Space Janitor (100) approached Shep. Shep kept his eyes closed. If he kept them shut for long enough, then the journey would be over, and they could get on with the task at hand.
Through the transparency of his eyelids, the silhouette of Space Janitor stood before him. Reluctantly, Shep opened his eyes.
“I’m not hungry,” Shep said, not looking at what was in Space Janitor’s hands.
“Good, I hope that means you won’t eat this then,” Space Janitor replied.
Shep looked down to see what Space Janitor was holding.
“Great, you got me a foot,” She said. Space Janitor handed the foot to him. It looked as if it would fit his stump. Shep was touched by the gesture but didn’t want to let his feelings slip.
“I don’t know if it will work. It was just an idea,” said Space Janitor.
Shep held it down to where his original foot would have gone.
“I hope you don’t think this means I like you,” Shep said, looking up at Space Janitor.
“Oh no, of course not. I mean you wouldn’t need a replacement foot. If it wasn’t for me, you’d be somewhere better,” Space Janitor said.
The transport rocked as it made its way across the station. On the inside, you couldn’t hear the heavy traffic.
“Guess there’s no harm in trying the thing on for size. It looks like you may have got my size wrong. This is a nice…” Shep couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence. The words hit an invisible wall in his throat. It forbid him from speaking them.
Space Janitor watched intently as Shep held the foot to the stump.
“It could work,” Space Janitor said.
“Need to work out how I’m going to attach it,” said Shep. “Any ideas?”
****
Would you mind reading from the beginning because it’s a fantastic place to start. You can find the first instalment of Space Janitor by clicking here.