Sloth, p.8
Sloth, page 8
“So I keep hearing,” he replied low.
Huck’s chuckle broke the silence. “Alice, where are your husbands today?”
Just then, three men walked through the door, each one more rugged than the last. “Ah, here they are now. Acedia, this is Jack, John, and Jeremy—my husbands. Boys, this is Acedia. She’s married to our three most eligible bachelors. Isn’t that nice?” The clerk sighed. “She says they dote on her.” She wiped tears. “Doting husbands are the best.”
“What?” I nearly choked.
The new men took turns slapping backs and shaking hands. I waited for someone to correct the mistake, but none did. Rather, Garrett used the tip of his finger to shut my wide mouth. “Wife, you’ll catch flies.”
Alice clapped her hand. “Okay, down to business. Just let me add these items to your list—and those beautiful boots.” She began writing on a pad of paper. So odd to see someone use a pencil and not an electronic tablet. “What have you brought to trade today?”
“The usual,” Huck said. “Fresh vegetables, jerky, alcohol, canned goods.”
“Yes!” She clapped. “You all do make the best schnapps in the region.”
Chapter Ten
Once again outside, I watched Huck and Garrett load the carriage with more supplies, stacking it atop of other stacks they had collected while I was at the doctor.
Bo took my arm and led me away from the cart. “Let’s go to the museum.”
This small town—a village really—had a museum?
Once we were out of earshot of the brothers, I took a deep breath for fortitude. “Bo, can I ask you something?”
He made a non-committal sound.
“I am now your wife, I guess, by the customs of your people, but I am not your first wife. May I as what happened to her?”
“My wife, Melanie, passed away in childbirth four years ago.” He looked off into the distance. “The baby would have been our first child,” he said so quietly I could barely hear.
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”
In a more normal tone, he finished his tale. “After she died, Huck and Garrett moved to the homestead that Melanie’s parents had gifted us when we were married. I tried to give it back to them after their daughter passed, but they insisted I keep it. As you could see, I’ve remained close to them.”
I threw my arms around his waist and buried my face against his chest. “I’m so sorry, Bo,” I cried. “I feel horrible for bringing it up. You must have gone through hell.”
He awkwardly patted my back. “It’s fine, Cedi. Now you know so we don’t have to discuss it further.” Bo peeled me off of him and handed me a hanky. “Dry your tears so we can go inside.”
I realized we were stopped in front of a spacious building with a small sign. The Historical Museum of Pre-Invasion.
Even though my new husband had dismissed his first love with a flippant shake of fabric, I couldn’t help but wonder about Melanie and what she was like. Bo must have cared deeply for her. A spark of jealousy flared for a brief instant before fizzling out like a dying ember in the wind. It was wrong to be jealous of a dead woman, but I realized it was not her I was upset about, but myself. I was so inadequate. I didn’t deserve one husband, much less three.
What would a Sloth know about living in an Anachronist’s world?
I literally brought nothing of value to the relationship.
Bo led the way, which seemed to always be the case, holding open the door for me. We entered the dim space with a slight musty odor. A layer of dust wafted up off the dirt floor when the door banged shut behind us.
An older gentleman, wearing an outfit I was sure was from an old-time western, scurried toward us. “Hello. So happy you decided to visit us. How are you Bo? It’s been a while.”
“I’m well,” he replied gruffly.
He came over to me. “Enchanted to meet you, madam,” he said then gently took my hand in his and smacked a kiss on top of it. I giggled at his silliness.
“This is my wife, Cedi. Cedi, meet my good friend, Alexandre,” Bo introduced. “Don’t go trying to steal her away from me, Alex.”
He held a hand to his chest. “Moi? I would never.” I realized they were joking with each other when the museum employee winked at me. “Please, call me Alex.”
I bet when he was in his prime, he was quite the ladies’ man.
“Where did you find such a beautiful young woman?” he asked.
“She is from the city,” Bo replied.
“Oh, my poor girl.” He gave me a sympathetic pat. “I’d heard about the city going into lockdown. I’m so sorry.”
I nodded and scooted closer to Bo. I had to admit I was a bit surprised when he pulled me to him, letting me fit into his side. He had seemed so distant since the morning.
“I would be honored to assist you in learning our history,” Alexandre offered. “I imagine it is vastly different from what you learned from your universal computer.”
“Thank you,” I offered.
Alex swept his hand outward. “Welcome to our Historical Museum of Pre-Invasion. A group of residents formed a Historical Society awhile back and came together to bring it to fruition. They felt it was important to remember where we came from. We here at the museum try to uphold their values. Many visitors come to our little village just to visit us. Some even bring items to add to it. I hope you find all the answers you’re looking for here. Let us begin with how the aliens managed to disarm an entire planet.”
We followed him to a wall covered in posters and newspaper clippings. “I guess the first thing you should know is that technology was available to most on the planet, not just to the Sloths. Most had access to electricity, running water, modern medicines.”
The wall showed a timeline of inventions from famous people in history and their contributions. Everything seemed so much larger in the past, so many designs and colors.
