In His Alien Hands

by C. L. Scholey

  Through the trees Josie could detect the dark water of the lake surrounding them on three sides. She stood beside Bane, who leaned against the rail of the deck, staring out at the water. The warm night and the lulling sounds of bullfrogs and crickets made her smile. She linked her arm with Bane’s and leaned against him. For just a moment she wanted to pretend that everything was all right. That there were no spaceships lurking around determined to decimate Earth. That Bane was the same man she’d known and loved for two years. And that the ring in her pocket would one day be on her finger.

  Bane moved back abruptly. “Let’s go in. We can eat, then fuck, then sleep. Early tomorrow I need to leave for a while.” Without waiting for a response he strode inside.

  Josie sighed and waited to go in, preferring her own company to his. Every time she thought they were reconnecting, he turned back into a bastard.

  Chapter 5

  Bane was rifling through the cupboards when Josie came inside. He’d taken off his jacket. Josie removed hers and tossed it over his on the back of one of the chairs. Markley was curled up, washing himself by the fireplace in the other chair. Josie went into the kitchen area and swung her leg over the bench of the polished picnic table that served as the kitchen table.

  “None of the food here will be edible,” she informed him. “Not if it’s been sitting in this furnace for the past fifteen to twenty summers.”

  “I know. I’m taking stock on what I need to grab in town. Will you go through the bags and see if there’s anything left to eat?”

  She climbed back off the bench and went into the bedroom. The bags were sitting on the floor. She found the last sleeve of crackers and a couple tins of chicken noodle soup and brought them into the kitchen.

  “This is it,” she said putting the food on the counter.

  She rinsed out two bowls and boiled water for tea—there were some ancient tea bags stashed inside a jar in the cupboard she figured wouldn’t kill them. Soon Bane had the soup heated. He filled their bowls while Josie finished making the tea, and they sat down across from each other.

  As she ate she watched him. He stared straight ahead and didn’t make eye contact. She wondered about the remark he’d made about fucking. He hadn’t raised an eyebrow, given her a wink, or shown any indication he was hot for her. She wasn’t exactly hot for him either. Especially after all he’d told her.

  She tried to put herself in his position. He could be confused and overwhelmed. Realizing his purpose in life was to act as guardian for another race and planet probably contributed to his foul temper. Maybe she could get him to open up. When he thought he was human he’d shared everything with her—his thoughts and feelings, his hopes and dreams.

  “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. It’s a huge weight on your shoulders knowing your role is to prevent the destruction of an entire race. It must be disturbing to realize you’re not who you thought you were after all this time.”

  The eyes he turned on her were impassive. “What does that have to do with anything? I have a mission to carry out, and I will. My personal feelings don’t register in this.”

  “But they should. You have every right to be angry. I know you must be wondering about your own people and your own planet. Maybe part of you wants to get in your spaceship and go home. I know I would.”

  “I would never abandon my mission. The thought would never occur to me.” A few minutes later he gestured at her near-empty bowl. “Are you finished?”

  “Why, are you ready to fuck now?” She didn’t bother to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.

  He gave her a blank stare. “Yeah, I’m anxious and it’ll burn off some pent-up energy. Help me to concentrate.”

  “Glad I can be of service.” While she wanted to yell and scream at him, anything to get some kind of response, she reined in her anger instead. Yelling at him was only going to make him angry. He’d mentioned he was leaving in the morning. She didn’t want their remaining time together to be spent arguing.

  Making a decision, Josie stood up and sauntered into the bedroom. She could hear Bane crossing the room behind her. She stood at the side of the bed and boldly faced him. Keeping eye contact, she peeled her still-damp shirt up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Then she unlaced her boots and kicked them off. She shimmied out of her pants and tossed them aside. Then she unhooked her bra and tossed that aside as well.

