Page 9 of Pet: Genesis

“Even when your planet’s first crew discovered ours, your superiors kept the information from all of you.” He finally looks up, his abnormally colored eyes meeting mine. My breathing hitches from the intensity of his gaze. And as he slowly stands, I have to crane my neck to keep eye contact.

“You, my brave little pet, are here because you have shown me something I haven’t seen since my arrival on this planet. You did the complete opposite of everyone in that wasteland. You attacked a being you knew you had no chance of defeating to save the life of another. A complete and total stranger. And even more impressive... you challenged me.”

He laughs in disbelief as if remembering the moment.

“In your weakest state, you were willing to risk it all for someone. And that showed me how strong you are.” He tilts his head, angling his gaze. The action makes me feel like he’s studying my very soul.

“Even now, I can see that fire inside of you.” My eyes widen, and fear coils deep within my belly as he speaks his next words.

“I can’t wait to snuff it out. Until you are nothing but a hollow shell of your former self.”

My mouth is suddenly dry, and I try my best to stay brave—to remain strong in the face of this challenge.

“Why not just put an inhibitor on me? Then you won’t have to break me,” I whisper, hoping he’ll take the bait. I’d rather be placed under the spell of an inhibitor than go through whateverit is he’s planning. He laughs. It’s low and filled with amusement. His thumb trails over my cheekbone, draping the length of my jaw before settling on my chin, where he forces my gaze to hold to his.

“Where would be the fun in that?”

Chapter Four

Iris

It’s been weeks since my last encounter with the Leviathan. Since then, I have only seen his servants enter in and out of the room. I tell the days by the times that the women come in. They bring me three meals daily and ensure I am washed and ready for bed before leaving the room.

Right on schedule, Ruth walks in. The wall disappears upon her presence, and she enters with that eerie blank look in her eyes. I’ve resorted to naming the servants at this point in my capture since they refuse to speak to me. It also brings me comfort to imagine that these women are no longer former shells of themselves. I’ve named Ruth, Bertha, and Gertrude.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve eaten like I’m supposed to and have been training in the room when they leave. It’s become much easier to train my body since I have a constant influx of food inmy system. My body has also gone through an extensive change since arriving here. My bones aren’t stretching against my skin, and my features aren’t as harsh. They have finally begun to fill out. It’s fascinating to see what a few weeks of healthy eating can do for the body. And due to my personal exercise, the small bit of muscle I do have has become nicely toned.

I watch Ruth as she places the meal for today on the table near the lounge area. She carefully sets the plates and drinks down, adjusting everything accordingly. Just as I anticipated, her gaze never comes in my direction. She doesn’t acknowledge me. I slowly stand as she returns to the wall that doubles as an exit.

The Leviathan hasn’t been here for weeks. I can only assume he’s away from this place, joining another battle against humanity, or hidden in these halls. Either way, he has lost interest in me, giving me the perfect opportunity to escape. And if I’m caught, then he will easily kill me.

It’s a win-win.

I wait until Ruth gets close to the wall, and just as I predicted, the solid mass disappears upon her approach. The moment it dissolves, I sprint across the room, shoving her hard in the back through the wide space. I don’t wait for a reaction. I sprint up the familiar hall, making my way to the waiting elevator doors that are open. My fingers furiously press against the buttons, relief washing over me when the doors finally begin to close.

When I look up, I see Ruth. She’s standing outside the room I was once held in with the empty tray in her hands. She doesn’t try and advance on me, nor does her face hold any emotion. Shejust watches me with that terrifyingly blank expression as the doors finally close. I slide down the metal wall, trying to catch my breath. My nerves are on fire, and my adrenaline is pumping. My brain is still on high alert. I know it can’t be this easy. Ruth didn’t pursue me, nor did she try and stop me once I attacked her.

And that’s what terrifies me the most.

The room stops moving, and the doors slide open to reveal a large open space. I slowly take a step out, looking to the left. It’s the same room I entered when I first arrived. The room he brought me in to eat. Except this time, it’s empty. My instincts are shouting at me to go back. Just go back to the room and forget this whole plan to escape. But my brain is telling me to find the way out. It’s too late to go back. One way or another, the Leviathan will know of my attempt. I would rather find out everything I can and get away than go back without a fight.

The doors close behind me, startling me from my thoughts. There’s definitely no way back now. I make my way through the hall, the sound of my feet echoing off the smooth marble floor accompanying me. I can see an archway at the end of the hall, so I make my way toward it. As I pass through the large room, I look around at the overarching windows. Wherever this place is, it seems to be high up and surrounded by greenery. It makes me wonder who this particular Leviathan could be. Is he someone important? Is he an eccentric of his own people?

I round the corner, entering into the unknown parts of this place. The hall is long and open, filled with alien objects. There are sculptures that sit atop dressers and canvases with a foreignlanguage on them. Some of the rooms are locked and require codes to enter. I slowly place my hand against the strange texture of the wall. The texture is smooth to the touch but looks rough from a distance. Everything about this place is completely foreign.

Alien.

I note that at the end of the hall is another archway with much brighter light casting from it. I can only assume the exit is in this direction. I quickly look behind me, scoping my surroundings one last time before I make my way to the archway. I round the corner, my feet freezing at the sight that greets me.

It’s him.

He’s sitting in a chair, a book in hand. His eyes gloss over the page, and his expression is fixed with indifference even though the novel in his hand has captured his attention. His eyes slowly rise, meeting mine, and I don’t miss the glint of amusement in his gaze as he takes in my horror-filled expression. A small smile graces his lips, and he lowers the book.

“Pet.”

My hand grips the door frame with all the strength I can muster as he stands from his seat and approaches me. The temperature of the room dips, leaving me a shivering mess the closer he gets. He exudes danger. My body is completely aware of the foreign humanoid that stands before me. My instincts compel me to run. I’m fighting against myself, and my free will is taken away from me in the form of a glance from this alien.

Finally, my instincts win over my fear, and I whip around, taking off in the opposite direction. I sprint up the open hall, making myway toward another archway. A cry of relief leaves me when I see the large door that awaits. There’s glass on either side, giving me the perfect view of the foliage that lies beyond this place. I’m free. I’m almost there. Out of nowhere, I hear a deep chuckle followed by a rough pull on my ankle, causing me to stumble and fall. My momentum carries me out of my fall, my body sliding into the door with great speed. I cry out in pain as the back of my head smacks against the wood from impact.

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