Lower CoSMOS-How Much for the Earth Woman?

            “Eighteen,” the Broosk said.

            “Are you kidding, Broosk?” Another customer left. Kaylee’s eyes fastened on how easily the other species walked away or did not want anything to do with her.

            “What about if I show some skin?” she said.

            “For? Dinner? I cannot tell if anyone has eaten a human. The few humans that I knew of only died because of the climate,” said the Broosk, “People usually allow the remains to rot.” Kaylee imagined the process.

            “Nothing picked at it?” she said.

            “Had I had time for a thorough examination of the process, it may have proved an interesting study, human, but I didn’t,” he said. She found herself admiring the kindness he showed to her, and he proved to be ample protection for her. Broosk’s are never intimidated by others because of their immense size. She felt safe.

            “Well? What about you?”

            “I don’t need you. I cannot feed you. One of these others with earth experience may provide you the right sustenance for your biological internals. That may hold the key to your survival,” he said.

            By all standards, Kaylee was a beautiful nurse in her earthly life. On an invite to a friend’s party, it spilled over into a raging drive to a better part of the upper middle-class suburbs. They invaded a prominent billionaire’s home where they drank some of his priceless wine. She passed out in a vessel headed for space, now trillions and trillions of years away, she was merchandise.

            The two strangers were at a central crossroads leading into the city of Markets. All species gathered there to sell their items. The tall and bulky but astute Broosk gazed at the crowd of people walking the market lines back and forth, some not noticing the human woman he displayed for sale.

            “This is out of compassion for you. I forgot your name,” he said.

            “Kaylee,” she said, “And thank you.” The thought of needing someone to feel sorry for her was annoying but she had little choice.

            “Ah, yes. We have a fruit called Kaale, but I don’t think you taste anything like it,” he said.

            “Well, you never know?” She attempted to flirt with him to no notice. The Broosk sighed.

            “Kaylee, we will attempt this for another day, maybe a few nars from now but it will be my final time, there then you must be on your own,” he said.

            “Is there something you need to do, you’ve been very kind,” she said.

            “It is the crying. I am far from Oorath, but I do not weep for it. Your nightly mourning is enough for a people to willingly commit genocide on itself,” he said.

            “Hey, that sucks. You are mean,” she said.

            “Of course, one has to be at times,” he said.

            Kaylee’s brow slumped and she scanned the people passing. She then stared at the Brook’s face as he attempted to stay awake.

            “I am sorry,” she said.

            “For what, human?” he said.

            “Keeping you awake.”

            “Look there!”

The Broosk pointed into the crowd. He grinned as a young male human started to walk toward them, not with purpose, only to the flow of the crowd. Kaylee spotted him.

            “A man,” she said, but with disappointment.

The Broosk waved him down.

            “Hello, Sir. Do you prefer Broosk or English human?”

            The man continued to walk past them, ignoring the woman Kaylee.

            “Oh my god, are you serious?” Kaylee said.

            “He does not appear interested,” the Broosk said.

            “He’s a darker shade than I like anyway,” she said.

            “I fail to see the relevance of his complexion, are you not familiar with me and lived in my domicile for this past nar, yet you do not seem to have an issue with me,” he said.

            “I know you though,” she said.

            “We must allow you to know him,” he said.

            “I would prefer not to,” she said.

            “You are not thinking, Kaylee.”

The Broosk left her on a small stand where others may view her. The temporary absence of the Broosk brought self-consciousness to Kaylee. Lifting his large arm, the Broosk grabbed the shoulder of the human and turned him around.

            “Might I speak with you, human,” he said. The two of them moved away from the crowd. “You appear alone and in need of desperate human companionship, do you not?”

            “I do not,” he said and strode to blend in with the crowd. The Broosk followed.

            “Are you not Ronnie Talbert?” The Broosk said.

            Ronnie stopped and walked back over to him.

            “Ok, what do you want Broosk?” Ronnie said.

            “Broosk Namin,” he bowed to Ronnie, “I have a charge to relieve myself of and they are one of your species, a rarity you must admit, and probably a great find for you here among the many peoples that you are not acquainted with,” he said.

            “It is why I left Earth. Why is she here?” Ronnie said.

            “You may ask her yourself, get to know her,” the Broosk said.

            “You’re sly,” Ronnie said.

            “It is an honor to meet you. You have helped many of us, this is not an enticement. Perhaps you can help her?” he said.

            “Is that why you’re doing this?” Ronnie said.

