Third person:

A small cry rang out in the house. The sound coming from a younger Kayla as she stood there, her hand pressed against her stinging face. She barely noticed the pain though, all she could think about was the screaming. Her mother was yelling at her, although the words she was saying never seem to register in her ears. They never did.

Her mother pointed to the pile of broken glass on the floor with one hand. While the other pointed to the door. Kayla couldn't help that she had dropped the dishes on the ground. They had been way too heavy for her, but she had been told to take all of them at once.

Slowly her head tilted toward the sliding glass door into the back yard. Being lucky enough to notice the butterfly as it flew past. Its blue and black wings carrying its small body gracefully through the back yard. Allowing it to land on the flower bush near the door.

Kayla straightened her back some, her interest in the lovely creature had spiked. And before she could stop herself she began to speak. "Hello Mr.Butterfly." She said quietly. "Mother look-" Another slap interrupted the small child. Kayla couldn't help the cry that fell from her mouth. She held back the tears that threatened to spill from her. She didn't want to cry, not in front of her.

"Never ever interrupt me!" Her mother snapped "You worthless child!" Her mother grabbed her arm, and began dragging her through the house to her room. Throwing the door open, she continued to shout at her while she through her in. Her yelling only ceasing when she had slammed the door. And with one click Kayla knew she had no choice but to be stuck in her room. A prison cell and sanctuary all in one. She may go hungry that night, but at least it meant she could have time to herself.

Kayla sat on her floor curled up in a ball clutching her stinging face as she finally allowed herself to cry. Her mind racing to find a memory that was much lighter to dull the ache in her heart. She wanted to remember a time when mother didn't hit her for small, meaningless things. She wanted to remember a time when her father didn't drink so much that him and mother were at each other's throats.

She allowed herself to lay there a few more minutes. Allowing the pain she felt to wash over her before she finally got up, and walked over to her window. She pulled back the curtain and pressed her face against the cool glass. Her eyes darting about as she searched for the butterfly again.

Much to her delight it was in the same spot as before. A small smile crept across her face as the butterfly took flight again, and began to fly toward her. Landing on the window pane as if coming to check on her.

Slowly she cracked open the window, looking at what she thought was its eyes. "I'll be okay Mr.Butterfly, I promise." She whispered. "This stuff happens all the time."

The butterfly surprisingly stayed in it place for a few moments. Standing there diligently as if it was her guardian angel. Watching, waiting for danger to come so it could protect her. The thought of such a thing brought the young girl a feeling of peace. Someone was watching over her, even if it was just a butterfly it meant the world to her.

"I better close the window now or mama will get upset." She whispered moving her hand up to grab the top of the window. As much as she hated to, she knew she had to. "and my cheek already hurts enough. Bye bye." She waved before pushing down to close the window.

✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵

Kayla let out a slight sigh as she turned her gaze away from the butterfly. Glad that the one thing that followed her from home was her hope. It was something her and Skylar would need a lot of if they were to make it through this.

Without realizing it, she had slowed to a stop and was just standing there. Her eyes watching the butterfly's powerful wings carry it across the pale blue sky. A smile made its way onto her face, and she found herself silently wishing she was the butterfly. So she could fly away from this and glide in the sky. Free from Dreadlock, and free to go wherever she wanted.

But no matter how much she wished that, deep down she knew it was just that. A wish. And not one she could ever hope to make come true. She was and would always be a human girl. And she was stuck on an unnamed planet with a grumpy dreadlock alien. This thought made her emotions turn into a smoothie of anger and determination. Her and Skylar would get out of this situation. She wouldn't be trapped under someone's thumb,not ever again. She would much rather die first. But she knew better than that.

H'chakde was getting frustrated with the ooman. If she kept stopping for every little thing they would never be able to find the damn thing. He growled at her, hoping it would make her hurry, but she stayed still.

She was looking up at something toward the sky, a calm expression on her face. He stomped his foot gaining her attention for only a few seconds or so before she went back to looking at the thing.

Finally getting fed up with her, he stomped over to the ooman and without a moment's hesitation of much effort he slung her over his shoulder. The ooman gave a cry and began to curse at him in her own language. But he paid her no heed. They were moving again at a much faster pace. And that's all that really mattered to him at the moment.

✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵✵

After about another hour or so of walking H'chakde finally spotted the creature he had been looking for. Soon his task would be over and he would (hopefully) return to the mother-ship in one piece. Quickly and quietly he backed the ooman and himself into a nearby bush. Shielding both of them from the creatures gaze. He let the the ooman slide from his shoulder to the ground. She looked up at him confusion written on her face.

He pulled back some branches and pointed to the creature standing a few yards away from them. Being sure that she didn't miss the creatures large antlers and dark blue feathers.

She glanced from him to creature a couple of times before her eyes finally settled on it. "Don't make any noise." He whispered to her causing her to look back at him, as he motioned for her to be quiet. "I need you to stay here, it's safer for you." He patted the ground next to him, hoping the ooman would understand and follow his directions. Now was not the time to be disobedient, it could cost one of their lives.

