At first it looked like Walt was going to get his way. Tommy wasn't all that enthused about the idea of heading back when there was a mystery to be solved that was just out of reach, but we had agreed to listen to Walt. Plus I get the feeling that Tommy was feeling just as guilty about us breaking our childhood trust and kissing me as I was, so we turned away from the broken trees and shining lights and started walking back the way came.
We hadn't gotten very far when we all heard the sounds of footsteps rushing towards us, and helicopters flying zooming in. We all looked at each other, and wordlessly decided to hide among wreckage of the destroyed foliage and see what was going on before showing ourselves. It didn't take long before we saw men in black suits walking towards the crash with a cadre of armed soldiers trailing behind them securing the location as they made their way. We were all scared out of our minds, but Walt looked like he was ready to pass out from the stress of the situation that we had talked him into. I don't know where he got the courage for it, but Walt almost decided to try and make a run for before Tommy clamped a hand over his mouth and pulled him back to us. While the twins were struggling against one another I overheard some voices as the men in suits got closer to our hiding spot.
“We have another one sir. This makes four in the past year. The frequency seems to be increasing quicker than we had previously anticipated.”, the first man said, speaking into a handset. He paused for a moment as he waited for a response, and continued his conversation, “No sir, we haven't seen any civilians yet. We did see a couple of civilian vehicles and a campsite on our way in, but we haven't seen anything to indicate that any civilians have made contact yet.”, he said followed by another pause. “Copy that, I know the procedure by now. We'll assess the situation start a cleanup operation and come in for a debriefing immediately afterwards. Yes sir. Yes. I know. Look, if we see any civilians out here I know how to take care of the... Yes sir, I understand sir. Copy that.”
Walt stopped struggling and promptly quieted himself as the conversation progressed. It was clear to all of us that something bigger than we knew how to handle was going on out here. It was torture trying to stay still and silent as the armed men passed by us, but having Tommy nearby helped ease my nerves. There were a few times that I thought that we would be caught as flashlights lit up the branches over our heads, but after what felt like an eternity the group passed us by and continued towards their destination.
We stayed hidden for another fifteen minutes or so, making sure that were actually out of danger for the time being. We eventually got out of our hiding spot and looked around to make sure no one was within earshot before Walt broke the silence.
“I fucking told you that we shouldn't come out here! Did you see the heat those guys were packing? They look like they are ready for world war three! Why did I have to let you two talk me into this... Speaking of the two of you, you've been awfully close on our walk out here, what were you doing before the crash? You know what, I don't care. I don't care about any of this anymore, I just want to...”
Before he could finish ranting a giant explosion rattled out from the crash site. Some of the already uprooted trees were flung backwards, and wave of intense heat bellowed out after the initial blast. It was clear that something strange was happening around us. It took a while for my head to clear and my vision to stop blurring. I frantically searched for Tommy or Walter but I couldn't see either one of them. I wandered around in confusion for a little while before I finally caught sight of Walter. Something looked... Off about him. He had a strange look in his eyes that, a wildness that he didn't usually possess. He was looking around at the destruction with an intense ferocity, almost like he was angry at the explosion. I was still startled, but I knew I had to get to him, find Tommy and get the hell out of the forest. I started running towards him, but before I could get to him one of the men in suits from before grabbed me. I screamed and Walt saw me then, and he started to come towards us. The suit then put a black bag over my head.
I don't know exactly what happened next, but from the sounds of things there was a struggle. I heard a guttural yell coming from what I assume was Walt before I heard the sound of gunshots and someone gurgling on their own blood. I tried to squirm away as I heard footsteps approaching. I heard heavy breathing right beside me and I tried to at least trip whoever was next to me, but before I knew what was happening someone hit me over the head and I passed out.
I halfway remember feeling the sensation of someone carrying me for hours, but I don't know what happened next. I know that there was a forest fire that broke out, and I vaguely remember feeling heat around me again. Mostly though, I just remember feeling confused and disjointed with reality. Odd memories of how scratchy the black bag was, or how it felt like we were traveling insanely quickly peek through here and there, but the only concrete memory I have after being knocked unconscious is waking up in a hospital surrounded by police.
Chapter three
Grasping at straws.
I remember feeling incredibly drained upon waking. I had bruises and scratches, but aside from a mild concussion I escaped the scene relatively unharmed. The police questioned me about the previous night for what felt like hours but was probably only about thirty minutes before I passed out again. When I woke for the second time all that remained of the police force was one policeman guarding the exit, and a detective sitting in the chair next to my bed. It was easier talking to just one person instead of being bombarded with questions from all directions, and I was able to put together a convincing enough story for him before he left. I had enough of my faculties about me at that point to know better than to tell him everything that happened. I ended up telling him that three of us had been camping before being knocked unconscious after the crash. I left out the parts about strange men in suits and lights coming out from the crash site, but the part he seemed most interested in was the fact that there were three of us out there last night. Apparently I was the only one that made it out of the forest unscathed last night. My car as well as Tom's were missing, and there was no trace of anyone else having been out there. A trucker saw me lying on the side of the road that led into the forest campground and he brought me into the hospital. After hearing about where he found me, and learning about the explosions in the woods the police felt the need to question me.
