She stared at him for a long, silent moment. There is no way. A prophecy wouldn't send two simple humans to do the job. They have creatures that can shoot plasma and blades for crying out loud. There is nothing about Aley and I that would spark a 'we're able to end wars' vibe. "We can't be. We're just humans. Aley and I have never even heard of this prophecy—how could we be the ones to fulfill it? We don't know anything about war. We don't know anything about Kliktal, or valicarans, or sariuns. Why would you think we're the solution?"

Kofi snorted a little. "Maybe because you're not human?"

He thinks I'm an idiot. How in blazes does he expect me to not know what I am? If this was any other conversation I would walk away. But I don't know my way around this ship and it's not like I want to go exploring. Not that he would even let me walk away.

"You don't believe me," he observed.

"I'm sure it's not hard to see why," she said. "I'm human. Everything about me is human."

He shrugged. "Hasn't there been something in your life that struck you as odd? Something that made you think maybe you're different?"

She ran her hand up her shaggy hair, trying to think, but nothing came to mind. "No. I've had a pretty normal life." Kahinu flashed into her mind, smirking at her, but she pushed the thought away. That's not abnormal. Not like alien abnormal.

"Other than being adopted, right?"

She narrowed her eyes a little. "How do you know that?"

"Oh, good, I didn't spoil any family secrets. You're half valicaran and half sariun. You were adopted by humans."

"Half—you think I'm like you?" Rocki's head was beginning to hurt. There was too much space travel, too much information.

Kofi studied her with a tilted head. "I mean, you don't physically appear like a valicaran or sariun, but it must be in you somewhere because that's how I found you. I have a scanner that picks up valicaran and sariun traces. It's not like there are a lot of you considering our species are at war."

Rocki shook her head, taking off her glasses to massage above one eye. Her stomach rippled unsettlingly. She took a deep breath, hoping it would relax a little, but when that didn't help, she took a drink of water.

Kofi's eyebrows lowered a touch. "Are you sure you don't want food, blue eyes? You still look pale."

She shuddered at the thought of eating. Her stomach revolted, throwing her to her feet towards what looked like a sink. She pushed her front hair back as she threw up, praying she was over a sink and not some kind of open cabinet.

She vaguely heard Kofi exclaim and jump over to her. He placed his hand on her back as she threw up a few times, then dry heaved for a minute afterwards. She coughed, dry heaving one last time before wiping her mouth with her hand.

"You all right there, blue eyes?" Kofi asked as she hobbled to the table to take a drink of water.

Rocki grimaced at the taste of vomit in her mouth. "I'll be fine." She swiped away the reflexive tears.

"I think you should lie down." He took her water and refilled it, then put a wing behind her back to guide her.

"I'm not going to sleep," said Rocki as firmly as she could, resisting against his light pressure.

"Just lie down then," he said, putting a hand on her neck as well. "I have a nice, comfortable bed made up for you already. It's been waiting for months to be occupied. I promise, it's not mine." He grinned at her as they walked into another room.

It was small, with just enough room for a bed, dresser, and a few steps of space. Kofi's thumb caressed her neck briefly before gently pushing her towards the bed.

Rocki turned to face him, crossing her arms. She didn't say anything, just watched him. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say. Is this the part where he makes an innuendo? I'm not lying down until he leaves. Now that I'm in here, sleep sounds so nice. I don't see how I'll be able to rest when there is so much to think about though.

"What?" Kofi said in amusement. "Do you want me to join you?"

Rocki frowned. "No."

"All right then, good sleep to you." He stepped out and closed the door, leaving her alone.

Rocki sat down on the bed, letting out a long breath. I need to think. She took off her glasses and rested her head in her hands. Okay. I was kidnapped by an alien who claims Aley and I are part of a prophecy and that we're two different kinds of aliens, not humans. He's taking me back to his planet because he thinks I can help him win the war, but first we have to rescue my sister from a deadly species of alien that we are somehow related to. How are we related to them? If valicara and sariun are at war, why would there be hybrids? Not that there is really any physical proof, I'm just going off Kofi's word.

If what he says is true, I bet there is a really interesting story behind our heritage. Maybe a forbidden love. Maybe a forced married. Maybe one of them was taken advantage of. Maybe I should stop looking at this like a story. This isn't a light-hearted science fiction book—this is my life and Aley's life turned completely upside down. This is a world in the throes of war.

She cautiously laid down on the bed, resting on her back with a hand spread over her stomach, which had settled a little. She sighed heavily, allowing her body to relax finally.

I want to go home. I want to see Aley, and Mom, and Dad. I want to see my house, or the beach. I don't want to be here. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them back. Yes, this is fascinating. It's incredible that there are other species with technology and whole other galaxies. But this is probably the worst time in my life this could have happened. I'm dealing with a breakup, keeping my pregnancy a secret, and writing a book. I'm not the right person to be out here. I'm not a scientist. I'm not the savioress Kofi thinks I am. There's no way. I can only hope once he realizes that he'll take me home instead of killing me.

She closed her eyes, but no matter how she rested them, she could not fall asleep. It was better than spending awkward company with Kofi, although she wouldn't be able to see what was going on at all since there weren't any windows in the room.

A few hours later, when she was finally dry from her attempted escape into the sea, the ship slowed, and Kofi knocked on her door before entering. "You know, I don't think I ever got your name." His hair was out of his bun, falling around his face in messy strands.

"Rocki," she said without thinking, putting her glasses on. "I mean, Roxanne."

He nodded. "Well then, Rocki, I thought you might like to see this." He gestured for her to follow him, so she did, right out to the cockpit. He pointed out the window at the planet in front of them. It was colored with tan and gray, and a patch of blue that looked like it went around to the other side of the planet.

Rocki's lips parted in wonder as she stared at it.

"Welcome to Kliktal."