20. Tremble

My hand shook as I raised it higher to slowly pet the alien's outreached hand. It smiled at me - I wasn't sure whether it was a male or a female yet - and I hesitantly grinned back.

"We are friends," it spoke politely. "So far, we have only found a few species in the world and humans are the most intelligent out of them."

I tilted my head at it, curious as to why they wouldn't visit the other species.

"We are the most intelligent," it nodded, pleased. "We just had to affirm that."

I nodded cautiously then, wondering what they were to do to our population. Soon enough, I was blasted backwards; my chest hurting as smoke rose from the wound. Looking up at the alien in horror, I noted the evil expression that crossed its innocent face.

 

~

"Wake up!" A blurry figure shook me and I groaned, my throat parched and dry. Refusing to let myself to being woken up; I protested weakly. "If you're here for any longer; you will die."

"How long?" I garbled, my tongue thick in my mouth refusing it to let it formulate and enunciate any clear words. "How long have I been asleep?"

"About two years?" They mused absentmindedly and my eyes popped out in shock. "Yeah, two. After the alien got you, we put you into stasis until you'd completely recovered."

"Then why am I still where I got shot?" I demanded, stumbling over my words as I got used to speaking again.

"It's an internal thing," they replied hurriedly. "So we just left you where you were because it was safe. It's not anymore. And you're almost healed. So we're getting you out of here."

I blinked, my eyes blurring over and peering at the two people who stood over me; their backs ramrod straight as they addressed the air above my head. "Are you two alright?"

"Oh, you mean our position?" The lady smiled, a tugging sadness linking to it as well. "It's compulsory. Shot on sight otherwise."

I stared at her in shock, and she quickly glanced down; shooting a kind grin to my horrified eyes. "And these were the aliens that I'd welcomed?"

"We're assuming that they've done this to other life-forms as well. Although they always mention that this planet has been nothing but trouble. Rebellions and all; you know how humanity is."

My head snapped up immediately, “They’d mentioned that humans were the second most intelligent in their line of travel. Perhaps they’re having trouble suppressing us. We can stop this. We can save humanity.”

“So many have been converted,” the man next to her scoffed, “it’s ridiculous. You have to either believe the things they say; and do whatever they tell you to do or they make you like them.”

“What do you mean?” I gaped at him, my body starting to wake up. “What do you mean by that?”

“They take your brain and put it into one of their bodies. It seems that they harvest bodies. And every year, they add more restrictions. Eventually, we’re thinking that they going to take this whole planet.”

“Any classification tags or anything?” I muttered.

“Nope. They’re not organised. They’re just technologically advanced. They haven’t experienced life like we have. So no ID or anything of that sort.”

“Well, you better tell me all the rules pretty quickly,” I growl, standing up, staggering and holding onto the woman’s rigid hand, “we’ve got a planet to save.”

Deema, I need to know if you're alright. Please, please reply to this; I'm just worried.

Allons-y!