Setting Fire to the Stars (a MM Sci-Fi Romance)

Chapter 16: Abduction

**(note: this chapter contains themes unsuitable for some readers including references of past self-harm, vomiting, and mentions of forced drug use. Please read at reader discretion.)**

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Lauren
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When I was a boy, I thought I knew what I wanted for my life. My plan was simple; graduate high school, go to a good college, and kiss my small town goodbye, even if that meant also having to leave my friends and family. What I hadn't counted on was the planet being invaded by aliens or falling—sorry, re-falling— for the very bully I had been trying to get away from. Whatever I imagined for my future, this had not been it.

Those thoughts spun through my mind as I awoke in darkness. At first, all I could see were several blurry dots of light hanging above my head like little fireflies.

Releasing a groan, I scrubbed my hands down my face, my whole body feeling sluggish as my head throbbed painfully. I blinked past the drug-induced-sleep, my mind hazy as though waking after downing a bottle of cheap wine. My fingers flexed atop a plush surface and I carefully lifted my pounding head to see that I was lying upon a soft mass of stark white furs draped over a comfortable mattress. A jolt of agony sprang in my abdomen, tearing my attention downward.

Forcing myself on my elbows, A jolt of agony sprang in my abdomen, tearing my attention downward. "Fucking fuck." Grazing the skin around my aching sides, I couldn't see clearly in this dimly lit room, but my intuition told me that my ribs were worse off than they were before. The hunters obviously didn't know the meaning of the word 'gentle'.

Creepy psycho assassin aliens: Zero out of ten.

Resolved to get a better look at my surroundings, I lost my breath while gazing up at the suspended spheres floating above my head. What I thought were fireflies were actually multicolor orbs of light. The spheres were about the size of my palm, suspended in the air like celestial will-o-wisps. I wasn't sure if they were somehow alive or just some weird flying techno-thingies. Whatever they were, the view they created was absolutely breathtaking. Spiraling in a synchronized symphony of floating stars, it was probably the n most ethereal sight I'd ever seen. Yet in the face of all this beauty, I had never been more alone in my entire life.

My legs shifted against unfamiliar fabric, forcing my eyes downward. I frowned at my appearance, my hair slightly damp with the cloying fragrance of roses on my skin. To my utter horror, someone had taken the liberty, not to mention the fucking audacity, to bathe me and change my clothes. A pearl-white silky shirt now replaced the sweater I'd worn earlier, the sleeves billowing over my for arms before cinching at my wrists and a pair of buttoned high-waisted matching pants donned my legs. I was barefoot, my sneakers nowhere in sight. Plucking at the shimmering material off my chest, I marveled at the smooth texture. Breathable and soft as silk, the cloth clung to my body like a second skin. These clothes might be the nicest I had ever worn, but my skin positively crawled at the thought of someone touching me, bathing me, while I was drugged.

A cold sensation raced down my spine, goosebumps raising the hairs along my nape, the icy mists slithering down my body. I brushed my fingers over the delicate skin of my upper thigh, covering the thin, white scars I knew hid there.

Calm down. You're okay, Lauren, you're fine. Fine.
I was fine.

After several minutes of repeating my mantra and carefully reconstructing my inner peace back together stitch by stitch, my head rose to observe the heavily furnished bedroom. The walls were a dusty pink color, accentuated by the decadent pastels of the lush blankets and fluffy pillows. Enormous sheer curtains cascaded down from the starry ceiling like geysers of silk, ranging from shades of magenta and light mauve to dark pomegranate red. The tapestry shimmered as though embroidered using millions of tiny diamonds. It was undeniably beautiful.