The world was still young and man had barely risen above the apes on the evolutionary ladder. One tribe had begun to spread its influence across the land along with its genetics. That tribe had its beginnings from a survivor of a spaceship wrecked on this remote world. That had been many many years ago and now the tribe had spread up and down most of the river valley.
Mai was watchful as she neared the river. Animals and people could both be a danger and were best avoided. She came to the river almost every day to wash and be alone. The others made fun of her for washing. She looked and smelled different from the rest of her family. They often scolded her. She had no buildup of dirt and grime to keep off the bitey things. No man from another family had come to steal her away as with the other girls in her family group. The only ones who had ever used her were her brothers and uncles.
Freeze, try not to breathe, there is one of the Others down by the river. He is tall as a bear and has skins that shine in the light. Mai has heard of the Others. They may be gods or devils but they are to be feared. She has been teased of being taken by them. They come and claim anyone they like. Mai wants to run but knows that any movement could cause her to be seen. She stares as the Other washes in the river. He rises and beckons to her. A voice in her head says, "Come to me pretty one."
Mai's feet move on their own and she can not force them to take her away. She whimpers and looks for some way to run but the call from the Other is too strong. Mai reaches the river bank and stands before him. He is so tall. At just over 5 foot tall, Mai is one of the tallest in her family and her head doesn't even reach his shoulder. How can one so big, hide and hunt?
"Nice, even clean. No one will believe it till I bring you back with me. Now strip off those hides and let's see how you look." Mai didn't know how other had spoken but her hands were doing as he commanded. She cringed at the thought of losing the hides. The hides had cost her a lot and she would hate to pay that price again. She had stayed many nights in her uncle's furs to get them. He was a cruel man and she had received many beatings from him. She had done anything he wanted because winter was coming and she needed the new hides to survive.
Mai stood naked and ashamed, her precious hides in a pile by her feet. She flushed as the Other looked her over. How could any one want her with the ugly body she had. Her breasts were still firm with nipples that had hardened in the cool air. She had a narrow waist with a flat belly and long legs that gave her extra height. Mai was ready to cry, why couldn't she look like the women in her family. They all had children and fine bodies. Long droopy breasts to feed babies and big bellies filled with life.