Chapter Six

Eden bolted upright. Her eyelids were still heavy from her three-hour long nap. As she heard the droning hum of the spaceship, she realized they were already flying and on their way to the next destination. Her temples pulsed from the overabundance of sleep. "Great. Just great." Rubbing her temples, she swung her legs over Thiago's mattress and started down the steps, dragging her feet.

Hercules animatedly sprung out of his nest to greet her. He wouldn't let her go until she played with him. He wanted a few rounds of catch with a chew toy to start. Hercules only freed Eden after she had fussed over him sufficiently. Fondly giving the gentle giant a last rub on the noggin, Eden broke away from the lovable pet and entered the cockpit.

"Where are we going?" asked Eden innocently, sliding down into the passenger's seat.

"We're about to cross into the Blazian territory," Thiago answered her, giving her a small nod to acknowledge her presence.

"And what exactly are we doing there again?"

"I'm tracking down my next target. You're along for the ride," said Thiago, pulling up a profile on the dashboard screen. "This is Krypt. He's wanted for manufacturing and distribution of Xorxes, one of the most lethally addictive drugs on the planet. He's suspected of torturing and killing family members and loved ones of addicts when they can't pay, but no one's come forward to testify against him."

"That's horrible. What a creep."

"He's scum all right, but scum with a big bounty. Low-lifes like him help put a roof over my head, so I can't complain."

"I'm glad it's all working out for you then," Eden snapped irritably. She reached inside her clothes. Her back itched, and she scratched it enthusiastically. Discovering a bumpy rash, she flared up, screeching, "What are these clothes made of?"

Thiago moved behind her and peered down her neck. His eyebrows raised as he noted, "It looks like your skin's sensitive to the new fabric."

"Oh, really? You think so?" Eden said sarcastically.

"Don't worry, it's a typical reaction on human skin, but it should go away in a day or two. You'll get used to it," said Thiago lightly. He was puzzled. "What's the matter with you now?"

"What do you think's the matter with me?" said Eden, throwing her hands up in frustration. "I feel like I've been abducted and taken hundreds of light-years away from home!"

"I understand that, but..."

"No, you don't," Eden sneered hatefully. Her eyes flashed. "In case you haven't noticed, I hate it here. The food's shitty, the clothes are itchy, and it always smells like feet. I can't be here forever. My dad's dying and Janine's by herself. I was the only one keeping our family together. What are they going to do without me?"

"Eden, I'm sorry."

"What will I do without them?" Eden whispered, lifting her legs onto the chair. Her glassy eyes drifted off to the side as she lost herself in thought and hugged her legs close to her body.

Thiago sighed, pulling a lever and starting the ship on a slow, fluid descent. He landed in a deserted area on the outskirts of Blazian territory. As Eden craned her neck to peek out the window, she wiped away her tears and frowned. Thiago's fingers breezed over a few switches on the control panel. Within seconds, the armor activated on the spaceship.

"I think we've gone far enough today. We can rest here tonight and get an early start tomorrow morning."

"Fine, whatever."

"Here," said Thiago, punching some buttons on his control board. A circular shutter on top of the screen split open, revealing a camera lens. "This will be pretty straightforward. Touch the red button once to record and again to stop. I'll find a way to get your message delivered to Earth."

"Really?" said Eden. Her heart swelled with hope.

"I'm going to head off to bed. Don't worry. I'll sleep on the ground floor, and you can take my bed again. Good night."

"Good night," said Eden. She watched as Thiago strode out of the cockpit.

"Janine?"

The distraught seventeen-year-old lifted her hands to push up the thick glasses slipping off the bridge of her nose. She looked similar to Eden, with a button nose and brilliant, long-lashed green eyes. The only thing that set them apart was Janine's silky, golden-blonde hair she usually had pulled up in a high ponytail. Now her hair was a disheveled mess as if she'd been running. Her chalk-white face was plagued with worry.

"Janine?" Eden gasped, reaching out to her, "What are you doing here?"

"Can you hurry? It's Dad. Things are bad. He needs you."

Eden's eyes darted around madly as she jumped to her feet and grabbed Janine's outstretched hand. Janine led her through a subway underpass. Eden yelped out in pain. Her fingers began to slip from her sister's as a faceless mass of aliens and enraged New Yorkers charged towards them. Since the flow of the mob elbowing past them was moving in the opposite direction, Eden felt herself being lifted off her feet. The crowd carried her backward against her will as Eden's mouth opened in a silent scream. Beads of sweat pooled at her temples from the strain.

"Eden! Come back! I need you too! Don't leave us!"

Eden pushed with all the force inside of her, but it wasn't enough. Her attempt to clamber over the shoulders of the moving crowd failed.

Eden twitched. The sheets under her were rustling. She turned over on her side, still half-asleep. As she found her face and hair once again matted with slime, she groaned. Her eyes snapped open, ready to fend off Thiago's over-affectionate pet.

"Not now Hercules!"

But it wasn't Hercules waking her up. When Eden opened her eyes, all she could see was a pair of blood-red eyes from a Blazian positioned inches from her face. He breathed down on her, the foul stench of death streaming out of his slitted nostrils.