Educated Read online

  I’m not sure I’m ready to see that happen.

  “You know where she go,” Tullis says, gurgling and grinning triumphantly. “And once she done, maybe Tullis be nice enough to buy her back. Keep promise. Keep safe.”

  “You’re one sick bastard, Sparky.” I roll my eyes, trying to be nonchalant. The other Octonods are getting antsy. I’m running out of time. I turn towards Kyla who’s fruitlessly trying to break free and our eyes meet. She’s already starting to break. Her eyes are glassy, and if I let this happen, not only will she be broken before she meets the Drakens, I’ll always remember this moment and how I didn’t help her.

  I decide to help her, but I still want what I want.

  “You remember my offer, don’t you?” Kyla sniffs hard at my question. She nods slowly, and Tullis’ eyes widen. “You agree, then you go with us. You follow my rules, and you never forget this day. You’re a member of the family now.”

  She doesn’t know the full extent of what she agrees to, but she’s also visibly relieved not to have to go to bed with the Octonods. Poor girl has no idea what she’s missing with the Drakens. My next assignment is with the Pluefs. They’re not great, but they’re not terrible either. It will be a great opportunity to break in Kyla safely. A few will treat her roughly, but they’ll never rape her. She’ll have to be a pet in a few homes, but she’ll learn that isn’t always a bad assignment.

  I can’t offer a bubble gum, candy happy ending, but I can delay impending horrors for another day.

  “What’s it going to be, Kyla?”

  Her lower lip juts out, and her eyes go between the Octonods and me. She wants to fight, but I don’t think she has it in her. With Alaska, Washington, Dakota, and myself, she’ll have at least some control of the nightmares waiting for her after training. Without us? There’s no telling where she’ll be sent after the Drakens, especially since the manager knows I’m interested.

  Sick bastard gets a thrill out of ruining the things I want or care about.

  I step closer, and Tullis is already garbling for the other two Octonods to let her go. Kyla’s slimy, and smells like old pumpkin, but a shower is only a few steps away. Her eyes are steely as they meet mine, and I can’t help but smile.

  “You gonna let me take care of this?” I ask. None of the Octonods say anything. They know I’ll be worth it, no matter what I offer. I can fake pleasure. I can orgasm when I want to puke.

  It’s a gift.

  “Answer me,” I snap, losing a bit of patience. “You gonna let me—”

  “I agree.” My eyes widen, and she lowers her head. “I agree. I’ll be part of your stupid family. I’m tired of fighting.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’ve only begun to fight.” I purr as I reach to grab one of Kyla’s trembling shoulders. She may have been screaming and fighting, but the girl’s also scared shitless. It’s humbling to see. “You three can get out of here. I’ll deal with all of you later.”

  “Arizona, I want pleasure now,” Tullis garbles. “You give me. You give my friends.”

  “And I will.” I drop my voice to a husky decibel, remembering some of the Octonod’s language. “Arizona dulce de. Arizona dulce Tullis. Dulce de empagos de Tullis.” Kyla may not know the languages yet, but I think it’s pretty clear what I’m offering.

  Arizona fuck you. Arizona fuck Tullis. Arizona fuck friends of Tullis.

  Tullis’ eyes light up, and he motions for his friends to bumble down the hallway. It’s going to be a long couple of days pleasuring all of them, but it’s worth it now that I’ve finally got what I want.

  Once the halls are clear and Kyla’s trying to push the slime off her arms and legs, I lean down and smile.

  “Kyla, right?” I ask, brushing off some of the slimes with my fingertip.

  “Right,” she snarls.

  “Not anymore,” I say, smiling triumphantly. She’s not even strong enough to argue and instead fixes me with a glare. There’s beauty in this one, and I feel a certain amount of pride knowing I’ve saved her. That’s five now. Washington, Dakota, and Alaska, myself, and the newbie. I’m building a broken family in a galaxy of nightmares, but I’m also creating something beautiful.

