Alien Humans

Three - Jasper

The food had been delivered a while after Calvin left and to Jasper it looked like simple scrambled eggs and biscuits. It had tasted fine, although the biscuits had been dry. He was thankful for the food and the ice cold water bottle that accompanied it. He didn't know how many people where on the ship. He didn't know how long until they would end up on the planet Calvin had called 'Glain'. And he didn't know how to open the door, nor did he think he actually wanted to.

He spent the hours after he finished the food fiddling with the puzzle toys even if they were simple. There was nothing else for him to do and Jasper hated being bored. There were no books, no games, nothing to ease his mind and he wasn't tired enough to sleep. The puzzle toys took an edge off the boredom and he was most the way through everything single puzzle in the toy chest when the door opened again.

Jasper expected it to be Clavin or Dr. Frost, but the guy that towered in the doorway was neither. He was clearly taller than the other two had been as he had to duck considerably to enter through the door. His hair was past his shoulders and pitch black, his eyes a shocking sparkly purple. He was built like he could lift a couple elephants with ease, his black shirt tight on his biceps and torso. He wore long khaki cargo pants and several shiny and thick bracelets on his left wrist, each with various symbols. He had an air of importance and power surrounding him and Jasper concluded that he had to be the commander.

He watched Jasper with cold eyes and took a deep breath before making room on the toy-riddled floor to sit beside Jasper. "I'm Commander Atrius Ares," he started, his voice like a deep sexual god. It was like honey to Jasper's ears and he didn't understand the heat that flamed his skin and traveled down. "I watched the recording of Calvin's discussion with you and I want to apologize for his outburst."

Jasper couldn't speak. His mouth was dry and his throat clammed up. His gaze traveled the commanders body and a part of him was terrified of the very powerful man beside him. His brain could recognize like he was like the deer watching the tiger as it stalked it. Atrius's coyote-shaped ears were black like his hair and the sturdy tail that wrapped into his lap was covered in what appeared to be soft, plush black fur. Jasper didn't understand the feelings he felt just sitting beside this man.

"Can you tell me your name? Neither of my crew that you've met ever thought to ask," he gazed at Jasper with softened eyes. He asked something so simple to Jasper, but something in the man's voice sounded like he was asking for a lot more than just a name.

"Jasper," he managed to say.

"Nice to meet you, Jasper," Atrius replied and hearing his name come from the giant man made Jasper melt. He didn't understand it. A part of him was terrified of this man that could easily snap his neck, but another part of him was wanting more than he was willing to admit and the images flashing intrusively into his mind were not appropriate for a situation like this.

"Calvin explained a little to you right?" Atrius asked and Jasper nodded. "Well, the other things you need to know is that due to the program by which we took you, you have a right to decide whether you want to stay with us or chose a . . . Different path,"

"Different path?" Jasper asked, noticing the change in Atrius' voice.

"Yes, a . . ." He gazed into Jasper's eyes and Jasper was mesmerized by how his purple irises seemed to sparkle and swirl. "A pet life. He explained to you that your humankind has been adapted into the pet trade outside of ours and your galaxy. While my kind is protected by the Eotkar, your kind has no such protections in place. You don't have to stay with my crew, but the only other choice that ensures you keep your life would be to . . . Go into the pet trade."

Atrius spoke slowly as if he was trying to keep his words profession and not personal. Jasper thought he could understand slightly why there was a hint of disgust in the man's voice. Who in their right mind would agree to be a pet to some otherworldly being that may or may not even be pleasant to look at. He couldn't even grasp onto the fact that these guys were aliens or that he was traveling through space in a spaceship. He was supposed to be settling into his apartment with his girlfriend and starting his next year of college, but he wasn't.