Trigger warning: This may contain themes that may be triggering for some, such as assault. If you're not comfortable reading that, feel free to stop here or skip ahead.
After separating from Smoke, I hurried to Mr. Ark's house. He was waiting at the front door, and when he saw me, he frowned deeply but still opened the door for me.
"Let's talk inside," he said, his voice reeking of annoyance. I wondered what was wrong. Once I stepped inside, he slammed the door behind me, causing me to flinch and turn to look at him. I expected him to look angry, but at that moment, he was smiling. Didn't he want me to hurry home because he had somewhere to be? Why isn't he leaving?
"I know you've heard of Soundwaves. It's the only music production company on our continent."I nodded and said, "Yes, I've heard of them."
Even though he was smiling, the mood still felt heavy, so I kept my distance.
"Well, they want to meet you. I sent a recording of you singing, and they were impressed."
When did he record me? I don't remember seeing any equipment... No, that doesn't matter right now. What's important is—
"Really? They think I have potential?"
"Of course they do. Not many have a talent like yours."
I started to relax. Maybe he just seemed annoyed because I took my time coming home...
"And... though beauty isn't rare on Infaniya, yours is extraordinary."
I was shocked by the compliment. I had never thought of myself as beautiful. No one had ever said that to me... Though... that would explain how I captured Smoke's attention with just light conversation.
"They'd be idiots not to sponsor you."
I hugged Mr. Ark."Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me... I was so worried about my future, but this is a real relief."I should have a home of my own soon and a fulfilling career. My life is going to be so much better!
Qon hugged me back, but his hands rested on my lower back, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable, so I pulled away. He only gripped me tighter.
"It's my pleasure," he mumbled.
I looked up at his face and glared."What are you doing? Please, let me go..."
"Why should I? This is my house... YOU need ME... It's about time you showed me some gratitude. Your family has abandoned you, and you know that if you get on my bad side, you'll never make it in the music industry... Heck, I can even cancel your shelter assignment. Plus... you said you wanted to pay me back... Don't act like you don't know what I want..."
His statement terrified me but also caused me to pause in my struggle because... he was right. Right now, I can't do anything without him. Even my performance at the graduation—if he calls it off, no one would even notice. Only we know about it... and he has enough political power to ruin my life.
"Shouldn't you be more eager to give it to me?"
I managed to yank myself from him and back away."What do you want?" I asked.
His eyes began glowing, a clear sign of excitement."I just want to have a chat. That should be fine, right?"
He turned the lights on, making the glowing less noticeable, then walked past me, gesturing for me to follow. I did so reluctantly. He sat on the couch, patting the seat beside him, so I sat as commanded. He then turned on his TV.
Not many Infaniyans have TVs because most of them were alive before they were invented and don't see a need. There are also only about 100 locally-made movies and 20 ongoing series; the rest are sourced from Earth. The show playing now was a horror movie from Earth.
He was silent for a while, so I tried to watch, but I screamed out loud when the first murder happened. I'm used to seeing violence, but not death; humans are so fragile, and seeing their lives snuffed out after just one stab breaks my heart. Even though the victim was already dead, the attacker kept cutting into them, blood gushing everywhere, and I cringed each time. I had to close my eyes.
To my alarm, Mr. Ark put his arm around my shoulder, then pulled me against him."It looks so real, isn't it wonderful?"
I prefer older movies that look fake; I can't take this high-definition stuff, but I decided not to admit that."Yeah..." That was all I managed to say. But I would only describe the scenes on the screen as tragic or horrific...
"Aww, Snowe, are you scared? Don't worry... you're safe with me."
His words didn't reassure me.
The movie transitioned to another scene. It was wholesome: a family that cared for each other—something I never had. I wanted them to stay happy and safe, but this genre has me worried.
"You know... Infaniyans can die just as easily—if you slit their throat, pierce their heart, or decapitate them. Even our people can't recover from wounds like that."
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.I wanted to move away from him, but something was keeping me frozen in place. Fear.
"It's something you need to be aware of. You're not invincible—especially an Infaniyan like you, who barely passed combat training and whose power is merely decorative."
I swallowed hard.
"Now... what was taking you so long to get here? I finished all my work, and still, you kept me waiting."
"I walked home. I didn't want my friends to know I was staying here," I answered.
He hummed, then said,"Friends? Why wait for them? Why walk when you can fly? That sounds completely ridiculous unless... You're not just friends."
I don't know what we are. "Friends" seemed like the most appropriate answer. But it's true—walking takes 30 minutes, while Smoke can teleport, and I can fly. We took the slow route to spend more time with one another. Every day for two weeks, Smoke has been walking me home. At first, it was with Ibij, but now it's just him. I didn't realize how inconvenient that was for him until Ark pointed it out. My home isn't anywhere near the palace.
"I... We're not together yet," I stated defensively, hanging my head.
I feel like I'm lying. Smoke hasn't said anything, but the public shows of affection and the effort he's shown me prove he doesn't see me as just a friend. Still, my instincts are telling me I should lie with all my might right now.
