Chapter 2
TWO
I’m torn between looking around at my surroundings as we leave the cage room and staring at the man holding me.
The building he carries me through is so sterile. Everything is huge, too. Sized for these aliens who are at least two feet taller than me. The doorways, chairs, tables… Everything is bigger, taller, wider.
My owner stops at what must be a reception area. He signs some paperwork, keeping one hand secure around me at all times. He slides one palm up to my neck, supporting my head. I’m grateful. I can’t seem to keep it upright. It keeps flopping. It’s easier to lean against his shoulder.
I cling to him. His scent is intoxicating.
I don’t know why I didn’t notice it the first time he visited me.
I keep inhaling deeply, needing to draw more of him into me.
I don’t know what his scent is. It’s not familiar.
I think it’s his own personal essence. He speaks to other aliens, always stroking my back or hair.
My white-blond locks are hanging loose all around me. I didn’t have a chance to braid my hair this morning before I was summoned. It’s messy and unkempt. I’ve never cut it, so it’s tangled.
Was that this morning? I have no sense of time. I don’t know how long it took to get here. I assume it was hours. Otherwise, I would have peed myself. I’m worried I will anyway. My bladder is furious.
I’m afraid to tell my owner. I don’t want to anger him. He seems a lot less severe now than he did earlier. I wonder what has changed. Maybe he was just harsh in front of my jailers.
Finally, it seems we’re done. My new owner carries me toward the exit.
The only place I’ve ever lived is the space station.
Well, I was born on Earth, but I was sent to the space station when I was a baby, sent with many other female children under the age of five to save us from Earth’s total destruction after multiple nuclear weapons were used all around the globe.
I’m one of the lucky ones. At least that’s what we’ve been told.
And once again, I’m presumably lucky. The space station won’t be sustainable much longer.
Being rescued by aliens was our only hope.
But what is this new life I’m starting? I’ve been purchased by this alien I’m clinging to. What does that mean for my future?
I gasp as he carries me outside. My first inhalation of fresh air. It’s so bright. I cover my eyes with one hand, peering between my fingers. I want to look around, but it hurts.
My owner cups the side of my head and angles my face toward his neck. “Close your eyes, Little pet. It will take time for you to adjust to the sun. Don’t strain your eyes.”
I want to look, but I won’t. I want to obey my master—that’s what my jailors called him. Am I supposed to call him Master?
Thank goodness for the collar that allows me to understand him, but at the same time, I feel like an animal. Maybe I am. He keeps calling me pet. Will he put me in another cage?
Anxiety consumes me. I want to see where we are. There are so many noises around me. A whoosh makes me think we’ve gone through another door. I peek out and realize we’re in some sort of vehicle. It starts to move.
My heart races. We’re surrounded by giant men. I’m the only being who is different. Everyone is staring at me. I’m probably the first human they’ve ever seen.
My master cups the back of my head and angles my face into his neck again. “Keep your head down, naughty girl. I don’t want to have to discipline you in the Telerail.”
I whimper, gripping the front of his black dress shirt.
“I’m sorry, Master,” I mutter against his neck.
I don’t want him to punish me. And what method would he use?
I want to please him, though I have no idea why.
Perhaps because I have no other option. It’s not as though I can squirm out of his grip and take off running.
I know nothing about this planet. Plus, the men in the cage room said there’s a tracking device in my collar.
I don’t speak again during the ride. I don’t peek either.
I’m not sure I want to see the expressions of the men around us.
I’m an anomaly here. Besides, it’s so hard for me to hold my head up.
It seems to be getting harder. It takes effort to keep my legs wrapped around my master.
My arms are supported by his shoulders, but even that is difficult.
The moving vehicle comes to a stop. The door whooshes open, and my owner steps out.
It takes all my restraint to keep from looking around, but I don’t.
I force myself to concentrate on his cadence and the air around me.
It seems easier to breathe than on the space station.
There must be more oxygen on Venkoria than I’m used to.
I’m chilly. My dress is sleeveless and short. I never needed more than this on the space station, but it seems cooler here even now that we’re outside. Goosebumps have risen on my skin.
My owner seems to notice and rubs my arms as he walks faster. We enter a building. The breeze stops. Nevertheless, my teeth start chattering. Perhaps my adrenaline was pumping so high that I didn’t notice how cold I was.
My owner releases his tight grip on my neck, allowing me to lift my head.
It’s still hard. My head feels too heavy.
We enter an elevator. It’s similar to those on the space station, so I recognize the small space, but I’m surprised when my master leans in close to a strange camera.
Did he use his eye to start the elevator?
The doors close, and the elevator ascends. A few moments later, it opens again, and we move into a hallway and then toward a door. Once again, my master uses his eye to disengage the lock on the door.
“We’re home, Little pet,” he announces as he steps inside.
I look around. His home is spacious. I have nothing to compare it to, though.
I’ve read stories about houses on Earth.
I know they came in all different sizes and types.
In large cities, people lived in high-rise apartments.
I assume that’s what we’re in now. And that is confirmed as my master moves deeper into the living space, allowing me to see out of the enormous windows. We’re very high from the ground.
My owner heads directly toward a sophisticated box on the wall. He pushes a button.
A voice comes through the unit. “Julan. Did you make it home?”
“Yes. Can you come now?”
“Yes. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” My master ends the call. His name must be Julan.
I try it out. “Julan? Is that your name?”