  Bane reached for her tits, and his gentle squeeze surprised her. He ran his thumbs over her nipples, making them harden into tight buds. She gave him a seductive smile but got no response. His muscles bulged through the fabric of his shirt. Josie reached out to run her fingertips down the length of him. Moving her fingers underneath his shirt, she lifted it slowly to bare his stomach and chest. He helped her pull it off and it went sailing across the room. Next, she turned her attention to his pants.

  The wet denim stuck to him like a second skin. Unzipping his jeans, she could feel his erection through his briefs, straining against her hands. He was hot for her now despite the cold, restrained look on his face. Josie was determined to see his eyes flare with lust before she finished with him. She dropped to her knees, her face directly in front of his cock as she pulled his jeans down past his ass to his ankles. Bane stepped out and used one of his feet to toss them across the floor.

  She traced the outline of his erection through the thin fabric of his briefs. “Do you want me?” She leaned back on her heels and stared into his eyes.

  “Yes,” he said, his tone controlled.

  She licked her lips. “I want you too.”

  She freed his erection and pulled his briefs down to the floor, letting him kick them aside, before taking hold of his hot length with both hands. Keeping eye contact, she flicked out her tongue and licked the head of his cock. When he closed his eyes she used one hand to cup his balls and the other to fondle his shaft as she put her lips over his tip. She took him deep in her mouth and felt him tense up. Finally, a reaction.

  Licking up and down his long shaft, Josie saw his hands curl into fists. Oh, yes, he would remember this moment. She was determined he would. Minutes later, he suddenly lifted her and tossed her onto the bed. He stared at her for a moment before he reached for her panties and pulled them off.

  “Spread your legs,” he said.

  She could see his rigidly hard cock and knew he’d waste no time diving into her before thrusting away. But Josie wanted more from him. He knelt on the bed between her open thighs, and she reached for his hand, guiding his fingers toward her pussy. Slowly, she slid two of his fingers inside of her. She moved her arms up over her head as he began pleasuring her with his hand. His other hand reached for her breast.

  He bent down and put his lips to her nipple. He suckled hard, making her back arch in delight. She felt another finger join the two inside of her. He kissed his way down to her belly and lower until his face was between her legs. Fingers pumping, he tongued her clit. He tortured her for several minutes until she was wild for him.

  Just as she was about to beg, he moved his hips between her legs, pulled his fingers free, and drove deep inside of her, only to withdraw and plunge again. His eyes closed, his jaw tensed in concentration. She wondered what he was thinking about and felt certain it wasn’t loving, tender thoughts. Despite her grim ponderings, an orgasm ripped through her suddenly. Bane pushed deep inside her and stilled, reaching his own peak.

  As she slowly drifted back to Earth, she saw Bane’s eyes upon her. A slight smile touched his lips that Josie felt relayed the sentiment triumphant. She thought she’d led this dance of seduction. Instead, the tables had turned and he had conquered her.

  Later, as they lay there in the dark and Bane’s soft snores filled the room, Josie climbed out of bed and reached for her pants. Digging into the deep pocket, she withdrew the ring. She tiptoed across the room, eased open the bottom drawer of the dresser, and stashed the ring inside. Tomorrow after he left for whatever it was he had to do she’d unpack their bags. Then
she’d set about tidying up the cabin which was to be their home for God only knew how long. She climbed back into bed beside Bane. Her mind turned to thoughts of their little apartment.

  Home. What was that now? A building in the middle of a city filled with chaos, which was about to get a lot worse. Leaving had of course been the better option. Earth was about to change for the worse. She didn’t want to imagine what was happening there right now, or what else would soon happen. Like it or not they were here to stay. She only prayed that they’d be safe and survive what was to come.

  * * * *

  The next morning when Josie awoke Bane was already out of bed and getting ready to leave. Quickly, she got dressed and joined him in the kitchen. He had gone through their bags and set on the table an array of high-tech devices he’d removed from the ship. He was turning and twisting each one like a Rubix’s cube and snapping pieces into place. Once he’d finished with one he would set it down and wait as it emitted a faint hum and pulse of light, then he’d carry on with the next one. She had no idea of their purpose, and she wasn’t about to ask him for any information. Not with that crabby, purpose-filled look on his face.