I was stunned at the news of my stepbrothers' disappearance. The detective left me his number in case I remembered anything else, and told me to call him if anything else came up. The hospital kept me for two more days to monitor my condition and make sure that there weren't any other injuries that they hadn't found yet. I kept on hoping that the twins would show up, and that everything would be alright in the world again but they never did. I was all alone in a strange city with no way of finding out what had happened or of getting home for that matter. When I was released I called the number on the card that the detective had left me.
“Uh, hello, this is Detective Parker speaking.” A gruff voice on the other side of the phone call answered.
“Um, Yes, this is Alice Stevens. You came by to question me at the hospital a few days back. Have you heard anything new about what happened in the woods? Anything about my brothers? I'm still completely in the dark over here, and I really don't have any, well anything to go on.” I said, hoping that he might have some news.
“Unfortunately, nothing new has come up. The national guard have set up shop around the park, and from they have been saying it looks like a massive meteorite crashed into the forest. A fire broke out that night, but aside from that they are being quiet about the whole affair. Have you remembered anything else about the night in question miss Stevens?”
“No, it's all still a little hazy.”, I replied. I paused for a moment before deciding that I needed to get back out to the forest myself. “Is there. Is there any way you could take me out to the site, or at the very least to the place where I was found? I don't know if my brothers are still out there, and whatever happened to them I'
d feel a lot better actually knowing instead of just hoping against the worst. If nothing else I meet see something that would jog my memory and help me piece together what happened to me that night.”
“I'm not all that sure that I can get you into the site proper, but if you think it might help you remember something I don't see the harm in taking you to the spot that you were discovered. This whole situation reeks of a cover-up, and I'd like to get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later. Is there someplace that we could meet up?”
“Yeah, I think I can see a diner pretty close by. I haven't had anything to eat but granola and hospital food for the past five days, so I'll go and wait for you over there.
Thoughts of a cover-up had already crossed my mind after he told me about the national guard, and they continued dancing through my mind as I made my way to the diner. The town wasn't very large, I'd guess it probably had a population of about twenty thousand people or so, and it didn't take me very long to get to my destination.
The diner had a quaint small town vibe. It was a Ma' and Pa' operation, and the first things I noticed upon entering the building were the pungent smells of burnt coffee and decades of cigarette smoke. The blinds and walls were both stained with a faint yellowish tint, and it looked like the tables and booths had been there since the fifties. A middle aged woman approached me as I got close to the front desk and sat me down at a booth.
The woman looked like she had been through hell and back during her lifetime. Wrinkles were liberally spread across her wide face, lipstick smeared thickly on her thin lips, and a look of complete surrender was in her every movement. She ignored me after she led me to a table; going to the other tables and flirting with the various farmers and truckers that were already there. She'd thrust her sagging tits out at them like they were prizes to be fawned over. You could tell that at one time she was really a force to be reckoned with. She looked like she was just a specter of that previous life.
I understand that life can be tough—probably better than almost anyone else in here—but I was tired, hungry, and after learning about my brothers in no mood for bullshit.
“Miss. Hey, over here. I know you know that I'm over here. I know that I probably look like crap right about now, but if I could just a cup of coffee and a some eggs and bacon I'd really appreciate it.” I said with irritation dripping off of every word.
“Look hun, I've got my paying regulars over here, and I'm in no mood for sass from some young thing. Do you even have enough money on you for what you just asked for? I can go see if we have any day old bread or leftovers from yesterday, but if I do that I'm gonna need you to leave right after.”, the waitress said in a mocking saccharine tone.
“Look, I've just had a really shitty week, and I want to get some coffee and something to eat before the rest of today hits me in the face again. I've got sixty dollars in my pocket that would love to get used here if you can tear yourself away from the gentlemen over there for a second.”, I said trying my best to keep my composure.
After that she huffed off and got me a cup of coffee before putting my order in for the line cook. I'm pretty certain that she probably spit in my drink before bringing it out to me, but at that point just having caffeine was worth the risk of a little bit of saliva. I took a sip and let the heat spread through me, my body happy to finally get a little caffeine back in its bloodstream. As the waitress came out with my food detective Parker arrived and sat down on the booth opposite of me.
“Oh, I didn't know you were expecting company.” ,the waitress said with a sudden shift in demeanor. “Is there anything I can get you detective?”
“Just a coffee, black extra sugar Sue.”, he replied.
“It seems like you have a secret admirer detective Parker.”, I teased trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah, Sue can be a real bitch to new people in town. I shoulda' warned you about her. And the names Adam by the way. I hate all that detective Parker stuff, makes me feel old. Last names are for old fogeys. You holdin' up okay kid?”, Adam asked with genuine concern in his voice.
