Page 17 of Anna's Bounty
That’s when I realize it’s too dark to be morning, but I feel like I’ve slept for a long time. My eyes blink open.
I’m not in my room. And this isn’t my bed.
Pushing myself up, I look around, recognizing the room Rovos led me to last night. At least I’m in a bed instead of curled up naked in a cage.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I swing my legs over the side of the bed. That’s when I see the tray sitting on the bedside table, and my stomach clenches at the sight of the covered dishes.
Folding my legs under me, I pull the tray into my lap and then lift the mug of still warm Kahva to my lips. My eyes slide closed for a moment, and I hum as the alien caffeine hits my bloodstream.
Setting the mug to the side, I peel back the lid covering a dish of berries. Licking my lips, I pinch what looks like a blueberry, except it’s the size of a grape, between my fingers and pop it into my mouth. Sweet tartness explodes across my tongue, and I reach for a green raspberry-looking berry next. It reminds me of a cotton candy grape, and I grab two more. There are also miniature blue strawberries that have a mild, sweet flavor, but the green raspberries are by far my favorite. I make a mental note to ask Rovos what they are called when I see him next as I peel back the lid on another dish.
A puff of steam and an oaty smell escapes from the bowl of gray stuff. It looks a little like cooked cereal, and I take the spork and try a small taste. A rich, grainy flavor fills my mouth, and my stomach lets out a loud growl as I scoop another spoonful into my mouth. Before I realize, I’m scraping the sides of the bowl and considering licking it clean.
The only thing left on the tray is some grainy toast, which isn’t very flavorful, but I eat every bite anyway before finishing off the mug of kahva.
After setting the tray back on the bedside table, I get up and stretch, then turn around to make up the bed. Next I head into the cleanser to relieve myself. When I step up to the sink to wash my hands, there is a stick-thing sitting on the edge of the sink. Picking it up, I examine it carefully before deciding it must be an alien toothbrush.
Hesitantly, I place it inside my mouth, and it immediately begins to pulse, much like the sonic shower. In fact, it reminds me of my electric toothbrush at home, just without bristles. So I move it along my teeth until it beeps and turns off. Setting the toothbrush down, I run my tongue across my teeth and then breathe into my hand to check my breath. Seems to work.
As I comb my fingers through my sleep-tangled hair, I wish there was a mirror above the sink. So I do the best I can and head back into the room I stayed in. It’s bare and impersonal and reminds me of a hotel room.
Curiosity has me crossing to a row of panels I think is the closet. When my fingertips press against the smooth surface, it pops open to reveal multiple versions of the uniform they all wear, all in varying colors of gray, brown and cream, hanging neatly in a row. All of them look like they are Rovos’ size. Under the closet are narrow slats that turn out to be drawers filled with more of Rovos’ neatly folded clothes.
Did Rovos give me his room? And if so, where is he sleeping?
I circle the bed, intending to get the empty tray, but instead I slide open the drawer of the bedside table, hoping to find out more about the mysterious alien bounty hunter who rescued me. I’m disappointed when all I find are some coins, small bits of machinery I have no name for, and a paperback in what I assume must be his native language. The cover is plain and very worn, suggesting it’s been well read. Running my thumb down the wrinkled spine, I wonder if it’s some kind of manual or maybe it's an alien erotica?
With a snort, I return the book to the drawer. I don’t see Rovos being the type to read erotica. But you never know. If my mother ever found the things I keep in my nightstand at home, she’d—
Oh no!
When I never make it home from the hospital, eventually someone is going to clean out my apartment. They’ll find the vibrating unicorn horn I have hidden in the back of my nightstand, along with my stash of romance novels.
“Oh, god!” I moan into my hands.
The vibrator was a gag gift, and it has never been used. I was too afraid to put something pointy up…there. The novels, however, are well read.
Maybe Rovos will get me back home before anyone has to clean out my apartment. And if not… I take a deep breath, picking up the tray. If not, then it won’t matter, because I won’t be there to be embarrassed.
The door opens automatically when I get close to it, and I head into the hallway, intending to find the kitchen, which ends up being much harder than I expect. The ship is a maze of narrow hallways and odd angles. Every time I think I get my bearings, I end up right back where I started.
After countless wrong turns, a good bit of frustration, and some creative cursing, I finally stumble into the kitchen. Completely by accident.
Setting the tray on the counter, I scan the rows of cupboards and cabinets. Now, where would I be if I were an alien dishwasher? Starting on one end, I start looking through the cupboards one at a time.
I’m about halfway around when I hear, “What are you doing?”
With a yelp, I spin around to find Igid standing by the table. She folds her arms across her chest and looks as if she is trying very hard not to laugh.
“You scared the shit out of me,” I tell her, placing a hand over my pounding heart.
Igid’s eyes drop to my waist, and a look of horror crosses her face.
“Not literally,” I blurt out. “It’s just a figure of speech.” She’s still looking at me strangely, and I wave my hand at the tray. “Never mind. I’m looking for the dishwasher.”
“The dish-washer?”
“Yes. It’s a… sonic cleanser, but for dishes.” There has to be something like a dishwasher. They have a med-bot, for crying out loud, and I don’t see a sink anywhere.
