood in revs.Tens of revs.I thought I’d successfully buried it so deep, I never needed to visit that part of my past ever again.
My knees nearly go out from under me, and I sink down on the edge of my narrow bunk. Pulling deep breaths in through my nose, I work to clear my thoughts, but the unwanted memories are already rushing to the forefront of my mind, forcing me to relive a past I’ve worked so hard to bury.
* * *
The cage doorswings open on squeaky hinges, followed by a weathered face that peeks inside.
“There you are,” comes a voice graveled with age. The male behind it seems to be having trouble hunching over. “I thought that scoundrel fleeced me, but seems you're just skittish. Come on now, come out.”
I stay frozen in place. Huddled at the very back, tucked tightly into the corner where he'll have a hard time getting to me.
When all manner of coercion fails to remove me from the cage, he finally straightens. “Fine, then. If you won't come out, you'll have to wait till morning to eat.”
My stomach rumbles at the mention of food. It’s already been several rotations since I’ve had anything more than crumbs. The thought of yet another makes my gut ache.
“I hear your belly complaining,” the old man grumbles as he walks away. “I know they don’t feed you more than scraps on transport. Did they even feed you that? You don’t look like it.”
He pauses, and I hear the click-clack of cutlery on stoneware followed by the smell of cooked food that has my mouth salivating like a beast’s and my empty stomach cramping until I whimper.
“Come on, you can sit here at the table. I won’t have you eating on the floor like an animal. I promise, no one will bother you.”
Against my better judgment, I clench my teeth and slowly creep out of the cage. Keeping a wary eye on the old male on the other side of the room, I make my way over to the table with the plate of food.Real food,not just ration scraps!
Making sure to keep a safe distance between me and my new master, and a clear path back to the cage’s safety, I inch toward the table. Kicking the chair away so I can move fast if I need to, I hunch over the plate and sniff it. When I don’t detect any sharp traces of drugs, I begin to shovel the food into my mouth with my fingers.
My new master sighs. “I’m not going to take it from you. Slow down before you choke.”
I growl, keeping my eyes on him, anticipating any sudden moves on his part. But he stays across the room with his arms folded. So I do as he says and slow down.
“That’s better. Now, let me look at you.” Squinting through a pair of filthy spectacles that are perched on the end of his long nose, he sighs loudly. “There's not much to you, is there? And what in the nine hells are you wearing?”
I look down at the frills and ruffles that make up my dress. It's something you'd be more likely to see on a child's doll, rather than on a child. But that was what my previous master desired. His own little doll. At least until I aged out of his predilection.
“Is that a tail?”
I tuck my tail in close to me, emitting another warning growl, afraid of what he might ask me to do next.
“Can you grab things with it? Is it prehensile?”
I feel my face pale, and my eyes dart to the front of his pants before jumping back to his face.
“Not that!” my new master grunts. “Curses, girl, what do you take me for? I mean, can you grab tools with it?”
I blink, letting his question sink in as I try to figure out this strange new master who is so very different from any I’ve had before, which sets me on edge and makes me wary.
Slowly, I nod.
“Good. That's very good.” Turning on his heel, he starts out of the room, only to stop and look back over his shoulder at me. “Well? Let's go, girl. I'll have Mrs. Jru show you to the cleanser and,” he makes a face at my clothes, “get you something more suitable to wear.”
