Diana
I open my eyes, but they instantly snap shut again. Why is this room so bright? Where am I? Usually, my world is shrouded in darkness, but today, it’s different.
And then I remember.
The men came.
A group of big, strong, giant men came and they rescued me. They should have terrified me, but they didn’t. I should have been horrified, but I wasn’t. They were big, yeah, but they were also brave, and I loved that.
I felt safe with them.
They looked at me with concern in their eyes: not lust, not hunger. They looked at me like I was the most incredible woman in the whole damn world, and they saved me. They brought me out of the darkness and into some place that is really, really bright.
I try to open my eyes again.
“Don’t rush it,” a soft, feminine voice says. “It’s going to take some time.”
“Who are you? Where am I?”
“My name is Sarah,” the woman says. “You’re on the Extrinsic ship. Do you know what Extrinsic is?”
“No,” I try to shake my head, but it’s suddenly filled with pain.
“Don’t try to move,” Sarah says gently. “Everything’s going to be just fine, and you’re going to heal properly, but it’s going to take some time. The lights are difficult to get used to, especially after spending so much time in the darkness.”
“They told you?”
“Max filled me in, yes. He also threatened to cut my balls off if I didn’t take care of you,” she chuckles.
“But aren’t you already a...I mean…”
“I’m a woman, love. Yes. He was just expressing how serious he is about you being taken care of.”
“I don’t know why,” I whisper. “I’m just a…”
“Just a what? A survivor? A warrior? A brave, incredible woman? Yes, you’re all of those things.”
“What’s going to happen to me?”
“You’re in the medical unit now. Diana, right? Max said your name was Diana.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Well, Diana, you’re going to rest here and we’re going to get you healed up, and then you’ll be free to wander around the ship as you like.”
“And then what? I mean...will you drop me off on a planet somewhere?”
I’m alive.
I’m out of the darkness and I’m alive, but my entire world is shattered. Even without thinking about it, I know I’ll never go back to treasure hunting. Those days are over, and my father is gone. Even if I wanted to search for something, it wouldn’t be the same without him, and I have no interest in trying to find a new partner.
Not after everything I went through.
“That’s up to you, of course. You aren’t a prisoner, but if you want to stay, Max has arranged everything for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, he’s made it clear that everyone is to leave you alone and let you do what you like, within reason, of course.”
Max.
I picture his face in my head, and I try to hold back a shiver. He’s so handsome, so kind. I’m still not really sure why he saved me instead of hurting me. Maybe he really is just a good person. I guess after being locked up for so long, I kind of started to think that good people didn’t exist anymore.
“For today, let’s focus on sitting up. Do you think you’re ready to try?”
“Yeah,” I whisper, even though I’m not ready at all.
“Okay. I’m going to come over and touch you, Diana. It’s just the two of us, okay? If something happens that’s painful, or you’re uncomfortable, you just let me know and we’ll stop.”
“I think I can manage that.”
I feel Sarah’s hands at my shoulders and back, and she carefully helps me to sit up. My eyes are still closed, but I don’t throw up, and the pain isn’t too terrible.
“Do you want to try opening your eyes?” She asks.
“Not yet.”
“Would some glasses help?”
“Yes, please.”
I feel her place something on my face, and I open my eyes. This time, the brightness doesn’t seem so bad. I see Sarah, and I smile. Her short red hair is bright and colorful, and it brings out her happy smile.
“How’s that?”
“Much better.”
“Good,” she lets go of me and begins to bustle around the room. “I’m the doctor here. Well, there are a few others from time to time, but I’m the one who’s always on the ship.”
“Where are the other doctors? I mean, when they aren’t on the ship.”
“Oh, here and there. Sometimes they’re off on missions. Sometimes they go acquire items on different planets. Sometimes they’re needed in battle. You never know, really.”
“How long have you been on this ship?” I ask. The medical room is clean and bright, and although I pride myself on keeping up with alien tech, the truth is that I really am an Earth girl at heart. Oh, I was taken to Mars long before Earth was destroyed, but my father and I didn’t stay there long. As soon as he saved up money for passage on a ship, we were off, and our treasure hunting days began.
This room is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I can’t begin to imagine what the different gadgets are for.
“A very long time,” Sarah says, and her voice sounds almost sad.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“It’s fine,” she says, looking over her shoulder at me. She flashes me a smile once more. “It’s a long story, and people don’t tend to ask too many questions about their doctor. I’m just not used to having anyone be curious. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around another human.”
“You’re human, too?”
“Can’t you tell by my awesome hair?” She asks, and we both giggle. “But in all seriousness, most people assume I’m Orchidian. My best friend, Blake, is. The two of us came on the ship at the same time.”
“Were you running away from something?”
“More or less,” she says. “He needed to get away from his family. I needed a fresh start, too. There’s not much more to it.”
“You’re lucky to have him,” I say. I wish I had someone, anyone, to go back to after this. The realization that I truly have nothing left is staggering, and it hurts. It shouldn’t be this painful, should it? The realization that my dad and I will never take another trip pains my soul.
“I am lucky,” Sarah says slowly. She comes over and begins to start checking the bandages on my legs. I’m wearing a sort of gown that ends mid-thigh. I don’t have panties on. Embarrassed, I quickly slam my legs closed. “Don’t worry about that,” Sarah looks up at me. “I’m a doctor, Diana. I’ve seen it all. Please, don’t let your modesty keep you from getting the care you need.”
I take a deep breath.
She’s right. I’m being silly. I nod, and carefully I relax my body.
“I’m just changing your bandages, okay? You had quite a few nasty cuts when they brought you in.”
“How long have I been here?” I ask quietly.
“Three days.”
“What?” I’m shocked. I thought she would say I’d only been here a few hours. “Was I asleep? Why don’t I remember?”
“You had a nightmare. You woke up screaming and couldn’t be calmed, so I sedated you while you healed.” She finishes taping a bandage and looks up at me. “Everything is going to be okay, Diana.”
“The man who brought me…”
“Max.”
“Has he…”
“Been to see you?”
I nod.
“He has tried,” Sarah smirks. “Every day he shows up here. Usually a few times a day, but I haven’t let anyone in to see you. There’s no need for that yet. You need time to heal and to recover. When you’re ready, you’re more than free to meet with the men who rescued you. They’re all really good guys. They won’t do anything to hurt you.”
“They seemed different.”
“Different?” She gives me a questioning look. “What do you mean?”
How do I say they didn’t try to hurt me? How do I say they seemed gentle? How do I say any of this without sounding completely crazy and weird?
As it turns out, I don’t have to say anything because the door to the room slides open and Max strides in. He looks different than I remember him. He seems bigger, if that’s possible, and he’s wearing some sort of uniform with the shiniest boots I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Hey!” Sarah turns around. “What the hell are you doing here? You know you can’t be here yet.”
“Are you okay?” He ignores Sarah completely. His eyes are fully focused on me. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah,” I say, but my words come out a whisper. Was he this big before? This intimidating? He’s so much bigger than the men who stole me, but he seems gentle, somehow. He seems kind.
Max isn’t the type of man who would hurt a woman. I can already tell.
“Max, you really need to leave.” Sarah steps forward and places her hand on his forearm. “She just woke up. She needs some time.”
“I’ll sit with her,” he says. Again, he doesn’t look at her. He just stares at me with those big, beautiful eyes.
Sarah sighs and looks at me. She seems to realize this is a battle she can’t win.
“Are you okay with that, Diana? Would you like Max here?”
“Yes,” I nod. “He can stay.”