The Marilians

by Beth Worsdell

  “It is true,” Hulaz admitted with a smile, “Our race is lucky enough to be able to change the size of our genitalia to suit our other halves needs.”

  “But… but you don’t have any bits,” Tracey stammered as she waved her hand in front of Hulaz’s body for emphasis.

  That made me laugh even harder, and Mimi burst into fits of laughter too. I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my glowing face.

  “I do have genitalia,” Hulaz said kindly, “Look.”

  With that, Hulaz rose from her seat, and as she looked down on the three of us, her whole body began to give off a bright ice white shimmer, and she suddenly began to grow small pert breasts, and a vagina was forming at the apex of her slim thighs.

  “Fricking hell,” Tracey shrieked, her hand pointing at Hulaz’s breasts, then her vagina and back to her breasts.

  “No fricking way,” Mimi laughed, “and you can have any size too? She asked.

  “Yes,” Hulaz answered.

  In a split second, the angel’s breasts began to grow until they were the size of large melons.

  “Oh my freaking god, that is amazing!” Tracey declared as she burst into a fit of laughter too. “You angels are awesome!”

  “OMG, stop!” I tried to say, “You’re killing me, I can’t breathe.”

  I was laughing so hard that I was struggling to catch my breath. Mimi was holding on to the small table for support as her laughter grew louder. As we all tried to get control of our laughter, Hulaz’s shimmer started to dim as her breasts and vagina began to absorb back into her body.

  “That’s the craziest thing I think I’ve ever seen,” I said as I tried to slow my breathing and take in some extra oxygen.

  “So, your male angels can do that too?” Mimi asked as she sat back in her seat.

  Hulaz sat back down in her chair, reaching for her fruit juice from the table.

  “Yes, our male angels can do it too,” she replied.

  “Any size their partner needs?” Mimi asked to clarify.

  “Yes, too any size,” Hulaz said, clearly amused.

  “Bloody Hell, Tracey. Maybe you should get it on with angel golden balls.” Mimi said as she burst into fits of giggles again.

  “OMG, Mimi, trust you to think of something like that,” I said as we all burst into uncontrollable laughter once more.

  Even Hulaz was laughing this time, and it was a lovely musical sound. It was quite a while before any of us were capable of talking. We took our time, sipping our drinks until our stomachs stopped hurting from giggling so much. It was nice just to enjoy each other’s company, and I for one couldn’t wait until we could do girlie time on a more regular basis.

  “Ladies, this was just what I needed, thank you,” Tracey said with true sincerity.

  “Oh, me too,” I told them, “everything’s been so tense for so long, it’s great to have a laugh with wonderful friends.”

  “Too right,” Mimi added.

  “I am happy you invited me, Mel,” Hulaz said warmly, “I enjoy spending time with you all.”

  “We enjoy your company too, Hulaz, and your party trick is fricking epic,” