Off Planet

by Aileen Erin

  “We’re too close to leaving for you to mess up,” Mom whispered, even though there was no one around. There wasn’t any surveillance at all in the kitchen, and the bot was so basic, it barely counted as a bot at all.

  Mom didn’t even look at me as she flipped over some hash browns. Her cheeks were red, and the circles under her eyes were darker than I’d ever seen them. I knew that was probably at least a little my fault.

  “I don’t need to be worrying about where you are or wondering if you’re running around with the Crew playing savior to people who would hate you if they knew who you really are.” Her movements were sharp and choppy as she added cheese to an omelet. “Especially when you’re supposed to be at home, where I can keep an eye on you.”

  Was she really saying that I was going to be the one to mess it up? I knew she was tired—we both were—but I didn’t deserve that. “Mom. Seriously?”

  When the silence stretched on, I glanced out the back window. Soon we’d be far away from here, but Mom was kind of right. I had to be nice to our customers until then.

  “I’ll continue to be polite. Even if he’s a giant skeeve. And—just so you know—I haven’t been going out with the Crew. If you were worried, all you had to do was ask. You didn’t have to snap at me.”

  Mom finally stopped moving and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’m just…scared.”

  “I am, too. Every damned day. But we can’t let that fear take over our lives.”

  Mom’s eyes grew watery. “How did you get so smart?”

  I shrugged. “Maybe I learned from my mother.”

  Mom rolled her eyes at me dramatically. “Sucking up now?” She reached down into a cabinet, pulled out a first-aid kit, and crossed the kitchen. “Let me see it.”

  “Don’t worry. It’s fine. Not much worse than a paper cut.” The angle of the corkscrew had been too weird to do any major damage.

  “We can’t let it get infected. We can’t risk going to the doctor. Not ever again.”

  I winced. I hated when she brought up that nightmare. “Fine.” I held out my hand. She doused it with disinfectant, and then covered the cut in a clear liquid bandage.

  “There.” She brushed a kiss against my forehead before getting back to work.

  I silently loaded three omelets and a basket of biscuits from the warmer to my tray and shoved through the swinging door. Today would be over eventually, and soon, I’d be light-years away from here. Until then, I’d hang in.

  Mr. Creeptastic waved me over as I served the food to another table, but I pretended not to notice. I had at least five minutes until his food was ready, and I planned to respectfully ignore him until then.

  I strode through the kitchen, waved at Mom, and went out the back door. I’d already taken everyone’s orders so everything would be fine for a few, but I needed a break. I really, really needed a break.

  I leaned against the brick building and stared out at the mostly abandoned train cars. There was a family living in one, but none of them were in use anymore. At least I didn’t have it that bad. Not anymore. And even if the last few days had been exceptionally stressful, things were going to get a whole lot better.

  I tried to let that thought relax me, but then I started thinking about what life would be like on Sel’Ani and my mind started spinning. So, I quickly gave up on relaxing, pulled up my messages. I had one unread from Roan.

  How’re you doing today?

  I typed a quick reply. Better. Just want today to be over.

  I’d only been working at the historic Route 66 diner for five years, but it’d been around for centuries. Working here, with the vidscreens decorating the walls, showing how Albuquerque used to be before the Spaceport made me miss a past I never knew. Life seemed simpler then. Not to mention easier. I used to watch screens and think maybe it could get better—easier—here, but it never did. Now I just wanted today to be done, so that we could leave.

  My finger burned, and a floating bubble appeared in my vision. I swiped to the left, and Roan’s face popped up. With one tap, I accepted the call.

  “Hey.” Roan’s voice came through the tiny device I kept clipped to my ear. “How are you hanging in?”

  “I’m fine.” I lied and then felt instantly terrible about it. “It’s been a long day, and it’s only just started.”

  “You look like you’re doing okay though.” He kept it vague because we never knew if someone was listening in, but the worry in his voice was thick.

  “Order up,” Mom said through the door.

  She didn’t have to say which order it was. I shouldn’t let the perv wait, but going back out there… “Listen, I’m working. I can’t really talk now.”

  “Roger that,” Roan said. “But I want to see you before that thing tonight.”

  “Pick me up after my shift.” I checked my watch. Only eightish more hours to go. “I want to see you, too. Okay?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Good.” I ended the transmission and pushed away from the wall.

  “Go take the man his food. Por favor,” Mom said as soon as I stepped into the kitchen. “The quicker he’s fed, the quicker he’s gone. And be polite.”

  I wanted to say something snappy back to her but stopped myself. “Will do.” I grabbed the plate from the warmer and shouldered my way through the door.

  Be polite. I could totally be polite. I’d been doing this for years now, and he wasn’t my first handsy customer.

  I needed to check on my other tables, so I went around to the customer side of the counter and set the plate piled high with his breakfast—extra everything—in front of the perv. “Do you need anything else?” I gave him a smile.

  If only Mom could see how freaking polite I was being.

  Without the counter between us, he grabbed my arm again before I could pull away.

  I had a moment to think about how I shouldn’t have gone to his side of the counter before my body tensed. I waited to see what he’d do, but each second seemed to last an eternity.

