Page 38 of Ulfar

“What?” Atraxia teases, leaning over the bed to show me her tablet. On the screen is a photo of me, and next to it a chat log scrolling by faster than I can keep track of. Numbers higher than I’ve ever seen in my life keep flooding in. Were those...bids?

For me?

“You’re carrying something quite valuable,” she says with a smirk. “It’s not often I say this, but good job. You’ve done well, but don’t think you’re off the hook just yet. We still have to deliver the child and complete the transaction.”

“I’m not a transaction!” I cry. I can’t hold it in anymore. “I’m a person, with thoughts and feelings and dreams and desires!”

Atraxia taps her chin for a moment, then slips the tablet back into the bag slung around her waist. “You’re right, actually. You’re not the transaction.” A pause, and her bug-like eyes fixate on mine. “The little one in your belly is.”

“Bastard!” I push myself up with all my might, trying to lunge toward her, but she easily dodges my clumsy blow.

“Ah ah ah,” she chides, shaking her head. “Behave, or I’ll have to put you under again.”

“Do it,” I growl. “See if I care.”

“Oh? That is not sufficient motivation?” She steps over to the tablet next to the door and presses a few keys. Even from this distance, I can see a photo of my father appear on screen. “Perhaps I should arrange for him to be terminated instead?”

“No!” Tears spring to my eyes. I flail uselessly on the bed. My body won’t listen to my brain, and all I can do is lie here and watch her threaten everything I hold dear. “Leave him alone! I did what you said, I came here and brought you the child, didn’t I?”

“Didn’t you? Well, that remains to be seen. I think we’ll keep watch over Areo a little longer. He’s come to enjoy our company, after all.”

“Liar,” I spit. “What have you done to him?”

A vile, hideous chuckle echoes off the walls, which suddenly feel too small, too cramped to hold the weight of my emotions. “What have we done with him? You mean, give him the life he always wanted but could never have because of you?”

“...what?” A chill runs down my spine. She’s messing with me. Has to be. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, would you like to see? I can take you to him right now, if you want. But I warn you, you might not like what you see.”

My heart’s flying faster than a land speeder, but I have to know if she’s telling the truth.

Would my father really abandon me like that? Would he really sell me out just to get me out of his hair?

He couldn’t. He wouldn’t!

But the fear still gnaws at me in the back of my mind. Gathering what little strength I have left, I pull myself upright in bed and steady my feet on the floor.

“I want to see him,” I say, determined. “Now.”

“Very well,” she says with a wicked grin. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

* * *

After a few moments,I’m stabilized enough to find my footing. Atraxia gives me a bottle of water, a rare kindness for someone of her ilk.

After being drugged for so long, I almost don’t drink it.

Then she rolls her eyes and takes a sip of it herself, and I decide to take my chances. The water is cool, crisp, and refreshing, a pleasing balm against my parched throat.

We walk down an impossibly long corridor, every step echoing with eerie finality. I still have no idea where we are or even what time of day it is—this place has been completely windowless so far, giving it a prison-like atmosphere.

We finally reach the end of the hall and take a left. The narrow passageway opens up into a much larger circular area, with similar narrow offshoots spreading out in different directions.

I’m able to see a glimpse of the outside world for the first time, though it doesn’t afford me much information. The vaulted ceilings of the central hub give way to a vast skylight, opened up to show the glittering blackness of space beyond. With this I can tell it is nighttime, but where I am is still anyone’s guess.

They’re messing with me.

I don’t have much time to take in the sights, though, because a familiar voice calls out my name:

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