JLG

#Rainbowsnippet #Sciencefiction Eighteen 10/21: Sacrifice

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 comments

    • 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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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