Twenty-seven
**AURORA**
I felt the cold grip of darkness engulf me as I was pulled through the shadows, the world around me blurring into a haze.
Panic surged, and I fought against the hands that yanked me forward, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.
My surroundings shifted, and when the darkness finally receded, I found myself in a dimly lit chamber that felt alive with hostility.
Before me stood two aliens, their features sharp and angular under the flickering lights. One had bright green skin that shimmered like emeralds, while the other had deep blue skin, glowing as if wet. But it was the blue one that caught my attention—she looked oddly familiar.
“What do you want with me?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.
The green-skinned alien smirked, an unsettling grin stretching across her face. “You think you can just walk in here and turn things upside down? Boss us around?”
“Wait—” I started, but before I could finish, a hard slap cracked across my face, sending a shockwave of pain radiating through my skull.
The blue alien stepped closer, eyes narrowing, her tone dripping with disdain. “We know your type, human. You think you can charm your way through anything, don’t you?”
My cheeks burned as I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Who were these girls, and what have I ever done to them? I knew I hadn't seen them before in this place, but why did one of them look so familiar?
It was impossible because I hadn't been in contact with many aliens over the past few days, so I should be able to recall the ones I've been in contact with.
A sharp slap jolted me from my thoughts and I let out a loud cry. I was sure the handprint was visible on my cheeks.
“Why are you doing this?” I managed to say, trying to keep my composure. “I haven’t done anything to you!”
The green one laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. “You’re a kidnapper, a killer, and you think you’re better than I? Look at you, fighting for your life, and yet here you are, still trying to seduce the twins.”
A lump formed in my throat as they spat at my feet, an act so degrading that it left me momentarily speechless. A killer and a kidnapper? What the hell is going on here and since when did I do all these things?
“What are you talking about?” I whispered, feeling the weight of their accusations crush down on me.
“You’re worthless,” the blue alien said, her voice low and threatening. “Just a human girl thinking she can play with forces far beyond her understanding.”
The green alien stepped back, glancing at the blue one, the tension in the room thickening. “You think you can charm the overlords? You think you can seduce them?”
I frowned, how could they have known about that? If that's the case, then I wouldn't let them bully me for long again.
“Maybe not,” I admitted, my voice steady. “But I’m not going to let you intimidate me. If you think I’m just some helpless human, you’ve got another thing coming.”
The green alien narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed. “We’ll see how long that bravado lasts when you’re faced with real power.”
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife, and I could feel the weight of their words pressing down on me like a heavy stone.
The green-skinned alien leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. “We’ll be watching you closely, little human. Once you’ve established yourself in their hearts, one of us will reach out from the shadows and end your pathetic life.”
“What?” I gasped, the reality of their threat crashing over me like a tidal wave. “You can’t be serious!”
“Oh, we are,” the blue alien said, her tone cold and mocking. “It could happen at night while you sleep, or maybe when you’re simply walking down these corridors, unsuspecting. You’ll never see it coming.”
My heart raced as images flashed through my mind: a knife slicing through the darkness, betrayal lurking just behind me. “You’re insane,” I stammered, trying to hold onto some semblance of defiance. “I haven’t done anything to you!”
“Exactly,” the green one sneered. “And that’s the best part. You’ll be dead before the twins even arrive. Sure, we’ll be punished for it, but you won’t be around to witness the consequences.”
The gravity of their threat settled heavily in my stomach, a knot of fear tightening. They were serious. They meant to kill me, and the chilling thought sent a shiver down my spine. I could feel the panic rising, clawing at my throat, but I forced myself to stay calm. I had to think clearly.
With a sudden, sharp movement, they released me, and I stumbled backward, my instincts kicking in. I turned and ran, the cold, metallic floor beneath my feet echoing my frantic heartbeats.
The shadows of the chamber loomed around me, but I didn’t dare look back. I could feel their eyes on me, watching my every move like a predator stalking its prey.
As I dashed through the dimly lit corridors, I tried to calm my racing heart, but every sound sent adrenaline coursing through my veins.
The walls felt like they were closing in, and the oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe. I needed an escape, a way out of this nightmare.
Suddenly, the lights flickered overhead, plunging me into darkness. My heart raced faster, panic gripping me as I stumbled forward, trying to find my bearings. The absence of light made every sound seem amplified, and I felt completely vulnerable.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of movement. I turned around just as the lights came on again, however, the scene that greeted me made my breath catch in my throat as I saw Thane collapse to the ground, terror etched across his features.