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"You can take my bed, I will sleep on the couch," he offered.
"I can't let you do that, I can take the couch," I protested.
Our little argument was interrupted as the doors pinged and Garth lifted his hand. I guessed it was a signal for the computer or something to allow whoever was on the other side to enter.
Short, stout, orange-skinned aliens entered, carrying armloads of boxes.
"Where do you wish us to leave these?" one of them asked.
"Take them into the bedroom," Garth ordered, rising.
I followed his example and accompanied them into the other room, where the three aliens put the boxes on the ground and opened them. Inside was an assortment of clothes and I remembered Garth saying he would order some for me.
Garth stepped to a mirrored wall and to my amazement panels slid into the sides, revealing deep, empty shelves.
"You can put them in here and here." Another panel opened with hooks hanging from the ceiling, perfect for longer garments. He fished for a light violet garment from a box and held it out to me. "Here, if you would like to get ready for bed."
I took it, realizing it wasn't a dress, but a sort of nightgown. "Thank you."
I walked into the bathroom to put it on and when I returned the orange aliens were gone and so was Garth. A peek around the corner confirmed that he was stretched out on the couch. Quickly I retreated.I guess I have the bed if I don't want to have an argument, I told myself as I guiltily climbed into the bed and under the furs. Furs!
Good heavens, this mattress was the most comfortable I had ever lain on. I pounded a pillow into submission and cuddled onto my side, closing my eyes. Different colored dots danced in front of me and my ears rang as slowly some of my tenseness drained from me.
My mind tried to force me to remember the millions of humans not as lucky as me right now, who might had to sleep in the streets, or worse yet, Cryon cells—but I didn't allow it. It wouldn't do them or me any good to dwell on their misery and endure a sleepless night. For whatever would happen next, I would need all my strength and wits if I wanted to be of any use to the others. Ipromised myself that I would not feel guilty. I had been lucky, luckier than most, and I would pay my dues in time, but now I needed to rest.
Next, my mind tried to bring up memories of what happened, of the abduction, the flight, the Cryons, my skin, but I pushed that away too and began counting backward from one thousand. A trick I taught myself whenever my mom and I fought during one of her drunken stupors, leaving me feeling bereft and guilty in my bed when it was over.
Around seven hundred forty-nine, I fell asleep.
I might have been determined to keep the memories of what had happened to me at bay, but my mind proved much more persistent as it bombarded me in my dreams.You will deal with this whether you want to or not, my mind seemed to have decided, as images of my ordeal crashed down on me.
And when I found myself on that nasty stretcher again, with my legs obscenely spread open and a Cryon approaching me with the turkey baster thing, I screamed.
Bathed in sweat, I sat up in bed. Unfocused, my eyes made out a large shadow dashing for me and I screamed again, scrambling to get untangled from the bedsheets holding me down like the fetters in my dream.
Panic overcame me when strong, muscular arms reached for me and I kicked out aimlessly. From far away I heard a grunt and a voice calling my name, but I was too enwrapped in panic to notice or pause, driven only by a primal thought to get away.
Strong hands encircled my ankles, pulling me toward a large, muscular body. I screamed and tried to kick, but the hands held my ankles mercilessly as I slid down the bed.
The hands let go of my ankles, but before I could kick out, the same hands grabbed my waist and pulled me against a massive chest.
"Shh, cinna—little one—shh, you're safe."
Panic was still driving me, but powerful arms held me tightly, making it impossible for me to strike out.
Ever so slowly though, his soothing voice penetrated my mind, making me realize I wasn't fighting for my life, but was held against Garth.
"Garth?"
"I'm here, cinna, shhh, it's all good."
"I dreamed…"
"I know, I've got you. You're safe."
I relaxed against his strong hold. My heart was beating faster than a hummingbird's wings, but unlike the bird the hard flapping didn't set it free in flight.
Warm hands stroked myback, loosening their hold on me and I sighed against his chest, realizing I was safe, no Cryon was about to rape me with a turkey baster.
