I’m in danger.
“I want to go home, I want to leave.” I garble my words, my mouth going dry.
“It’s the same answer as earlier. No, not an option.” Panic flashes behind his eyes as he grabs for me again. His palm brushes the side of my face before I flinch away.
“Don’t touch me.” I set my jaw as I slide over the arm of the chair. The robes catch on the ornate carving along the furniture’s edge and are ripped from my shoulders, exposing my body in the skimpy blue outfit I woke up in.
My near nakedness catches his attention, and his eyes darken. The duke's gaze slowly drags over my bare skin, making me feel as if I'm being stripped of what little clothing I’m wearing.
“I told you, there’s no f’teeing going home.” His eyes betray his cool tone. He looks like he wants to eat me alive.
“Anywhere but here, then. Give me supplies, get me to the surface and I’ll be someone else’s problem.” I try to negotiate. I can’t believe I let my stomach win over my common sense.
“Goddess help me, no!” He lets his arms go slack to his sides, setting his jaw.
“I’m not safe here, I’m not safe with you,” I hiss.
“No.” The single syllable almost echoes in the room. His voice is low and loud.
“No? Fuck you! I’m leaving, capisce? I can’t stay here with a monster!” I’m trembling with an emotion that I can’t quite identify, whether it be anger or fear. As if feeling trapped on Earth wasn’t enough, the idea of being trapped with an alien is unbearable. I’m not even sure if he has any plans to keep me alive. I can’t believe I was naïve enough to put my trust in a stranger.
The alien’s expression is one of dejection that quickly shifts into stubborn resolve. I realize I can’t wait for his help. The only option left is to risk drowning and hope for the best. I grab a plate teetering on the edge of the table and chuck it at his head. With a swift movement, he sidesteps the object and glares at me as it shatters against the wall.
Run!
I decide to swing wide around him, feeling the wind rush past my face as I sprint to his right. The open door is within reach, but Raf'ere's hands around my waist stop me in my tracks. My limbs windmill forward as my body freezes under his efforts.
Spinning me around, he pins me against the door frame, my arms above my head. Raf'ere settles between my legs, his hips pressing firmly against mine. As much as I struggle, I won’t get out of this hold.
“Stop struggling,” he grits through his teeth. The duke’s stare is too direct, my position is too compromising—for one of the first times in my life I’m at a loss for words.
The weight of his gaze makes me uneasy as I close my eyes and turn my head away from him. Our breaths are synchronized, and I find myself lost in the sound.
I'm only pulled out of my daze by the thick bulge growing in his pants, which makes me acutely aware of our proximity. Raf’ere’s lips brush against the column of my throat and I stop breathing.
“No,” I tell him, my voice shaking. It’s like my words snap him from his own trance, and he stiffens. He allows some tiny space between us, quickly glancing toward the open door and checking if anyone is watching us.
When he looks back at me, he tilts his head down, tucking his jaw against his thick neck. His nostrils twitch, and it’s the only warning I have before he picks me up.
He circles his huge hands around my waist—lifting me high over his shoulder. I kick and thrash against the brick wall of an alien. I pull at his hair and bite at his shoulder, but it’s useless.
He drops me on the ground, turns out the light, and slams the door shut.
In the darkness, it takes a moment to realize where I am. But as my eyes acclimate to the lack of light, I can make out the coffin-shaped pod I fell out of earlier.
I’m back in the closet.
Scrambling to my feet, I rush to the door. But like before, there’s no handle to speak of. I can barely make out the outline of the hidden panel.
Slamming my fist against the cold, unfeeling wall. As I do, the events of the past few hours hit me like a ton of bricks.
I’m stranded, kidnapped by aliens in space. The person who should help me, who rescued me from the bad aliens, is now holding me captive in his closet. No one is going to save me.
I’m going to have to help myself.He won’t leave me in here forever, not if that look in his eyes was any sign of what he’d like to do to me.
When he comes back, I’ll be ready. I look at the racks of clothing, the open drawer of alien sex toys, and the bottle of liquor.
I can only hope that years of watchingMacGyverreruns have prepared me for the level of ingenuity I’m going to need.
