Three

In the dim, semi-darkness of the room, she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, overwhelmed by her thoughts. What she had witnessed was not the result of any technology but the capabilities of these aliens. She was in deep trouble, in an alien place where no one was familiar, where no human presence could be felt. Fear gripped her heart. She sprang up from the bed.

“If this keeps up, I’ll be a basket case within a week,” she muttered, running her fingers through her hair. The uncertainty of why she had been brought here plagued her. She had heard tales of aliens visiting Earth but had never imagined a scenario where humans themselves would be taken.

The darkness of the room was suffocating. She wanted to call out for help.

“Is anyone here? Get me out of here…” She moved toward the wall from which the alien had appeared.

Gradually, the wall began to glow as if someone was outlining a door with a spotlight. She tensed, readying herself to attack and escape. She was a skilled fighter, after all. As she blinked, the alien materialized in front of her. The door vanished as if it had never existed.

“Oops…” She shut her eyes in frustration. Deceiving these aliens wasn’t easy. Their speed matched her own, making it impossible to outwit them. They weren’t beings she could simply overpower and flee from. Tears of helplessness welled up in her eyes.

“Escaping from here would be a miracle,” she sighed, returning to the bed. At least she hadn’t given up without making an effort to explain herself. She suspected he didn’t understand her language.

“Will you tell me why you brought me here? Are you mute or deaf? I’m talking to you.” To vent her frustration, she began shouting.

“Oh God… Where am I stuck?” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“You earthlings can’t speak slowly? Have some mercy on my ears.”

“Can’t? You mean? Damn it,” she cried out quickly before stopping abruptly.

“You spoke? You can talk? You’re not an alien?” Her excitement grew.

“I am an alien.”

“Did you think I was dumb?” He glanced at the glass of water, then at Elsa. The glass floated into the air with a mere movement of his eyes and hovered before Elsa. She stared in shock as the glass remained suspended, and she took a wary glance at it.

“N-no, but you haven’t said anything since yesterday…”

She was conversing with him, though she felt as if his mind could wander and he might transform her into stone or make her float like the glass. He had the power to do anything. The glass inched closer, and she backed away.

“Drink the water.” He had no intention of taking the glass, so he had to say it.

Terrified, Elsa touched the glass. It was the same glass from her room, picked up by him when she asked for water.

“You’re weird,” she said with indifference, barely managing to sip the water.

“Who taught you our language?” She asked, her throat drying up again as she noticed the alien's intense stare.

“You.” He gestured towards the glass. The glass floated back to its original place. Elsa watched in wide-eyed amazement.

“Mmm… how?” she asked, astonished.

“Just as you transfer data from one device to another,” he explained, his accent apparent.

“Why did you bring me here? What is this place?” she asked softly.

“It’s not your land. We needed someone from Earth.”

“Then why me?” She screamed again.

“Oh God… How much more do you need to scream? I can hear your whispers too. Speak calmly.” Their auditory range was far broader than that of humans. Elsa had to be cautious.

“Look, why did you bring me? I could be the most useless person on Earth,” she lied, clutching a pendant around her neck.

He smiled charmingly.

“Don’t try to instruct us. We know you’re perfect for the job. You were late for the airport and almost missed your flight, but you still insisted on reaching the hospital. I know you have a very soft heart. And such a heart is what we need.”

“Oh God… Curse me. I should have left you to die. Is this how you repay a benefactor?” Her voice grew louder, prompting him to cover his ears.

“If you raise your voice again, I’ll hang you from the ceiling,” he retorted, mimicking her tone.

“Don’t mimic me.” She felt irritated as he repeated her words.

“Everything learns from you; I will speak like you.” As he turned to leave, Elsa tried to follow but collided with his chest.

“Are you made of iron?” She rubbed her head, feeling as if she had hit a steel wall. Blood dripped from her forehead.

“Not iron, but certainly not as delicate as humans,” he replied, his voice calm.

“Don’t joke. Get me a first aid kit,” she groaned in pain. He scanned the room, then turned to the cupboard. The door swung open, and the first aid kit floated toward him. He extracted the medicine and bandages, the kit remaining suspended in mid-air as he carefully tended to her wound. Elsa watched in awe.

“Oh God… What a chance you have to be so extraordinary.” She marveled at his beauty, finding him so striking that it was almost shocking.

“I wish you weren’t an alien,” she admitted quietly.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“In our world, we have no names.”

“I’ll give you one.” She closed her eyes, contemplating. “Joseph… Yes, Joseph suits you.” The name slipped from her lips effortlessly.

“Joseph… A fine name.” He closed the first aid box and regarded her seriously. “Listen carefully.”

“First, don’t even think about escaping. The temperature outside this room isn’t suitable for you. At minus 8 degrees, you’d freeze instantly.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief as he spoke.

“Second, forming emotional attachments here could be overwhelming for you.”

Elsa closed her eyes in embarrassment. “Oh God.”

“Fortunately, no one on Earth can read thoughts.” He continued.

“And third, starting tomorrow, you will work for us. Cry as much as you need today. From tomorrow, you will act like one of us. You’ll teach us to replicate hearts. If we fail, we’ll take yours and make copies.”

“What??” she gasped, “I’m going to die like that.” She sighed deeply.

“So die then; it’s your fate. Do you think we’ll finish and just leave you here?”

“Damn…” she muttered under her breath.

“I won’t work for you,” she shouted defiantly. Joseph began pulling cotton from the box.

“There’s no choice; you’re making me deaf.” He stuffed cotton into his ears.

“Get deaf, then, damn it.”

“You have no option but to comply.”

He grasped her arm, turning her to face him, and peered into her eyes. Unseen rays emanated from him, hypnotizing her.

“You will work for us, Anna. You are bound by our every command.”

“Okay,” she nodded mechanically. He smiled and turned to leave, leaving her standing there. It would take time for her to regain her senses. In the meantime, she stood like a statue of salt.

She remained in this state until his influence wore off. Joseph, with a satisfied smile, exited the room.

“You’ll tire yourself out. You should lie down,” he instructed as Elsa’s mind absorbed his words. She settled onto the moving bed.

“Goodnight, sweetheart…” His gentle voice echoed, binding her to his will. The heart, which had promised obedience at first sight, was unaware of its true power. Joseph did not realize that no weapon could control the heart. If it wished, it could make him a king or a mere pawn. It is captured by the eyes, not by weapons. That’s why anger is commanded to end love—because the pathways of the heart are often through the eyes and sometimes through the ears. Thus, one becomes a captive of one’s face and one’s heart is enslaved by one’s voice.