“I'm alright considering. I'm still worried about my stepbrothers, but now I have caffeine.”, I sad lifting my glass to the detective. “Also bacon, bacon seems to make just about anything better.” I said before wolfing down my meal. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I started eating. I tossed around the idea of ordering another helping, but the thought of having to deal the bitchy old waitress again deterred me.
“So what are you hoping to find out there Miss Stevens? There isn't much besides a bunch of fallen trees, rocks, and soldiers. I get the feeling that there is something that you aren't telling me and if you won't trust me how am I supposed to help you?”
“You want the truth? I'm scared Adam. I'm scared that my brothers might be dead. I'm scared of what we saw. But the truth is, I still don't know what happened that night. If I did know, I wouldn't have had to call you. Something... Strange happened that night. I'm just hoping to find some sort of clue as to what happened. I don't even care about the crash, I just want to know where the hell my brothers are.”, I said before breaking down and crying. It hadn't fully hit me that Tommy and Walter were really gone until I had said it all out loud, and between that and the stress of the past few days I just couldn't hold it together anymore. Detective Parker sat across from me in an awkward stance before coming over and trying to calm me down. He smoothed out a few tangles in my hair, and put his arm around me in fatherly fashion. There wasn't a drop of malice coming from him. I could see in his eyes that he really did want to help me. It took me a few minutes to regain my composure, and as soon as I did he backed away and sat down on the other side of the booth looking sheepishly at me.
“Look kid, I'm sorry. I'm not trying to push you, I just get pissed off when something might be threatening my town and the government doesn't even have the common courtesy to let me know what’s going on. Sometimes I forget that my leads are actual people... If you don't think it's safe to tell me everything I understand. But just know that I'm on your side. I'm not trying to 'catch' you, I'm just trying to protect my town.” Adam said reassuringly.
I don't know why I trusted him considering how the past week had gone, but I did. I told him everything. The crash, the strange lights, the men in suits, everything. And to his credit he took it all in stride. If I was in his shoes I would have rushed me off to a mental institute, but he just looked my in the face as I told him the full story and after taking a few minutes to soak it all in and ask me a few more questions he set a fifty dollar bill down on the table and stood up.
“I think that will cover the bill, right Sue?”, Adam said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Yeah, I know that you always take care of me.”, Sue replied oblivious to the contempt the detective had.
“Well you coming or not? It's a fair bit of a drive out there, and we need to get going if we want to have a few hours of daylight to look around.”, Adam said without missing a beat.
“Yeah. I wasn't sure if you'd believe me. And I thought that if you did that you would've just hauled me off to the FBI or something. Thank you. Thank you so much for believing me.” I said, still unsure if I had made the right decision in trusting him.
“Well, we don't have all day, and I don't know how much help I'll end up being in the end. So save your thanks until we figure this thing out.” Adam said.
We didn't talk much on the drive to where the trucker found me. He made the decision for us when he turned on the radio, classic rock blaring out of the speakers as we sped along highways and back roads.
I wasn't sure what to expect when we arrived, but I sure wasn't ready for what we found. It didn't look like we'd find anything at first. I just ambled around the area while detective Parker lit up a cigarette and watched to see if I had any reaction to the scenery. There wasn't much to look at, I could see the forest off in the distance, but nothing seemed out of place. Just when I was about to call it quits I saw the detective looking off at the fo
rest distractedly. I followed his gaze and started to see something blowing in the wind, something black caught on stray tree branch.
Seeing the black bag brought on fresh wave of fear as I remembered the series of events that led to it being forcefully put over my head. I fought my fears though and set off towards it to investigate. Adam followed closely behind to see what it was that had me so spooked. When we got closer I could tell that my suspicions were right, it was the bag. It was about six feet off of the ground, but after a few attempts at jumping and grabbing it I was able to bring it down.
“Well I'll be damned. You weren't kidding were you? Whoever those guys in suits were they definitely weren't fucking around.” Adam said sounding surprised at this turn of events. “I wasn't sure if you were lying to me, or just high, but I sure wasn't expecting to find something like this out here. I know that it seemed like you believed your story, but seeing this really drives home the reality of the situation. I don't know how safe it is for you to be out here again. If anyone that saw you that night is still out here they are liable to want to get you back in their custody. I understand if you don't want to keep on going today, we can always regroup and come back late once all of this has blown over. I have a spare bedroom that you're more than welcome to use if you need a place to stay in the meantime.”
“No, I don't know if my brothers are still out here somewhere, but if they are I think the only chance we'll have to find them is before this whole area gets cleaned up. I know that if they were the ones that made it out of here that they'd be here looking for me.” I replied, making sure that he knew that I meant business.
It didn't take too much longer after that for me to find something else to go on. I found Walt's glasses glinting in the sun in the underbrush. As I picked up the glasses Adam came over to see what I'd found.
“Whatcha' got there?” he asked
Stepbrother Alien: A Sci-fi Alien Romance & Alien Erotica Invasion Part 1 (Alien Romance Invasion) Page 2
