Page 5 of Fated to the Alien Rebel

“Am I dead, then?”

There is no answer. Only a sensation of love gliding over my skin. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever felt. I never want it to stop.

“Why am I here?”

She remains silent. Frustration bubbles up inside me and grows. What is this? Am I lost in some void? Have I not been a worthy enough male to be allowed to join the rest of my ancestors and tribespeople in Deeka’s land? Have I not prayed enough? Followed her truthfully enough?

Another caress moves along my cheek as though assuring me that is not the case. Or perhaps I am merely trying to comfort myself. In the distance, that same sweet sound from before calls again. I face the goddess again.

“Tell me what to do. Please.”

Her silence continues. Instead the other sweet sound grows louder and louder, becoming more distinguishable.

“Jodah, you must drink for me.”

I can finally make sense of it. But who is speaking? Why can I not see them?

“Drink.”

Compelled to follow the directive, I drink something bitter. My tongue rejects the flavor and I spit it out.

“Please, Jodah. You need to drink this. It will help you.”

Is this why I have not traveled into Deeka’s lands? I require help from the voice that is soft and tender? Doing what the voice instructs, I swallow the foul liquid being poured down my throat. When it almost becomes more than I can handle, the flow stops and provides me a blessed relief from the awful, bitter taste.

A gentle caress sweeps along the side of my face and the sweet voice speaks.

“Everyone has been in here to check on you, you know. To see how you’re doing. It must be nice having that many people care about you.” The caress runs along my brow bones this time. “The only person who cared about me back on Earth was my friend Makayla. I miss her. A lot. But I didn’t have much choice about coming to Tavikh.”

Her words do not make sense.

“I’ve been really lucky though. I’ve found new friends here. We’ve all become like sisters, so it’s made living here that much more pleasant. Although, it was touch-and-go for a while there with the Krijese attacking all the time.” The female loosens a small laugh that sends a pleasant sensation through me.

Her voice is so lovely I do not want it to stop, but fatigue has hit me hard and the pain is returning. Slowly, the female’s voice fades until it is no more.

Heat more sweltering than that given off by the sun burns me from the inside. It is as though my blood is made of the flowing fire water that spewed from the mountain top my baba once told me about. Violent agony pierces my chest as though someone is stabbing me over and over again with a sword. I cry out with it and thrash, trying to thrust off whatever is causing it. Strong arms hold me down which only makes my need to get free that much more.

“Jodah, you’re tearing your stitches,” the strange female’s voice calls out. “You have to be still. Please.”

Cold water runs across my brow bones and drips into my hair, but it quickly warms from the sweltering heat of my body. I am on fire. In pain. So much pain. I try once again to dodge it, but there is no escaping. I cry out wishing for it to end.

Is Deeka punishing me? Have I done something to anger her? Is that why I am stuck in this place of never-ending pain and suffering?

“Please, goddess. Make it stop.” My plea falls on deaf ears, because the pain only grows. I cannot take much more of this. I thought I was a warrior, but I am not strong enough to fight this.

“You are strong enough,” a firm female voice—that sweet sound—tells me. “You are going to fight. Don’t give up. Do you hear me, Jodah? I won’t let you give up.”

I want to do what the female says, but it is so hard. I am weak and I am tired. More cold liquid spreads over my head and along my upper chest and arms. It is no use. I give in to oblivion.

A strange noise reaches me. It is not a sound I have heard before. It takes great effort, but I try to force my eyes to part. Why do I hurt so much? Slowly, I finally manage to open them. Above me is the arched hide of a tent, but it is not my own. It is far too large. I blink and things become more focused. The unfamiliar sound continues. I move my head slightly. Only enough to determine if more pain will come. When it does not, I move it a bit more.

Standing on the other side of what I have determined is the healer’s tent is one of the human females. The one with hair the color of fire. She leans against a high table and her body shakes. The noise comes from her. There is something sorrowful about it. I open my mouth and only a dry croak comes from my throat. It is enough to startle her.

The female whips around and quickly wipes her hands across her face. There is wetness pouring from eyes that are streaked with color that matches her hair. Beneath them are smudges so dark they rival the wood of the fiku trees.

“Oh my god, Jodah.” She rushes over to me. “You’re awake.”

“Thirst.”

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