Page 26 of Albel

“What kind?” I ask.

“It’s soft, almost like a fruit,” Daddy replies as he starts walking. “I think you’ll really like it.”

“Okay,” I mumble.

I hold on tight to Daddy as he walks up the stairs and straight to the kitchen. He pulls a container out of the fridge and sets it on the counter.

“Do you want to stay in my arms, or can I set you down on the counter and feed you that way?” Daddy asks.

“Arms.” I turn my head so I’m facing the other side of his body.

Daddy already has a green square between his fingers.

“What does it taste like?” I can’t help but ask, pushing my head back as Daddy lifts it to my lips

“It’s sweet and juicy. I don’t know how to describe the flavors compared to what you had on the space station,” Daddy replies.

I open my mouth, and he pushes the green fruit in. An unknown flavor bursts on my tongue, and I moan as the juices go down my throat.

“I don’t know what it tastes like, but it’s amazing. Can I have another one?” I ask, looking up at Daddy and making my eyes big. “Please?”

“One more piece. I don’t want you to get an upset stomach because you aren’t used to this food,” Daddy says.

I hum in pleasure as I eat another piece, laying my head on Daddy’s chest.

“Can I have some tomorrow?”

“If you’re still feeling good, then you can. I don’t want to upset your body by introducing new foods you’ve never had before.”

“Okay,” I reply happily.

ELEVEN

A blaring alarm wakes me up from my peaceful nap in Daddy’s lap. Wait. My hands touch my skin to feel it chilled, and my eyes fly open.

Kennel.

Wait.

My eyes search around me as I try to figure out where I’m at, but everything is dark.

“Daddy?” I call out, fear engulfing my body when no one replies.

Gripping the bars, I shake the front of the kennel, trying to get out of it.

“Daddy!” I scream as the noise continues.

It’s like an alarm I heard on the space station whenever someone opened a door they weren’t supposed to. There weren’t many off-limits rooms on the space station, but every once in a while, when someone got sick, they would quarantine them in the medical bay. Their friends would want to visit and end up locked in a different room for breaking the rules.

The same alarm.

Did someone break in?

No. I need to think positively. Maybe it’s just an alarm for Daddy not turning off the stove… if he has one.

Tears pool in my eyes as I yank on the kennel door, wanting it to magically rip off so I can go searching for Daddy.

“Little Pet!” Daddy yells, and tears roll down my face.