  Kyla will always know she can count on me. And no matter where we all end up, we’ll always be together. Sex is a powerful currency in the galaxy, after all, and I have no problem spreading my legs for anyone to get what I want. Kyla will learn that soon enough. But to make sure there’s no confusion in the future, she’ll have to become one of us.

  Kyla has to die, and I’m going to kill her.

  “You’re not going to go by the name Kyla anymore. Consider Kyla dead, or back on Earth, or whatever fantasy you want to hold on to.” I lower my eyes, hoping that by giving her a small piece of my past, that she’ll be able to give me her future. “My name used to be Anna, but I’m Arizona now. Alaska used to be Amy. Washington used to be Wendy and Dakota’s real name is Darcy. Those girls are all dead now. By taking a new name, you’ll never be separated from us. You’ll be one of my girls, and the name will keep you safe.”

  She arches an eyebrow. “Safe? Is that even a thing now?”

  I shrug. “As relatively safe as one can be, being a human whore. Trust me; if you have a state name, they’ll know who you are. They’ll know who you belong to.”

  Kyla still seems stunned by the whole transaction but doesn’t argue. She’s beginning to realize what I’m offering. Thank the stars.

  “So… what’s my stage name?” she asks in a low voice. “Do I even get a say?”

  I chuckle. “Nope. From now on, you’ll be Kansas.”

  “Kansas? But I’m from California!”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  She sounds incredulous. “That sounds like a stripper’s name!”

  “Exactly.” I dare to wrap my arm around her shoulders. She doesn’t push me away. She’s mine. Another member to add to my family, and probably the last one. There’s no way I’ll be able to travel with any more than four other girls without breaking my clit. But I’m still happy with what I’ve managed to build. “Trust me, sweetheart; if all you have to do on your next assignment is strip, you’ll be one happy camper.”

  She doesn’t answer. I don’t care.

  The family I wanted to build is finally complete.

  So long as no one is ever taken away from me.

  ***

  Drozass blinks when I finish talking, and it’s hard not to smirk arrogantly in his direction. The kid may think he can handle a story, but there’s youthfulness sparkling in his eyes when I’m finished.

  I stand up. “So yeah… that’s how Kansas became a member of the family.”

  He blinks again. “Wait so…” His thick brows pinch together, and I wonder what he’s going to ask about next.

  How I got Alaska or Dakota to join? Where’s Washington? I swallow… rather… what happened to Washington? I’m not sure if I’m ready to tell that tale to a complete stranger – kind or not.

  “What is it?” I jut my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m gonna hit the hay. What’s on your mind, Sparky?”

  He smiles. “Does this mean I can call you Anna from now on?”

  And then I frown. “Not unless you want me to kick your ass.”

  He doesn’t respond.

  And for some reason, I’m smiling too.

  I can’t help but wonder if the girls at the other lair are doing well.

  Especially Blythe. I imagine it’s not all rainbows and unicorns with a Sidyth prince.

  Blythe

  “Be honest with me, Korben.”

  “Have I not been?”

  Frowning, I realize that the Sidyth prince is correct. Despite having purchased twenty human whores, Korben has been nothing but extremely hospitable. For days, I haven’t had to spread my legs unless I want to, and at night we are able to talk.

  It’s odd to talk about things. I’m not used to people wanting to learn anything about me other than different ways I can give them pleasure.<
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  And it’s in the night – I can only assume it’s night because of how tired I am, because underground in the lair there’s no way to tell otherwise – I remember one of the only other times I experienced true kindness.

  Solass.

  “What makes you smile like that?” Korben’s voice rumbles in my ears like a gentle thunderstorm, and I turn around in bed to face him. His golden eyes are sharp and attentive, he’s always looking for a crack in my armor, so he can try to get to know me better. “You suddenly broke out into a grin. I could not help but notice. I simply wanted to know if you wanted to share what makes you smile like that.” His expression softens. “Of course, if you are not comfortable talking to me about it—”

  “No,” I mutter, still remembering my brief time with the Entla medic. “I was just thinking about someone.”

  “Another?”

