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What is he feeding me? Is he going to drug me so he can do whatever he wants to me?

With how weak I am right now, he would be able to do anything. Even if I wanted to open my mouth and drink what he has in the bottle, I wouldn’t be able to force myself to open my mouth.

Tears run down my face as he squeezes the bottle, spraying the liquid all over my face. The same unknown flavor bursts in my mouth as a dribble slides onto my lips. Moaning, I try to open my mouth wider so he can fit the nipple in, but even if I was able to, I wouldn’t have the strength to suckle on it.

The man talks angrily at me as he tries to force the nipple into my mouth, but it just bends at my lips, liquid spilling all over my face as he tries again and again.

Closing my eyes, I lie limp in his arms as his voice gets louder and louder.

I should be petrified because of how rough he’s handling me, but peace washes over me. I know I’m close to the end, and I’m ready for it to come. I’m ready to go on to whatever is after this and live a peaceful afterlife.

Rough hands grip my face, and I crack my eyes open to see his face inches from mine, fury in his eyes. He spews some hateful words right as a loud bang comes from across the room. His head snaps to his left and then right as his arms give out from underneath me.

The guard’s body moves farther away from me as I fall toward the ground, pain engulfing my back as I hit the ground hard. Tears run down my face as I try to breathe through the pain, but it is impossible to do so. My head lolls to the side, and through the little slits my eyes leave open, I see another man fighting off the guard. Several other Venkorians rush into the room. They cuff the guard and take him away.

Peace.

Now I can die in silence and harmony. Better than getting beaten to death.

Hard but warm hands pick me up, making me whimper as I try to brush them away.

“Noooo,” I whine, wanting to be placed back on the ground.

But the person doesn’t listen to me and cradles me against their chest as they slowly rock me back and forth, whispering something I don’t understand. Before I know it, something is wrapped around my neck, and there’s a sharp prick in my arm. My head jerks into the man’s chest as my arm aches even more from whatever they were doing.

“Shhh, you’re going to be okay,” he gently says.

My eyebrows pinch together. I can understand him? No. Before, I couldn’t understand a word the guard was saying.

Am I really dying and hallucinating? Is that why I can understand him?

Peeking my eyes open, I look straight into his brown ones, which are gazing at me with so much tenderness and love. Tears pool in my eyes, and the stranger gently wipes them away before gripping my hand and placing it against his chest. My fists close around his shirt, holding on tightly as he sways us back and forth.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers. “Daddy’s here. I’m not going anywhere. All is okay now. The wicked man has been taken away. You don’t need to worry about him any longer.”

Sobs wrack my body as he whispers sweet nothings to me while cradling me against his warm chest, showing me so much care.

“Do you need anything, Albel?” another male asks, making me whimper and grip Daddy’s shirt tighter.

“You’re okay,” he says as he looks down at me. “Daddy is not going to allow anything to happen to you. You’re safe now.”

But that doesn’t help the tight grip I had around his shirt. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I don’t want to let go of him. I don’t want him to put me down. What if he walks away and I have to fend for myself once again?

I’ll die.

“A blanket,” Daddy requests. “A soft, warm blanket. Maybe a bottle as well. I don’t trust the one right there. Who knows what extra he’s put in it?”

“I’ll be right back,” the other guard replies.

Daddy gazes down at me and gives me a soft smile. “We’re going to go back to my house. Daddy is going to take care of you. Do you need anything?”

Do I need anything?

“Shower,” I mumble as I close my eyes and try my best to snuggle into his chest.

All I want to do is sleep right now, but I feel nasty. When was the last time I took a shower? I don’t even want to think about all the times I’ve wet myself since being put in the cage.

“After the doctor checks you over, I’ll give you a nice, warm bath and make sure you’re extra clean. How does that sound?” Daddy asks.