Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
The next morning is stressful. I’m not fond of the unknown. I spent twenty years of my life always knowing exactly what I would be doing at any given moment. There were very few surprises.
On the space station, we all had jobs. We moved around like clockwork, keeping the ship in working condition.
I assume Daddy and I will eventually settle into a routine that will not leave me guessing all the time, but today is not that day. Today I’m tense, knowing he’s going to implement new measures to keep me safe.
I’m not mad. I don’t want to be unsafe any more than he does. I don’t like the idea of someone snatching me. I was scared out of my mind last night when that man attempted to take me.
Daddy dresses me warmly in a thicker pair of jammies. He doesn’t forget to hook a chain between my parted folds, making sure there is plenty of ointment to keep it sliding easily against my skin.
If I wiggle around enough, I’m able to get the chain to slide off-center, which gives me some relief for a while.
Right up until Daddy notices I’m no longer squirming or making little cooing noises.
Then he opens my diaper, readjusts the links so they rest once again against my clit and between my labia.
Maybe he won’t notice so often while he’s working, especially if he covers my cage with that black cloth again.
When it’s time to go, Daddy carries me back to the bedroom, lowers me onto the mattress, and presents something new I haven’t seen before. It looks like a harness of some sort. He lifts me to spread it out under me, and then feeds my arms and legs through the straps.
I watch as he grabs a second set and feeds it through his own arms and legs. He cinches mine around my body, pulling it tight, and then lifts me and hooks the two harnesses together.
“Hooked” is a very loose word for how attached we are to each other.
It’s beyond that. Only an atomic bomb would separate us.
I have no doubt the straps cannot be cut with a knife, and it would be damn near impossible for anyone to unlock the front.
Daddy will have to slide his hand between us to release the connection.
Yanking me out of his arms is not an option.
Giggling, I wrap my arms around him, hugging his neck so tight it would hurt if he were human. But he’s not. He’s my alien owner. He’s too strong to find my clutching annoying.
He chuckles before he pops a pacifier into my mouth and pats my bottom. “You’re not going to escape me,” he says, striding from the room. “Plus, my arms are free now to ward off anyone who dares to touch you.”
I’m pleased by this development. It’s not as degrading as I had expected. I’m not the only one wearing a harness. Daddy is, too. We’re equal. He’s protecting me in the best way possible.
Because he loves me.
There’s a knock at the door, and Daddy looks through the peephole before opening it. Two men stand in the hallway with stoic expressions. “Lasim,” they say in unison, nodding.
I feel like a celebrity as we’re escorted into the elevator and up to Daddy’s office. I don’t hide as much as I did yesterday. I still keep my face against his neck, but I leave enough room for me to see the surroundings better.
People greet Daddy. Some of them offer me a smile. No one speaks to me. I assume he sent an office bulletin warning everyone to leave me alone. He’s possessive. It’s kind of cute.
I don’t think he’ll be able to hide my intelligence forever. Eventually, they will realize I’m not just a nonverbal pet.
When we reach Daddy’s office, the guards wait outside his door. Daddy unhooks us, removes the harness from my arms and legs, and points toward the cage. “Kennel, Little pet.”
I crawl in. Nerves make me quake a bit. I hate this cage. I don’t like being treated like I’m not a human. But I also understand better today. He’s not going to let those guards move from their spot until I’m completely secure.
Daddy sets a bowl of dry food in my kennel.
Yesterday, I didn’t even try it. I notice there’s also a water bottle fastened to the side of the bars.
It’s meant for me to suck from it without using my hands.
It’s the sort of thing humans used for small pets like hamsters.
Now I’m reduced from a cat or dog to a hamster or mouse. Great.
Daddy squats down next to the opening and leans in close. “Are you going to behave, Little pet?”
I nod.
“I hope so. I’d hate to have to call the guards to come stand by the door so I can let you out to spank your naughty bottom until the entire office hears you crying.” He lifts a brow.
