“Someone fetch my pet something to feed her male,” she ordered.A minute later a rough, brown brick of something was shoved into my hand.I stared down at the dry, flaky substance and hoped it was actually food.
The Kwin dropped my leash and shooed me away.For a moment I had the urge to run.Just bolt for freedom, and leave Tovis to sort himself out.But I didn’t.Even if I could get away fast enough, and I was no track star, I couldn’t leave Tovis behind.
I hurried toward the stakes, slowing as I realized the whole area was thick with broken glass.My bare feet were about to get shredded, but it’d be worth it.Unsure if she’d change her mind if I took too long, I dodge the biggest shards and stepped as lightly as I could over the rest.Sharp edges cut into my feet and I hissed in pain as I reached Tovis.
“Jessa,” he chided me, his ears sagging sadly as he looked down at my bleeding feet.
“It’s fine,” I said, it wasn’t, it hurt like hell, but it couldn’t be helped.“Here, food.I hope.”
He accepted the weird brick and snorted.“I thought I was free of ration bars when I escaped.”He leaned down and pressed his forehead to mine.“Thank you, mate.”
“I haven’t agreed to that,” I warned him, closing my eyes and enjoying the small moment of closeness despite my words.
Tovis chuckled.“You haven’t said no.”
A reluctant smile pulled at my mouth.“I haven’t,” I agreed, feeling too warm and fuzzy inside for a woman standing barefoot on glass.
“Don’t lose hope,” he whispered.“I know it seems dire, but I’ve survived far worse than this, and you’re strong.”
“I don’t feel strong,” I whispered back, the choking fear and tension rushing back.“I feel weak and trapped and guilty.”
“Guilty?”he pulled back and I found myself laying my hands on his blood-streaked chest just to keep the comforting contact.He was bruised up and battered, but he felt so solid and steady under my fingers, I could almost convince myself that everything was fine.
“You’re getting hurt because of me,” I bit my lip, but the rest rushed out before I could stop it.“And-and I feel guilty that I spent six months hiding in comfort, with plenty of food, while every other human was fighting to survive.”
It really sucked to be kept as the Kwin’s pet, like really sucked.But I was still being fed, and I knew that plenty of people were probably searching for food right now.And I wasn’t so in denial I couldn’t guess that most of the humans that had disappeared probably ended up in way worse situations than the one I found myself in.
“Should I feel guilty that I survived the sytos when hundreds of other turochs died in the arena?”he asked gently.
“No, but-”
“Jessa,” he lifted his cuffed hands and cradled my face.“Feel angry that the sytos took your world, mourn for the humans they enslaved, but don’t apologize for surviving.”
I sniffed, cursing the tears that escaped my watering eyes.He pressed his cheek to mine for a moment before letting go.
“Go back before the Kwin gets bored of merely watching us,” he said.“And thank you for the food.”
I nodded jerkily and wiped my face dry.He’d be fine, he had to be.Tovis was the only good thing about the world ending, and I couldn’t bear to lose him after all this.I picked my way back across the glass, hobbling as I reached the asphalt and the burning surface stung my cut up feet.
“You’re bleeding,” the Kwin remarked as I returned to her side.“Injuring yourself for the sake of another is the height of foolishness.”
I squared my shoulders, feeling a little braver for having talked to Tovis.
“It’s the height of humanity,” I replied.
She eyed me, amusement clear on her face.
“And look at how well your ‘humanity’ has fared against a superior species.”
I looked out at the empty, damaged city around us.Earth had fallen to the sytos, but humanity hadn’t.We were still here, surviving.I had to believe it wouldn’t be this way forever.
