Page 25 of Orange Sky
My eyes are still groggy, the walls are made of wood. Did I go to a cabin with my coworkers? I felt so relaxed though. The last time I was this relaxed, we visited the California Redwood forests. Though I got to travel because of my job, the owner allowed us to stay over. I can smell the same air as the wind breeze in through the windows.
Then, all memories came rushing to me at once. I felt almost dizzy. I tightly closed my eyes again.
Please let it be a dream. Please let it all be a dream.
Please let it all be a dream.
Slowly, I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was the walls again. I looked further down and saw the windows. The orange trees and plants in autumn color.
No, I’m still in dream land.
I sighed and dragged the comforter to the top of my head and then away from my body. I might have slept for only hours instead of days. I saw it was nearing dusk. The land is more dark orange at this time of the day. There are clouds darkening the orange sky.
I sat up straight and looked around. I couldn’t see Mr Stripey. I can smell my sweat from our travels and it would feel really nice if I could have a bath.
As if conjured by my thoughts, the door creaked open.
Slowly.
Instead of Zirc, I found another alien guy. This one is way leaner than Zirc though he is as tall as him. Or maybe he stands about 6 feet 6 inches. He is wearing white pants and an almost sleeveless top similar to most of the people I saw in the streets. But his top has a pattern of blue. Different shades and swirling from the side to the top. I can’t say it looked like a T-Shirt. More like a scrub suit.
He is not making eye contact though. He is carrying what looks like a towel and robes of the softest blue. Without looking at me, he went to the wall opposite the door. I can clearly see him from my position on the bed. He placed his palm towards the wall. The wood patterns solidified and almost white opaque lines were drawn. Very futuristic or I am hallucinating. His fingers were too fast for me to follow as he pressed a jumble of weird looking characters on it.
I barely heard a sound when the floor opened to his side and out came a tub. It elongated along the end of the supper massive king bed. Thankfully, it is not as tall as the bed though otherwise it will look like a kid’s pool. I can tell simply because the ends are protruded on either ends.
He looked up and made a very brief eye contact.
He has a unique shade of aqua blue eyes. It is ringed by yellow. He has a stoic face on and I couldn’t tell his emotions. It is the most interesting part of his otherwise plain face.
“My master,” he began in a gruff voice. “Wishes for your comfort. You can take a bath now, sir.”
Of course, I couldn’t voice any arguments because Zirc probably had a very good reason not to reveal that I can talk! Albeit in a different language. They might be used to aliens or creatures from another planet. I look so different from them without the stripes yet they did not scream or sold me out to their government police. Or maybe all aliens on the planet undergo a program, like going through immigration and having a chip installed so you can understand the locals.
I think I debated with myself long enough because he went to my side of the bed and in one sweep of his lean arm, he took off the comforter on the bed.
I do not know whether to be impressed or alarmed!
I was too shocked to move.
He took the comforter and placed it along with the towel robes on the armchair nearer to the door. He is so efficient the way he folded the comforter as he walked. When he came back for me, I tried to inch myself away but he grabbed both of my ankles.
I froze.
“The Silver Tribe master told me to tell you not to be alarmed. He is afraid we might hurt each other. But I am careful,” he paused. And in a blink of an eye, he had me standing up. He is very quick! And strong! He carried all of my 150 pounds and extra fat.
Silver tribe master. It could only be Zirc right? So he is a master of some sort. And I realized they have tribes based on the dominant color of their skin or their eyes. They only have one thing in common. All of them have black hair. No blonde or other hair color.
Resigned to my fate, I jumped on the sky blue tub.
“He also told me you will be like this.” Though he has no expression on his face, there is a sharpness in his tone that somehow actually appeased me.
He made himself busy again with the visible controls on the wall. The water thankfully is warm and then there were bubbles and soap. It reached almost to half of my face so I sat straighter.
With the soap and bubbles, I felt confident enough to strip off my clothes. I placed my soggy clothes on the floor. Hopefully the water will not seep and drop to the first floor.
But the guy was quick enough to take it and, walking back to the wall, pressed some buttons and there goes my clothes.
“They will be washed and dried and ready for you, sir.”
