Read Online Captain Cosette by R. Bruce Sundrud - Free Book Online Page B

lifted his hand.  “Maybe I’ll get a book for her.  But remember, the last thing she needs is more information.  I’m not sure she even knows she’s on a space station.”
    “ Well, now she knows.”
    The man in the lavender coat looked closely at her, so she smiled back.  “No, I don’t think she does.”
    Space station .
    Snap .
    Snap .
    A multitude of space stations floated through her brain, tucking themselves into her mind, and she knew every one of them like the back of her hand.
    Her vision cleared. 
    Where am I ?
    There had been a machine, and a man with thick glasses.  Then there was the darkness.  Now she was here, on a space station.  She almost opened her mouth to try to speak, but thought better of it.
    Who are these people ?
    She didn’t trust them. 
    The tall man held her hand and talked, but when he left, she didn’t smile.
     
    *
     
    “Hold the railing.  That’s a good girl.  Just a little further.”
    The tall man, who had introduced himself as Rasora, urged her down the corridor.  She knew that up ahead lay two rooms; the one on the right was an exercise room, the one on the left had a whirlpool and some massage tables. She knew all about this space station, but she pretended not to know, because she didn’t trust him.
    She also kept to herself the knowledge that, if she had walked the other way, turned right, past two corridors, and then left, she would be at a shuttle bay. 
    She knew how to pilot a shuttle.
    The tall man guided her to the right, where the exercise room was, and he showed her how to use the equipment. 
    There was no need for him to show her.  She knew how they all worked.  She walked to the bicycle, and put her hand on the screen.
    Computers .
    Snap .
    With a few quick taps, she set up a gentle bicycle course around a lake on a planet with orange and green trees, and bubbly life forms that dodged as she drove the course.  She had never ridden a bicycle before, but it was fixed to the floor so no skill was necessary.  She steered with one hand and swiped at the bubbles with the other, laughing as she bounced the rubbery creatures up in the air.
    She worked up a sweat, and then luxuriated in the whirlpool. 
    Back at her bed, a man who said his name was Rasora asked her how she was doing.
    She opened her mouth and tested her speech.  “I…fine.  I’m fine.”
    He grinned widely, looking very happy.  “They made me a cadet so I can be near you as you recover.  Do you remember me?”
    She didn’t want to disappoint him, because he looked kind.  “Yes.”
    “ What’s my name?”
    “ Ah…”  She shrugged.
    His smile faded.  “That’s okay.  Can you tell me your name?”
    “ Yes.  I’m….  My name is…”  She frowned and shook her head.
    “ Cosette.  That’s your name.”
    “ Okay.”
    His smile was wistful, and he reached over and gave her a hug.
    For some reason her heart started beating faster.
    After he left, she lay back on her bed and looked at the ceiling.  Why had she enjoyed the hug so much? 
    I should ask his name , the next time he comes in .

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Annabelle ran across the sunny field just the way a large tree wouldn’t, a large tree that shaded her boyfriend Kullin, who stood under the tree waiting for her.  Annabelle preferred keeping her boyfriend in the dark, because in the sun he glittered.
    Kullin was a vampire!  Not the evil sort, no, he preferred Bloody Marys to biting the necks of…
     
     
    A knock at the door interrupted the perils of Annabelle. 
    Just as well . 
    For some reason the name Renée Chevalier had stood out in the list of authors, but her novels seemed poorly written and artificial.   It was difficult to concentrate on reading, anyway.  After a few pages nothing made sense.  She set the book aside.  “Hello?”
    The doctor in the lavender laboratory coat entered and reached out his hand.  “How are we doing today?”
    His name tag read