Her World

Chapter Seven "This New World"

   After telling them my story, there are a lot more people gathered around the table who were also listening. They all gave me hugs and hand shakes, telling me how brave I am, how strong, courageous. Deep withing me there was a little happiness from all of this praise, I actually feel like I earned my place in this world.

   Talking through the day, all getting to know each other. They helped me come out of my shell, before I knew it I was laughing, and smiling like I never used to before. They taught me to play card games, and I caught on so easily. "Sky I wanted to tell you, when i first saw you coming into the rec. room I thought you were a stuck up princess, but I'm glad David and Sarah told me to give you a chance." 

   "Thanks Kana, for giving me that chance." I smile at her, letting her know I don't mind her hesitation.

   "I'm still in awe at your collar though, like the commander has his own special collar for his pet." David says closely looking at the collar.

   "And here I always thought all pets had a collar like this."

   "Nah, we just got these blue-glowstick looking things on, but yours is so bright and stylish." Kana is certainly a spirited lady.

   We talk more, keeping ourselves open books the entire time. Not realizing what time it was, our conversations were stopped when the commander appeared. "I guess this is it for the day huh." 

   "Yeah, see ya Sky!"

   I wave at them, and get up walking towards the commander. He stands their waiting for me, while I run up to hi and stop in front of him. He turns to walk so I follow closely behind him, walking silently as usual. Did I really get used to the company I had, now it feels so silent.

   We make it to what I would assume would be his sleeping quarters, the door opens but he gestures for me to enter first. I go in and he comes in after me, then the door closes behind him, he then presses some lights on the wall. I hear what sounds like locks click after. 

   I don't think I'll ever get used to this way of living, I've seen more advanced things today then in my entire life! Mentally I am burnt out, but it was nice to get to know people who are somewhat in the same boat as me. I like that trio, they weren't scared of me like anyone else I ever came across. I see this big window overlooking a city way below, so I walk over to it and sit down to gaze out at the land I left behind. Am I going to spend the rest of my years up here? Will I be a pet forever? 

   The Commander unlocks another door, huh well it seems there are hidden doors everywhere in this ship, like a castle. He gestures to me to enter, so I get up, and walk towards the door. Being hesitant, I peek inside to get a glimpse of where this door leads. I instantly see human sized furniture, and various other appliances. "Is this for me?" I also point at myself in exchange of gestures. He just nods his head while standing as still as a wall, I turn to walk in and it already feels cozy. Looking at all this stuff, like was it prepared for me, or has it been here since they came? Suddenly the door closes behind me, I turn to see what's going on, then I hear the lock engage. "What's happened, Commander please open the door!" I say as I knock on the door, but I don't hear anything on the other side. He doesn't unlock the door, so why has he locked me up? I am completely confused by their customs towards human pets, "Why am I locked inside this room!?" I turn around, and lean on the door then slump down onto the floor. 

   A bright flash comes to the window, so I get up to see what that was. "Oh my!" I see an explosion on land, it's dark down there but I can see lights moving around in a circle near the explosion. Must be the sky beings, but I wonder what caused that. Could it be an annihilation of another community? Then there's more flashes of light, more explosions going off in a synchronized pattern. "That is terrible, the only thing I can think of is a rebellion gone terribly wrong." I sit and watch in horror the rest of the night, I can't bring myself to sleep since I've been sleeping for weeks now I'm restless. 

   It's morning, the sunshine is a lot brighter up here. Not as calming as it is on earth either, It's been seven months since I came to this ship. Sarah told me pets get locked in their rooms when their owners rest up, now it all makes sense. So since then our days go on like clock work, we wake up, we gather in the rec room, our owners come get us when they're done with their business or whatever they do, like we're babies. Then we go to our rooms, and locked away until the next day, because of this routine I have become best friends with Sarah, Kana, And David. They taught me everything I needed to know about being a pet, and gave me advice on survival in the city where they release pets who are no longer wanted. This city they say is like a free for all, though there is monitoring on the borders so no former pets try to escape and mess with numbers of neighboring communities. 