  She busied herself feeding the cat and stroking his soft fur while Bane dumped out everything from his backpack and started filling it with his alien stuff. He went into the small bedroom and returned with a wad of cash that he folded up and tucked in his pocket. She didn’t question him about it. His father had most likely left it there just in case. If they hadn’t been under attack now, Josie figured Bane would at some point restock the horde of cash with fresh bills for the next generation.

  “I’m not sure how long I’ll be.” He sat down at the table to lace up his boots.

  “Are you getting supplies?”

  “That and some other stuff.”

  “Like what?” She cringed at the scowl on his face, wondering if he’d tell her.

  He got to his feet and shouldered the bag. “If everything goes as planned I won’t be long. Stay close to the cabin. There shouldn’t be any trouble here yet, but don’t take any chances.”

  Okay, then.

  He went out the door without another word. Josie watched as his swift strides took him down the driveway and off into the forest. He headed in the same direction they’d come from last night.

  Markley turned circles around her legs and she bent down to scoop him up. “Where’s Daddy going?” The cat purred in response.

  She wondered if Bane was going to the spaceship. Maybe he planned on flying it into town? She could just imagine the response he’d get. The townspeople would probably stone him, though with that thick head of his he probably wouldn’t feel it.

  “I bet he parks that thing right in the grocery store parking lot and goes in to shop. Wouldn’t that be something?” She carried the cat into the bedroom and began to put all of her and Bane’s things into the dresser, making sure to pile her clothes on top of the ring she’d hidden.

  * * * *

  Bane strode through the woods in the direction of his ship. On the way he’d stopped at the first signal point and set one of the protegats from his bag in place. Combined, there were seven that needed to be placed in position. When all of them were set the town’s safety would be assured. By now the Cadeyrns would have descended into the cities to initiate the elimination stage. He still had time but not a lot of it.

  Once on his ship he set off to the other signal points and positioned a protegat in each. Afterward, he landed his ship on the outskirts of town and grabbed his now empty backpack before heading out on foot. He’d have to travel back and forth from the ship with his purchases since he wouldn’t be able to carry everything at once.

  On his third trip back a sudden flash of memory bombarded him. He and Josie had been Christmas shopping. With their tight schedules he thought it’d be a good idea to finish off their lists in one day and Josie had been up for the challenge. Taking things seriously, he’d even rented a car to carry everything. Back and forth they’d gone, shopping and unloading their purchases over the next several hours, only stopping for lunch and then again for dinner. They’d done it though, he recalled, with lots of laughter and handholding. Their lists were relatively short considering they were both only children and neither had living parents. Most of the gifts were for friends, business acquaintances, and each other. That night they’d shared a bath and a bottle of wine, taking turns rubbing each other’s aching feet. Then they’d made love…

  He shook his head to dislodge the memory. Looking around, he found himself standing in the middle of a strip of forest where he’d hidden the ship, dazed like a love-struck fool. What was the matter with him, he wondered angrily. There was no time to waste on sentimentality. The days of the past were over. He needed to be strong now and in the days ahead. Soon, everyone in this town would be relying on him. He had to present himself as a leader, possessing veritable strength and decisiveness, or he’d be facing rebellion and mass panic. Granted, there were only about twenty-five hundred people in town, yet once it was completely sealed off from the outside world, there’d be a lot of fear and speculation. He had to be ready to address the crowds who’d be looking for answers.

  “Are you all right?” The sound of a young man’s voice broke his concentration.

  Still holding the heavy bags in his grip, Bane turned around slowly. The man staring at him was in his mid-twenties, he guessed, with a small build, glasses, and an intelligent face.

