Chapter 5

Trigger warning: This may contain themes that may trigger some, such as assault. If you're not comfortable reading that feel free to stop here or skip ahead.

After Smoke and I separated I hurried to Mr. Ark's home. He was waiting at the door and when he saw me he frowned but still opened the door for me.

"Let's talk inside." He said, he clearly seemed annoyed. I wonder what's wrong. I stepped inside, and he slammed the door behind me causing me to flinch, and turned to look at him; I expected him to look angry but he was smiling. Didn't he want me to hurry home because he had somewhere to be? Why isn't he leaving? "I know you've heard of Soundwaves, it is the only music production company on our continent." I nodded and said,

"Yes, I've heard of them." Even though he was smiling the mood still felt heavy so I kept my distance.

"Well, they want to meet you, I sent a recording of you singing and they were impressed." When did he record me? I don't remember seeing any equipment... No that doesn't matter right now, what's important is,

"Really? They think I have potential?"

"Of course they do. Not many have a talent like yours." I started to relax, maybe he just seemed annoyed because I took my time coming home... "And... though beauty isn't rare on Infaniya, yours is extraordinary." I was shocked by the compliment, I had never thought of myself as beautiful, no one has ever said that to me... Though... that would explain how I captured Smoke's attention with just light conversations. "They'd be idiots not to sponsor you." I hugged Mr. Ark.

"Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me... I... was so worried about my future but this is a real relief." He hugged me back but his hands rested on my hips which made me feel a bit uncomfortable so I pulled away, he only gripped me tighter.

"It's my pleasure." He mumbled I looked up at his face and glared.

"What are you doing let me go..."

"Why should I? This is my house... YOU need ME... your family has abandoned you and you know that if you get on my bad side you'll never make it in the music industry... You said you wanted to pay me back... It's about time you showed me some gratitude" His statement sent chills down my spine but also caused me to pause in my struggle because... he was right. Right now I can't do anything without him. Even my performance at the graduation, if he calls it off no one would even notice. "Shouldn't you be more eager to pay me back?" I managed to yank myself from him and back away, down the hall.

"What do you want?" I asked. His eyes began glowing, a clear sign of excitement.

"I just want to have a chat. That should be fine, right?" He turned the lights on making the glowing less noticeable then walked past me, gesturing for me to follow. I did so reluctantly. He sat on the couch, patting the seat beside him, so I sat down. He then turned on his TV. Not many Infaniyans have TVs, because most of them were alive before they were invented and don't see a need, there are also only about 100 locally-made movies and 20 ongoing series, the rest are sourced from Earth. The show playing now was a horror movie from Earth. He was silent for a while so I tried to watch but I screamed out loud when the first murder happened. I'm used to seeing violence but not death, humans are so fragile, and seeing their lives snuffed out after just one stab, breaks my heart. Even though the victim was already dead the attacker kept cutting into them and I cringed each time, I had to close my eyes. Mr. Ark put his arm around my shoulder and then he pulled me against him.

"It looks so real, isn't it wonderful?" I prefer older movies that look obviously fake, I can't take this high-definition stuff but I decided not to admit that,

"Yeah..." That was all I managed to say. But I would only describe the scenes on the screen as tragic or horrific...

"Aww, Snowe are you scared? Don't worry... you're safe with me." His words didn't reassure me. The movie transitioned to another scene, it was wholesome, a family that cared for each other, something I never had. I wanted them to stay happy and safe but this genre has me worried. "You know... Infaniyans can die just as easily, if you slit their throat, pierce their heart, or decapitate them. Even our people can't recover from wounds like that."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, I wanted to move away from him but something was keeping me frozen in place. fear.

"It's something you need to be aware of, you're not invincible, especially an Infaniyan like you, who barely passed combat training and power is merely decorative." I swallowed hard, "Now... what was taking you so long to get here? I finished all my work and still you kept me waiting."

"I walked home, I didn't want my friends to know I was staying here," I answered, he hummed then said

"Friends? Why wait for them? Why walk when you can fly? That sounds completely ridiculous unless... You're not just friends." I don't know what we are, "friends" seemed like the most appropriate answer but it's true, walking takes 30 minutes, while Smoke can teleport and I can fly, we took the slow route in order to spend more time with each other. Every day for 2 weeks Smoke has been walking me home at first it was with Ibij, but now it's just him. I didn't realize how inconvenient that was for him till Ark pointed it out. My home isn't anywhere near the palace.

"I... We're not together yet." I stated defensively, hanging my head. I feel like I'm lying, Smoke hasn't said anything, but the public shows of affection, and the effort he's been showing me prove he doesn't see me as just a friend. Still, my instincts are telling me I should lie with all my might right now.