  I nod.

  “Family… back home?”

  I shake my head at this. “No. I do not find such happiness in memories from home.” My smile turns sad. “I’m remembering the time before this when someone showed me aliens can be kind.”

  Surprisingly, his expression hardens. “Another male was kind to you.”

  “Not in the way you think.” I brush my fingertips across his chest, still surprised by the python-like scales over his pectoral, glistening under his Sun Rayers that provide extra heat and light in his tiny privacy room. “He was an Entla. A medic at the first training facility I was brought to.” I can’t help smiling softly once more. “He was good to me. He cared.”

  “I must know about him.” Korben is always so direct and to the point. “I want to hear about someone who knew how to treat you well.”

  I smirk. “You’re ridiculous. You want to hear about another man who was kind to me?”

  “I want to hear about someone who sees what I see before me.”

  It’s hard not to blush. “Korben, you’re ridiculous.”

  “I am sorry—”

  “But you remind me of him. He – his name is Solass – he told me that one day I would find another good person in the universe.” My eyes lock with his. “I think me may be right.”

  “So you will tell me?”

  I playfully roll my eyes. “I guess. But I should tell you a little about how it all began. Not everything! But how things were when I first arrived at the training facility.”

  Korben wraps an arm tightly around my shoulders. Despite the look of his scaly arm, it’s soft and dry to the touch. I can’t help nuzzling a little closer.

  “Everyone must have their reasons for signing an Entertainer’s contract – or as I came to find out – a Human Whore’s contract. There’s plenty of money offered, and we’re promised opportunities that seemed like fairy tales growing up. Things on the covers of Mommy’s porno books.”

  “Her what?” Korben sounds perplexed.

  “Just shut up and listen,” I say, smirking.

  ***

  Seven years ago…

  We were told we’d travel the stars.

  We were told we’d see the galaxies and meet new and interesting people.

  And all the meanwhile, we’d have chunks of our humungous contract sent back to our loved ones.

  And yes, while we’d probably never go home again, we’d always know our families are well taken care of.

  I was such an idiot.

  We traveled the galaxies, alright, to those who wanted to play with a pet human for a few months. We traveled the stars, alright, expected to spread our legs to the highest bidder. No was a word completely beaten and raped out of our vocabulary. Do you want to leave? Spread. Do you want to live? Spread? Don't you like this? Spread. Don't you want more? Spread.

  Whatever our buyer says is the word of God, and these guys treat us however they like. I heard all the horror stories during my first few days at training camp.

  Dancing.

  Giving pleasure.

  Sometimes they want you to be a toy for their children.

  Sometimes we’ll be collared and leashed like a dog.

  And if we don’t like it, well, that’s too bad. If I want my loved ones to get the money, if I want to live another day, this is what I must do. This is what I signed up for.

  Never ask questions. Never think you’re going to get out of this.

  Just deal with it and try to find the silver lining.

  I never fought anybody. Right from the get-go, as soon as I heard what was happening, I dealt with it. That’s kind of how I am, and that’s probably how I ended up in this mess in the first place. I’m lackadaisical. Few things bother me. I don’t need friends, and I don’t care if I have enemies.

  The only thing I need is money. And staying alive, I guess. I guess I’ll be happier staying alive, but that’s only so the money goes back.

  After three weeks, I was one broken down bitch. Aliens liked me because I didn’t fight. There were a few girls, one of them with a face full of freckles, who liked to fight and kick and cause problems at every turn. It didn’t get her anywhere, and it didn’t get her anything other than a sweaty face. And sweat is gross. Most of these aliens keep me as slimy and gruesome as I can stand already.

  And why should I fight? I’m the dumbass who didn’t read the contract. I’m the idiot who only saw the complete contract purchase price in big bold lettering.

  That’s how much I’m worth? I remember saying to myself as the pen touched the paper. If someone pays this amount, will they own me completely?

