Apex 3: Shaylo Attacks by Adam Moon Page A

Butteville.”
    “Hey! What does that mean?”
    Jack just chuckled as Sally leaned into him, nestling into the nape of his neck. Her blond hair smelled like coconuts even though they’d been hanging out in a hundred degree heat in the Grand Canyon for several hours.
    A lock of hair tickled his nose and he sneezed, ruining the serene mood.
    He overheard hushed arguing from across the park. His mom was saying to Watson and Hank, “Don’t you dare tell him. He’s been through too much. It’ll be too much for him to handle.”
    Jack leapt to his feet and headed straight for them with Sally hot on his heels, curious to see what had them so agitated.
    They all turned his way but none of them spoke.
    Jack said, “Tell me what’s going on.”
    Watson and Hank both turned to his mom but she looked away from everyone. Her eyes were bloodshot and tearing up.
    “Tell me.”
    Watson said, “It’ll be easier if you see for yourself.”
    Jack ’s mom said, “Don’t show him.”
    Now Jack was getting angry. “Whatever it is, I want to see it now.”
    Watson was hesitant but he eventually said, “Come with me,” as he walked towards the little strip of shops that lined the opposite side of the street from the park.
    Jack’s mom let out a loud sob, but he was too tense to comfort her just then. He had to see what the big deal was.
    Watson led him inside an electronic repair shop full of old stereos and washing machines and big blocky tube style TV’s.
    The one thing that stood out was the wall mounted flat screen TV because it was the only thing in the shop built in the past decade.
    A two minute video was playing over and over, on a constant loop.
    Jack ’s heart became heavy and he felt like his lungs were filled with lead. On the screen was something straight out of a horror movie.
    A Grey like none he’d ever seen before was in the shot, wearing a unique style of armor. He had guns a ll over his body and a large, vicious looking sword strapped to his hip. Across from him was Jack’s friend Melanie. She was shaking but she stood tall and faced her enemy despite her fears.
    Jack took a closer look and realized they were in Ault.
    He said, “I can be there in a second. I’ll be right back,” but Watson said, “Don’t bother, son. Just watch.”
    The large Grey alien looked into the camera and then in a single quick motion, pulled his sword and brought it down on Melanie’s head. She was strong, but the sword embedded itself in her skull anyway, parting her eyes. She blinked twice and then she fell over backwards.
    The alien bent down and retrieved his sword. He fastened it to his hip again without even bothering to clean off the blood.
    Then he pressed an unseen button on the inside of his faceplate and spoke.
    “I am Shaylo. Come to me Earthman. Avenge her death.”
    Then the footage looped back to the beginning again.
    Jack’s mouth fell open. All eyes turned to him but he didn’t notice. He was in a fugue state, barely conscious of his own breathing.
    He mumbled, “That can’t be right. That was Melanie. She did nothing to them.”
    Watson stepped between Jack and the TV. “I know. But you can’t fall into his trap. Do you understand?”
    Jack nodded but hardly knew what he was agreeing to. “I should’ve been there to save her.”
    Now Jack’s mom chimed in. “She didn’t want to fight. She chose to stay behind and there was nothing anyone could say to convince her to leave. Don’t blame yourself for that.”
    “She was innocent.”
    Watson moved his head to the right to make sure Jack was looking at him. “Do not get suckered in, son. He wants you to act emotionally.”
    Jack yelled, “Then that’s his mistake! He’s about to see what I can do.”
    Sally touched his elbow and said, “Calm down. We’ll get him but just not right now.”
    Jack stared at her like he wanted to kill her with his gaze.
    He said seriously, “You’re wrong. I’m going after him right this minute. Can you flip