think the proper thing to do would be to introduce
him to me rather than sneaking him into the barn.”
“Dad,
you have no idea how complicated that was,” she told him as she
sat down. “Do you see what’s going on outside? Those are
alien ships firing alien weapons.”
“What
do you mean alien?” he asked as he moved the curtain once more
and looked harder. “Oh my...” he began as the words got
cut short. “Aliens?”
“Yes
dad, and that is what I have been hiding in the barn. He crash landed
here a little over a week ago. I saw it the same night Ned came over
for dinner. I was emptying the trash when I saw a strange light in
the field, so I went to investigate. It was then that I found him,
but he was wounded so I took him to the barn and helped him. I didn’t
want to trouble you with it.”
“I
can’t believe what you are saying,” he said as he moved
the curtain back once more for confirmation. He gasped when he saw
one of the beings alight one of the ships. “It’s coming
over here.”
“Jalicia,
is everything alright?” Ned asked as he came through the back
door.
“Yes,”
she said. “He seems to be fine,” she said as she motioned
to her father.
“So
you knew about the aliens too Ned?” Samuel asked.
“I
helped to fix their communicator,” he beamed. “I mean,
yes Sir,” he said as he corrected himself. Samuel was staring
down both of them.
“Are
you two crazy? Do you see the damage that was done because of these
aliens, and you had one locked away in my barn for days? Do you
realize how dangerous they might be? Look at my yard!”
Jalicia
jumped as he barked at them. “Dad they aren’t all
dangerous, just like humans aren’t all dangerous. He found out
some of the evil aliens were planning to attack his home planet. He
tried to get back home and was forced to crash land here instead when
he ran out of fuel. Since then, Ned has been trying to fix his
communicator so he could tell his people where to find them and to
warn them about danger. He is no different than us dad; he just comes
from a different place.” She walked to the door as Samuel stood
gaping after her.
He
slapped his hands to his sides in defeat and looked over at Ned, who
hurried away before he became the target of another verbal assault.
As soon as they got to the door they ran into Antash.
Samuel
stood there looking at the being. “He doesn’t look alien
at all,” he said in surprise.
“That’s
because he can change form to adapt to his environment. Show him
Antash,” she said, and right before his eyes Samuel saw Antash
turn from chocolate to emerald and he almost fainted at the sight.
“I
think I need to sit down,” he said.
“May
I come in Sir?” Antash asked.
Samuel
turned to look at the being as if surprised he would demonstrate
proper conduct. He nodded and walked off to get some water. Maybe
that would help the drum beating in his head.
“Jalicia,
I have to leave now,” he said as he peered into her eyes that
were now getting teary.
“I
know,” she said as she choked back the tears. “I just
wish you didn’t have to.”
“Well,
the good news is Solaris is safe for now. The Brocoy did not intend
for so many of us to come here, so we took down their ships and
wounded many of them. They will not want to attack now, but we are
aware of their intentions to do so, so we will be prepared if they
ever come again.”
“So
all is well with Santina then,” she smiled, but he could see
the sadness in her eyes.
“You
will meet her one day Jalicia. I appreciate all the help you gave to
me when I needed it the most, even when you didn’t know me. You
were meant to help people, and maybe I came here for you to realize
that. Follow your dreams and never forget your heart; it will lead
you home,” he smiled. And she couldn’t help smiling too.
“I
hope I do meet her one day,” she said, “and that I will
see Solaris too.”
“You
will,” he said as he placed a kiss on her