Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 43582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 218(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Movement across the room draws my attention, and I gasp when I notice Zoey sitting in another cage. She looks like she’s in about as good a shape as I’m in—rubbing her temples and moaning. I don’t think she has vomited yet. Lucky her.
The sound of a whimper makes me jerk my gaze to another side of the room. I spot Leah and Nora in separate cages like mine, too. A few more cages are occupied, but I can’t see who’s in them.
I consider speaking, but I don’t want to draw attention to myself if there are guards nearby, nor do I have the energy to call out. In addition, something like that would make my head pound further.
Tears come to my eyes, but I will them not to escape. I won’t let these aliens see me weak. I’ll go down fighting, even if that means they have to inject me every hour to keep me from trying to escape.
I still have no idea what plans the aliens have for us. Why have they brought us here? Where are we? I have to assume we’re either on another space station, a ship, or perhaps even a planet.
I’ve been living in outer space for so long, I can’t remember what it feels like to step on solid ground. Speaking of ground… I lift my hands in front of me. They’re covered in dirt. I remember I’d been digging up potatoes when I was summoned. My hands and forearms are filthy. So are my knees and the hem of my now vomit-covered dress. The smell is so awful, I might throw up again. My shoes are gone. The only things I’m wearing are my thin, sleeveless dress and panties.
How long has it been since I was injected with whatever knocked me out? Hours? Days? My bladder makes itself known next. My panties aren’t wet, so I’ve been in captivity long enough that I need to pee, but not so long that I’ve wet myself.
Crossing my arms, I rub my biceps with my hands. It’s freezing in this room. My teeth are chattering. I’ve never felt so alone or so angry. Or so scared.
After several minutes of nothing but the echo of the other women whimpering in their cages, a loud bang makes me jerk my head to the right. A metal door opens, the hinges squeaking. Two guards enter this odd room. At least, I assume they’re guards. They aren’t the same ones I saw on the space station, but they look similar, with black clothing and weapons at their waists.
It takes me a moment to notice a third man behind them. He’s wearing all black, too, but his clothing is more like a suit. He doesn’t look like he’s about to go into combat. The three of them walk with purpose, coming directly toward me.
The suited man stands between the other two. He’s not armed. His brow furrows as he stares at me. His face scrunches up, which isn’t surprising since I’m sure I smell disgusting. I’m making myself nauseous.
Suddenly, he spins around and starts shouting at the guards, pointing at me several times. I can’t understand a word, of course, but he’s very angry.
I’m so stunned and scared that I pee myself. Apparently, my bladder couldn’t hold on for another moment, but I’m now ten times more gross and humiliated. I pull my knees up to my chest and tug my soiled dress over them.
Shivering, I clench my jaw, trying not to cry. I’m always so very strong. I don’t cry. I can’t. I’ve always had to be the solid one. But I’ve never been in a situation this terrifying in my life. Not even the day I was sent to live on a space station.
I’m mortified, sitting here in my own filth. The metal floor of my cage is wet from my urine and vomit. My stomach is threatening to hurl again, probably because the smell is noxious.
My hands are filthy. I bet my hair is a tangled mess. I doubt I even look human. I lower my gaze while the alien continues to shout. The guards do not respond, which makes me believe the third man must rank higher than them. He seems to be barking orders.
When I hear footsteps trailing away, I glance up to see the angry man leaving. He doesn’t glance back.
One of the guards unlocks my cage. They reach in, grab one of my biceps each, and yank me out of the enclosure before carrying me away in the same manner as the guards who hauled me from the potato farm.
I dangle between them. They’re both well over seven feet tall, so I’m held pretty far off the floor. I try to look over my shoulder at the other women, but I’m not able. I wonder if I’ll ever see them again.