(On a distant world, a young woman seeks to escape superstition and prejudice. But does she really know what she's getting into? This story first appeared in Hungur 6.1.)
The sound of a group of men marching in heavy boots echoes over the cobblestone alley, grew louder, gradually died away. Benet let out a slow sigh.
“I think we’ve lost them.”
Alena wiped sweat from her brow, shaking back long hair so blonde it was almost white. “But for how long?”
Benet didn’t answer. He edged along the abandoned warehouse they had ducked behind and peered around the corner. The flickering plasma lights showed no one on the next street. He beckoned his companion forward. “Stay close to me. Lean on my arm and maybe we can pass as a couple breaking curfew. If we encounter a lone patrolman we might get by with just a warning.”
Alena snorted but leaned into Benet’s shoulder. They were almost the same height, and Benet got to thinking that if circumstances had been different...
He looked up at the Dome overhead. A tessellation of obsidian facets, blocking out the deadly radiation of the planet’s sun. Keeping the mining complex and major city on Devil Eye in perpetual twilight. If only they had painted stars on the Dome, Benet would have thought the place romantic. Instead he felt like he was being watched by a giant insect.
“...sure your ship is fueled and ready to go when we get there? And you’re not listening, are you.”
Benet laughed, and noted how surprisingly cool Alena felt against his body. “I’m sorry, just admiring the scenery.” He flashed the smile that had gotten more than a few women into his ship. Alena was a beautiful young woman. Years of living under the Dome had given her a pale complexion. Some people liked that, thought it indicated refinement.
“I was asking if your ship is ready to leave once we get there.”
Bennet nodded. “Just need to pay my docking fees. The dockyards are Confed territory, so once we pass through the gate the local authorities won’t be able to touch us. Of course Confed Customs still has the right to question us, but I have an...understanding with Customs.”
Alena bit her lower lip in thought. Benet wished he had a cloak to draw around her. She felt downright cold. Then again, all inhabitants of Devil Eye were cold. The harsh planetary environment led to a draconian local government, which led to the coldness of the people. Devil Eye woman had another reputation as well, when properly...stimulated. Benet smiled.
“What has you so happy?”
“I’m just thinking how much you’re going to love the rest of the universe. And how much the rest of the universe is going to love you.” Benet gave a soft cough and changed the subject. He had been curious about a piece of local folklore he had heard in the same bar where he had met Alena. “Do you believe in the devis?”
Alena frowned, her footsteps slowed. “What do you know about the devi?”
“Just hints of stories, whispers spoken in shadowy corners, one trader to another. How the radiation from Devil Eye’s sun can cause mutations, especially in women. How it brings out...feral instincts. Makes them go wild.”
Alena gripped Benet’s arm. “The devi is a myth. A myth used to keep the radiation shielding taxes high. Used by the Commandant’s government to keep children in line and keep adults as frightened as children. Be good, follow the party line, or the devi will get you.” She looked at Benet, staring deep into his soul. “That’s why I want to leave this place. To escape such superstition.”
Benet barely repressed a smile. If she only knew how many young women wanted off their homeworlds for similar reasons. And Benet was more than happy to oblige them. For a price.
“So you don’t believe in devis.”
Alena looked away from Benet. “No. I don’t believe in a soul damned to enforce the will of the Commandant. I don’t believe in a mutant that drinks blood and eats human organs in order to survive. I don’t believe in the devi.”
A long-winded denial. Alena might not believe in devis, but her words suggested there was more to her story than Benet had first guessed in the bar. “Perhaps there was only one such mutant, a long time ago, and the legend expanded over time.”
Alena never had a chance to offer an opinion on that theory. A shout came from a few blocks behind them. “Sir! Over here!”
Benet looked ahead of them. The dock entrance was half a kilometer away. From behind came the stamp of booted feet. Benet didn’t bother to look over his shoulder. “Run.”
Alena released Bennet’s arm and the two sprinted for the passageway to the port. Behind them Benet heard the surprised shouts of the Commandant’s men. Apparently they had expected Benet and Alena just to give themselves up when they were found. Benet blessed their heavy uniforms and weapons.
“Stop or we’ll shoot!”
Alena pulled ahead of Benet. Any other time Benet would have admired the view. She was a fine piece of womanflesh. There was no doubt about it. Given the circumstances, though, he increased his pace to catch up with her. He would make sure she was worth the trouble later. Two hundred meters to Confed territory.
The whining sound of an energy pulse slicing through the air. They were using their energy pistols. Debris from the cobblestones flew up and peppered Benet on the calf. Close, but not close enough. The air around them sizzled with shots, but they were going to make it. Benet always knew when he was going to make it.
The gate agent hardly looked up from his screens as he waved Benet and Alena through. Benet let out a laugh and embraced Alena.
“We made it. C’mon. My ship’s right over here.”
Alena absently pushed Benet away, looking up at the ceiling. The port dome was Confed technology. Energy shielding rather than the heavy metal Dome of Devil Eye. A dull red sun shone down on Benet and Alena, giving her skin a warm glow.
Alena closed her eyes as if basking in the light, though none of the heat made it through the shields. Benet mused that this might be the first time Alena had ever seen her planet’s star.
“You’re beautiful in the sunlight. And there’s a whole galaxy filled with other wonders for us to explore.”
Alena opened her eyes. She nodded but said nothing. She let Benet lead her to his ship, glancing from time to time at the sun. Maybe she was uncomfortable about being out from under the Dome. No doubt some lingering superstition, like the devis she claimed not to believe in.
“Here we are. Your new home, at least until our next stop...”
The access hatch slid open leading into a compact cockpit-slash-pilot’s quarters. Benet let Alena go first and sealed the door behind them.
“It’ll be tight but there’s room in the cargo hold. Back this way.”
Again Alena went first as Benet ushered her to the rear of the ship. Past the bins of ore that provided his cover as a metals trader. He punched in the code that unlocked the main part of the hold. The door slid to the side. Alena stared at the space beyond.
Tall, clear cylinders filled the room. Nearly all of them held a beautiful young woman. A look of anger or sadness or terror frozen on her face.
“Stasis chambers.” Alena’s words were a statement not a question. She ran a hand over one of the cylinders her back to Benet.
“I’m afraid so.” Benet trained his energy pistol on Alena. “If you would be so kind as to get into the empty chamber there.”
Alena’s shoulders shivered. “You’re a slaver.”
Benet gave a mock bow to Alena’s back. “The best. I purvey only women of the highest quality from the most exotic worlds to clients of...discriminating tastes.”
“You talked about helping me escape an oppressive regime.” Alena’s whole body shook violently now. Sobs choked her voice. “You said you’d help me escape Devil Eye. You said you’d help me be free.”
Benet smirked. “I lied.”
Alena steadied herself against the stasis chamber. She turned and Benet gasped. Her face had twisted into a mass of radiation scars. Fangs protruded over her lips and long, sharp claws extended from her fingers. Her eyes glowed red. The same angry red as the sun of Devil Eye.
“What... What are you?”
Benet’s hand shook as he trained his pistol on the creature. Faster than he could see, Alena had her hand around his neck. She lifted him from the floor. Her claws cut into the skin of Benet’s throat. His pistol clattered to the floor.
“I told you I didn’t believe in the devi.” The voice rasped out, sending shivers up Benet’s spine. And then Benet felt four claws rip into his abdomen.
“I lied...”
The End.
If you enjoyed "Devil Eye," check out my death-themed anthology, La Danza de la Muerte. You can find it here.