  “I’m fine,” Bane answered smoothly, even managing to smile a little.

  “Taking a shortcut?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Pretty wild what’s going on, don’t you think? I can hardly believe it.” When Bane merely stared at him the man rambled on. “We’ve been lucky here. I guess our small town doesn’t pose a threat to them.” Still no reaction. “You’re smart to stock up. With the power out most of the stores won’t stay open for long. Even the ones with generators are only open for half a day or less.” The man smiled tightly and gazed around, clearly grasping for something else to say. His eyes suddenly opened wide, staring off to his right. “What is that?”

  Goddamn it! He’d seen the ship. Of all the dumb luck to have run into someone here and now. Bane put down his bags. “I dunno,” he said maneuvering closer to the stranger in the ruse of trying to get a better look at the ship.

  He couldn’t have this jackass freaking out and alerting everyone. There’d be a mass exodus out of town. He needed as many people as possible to remain within the vicinity. He’d been careful to keep the ship low and to remain in thickly treed areas to avoid detection.

  The man crept closer and closer toward the ship. “Holy shit. Do you think this is part of the invasion? Maybe they sent smaller ships to the smaller towns? They probably don’t have the ability to hover for long periods of time—” His voice cut off as he suddenly slumped to the ground.

  Bane dropped the fist-sized rock he’d been holding. He checked the man’s pulse and made sure he still breathed. He didn’t want him dead, just out of the way for now. Once he woke up it would be too late, his plan would be put into motion and nothing and no one could stop it.

  * * * *

  Josie sat on the dock with her bare feet dangling in the water. A canoe rested upside down in the tall grass near the water’s edge. She’d finished dusting the cabin, and having left the windows open all night, the air was definitely fresher. She could hear Markley’s loud meows coming from the cabin. The poor thing had been pacing restlessly all morning, letting her know of his displeasure. Whatever had him on edge seemed to be wearing on her as well. It was as though the very air was filled with tension since Bane had gone out.

  She pondered his words about the Sentinels being among them since the beginning—a veritable alien safeguard. He hadn’t been very forthcoming in regards to information about the Acacians. Nor did he know if Gannon would send anyone else to help defend Earth. She wondered what would happen if Acacians did arrive. No doubt there’d be a huge bat
tle with enormous destruction. A preferable outcome compared to the alternative—the end of the human race.

  If the Acacians were victorious the human survivors would be left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild the world and their lives. It wouldn’t be easy. Afterward, when the dust cleared, would the Acacians remain and help aid the survivors? Or would they leave and let humans deal with the aftermath alone? Would the Sentinels leave as well? What if they all decided to remain and take control of the planet, thinking humans incapable of defending it?

  As much as she wanted answers to her questions, she feared Bane would tell her nothing. After all, he may not have any idea about what the Acacians would do after the fighting was over—if they arrived at all. He’d lived on Earth his entire life and would probably feel like a stranger to his own kind.

  She recalled the night they met. They had literally bumped into each other going into a restaurant. Since both planned on dining alone, Bane suggested they share a table. He’d been twenty-four, she twenty-one, her parents dead a little under a year. He’d been living and working as a writer in a tiny set of rooms overtop a pawn shop. They’d been together ever since that night.

  Though she knew everything about the man Bane had been, she knew nothing about the man he was now. He hadn’t shared much of his newfound knowledge since learning of his true identity. Granted, there hadn’t been a lot of time for revelations, not between all the fleeing for their lives and sex. Now he was practically a stranger to her. One she wasn’t too sure she wanted to know.

  Chapter 6

  Markley’s cries became more insistent. Resigned, Josie got to her feet, and as she began heading toward the cabin Bane suddenly appeared. He’d just stepped out of the woods and he was carrying several bags in each hand. Josie hurried over to relieve him of a couple, and together they walked to the cabin.

  “Got some supplies,” Bane said. “The rest is in the ship. I’ll have to make a few trips to bring it all in.”