Hide to Stay Alive (Club Release 1)

by Pixie Moon

  My knees turn liquid, causing me to sink to the floor of the shower. Tears slip down my cheeks as depression and fear dominate me. I long to be back with my family before everything went to hell. More tears pour down my cheeks as pain and worry envelope me in misery.

  With warm water raining down over me, I let the tide of horror run through me. Deep down, I know I can’t continue to do this, but for now I can’t stop myself. A sob escapes my lips. Pain cuts me sharper than any knife. I mourn all the loss in my life. From my family to Backpack to freedom. The horror of realizing my life is no longer my own and hasn’t been for days crashes into me.

  I sob for the loss and the uncertain future I now face. I dwell in misery for several minutes. Get a grip, Hallie Mead, my logical side shouts. The bitch just won’t cut me any slack. Climbing to my feet, I stand, and then pump some soap into my hand. Maybe I’ll feel better when I’m totally clean.

  The scent of the soap is nice. It makes me realize that my new life may not end up being so bad. The red being may have been telling the truth. If the zaphinians planned on being cruel to me, they sure as hell wouldn’t be letting me take a shower with soap. Plus, they wouldn’t be giving me clean clothes to put on if they were just going to throw me into a cage.

  Hope flares back to life in my aching chest. I hold onto the feeling with all the strength I have left in me. As long as I do whatever they ask, I may live a happy life. A new knot forms in my throat. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any reason to hope the future will be a good one for me. I’m going to be crushed if Pretty Eyes ends up being mean.

  I smile when I notice that my fingertips are wrinkly. Water is therapeutic. It is also precious. I hurriedly wash my hair and do a quick check of my body to make sure it’s clean. My wayward heart flips as I think of Teal Eyes seeing me clean. So far the large male has only seen me filthy. Doubt floods me. I frown as I wonder if he’ll like me better now or if he’ll be disappointed in my appearance.

  He’s a freakishly-sized alien. Why do you care what he thinks? my logical, yet sometimes mean, side whispers to me.

  “Because he’s different,” I whisper back.

  I don’t know why he’s different, I just know it. Just because he’s not human doesn’t mean he’s bad. Hell, humans can be downright vicious. My hands curl into fists at my sides. “He has to be different.”

  Pushing those unwanted thoughts aside, I turn off the water and step from the shower. I quickly retrieve the towel from the back of the door and dry off. After hanging it back up, I move into the small bedroom and look the white bodysuit over.

  I doubt it’s going to look good on me, but I don’t have any other options so I put it on. The material is amazingly soft. Too soft for cargo pockets. I know I’m going to miss those pants. Maybe I can get them back.

  I run my hand over my leg. This material is really nice. “I could wear this under my cargo pants. Isn’t that right, Backpack?”

  My gaze cuts to my right where Backpack usually is. Tears well in my eyes when I see the empty spot on the bed. I press my lips together and accept that Backpack is gone for good. Gone but not forgotten.

  I release a harsh breath. Losing my faithful friend is just a part of life. Nothing and no one lasts forever. “I just wasn’t quite ready to see you go, Backpack.” My lips tremble. I know I have to move on. It’s just so fucking hard.

  The craft slows and my stomach leaps to my throat. My heart starts to pound painfully. What is going to happen to me now? In through the nose, out through the mouth. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

  A silent scream lodges in my throat when I feel the spacecraft vibrate lightly as it sets down on firm ground. With my hand pressed firmly against my collarbones, I listen closely. I know they are coming to get me soon. Will it be Pretty Eyes or will one of the other two men come for me? I really don’t want to go anywhere with the other men. I want Pretty Eyes. I know this is unreasonable but I can’t help the way I feel.

  I hear the light sound of footfalls. I’m amazed at how quietly they walk. The males are at least seven feet tall. They should sound like a herd of cattle. I sit perfectly still as I wait to see who is coming.

  The door opens and I almost faint from relief. Pretty Eyes smiles at me. I ignore his pearly fangs. No good can come from worrying about what he does with them. He sniffs and his eyes start doing that light glowing thing I like so much. He makes a sound that I believe is one of approval.

  Heat swamps my cheeks and I look down. The sight of white material reminds me that this is the first time he’s seen me clean. I bite my lip as I brush back a strand of hair that has fallen across my cheek. My guts twist into a tight knot. I’m not used to the feelings that are thrumming through my pelvis. Lust this intense is so painfully new to me.

  I glance at his body and then regret it when a fresh wave of desire pulses through me. This is not a good time to be having these kinds of feelings. At this point, I know nothing about him. What if I truly am his dinner? The shower could have been a setup to make it easier for them to eat me.

  My heart starts to pound for a totally different reason. Fear spears through my chest. My gaze darts around for an exit. I look from him to the open door. If I’m fast enough, I may be able to beat him to it. I shift on the bed and prepare for my escape.