  I couldn’t mess this up. Not now.

  “Why don’t you sit right next to me, sugar? Keep me company while I eat.” He pulled me toward the seat next to him.

  I could be polite for maybe two more seconds but not longer. I had to get out of this. Quickly.

  “I’m working.” I motioned to a full table across the room. They’d finished their omelets, and one of them looked like they were about to snap their fingers at me. “I have to go see what they need.”

  I stepped back and tried to wrench my arm free, but his fingers dug in painfully.

  No. This was bad. This was very bad.

  “Please let me go. You’re hurting me.” I said the words a little louder. People were noticing, and maybe if they noticed more, he’d back down.

  But from one second to the next, something changed in him.

  I’d told him he was hurting me and now he was grinning.

  It wasn’t the crooked leer from before. It was the smile of a person who was finally getting what they wanted.

  He liked that he was hurting me, but there was something else to it. Maybe it was that I was cornered. I was powerless. A guy like him must love that.

  My mouth felt like it was filled with cotton balls as I tried to figure out what to do next. If I fought back, I’d be screwed. He had money or he wouldn’t be ordering what he ordered. Which meant he’d call the police.

  I had to get free before I lost my shit, but there was no corkscrew to save me this time. “Please release my arm, sir.”

  His fingernails felt like fat daggers digging into my arm.

  “Don’t be that way. I’m sure we can both have a good time.” He jerked my arm, and I fell against him, my chest pressed against his and I didn’t have a second to think before he squeezed my butt under my skirt.

  All thoughts fled my mind except that I wanted him gone. Now.

  His fingers slid under my panties, and I couldn’t breathe. It was like all the air had been sucked
from the room, and I just wanted him to let go. He had to let go. And I knew in that instant I’d do whatever it took to get him off me.

  I tried to shake free, but he was still gripping my arm painfully tight, and I was pinned between his body and the counter.

  I couldn’t get away without hurting him, and I shouldn’t hurt him. Because he’d call the po—

  His hand slipped deeper into my underwear, his finger trying to press inside me, and I snapped.

  Everything that I’d felt for the last few days—for the last few years—boiled up. I couldn’t stand having this slimeball touching me. Not there. He didn’t get to do that. He didn’t get to violate me like that without getting his ass handed to him.

  I moved fast—Aunare fast. In between one racing heartbeat and the next, I slammed my fist into his face.

  Blood splattered onto me as his nose crunched and for the first time in a while, I smiled and meant it.

  He screamed a pile of curses and released my ass to hold his face with one hand. The asshole wouldn’t release his grip on my arm. That had to change. Now.

  His short nails ripped into my skin as I tried to free myself again, but I couldn’t get him to loosen his grip. Not without hurting him again.

  “Let go.” It was the last warning I was going to give.

  “You bitch—”

  I spun, twisting my arm as I did, and he went with me. His shoulder gave a sickening pop as it dislocated.

  There was a fraction of a second where I felt proud of standing up for myself—proud that I took this fucking pervert down because he deserved it. Who knew what he’d done before to someone else. What he was capable of doing to someone who didn’t know how to fight back. How many women he’d pawed and gotten away with it because he thought he was owed.

  But then his screams brought me crashing back to Earth.

  I froze as I took in the blood covering his face and the way his arm dangled from his shoulder.

  Oh shit. Oh shit. What had I done?

  Even with him lying there, I could still feel where his fingers had been in my underwear. I felt dirty as I stepped away from him, straightening my skirt and pulling it down as far as the material would stretch. But no matter how dirty I felt, I knew I’d fucked up beyond all repair.

  This was the worst moment of my life. With one action—one time that I stood up for myself—I’d given SpaceTech everything they’d always wanted.

  I’d be arrested. They’d figure out who and what I was. And then, there would be war.

  What now? What the hell was I supposed to do now?

  “What’s going on out here?” Mom’s voice cut through my panic. She was stepping out from the kitchen, her eyes wide.

  I glanced around the diner. Everyone was staring. Oh shit. Oh shit. This was really bad.

  Chapter Eight

  “This bitch hit me. She’s under arrest.”

  I took a stumbling step away from the perv. Under arrest?

  Wait. He was arresting me? Was he actually a SpaceTech officer?

  “Oh my God? What have you done?” Mom asked as she came to stand between me and the perv. I couldn’t stop staring at the blood dripping down his face, plopping onto the checkered tiled floor.

  “Have you gone loco?” Mom’s face was pale as she handed the officer a clean towel for his face. “Put pressure on your nose. It should help with the bleeding.”

  Oh shit. The blood. There was so much of it. All over his face. All over his ruined clothes. It was too much blood.

  Oh shit. It was all over my hands and face and dress.

  Oh shit. What had I done?

  I’d never get away with this. I’d just iced myself.

  As Mom stood up, she whispered to me, “Run.”

  She was right. I had to leave before the STPF arrived. The man was gesturing with his fingers, and I would bet my life that he was calling the police. Or calling backup if he was STPF.

  I started to back away from them, but I hesitated.

  “What about you?” I whispered.

