Page 1 of Fated to the Alien Protector

Chapter 1

*If your book opens to this page, please refer to prior page for CW

Abby

Different isn’t always better, no matter how anyone tries to sell it. Different just means new shit to deal with. New shit is still shit. Especially on an alien planet. I stare up through the opening of my tent at the lavender sky. If that isn’t enough of an indicator I’m not on Earth, the two moons that live up there at night certainly would be. Only the backside of one of them is visible through the hole above at the moment, though. I’m sure the other has descended behind the trees, based on the sounds of the settlement outside my thin tent walls.

Already, voices are raised, and the scent of burning fires and what amounts to coffee seep through the hide of my small ‘home’. I should get up and moving, because I’m going to have to set out for the forest before Lewis wakes and realizes I’ve left. But I don’t want to leave my bed quite yet. If I ignore the faint snores coming from the pile of blankets next to me, I might be able to enjoy the mostly quiet.

I’m probably one of the few who’s used to the short nights and long days on Tavikh. Most likely because I was always up well before the sun ever rose and went to bed long after dark had fallen back on Earth. A lot of us in the bottom tier didn’t have the luxury of sleep. Hell, probably most of us. I suppose that’s one good thing about being here on this alien planet. There is no upper or bottom tier. We’re all on a level playing field.

There’s groan next to me, and the blankets shift, exposing a mop of carrot-orange hair that’s getting far too long. Sleep-riddled eyes are visible next, followed by a button nose and cheeks covered in freckles—or as I like to call them, fairy kisses. Last to be uncovered are thin lips, underscored by a pointy chin . I don’t need a mirror when all my features are right in front of me on the face of my little brother.

“Morning, sleepyhead.”

Carter rubs his eyes and yawns loudly. “What time is it?”

It’s the same question he asks almost every morning, even though there aren’t any clocks on Tavikh, so I have no idea the exact hour. It’s why we made up our own way of telling time. “Half-past when the roosters crow.”

“Ugh.” He complains with a dramatic huff only a twelve-year old can produce.

I should probably correct his behavior, but considering I agree with him, it feels a bit hypocritical. Instead, I swing my blankets off and sit up. “I’m going out into the forest to set some snares and see if I can catch a couple of those alien rabbit-looking things.”

Carter perks up. “Can I come?”

Normally, I’d say no, but I don’t want to get caught out there by myself in case Lewis comes looking for me. Then again, I also don’t want my brother to get hurt.

“Please,” he begs, drawing out the word in a pitiful plea.

“Fine, but don’t be a slowpoke getting ready. I want to leave in ten minutes or less.” I open my trunk for a fresh set of clothes.

“I bet I can beat you,” Carter challenges and dashes out of his own bed.

I chuckle. “You’re on.”

With my clothes in hand, I duck behind the sheet I hung to give myself a bit of privacy to change. Neither of us needs to see the other naked, even if he is my baby brother. He’s growing up way too fast for my liking. A wave of melancholy hits me in the gut. I can still picture the red-faced, squalling baby with his strawberry-blond, baby-fine hair and flailing arms and legs who was far too tiny. His cries were pitiful, but the minute I laid eyes on him, I was in love. He was perfect in every way.

“Beat ya,” Carter crows in victory just as I slip my shirt over my head.

I step around the sheet and find him doing a little dance and pumping his arms over his head with a giant smile on his face. Emotion swells in my chest. In that moment, he looks more like our father than he does me. I clear my throat.

“Did you put on clean underwear?”

He pauses his celebration and glares. “Yes.”

“Don’t look at me like that, young man.” I cross my arms. “I know exactly how gross boys your age can be.”

“I’m not gross.”

Lord save me from offended twelve-year olds. “I didn’t sayyouwere gross. I said boys your agecan begross and I don’t want you becoming one of them. There’s a difference.”

Carter opens his mouth like he wants to argue, but I hold up a finger with a sharply muttered, “Uh”, and he snaps it closed. I’m sure there will come a day far too soon when he won’t hold back a retort, but for the time being, I’ll take it.

“Grab a couple pieces of fruit and the bladder of water, will you, please?” While he does that, I locate the all the supplies I’ll need to set up a couple snares.

Before coming to Tavikh, we lived on protein bars. But after tasting real food, I don’t plan on going back to eating anything other than that. Even if that means I have to hunt for game myself. I made Bruce teach me how to set up a snare, since he’s apparently the go-to guy for all stuff “outdoorsy”.

I’ve been practicing since we got on this damn planet nearly a year ago. The winter was rough, but I managed to get Carter and myself through it with little help from anyone. Because help always comes with a price. Sometimes one I’m not willing to pay.

---