He meets my gaze and smiles, looking slightly surprised. “Yes, Little pet. You will not call me by my name, though.”
“I will call you Master?”
He chuckles. “No. You’re not a slave. You’re my pet. I wasn’t expecting you to have any language skills. Since you do, you will call me Daddy.”
Daddy… I’ve heard the term. It’s what young children on Earth called their fathers. It must have another meaning here. “You’re not my father,” I say.
“No. Definitely not. I’m your caregiver. It’s a term of endearment.” He cocks his head to one side. “The guards were right. You are an intelligent being, aren’t you?”
I frown. “Of course I am.”
He chuckles again, his laughter jostling me. “You are one of the first humans to arrive. We don’t know much about your abilities.”
“Well, I’m not a pet,” I declare emphatically as I reach for the collar. “I don’t need a collar. Those are for pets.”
He nuzzles my neck, seemingly entertained by me. “You are my pet, Little human. There is no other designation for you here. I’ve purchased you to amuse me.”
My breath hitches. “Amuse you how?”
He shrugs. “I guess we’ll find out.”
My head sways forward. I’m straining so hard to hold it up.
Julan grips my neck, frowning. “You seem to lack much strength. Was it difficult for you to hold yourself upright on the space station?”
“No, never. It’s probably from the drugs they gave me before they brought me to your planet.”
“Hmmm. Perhaps. We’ll see what the doctor says.”
“Doctor?”
“That’s who I called. He’ll be here shortly. He’ll examine you.”
“I don’t need a doctor.”
He frowns at me. “You’ll do well to remember your place, Little pet. I’ve purchased you for my amusement. I’m startled by your intelligence. That changes things. But I advise you not to argue with Daddy. Naughty behavior will not be tolerated.”
A knock at the door startles me.
Julan is still carrying me as he returns to the entrance and opens it. “Yamal. Thank you for coming.”
The man named Yamal enters. I assume he’s the doctor. He’s wearing blue like the man who injected me initially on the space station. Maybe that man was also a doctor. He’s carrying a large black bag in one hand and something I don’t recognize in his other.
“Has she spoken yet?” he asks. “I’ve heard rumors that the humans can speak.”
Julan laughs. “Incessantly. It would seem humans are far more intelligent than we presumed.”
Yamal looks surprised as his gaze comes to me.
“I’m not a dog,” I nearly shout.
Julan grips my chin and holds my face, turning me to look at him. “You will not speak disrespectfully to me or anyone else. You will address the doctor as Sir. You will address any man who directly speaks to you as Sir. Do you understand me?”
I swallow, regretting my outburst. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Interesting,” Yamal comments. “Perhaps she will not be difficult to train.”
I pout. It’s hard to hold my tongue. I don’t need training. I’m not a pet. But I don’t reiterate my point.
“What is a dog?” Yamal asks, his focus on Julan.
“I have no idea. It doesn’t translate into Venkorian.”
Neither man bothers to ask me.
Yamal sets his bag down and unfolds the other item. It takes me a minute to realize it’s some sort of table. An exam table. He brought his own exam table to Julan’s house.
I shudder, nerves crawling up my skin.
“Was this garment on her when she arrived?” Yamal asks Julan.
“Yes. Intel suggests that all the human females on the space station are dressed similarly.”
Yamal pats the padded table. “Remove her clothes and lay her on the table. I’ll need to examine her thoroughly and take notes so we’ll know more about the human body.”
I cling to Julan’s neck, my heart rate accelerating. “Daddy, I don’t want to be naked.”
He frowns. “Why do you care, Little pet?”
“It’s not right. People don’t get naked in front of others.”
His gaze narrows. “You’re my pet, Little human. You’ll do as you’re told. I don’t expect you to have an opinion about clothing. Or anything for that matter.” He mutters that last part.
Yamal strokes a lock of my hair. “If all the human females arrive with this odd desire to be covered, we may have to see about arranging for them to wear clothes.”
Julan shakes his head. “We won’t worry about that today.
My only concern is her health. You will examine her, make sure she’s getting enough oxygen, and ensure that her digestive system is compatible with our nutrients.
I do have a few concerns already. One is that she can’t seem to hold her head up. Two is that she’s cold.”
Yamal nods. “I’ll see what I can ascertain.” He pats the table again.
Julan lowers me, but I find another burst of strength and hold on tight. “Please don’t put me down, Daddy.” I’m hoping that if I call him by the endearment he prefers, it will make him less frustrated with me.
I have the oddest sense that I need to be held by him. I want to be pressed against him. I think he agrees.
He hugs me closer and rubs my back. “Be a good girl for me and let the doctor examine you. It’s important I know how to take good care of you. If you’re cooperative, I’ll reward you. If you’re not, I’ll discipline you.”
I pout. I haven’t experienced discipline since I was a small child. “I’m not a baby,” I grumble.
He grips my chin again. “To me, you are an infant. How many years do you have?”
“Twenty,” I inform him.
“Well, I have ninety, so you’re a newborn by Venkorian standards.
In addition, you do not know our customs. I can’t be sure of your intelligence or ability to learn.
I intend to train you to obey me. If you prove capable of following simple instructions, perhaps you will earn more freedom.
Until then, your insolence will land you over my knees.
I will not hesitate to spank your bottom. Understood?”
I tremble in his arms, sensing I should keep my mouth shut. For now. I’m not giving up. I will prove to this man that I’m not a pet. I’m a human. But now is not the time to continue pressing my case. “Yes, Daddy.”