Riv's Sanctuary: A Sci-fi Alien Romance, A.G. Wilde [phonics reading books TXT] 📗

to make it out properly. She could only see flat dark roofs and cream-colored walls.

Around the property, there was a barrier of some kind. The light bent off it like it was hitting plastic or glass. Behind the barrier she could see more of the fat hippo-like animals she’d seen earlier and, as they got closer, several more of the animals came into view. There were so many of them standing lazily and grazing in the tall grass that it was obvious what they were approaching.

It was a farm.

The closer they got, the more detailed the scene became.

It wasn’t one building she’d seen either. It was a network of buildings and between and around them stood tall trees, their flat, pink, lily pad-like leaves in bunches across their branches. The pink leaves were the same color as the sky and it made for a beautiful view.

Box-like metal droids were in one section cutting the tall grass and making hay bales and she could hear the sound of whirring as their razors hit the orange blades of grass.

The entire farm looked like a haven in the middle of nowhere.

“Is that…”

Was that Riv’s Sanctuary?

“Riv’s Sanctuary,” Geblit confirmed.

Just staring ahead, she could sense her anxiety slowly going away. How could someone who was not nice live in a place like this? She was pretty sure being mellow and good was a requirement to live in a place so…wholesome.

“So, it’s a farm?” she asked.

Geblit made a sound in his throat as if he was thinking. “Yes, and a place where animals go to live out the rest of their days.”

She guessed she fell in that category. “So, it’s a rescue, then.”

Geblit glanced at her, his four eyes blinking and she guessed he didn’t understand what she was trying to say.

Didn’t matter.

It this was a rescue for animals then it had to be a good place. If this person took care of animals, there was no way he was a dick.

As they drew closer, more and more sections of the sanctuary came into view. There were other animals all sectioned around the property. She could count at least five different types, all in enclosures eating and frolicking happily. She couldn’t make out what most of them looked like but, even from the distance, it was clear the animals weren’t stressed or anxious.

So, good person? Check.

Nice person? Hmm…maybe check?

Being good and nice were two distinct things but when it came to this Riv, she’d go with good over nice.

She didn’t need niceness. Goodness was more important.

From the look of the sanctuary as well, she’d probably enjoy living there.

She’d never done farm work before, but she could learn. If she was going to make the most of this, then she would learn.

The last thing she wanted was to get tossed around to different “owners” like she was some sort of unwanted property. Chances were that she would end up with someone horrible who used her for exactly what Geblit had told her most aliens thought humans were good for…sex.

And that was off the table.

She could only hope that her luck hadn’t run out and this third “owner” wasn’t the one who would try to have his way with her.

As the hovercar slowed and finally came to a stop in front of the barrier to the farm, Geblit cut the engine, his eyes darting around the animal enclosures on the other side.

“We’re here.” His eyes moved to hers for just a second and that uneasy feeling returned.

“Ok. So, now what?”

Geblit turned to her, his eyes blinking once.

“Now, you hide.”

5

There was little time to respond as Geblit unceremoniously reached over, pushed her head into the box, and closed the lid.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Hush! Be quiet. He cannot see you.”

“What?” Pushing against the lid of the box was doing nothing. It wouldn’t budge. Whatever locking mechanism Geblit had engaged was doing its job. “Isn’t the whole point of this for me to stay at this farm? Don’t you think this Riv will be suspicious if you lock me away like you’re hiding something?”

She could hear Geblit shuffling as he exited the hovercar.

“Hey!”

Was he hiding something? It sure as hell seemed like it.

The thought made her back stiffen.

Spinning around in the box, there were two slits in the side where she could just about see the barrier to the farm.

“Geblit!” Her whisper was harsh and she didn’t even know why she was whispering but the prickling of the hairs standing on her arms and the general feel of the situation had her leaning on caution.

Something wasn’t right.

Well, that had been evident from before but now that she was right at the actual handoff, the feeling was rising all across her back like a shadow monster about to devour her.

“Geblit!”

“Hush and keep still. I cannot risk for Riv to see your hideous form and deny you entry. Raxu knows you might be the most hideous creature to be placed on his farm.”

This little…

Lauren narrowed her eyes so hard, her vision became two dark slits.

“This again…”

“Yes!” Now it was Geblit who was whispering harshly. “I cannot afford for him to say no. Cargga will be most displeased if I return with you.”

With that, she heard more shuffling before Geblit came into view outside the hovercar and by the farm’s barrier.

The barrier itself looked like charged particles; it wasn’t actually solid. She couldn’t describe it but she got the distinct impression it would hurt like a motherfucker if Geblit tried to walk through.

She almost wished he did.

If he could put like just a finger through, so he could feel some pain.

She didn’t like him right now.

There was a metal panel on a pole close by with what looked like buttons on it and Geblit walked right up to the panel, his balloon at the back of his head pulsing as he punched in a code.

All four of his eyes darted to the box as he waited and, kneeling now so she could peer through the little slits better, Lauren felt her