Chapter Six: Third Person Omniscient

Skylar slept for about another hour before she was nudged awake again. Her captor was standing above her, foot extended near her side in case she did not move. 

But she did move, mostly to avoid being prodded again. Her sides were starting to hurt from his sandaled feet.

Kweide meanwhile, was mulling over the time they had spent together so far. Communication was key to taming the more fragile human sitting below him and he could only be thankful that he picked what he deemed as "the smart one"

She wasn't as aggressive as the other human. She was more willing to learn and be calm. It was as if she were meant to be captured, her personality was just perfect enough to be a servant. Meek and intelligent enough to be taught.

He eyed the human curiously, she would be a suitable servant in time. Maybe even one of envy if he could train her right.

After several moments Skylar took a deep breath and stood. It wasn't easy to make her feet move but she did her best to not anger him. 'Don't get in trouble Sky, keep steady. Slow and steady wins the race.' She reminded herself of that fable's moral, a good motto really, as long as you're not captured by giant aliens that seem to be far more physically capable than you are and far less patient.

She looked up, his agitation was palpable though he wasn't verbally saying anything to her. Remaining a respectable distance away from him, a "I'm sorry" sat on her lips, but then she stopped. 'I don't owe him an apology, he kidnapped me. Not the other way around.'

Kweide looked at her in confusion. Her eyes, which had been staring away from him one minute, were now looking at him quietly. She wasn't saying a word though. She was watching him and that unnerved him to no end.

Maybe the smart one wasn't a good thing after all.

His quarter's door was locked via keypad and code. A code only he and the Elder had access to, and the Elder only had access because he was an Elder.

After a moment she looked away and that's when Kweide made his move, his long fingers slid over the keypad like fire and the door slid open.

Immediately Skylar's stare flicked back to him as she jumped from the sound.

He walked out the door with no other words and she followed like a dog follows its new owner, despite how demeaning the thought, it was true. She had that "I'm a lost and scared puppy" vibe as she scooted closer to him from behind. It was scary to be close to him, but it was even scarier to not have him as a shield.

It was possible that he could let another of his kind hurt her if there were any there, but maybe she could still find safety behind him. He was massive and if she stuck close she might not end up on the receiving end of any brutality.

More than that, as each hallway branched off into another and the walls stayed the same, Skylar realized she'd be hopelessly lost without him there. She needed more time to learn the place or her and Kayla would never make it out alive.

They walked on in silence and though she never allowed herself to fall too far behind, he began to notice her small size hindered her speed greatly. 'Slow' Kweide noted to himself in frustration.

She really was physically weaker by so much so he shortened his stride with a click of annoyance. "In time you will get stronger, I must make sure of that." He was muttering to himself so he didn't notice her look of confusion from behind him.

Skylar huffed and sped up some, practically jogging to keep up with him. He had slowed some but it didn't make much difference to her exhausted body. Her legs were burning by the time they made it into an empty room and she sat down catching her breath.

Lucky for her, he paid her no mind. Instead, she watched his oddly stoic gaze settle on the door and refuse to move. He was like a seven-foot version of the royal British guard.

She opened her mouth to speak but before she could say anything to him, the door slid open and revealed another one of his kind. This one was even taller than he was.

She leapt to her feet and melded back behind him out of fear.

Kweide began to speak to H'chakde for a moment but the human's attempts to shrink behind his back caught his attention. She needed to relax around him, he had brought her friend after all.

Sidestepping, he revealed her to the other human and watched in confusion as they ran at each other. Were they going to fight? He moved to stop them but when they were only doing chi'ytei he lowered his arm and turned away.

A cry of relief escaped both girls as soon as they wrapped each other in a warm embrace. Kayla leaned back a little, a smirk on her face as she stared at her friend. Skylar was alive, and in once piece, and that's all she could ask for at the moment.

"You look like crap." She commented playfully, knowing full well that she did not look any better than Skylar did. Her comment was met with a glare.

"Oh thanks, that just makes me feel so much better about everything," Skylar said dryly, a smile was pulling at her lips though. She couldn't help but want to laugh and feel lighter in the presence of her friend.

Kayla laughed pulling her back in for another tight hug. "I'm glad I can help." She muttered. Glad that she had managed to lift the mood even if only a little. She was ultimately the reason they had gotten into this situation.

Nodding, Skylar hugged her gently. "Are you alright Lala? I mean, besides the kidnapping bit and all." She didn't seem like she was okay.

Kayla laughed nervously, as she came to meet Skylar's eye. Her once smile pulling into a frown as she prepared to break the news to her friend. "I... would be better if we were still in Kansas." She said glancing toward the two creatures standing only standing a few feet away. Conversing with each other in their own language.

Skylar's face turned into a look of confusion, "What do you mean by that?" The Wizard of Oz reference was obvious but it was odd. Where would something like that come from- 'Oh. Oh no.' "Kayla where are we?"

"Not... not on earth anymore." The blond-haired girl said sheepishly.

Skylar's face went blank. "Not on... not on earth!?" Her mouth pulled into a horrified grimace. "Oh no! No, no, no, no!" She looked to the ground as her head began spinning. 'I'm going to hurl at this rate.' She groaned and squatted down, covering her face as her heart rate accelerated.

H'chakde's attention had been brought to the two by Kweide's servant yelling. As soon as he and Kweide had looked, H'chakde's servant met their gaze.

