Project Gaia : The arrival of humanity

Chapter 28 : Humiliation

"A kid in an abusive home has far fewer rights than any POW. There is no Geneva Convention for kids."

- Andrew Vachss

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WARNING : This part of the story contains something that may not be appropriate for some readers.

Gaia, ????, ????. July 2nd 2038. 0550 Hours.

The clinking of chains echoed hauntingly through the crisp, quiet air as Karliana and Nuñez were led out of the damp confines of their prison. The early morning was still cloaked in pre-dawn darkness, save for a faint glow on the horizon hinting at the coming sunrise. Their steel shackles bit into their wrists and ankles, leaving faint impressions on their exposed skin, each step accompanied by the grating sound of metal scraping against itself.

Karliana's heart pounded in her chest, her breath visible in the freezing air. Stripped of her blanket-the only semblance of protection against the elements-she felt utterly exposed. The chill wrapped around her like an icy serpent, its fangs sinking deep into her flesh. Every step was agony, her bare feet battered by the rough mixture of dirt, gravel, and sand beneath them. She winced with each jagged pebble that dug into her soles, the pain a constant reminder of her vulnerability.

As they continued into the open, the cold struck her full force. She shivered violently, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. Around her, the alien equines moved with practiced precision, their stoic expressions offering no sympathy. The few villagers who had dared to remain in Whinnypool peeked out from behind shuttered windows and cracked doors, their wide, curious eyes locked onto the new captives. Karliana's cheeks flushed a deep cherry red, a volatile mix of humiliation and fury burning beneath her skin.

She hugged herself instinctively, her chains rattling as her arms brushed against her bound torso. She tried not to meet the gazes of the equine onlookers, their expressions varying from cautious curiosity to outright disdain. The whispers that followed her stung worse than the cold, though she couldn't understand a word. Her humiliation deepened with every step, and she glanced at Nuñez for reassurance.

He walked behind her, his expression frustratingly calm, as though he were merely observing a curious spectacle. His dark eyes flitted across the scene, taking in every detail-perhaps even too much. Karliana caught him stealing a glance at her bottom, and though she gritted her teeth in anger, she couldn't entirely blame him. It was hard to maintain dignity when completely exposed and vulnerable.

As the group trudged forward, Karliana's mind raced with possibilities. What do they want with us? The question lingered like a dark cloud. The worst scenarios played out in her head. She had read enough dark fantasy novels and manga to know what often happened to prisoners in such situations. Would they be paraded as trophies? Forced into labor? Or worse... enslaved for their amusement? The thought sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

Her instincts screamed at her to resist, to lash out, to do something-but she restrained herself. Surrounded by armed equines, many wielding weapons and wearing hardened armor, she knew any rebellion would be futile. The memory of their the strange energy blasts that had overwhelmed her and Nuñez during their capture-remained fresh and terrifying.

After what felt like an eternity, the small group approached their destination. The structure stood out against the sparse village landscape-a quaint wooden building, its exterior weathered by time. The peeling paint and crooked shingles reminded Karliana of an old garage she had once seen in rural Germany. A small, frosted window peeked out from the front, revealing faint hints of the interior.