"Good... you can't date anyone right now." I gasped,

"Why not?!" his fingers turned into a blade and pressed against my throat. Oh yeah... Mr. Ark controls metals. he always has on jewelry and his living room is full of shiny metallic items.

"Because I said so... you should focus on your career and you need somewhere to stay... So follow my rules." My heart raced, but not like it does when I'm near the guy I like, I'm scared. How did I end up in this situation? "Raise your chin," His fingers pressed closer and I reflexively did as told to avoid the pain. That's when he kissed me, much deeper and with more hunger than Smoke has done. I tried to move away when his tongue entered my mouth but I felt the sharp blade, then the blood trickling down my neck and I froze into place. It was 10 seconds later when he removed his disgusting mouth from mine, I know it was only 10 seconds because I counted to distract myself but it felt longer than that. He removed his arm from my shoulder and I moved away and curled up in the corner of the couch. "I won't object if the person you're with is me, though." He offered and I felt repulsed. "Oh don't make that face, I'm quite the catch seeing as I'm the only one who can help you pursue your dreams. I'm better than anyone you could possibly be seeing." There are only 10 million Infaniyans on the whole planet, since we have such long lives, no one feels driven to reproduce, and families stay small. The fact that the population is so small means that it's easy to have tight connections in certain industries. If Qon Ark decides he doesn't like me, I won't be able to work anywhere on the planet.

"I... promised to see a movie with my friend this weekend," I admitted.

"Then text them and say you can't come." He said that without hesitation "Now." He stared at me and our eyes met then he repeated "Now," In a sterner voice. I pulled out my phone and began messaging Smoke, as I was typing out the forced cancellation of our date a tear rolled down my cheek, and hitting send nearly broke my heart. "Oh... Smoke was who you were seeing. You've got some high standards." Smoke replied saying,

"Why not? What's wrong?" My hand trembled as I held my phone staring at it, wishing I could just tell him everything but Ark was watching me, not even a foot away.

"He seems disappointed. He must really like you." Ark commented as the messages kept pouring in.

Smoke: "I can tell something's wrong, do you need me to come get you? Where are you?"

Does he really know me that well that me telling him I can't come on a date is a clear sign of danger... Are my feelings so obvious that he knows I'd never willingly give up the chance to spend time with him?

"Put the phone down," Ark whispered directly into my ear. I did as told... Maybe I can explain to Smoke later... I'll have to give up on music but no one is stronger than him, and he has political power. I just need to wait till I'm alone. Ark grabbed my wrists and held them above my head. I tried to pull away but I couldn't move. I then realized he'd turned his watch and rings into bindings, No matter what I did I couldn't pull my hands apart, and the metal had hooked deeply into the couch. Ark pulled my shirt up over my head and left it against the metal on my wrist.

"What are you doing?" I asked as he scanned over me, then he said,

"Whoo... you really are blessed." I feel cursed right now.

"Please... just let me go." Qon sighed then held his fingers up and twisted his fingers, his necklace and part of the metal vase on his table swirled into his hand forming a sphere. He then forced the sphere into my mouth.

"You know Smoke is simple, he'll never doubt his senses, he can already sense you're lying for me and he'll definitely smell me on you." I tried to yell but only a quiet muffled sound came out, "We've been spending a lot of time together, all the evidence is stacked against you." He stated while pulling my underwear down from under my skirt. "I'm telling you this to help you, not try anything stupid." I closed my legs feeling naked but he shoved them back apart, dislocating my right and I couldn't even scream. tears came out but I knew no one cared if I cried, no one was coming, and no one even knew that I was here. Qon wiped my tears and shushed me in a sweet voice as he lowered his pants and had his way with me. No this is my first time, I at least wanted to enjoy it, I don't want to be here! I need to run! I have to escape! That's what I was thinking when everything went black. I thought I passed out from pain and fear but then I hit the ground in an unfamiliar place. The impact knocked the orb out of my mouth but my hands were still bound. I looked around frantically, there were green trees around me... And the sun was setting, I was surrounded by wildflowers and grass... A singular sun, green plants, I must be on Earth. Leaves on Infaniya have a blueish-green tint and we have 3 suns. I somehow teleported to Earth! I struggled to sit up so I could look around. I could see a house not too far from me but... should I call for help? The best thing I can do is try to look like a local. I powered down, pushing my affinity with snow into my core to change my looks, my hair turned to the Black it once was and my eyes a pale blue. Okay... I look human, so now I just need the people that live here to be the sympathetic sort, who don't ask a lot of questions.