   I have also seen the captain some times passing by the rec room, I guess I can't get rid of this attachment to him even after all this time I tried. I gawk at the hall of passing soldiers and others not paying attention to my friends talking, "Skyyy, are you listening?" I snap out of it and look at them with wide eyes, "What was that? Sorry I wasn't paying attention." "I know." Said Kana, "I was saying that we should room together when our owners no longer want us, and send us to the city." "Oh, sounds great to me!" "Great! Sarah, and David are already on board. It's best we all stick together." She smiles warmly.

   "Kana, what if we get separated, how will we find each other?" I say with a worrisome look.

   "Well I overheard the captain talking about a complete land assessment that will take years to complete, I think they will be too busy to be concerned about us pets." Sarah says sounding a little relieved. I think she never wanted to be a pet, she says she was a praised huntress in her town. She certainly has the muscle build to be someone amazing when given the right tools, and environment. "I wonder if they're making their own maps of the planet." "Yeah, plus any underground cities that developed over the years of rebellion." said David. As they talk among each other, I get up to walk over to the food table. We spend the rest of the day playing games, and exercising. 

   As the days turn into weeks, I haven't seen the commander at all. Ever since they started their mapping of earth I am guarded by a soldier, it gets tiring to watch him watching me. He takes me back to my room and walks me to the rec room, always watching. The others' owners come get them but not mine, although to clarify, I did see the commander once a couple weeks ago walking by the rec room, but he didn't stop for me. I had been told that he is busier then normal, what with their mapping, they are drawing out the last of the rebels hiding, and hauling the survivors to a newly created livestock center. So I'm guessing they are heavily guarded to keep them in line, I feel bad for them, they have a cause motivated enough to fight for it instead of falling back in fear. It makes me question why I accept being someone's pet, I'm basically left with a sitter, not seeing my owner in weeks. Not even bothering to check on me, I hold him to a high regard over anything else. 

   At night it looks like war on the land, explosions here and there, with lights moving around. During the day it looks untouched down there, sometimes seeing dark spots on the ground, knowing that was a village once, because seeing that dark spot from up here means it's a lot bigger on the ground. No fires, no trace of a battle. David sometimes talk like he's tired of being what he is, he talks of freedom, and being able to be what ever he wants, go where he wants. I told him I never had freedom so I don't know what that feels like, how can I imagine something when I never seen it. I listen when he talks about all these things because I want to get a sense of what humans had before the invasion. 

   I saw the commander again, when the soldier was walking me to the rec room. I looked up to see his hulking figure pass by, but he didn't look at me, he just continued on his course. I looked back at him just to see him, I got the urge to run up to him and hug him, but I didn't want to disturb him, or show any weakness towards him. Sarah tries to lift my spirits when she sees me down, I appreciate her so much. To pass the time, we started old sports competitions like basketball. Kana taught us to play so now we make teams and play against each other all the time. The soldiers even watch us play, I once took a glance at them, and it looked like they were betting on us. From there it got more exciting, we had a reason to be competitive. Also work on our agility and endurance in case we would need it. 

   Well it has been a year since I came to the main ship, I am fourteen now. My body has been changing, which sucks, but I have Sarah and Kana to help me with my constant. They weren't to extreme last year, but now it's like a wave that gets bigger and bigger, and I have to find a way to get through them. Today is a relaxing day, us four are sitting and watching a hunt going on. They are hunting some elk, they seem pretty knowledgeable about them. Then the captain turns off the broadcast, "Alright you pets, it's time to go back to your quarters." With that he takes his leave, then the owners and my guard comes to collect all of us. We quickly say our goodbyes and leave, I follow after my guard to my room. As I get to my room, the soldier stops, and leaves the door open. I turn around to see what he's up to, I see the commander coming through the main door. I become very nervous, my hands are starting to sweat. I definitely wasn't expecting to see him at all. He comes up to me and kneels down in front of me, "Hello Commander." I say with a squeaky voice, god why am I so nervous!

