Every minute I’m on the planet I break another rule. It’s like I can’t stop myself.
“That smells fantastic.”
He smiles, the tips of his fangs visible. “I want you to feel at home.”
I freeze. “This isn’t my home.” It will never be home.
He gives me that look, like I’ve disappointed him somehow. Does he expect me to resign myself to living here forever the way he has?
“It could be.” He leans across the counter and puts his hand over mine. His claws are almost as long as my fingers. “Why don’t you tell me about home.”
I nod, and he serves up dinner.
“I grew up on an algae farm. One of the biggest.” I’d spend my childhood wading through ponds and learning how to skim the algae that would be processed into substitute meat. I have never eaten real meat, but I know that’s what he’s put in front of me.
“How did you end up in space, out here?”
“I wanted to leave. To explore the galaxy.” There’s more to life than grubbing about. My parents were proud of what they did, but I was always looking up at the stars. I couldn’t wait to leave. I haven’t been to see them in a year. They’ll think I’m dead.
It seems like a waste to open my meal when he’s prepared this rich dinner. I look at the packet, then at him. “I’m worried about getting sick. I’m human…something here might harm me.”
The odds were, I was already infected. But what if he can eat the food and I can’t? I know nothing about him or his species.
“This is all safe.” He picks up a spoon and eats a mouthful to prove the point. He closes his eyes. “I forget how good food is.”
I pick up my spoon. He’s given me a smaller one, their version of a teaspoon. I scoop up some meat. “I’d have helped you cook.”
I could’ve helped him hunt…well, probably not, but it would have passed the time. The guilt at wandering the city is nibbling at my toes. No one saw, and I touched nothing so there was no harm done.
“You’re a guest and I want you to be happy.”
Yeah, I want to be happy too, but I’ll be happier when I get home. If I flee and return to the ship to wait, will he follow and drag me back?
Indiz watches me like he’s waiting for me to eat. I hope I don’t regret this…
I take a small mouthful. The flavor fills my mouth. I’ve always thought the meat-subs were close to the genuine thing. I was so wrong. There’s a taste, and a texture…or maybe it’s the spices. I chew, making the most of it because I can’t afford real meat on my pay. It would almost be worth dying for.
My stomach demands more, and I concentrate on eating. If I’m already damned, there’s no point in stopping. I finish the water in my bottle and fill it up from the tap, then drop a tablet in. It’ll take a few minutes to make it safe to drink.
“What was your home like?”
“I grew up in the principal city. It’s beautiful.”
“And how did you end up here?”
“The same as you. I crashed.”
And no one came. What if he’s telling the truth? When the mining company realizes they’ll send someone. “What happens when my rescue arrives?”
“They will crash.” He takes my empty bowl. “Everyone crashes. No one leaves.”
“But why? There was nothing on any of the scans, no weird magnetic fluctuations.”
“Because that’s how it is.” He presses his lips together.
For the first time I wonder if we are alone, or if someone or something has been watching us. Watching me.
We walk back to Indiz’s room in silence. The glowing walls create too many shadows and each one could contain a lurking spy. My exploring guilt grows, and my stomach twists.