"Good... You can't date anyone right now."
I gasped.
"Why not?!"
His fingers turned into a blade and pressed against my throat.Oh yeah... I forgot, Mr. Ark controls metals. He always has jewelry on, and his living room is full of shiny metallic items.
"Because I said so," he said, voice low and sharp. "You need a place to stay. You want a future in music. That means you follow my rules."
My heart raced—but not like it does when I'm near the guy I like. I'm scared. How did I end up in this situation?
"Raise your chin."
His fingers pressed closer, and I reflexively did as told to avoid the pain. That's when he kissed me—not affectionately, not like Smoke ever had, but like he was trying to own me. I jerked back a little when his tongue entered my mouth, but then I felt the sharp blade against my neck, blood trickling down. I would be badly injured with the slightest movement, so I froze in place.
It was 10 seconds later when he removed his disgusting mouth from mine. I know it was only 10 seconds because I counted to distract myself, but it felt much longer. My stomach turned. I felt every part of me screaming to get away, but I couldn't. Not with the knife at my neck. Not yet.
He removed his arm from my shoulder, and I moved away, finally, and curled up in the corner of the couch."I won't object if the person you're with is me, though," he offered, and I felt repulsed.
"Oh, don't make that face. I'm quite the catch, seeing as I'm the only one who can help you pursue your dreams. I'm better than anyone you could possibly be seeing."
There are only 10 million Infaniyans on the whole planet. Since we have such long lives, no one feels driven to reproduce, and families stay small. The fact that the population is so small means it's easy to have tight connections in certain industries. If Qon Ark decides he doesn't like me, I won't be able to work anywhere on the planet.
"I... promised to see a movie with my friend this weekend," I admitted.
"Then text them and say you can't come," he said without hesitation. "Now."He stared at me, and our eyes met. Then he repeated,"Now," in a sterner voice.
I pulled out my phone and began messaging Smoke. As I was typing out the forced cancellation of our date, a tear rolled down my cheek, and hitting send nearly broke my heart.
"Oh... Smoke was who you were seeing. You've got some high standards."
Smoke replied,"Why not? What's wrong?"
My hand trembled as I held my phone, staring at it, wishing I could just tell him everything, but Ark was watching me, not even a foot away.
"He seems disappointed. He must really like you," Ark commented as the messages kept pouring in.
Smoke:"I can tell something's wrong. Do you need me to come get you? Where are you?"
Does he really know me that well? That my canceling a date is a clear sign of danger? Are my feelings so obvious that he knows I'd never willingly give up the chance to spend time with him?
"Put the phone down," Ark whispered directly into my ear.
I did as told... Later, I'll explain everything to Smoke. I'll have to give up on music, but no one is stronger than him, and he has political power. I just need to wait till I'm alone.
Ark grabbed my wrists and held them above my head. I tried to pull away, but I couldn't move. I then realized he'd turned his watch and rings into bindings. No matter what I did, I couldn't pull my hands apart, and the metal had hooked deeply into the couch.
Ark pulled my shirt up over my head and left it against the metal on my wrists.
"What are you doing?" I asked as he scanned over me.Then he said,"Whoo... you are blessed!"
I feel cursed right now.
"Please... just let me go."
Qon sighed, then held up his fingers and twisted them. His necklace and part of the metal vase on his table swirled into his hand, forming a sphere. He then forced the sphere into my mouth.
"You know, Smoke is simple. He'll never doubt his senses. He can already sense you're lying for me, and he'll definitely smell me on you."I tried to yell, but only a quiet, muffled sound came out."We've been spending a lot of time together. All the evidence is stacked against you," he stated while pulling my underwear down from under my skirt. "I'm telling you this to help you, so you won't try anything stupid."
I closed my legs, feeling naked, but he shoved them back apart, dislocating my right one. I couldn't even scream.
Tears came out, but I knew no one cared if I cried. No one was coming. No one even knew I was here.
Qon wiped my tears and shushed me with mock affection. I shut my eyes, trying to dissociate from the nightmare unfolding.
No, this is my first time. I at least wanted to enjoy it. I don't want to be here! I need to run! I have to escape!That's what I was thinking when everything went black.
I thought I passed out from pain and fear, but then I hit the ground in an unfamiliar place. The impact knocked the orb out of my mouth, but my hands were still bound.
I looked around frantically. There were green trees around me... and the sun was setting. I was surrounded by wildflowers and grass... A singular sun. Green plants. I must be on Earth.
Leaves on Infaniya have a blueish-green tint, and we have three suns. I somehow teleported to Earth!
I struggled to sit up so I could look around. I could see a house not too far from me, but... should I call for help?
The best thing I can do is try to look like a local. I powered down, pushing my affinity with snow into my core to change my looks. My hair turned to the black it once was, and my eyes a pale blue.
Okay... I look human. So now I just need the people that live here to be the sympathetic sort, who don't ask a lot of questions.