Spaced Out

Wanna Be A Victim. Ready For Abduction.

With her head tucked to her knees and her arms wrapped around her middle, Lily fought for control over the choking sobs that shook her. Weight settled at her side. The elastic membrane shielding her from infinity dipped. She shrieked and scrambled back, sure the clear skin would rupture and she'd be sucked out to her death.

A firm chest butted her back. Rough hands banded around her upper arms. She didn't fight. She clung to Barbarian. Fingers curled in the soft material of his shirt. She buried her face against his chest and cried and he froze.

Shallow breaths deepened. Barbarian's scent invaded Lily's senses. Stale sweat puckered her lips. Another scent, like crushed clover and mint, cut through that odor and twitched her nose. Hands relaxed on the alien's shoulders. Dried tears streaked her cheeks with itching trails. Nose stoppered with snot. She snuffled. As long as she didn't look down, she'd be fine, so she kept her face pressed to Barbarian's chest.

Arms hesitantly circled Lily. A flat hand smacked a few pats to her back so sharp they jostled her. Peeling herself off Barbarian's front, she found herself in an awkward embrace.

Derek used to hold her like this, like he didn't know what he should be doing.

Screwing up her face, she shoved out of the alien man's grasp, lost her balance and landed her on her back. Barbarian loomed over her then a shadow appeared over his shoulder.

On the precipice from which Lily tumbled, Key Woman stood with a length of rope in hand. She called to Barbarian who waved at her. Rope squiggled through the air and hung down the domed window's curved plane.

Barbarian tugged the tether several times then rose and leaned back with it, confirming the line supported his weight. Then he came for Lily. A hooked arm circled her waist and hoisted her up. Getting hold of the rope, Barbarian heaved her over his shoulder. Arms and legs dangled as the alien man hauled them from the bubble.

Set back on solid ground, Lily gaped out of the window. The vastness of space gave her vertigo. She teetered. Barbarian grabbed her by the nape again. His firm grip anchored her to the spot. When he steered her ahead of him he wasn't as rough with her as he'd been in the prison.

The three of them left the big room, but they didn't leave the third level. Key woman walked ahead while Lily and Barbarian trailed behind. The alien man corralled her, his hand fixed to her neck.

Smooth tile floored the wide corridor they marched. Aching feet slapped against it. The sound echoed over and over in this large space. Further down the hall's right bend, they came to another archway. Crossing the threshold, they went up a short passage with doors directly ahead of them and to the left and right. The right door opened automatically when Key Woman approached. The alien woman entered then stood aside for Lily and Barbarian.

The well-lit chamber split into two areas. Standing cabinets and a long workstation set along the wall occupied most of the east side. Wooden shelving stuffed with cork stoppered bottles and bundles of dried herbs butted against gleaming countertops, complex machines, and floating holographic interfaces. A slab of a table surrounded by lights, machines, and small wheeled workstations cluttered the west side. Beanstalk lamps positioned around the table twisted from the floor. Brilliant spheres floated atop the stems. Mouth open, Lily halted at the sight. Barbarian grunted his irritation and prodded her.