“Don’t push me, Human. You don’t want to see me angry. But fine. The Coalition doesn’t just trade goods. They trade people.If your friends were asking the wrong questions, someone may have decided it was more profitable to sell them than let them talk.”
“That’s insane!” Kiran snaps. “Why would anyone want to ‘own’ another human being?”
“You tell me,” Prax shrugs. “Your kind has a long history of enslaving others—including your own. Why imprison wild animals, whales, birds? You call it ‘entertainment.’ I call it disgusting. But if you’re shocked I bring it up, maybe that’s your guilt talking. In any case, exotic species fetch a high price. If people have vanished mysteriously, you’d better consider the possibility.”
We exchange horrified glances. Could he be right?
Suddenly, Prax tenses.
“Are you expecting visitors?” he asks.
“No. Why?”
“Someone’s coming.”
“Hide in the bathroom!” I urge, ushering him toward my room. “We still need to keep your presence secret.”
The cat-man disappears, and Esteban and Kiran casually settle on the sofa.
Seconds later, the door opens, revealing Piotr, the mountain of a man from our region.
“Everything okay here?” he asks, stepping inside.
"Sure, Piotr,” I smile. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I heard your call on channel 59. Thought you might need help.”
“Good to know you’re always looking out for my sister,” Kiran says, rising. “But as you can see, we were just chatting. Time to let her rest.”
With barely disguised amusement, I watch Kiran and Esteban gently—but firmly—escort Piotr out the door.
He’s been a widower for three years now and has made no secret of his hopes to settle down... with me. I’m not interested. At all. The man annoys me, especially his bootlicking behavior with Palace members. I’m not surprised he jumped on his snowmobile the moment he heard me call my brother. I’m more surprised he was eavesdropping on channel 59 at all.
As they disappear into the snowy valley, I catch Kiran’s meaningful look.
“Be careful. Trust no one. Watch the cat.”
I turn and head back inside.
Where that barely-dressed feline is standing in the middle of my living room, fists on his hips, waiting.
11-Prax
My sharp hearing confirms the three visitors have left. I head back to the living room just in time to catch my little Human re-materializing the front door.
She looks worried. I can’t tell if it’s because of that guy who just left, or if it's still about the conversation we had earlier.
Without a word, she sinks into the sofa and buries her face in her hands. Deep in thought. I give her space and go inspect their communication device.
It’s about as basic as it gets. A bare-bones transmitter-receiver. No way to have a private conversation with something like this. I flip through the frequencies and listen in. Most channels are silent. On some, people are chatting away, clearly aware that anyone can tune in.
“Channel 3 is for emergencies,” Neela tells me as she walks up. “It’s the default. If someone has a medical issue, that’s where they ask for help. Then there’s channel 59—that’s the one I used to contact Kiran. It’s the busiest. You’ll hear stuff like, ‘So-and-so spotted wolves in sector blah blah,’ or, ‘Mister X is sick and wants to trade his work shift.’ Also births, weddings… It’s like the valley’s bulletin board. Channel 23 is for gossip and random chit-chat. Basically, bored people radio.”
“Why use channel 59 to call your brother if anyone can hear?”
“Because every channel can be heard. But 3’s for emergencies only. People only use it if they’re seriously sick or in danger.”
“You mean there’s no way to talk in private?” I ask, genuinely surprised.