   "Hello Sky." He says robotically.

   "What is the matter?"

   "You are released today."

   It takes me a moment to gather his words, "Wait, release me? today?"

   "You are no longer in my care." He then gets up and walks out the door.

   "Commander!?" But he doesn't come back, A soldier comes in his place. Walks past me and starts gathering some of my things. I just stand there in shock, like am I no longer his?

   I have my bag of belongings, as the soldier walks me to an open area. I see it's filled with many of the pets, I look around to see if I can find Sarah, or Kana, or David. "David!" I yell, and he notices me and waves excitedly. I move to go to him but am stopped by the soldier grabbing me shoulder, he shakes his head. I listen and stay in place, I begin thinking that this is it, I'm no longer a pet. I grab at my collar, feeling its warmth thinking back to when he first gave it to me, how he always made sure I had what I needed. Just thinking about all of his kindness, in his way of doing things. This big door starts opening and we walk into another ship, and I see the commander standing there. I can't help but look away as tears begin forming, I try my best to hold them back, Thoughts going through my head that I'll never see him again. I stop when the others in front of me stop, I keep my head down, eyes low. I can't bear this without crying now, then I see his feet coming towards me. Stopping beside me he stands still, I just can't do this. I didn't get enough time with him, I'm not ready to let go, even if he is. 

   I feel us touch the ground and settle, the door starts sliding open from the bottom. People begin filing out as their owners take off their collars, a lot of them are smiling and laughing. The Commander turns to me, I mimic him continuing to keep my eyes low. He gently grabs my chin to lift my head up, I don't fight it but I want to hide my teary eyes. He grabs my collar, adjusting it somehow, then it comes off. I lift my eyes to look up at him one last time, I want to savor this bitter-sweet moment. But the moment he takes the collar off he starts walking away, "I'm not ready to let go!" I quickly grab for one of his fingers. I pull hard to stop him, he does stop, then slightly turns to me. "Will I see you again?" I say quietly trying not to burst into tears. He just stands there not moving, I look up at him with my tears flowing freely now. "This is the last time." He says this to me then turns, and walks back further into the ship. I hear Sarah and them calling me, I watch him disappear from me forever, a moment lost, my savior, my light. The soldiers course me to the exit, Sarah pulls me to her and the others. I keep looking back at the ship hoping I can see him one last time, I want to return to his side. I stand there watching as the ship lifts off the ground, rising higher, and higher. Until they're gone, My strength gives way and I fall to the ground sobbing. The girls, and David come, and hug me, we stay like this for a few minutes until David finally tells us that we have to go find somewhere to live. I get up with the girls, and we go into the city, walking along the streets. 

   After searching all day into the night, we finally find an apartment, two bedroom, a bathing room. "Now we can settle down!" Kana says with relief, stretching her sore legs. "Yeah, I got my exercise for the rest of the year." David says digging in his bag to grab something to snack on. "Sky, how are you holding up so far?" Sarah says with a worried face. "I'll live, right now, I just want to rest my legs." I say with a sigh. 

   We rest up for the night, then when morning came we discussed what we planned. I told them I can find work at what they called a grocery store, they agreed. We all then got ready and left to go find work, I went to a grocery store across the city. Quite far but once I got there they hired me without a second thought. As the day carried on learning new things again, in a new society. All I can say is I'm glad work is distracting me from this heartache. 

   Over the course of ten days, I learned how to mange the system of people who shop for the week. There's a lot of people here, former pets, none are as young as me though. Former pets are not allowed to have children, in case another owner wants a pet, they choose from this city. A list of one hundred, and thirty thousand people. Well work is hectic on five o'clock rushes, but other then that it's amazing to get to know new people everyday. 

