Chapter 3 Three

Warm, humane hands gently held Casina as a lukewarm liquid caressed her stinging members. Too insensible to comprehend or care what was happening to her, she shivered uncontrollably as unfamiliar voices faded in and out around her, vaguely penetrating her subconscious. Strong hands handled her, but she was physically unable to ward them off. She felt herself rising and falling simultaneously. It was a confusing feeling, one that made her dizzy and warm all at the same time.

Still, the liquid caressing her felt so good, and the hypothermic needles of pain were slowly subsiding to a more tolerable state.

Later she was to recall a sharp pain in her head and then at her wrist that made her cry out. Feverish, she struck out blindly as a strange steaming drink was then poured carefully, yet insistently down her throat. She made a feeble effort at resistance but soon felt herself falling again, falling until she was no longer aware of anything.

* * * *

She awoke to a brightly lit room. Lifting a hand against the light, she blinked, taking a moment to adjust her eyes.

She glanced at the sparse furnishings, then slowly sat up when she observed the large round port hole on the wall beside her, spaced about a foot from the bunk. Slowly she pulled herself up by the ledge to peer out the thick glass.

A strangled gasp tore from her lips as she took in the view. Biting back a curse, she curled an angry fist against the glass, her stomach knotting in agitation.

"No. No!" she groaned as she observed the wondrous, intricate patterns of glistening stars, whirling spheres, and mysterious orbs suspended seemingly motionless outside the port hole. "This can't be happening!" Faith, was she in outer space...on a...a...spaceship?

She fell back onto the bunk and threw a forearm over her face. God, she pleaded silently. Let this be nothing more than a bad dream. Frightened, heartfelt sobs overtook her, as tears sprang forth and streamed down her face. She pounded the padded bunk in fury, wondering what was to become of her now. "Please, God, no..." she murmured. After all she had been through and now...this.

Casina cried herself to sleep. When she awoke, she sensed a presence behind her. Turning over, away from the wall, she gasped in alarm at sight of the man standing near her. She knew he was an alien. He was of darker-than-average hair and skin color and stood taller than any man she had ever seen. He wore a forest green tunic and leggings, and his long, graying hair was drawn back in a queue.

She hurriedly yanked the unfamiliar white gown she was wearing down over her knees, as she drew them closer against her. Sitting up, she hastily scooted across the bunk to the corner at the head end, wanting to get as far away from the alien as she could.

"Who are you? What do you want?" she demanded, fearful under his intense scrutiny. "Go away and leave me alone." She waved a hand to shoo him away.

But he didn't go. He just stood there with arms crossed, studying her reaction to him, his dark eyes intense in their perusal.

When he remained silent and moved closer, she edged off the bunk to crouch down in the corner, near the port hole. Wide-eyed, she watched him with uncertainty, shaking with terror at being in such close proximity to an extraterrestrial being.

"What is it you want?" she demanded with trepidation, as she looked him over. "Why did you bring me here?"

As if enjoying her discomfiture, he inched even closer. She instantly recoiled from him but found herself trapped against the wall.

"Please," she begged, cringing as she buried her face in the corner. "Don't...hurt me."

At this, she sensed an immediate change in him. Curious, she sneaked a peek up at him, surprised now by his troubled expression. A frown graced his lips as he studied her. After a moment, he sighed.

"Forgive me," he began, in a deep, slightly-accented voice. "You don't need to be afraid. I am a...physician. I am called Paxis."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You...speak...English?" He gave a slight nod and stepped back.

"I only came to check on you. To see if you needed anything."

She blinked in disbelief but gave him her full attention then. Her fear slowly waned as she considered his sincerity.

"How about a ticket home?"

At this, the corner of his mouth curled with humor.

"I am afraid that is not possible."

"And why not?"

"Kaanig Altair would not allow it."

"Who is that?"

The man's demeanor quickly changed to one of wariness. She sensed uncertainty in him as he considered whether he should answer the question. As he did, he came around to where she was hugging the wall. Not sure of his intentions, she huddled in the corner, knowing she had no time to escape across the bunk.

Meeting her frightened gaze, he slowly reached down to draw her to her feet, which she allowed him. Then he gently took her arm so he could examine her wrist. Only then did she notice the strange mark in it. She choked back her outrage at sight of it, at this desecration of her body, then tried to free her arm from his grasp.

"What is...What is that? How did that...get there?" He abruptly released her.

"Another will answer your questions," he said. "I only came to see if the implants were causing any pain. If they were bothering you." They?

"Does this one bother you?"

She angrily snatched her hand away, drawing her wrist up to examine the queer, blue, diamondshaped 'thing' the aliens had put there. Panicking at sight of it, she struggled to breathe.

"No," she said at length, trying to calm her racing heart as short gasps of air escaped her. "It's okay. I didn't even know it was there until now. What's it for?"

But again, he ignored her question. "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Passage home!"

He snorted at her insistence, returned to the other side of the bunk, and headed for the door. "I will bring you some sustenance," was all he said as he exited the room.

Frustrated, she stared after him with uncertainty before turning to lean against the port hole, wishing she had gotten some answers. The fact that she was under another doctor's care was disheartening. Swallowing, she blinked back more tears as she considered that perhaps everyone did think she was nuts. And as she considered the strange mark, she wondered if she was now someone's slave or possession. That alone frightened her.