  No one has that kind of money. I was prepared to spend the rest of my life spreading to the highest customer. Nothing else mattered so long as the money kept trailing in. One assignment would get my father X, and the next could get him Y. Eventually, I would be bought and paid for, or dead. I didn’t care too much once I found out what being a human entertainer meant. Money. I’d work for the money.

  I was prepared for the worst when I walked off the ship to the first training academy. That was almost a month ago, and I only had another month before training would end I would be a certified space whore. I was already used to being treated like dirt, spat on, shat on, peed at, and slimed over. There wasn’t much anyone could do to me to shock me.

  Until one of the guards showed me kindness and messed up everything, I thought I knew about this job.

  ***

  The guards were a varied group, all of whom wanted to have a taste of a human before they were shipped off to the rich bastards of the universe. It was a pretty sweet deal for them. They got a steady, legal paycheck, but they also could bargain with some of the supposed entertainers. Some immediately jumped at the idea of protection, but I stayed clear. Protection had a price, and I didn’t understand the point of owing one of these guys something that another would only take later. It didn’t make sense to me.

  And so, another night passed with an Octonod between my legs, slathering his disgusting juices all over me with a toothless, gummy grin. He was enjoying himself, and I didn’t care enough to tell him how bored and unsatisfied this all was. Octonods were the main group watching over the training facility, and though at first, I was completely gobsmacked by their appearance, I had grown used to it after a month. I didn’t mind the eight-tentacled limbs that broke away from their boneless bodies. I didn’t bother trying to understand how they were able to walk upright.

  I just knew that I would rather have sex than get beaten.

  “You not enjoy?” Wavlo asks from above, sucking the skin between my massive breasts with one of his hands. “Large breasts… they ruin pleasure?”

  “No, I’m fine. This is how I show enjoyment.”

  This seems to please Wavlo as he goes back to work, sucking the skin over my sternum once again. I don’t even know why he bothers to ask. Surely, he can’t be that dumb to think this is what pleasure for humans looks like, but my lies and complacent expression are enough to put Wavlo back to work again. I lie in silence and let him tell himself whatever lie he needs to finish.

  Though I
’m not much looking forward to the cleanup.

  Once Wavlo’s done with me for the night, and I’m in the communal shower removing all the dark purple globs from my skin, I give myself a once-over. A trip to the medical bay doesn’t sound like a bad idea. I needed some more bruise eating cream. I don’t know how that stuff works, but whenever I slathered a bit of the pumpkin-colored goo on my bruises, they’re gone in a few hours.

  Clean and ready for the next Octonod to have his fun.

  I finished scrubbing and threw on a thin strip of fabric which functions as a bra, and a pair of ripped shorts and limp down towards the medical bay. Probably wouldn’t also be a bad idea to get one of those massage tablets, so my limp doesn’t show too much. Aliens don’t want their toys broken, or they’ll take it upon themselves to throw it away. And so, I straighten my shoulders and walk as though I have a goal to reach so much of the meandering aliens will leave me alone.

  A few of the Octonods garble and burble. I can pick up a few words, but unless they speak in their broken English, I can only guess what inappropriate things they’re saying.

  There’re a few frog looking things here too, but I avoid eye contact with them at all costs.

  And then there are ones who I haven’t the foggiest idea what they are, or what animal best compares to them.

  “Need cream again?”

  And then there’s the Entlas – particularly the one working in the medical bay which gives me hope that not all aliens are cruel and perverted. Or at least resembling something humanoid.

  I nod and slowly limp into the room as the medical worker steps by and closes the door behind him. He’s only a few inches taller than me, but he’s pretty alright looking, as far as aliens go. Save for the four jagged horns poking out from his bald head and pointy nose, he’s almost like an ugly tattooed guy from a Howard Hughes movie.

  Plus, he smiles. It’s not a bad smile.

  “You need start standing up for self, yes?” He says in his garbled English. I’m always happy when an alien takes the time to try to speak to me in my language. Whores don’t get translator earpieces until they graduate, so I’m still trying to figure out what everyone’s saying to me. “You not own, yet,” the Entla continues. “You only have spread when money gives.”