Abandoned by the crew, nearly friendless, so she thought, the human took her to get therapy, recognizing the ill health stress had caused. After a long time of therapy, and the human keeping open their friendship, she, tentatively, began the process of trusting again, though the human was obviously not happy with the crew that had filled her head with horror stories before telling her to flee like that.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-03794-j141-the-big-mistake-hunt -- Anon Guest
It's easy to be paranoid when you truly believe that They are out to get you. Xyn firmly believed that she would die a lengthy and painful death when the Human found her. She honestly expected bloody vengeance.
She did not expect a job offer.
"And... this isn't a bait and switch? You're not taking me somewhere everyone can see what's been done to my corpse?"
Human Quay laughed. "Okay. Trust is an issue. I get it. How about I hang around and help you farm out here? We get to know each other and you get to judge me over time. Not even the best actor can maintain a role for an extended period of time[1]. You'll see all my downsides. And positive points. Deal?"
"I shall be live streaming all security footage from my habitat's sensors," announced Xyn.
"Fair. Same with mine. We can negotiate after a year."
It took two seasons. During those months, Xyn could see that Quay was honest and happy to help. Even on days when things were going wrong, he would do his best to assist. He even acted to protect Xyn from potential risks.
There is an isolated planet in the middle of nowhere, where a single well-built hut remains. Inside, there are several vessels holding seeds and food stocks that could last an inhabitant enough to help them survive a year or two. There's also a note, left in a jar by the hearth.
Stranger, it reads, Thank you for caring for this house. It was built in need and strengthened in friendship. May it see you safely to a better future.
It was signed by Xyn and Quay.
Do not look for them on this world. They have left for brighter stars.
[1] William Boyd, who played "Hopalong Cassidy" and turned his life around to embody the childhood hero, is a statistical outlier and should not be counted. Even then, he was still William Boyd when he went home.
[Photo by Julian Nortoft on Unsplash]
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