The next thing I notice is someone sitting down next to me. He leans against the tree, so damn close.

"Let's see what she gave you," Torsos calls out curiously. "Another proof of what an idiot Janera is." He sighs. "Poor girl, I thought you wouldn't notice any of this. Your mother can be quite a handful."

Now his voice sounds different. Much nicer.

"I hope for your sake that the old stuff has no side effects. It would be a shame."

"What's going on here, my big, strong, handsome, and clever ruler?" calls out a lovely female voice.

I recognize her voice! She was part of the radio broadcast! Kaia, as she called herself, warned Earth.

The next thing she says sounds more thoughtful. "This lady looks familiar to me somehow."

"I told you, I'm looking for an old acquaintance," he explains.

"Oh, now it all makes sense," the young woman exclaims. She sounds uncomfortable. "And I thought it was someone who knew about things back then. Somehow, I hoped she would be long dead."

"Cryosleep," Torsos replies. "Quite useful when you want to flee far, far away." He sighs. "I'm not mad at you. After all, you must have kept it a secret out of fear. I'm just disappointed in you."

"Weren't you crazy about this lady back in the day?" Kaia ponders. "I remember you always being around her and obediently listening to everything she said."

"Yes, back in the day. When my father was still alive and complained about how his son could fall in love with one of our slaves. But I also remember a sweet redhead who always did something to get my attention and whose jealous fits annoyed me even back then."

"Oh, those were the good old days!" Kaia reminisces.

"Believe me!" Torsos sighs. "My father was glad when Malgard wanted to buy her from him. The only thing Janera is good at is scheming. She even tried to get herself impregnated by me or my brother. She probably hoped to secure a better life that way. It hit me like a punch when I found out."

"Aw," comes from Kaia. "Poor girl." A small woman's hand pats my forehead.

"Say it, Janera isn't too bright!" shouts Torsos. "Everyone knows that stuff isn't a sleeping aid." He sighs loudly. "Maybe she'll cope better with the knowledge that her mother is a nasty snake, knowing that I'm separating the two of them!"

"And what are you going to do with them?"

"Don't try to talk me out of sending Janera to Tormahs!" Torsos declares. "That's what I prefer. You can take care of it first. With you, I can be sure she won't be let go out of pity. I trust her enough to influence my warriors to show Janera mercy."

"Poor little one." His voice carries genuine sympathy for me.

I can't think much at the moment. I need to process all the things I've learned.

"Not only is she losing her home, but she also found out that her real father is dead, as well as her brother, and that her mother can be a cold-hearted beast. Then I unknowingly said a few unpleasant things." His hand gently strokes my black hair. "Nothing against you, but I deeply hate your mother," he says to me. "It's tempting to have a young woman of my race lying before me. It stirs desires. Maybe I can persuade her into a compromise. What other choices does she have? Me, my brother, and maybe Logola, if he still lives on this planet. In any case, I can't leave her here. She doesn't belong on this planet."

Apparently, Logola is my uncle Anton.

Torsos stands up and brushes the dirt off his clothes. "I'll free the girl from this paralysis her mother caused and then take her to the station."

Suddenly, two strong men's arms lift my motionless body into the air. My head falls against Torsos' muscular chest.

Under normal circumstances, a moment akin to many dreams.

"Take Janera to Tormahs, but control yourself, Kaia," Torsos warns her.

"Spoilsport!" she shouts loudly.

I feel him start moving. He carefully carries me through the forest. It seems he has no trouble finding his way despite the darkness. Probably, he illuminates the surroundings without needing to hold anything, like a flashlight.

At the end of the path, it suddenly goes up a few steps. Once at the top, he sets me down on a cold, metallic surface. I feel a prick in my right arm, and then my whole body begins to tingle.

Torsos grabs my hand. "When you can move again, give me a quick squeeze," he instructs me. I obey, and it works. "With the old stuff, you never know. But apparently, it has a shelf life of over 200 years."

I don't quite understand the number, but I note it.

I open my eyes. Blurred, I perceive the outline of a man in fiery red clothing.

In his hand, Torsos holds a long object that he presses against my right arm.

He brings his face very close to mine. Now I can see something, but only two dark gray, almost black eyes looking at me kindly and challengingly.

"I'm curious to see how Malgard's daughter fares in an environment like the death zone."

I feel a slight prick where he presses the syringe.

"But don't worry, I'll watch over you. Now sleep, my dear."

As if on cue, I'm overcome by a sleepiness that pulls me into a dreamless slumber.

 ⭑*•̩̩͙⊱••••✩••••̩̩͙⊰•*⭑

This is the beginning of my story and the end of my utterly normal life. Unfortunately, not as hoped with a contract from a modeling agency.

Something about those two that night interested me. Maybe it was Kaia's lively nature or the moment the strong stranger carried me through the night.

Only one thing I can't believe is that my mother is really such a beast. Even when she told me she wanted to wipe out Torsos' entire family.

One thing is certain that night.

I don't want my mother to live another life as a slave. I could never bear that thought.

>>> Autohr Comment: <<<

Welcome to the start of my sci-fi story about a girl who suddenly has to find her way in an unfamiliar world.
Have fun. ^_^

I am considering whether to leave the title in German or choose an English title for it.
"Zeit" stands for "time". "Stürmen" for "storm/attack".