Page 13 of Slavic

Thelonger we’re here, the more confusing it gets.Idon’t think they took us to be slaves.Theyseem self-sufficient and almost bored when they come in to get us.Ourshrieks seem to entertain them and not in the way you’d think.Screamsof fear have them backing away, but screams of anger seem to excite them.Ormy body is so damagedI’msimply making up things in my head.

There’reonly a few of us left now, and we no longer even hear any cries coming from the other parts of the ship.Lostin my thoughts,Idon’t realize the door has slid open until movement catches my eye.GrabbingRowan,Ipull her close when the oneIhaven’t seen since we were taken comes in.

Itopens the cage door, but instead of grabbing the first one there, it walks in.Itslong tail twitches back and forth as it looks at each of us.Iswear its mandibles click together in glee when it spots me in the back.Fearinga repeat of the last time we met,IgrabRowanwith the last of my strength, trying to push her behind me.

Ishouldn’t have wasted what energyIhad left because beforeIcan blink, it’s speared me through the shoulder, raising me straight up in the air.AnguishlikeI’venever felt before spreads out through my body as it turns effortlessly, holding me out away from it likeIweigh nothing.Justas it clears the doorway, the bug suddenly stops.

“Lether go you prick!”,IhearRowan’sgarbled voice yell out before she attacks it from behind.Idon’t have the strength left to tell her to save herself, as warm blood drips down my body.

BeforeIclose my eyes, for whatIpray is the last time,Ifeel the bug holding me jerk, and then the thud of something hitting the ground.

Chapter Ten

RUBY

Unfortunately,Iopen my eyes again, but this timeIfind myself in a completely different location.Theair in the room is stifling hot and smells like decay.Theheat is so intense the walls seem to be dripping in condensed moisture, a huge change from the extreme cold we’ve been in for days.

WhenItry to raise up, a rough hand pats my arm. “Remainstill.”Thewords are broken, butIinstantly stop trying to move.

“Rowan?”

“Ifyou are asking about another female, there were two others brought in when you were.”

“Hairlike mine?”I’mhaving to force my dry mouth to make the words.

“Thereis another whose mane is the color of the sun across the room.Shehas not moved since being thrown into the nest.Notthat she could go far, the chains prevent you from leaving the breeding shell.”

Turningmy head,Itry to see who is talking to me, only to jerk away whenIrealize there is a pale green hand lying on my arm.Forcingmyself up on my elbows,Iglance over at my shoulder, something black now covering the woundIhave there and another also wrapped around my wrist.

“Didyou do this?”Iwhisper out to the unknown person.

“Yes,IwishIcould have done more.Lettingyou perish would have been a kindness, but it goes against everythingIam.Yourleg is festering, butIcould not reach it asItoo am secured to a nest.”

“Howlong have you been here?Whatdo they want with us?”

“Mytime will come any moment now, as all the others that were brought in before me are deceased.Thankfully, they seem to only want a few birthing at a time, so there is still hope for you and thisRowanyou speak of.”

“Wereyou taken also?”

“Iwas.Idid not know until later that theVelgriddixhad found a way to disguise their ships.Adistress beacon was sent out, requesting permission to land.Theywere on the ground before our forces could muster a counterattack.Theguards were easily overtaken, and the warnings came too late for the rest of us.

Iwas in the fields helping with the harvest when they were first spotted.Eventhough there were safe places where we could hide, our group was too far away.Ifought, but their numbers quickly overwhelmed the few females that were there.Theonly thing that lightens my heart now is knowing that my sacrifice gave others time to run for safety.”

“HowcanIunderstand you?”

“Ihave a translator that not only translates your words but helps me reply in your speech.”

“Icould’ve used that when those snakes took us.Whatare these damn bugs?”

“Notmany have a translator like mine, so most will not understand you, or it would only be one sided.Youmust be from an outer world to have been obtained by theJaga; they are a slither race known for abductions in your area.TheVelgriddix, or bugs, as you call them, are the plague of our universe.Theylike the leftovers that other races deem unworthy.

EventhoughIwas shocked when they brought you in,I’venever heard of a human being not being wanted; your kind is coveted by most.AllIcan think is the scars, drawings, and abnormal markings upon your skin were considered unflattering to the other species at the market, and so you were not sold.That’show you ended up with them, theVelgriddix.Theyget inexpensive bodies because they only need us to remain alive until their eggs can be laid.Sodamaged goods are fine with them.”

“Didyou just say … eggs?”

“Youneed not know of the specifics.”

“Well, we’re going to have to agree to disagree on that one, because knowledge is power whereIcome from.”

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