Page 19 of Rebel Fates

After a moment or two, my quick, frantic breaths even out.

As I flip my legs over to slide off of the exam table, Zeek opens his arms to me as if he’ll carry me away or help me keep my balance.

Rok chides Zeek, “Remember what we decided.”

With a pout, Zeek pulls back his extended arms. Apparently, Serrat and Rok don’t want him touching me.

Turning to see Rok’s face, I study him. His icy-blue eyes and sharp ears and snout really remind me of the ancient paintings.

“What did you decide to do with me?” I ask and bite the inside of my cheek. I don’t enjoy being at the mercy of these aliens.

Without softening his hard gaze, Rok answers, “Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s my life at stake. I think Iwillworry.”

“We’ll have to see how things go from here.” Rok cocks an eyebrow and acts like that is supposed to shut me up. “Take it as a blessing that we haven’t killed you… yet.”

“Yet?” I tighten my arms on my chest, and curl up my knees.

“Don’t listen to him,” Zeek says softly. “Come with me. I’ll get you settled.”

I slide off the exam table and lean on it to keep myself upright. My knees are jelly, and I can’t tell if I’m weak because of my electrocution or my recent malnutrition aboard the furball’s ship. Probably both.

Once in the hall, Zeek gently takes my elbow to support me and gives me a quick once over, like he’s sizing me up, literally figuring out how tall I am and my measurements. Hopefully, it’s for clothing.

Feeling more exposed than I ever have in my life, I demand, “I want some clothes.”

“I will look into it,” Zeek says with a playful grin. “But I like your smooth skin.”

I eye his fur and wonder what it feels like. Is it coarse or fine?

“Why is your hair blue?” Zeek gazes at it with admiration. “Are you a hybrid?”

“What?” I chuff out a laugh, but I suppose it’s not a dumb question, all things considered. This is all too weird. “I dyed it this color.”

“Why?”

The answer makes little sense anymore. “I was starting over—changing my entire life.”

“Ah. A symbolic rite of passage.” He nods.

“Yeah. Something like that.”

“But they let you do this as a slave?”

“No. I did it right before they captured me.” The weight of this whole situation hits me again. This is not a dream. I’m not waking up from this. My life is fucked so hard.

Zeek allows me a moment to process my feelings, as if he felt them hit me. He leads me down a corridor. Looking down into my eyes, he finally says, “It will be alright.”

I can feel tears threatening. I don’t know how it can ever be all right again.

Was it ever all right? No, survivable… maybe.

“Did you say you were a Gemma?”

“AGemma?” I shake my head. “No. That’s my name.”

“Ohhh.” Zeek palms his bull-like face in embarrassment. Then he murmurs my name reverently as he opens a panel door with a wave of his hand. I see into what they have called the ‘empty quarters’. It is exactly that… empty and not much bigger than my cage on the furball’s ship.

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