  “Calm yourself, seema. I’m just here to take you to our clinic. Dr. ResTa is going to give you a quick checkup and a shot to make sure you are healthy and stay that way.”

  A picture of a mad-alien scientist probing humans pops into my mind. I shake my head and inch further away from him.

  Those beautiful teal and silver eyes stop glowing and harden. “I’m not asking you to let him give you a checkup. It’s planet policy and I agree wholeheartedly with it. Stand and come to me, seema.”

  I can’t just give myself up to a mad-scientist. “I can’t do that.” My chest heaves as I start to freak the fuck out.

  His nostrils and vents flare. Then his lips flatten as he watches me. “You can and you will. Our doctor is good at what he does. He’s not going to hurt you.” Pretty Eyes takes a deep breath and his eyes soften as if for a moment he understands me.

  I start badly when his commanding voice cuts through the room. “Come, now, seema.”

  The growl in his tone has me jumping from the bed and rushing to him. I nervously stand before him hoping he doesn’t hit me. I close my eyes not wanting to know what’s going to happen now. So far every alien I’ve been around has been mean. My hands start to tremble, I fist them so he won’t know he scares the crap out of me.

  I nearly jump out of my skin when I feel a large rough hand touch the top of my head. He makes a soothing sound as his hand slides down to my neck. To my shock, he pulls me in close to his body and hugs me. His arms circle me in a strong warm embrace. Tears thicken my throat. How long as it been since I’ve been hugged?

  My mind rewinds. Ten years. It’s been ten years!

  One of his hands slides up and starts caressing my hair. I sink deeper into his embrace. It feels so good. His masculine scent fills my nose and burrows into my soul. I don’t want this feeling to end.

  I hear footfalls and stiffen. The others are near. My heart starts beating faster. I don’t want to be near the others. They haven’t been mean to me so far. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean they will continue to be nice. Movement in the doorway has me sinking even deeper into Pretty Eyes arms.

  He makes that comforting sound again and I relax into him. Once again I hear footfalls. This time they are moving away from us. I tentatively wrap my arms around his lean waist. He continues to stroke my hair lulling me into a deeper state of calm. One I haven’t known for a very long time.

  Part of me knows I shouldn’t trust him yet. Always go with your gut instinct, Hallie. It’ll save you every time. My father’s words float through my mind. I take another deep breath of the male holding me so tenderly and know I can trust him.

  Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

&nbs
p; Pretty Eyes steps back. His hand on my neck moves around and tilts my chin up. “Don’t be afraid, little seema. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. Seemas and live-sex-playthings are precious to us.”

  I would like an exact definition of what a seema and live-sex-plaything is. I only have a vague idea. I’m on the verge of asking him when his free hand moves to his pocket. He holds up a pair of cuffs. My heartbeat picks up its pace.

  “Don’t get nervous, little one. This is merely a precaution.” Before I can freak out, I feel cool metal hit my wrist. A split second later, I hear the metal thud against his wrist.

  My eyes widen in shock as I see that we are bound together with some kind of cuffs I’ve never seen before. How the hell did that metal open and conform to me in such a fast way? I look the cuff over. My brows lower as I scan for a clasp. Try as I might, I can’t find one.

  A soft chuckle comes from his chest. “These are made from a special metal on a planet we visit regularly. The metal is strong and can only be manipulated by its owner.”

  Dumbly, I say, “You’re the owner?”

  He chuckles again. “Yes.” A second later, his eyes harden. “I have no problem using these cuffs on you anytime I need to. I’m a dominant and I expect you to follow my commands at all times. Later, I’ll tell you what your duties are. Right now, we are going to see Dr. ResTa.”

  CHAPTER

  10

  ~ Hallie ~

  ♥

  In stunned silence, I follow Pretty Eyes.

  It’s not like I have much of a choice. We are cuffed together by some metal I’ve never seen before. I’m starting to feel quite ignorant. I guess compared to him, I am. That thought makes me feel low. I don’t want to be the dumbest person on the planet.

  You’d kick his ass if you were in the woods on Earth, my logical side informs me in a pride filled tone. I smile and appreciate the moral support. As I look around the hall of the craft, I have a feeling I’m going to need a lot of moral support.

  As we exit the spacecraft I see a lot of zaphinians hanging around the spaceport. A glance to the side has me stumbling. I see a being that is not a zaphinian. I remember the other beings hanging out around the platform I was sold from. A shudder races up my spine. Alarm starts to rise in my chest. Do any of them eat humans? Are they hungry?

  Pretty Eyes wraps his arm around me. He greets a few people but doesn’t stop walking. It takes me a second to realize that he isn’t speaking English. I don’t know what’s going on, I don’t understand what people are saying. Panic claws its way up my throat. I silently scream.

  What if I’m being brought to another sell-block to be sold? I don’t want to be sold again. An unrecognizable part of my brain whispers, He won’t do that to you.

