Page 54 of Captured By The Alien Barbarian
Relief floods through my body. I sag into the furs. Immediately, tears flood my cheeks.
I recognize that voice. It belongs to Maya’s husband, a man whose voice I’ve heard many times, yet barely ever spoken to.
A human! I was beginning to truly believe that I’d never see another human ever again.
“Miss Ariana?” the voice hisses again. I watch with horror as the figure of the hunter turns, moving as if to leave the cave behind. To leave me behind.
I scramble from the bed, rushing towards him. It was James Lewis, Maya’s husband. “Mr. Lewis!”
His eyes widen at the sight of me as I step into the light, and I can’t blame him. I probably look hideous, truth be told. All puffy-eyed, dressed in some rough barbarian furs. But right now, I don’t care.
I fling myself into his arms. Mr. Lewis stumbles back, and I belatedly realize that he barely moved his hunting knife out of the way of my collapsing body.
“Oh, Mr. Lewis!” There’s so much I want to say, and yet no words come clearly. Everything in my mind is a jumble, a torrent of thoughts rushing by so fast that I can barely grasp a single one.
“Can you walk?” Mr. Lewis pushes me away from him, holding me at arm’s length. His steely-blue gaze roams over my body, critical eyes taking in the sight of my knee-length tunic and belt. And bared legs, which are still scabbed and healing. His lips purse, the mustache on his top lip bristling.
“We have to go. Now.”
But do I want to leave? Hesitating for a moment, I ponder the time I spent with Taccit. There had been some good times. And he had brought me those seeds, after all. But he sees me as nothing more than a prisoner, and I can’t live my life like that. I’m not happy with what I overheard Walter talking about, but there are plenty of humans at the colony that I know. One of them will help me, I am sure of it.
“I can walk,” I reply.
Mr. Lewis latches onto my wrist and drags me towards the cave exit with the force of a bull. I gasp and stumble after him at the abrupt movement.
“Could you at least let me put on my boots?” I say, tugging futilely at his vice-like grip.
With a grunt, he releases me.
“Hurry then.” He waits impatiently, stamping from foot to foot, beside the cave door. His gaze consistently shifts from scanning the outside world to glaring at me. Not giving me a moment to even consider tying the shoelaces, he drags me out into the blinding light.
My vision still adjusting, I follow Mr. Lewis’ hurried steps down the once-overgrown path, now meticulously cleared. He leads me through the small clearing, past the table and chair where I had failed miserably at archery only days before. Taccit’s bloodied face flashes in my memory, along with the look of sheer happiness as he hands me the bag of seeds. A bittersweet smile crosses my face as I recall how proud he had been to present them to me, and how happy he made me in that moment. No one has ever risked their life just to make me happy.
“Ariana!” Mr. Lewis whirls around so suddenly that I collide with his chest. “Could we pick up the pace, please? Or do you plan on staying here to live like a savage beast?”
Ouch. I recoil at his words. They feel like a slap to the face. Shame burns my cheeks. Haven’t I called Taccit the very same?
“He’s not a beast,” I blurt out, my thoughts racing faster than I can control them. Sure, Taccit is an alien, but that doesn’t make him bad. And if being different is all it takes for someone to be evil, then what about me? I am the only female to set foot in the mines. And what about Maya, who spends even her free time leaning over all her tools and machines? We don’t fit the stereotype of females.
All Taccit really does is live a simple life, without the usual bells and whistles that our cities provide. Is that so wrong? He’s lived a hard life, away from even his tribe. He doesn’t communicate his feelings well, but he’s never been unduly harsh. He’s strong enough to turn me into a human pretzel, but he’s never laid a hand against me.
Mr. Lewis snorts at my defense. “All the aliens here are monsters. Every time a hunter has encountered them, they act all innocent and charming, but the moment you let your guard down, they pounce. Like unpredictable, uncivilized savages.”
The truth in his words pierce my heart. One moment Taccit is kind and gentle, and the next he is crude and controlling. He’s unpredictable.
“I’ll feel much better once we reach the colony again,” Mr. Lewis says, dragging me behind him again, practically rolling his eyes as he speaks. “I hate taking unnecessary risks like this. Let’s avoid any more stupidity, shall we? Just stay quiet and keep walking. We’ll be safe soon.”
With my head down, I follow after him. Maybe he’s right; staying with my own kind is the safer option. Staying here with Taccit was a stupid idea.
* * *
By the timewe trudge into the colony, my brain is reeling, and my body feels like it’s minutes away from collapsing into a heap. Walking uphill isn’t exactly my forte, and James must’ve thought we were in some sort of Olympic speed walking race. He hasn’t stopped to give me a break, not even once.
I fully expect to be taken to my house, the colony’s town hall, or maybe even the medic. I’m shivering like a wet dog from the chilly air, and my limbs are a delightful collage of scratches and bruises, courtesy of my numerous run-ins with thick bushes and unexpected cliff side trips. Meanwhile, James is practically snug as a bug in his cozy layered clothing, warm and safe from harm. It must be nice. James had a much easier time of traveling, wrapped securely in his thick clothing, warm and safe. It never even occurs to him to offer me his jacket.
Blinking in weary confusion and swaying, I try to get my bearings.
James swings open a door and shoves me over the threshold.
