Page 19 of Alien Abduction for Beginners
I looked around the room again, almost hoping to spot a camera that I could wave to. Or destroy. Both options sounded tempting.
"Aliens, come and unlock this door!"
Footsteps sounded in the distance. Someone was running towards me. Had they heard my calls or was this just a coincidence? Maybe their cameras were too hidden for me to see. It didn't make sense for there not to be any. I had been abducted; of course, they'd want to keep an eye on me and see if the probing had any aftereffects. I bet the blue medic, Havel, would be keen to document everything I did. It was almost endearing if I hadn't been kidnapped.
The door slid open, revealing a grinning Matar. The green, tailed alien seemed pleased at himself for some reason, even though I scowled at him.
"Why did you lock me up?" I snapped. It was probably a bad idea to snap at my captors, but I was hungry and to be honest, after the probing I didn't take them too seriously. I didn't think they were dangerous, but there was a high chance I was wrong. Perhaps this was my mind trying to protect me from the truth.
"So I could open the door for you," he replied as if that made any sense at all. "Are you pleased?"
"No. I'm not."
His face fell, disappointment distorting his alien features. It was strange how his expressions were so human, in a way, or at least similar enough for me to recognise his emotions.
"Do you not like doors being opened for you?" he asked, sounding a little unsure.
"I don't like locked doors," I shot back at him. "Am I your prisoner?"
He raised his eyebrows and I noticed how perfectly shaped they were. Just like everything about him. He was gorgeous from top to bottom, even his tail. Alright, maybe his tail wasn't gorgeous, but it was exotic and strangely attractive. It made me want to reach out and see if it would curl around my hand.
"You're not. You're going to be our mate."
He - or one of the others - had said that before. A joke, surely? I wasn't mate material. I wasn't their species, nor was I particularly beautiful. Only pretty girls got abducted, that was universally acknowledged. Or maybe clever ones, to work for them and tell them all of Earth's secret. I was neither.
"I'm not. I want you to return me to my home." I stood as straight as I could and looked him right in the eyes. It took all my willpower to do that. His gaze was intense, sucking me in. His eyes were as green as the rest of him, but small silver specks shimmered within his pupils, making them sparkle. They had to be the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen.
I forced myself to look away. I didn't want to swoon over my abductor. This wasn't the time to develop Stockholm syndrome.
"That isn't possible," he said surprisingly gently. "We'd fail our assignment. But don't worry, we'll look after you. We've already made a list-"
He broke off and bit his lower lip as if he'd said more than he'd intended.
"A list?"
"Of things to make you happy," he admitted. "Opening doors is on there, but it seems you don't like that. I shall erase it immediately."
A white rectangle appeared in front of him, covered in small, neat writing. I tried to read it, but it was written inalien. Whatever language they spoke. The translator - I didn't call it the disgusting thing it really was - only worked for spoken words, it seemed. And I was fine with that. I didn't want a worm in my eyes, thank you very much.
Matar ran his fingers over the projection and the top line disappeared. On one hand, I was curious about what else lay in store, while on the other hand, I dreaded to find out. Being locked inside my room just so he could open a door for me wasn't a good start. What would be next, starving me so they could sate my hunger?
My stomach growled again. Matar jumped back, his tail erect, his eyes wild as he searched the corridor for a threat.
I rolled my eyes. "It's just my stomach. I'm hungry."
He frowned. "Your stomach speaks? Is that normal for humans?"
"It doesn't speak. It makes growly noises."
Matar shook his head. "No, it spoke. Loud and clear. It said 'electricity'. Or maybe 'power', those words are very similar in my language."
This time, it was me who stared at him in confusion. "I assure you, my stomach doesn't talk. It has no mind of its own. It was just a grumble."
The green male didn't look as if he believed me, but he let it drop. "Xil is preparing food for you right now. Come, I'll take you to our canteen. I shall show you the ship afterwards, especially the floor above."
"What's there?" I asked curiously as I started following him.
"You'll see," he hedged.
