Life's Pursuit {Book 2}

Chapter 1: Beta

2 months earlier

There was a camera to the left, hanging up in the corner of the cell; another sat in the center of the ceiling. Both watched her every move.

Jennica had been relocated so many times that she no longer knew where she was being held. The last of the familiar faces disappeared after the final jury, where she was ruled away as dangerous. A criminal.

She never expected her life to become this, locked behind glass, a shock collar around her neck, as if she was some animal, some freak. Oveaus lied... or he did not foresee the outcome of her returning to Earth. It ruined her life, shattered the remaining human inside her heart. Maybe her brother felt the guilt, and that's why he hadn't spoken to her since her timely return.

Clawing at the collar, she winced at the light shock it left her fingers. She only wanted it loosened, but comfort was not what her captors were meant to provide.

Where is your magic now, Oveaus?

Her heart ached at the emptiness. She was lonely. She missed everyone, even those that had broken her heart. Even certain people she wished to avoid. She just wanted the presence of a being who had the slightest bit of compassion for her circumstance.

No mother, no father, no brother... Jennica felt about ready to snap.

WHOOSH

The automatic doors to the inaccessible spread open. Two people walked in, both men, and Jennica didn't notice her eyes had blurred behind gloss until she realized she couldn't make out their faces. One was considerably taller than the other and wore a tinted face shield.

"Don't mind the big lug, he thinks the disguise will help him look more convincing, but it really doesn't." The shorter one spoke, startling her with his abrupt tone. "I told him he didn't even need it."

She didn't respond.

"It helps me play the part, Stark, you know that." The face shield was lifted. My God...

"Thor!" He was here! Someone she knew and could trust... Thor was here. Jennica was so happy, she could have cried.

"My gosh, not so loud!" The man, Stark, responded with a sharp tap to his watch. No... not a watch. It was something. Something beyond her.

Thor met Jennica's eyes. His were apologetic, sorry that he couldn't have come sooner. All he could offer was a soft smile.

"H-How did you find me?" Jennica managed to breathe out through the collar, the metal ridges inside pressing against her esophagus painfully. "Are you here to get me out?"

"Essentially, yes." Stark replied, looking up. "Thor told us everything, so we won't waste time to explain your backstory, but we came to the conclusion that you needed to get out. A simple breach to the security system and a... somewhat forged permission slip from the Senate that you belong to us now is why we're here with a key."

Jennica gave a cautious glance up at the surrounding cameras. She gulped.

"Don't worry about those." Stark gave a few more taps to the device on his wrist. "They won't notice we're here as long as I have this baby."