20. Grace

The cold atmosphere in Fleth's cell was almost palpable.

His dark, shadowy chamber seemed more evil than the warm colors I had grown used to in Tix's cell.

It felt weird, hostile.

With every heartbeat, I could feel his penetrating gaze, like a hunter observing its prey.

"I've been waiting for this moment," Fleth said, his voice dripping with mock sweetness.

I glared back, hiding the nervous tremble in my voice. "What do you want, Fleth?"

He tilted his head, circling me like a vulture. "Isn't it obvious? You're my Prize. Tix had the audacity to humiliate me, and now, I'll return the favor by using you."

A chill ran down my spine.

I was no damsel in distress, and I would not be played with like a pawn. "You didn't win fairly! Tix would have beaten you if he was there!"

Fleth chuckled. "He wasn't there, was he?"

Suddenly, he lunged at me, faster than I anticipated.

I had learned a few things, both from Tix and our shared dreams.

I dodged swiftly, using the cell's confines to my advantage.

I knew I couldn't out-muscle him, but maybe, just maybe, I could outsmart him.

Fleth seemed to enjoy the chase.

Each time he came close, I'd slip out of his grasp.

At one point, I managed to trip him using his bedsheet.

I could see the growing frustration in his eyes, and I knew that my antics wouldn't keep him at bay for long.

Suddenly, he cornered me, his eyes blazing with a fury that sent shivers down my spine.

I took a deep breath, preparing to fight back with everything I had.

Just as he was about to close the distance between us, a sudden knock echoed through the cell.

We both paused, momentarily distracted.

Fleth's face contorted in confusion. "Ignore them. They'll leave."

And he licked me with his fat slimy tongue from chin to brow.

The knock came again.

This time, Fleth snarled and he turned to the door and snapped:

"I'm busy!"

Another knock, this one more urgent, sounded through the cold door.

It was followed by a muffled voice. "Sir, it's urgent."

Fleth looked at me with a level of rage that his red eyes only exhanced, blaming me as if I were the reason for the intrusion.

He growled and got up, marching over to the door.

I took a moment to regain my composure, steadying my breath and glancing around to plot my next move.

Was there a weapon?

A blade?

Something I could use?

The door slid open and I glanced toward it, hoping it was Tix.

It wasn't him.

It was a small figure unlike any I'd ever seen before.

It stood tall, nearly seven feet, with iridescent scales that shimmered, shifting colors as the room's dim light reflected off them.

Its eyes were large and multi-faceted, like those of a dragonfly, and seemed to gaze at everything at once.

"Congratulations are in order," the creature buzzed in a deep, yet melodious voice.

Its tone was difficult to decipher — was it mockery or genuine well-wishing?

Before I could reply, the alien presented a bottle of some effervescent golden liquid, encased in a glass crafted from what appeared to be crystal. "Champagne," it explained. "A gift from Xarnox. He won a hefty sum betting on you in the pits today and wanted to express his gratitude."

Fleth's eyebrow raised in silent inquiry. "A gift? For me? How… thoughtful."

He took the bottle and examined it for a moment, as if he had never seen one before.

He nodded to the messenger before slamming the door in his face.

Fleth bit the cork off and spat it in the corner.

He was about to drink it when he thought better of it. "Better you try it first, I think."

"I'm not drinking that," I retorted, shuffling backward until my back met the wall.

He smirked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Drink, or I'll make you wish you had."

Reluctantly, I took a sip, expecting the worst.

To my surprise, the champagne was delicious.

It danced on my tongue, a sweet and heady blend of flavors that were both familiar and utterly alien.

I drank more deeply, savoring the sensation.

Maybe if I drank enough of it, it would block out what would happen this night.

Seeing that I had suffered no ill effects, Fleth took a deep swig of his own.

He wiped his mouth with the back of his forearm and let out a deep belch.

Now the bottle had been drained, he tossed it into the corner of the room, where it smashed.

"You see?" he announced, spreading his arms wide. "Everyone pays tribute to me."

The champagne had barely settled in my stomach when Fleth began advancing on me again, that same predatory look in his eye.

I took a step back, instinctively, putting some distance between us.

"Don't think that a little bubbly is going to change anything," I warned, trying to keep my voice steady.

Fleth chuckled, low and throaty. "Oh, I have no illusions about that. Now, come. You are my main Prize."

My heart raced, the panic returning full force.

Fleth was close now, too close.

I could feel his breath on my face, smell the sharp tang of the champagne on his breath.

I tried to run but he was too big.

He snared me in his massive arms and crushed me in them.

His cock was rock hard and dug into my back.

I breathed in hurried, rushed, panicking breaths.

I couldn't believe this was happening.

This can't be happening!

"Don't do this!" I cried. "Please!"

"Begging will get you nowhere," he insisted.

He carried me to the bed and placed me on it face first.

I made to get up but his powerful hand held me pinned down.

I struggled, flailing, but it was no use.

It was like a cat with a mouse.

I was helpless.

He raised my negligee above my ass and laid down on top of me.

I felt his cock prod at my pussy.

I tightened it as hard as I could.

Maybe if he couldn't fit, he wouldn't want me, I prayed.

His body weight was heavy and, with a deep sigh, he lay on top of me.

And then didn't move.

As his snores rumbled through the room, I realized he had fallen asleep.

* * *

Asleep? Now?

I pushed and wriggled, trying to slide out from under him.

At last, I managed to free my legs and then, with a bit more effort, the rest of my body.

I was free, but the ordeal left me disheveled and panting.

