Page 7 of Her Alien Hero
No, they could've killed me at any point, but they didn't, which meant they did want me alive, and once I figured out how, I'd negotiate for my freedom. Or escape. Whatever seemed the best course of action.
The first bite of macaroni and cheese hit my tastebuds, and I moaned.Oh my God. This is the best thing I've ever eaten.I shoveled more into my mouth. If they were watching, I hoped my lack of manners would disgust them, and they'd send me home.
I scraped every bit of creamy cheese sauce from the plate, then started on the broccoli, which also did not disappoint.
"Don't worry. I'll get to you next," I said through a mouthful. One food at a time is how I'd always enjoyed my meals. It made it easier to savor the flavors.
I debated trying to get the replicator to create a knife once again but decided against it. They were probably watching me.But I can do something with the fork if I can keep it hidden.
Grabbing the warm meat with both hands, I bit a piece and ripped it away with my teeth. Juice ran down my chin and my hands. I tried not to chuckle at the sight I probably made; a grown-ass woman biting steak with her teeth like a savage neanderthal. The meat, tender to the point of perfection, also ranked high on my foodie list.
If I make it back home, I'll never enjoy any of these foods again.
After several minutes, with the plate clean, I stood and stretched, slipping the fork into the waistband of my underwear since the pajamas didn't have pockets. Casually, I raised my arms and stretched deeper, scanning the area for anything that might've been a camera.
But there was nothing besides the screen, replicator, the couch, and a small bed.
Do these guys even sleep, because there's no way they'd fit in that thing.
An even worse thought followed.This is a cage, and they'll keep me locked away forever.
Those wings of panic rose but I mentally shoved them away. My survival meant going along with whatever these jerks had planned and finding some way out.
Obviously, they didn't want to kill me—at least, not yet—which meant they needed me.Yeah, they need you for mating, Lilly.
I shoved that mental picture away. As long as I had something to offer, I had a chance.
But what happens when they're finished with me?
No. I couldn't think like that.
What did Baraxen say? Eat, clean up, and rest.
"Got the first part done." Breathing deeply, I strode to the folding screen and looked behind it.
A small tub, reminiscent of the deep porcelain baths of the old days, sat on clawed feet. No pipes showed anywhere, but a spigot jutted from the end. "How do I turn this thing on?"
I perched on the edge. You'd think with all the alien technology they had; they'd have come up with a better way to clean their skin.
Then again, they’re in the business of abducting human women. Maybe the bath is a replica to make their slaves more comfortable.
Inwardly, I shuddered. Thishadto be a dream.
The porcelain should've been cold, but it radiated warmth under my touch. Reaching out, I ran an index finger over the silver spigot. At my touch, water began gushing into the tub. Though there was no discernable stopper, but the liquid didn't drain away.
"Where’s the soap and shampoo?"
A shelf slid from the wall, and a basket materialized. Inside sat a bar of pink soap, a loofah, and a clear bottle of yellow liquid, which I guessed to be shampoo.
If I hadn't been kidnapped, I would've probably enjoyed these things appearing at my whim. However, knowing my freedom lay on the line tempered my excitement.I'm nothing more than a game piece to these beings, that's it. They probably see me as a wild, dirty animal. No wonder they want me to take a bath.
A rebellious streak rose within to refuse everything they’d asked, but I tamped it down.Play the game, get home. It's really that simple.
But deep fear churned in my gut.I'd always thought the most dangerous part of living alone would be someone breaking into the house, not being taken hostage by otherworldly creeps.
Still. Everything that had happened could be an elaborate fantasy created by my mind. How many times had my dreams seemed real, especially when Jeremy visited after death.
No, I didn't need to dwell on him. He was gone and I wasn't. I'd be strong; Iwouldlive.
