Life had not always been this way. A desperate and bloody struggle for survival.

Where there was now violence there was once peace. Where there was blood and dirt underfoot, there had once been grass. Lush and thick. So beautiful that one couldn't help but try to reach out and grab it.

That was Atilius' first memory. Being inside that dark box, cold and naked, on the day he was first brought home. It was through one of the airholes on the side of the box that he could see the grass. He stuck his hand out into the light and grabbed hold of one of the blades. For whatever reason, the sensation filled him with a calming joy.

The grass was of course, synthetic. As the grass that covered the world known as Earth had been destroyed along with the planet. Earth was gone, deleted from existence without much fanfare over a thousands years prior. Not much history nor details remain on the subject. What is known however, is that the great cosmic pests known as humanity, had managed to claw their way off the surface of the green and blue ball in time. Massive fleets of uncoordinated ships evacuating into space, searching aimlessly for a new home in all directions.

It was certain most were to meet their end one way or the other in the great expanse of space. There was however, the slimest of chances that some of those ships would come into contact with alien life forms. And so it happened, as all hope was dwindling and supplies were nearing end, that a small group of ships stranded in the general area of space we know as Orion; in orbit of the Chi star system, made contact with the native lifeforms of the planet Keet.

This historic first meeting between Humans and Keetans was amicable, however, there were a few minor hiccups.

One; There was no proper form of communication between the two parties. The tongue formed words from the mouths of humans had no bearing on the ears of Keetans, who spoke from their beaks in whistles, chirps and soft soothing tones.

Two; An adult Keetan is about six times bigger in size than that of an adult human. In terms of physicality, the humans found themselves completely dominated and quite outmatched.

Despite these shortcomings, the Keetans were immediately endeared towards the helpless humans. They admired their primitive spacecrafts, the tuffs of hairs on parts of their bodies; their bizzare way of speaking. The charming way they interacted with one another. They were so small, so pitiful. The Keetans made the decision to take the humans back to Keet. The human's went along willingly, not that they had much choice in the matter.

And so, that once proud race of homo sapiens allowed themselves to domesticated completely. Human society slowly dissolved away and reintegrated within the lives of the Keetans, who let them live in their houses as exotic pets, as they found the new human creatures endlessly fascinating. Humankind began to lose its culture. Knowledge gave way to complacency. Information of how to make basic things disappeared. The idea of space flight became a foreign concept, unless their Keetans felt the desire to take them offworld for a weekend trip. In essence, the humans on Keet where trapped there, bought and sold to live and die as pets. But it was of no bother; all their basic needs were taken care of for them, and then some. At no cost whatsoever. Who would desire anything more?

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So yes, the grass Atilla felt himself touching in that memory 15 years ago was not real Earth grass, but it was of no difference to the 4 year old human boy. Never having experienced the real thing In all the reputable care manuals found on planet Keet suggest keeping synthetic grass in the enclosure for pet humans, to give the feeling of their native environment.

Much to the excitement of the Gennard family, who stood around the box, it appeared to be working. Proud mother and father held each other close as the three young children, whistled and chattered to each other as they watched the tiny boy's arm reaching out to grab at the grass blade.

'Look, it's moving!' whistled Pico, the youngest girl. The feathers on the back of her head standing up in pure elation.

'When does it come out?' coo'd Crick, the eldest. Looking back and his mother and father in puzzlement.

'Go on and open it up, see if he comes out!' Said Father Gennard, trying to contain that he was excited as his children to be bringing home a Human for the family.

There was an air of prolonged hesitation. Finally Lexi, the middle child and eldest daughter stepped forward. The arm recoiled back from the airhole. She knelt down and carefully opened up the box, but nothing emerged from within.

'He won't come out!' she called in dismay.

'He's probably scared dear. See if you can think of a way to coax him out.' Answered Mother Gennard.

Lexi thought to herself for a moment. Then knelt down beside the box.

From inside, the boy could sense a monstrous large presence looming. He cowered in the far corner of the box, away from the opening. With his face to the floor hands over head, he heard from outside the sounds of a beautifully song. It was a soothing song that Lexi had learnt from her mother when she was little, on nights where she was restless in sleeping. Thought the boy was unable to distinguish Keetan words, the soul of its meaning carried it's way to boy.

'Though the storm is fierce

I will keep you safe

though the rain may fall

I will protect you

Though the wind may howl

I will sing this song

Now sleep little one

I will allow no harm to be done

to you'

And with this the boy crawled out into the blinding daylight, Then found it obscured by a large silhouette. As it came closer and his eyes adjusted a giant face came into view. It was Lexi's face, the first face Atilius ever saw. They looked into each others eyes and in that instant knew that they loved one another, and were from that moment inseparable. Lexi placed her hand down to the grass and the young human climbed on. With a tears in her eyes she turned around to show off the human the rest of the family. Who watched eagerly as she carried the precious cargo over to them.

The boy had curled up and fallen sound asleep right in the palm of her hand.