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Karia woke to a head splitting headache. It pulsed like it was a life unto itself. She opened her eyes slowly, taking in her environment. She was no longer in the room previously given to her. This one looked like a hospital room from Earth and much warmer. She sat up, and was astonished to find she was not alone. Torin sat in a non-remarkable chair midway in the room. He gave her the three-legged dog look.

“Why am I here?” Her voice croaked as she spoke and rose from the bed. She grabbed her own throat and massaged it. It felt as if her throat were raw from screaming.

“What do you remember?” Torin spoke low but she heard him clearly.

“Well, I—” She paused, trying to call up her last memories. Torin in a room. A woman. Slave? “Something about you selling me into slavery. It made me very angry.”

“Do you remember what happened in your quarters?”

‘Did we— Did I—” She paused again, horrified. Did she get drunk and sleep with this man. Was that what he was alluding to?

He laughed not at her, but obviously at her words. “There were no relations between us, little one. I am referring to you attacking me.”

“You’re crazy! Me attack you? That would be suicide for me.” She laughed then grabbed her throat at the rawness.

“I believe the soreness in your throat comes from the growling you exhibited at me.” He stood now but paced widely around her bed slowly. “There is something about you, Karia, that needs answering. You keep secrets. I believe you harbor secrets even you don’t know about. I am afraid your behavior has warranted that you be kept away from the general population of my Home. Your friend will join you as soon as she is well enough, right now she poses no threat because she still has quite a bit of healing to do.”

“Threat? You consider me a threat? But I’ve never hurt anyone.” Karia teared up. Was this some sort of set up? “Why are you doing this to me?”

Torin continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “When I have a guest in my home who is a stranger, such as yourself, they are closely monitored. You were being watched. Any private acts such as bathing or dressing were not recorded, the servants see to that. However, I have something for you to watch.” He pushed a button on a small device that his hand had hidden. A projection appeared on the white walls. Karia watched, fascinated. Then her fascination turned to horror. Her horror turned to nausea.”

“I’m going to be sick.” she whispered, as the sight of her—so feral—burned into her mind. “That can’t be me.” she squeaked to herself, grabbing her stomach and slumping with her back against the end of the bed.

“I believe you harbor secrets, Karia. Secrets that may have a lot to do with why the Gaurans have changed.” Torin paced in the other direction around the bed. “The black line on the floor is for your protection, do not try to cross it. If you do, you will suffer severe burns.” He paused and waited for her reaction.

“My father…” She choked, thinking of him.

“What about him?” Torin questioned.

When she refused to answer, he bent to her level and saw the tears pouring from her eyes. She was scared. Whatever was wrong with her she had no idea. He tried to see things as she would. His parents taught him that. See things in another’s view. She had been attacked, her friends and possibly family, all killed. A strange planet with strange people. And now this. He believed anyone would reach a breaking point.

She cried so hard her body shook. He cursed at himself and his weakness for her, with a push of his master key, he deactivated the detainment field around her bed and crossed over to hold her. She was not a monster, she was lost. He held her tiny frame while she cried. He kissed the top of her curly soft head and felt her hands clutch at him like he was her lifeline. He liked it. He liked touching her. He didn’t care that she had Gauran genes in her. He didn’t even know her, yet he knew whatever happened to her didn’t change her baser self. He lifted her wet face and, with one of his hands, wiped the tears away. She sniffled as if a child would, and then lowered her head in shame.

“You’ve nothing to be ashamed of, little human. It seemed this thing was done to you without your knowledge. We will find out what and why it was done.”

But Karia already knew. She knew with every fiber of her being, who had done this thing to her.