Her World

Chapter Six "His Pride, His Joy"

   The pain of just moving is unbearable, but even so I turn to see the commander, "You!?" I asked more confused then anything else swirling around in my head as to why he would be here now all of times. He still stands there staring at me not moving a muscle, I really don't know how to respond to his appearance except the overwhelming feeling of failure. Look at me, I am gravely hurt, ready to perish. In front of him now no less, This failed attempt at showing him that I can be strong enough to be by his side probably made him furious, enough to reject me as his companion. I turn back around to not show him my shame, and regret, but as I do I feel his hand grab my shoulder, "Aah! Please don't touch me!" He immediately lets go of me, I do not want to move. Next thing I know is him wrapping his arms around my body, I wince and groan in pain as he does so. He lifts me up, cradling me again, I barely contain my painful expression to look up at him, "Please let me go, I do not wish to be a burden." I say while turning my eyes from him, I can't let him help me anymore. I feel like he's here to see what a mess I've made of not only the hunt but letting him find me at deaths' door. He doesn't let me go but continues holding me in his arms, he then moves one to reach somewhere. "No!" I say while struggling to leave his hold, I don't want to be saved again. I want to hold onto what little pride I have left. I struggle enough to fall out of his arms and hit the ground hard, It hurts so bad, but I try my best to move into the house. Crawling a snails pace, he grabs my arm, stopping me from fleeing. He's kneeling down to show me the small vial again, I push it away and shake my head. "No" I respond to his gesture, he then stands back up still looking at me. I no longer look at him though, I keep my attention else where to show him that I want to die, and not be healed. He's still not moving, I don't know what he's thinking, so I sneak a glance up at him. He is looking at his soldiers, so he is probably giving orders of some sort, maybe to begin leaving. The Commander then looks back at me, kneels back down. Even kneeling he still towers over me if was to be standing, I nearly forgot how much larger he is then his soldiers. Thinking about his massive size distracted me from the commander, I snap out of my thoughts to see him reaching for me again, I can't fight him, I'm too weakened. All I try is to push him away, but this seems to agitate him, so he grabs me hands with just one of his, holding them together. "drink, now." He says in a serious tone, I stare up at him with sadness. "No," I say while my voice threatens to c***k from the emotions I hold to the commander. 

   "Sky." He says tenderly now, bringing the vial to my mouth.

   "I don't want it." 

   "I command you to drink, I can not lose you." Upon hearing him say that I am now confused as to why.

   "Why can you not lose me now?"

   "You are everything that is good, my perfect world."

   He then lifts the bottle to pour the contents into my mouth, I open my mouth, then swallow the sweet liquid. His perfect world, how am I everything to him though. Now I feel warm, and sleepy, my goodness this stuff is strong. Seeing me starting to fall asleep, the commander picks me up again. I expected him to put me on my roof, but he starts walking away. I barely turn my head to see where he is taking me, and I see that we're headed towards the center. As I lose consciousness I wonder if i'm like a daughter to him, or something, I did want to give up, and be done especially after he seen me at my weakest moment. He was more focused on saving me again, I just cannot bear the villagers constant ridicule tomorrow because of him healing me again. I lose my train of thought, and succumb to the medicine he gave me.

   I enjoy what feels like a long blissful slumber, the real world is a long ways away right now. It is a dreamless sleep, a warm, soft, sweet smelling cocoon that envelops me. My senses are coming to life again, which means I am coming to from my slumber. 

   It smells different, I can't describe this sweet scent, almost like a flower I once smelled when I was younger. The air, it also feels different. Thinner, or lighter, it feels easier to breathe. My body is awakening, but I can't open my eyes, why? My fingers feel something really soft, but I also can't describe this material. I- I can't move my body either, what's going on? Okay, I shouldn't try to panic, last thing I remember is being in the commanders' arms so I should be safe somewhere. Can I talk? Maybe I'll try, "A-Any-one, there?" When I say that, I hear a sound like someone moving, but no response. I'm bond by something, and my eyes are covered, Don't panic!

   After laying there for what feels like hours, silently listening to my surroundings. Hearing nothing but my own breathing, ugh! My senses are going crazy with all of this silence! Some more time passes until finally I hear a heavy sliding sounds, then some heavier foot steps. They sound far away though, but coming closer to me. I feel their presence right next to me, don't panic. I feel them loosen what was holding me down, then I feel them loosen what's covering my eyes. Immediately it's so bright that I can't focus my eyes, and I didn't even open my eyes yet. I try to open them, moving my hand to cover my eyes so I have some shade to get used to the light. Everything is blurry, but why was my eyes covered to begin with? I look around to see who it is that removed all of that stuff, but I see a figure across the room. I squint my eyes to get a better view, "Who are you, and where am I?" I ask, and they turn to look at me. They don't say anything though, then they turn to leave the room. It is a huge room, like the ceiling if way up there, and everything is gray in color. There's a huge table, with equally huge chairs. pretty much like extra large human furniture. No windows though, but I see another big door across the door that one soldier left through. I wonder if I can get down? I stretch all of my muscles, like I've been sleeping for years, that's how stiff my muscles are. 

