Page 42 of Lasim
I take a deep breath and smile.
A hamster…
A shudder wracks my body.
I’m a caged animal on a planet I’m not familiar with. If I weren’t caged, I might be kidnapped or inadvertently injured. I don’t know a thing about this world. It’s not safe out there.
I don’t even know what other sorts of animals might live on Venkoria. What if some are poisonous or have sharp teeth or swallow small humans whole? How would I know? I would never be able to protect myself.
I’m safe here with Daddy. He’s offering me his protection and his love. He won’t let anyone harm me.
Settled against the pillows in my cage, I look around and find an e-reader. It’s similar to the one I have in Daddy’s apartment.When I pick it up and turn it on, I discover something I never expected. It opens on the home screen for me to easily find a book calledThe History of Venkoria. There are dozens of other books on the device. They range from animals to foods to environmental education. They’re even in English. That doesn’t surprise me. The Venkorians are clearly far more advanced than humans. I suspect this device would automatically convert to whatever language I might need from any nation on Earth, or even other planets.
Smiling, I open the first selection and lean back to begin reading.
Daddy is so thoughtful. He knows I like to learn. He knows I’m smart enough to do so. He’s giving me this special gift of information, and I love him for it.
This cage isn’t so bad. I’m comfortable. I’m safe. I can pretend I’m in a little pillow fort of my own making.
Secure. Safe. Loved.
I’m at peace.