“While humanity was not perfect, we were trying to deal with our flaws. Poverty. Pollution. War, just to name a few. Yet, for all our shortcomings, we all lived mostly free. Free to design, invent, produce, and prosper.”
We walked a few steps to the next exhibit.
“The day the extraterrestrial came, they disarmed the planet by setting off a massive EMP weapon in our atmosphere that ruined 96% of all electronic technology on Earth. Many died. Planes fell from the sky. Crucial medical equipment like life support was turned off. Most communications across the world ceased, and many were left in the dark as to what was happening. Chaos reigned.”
I looked at the photos of a society in shambles.
“The aliens did reach out, claiming ignorance, that their technology was in conflict with our own, and agreed to rebuild our society utilizing their more advanced technology.”
Next.
“Though the visitors kept mostly to themselves, they sent their Artificial Intelligence to manage the rebuild.”
Next.
“And for a while, humans enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity under the guidance of the new universal computer. Many moved to the advanced rebuilt cities that vastly improved the quality of life for many.”
There were images of cities that looked very much like where I was from.
“However, occasionally, a whole population of people would disappear. And we could not seem to understand where they went. Here one minute, gone the next. No bodies. No calls of duress. Nothing.”
We moved over to a blank wall. Alex went to a weird contraption and lit a lamp inside a box. He then started inserting translucent photos in front of the light. An image projected on the wall.
“Finally, we learned the truth. When world leaders confronted the visitors, the aliens sent a global message that they had done nothing wrong in farming some of the creatures they took care of, that humans did so all the time with other animals on the planet like cows, pigs, and chickens.
“A planetary revolt ensued, which was quickly quelled by the advanced technology of the aliens, who then sabotaged any efforts made for advancement beyond their own cities. During those dark days, many humans yielded to the aliens—choosing to enjoy convenience and technology over freedom and hardship, even if it meant that their life might be randomly cut short. As the decades passed, many citizens in the cities forgot the truth, becoming reliant on the Ai and the bots. Those of us who chose to return to a simpler way of life keep the truth alive in our little villages, passing on the stories to our descendants.”
Alex turned off the light. I stared at the wall, stunned.
“I don’t understand why we don’t warn the cities.”
Alex smiled sadly. “We’ve tried. The Ai has domesticated the Sloths, purposely breeding them to go to their own doom peacefully. Those untamed or unevolved few who try to fight processing will be forced into it by their androids. Even when rescued, those who escaped that grim fate will often find our world too hard to live in and return to a city.”
I looked at Bo, horrified. “Will I have to go back? Will I not be able to survive as an Anachronist?”
He sighed. “I wouldn’t let you go back, even if you wanted.”
“Promise?”
He nodded.
I felt my eyes well again, that feeling of inadequacy rushing back. I felt sick to my stomach. Would I ever do anything but cry in this new world?
“Will you give up on me if I can’t conform?”
“Okay, that’s enough museum for today.” Bo gathered me to him. “Thank you, Alex. We’ll come visit again soon.”
He guided me out the door.
When we got on the street, I spoke. “I know I need to get ahold of myself.”
“You’ve been through a lot in three days. Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m hard enough on you.”
I side-eyed him but saw the corner of his mouth quirk up. He was joking… I think.
“Let’s get back to the guys. It’s getting late.”
Chapter Eleven
I didn’t realize I had fallen asleep with my head in Huck’s lap until I was awoken by Garrett collecting me in his arms. I remembered nothing of my trip back to the homestead.
Garrett carried me into the house while Huck and Bo unloaded the cart. I was exhausted, not used to such busy days. And I was emotionally drained.
My mind went back to all that I had learned from Alex. It saddened me greatly to learn that the people of Earth had once been a powerful race. And now we had been reduced to chattel, food for extraterrestrials. Or at least some of us. My people were.
Sloths.
Former Sloth now.
My city was empty.
The people who once lived there processed to be meat.
Garrett laid me on my bed and removed the beautiful boots he’d forced on me. “Sleep for a while, Cedi. We know today was a lot for you.”
I didn’t fight him though my heart yearned to prove I was worth something, that I was not the lazy cow that my name insinuated. I wanted them to see me as a useful addition to their household, but my eyes refused to co-operate, as did my weak limbs.
I closed my eyes and gave myself to the slumber my body insisted on.
But there was no comfort.
My dreams were nightmares.
I was being attacked, dragged away to be killed.
“Acedia!” The world shook. “Cedi! Wake up.”
But I was not alone. The guys were also captured by red-tinted robots.
“No!” I cried, lashing out. I was almost free. “Let me go!” I punched the android holding me.
“Cedi!”
My bleary eyes opened just as I swung, catching poor Huck right on the cheek.
“Ouch,” he complained, holding the top of his face. “Where did you learn to fight?”
“Oh God!” I threw myself into his arms. I was a damp, sweaty mess, but I didn’t care. “You’re okay.”
Huck hugged me back. “Well, that’s relative,” he joked.
“I mean you’re not in danger,” I corrected, pulling back so I could inspect him. “You’re safe. You’re home. With me.”
