Perfect Specimen by Kate Donovan Page A

where?”
    “What?”
    “You said you should go. Go where? To Ra-ahl? A place I invented to sell a sci-fi book? So I could make enough money to get away from my abusive husband?”
    “It’s real—”
    “It’s not! My God, Lizzie, listen to me. You’re how old? Maybe nineteen? When I was your age, I already had one baby, with another on the way. No hope for a decent future. But you can go to school. Meet a nice guy, or guess what? Be alone for your whole life. Trust me, that’s not the worst thing that can happen to a girl.” She tightened her grip on Lizzie’s hand. “Be alone. Cherish that feeling. I’d give anything to be you, but the truth is, I have a husband and children. It’s not sexy or dramatic, it’s just real life. I screwed up. And you’re going to screw up too if you’re not careful.”
    Jumping to her feet, Sara added sternly, “Just forget you ever heard about me. Dream about other planets if you want, but don’t be fooled. We’re all stuck here. Forever. There are no other worlds. No life on other planets. No tractor beams or light sabers. I know, because I’m just like you. If I thought I could get out of here—go to another planet in another galaxy? I’d do it in an instant.”
    She studied Lizzie’s face, anxious for some hint that she’d gotten through to her.
    Then the visitor stood up and scowled. “They all feel so sorry for you. That’s what you love, right? Everyone wants you. Clay, Ga’rag, even Randy. So fine. Go to Ra-ahl. See if I care.” Tears welled in her eyes again. “It’s such a waste—”
    Sara grabbed her by the arm. “Lizzie!”
    “Don’t! I hate you!” Yanking herself free, she dashed for the door. Then without a backward glance, she was gone.
    “Lizzie . . .” Sara’s voice was weak with defeat. What a stupid, stupid girl. So pigheaded. So broken.
    She needs a mother. Or a big sister, Sara realized suddenly. But it can’t be you. Plus, it’s not too late for her. She’s a mess, but she’s alive. Worry about your own children before it’s too late for them.
    “Well, that was a disgusting display,” Ga’rag’s voice said, taunting her from the bedroom doorway.
    “Oh!” She spun toward him, completely confused. “Thank God you’re here.”
    “Thank God?” The alien’s small mouth curved downward with contempt. “Am I not your God?”
    Oh, no . . .
    Her gut wrapped itself into a tight ball as she realized, too late, that he was in full dress uniform, whip firmly in hand. It had been months—no, years—since she’d seen him this way. She could barely even remember the routine.
    But still, she dropped to her knees before replying. “Forgive me, Overlord. You are everything to me.”
    His round black eyes shimmered with fury. Then he cracked the whip against his thigh, and in that instant, her face exploded with pain so severe, she shrieked, instinctively pressing her hands against it, willing her sinuses not to erupt in a gush of agony and blood. “Ga’rag! No!”
    “Bow down before me!”
    “Oh, God!” She prostrated herself at his feet, but still, the tip of his weapon sailed through the air, lashing against her back, ripping through her silk blouse to tear a crater in her tender skin.
    “Ungrateful bitch! No wonder my ancestors decimated their females. After all I’ve done for you, you’ve allowed this to happen.”
    Through her pain, she remembered Randy’s crazy observation. Ga’rag couldn’t breathe here for long. She could rise up against him, using the raw strength and endurance he had forced her to develop—
    And then he’d kill the babies.
    As if reading her mind, he sneered. “I can no longer stand the sight of you. Or your repulsive offspring.”
    Raising her face from the pool of blood on her dark brown living room carpet, she whispered, “We are inferior in every way, Overlord. But still—even though you can’t stand the sight of us, you need us.”
    “What?”
    Still trembling, she forced herself to