   I get off the table and wonder over to that door the soldier walked through, but it won't open, do I knock? Stupid, like anyone would answer. I didn't see how the door opened when the soldier left so I'm stuck for now. "Hello?" I yell, then I hear foot steps returning, I quickly run to a corner because I don't know who it is, or what's happening soon. The door then goes outwards, and slides open. Weird door, then again I never knew about these type, just a slab of wood to keep the door way closed at the hut. As the door opens the commander comes through, then the captain, followed by a group of soldiers. they look at the table, then look at each other. I stay quiet, more so scared of where I'm at, and why I was bond and blindfolded. Then the Commander looks around until he sees me, he then walks closer to me, so I cautiously watch his movements. He kneels just in front of me, but I instinctively back away as if it'll put a great distance between us. The Commander lifts a hand to stroke my hair, I look up in return, "where am I?" I ask straight forward

   "You are safe on our society's main ship." The Captain said, I take a quick glance at him but return my eyes to the commander.

   "Why was I tied up, and blindfolded?"

   "For your best interest, we couldn't have you wake up confused and hurt yourself." The Captain said, so I guess the commander is no longer talking.

   "Commander, why have you brought me here?" I say in an agitated tone.

   "Sky, you belong to The Commander, always have so he decided it best to bring you to the main ship where he knew you would be safe, and out of harms way." The captain said in a serious tone.

   The Commander kept stroking my hair, I kept staring at him. I grab his hand, stopping him from stroking my hair further to get his attention. I hold his hand in my lap looking at it, It's strange really, they have hands like us, just bigger. As I get distracted by his hand, he pulls me closer to him, moving his other arm under me to pick me up, I then let go of his hand to hang onto him. I feel like a small child hanging onto her father, like what I've seen in the village many times. He then walks past the captain, and soldiers, going towards the door, it opens and he walks out. I see a very long walk away, with many other soldiers and others going about their business. As soon as they see the commander they back up to the wall in a single line, facing the commander as he walks by. I hang onto him as tightly as I can, feeling uneasy in this new territory. I wonder what they think with their commander holding a human, probably as confused as I am seeing them in this place. I take a look behind us to see the captain close behind us, then soldiers not far behind him. The captain notices me looking so he looks up at me and nods his head once, wait he's done that before. I was about to ask him what he means by doing that, but then the commander stops so I immediately turn towards the front to see another door open. He walks in, then it closes behind us. "Where are we now?" I ask, but he doesn't respond at all. I guess this is a new view of him I got to get used to. He sets me down, and walks to another door, it opens and he walks in. I don't know what to do so I will just sit on this long chair thing, and wait for him. "Sky." He calls out from that room, I get up and walks towards the door. I peek in, "Yes Commander?" He holds out a new white dress to me, so I walk up and grab it. He then points to another room in the room he's already in, how many rooms are in here?" I obediently nod my head, and walk to the room. I walk in and lights come on out of no where, I stop scared for a moment getting in defense mode, "What in the world!?" I well surprised. "What are these bright lights?" I'm too used to the dimness of candles and fires to understand these bright things. He then walks in past me to a wall, then he presses his finger on the wall. Water turns on from his touch, I jump back from the water falling. I am not used to any of this stuff, he looks back sensing my stress. He puts my fore head to his, then pulls away gesturing me to wash up. So I understand and he leaves so I can wash up.

   After a very stressing day, I get cleaned up. There was still blood and dirt on me from when I hunted, So getting clean felt so refreshing. He gave me this canister, and gestured to me to pour it on myself to wash, so I did, and it smelled very sweet. What is with this sweetness they have about them? So here I am smelling sweet, and I tasted the stuff so it is sweet tasting too! So now I am in the white dress he gave me, sitting on the chair again waiting for him. He then shows up from the room, walking towards the main door. He looks back at me, and holds out his hand to me. I jump up without hesitation and reach to grab it. I do not want to be left alone here, he is the only one I know strong enough to protect me. We walk out into the walkway again, everyone backing up, I guess they do this to show respect, or something. I never see any of the villagers do it for the leaders so I don't know. I tightly hang onto his hand as he leads somewhere, then I look behind the soldiers to see windows to the outside. Is that earth? If it is then we are high up above! I remember the captain telling me to read a book about space constantly saying, "Who knows, someday you will need this knowledge." So that is why he kept pestering me about that book, so if I can still see land then we must be near the atmosphere. I was thinking this when I hear the captain, "Sky, you look very nice." I snap out of my train of thought at his voice, turning my head to look back at him. I knowledge his statement with a nod then turn back to look forward. After a few more minutes of walking, we get to this very large open area. I immediately see other humans, and they have collars too! I look at them in surprise, the commander kneels down, "Go." He nudges me forward while trying to pull his hand away. I back away and hang onto his hand while shaking my head. "Sky, do not worry, it is a play room for pets." The Captain says. I let go of the commanders hand, he then gently nudges me forward. I shyly walk ahead into the room, very nervous again so turn around to see the commander give a nod to me. I turn back around and walk to a table that has no one sitting around it, goodness I feel like everyone is staring at me. I walk up to the table and sit down, not looking around, or anything. Then suddenly people are coming towards me, cautiously they come closer, a man, and two women. "Hi, can we sit with you?" I look up at them in surprise.