She looked back at the creature once more before nodding, and plopping on the ground. She brought her knees up to her chest and looked back up at him.

He held back a sigh of relief. With the ooman out of the way he would be able to complete his task without any hindrances. He cloaked himself quickly before crawling out of the bush. His mind turning away from the ooman, and to the hunt ahead of him. He would return with a worthy trophy no matter what.

After dreadlock left, Kayla uncurled herself from her little ball and began making herself comfortable in the little bush. She was probably going to be there for a long while. So there was no harm in making her waiting game a little more bearable. Maybe now was the time for some rest without the constant nagging from Dreadlock. Maybe she would even be here long enough to nap. She hadn't gotten a good night's rest since she had been abducted. But with her luck he'd come stomping back in as soon as her eyes closed. The thought caused her to growl with frustration.

It didn't matter if he did she would just stay there and not move until he was forced to carry her back to the ship. Either way she was going to rest.

But just as she went to close her eyes a roar cut into the silence. It was Dreadlocks roar, something that had become all too familiar to her.

"What the hell is he doing?" She questioned poking her head out of the bush to investigate.The scene before her causing her to freeze with fear.

One of the feathered deer had dreadlock pinned to the ground. Its antlers were pointed at the mutant crabs face as it bucked its head forward. Attempting to jab the predator below it, whom was barely keeping the creature at bay.

"Why isn't he using any of his weapons?" She asked herself. No sooner her eyes found his two daggers laying not too far from the bush, and she had her answer. "Oh. . ." She breathed looking from him to the daggers. He needed them if he was going to win. And somehow, in someway she needed to get them to him.

If he were killed. She could just stay here on this paradise of a planer for the rest of her life. Surrounded by trees and those giant butterflies. She wouldn't have to deal with the stress he brought her anymore.

But that meant doom for Skylar. She would be stuck with the other monster on the ship for the rest of her life. Kayla would never see her best friend ever again. They would never go home, ever.

A small very small part of her whispered to let him die. But she wouldn't do that to Skylar. She loved and owed her way too much to subject her to that fate. No matter how much she hated the creature before her, she loved Skylar much more.

She let out a sigh as her eyes scanned the area around her quickly for anymore of the blue deer. One was a few yards away, watching the battle as it unfolded.

If she was quick she could make it to Dreadlock and give him the daggers. There was no guarantee that she would have enough time to make it back to the bush before the other thing noticed her presence. But it was a risk she needed to take.

Taking a deep breath, she slipped out of the bush and bolted toward her target. Terror pushing her to run faster than she thought was possible. Helping her reach the daggers quickly.

Bending down she grabbed them up off the ground. Wasting no time she continued her trek to the two in the meadow. In what felt like only a few seconds she reached him and held out the daggers for him to take.

"Grab them! Don't leave me to-" Kayla couldn't finish her sentence before the other deer had flung her across the meadow. Causing one of the daggers to slip from her hand and fall to the forest floor near.

She clutched the other dagger in her hand as she crashed into a tree. Causing the breath from her lungs to escape her in a loud gasp as she landed on the ground with a hard oof. She lay on the forest floor clutching her chest with her free hand while gasping for air.The pain was almost enough to make her pass out but she forced herself to stay awake. If she passed out now she would die.

Shakily she pushed herself up off the ground so that she was sitting instead of laying. A random gust of wind ran over her skin, eliciting a stinging sensation that caused her to wince. Had she gotten a cut?

She let out a gasp at what she saw. Her shirt and bra were torn to shreds, it was a wonder she was still clothed at this point. Her wardrobe however were the least of her worries.

On her abdomen four large gashes. starting just below her breast and running to her hip diagonally. "Shit." She muttered through gritted teeth. The antlers must have cut her when she had been tossed. She only prayed they could make it back in enough time for it to be treated.

It was a little too late, she finally noticed her attacker charging at her antlers first. "Today is just not my day. . ." She placed her hands on her knees and with much protest from her body she forced herself to stand up.

She clutched the dagger in both of her hands and held it out before her. Praying that the deer would keep it's head down. She needed lucky on her side in this moment, if only in this moment. If she died, she wanted to take that thing down with her. If she wasn't lucky, she would probably get thrown again. And not only had she had enough of that for one lifetime, it would surely be the end of her this time.

As the creature drew near her mind raced with all the possible outcomes of this encounter. The ones of her dying were not allowed, she needed to survive this, she needed to live. She wasn't allowed to leave Skylar alone.

Once the creature had come with in striking distance, Kayla let out a yell. Using all her remaining strength she pushed the dagger forward, digging the weapon deep into the creature's skull. With a satisfying crack the dagger broke through its bone, killing the creature before her.

Kayla let out a breath, both her and the deer falling to the forrest floor. Weakly the injured girl turned her head up to Dreadlock. A sense of relief filling her when she saw he also had defeated the thing attacking him.

Taking a deep breath, Kayla held it as she forced herself to sit. Her gaze moved from the deer creatures, her eyes remaining on them for a good few seconds before she glanced up at Dreadlock. A weak smile pulled across her face and she only had time to mutter "Well. . .that was interesting." Before her world went black.