My eyes go wide. I don’t want that, either, so I shake my head.
“I expect you to eat your kibble and have enough water. When I hand you a bottle, you’ll drink it.
” He points to a small button on the side of the door.
I didn’t notice it yesterday, but I didn’t notice much of anything then.
“When you need me for something, push this button. It will send a ping to my phone. There are three reasons you should push that button. One would be because you are hurting or injured. Two would be because you need a diaper change. And three would be because your pussy leash needs adjusting. I don’t want to find you wiggling free of it.
I put it between the lips of your cunt to keep you stimulated for a reason. Don’t defy me.”
My face heats as I nod agreement.
He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I love you.”
I grin around the pacifier and reach up to awkwardly hug his neck.
Daddy scoots back, closes the cage, and locks the door. He puts a cloth over it, keeping anyone from seeing me. But then he does something unexpected.
I gasp and turn around in my small space as a whirring sound catches my attention. Apparently, there’s a window on the back side of my kennel. He’s opening the blinds, allowing me to see outside.
I squeal behind my pacifier as I twist to look out. I’m so happy I can hardly contain myself. I grip the bars with both hands and kneel next to the window. There’s a whole world out there. I get to watch people moving around, like I sometimes do in his apartment.
I’m grinning like a loon as I’m marginally aware of Daddy excusing the guards and powering up his computer.
I lean against the bars, looking out at the world for a long time while guests come and go from Daddy’s office and he takes phone calls.
Eventually, I turn around and face the food he left in my bowl. I pull out my pacifier and pick up a piece, flipping it around in my hand to examine it before bringing it to my nose. It smells nice. Almost sweet. So I pop it in my mouth.
I can’t stop the soft moan when I get my first taste. It’s delicious and so welcome after so many days of nothing but formula.
Daddy chuckles on the other side of the cloth. I can’t see him, but I suspect he realizes I just had my first taste of kibble. His voice is gruff when he says, “You should always trust your Daddy, Little pet.”
I giggle and pop another bite in my mouth. I don’t dare speak or make any more noises. I don’t want to get into trouble. I’m supposed to be quiet while he works.
As soon as the kibble is all gone, I lean toward the waterspout and suck from it like a caged mouse.
Maybe the small rodents humans kept as pets were really happy, though.
They were well cared for. They had everything they needed.
Someone petted them and changed their litter when they peed.
Someone fed them and gave them water. They were beloved pets who were the lucky ones.
They didn’t have to spend their lives scavenging for food and hoping they didn’t get killed out in the big, mean world.
Perhaps I’m not a dog but a hamster.
I take a deep breath and smile.
A hamster…
A shudder wracks my body.
I’m a caged animal on a planet I’m not familiar with. If I weren’t caged, I might be kidnapped or inadvertently injured. I don’t know a thing about this world. It’s not safe out there.
I don’t even know what other sorts of animals might live on Venkoria. What if some are poisonous or have sharp teeth or swallow small humans whole? How would I know? I would never be able to protect myself.
I’m safe here with Daddy. He’s offering me his protection and his love. He won’t let anyone harm me.
Settled against the pillows in my cage, I look around and find an e-reader.
It’s similar to the one I have in Daddy’s apartment.
When I pick it up and turn it on, I discover something I never expected.
It opens on the home screen for me to easily find a book called The History of Venkoria.
There are dozens of other books on the device.
They range from animals to foods to environmental education.
They’re even in English. That doesn’t surprise me.
The Venkorians are clearly far more advanced than humans.
I suspect this device would automatically convert to whatever language I might need from any nation on Earth, or even other planets.
Smiling, I open the first selection and lean back to begin reading.
Daddy is so thoughtful. He knows I like to learn. He knows I’m smart enough to do so. He’s giving me this special gift of information, and I love him for it.
This cage isn’t so bad. I’m comfortable. I’m safe. I can pretend I’m in a little pillow fort of my own making.
Secure. Safe. Loved.
I’m at peace.