   "Uh yeah, sure."

   "Okay!" They all pull chairs out and sit down, then they just stare at me more. "Okay, we just have to say it, we had heard from just about everyone on the ship that the commander was bringing his pet aboard. But your so young, why?"

   "I honestly don't know why I am a pet, or why I was brought here now."

   They just kind of look at each other, "So how old are you?" The guy asks, I can see so many questions floating around their heads.

   "I'm thirteen." With that they all gasp, and their eyes grow huge.

   "You're so young though, and very beautiful." One of the women say simply in awe over my looks.

   "Yeah, we never seen any other people, or pets like you."

   "What do you mean like me?" And here I thought I looked average.

   "Your long black hair, with your caramel skin, simply flawless!"

   "Yeah, and your cute almond eyes. I've heard of people that looked like you from stories."

   "Stories?" People like me?

   "Yeah, they were called Native Americans, or Indigenous. There was very few of them left before the invasion." The guy continues, "Nobody saw any after the invasion so it was assumed they were all killed off." I never read any books about this, and now I'm peeked with interest.

   "Oh my, I didn't realize there was different types of humans."

   "There was all kinds of humans." The guy seems to be happy discussing these things, he must not have anyone who's interested in such history.

   "Anyway, enough about his little stories." The woman says, "Hey, they are our history."

   "Still, what's your name?"

   "My name is Sky."

   "Aw, cute name! my name is Sarah, and this is Kana, and this smart-tart man is David."

   "You have such wonderful names, who gave them to you all?" I am generally curious that they would approach me so comfortably. 

   "Thank you, you're a sweet sunshine to this day. But yeah, My parents gave me my name." Sarah said so proudly, It's nice.

   "And my father gave me mine since it was to be carried down to the men in the family." David said with a bored tone.

   "And my family group gave me mine out of a betting game, ha ha ha!" Kana says as if reminiscing her past.

   "So Sky, you certainly became a huge sensation among everybody, and when I mean everybody, I mean humans, and the sky beings!" Sarah exclaimed.

   "Definitely, your hunt last month was very exciting, you made me sit at the edge of my seat with your fight against those animals!" David said excitedly.

   "We rooted for your victory every second, and the fact that your were the only one doing the hunt got everyone's attention. your broadcast was everywhere!"

   "Oh wow, now I feel even more ashamed."

   "Why?"

   "Everyone seen me get hurt so badly, yet I made sure to take back the kills, or I would be locked out of the village and deemed dead." Thinking about it now, I feel stupid about how I needlessly put myself in danger like that.

   "All of us pets praise you though!"

   "That's true! We've never seen a child, a girl, a pet, not even a human hunt like that." Sarah said clearly trying to encourage me.

   "Plus seeing you now, the commanders' pet, and seeing how protective he is of you. You truly are an amazing child to get his attention considering that he never had a pet before." He never had a pet huh.

   "You all seem to know so much about the commander."

   "Sky, the whole world knows about the commander. He's like a god." Kana seemed overly excited saying this.

   "He controls everyone, and everything. Because of him there is order in this world now." David said looking rather calm.

   "Where I come from, We've only heard rumors of one of the sky beings taking control. So we've pretty much live in darkness compared to the rest of the world it appears."

   "Sky, where did you come from?" they all look at me with pity.

   "I came from the community known to be the last found by the invaders."

   "I heard of that village, so backwards, letting their people starve. I mean you'd expect more for a livestock village." David said.

   "Not exactly, some of the people also chose to starve themselves as an attempt to not be chosen during harvesting."

   "Oh my goodness! Livestock, Sky I'm sorry you came from one of those places." Sarah looks sadly at me as she gets up to hug me, I'm shocked at the gesture. But I hug back, since this is the first time being hugged by another human.

   "I learned early on that being alone has it's perks, though I never experienced any affection from the people in my village."

   "Sky, where were your parents?"

   "I don't know anything of my father, or who he is, but my mother still lives as a breeder. I have a little sister also, but she made sure to not interact with me."

   "That's heartless!" David says, the girls nod their heads in agreement.

   "It's the life I knew." 

   "So when did the commander make you his pet?" Sarah asks.

   "When I was six."

   "What!?" Kana exclaims nearly choking on her food.

   "You were just a baby!" Sarah says in a shocked tone.

   "How, why?" David chimes in.

   "It started after a harvest, I was running home when these kids were chasing me to hurt me for talking to one of them. I ran as fast as I could but they caught up to me, knocked me down to the ground, and kicked, stomped on me." They stared at me fixated by my story. "I laid there waiting for it to be over, when they suddenly stopped and ran away, leaving me there hurt, and bleeding. So I stood up to go home when I noticed this huge silhouette coming towards me. It was the commander, he helped me, healed me, then he put this collar on me. from then on, he's always been the only to care for me."

   They quietly listen to my story the whole time, showing all emotions while I tell them about my life leading up to now. It feels liberating telling someone my story who is willing to listen.