  Trust your gut, Hallie. The remembrance of my father’s advice calms me somewhat. All of the tall beings around me start getting my mind working in another direction. What if someone here attacks him? What if I need to run and hide to stay alive?

  I tug on my cuffed arm. He looks down at me and shakes his head. His pretty eyes have a determined gleam to them. I don’t like it. My heart aches as I admit temporary defeat. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. My gaze darts around looking for any threat.

  Fear has my mind racing. I wonder if I can cut my hand off or break the bones in my hand to get away if he goes down. I look up and down his massive muscular frame. There’s no way I’m going to be able to drag his heavy ass anywhere. Nope, there’s no way I can get us both into a safe hiding place if we are chased and he gets hurt.

  As big as he is any enemy would go for him first. I can’t save both of us. Why did I have to be taken by a big ass warrior looking being? Why couldn’t I have been bought by a four foot tall weak alien?

  “Calm yourself, seema. We’re among friends. Nobody will hurt you.” His arm pulls me in closer to him.

  As I breathe his scent in, I believe him. He leads me down a corridor and into a large room. We move through it and into another room— a scarier room. Fuck! His very presence distracts me in unacceptable ways. I just let him lead me to a mad-scientist to be probed. I didn’t even give him much trouble. Like a lamb calmly going to slaughter. Hallie Mead, you deserve to die. Depression is soon eclipsed by determination.

  No, I’m not going to let them probe me.

  My gaze darts around the room looking for an escape route. There has to be a way out of here. With my training, I’ll find it. Black and silver devices stand out against the white walls and floor. I don’t know what they use all of these things for and truthfully I don’t want to know.

  Not letting the strange equipment distract me this time, I take a step away from Pretty Eyes and look around for doors. My heart sinks when I see three of them. Which one leads to a good hiding place? I wish I could have studied the zaphinians comings and goings from afar for at least a few days before being brought here. If I knew the lay of the land, I’d have a better chance of surviving.

  “Calm yourself, little seema. You are safe.”

  His commanding tone snaps my gaze up to his. I only see honesty in his eyes. That makes me feel better until I realize that this is not his domain. As far as I know, Pretty Eyes may not even know that the supposedly good doctor is really a mad-scientist. Being naive has gotten many people killed. I don’t plan on being one of them.

  I jump when the door behind me suddenly opens. Whipping my gaze around, I see a massive male standing just inside the room. His green eyes are zeroed in on me. I step closer to Pretty Eyes.

  Green Eyes is even bigger than the male I’m cuffed to. I really wish I wasn’t cuffed to him. One of the rules of survival is to always stand on your own two feet. This rule is non-negotiable when on flat ground. Rapidly moving water and cliffs are a different story.

  I frown at the metal surrounding my wrist and rub it hoping I can solve its puzzle and make it drop away.

  A chuckle comes from my captor. He’s no longer Pretty Eyes to me. I look up into his three-tone eyes and hesitate. Okay, he’s no longer Pretty Eyes—for the moment. Get a grip, Hallie Mead. He brought you to a mad-scientist.

  I glance over at the mad-scientist. The guy doesn’t look mad but what do I know about zaphinians? I rub the smooth metal harder as I try to break free. The need to get out of here coils tighter in my gut. Remembering the strange metal only responds to its owner, I put the cuff close to my lips and whisper, “I’m your owner now. Open up.” My words are low enough that Pretty Eyes, no—my captor—shouldn’t be able to hear them.

  Another chuckle comes from above me. “It doesn’t work like that, little one.”

  Fuck! With a sinking heart, I blurt, “You heard me?” Please let him have guessed.

  “Yes, we zaphinians have great hearing. You’re a treasure. A treasure that has to be checked out before I can take you home.” He gestures to the male still standing near the door watching me with an amused gleam in his eyes. “This is Dr. Lar ResTa. He’s going to make sure you’re healthy and ready to take home.”

  The doctor nods almost dismissively at me and then turns his attention to my captor. I feel like I’m nobody to him. That pisses me off. I’m a living being not a piece of furniture damn it.

  Pretty Eyes, no—my captor—sniffs the air and briefly looks down at me. He growls lightly. I’m stunned by his actions and suddenly wonder if he’s a mind-reader.

  This time Dr. Lar ResTa chuckles and says to my captor, “You’re going to have your hands full with this one, Din Zar.”

  Din Zar. Is that Pretty Eyes’ name? Why didn’t I ask him earlier? Wait a minute, why didn’t he ask me my name? Anger rises within me. Am I nothing to him? Why did he buy me?

  More of the doctor’s words sink into my mind. “You’re going to have your hands full with this one.” I want to kick myself. I let his amazing eyes distract me from realizing that I’m not the first female he’s brought home. There’s a chance I won’t be the last either. For some reason that thought doesn’t sit well with me.