Their Little Human

Arenk

“Well, that was a letdown,” Laro commented.

He traced his finger over the fractured helmet and the damaged panel.

“There’s some kind of humanoid out there. We need to gather what we can and check out the other crash sites. There might be more,” Arenk suggested.

They moved swiftly, but it was clear they’d need a second trip to salvage everything. The second ship was on fire. The smell of scorched earth and burning fat filled his nostrils.

Footprints led deeper into the forest.

A shrill scream echoed through the trees. With their weapons ready, they followed the sound. The rear half of the spacecraft was ablaze, emitting a nauseating smell. The ground was strewn with bodies.

His heart clenched.

The wailing persisted. They circled the digging humanoid. Upon closer inspection, it was small, with dark hair.

“Hands up! You’re under arrest for illegal entry,” Arenk commanded.

It looked up, cocking its head to the side, its eyes wide and filled with tears. It spoke in an unfamiliar language, but the high-pitched tone suggested it was a female.

They activated their universal dialect device.

“You’re under arrest,” Arenk repeated.

“I need to bury them. I can’t leave them,” she pleaded.

Arenk and Laro exchanged looks. It would be compassionate to let her, but this was a golden opportunity to study this new species during different life stages.

“We’ll send some men back to collect them. Now stand and place your hands behind your back,” Arenk instructed.

“Where are you taking me?”

Laro sighed and moved towards her. He grabbed her arm and yanked her up. As she rose, so did her knee, connecting with his groin. Laro doubled over. He should’ve worn the full armor.

The female dashed for the trees. Arenk adjusted the setting on his gun to tranquilizer. After taking aim, he fired. She collapsed to the ground with a soft thud.

***

Raven

The smell of citrus and vanilla roused her; she was snugly wrapped in soft black sheets. The ease with which she sat up was a pleasant surprise.

The room was dim, with string lights adorning the dresser and the top of the bed. What the hell? She jumped to her feet and reached for her knife. It was gone, along with all of her holsters and hairpins.

She padded over to the large picture window. A vibrant city sprawled out before her. She slid the window open and stepped onto the balcony.

Tall buildings with cascading waterfalls, streets lined with lights, and everything was draped in green. Leaves, vines, and flowers. People? She couldn’t make out the tiny figures from this height.

She looked up at the sky and saw two moons so close she felt she could touch them.

Did you see something like this? Is that why?

A man with golden eyes was seated in the corner of the balcony.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, his voice deep and commanding. He stood, smoothing out his uniform jacket adorned with medals. She reached for a phantom knife. His towering height was intimidating, but his facial features were striking. What is in the water and air here?

“Don’t be scared. We brought you here for treatment. We don’t have any experience treating your kind, but we did our best. All of your injuries healed within a few days.”

A few days?

“Where am I? I need to get back to my ship,” she said, stepping back into the room.

She had to try and contact the others. They must have ships here. Later, they could try and establish some kind of alliance. That was, if they would let her leave.

“You’re in the capital, in my home. Your ship was totaled and confiscated for research.”

“I need to see it,” she insisted.

She tugged at the door to leave, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Get cleaned up and rest. I’m Arenk. What’s your name?” he asked, extending his hand.

“Raven. Just show me the exit and come get me when I can see the ship,” she said, taking his warm hand in hers.

“Raven, I can’t let you wander around unsupervised. It’s for the safety of the Tareaians and yourself,” Arenk explained.

She needed to find her. She wasn’t going to get stuck here. Raven scanned the room for something to use.

“I’m not asking for your permission. I’m telling you, open the door,” she said, locking eyes with him.

She had to establish her ground now: Humans were not to be messed with. He stepped closer, hands clasped behind his back. A tight-lipped smile made her cheeks flush.

“I’m the one who gives orders,” he said, his voice firm.

“Not with me. Open the damn door,” she retorted.

“That language is not acceptable, little one.”

Arenk closed the gap between them. He used his long index finger to lift her chin, meeting her gaze.

“Here, on this planet, we have rules and customs. Naughty girls get spanked,” he warned.

A tingling sensation shot through her lower half. He wouldn’t, would he? Her heart pounded in her chest.

She slapped his hand away. “I’d love to see you try,” she said, jabbing her index finger into his abdomen.

He chuckled lowly. “Keep this up, and I’ll do more than try.” He walked past her to the door. “I’ll be back. You must be hungry.”

Arenk grabbed the knob, and it beeped, releasing the latch. This was as good a time as any. As soon as the light from the hallway seeped in, she aimed her foot for his crotch.

Before it made contact, a pair of arms ensnared her, pulling her just out of reach.

Did you see something like this? Is that why, Tori?

Arenk turned around. “Yes, that’s definitely not acceptable.”

The stranger let her go. Where did he come from? Another man, but his eyes were a different color, a green that sparkled like emeralds. He was more muscular compared to Arenk’s lean build.

The other one from the forest. She should’ve seen it coming. ~Stupid.~ At least now she knew there were two of them watching her. Next time, she wouldn’t be caught off guard.

Arenk tried to guide her to the bench at the foot of the bed, but she resisted. It didn’t slow him down. He picked her up effortlessly.

“Just as promised,” he said, flipping her onto his lap.

Her attempts to kick and squirm were futile against his strength. She clamped her thighs together after he managed to pull her pants off. She lowered her gaze to hide her embarrassment.

She hadn’t had time to put on underwear during the evacuation.

Every thought vanished from her mind when his heavy hand smacked her cheek.

Her scream got stuck in her throat, but the second smack forced it out. He gave the same treatment to the other side. She bit down on her teeth to hold back the sounds.

The smacks came faster, leaving stinging imprints behind. Her dignity evaporated as she tried to cover herself. Her whimpers echoed with desperation.

“Laro, give me a hand,” he said, pausing for a brief moment.

A moment she was grateful for, as she prayed for a breeze to soothe her burning cheeks. Laro pulled her hands away from her ass and held them behind her back. A citrus scent drifted off of him.

“You will obey and behave. Do you understand?” Arenk said.

She squirmed and wriggled within this new restraint.

“Answer me when I’m speaking to you,” he said.

“No, I won’t.” Her voice was softer than she intended.

“Stubborn until the end.”