Page 2 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
I bolt down one of the hunter’s paths, diving deeper into the forest without a backward glance. Panting like a marathon runner, I can feel my anger fading with every step, replaced by creeping doubt. I groan and smack my face with my hand. Genius move, really.
On the bright side, I had the foresight to grab the bow Maya made for me. Sure, I haven’t practiced much with it yet, but it gives me a sense of security. I doubt Maya ever thought I would venture this far from the colony, but here I am. I refuse to stop to consider my actions or to turn back and head home. This world will not beat me. I refuse to submit. I am capable, and I will prove that I can do this.
Chin up, I abandon the hunter’s trail and follow a ridge downward towards the valley. No caves or sorium ore here, but I squash the fear that tickles my sweaty back. I’m not exactly lost—I know the colony is up the mountain. As long as I don’t stray too far, I can always head back up. Easy.
The region is a maze of mountains and fjords. I remember gazing out of the space shuttle’s porthole, marveling at the valleys that sprawl like spider webs across the white and blue landscape. It is both breathtaking and intimidating. The planet looks so much like the old Earth photos and videos I’ve seen, but bigger. And wetter. Back on Earth, water was a luxury, but here it flows freely. A strange concept, but I could get used to it.
I know nothing about finding a cave. Rumor has it there are hundreds in the area, all connected by tunnels.
By the time I reach the valley floor, my heart is pounding like a drum. Climbing back up isn’t going to be a picnic, but it will all be worth it. Before me, a cave mouth beckons. It is large enough that I could waltz right in without ducking.
Gazing at the entrance, I can’t help but feel a little smug. This is it, my turning point. Today is the day my life changes for the better.
* * *
My stomach letsout a growl that would put a bear to shame. The dark cave has swallowed me up for far too long. The weak light barely penetrates the depths of this rocky abyss, probably because of the trees huddling around the entrance like they are trying to hide a secret.
Good thing I have my trusty torch to light my way. Having spent countless hours in the mines, I am practically a pro at navigating through low light. The only challenge is that there’s no sense of time passing, except for the sound of my pickaxe striking and my own grunts of exertion echoing off the cave walls.
In the beginning, I hesitated between each swing, ears perked for any lurking danger. But soon, the sweet melody of rocks splitting and ore chipping away lured me into a sense of security. The more I worked, the more my excitement grew. Never in my wildest dreams have I seen so much raw ore! Sorium ore veins decorate each newly freed rock, tempting me to be picky about my treasures. The thicker veins could even be refined into gems worth a small fortune. The little crystals power gadgets, while big ones can fuel entire spaceships.
Imagine if I find one of those bad boys? I’d be set for life!
The official mine is practically barren compared to this goldmine. How have more miners not ventured out into the wild to find their fortune in undiscovered caves?
I cram as many rocks as I can into my backpack, only to topple over like a drunk flamingo when I try to hoist it onto my back. Chuckling at my ambitious failure, I decide to leave some behind for tomorrow’s adventure. For once, I am okay with waiting another day.
Satisfied, I exit the cave with a backpack full of potential.
Stepping out, I gasp. Daylight is fading faster than I’d anticipated. One sun has already called it a day, and the other is following suit. Night is approaching, and I’ll be stranded in the wilds. In the dark.
Thoughts of my friend Eve haunt me. The colony council assigned her to explore the surrounding lands for caves containing valuable sorium ore. She fell prey to the wild creatures before the main group of colonists had even arrived. Before I arrived. I refuse to share her fate. Determined to reach the safety of the colony, I scramble up the ridge with reckless abandon.
Panting and drenched in sweat, I feel the cooling yet chilling effects of my damp clothes. As the two suns continue to set, the temperature drops, and my goosebumps become a permanent feature.
But what sends a shiver down my spine is the bone-chilling howl, soon joined by two more.
Fear grips me like a vise, and I freeze in pure panic. The colony is still quite a distance away. I doubt the guards would hear me shout, and the odds of a hunter being nearby are slim to none. I inhale deeply, trying to force myself to calm down. The creatures are far away, and their howling doesn’t necessarily mean they are after me. Despite my rational thoughts, my body has other plans, refusing to play nice with logic. With newfound urgency, I scramble up the incline. The cliff faces are mercifully small, enough for me to haul myself over. No need for any extreme rock climbing.
I refuse to glance back, fearing that my overactive imagination will conjure up ghastly beings stalking me.
My breaths are loud in my ears, and my heartbeat thunders so forcefully that I am sure any nearby beast can hear it with ease. Even my footsteps seem obnoxiously loud, crushing leaves with every step.
Wait. It’s not that I have suddenly become noisier; rather, the world around me has gone eerily silent. The insects, birds, and even the rustling of trees have taken a vow of silence.
The hairs on my neck prickle, instinct telling me that I am being watched.
Driven by fear, I push myself forward, determined to reach the safety of my home. I won’t stop until I am deep within the town, yelling for help like a banshee.
Sacrificing my precious cargo, I fling my backpack to the ground. Sure, the ore is valuable, but my life is worth a lot more. I wince as the bag crashes through the undergrowth, causing a small landslide. Secretly, I hope that whatever pursues me will be caught in the commotion. While I don’t wish harm upon any creature, becoming its dinner isn’t on my to-do list either.
I never stop to check.
Cold air scorches my throat as I gasp for breath. My hands claw at the soft soil, tearing my fingernails in the process. Pain shoots through my fingers, but I push it aside.
A sob escapes my lips as the howls close in, far too close for comfort.
A clearing appears ahead of me. The ground is littered with white flowers. It’s like a beacon, guiding me to a place of safety.
