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When we got on the street, I spoke. “I know I need to get ahold of myself.”
“You’ve been through a lot in three days. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m hard enough on you.”
I side-eyed him but saw the corner of his mouth quirk up. He was joking… I think.
“Let’s get back to the guys. It’s getting late.”
Chapter Eleven
I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep with my head in Huck’s lap until I was awoken by Garrett collecting me in his arms. I remembered nothing of my trip back to the homestead.
Garrett carried me into the house while Huck and Bo unloaded the cart. I was exhausted, not used to such busy days. And I was emotionally drained.
My mind went back to all that I had learned from Alex. It saddened me greatly to learn that the people of Earth had once been a powerful race. And now we had been reduced to chattel, food for extraterrestrials. Or at least some of us. My people were.
Sloths.
Former Sloth now.
My city was empty.
The people who once lived there processed to be meat.
Garrett laid me on my bed and removed the beautiful boots he’d forced on me. “Sleep for a while, Cedi. We know today was a lot for you.”
I didn’t fight him though my heart yearned to prove I was worth something, that I was not the lazy cow that my name insinuated. I wanted them to see me as a useful addition to their household, but my eyes refused to co-operate, as did my weak limbs.
I closed my eyes and gave myself to the slumber my body insisted on.
But there was no comfort.
My dreams were nightmares.
I was being attacked, dragged away to be killed.
“Acedia!” The world shook. “Cedi! Wake up.”
But I was not alone. The guys were also captured by red-tinted robots.
“No!” I cried, lashing out. I was almost free. “Let me go!” I punched the android holding me.
“Cedi!”
My bleary eyes opened just as I swung, catching poor Huck right on the cheek.
“Ouch,” he complained, holding the top of his face. “Where did you learn to fight?”
“Oh God!” I threw myself into his arms. I was a damp, sweaty mess, but I didn’t care. “You’re okay.”
Huck hugged me back. “Well, that’s relative,” he joked.
“I mean you’re not in danger,” I corrected, pulling back so I could inspect him. “You’re safe. You’re home. With me.”
“I am.” He tilted his head to assess me. “Are you okay? You were having a nightmare.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded. “I was. It was awful.”
“Well, you’re safe as well. At home. With me.” He left the bed for the stone hearth. “I didn’t think you’d wake up before supper.”
