Page 19 of Seven Oars
Miserable, she turned to the women.
“We got it,” Alyesha said curtly.
Aris and Silo quickly searched each bag. Where Silo worked with indifferent efficiency, the subtle glint in Aris’alien eyes betrayed glee.
Gro’s cigarettes and an overlooked canister of pepper spray were discovered and confiscated, along with some sharp tools from Alyesha’s cosmetic pouch.
“There will be new rules,” Phex announced.“First, that door stays open at all times.” He pointed at the hatch that had granted the women their bare minimum of privacy.
Rosamma’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Next, you will stay in, because you can’t follow orders. And if you so much as breathe the wrong way, I’ll tie you up. I am tempted to do it now. Understand?”
He finished with,“It’s for everyone’s safety.”
Yeah. Safety.
“It’s all because of you,” Sassa hissed at Gro.
Others said nothing, but the looks they gave Gro were hostile.
Afterward, the women went to their room and stayed there, with the door left open. Once inside, they just… hung there like droopy leaves caught in a draught.
The Rix took turns watching them.
It was demoralizing to find themselves trapped in this kind of fishbowl.
“Surely, they’ll release us in a day or two,” Mara said, hopeful.
They didn’t.
The mood among the women soured.
Daphne alternated between crying and staring, making it hard for Mara to keep her occupied.
Anske prayed.
All attempts at humor fell flat.
“Why are they treating us this way?” Fawn complained.“We’re their passengers!”
“They don’t care. They don’t see us as equals,” Mara said bitterly.
“Hey, Misters Pilots!” Fawn called through the open hatch.“I’m sorry we disobeyed you! It won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t,” Aris muttered in response.
He didn’t mean they’d be released.
Dead end.
“What if we could help you? There are tasks we can do.”
Aris chuckled.“There’s nothing you can help us with.”
Fawn’s lips pursed.“But you made no effort to know us.”
“Why would we?”
