If you truly wish to know the depth of human stupidity, list a car for sale online.
– Does it run? The ad says it does.
– Will you take payments? *rolls eyes* The ad says cash only.
– How much do you want? *sighs* The price is at the top of the ad.
– Does it have any scratches? *grits teeth* It’s a fifteen year old car for goodness sake! So, of course it does!
– What’s your bottom price? *pulls her hair* Come look at it before we talk numbers!
Nonetheless, we got it sold this morning and at the price we wanted. Now to buy a new clothes dryer. Ours is dying a slow death so we need an upgrade.
But, first, it’s Saturday again, and that means it’s time for Rainbowsnippets, a blog hop where diverse writers all share six sentence snippets from their works.
This week’s Rainbowsnippet* comes from Surrogate: Hunted. I’m still waiting patiently on edits to come back to me, and hoping the slowness is a good sign and not an indicator of something larger.
The Setup: Etain voluntarily submits to their lead captor, Rntys’, whims in order to save her goddaughter, Brigit, from a similar fate. Perhaps volunteer isn’t the right word, maybe sacrifice is more accurate. Take your pick. No one wins here, least of all, Etain. Rntys, (pronounced rn-tees) the Cycalk (pronounced kee-kahlk) woman from the last snippet, speaks first.
“Pets have names, so what shall I call you?”
“Call me whatever you wish.” Etain had won the battle over her breeding, but lost everything else. If I fight more both Brigit and I will be killed. “I will answer to whatever you wish when you wish.” She glanced at Rntys. Tall. Powerful. Coarse, close-clipped white pelt and a perpetual snarl that only hardened her features. This woman had the upper hand, and she knew it. She’s nothing like Khrst. Etain whimpered and stared at the fake-dirt floor. She, they, all of the captives were nothing but food, entertainment, and profit. I will do this so Brigit stays safe. I will do this to survive. “Can I please see the girl back in our cell? Can I see that she’s safe?”
“Maybe tomorrow.” Rntys narrowed her strides so Etain could keep up. “Toy. That’s your name. Toy.”
Read other RainbowSnippets from the Surrogate Series HERE.
*RainbowSnippets is a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ authors, readers, and bloggers to share six sentences each week from a work of fiction—published or in progress—or a book recommendation. Feel free to join in!
19 thoughts on “#Rainbowsnippet #Sciencefiction Eighteen 10/21: Sacrifice”
Ugh, the name Rntys gives Etain made me shudder. I’m not sure if “dehumanizing” is really the word I want (Etain isn’t human), but the concept sure is.
No dehumanizing is a good term for what’s happening. To me, it’s one hell of a sacrifice for a parent to make, but she isn’t the only one who makes the same decision, as you’ll soon discover.
Etain has good instincts. And while it’s easy to give in to a situation, Etain does not.. It makes me eager to read where this goes, because there needs to be a balance.
Ugh, the name Rntys gives Etain made me shudder. I’m not sure if “dehumanizing” is really the word I want (Etain isn’t human), but the concept sure is.
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No dehumanizing is a good term for what’s happening. To me, it’s one hell of a sacrifice for a parent to make, but she isn’t the only one who makes the same decision, as you’ll soon discover.
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Is there a hint of compassion in the narrowing of strides so Etain can keep up?
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I wouldn’t count on it.
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Crap, nothing about this sounds good. I’m afraid to find out what’s next! (great snippet, btw). 🙂
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Nothing good can come out of it, that’s certain, but Etain is my protagonist through four novels, if that makes a difference. 🙂
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Hmm, interesting. Yes, it’s a dehumanizing name, but it could also mean their captor finds the prisoner entertaining…scary, yet a possible advantage.
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Entertaining…. you’ll find out next week.
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Oh, dear. Poor Etain. I wonder how they’re going to get out of this bind. I hope Brigit is okay.
PS: The responses from your car ad had me smiling, Jeanne. Hope you get the new clothes dryer soon.
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Actually, they’re delivering the dryer today, Sunday… go figure. Nice things do happen.
Etain usually manages, but this time I believe there’s going to be scars both inside and out.
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Quite the sacrifice!
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Indeed.
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That name doesn’t sound very promising. 😟
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As others said, it’s dehumanizing, even though there are no Humans in the scene.
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Yes, very. 😕
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Etain has good instincts. And while it’s easy to give in to a situation, Etain does not.. It makes me eager to read where this goes, because there needs to be a balance.
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You’re right about balance. It’s coming. Not everything can stay this bad forever.
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I feel horrible for Etain. I’m hoping things get better.
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Eventually.
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