"Mind your business." She snapped, glaring at the two.

Kweide growled in annoyance at the fit one, she was called Kayla, wasn't she? Whatever she had done had upset his servant because her pulse was wild and he could see her shaking from where he was. How was he supposed to handle this? He crossed his arms as he stared at her assessingly.

H'chakde's response wasn't as calm as Kweide's. He let out a loud growl as he stomped his foot, hoping the loud sound would startle the ooman. "Hush Ooman!"

His words however only reached Kayla's ears as a series of clicks and chitters. Much like they always had, and as a result, Kayla couldn't understand him.

Kayla's shoulders tensed as she stepped forward. "What was that?" She shouted back, her glare never leaving her face.

Skylar reached out and dug her fingers into the side of Kayla's sneakers to stop her moving while she was still down on the ground. "Please, Kayla he could crush you. Be careful." She looked up from her position on the floor with worry.

Kayla sighed. "I know, but I don't care. It's going to know I have a bite with my bark." Kayla loosened up, turning her body toward Skylar but keeping her eyes on the creature. Every part of her body refused to be a doormat, she would rather die.

Her and H'chakde kept eye contact for a few moments longer before Kayla finally broke it. She looked back at Skylar and came to kneel next to her. "So. . .Any idea on why we might be here." She asked, trying to change subjects.

Skylar sighed and retracted her hand, it seemed both the creature and Kayla were hot-tempered and she wasn't sure how well that was going to work out. She could only hope that Kayla would be alright, especially since she was about to give news that would piss her off to no end.

She took a deep breath, "Promise me that you'll keep calm Lala. We have to be calm." She wrapped her arms around her legs for comfort.

Kayla took a deep breath before replying. "I will try." She said, placing her hand on Skylar's shoulder. Kayla took a moment to glance back at the creature, before returning her gaze to her friend. Kayla needed to reel herself in before she got both her and Skylar killed. "That's all I'm going to say. So why are we here?"

Skylar said her prayers and unwound her arms, being careful to find balance as she stood up from the ground. "We're meant to be servants."

Kayla's gaze narrowed as she turned her attention toward the creatures. She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from charging at him. It did her no good before, it would do her no good now. She needed to act more rationally then what her mind was wanting her to. "How are you so sure?" She asked. Her calm tone a great contrast to the anger simmering in her eyes.

Skylar smiled sadly, "He told me."

Kayla let out a sigh, feeling more frustrated than she had initially. "Did he say anything else? Or have you noticed anything?" She turned her attention back to Skylar, her gaze softening as she did so.

Skylar shook her head, "I didn't get very far in the conversation. I learned their names and then I was out like a light." She winced and held a hand to her head. "I think I might have a concussion."

Kayla's brows furrowed with concern. "I would be surprised if you didn't." She said as she stood. Kayla glanced at the creatures a quick moment making sure their attention was elsewhere before pulling Skylar into a tight hug.

"I'll keep an eye for a way out of here, but I may need your help." She had gotten them into this mess, and she needed to play a big part in getting them out. "Maybe we can get one of those ships they came to our planet in, maybe you can pick up on a way to navigate them, you're better with language stuff then I am." She whispered. "I'll find a better way to sneak past them, I escaped once, I can try again. But I'll have to wait."

She couldn't act again this soon. If she hadn't broken down she would have gotten farther, but there was no use dwelling on what could have happened. "We'll relay information to each other when we get the chance, sound like a plan?"

"It does, I'll do what I can to help. Whether he's trying to or not, he's been teaching me the language. I'll find a written version to learn." She gave her a stronger smile this time. "We're going to get home Lala, somehow."

Her eyes widened as the two creatures began walking their way. She looked at Kayla and grabbed her arm firmly. She wasn't ready. Not yet.

Kayla took a huge step away from them, dragging Skylar back as she did so. She didn't want to leave her side either.

The two hunters both grabbed the arm of their respective servants and began to try and pry them away from each other. They had been around each other long enough, and now it was time to go.

The golden-haired one latched onto her companion tightly as H'chakde tried to tug her away. But she refused to let go, she only yelled back at him with every tug.

Kweide pulled his servant closer to get her to release the other human. He stared down into her frightened eyes and loosened his hold on her upper arm, his grip on the wrist was still rather tight though. He needed her to let go. "Pry yours off." Kweide gestured to Kayla since she seemed the stronger of the two. She'd give up if the tug of war began to hurt Skylar.

H'chakde nodded and grabbed Kayla's other wrist. With a quick couple of tugs, she finally let go with a cry of frustration. Once she had, H'chakde let go of her other wrist and yanked her away before she could latch on again. "It's time to go." He growled as the ooman continued to shout at him.

Skylar yelped as she was pulled back. "Keep focused Kayla! We're going to be okay!" She nodded firmly to her friend. It was time to begin the hardest strategy game of their lives and despite Skylar feeling ready, her bravado vanished the moment Kayla disappeared from the doorway.

Kayla let out a cry of frustration as soon as Skylar had gone out of view. Her chest tightened as a rush of panic ran through her. Hoping her voice could still be heard she shouted one last thing. "Hang in there Sky!" Kayla would fix her mistake, she had to.

"I will!" Skylar called out one more time before she fell silent and looked down at her feet. She was terrified.