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Grief consumed her. She howled until one of the Toths tightened the noose and choked off her cries."An extraordinary find," the Viis said. Although his voice was muffled by the hood, smug satisfaction registered in his tone. "This one will do very well. She'll bring a good price at market for Festival."
Stroking the golden one, who was trying to growl and cry at the same time, the Viis chuckled to himself. Stepping over the other infants, still squirming helplessly on the floor, he walked out into the street.
"Let her up," he called over his shoulder. "Stun her if she tries to follow."
The mother felt as though she had been shattered inside. She held herself still, defeated now, knowing that she had no choice in this theft, no recourse. But the Toths hurt her anyway as they stripped off the charged restraint ropes. She didn't rise, didn't try to regain her feet, but they beat her and kicked her until her pain was like fire, blazing around and through her body.
"Stupid Aaroun," one of the Toths mumbled. His wide, long tongue flicked up into one of his broad nostrils. "Always fight. Always lose."
The other one bellowed a laugh.
They stood over her a second more, as though expecting one last show of defiance from her, then at last lumbered toward the door. One of them clumsily kicked the infants aside, making them scream anew.
The mother tried to pick herself up, tried to crawl forward to the babies she had left. Although the bonding was new, it was so strong she felt as though they had torn part of her body away and stolen it.
"My golden one," she said, moaning as she dragged herself toward her tiny sons. They came to her, tottering and weak, seeking comfort.
But although they were soon pacified and settled, there was no one to comfort the mother, left bleeding and bereft on the floor, never to see her daughter again.
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10
h o m e • a l i e n s p e c i e s • e x c e r p t • a n e w u n i v e r s e • o r i g i n s • a r t