Page 84 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

84

A Terrible Time to Discover Emotions

A nubis

I call her name over and over, knowing that even if she were conscious, all she would hear is my canine bark. I run faster than I’ve ever moved, hurrying to her side.

The area is filled with these little marshy ponds. One of these is where I washed off the bear’s blood last night after I killed it. I protected Sadie. It’s what I do.

I glance up ahead at Sadie’s unmoving body and scold myself. You didn’t protect her this time. What good are you if you allowed that beast to swallow her up?

I wade into the shallow water, lift her lifeless body into my arms, and carry her to shore. She’s not moving.

I wish I could think.

Geneslaves sometimes go alone into battle, sometimes in groups. Sometimes the guards killed us for sport, or they didn’t provide lifesaving treatment when doctors were in the next building. But sometimes they treated us as if our lives were important. They taught us lifesaving techniques to save our comrades if we were deployed together.

If only I could remember what we were taught to do in an emergency like this. Think!

Suddenly, it comes back to me. In my mind, I watch the entire lesson on fast forward.

I leap into action and follow the directions as if the instructions were playing in front of me right this moment.

I lay her down, turn her on her side, and swipe inside her mouth to see if she has grass or an object blocking her airway. Then I slap my palm against her back even as I remind myself she’s my little human, not a big, strong geneslave.

I keep giving her blows as I plead with any god who is listening. Please, save this female. She’s been good. I’m sure she followed any important rules you laid down. She’s so young. She deserves to live. Take my life instead.

As I give up on the back blows, I also give up on prayers. What God would put a good female like Sadie into this forsaken game?

I roll her onto her back and press on her chest. I don’t do it the way I was taught, I think that would kill her if she weren’t already dead. I do it gently as I hope against hope that I can get her heart pumping again.

Water is flowing out of my eyes. I’ve seen this on vids. Some species cry when they’re sad. All my life I possessed no feelings. Now I’m swamped with emotion. I love this female, but what good is it? My love can’t save her life.

She coughs, then retches brown swamp water onto the grass near her head. Maybe a god was listening and heard my prayers.

She’s weak as a musillus pup, unable to lift her head to vomit. I move behind her head, hold her hair back, and encourage her with my chuffs and barks as I tell her how much I love her and how terrified I was that I’d lost her.

″Anubis,” she gets out between coughs. “Anubis.”

I lean over her so she can see my face. I hope it reassures her and she’s not so angry that she never wants to see me again.

Reaching into my backpack, I open a bottle of water and hand it to her, then help her to sit up. She gulps, then spits, then gulps the water down. I use another bottle to pour on her dirty face and hands as she continues to gasp for air.

Continuing to mumble reassurances as I work, I try to calm her. I know she just almost died, but we’ll both die if we don’t get on the trail soon.

It’s only when I move in front of her to hold her precious face in my hands and kiss her that I see she’s bleeding from a hundred places.