Page 73 of Riv's Sanctuary

It wasn’t like there’d been a promise of anything permanent.

Stepping backward, she perched on the edge of the floating bed, her eyes downcast.

She’d be leaving again soon.

Suddenly, the same dilemma she’d had with Geblit was rearing its head again so soon.

She’d be taken back to the market, no doubt, and sold.

Memory of the tall aliens with blades on their bodies returned to her and she shivered.

There had to be a better way to live than this.

For a moment, she contemplated running away. It wasn’t the greatest of ideas but it wasn’t the worst either.

Biting her lip, she was deep in thought when she realized Riv was leaving the room.

Her head lifted as he exited, leaving his brother behind.

Sohut was studying her with the same green gaze of his brother and that uncanny feeling hit her again. Only, his gaze wasn’t as hard as Riv’s. His gaze was more curious.

“Which planet are you from?” His gaze was intense and unreadable like his brother’s.

“Earth.”

A light frown marred the smooth skin of his forehead.

“Never heard of it.” His frown disappeared. “Did you come to Hudo III through the hyperspeed tunnel?”

Lauren blinked. “Hyperspeed tunnel? No. I caught a cab,” she answered bitterly and immediately felt bad about it.

Her mood was suddenly sour. And it might be because his brother was planning on sending her away or the fact it didn’t feel like she belonged anywhere anymore but it felt as if the sun was going down on her.

It was a chilling feeling knowing your life hung in the hands of other beings.

Sohut blinked. “I do wish I could understand you. I can’t.”

Lauren huffed out a laugh. “Nope. Better you don’t hear what I feel like saying right now.”

Sohut frowned a little once more as he continued studying her. “I’d head to the exchange to get your language download but if you’re not staying for long, I don’t see why I should make the trip, unfortunately.” He frowned a little more. “It’d be interesting hearing about your world.”

Her world.

Earth.

As far as she knew, Earth had moved on without her and the thought only made a sinking feeling start in her stomach.

Sohut leaned off the wall, his gaze still on her. It was obvious he wanted to say more but the language barrier was a hindrance. He settled for smiling at her a little before stepping out of the room.

Lauren stayed seated for a long few minutes, depressing thoughts flowing in her mind like water through a broken tap.

When Grot lifted his head from the floor, his four-eyed gaze on her, he made a low boom in his throat as if to comfort her and Lauren smiled a sad smile.

“It’s almost like you’re the only one who can understand me here,” she said to the dog.

Releasing a sigh, she glanced around the room.

She guessed she should get ready to leave but she didn’t have any worldly possessions, so packing was easy. All she had to do was make sure she had her watch, which never left her wrist unless she was taking a shower.

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