  Mom stepped forward, grabbed another towel from behind the counter, effectively blocking my view of the officer. “I’ll be fine as long as you’re fine. Run. Now. Before it’s too late.”

  I pressed my forehead against hers for a second and then spun.

  I ran through the kitchen, dodging the stupid bot. When I got to the back door, I didn’t stop. The sun blinded me, but I kept running. My feet hammered the pavement. People on the street stared at me, but I didn’t care. I moved as fast as I could without giving away what I was to everyone I passed.

  I wove around buildings and traffic, not stopping until I was miles away. My breath came in gasps as I slowed to a stop. My legs were burning from the effort. I was still bone tired from last night, and I needed a second.

  What do I do now? Where should I go? Where can I hide?

  I collapsed on a transit stop’s bench. I needed to get off the street. There were cameras everywhere. The quicker I got off the grid the better. Using the city’s system was a no-go. Too much surveillance and too easy for SpaceTech to stop the bus or trail or pod and hold me until they got there. But I couldn’t hide if I was on foot either. Running was too slow. The cameras would easily track me, but I didn’t have transport.

  Wait. I didn’t, but Roan did. He got a beat-up Tykson with a few hundred thousand miles last year. He didn’t use it much, but as far as I knew, it was still running. I quickly dialed him.

  Roan’s semitranslucent image popped up in front of my face. “What’s up?”

  “I need help.”

  A little crease formed between his eyes. “Is that blood on your face?”

  I swallowed, but I didn’t need to say anything else.

  “Send me your location. I’ll be there in five.” His image cut off, but I glimpsed his helmet in his hand.

  At least one thing was going right today.

  Time seemed to move painfully slow as I waited for him. Two of my knuckles were split open and bleeding. I sucked on them to stop the sting. Perv’s face was harder than it looked.

  I couldn’t stop my knees from bouncing together as I waited for Roan. I was so screwed. I’d broken some rich guy’s nose and dislocated his shoulder. This was so bad. I ran my hands over my face, smearing blood—

  Oh God. That wasn’t just my blood I’d sucked off my knuckles.

  I stumbled to the nearest alley and threw up.

  Once I was done heaving my guts out, I moved behind a dumpster, I could still see the street to watch for Roan, but I was less visible.

  I wiped my face on my uniform top as cars, pods, and hovercycles raced by, the whir of the wind mixed with the high-pitched hum of the machines. I watched, not really seeing cars, and tried to figure out what to do. But my mind came up with nothing. Any way I spun the scenarios, I came up with the same ending.

  My life was over because of some groping asshole.

  As I went over the scene again in my head, I could feel the heat of his hand against my butt. I gagged again but swallowed it down. I needed a shower. I wanted to crawl out of my skin. To be anyone else but me.

  I let out a breath when the familiar silver Tykson stopped at the curb. Just the sight of my best friend made me feel like maybe I could get through this. Maybe I could figure something out.

  The battery stuttered as he powered down. That wasn’t good. He was going to get stranded one day, and I hoped I was around to laugh at him when he did. But today his cycle needed to work.

  “Let’s get you out of here.” His voice was muffled through the padded helmet.

  “Thanks.” I stepped up to the cycle, and he handed me his passenger helmet. As soon as I had it on, all the surrounding sound was wiped out.

  “What happened? How much trouble are you in?” Roan’s voice echoed through the helmet’s connected speakers. Not only could we talk to each other while riding, but we also didn’t have to worry about being overheard.

  “Customer wanted to get friendly, and I b
roke his nose.” I didn’t want to tell Roan what’d happened. I hadn’t even processed it yet, but if he knew, he might be tempted to go back to the diner. He couldn’t do that. I was in enough trouble for both of us.

  “You had to do that today? Of all days?”

  I ground my teeth at his accusation. “It’s not like I was trying to get into a fight!”

  “Are you okay?” His voice was a little calmer.

  “No. Not even close to okay.” I wrapped my arms around Roan’s waist. “Get me away from here.”

  He pressed the START button, and the battery powered up. My stomach dropped for a second as we jerked a foot off the ground and zoomed into the slow flow of late morning traffic.

  The city rushed by for a few precious minutes until we hit a red light. The electronic billboards downtown had mostly burned out, but one at this intersection still shone. A soda ad, with brightly animated cartoons flickering over its screen. The accompanying jingle was more earworm than song, but I couldn’t help but watch. Which was exactly the point.

  The music changed, and the image shifted to a recruiting ad for SpaceTech IAF. A familiar face came up, and my body went cold.

  The light turned green, but I needed to see this. I needed to watch.

  “Pull over.” I punched Roan’s shoulder. “Now. Now!”

  “Okay. I heard you.”

  I started to tumble off the cycle as it jerked to a stop, but Roan reached around to hold me steady.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Shh!” I pointed at the billboard hanging at least ten stories above us.

  Perv’s face stared down at me. It was an old ad from ten years ago. I must’ve seen it a hundred times without really watching it, but before today, I didn’t really have a reason to pay attention to it. There was exactly zero chance that I was going to be recruited, and generally, I ignored anything SpaceTech. But now I was noticing. Now I was paying attention.