She was going to die here, wherever here was. Stricken, she wrapped her arms around her knees and began to cry. If only she'd worked up the nerve to tell A'Ran about her suspicions about Ne'Rin! She wouldn't be stranded on some foreign, deserted planet!
She cried until too tired to cry more, then leaned against the pod, feeling as if her skin was frying despite the shade. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the pod.
She didn't think it was possible to sleep in such discomfort, but a stiff, hot breeze tossed hair into her face awhile later, tickling her awake. She swiped it away, soaked with sweat, and opened her eyes.
She shifted with a grimace and looked down at the brush of grass against her hands. She'd thought the planet completely dead, but there was a bright patch of green grass beneath her and the pod. If there was grass, there was bound to be water somewhere.
The suns were setting. She rose to see how far away they were from the horizon, miserable in the heat. She rustled through the pod to see if there was any water or food.
Ne'Rin didn't plan on giving her any chance to live. She was too hot to cry, and she curled up on the grass. It felt cooler than the air against her fevered skin.
Dusk took away much of the intolerable heat, and a stiff breeze dried her sweat. She remained on the ground, at a loss as to what to do. If she left the pod, she might fry in the morning. If she stayed, she'd never find help!
More tears rose, and she tugged at her hands, furious he'd even thought to cuff her! As if she wasn't completely vulnerable as it was! He wasn't taking chances she'd survive.
A'Ran.
She couldn't think of him, not now. The thought of him made her heart leap and her body ache for him. She wanted to curl up in the pod and sob until he rescued her, even knowing he'd never know where to find her.
A light shined in her face, and she twisted, fear piercing her misery. She pushed herself up and shielded her face with her bound hands. Someone grabbed her and lifted her to her feet. He pushed her sleeve up to see her band.
There was a quiet exchange between two of the four dark shapes around her. She couldn't help but be grateful they at least resembled humans. She was expecting some sort of alien monster to inhabit the brutal planet. One took her hands while another shined the glowing orb on her bindings. He released them with a touch of his thumb. Furious, she threw them and turned to find two of the beings kneeling by the grass, touching them.