An idea popped into my mind: the champagne!

It was the only explanation.

The liquid gold that had tasted so divine must've had something in it that knocked Fleth out cold.

I looked at him, sprawled on the floor, and for the first time since I'd met him, he seemed vulnerable.

The cruel, cunning predator was now a snoring heap, giving me a chance to make my escape.

As I tried to stand, my knees felt wobbly and the room spun.

Another realization hit me:

If the champagne had knocked out Fleth, what had it done to me?

I had to act quickly.

I ran for the door and beat on it but it was no use. "Computer," I said, "open door."

"Negative," Computer said. "You lack the proper authority."

"Hang authority!" I snapped. "Just open this damn door!"

"Negative," Computer repeated. "You lack—"

"No..." I muttered, the world dimming.

Stars danced in my vision and I felt myself growing weak.

My fingers grazed the cold surface of the door before everything turned black.

* * *

The dreamworld stretched aroundme like an endless expanse of starlit skies and vast horizons.

It felt both surreal and comforting, but I felt lost, floating in the midst of it all, desperately searching for a familiar touch.

Suddenly, a warm hand wrapped around mine, pulling me out of the void and grounding me.

I spun around to see Tix, concern deep in his eyes, but a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Tix!" I exclaimed, my heart racing as I rushed into his embrace.

His arms around me momentarily made the world's chaos fade away.

He chuckled softly, his grip tightening around me. "I knew you'd find me here, even in this dreamscape."

"But how? The champagne…"

Confusion bubbled up, but he nodded in acknowledgment. "I drugged it," he confessed. "I needed to knock Fleth out and encourage you to sleep, just long enough for this conversation."

I stared at him, trying to process everything. "You risked it all, just for this?"

He cupped my face gently. "I had to tell you how to get out. In the real world, our hands are tied. Here, we can plan."

Taking a deep breath, I listened as he detailed the escape. "You'll need to drag Fleth to the door and use his hand on the scanner. Once it's unlocked, I'll be right there. Trust me."

His words resonated with determination, and his gaze held mine, filled with promises.

As he leaned down, our lips met in a kiss that felt like a blending of souls, the dreamworld shimmering in response.

When we parted, my voice trembled. "Tix, I'm terrified. What if he wakes up when I get back?"

He held me tight, his voice soothing. "He won't wake up. Not until you get that door open. Understand?"

The force of his presence made me nod.

Reality began to blur the edges of our dream.

His voice grew distant, but his message was clear. "Wake up, Grace. Remember what to do."

As the dream faded, the cold reality pressed in.

The weight of Fleth's body nearby and his loud snores filled the air.

Tix's words echoed in my mind, giving me strength.

It was time to act, and with every ounce of courage, I started my escape, knowing he'd be waiting for me on the other side.

* * *

I gasped awake,my lungs demanding air and my heart pumping wildly.

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting.

The realization hit me like a slap — I was in Fleth's chamber.

My fingers brushed against the floor beneath, and the sharp pain in my head reminded me of the last memory before everything went black.

The confrontation.

The struggle.

Fleth, the behemoth of an alien, lay slumped across the bed, his loud snoring the only evidence of life in the room.

My initial thought was to flee once more, to run as fast as I could from this chamber of nightmares.

I already knew there was no way out.

Except for the way Tix had told me.

Fleth was twice my size and had a build that was more monster than man.

The alternative — staying trapped here and waiting for his waking wrath — was even less appealing.

Determination settling in, I positioned myself behind his head and looped my arms under his armpits.

Taking a deep breath, I used every ounce of strength to drag his massive body inch by inch.

It felt like I was trying to move a mountain.

The strain was almost unbearable, every muscle screaming in protest.

To make matters worse, Fleth started to murmur in his sleep.

His grumbling grew louder, punctuated by occasional snorts and groans.

My heart raced with every incoherent mutter, every restless shift of his massive form.

The oppressive weight of fear squeezed at my chest, making it hard to breathe.

What if he wakes up?

The thought played in my mind on a relentless loop.

What will he do if he realizes what I'm trying to do?

The vision of his cold, calculating eyes snapping open, his fingers closing around my neck, haunted my every move.

I shook off the paralyzing fear and kept pulling.

With every ounce of willpower, I silenced the negative thoughts and focused solely on the task at hand.

Fleth's murmuring grew more frequent.

There were times when I thought he would surely wake up, like when his large hand twitched, almost brushing against my leg, or when his murmurs sounded dangerously close to coherent words.

Sweat dripped from my forehead, my arms felt like they were on fire, and the weight of Fleth was beginning to seem insurmountable.

But, with one last desperate tug, I managed to get him close enough to the door.

I quickly grabbed his hand, pressing his fingers to the scanner.

A soft beep followed by a green light signaled success.

I nearly sagged in relief.

Only one last step remained.

Carefully, I raised his hand, positioning it in front of the scanner.

Another beep and a mechanical click told me the door was unlocked.

Drawing on my last reserves of strength, I pushed the heavy door open, its metallic groan filling the room.

My legs, shaky from exhaustion, carried me across the threshold and into the corridor.

And there, as if conjured by my most fervent wishes, stood Tix.

His eyes, wide with concern, scanned me quickly, taking in the sweat-smeared face and disheveled hair.

Without a word, he pulled me into his embrace, his strong arms wrapping around me in a protective cocoon.

In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, all my fears melted away.

The ordeal was over.

As I nestled into Tix's embrace, I couldn't shake off the feeling of Fleth's murmurs, echoing ominously in the back of my mind.