   Another day starts, I'm getting ready. It feels like it'll be a different day today, I'll be optimistic anyways. I say bye to everyone as they get ready for their jobs too, and head out so I won't be late. As far as my location changes go, I'm adapting to this one quite well. As I walk to work which is five miles away from where we live, I don't mind the exercise. I think about the dream I had last night, I relived the moment the commander no longer wanted me. The way he turned his back to me like I didn't matter, it made me angry, upset, I wanted to scream at him. But I sheepishly accepted his decision, I always look up at the sky on my way to work. I have to get over him!

   As the day drags on, I'm cleaning in between customers so my work space doesn't look terrible. Someone comes in, I look back to greet them. "Hello!" I say enthusiastically. "Hello miss." The man says staring at me smiling, I smile back and turn to continue cleaning. After a few minutes I go back to my counter, the man comes up and puts his things on the counter top. I begin putting them in the system, I then ask his name, "Jason, my I.D. number is two, three, nine, six." I type it in the system so I bag his items. "What's your name?" I look at him surprised, "Sky." "That's a simple, yet beautiful name." He says still trying to catch my eyes. I look up at him to hand him his bags, "Here you go sir, have a good day!" I smile at him. "See you beautiful." he says back, and walks out. As soon as the coast is clear I fan myself, "Oh my is he gorgeous!" I say in a hushed tone. With that little treat, I get through my shift without a problem. As I head on home after twelve hours of work, I notice that guy again standing under the light pole on the street corner. He sees me looking at him, "Sky, how nice to see you this evening." "Hi Jason, bye Jason." I say as I keep walking on passed him. "Are you really going to make me run after you?" "I'm not making you do anything mister." I play along, "Then I guess I'm so captivated by you, you captured my attention and won't let it go." He says walking beside me with a half smile. "Oh, I see you, you flirt." I give him a side glance, trying hard not to smile at his presence. "One of the better things I've been called by a gorgeous girl. I won't lie, I would like to get to know you. I have noticed you walking to work for the past week, and it seems like you just arrived here recently." I stop and look at him, "Yeah I just got here not too long ago, and it would be nice to get to know you too." As I say this, his smile gets bigger. Goodness he has a beautiful smile! we chat with small talk at first as he walks me home, it's nice to have company, well his company. 

   We approach my apartment, "Well here I am, thank you for walking with me Jason." "Not a problem for me at all, and thank you also for your time, and giving me a chance." His smile gets to me, I can't stop staring at him. "Goodnight Jason, see you when I see you." "Goodnight Sky, I'll wait for you tomorrow." I turn to walk up the steps, I look back to see he is watching me go in the door. I smile at him and close the door, but I lean against the door elated, hugging myself. I can't stop smiling as I walk up the stairs, I open the apartment door and see everyone awake, and weirdly happy too, "Sky! How was work!?" Kana asks as she slurs her words. "What's going on with you guys?" I see that they are all acting the same. "Sky, David picked up some beer, and other goodies! So we are drinking into the weekend!" "So we are getting drunk tonight!" David says loudly spilling his glass of liquid. "Drunk huh, I don't know what you are talking about, but it seems it's best that I don't know at all." "That's right! You're too young and innocent to be involved in this horrible adult behavior, so go to bed and dream about hot guys!" Sarah says while trying to stand up. I can't help but giggle at their attempts to be serious. "Yeah Sky, (hiccup)who was that guy who walked you (hiccup) home!?" David asks. "Just a guy I met at work, he's nice." I say smiling again. "Oooh, Sky must tell us about him when we're sober so I can remember to harass him, hahaha!" Kana says as she falls of the couch. "Goodnight guys!" I walk away from that scene, "Goodnight!" they all say like it was choreographed. I plop myself on the bed, and look out the window, thinking about Jason and his beautiful smile. I then drift off to sleep thinking about my good day, and the consequences of those threes' day tomorrow.