“I am.” He tilted his head to assess me. “Are you okay? You were having a nightmare.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded. “I was. It was awful.”
“Well, you’re safe as well. At home. With me.” He left the bed for the stone hearth. “I didn’t think you’d wake up before supper.”
He lifted the lid to a large cast iron pot and stirred the contents. Whatever it was, it smelled heavenly. My stomach rumbled, which caused Huck to chuckle.
“You must be famished. The food will be ready soon. When Bo and Garrett are done with the animals, we should be good to eat.”
“May I do anything to assist you?”
“I’ve got everything handled. Why don’t you go open the packages on the table. The one closest to you is from me.”
“Presents? Is this because it was my birthday?”
He turned toward me with raised brows. “We, um,” he cleared his throat, “didn’t know it was your birthday. But now I’m glad we decided to splurge on our new wife.”
“The night we met was my 21st birthday.”
“Oh.” He looked thoughtful. “I knew you were younger, but I didn’t realize…”
“Guess you all should have asked before you non-married me.”
He laughed. “Well, since you’re the one who forced us into marriage after only three days, I refuse to accept that I’m the cradle-robber when you are obviously the one who robbed the grave.”
I covered my face with my hands and let out a groan. “I don’t know what caused me to say that. I was only joking. I’m so embarrassed. I don’t understand why you all didn’t correct the assumption.”
Huck crossed the kitchen and pulled my hands away from my face. “Don’t be embarrassed. So you just jumped the gun and didn’t let us ask for your hand.” He smacked a kiss on my lips. “This will just be a part of our quirky love story.”
“Love story? More like a campfire horror.”
He chuckled. “Goodness, Cedi. Being married to you isn’t that bad.” He returned to the pot. “You’re too sweet to be a monster.”
I burst out laughing. “I appreciate you all taking me in, letting me trap you into a marriage, and then forcing you all to pamper me with baths, yummy food, and—” I gestured to the table, “—gifts.”
“Well, get to opening then,” he encouraged. “And don’t think I didn’t know about your blatant disobedience yesterday.”
“Me?” I crawled out of bed and sat at the table and pulled the first package toward me, the one Huck had said was his. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with string. So cute! “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Uh-huh, sure you don’t.” He looked over his shoulder. “How is it that we told you to go shopping for things you’d need, including clothing, but you only ended up with boots that Garrett had to force on you?”
I carefully untied the string and pulled open the paper. I pulled out several small individually wrapped packages and set them aside to lift a purple skirt. Frilly white ribbons are sewn around the bottom.
“It’s beautiful, Huck. Thank you.” I held it close to my chest and looked at him—like, really looked at him. This man and his brothers, my new husbands, were so different from any male I had ever known. How could I feel so cared for—and cared about? It was almost too much.
He smiled and shook his head, bemused. “You’re too easy to please, and I’m obviously not able to be firm with you.”
“That’s okay,” I assured him. “Bo told me yesterday that he was hard enough on me for the both of us. I’m not sure how much of that was a joke,” I mused, reaching for one of the smaller packages.
Huck erupted into laughter. “Yeah, he’s very much a disciplinarian, and you are in the unique position of needing a crash-course in life skills and wilderness survival.”
This gift held an assortment of soaps that I had been admiring at the store. “Oh, Huck. Thank you!” I began smelling them all over again. “I will admit to being at a slight disadvantage—”
“Slight?”
I rolled my eyes. “I was educated, you know.”
“There is a huge difference between knowing what water is and how to find it. Classical education will do nothing to make sure you don’t dehydrate and die. Knowing that the composition of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen is not going to help you figure out if the water you found is safe to drink.”
“Huh,” I commented, smiling at him. “You’re so smart.”
“You’re not the only one who went to school, Cedi. Even we Anachronists value education. The point is that some knowledge is crucial to survival out here. You don’t have an android to protect you anymore.”
“I have you guys.” The next package held a delicate looking necklace with a heart hanging from the center.
“We might not always be around,” he grumbled. “We need to know you’ll be okay.”
I left the table and moved to Huck’s side then threw my arms around him. “I love it all. Thank you!”
He hugged me back.
Lifting my face toward his, I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, hoping he’d take the hint and meet me halfway. He did not disappoint me. Lowering his head, he kissed me deeply.
I moaned low in my throat when he moved his mouth to my neck, sucking and nibbling. My pussy throbbed with a wanton need to be filled.
“Fuck it,” Huck growled out. “I want to eat you for supper.”
I squealed when he easily lifted me up, so my bottom rested on the edge of the dining table. He dropped to his knees and shoved the skirt of my dress up, baring my already wet pussy. Leaning forward, he ran his tongue through my folds, lapping up the wetness my body rapidly produced.
“You taste sweeter than candy,” he mumbled against my thigh before diving back in.
I grasped his head with one hand and held myself upright with the other. When his tongue moved to my clit, I threw my head back in pleasure. He sucked on my small bud like it was his favorite sweet treat.
I groaned loudly when he carefully worked two fingers into my body. “Is this okay, Cedi? Are you too sore for this?”