            “Charity comes in all forms. Your fragile species deserves some sympathy,” the Broosk said.

            “Yes, but not for being stranded.”

            Ronnie walked back to Kaylee with the Broosk, tears ran down her face.

            “Please do not wail, human you will scare anyone away.

            “Hello,” Ronnie said, his demeanor changed in front of the woman, flashing an old shyness he had to cover up. Kaylee wrapped her arms around herself and produced a sulk.

            “Ok, there you go,” Ronnie said and started his way into the crowd again. The Broosk turned him around.

            “You two. When was the last time you met a human here on Oorth?” The Broosk said.

            “This is Borea,” Ronnie said.

            “In my language, Ronnie,” said the Broosk, correcting Ronnie, “How many then?”

            “None,” Ronnie said. Kaylee turned her head away.

            “This is my first time,” Kaylee said.

            “There you have it,” the Broosk said.

            “So?” Ronnie said.

            “See. Holy shit, what a waste of time. He’s you know, anyway?” Kaylee said.

Ronnie rolled his eyes.

            “He’s…” the Broosk attempted to get the rest of Kaylee’s words out. Walking up to them was the Ranokian Milmurt, with a protruding crested head pointing toward his back similar to a slate of rock layered on top of one another. He paused at Kaylee’s front, examining her.

            “Hey, Ronnie. Checking out the merchandise?” he said.

            “Oh my god, are all male aliens pigs?” Kaylee said.

            “Technically, I can’t be a male,” Milmurt said, “How much for the Human?” Milmurt asked.

            “Eighteen,” the Broosk said.

            “Cool,” Milmurt walked away from everyone, and Ronnie began to follow.

            “Ten,” the Broosk said. Milmurt stopped. Kaylee began to weep again.

            “This is embarrassing,” she said. The two began to walk back to the Broosk Namin.

            “Didn’t you tell me Ronnie that you couldn’t get any of these earth women naked and as luck has it, here she is in the flesh. Let’s see her naked,” said Milmurt.” Ronnie rolled his eyes.

            Kaylee buried her face in her hands and turned away. Ronnie lowered his head and shook it.

            “Come on. Next stop, we get what we need and head out,” Ronnie said, grabbing Milmurt’s elbow as some of it crumbled off and grew back.

            “She will cease her crying here in a second, potential customers. Give her some time. I am sure she would make a valuable companion or slave,” the Broosk said.

            Kaylee’s wailing overcame the crowd noise, some noticing.

            Ronnie kept his head down and shook it, “Nah. Nah. Let’s go, Milmurt.”

            “Didn’t you tell me people like her made slaves of you at one point?” Milmurt said.

            “Oh no, not this. And that’s not exactly correct,” Ronnie began to walk away again.

            “Perhaps you then, the Ranokian may require a servant or companion,” the Broosk said.

            “What was it you say, Ronnie? Nah!” Milmurt said and walked after Ronnie. As the distance grew from Kaylee, the Broosk was helpless to unload the human woman. Ronnie took out the money he collected while visiting other locales.

            “You’re going to buy her aren’t you, Ronnie?” said Milmurt, “For what?”

            Ronnie turned around and gave the money to the Broosk. He waved his hand up toward Ronnie for Kaylee to follow but Ronnie started his way into the crowd again, leaving Kaylee behind.

            “I was telling you about my life and how I got here, Milmurt. I didn’t need it broadcasted to the universe. Presuming she knows history; she wouldn’t come with me before,” Ronnie said. Kaylee followed them. Going home to earth stayed on her mind and if Ronnie came from there, he may know a way back.

            Milmurt turned his head, eyeing her behind them.

            “What is it slave?” said Milmurt with a chuckle. Ronnie turned to stare at her.

            “Thank you,” she said.

            “You may not be so thankful after a few nights with us, human woman female species gender,” said Milmurt again, giggling like a child.

            “Relax, he is lying. Slavery is outlawed here. The Broosk probably didn’t tell you that,” Ronnie said and continued walking. His vessel Siouxsie rested in the distance among the other star-faring machinery.

            “I’m free?” Kaylee said.

            “You were never a slave to begin with. The Broosk wanted to get rid of you otherwise by law he would have to take care of you and you/ him if there are no claims,” said Ronnie, “Do you want to go home?”

            She nodded.

            “We are going that way anyway,” Ronnie said. Milmurt put his hand on Ronnie’s shoulder.

            “You’re decent to this universe, Ronald Talbert. It doesn’t deserve you. Me, it can do without.”

            Kaylee continued behind them.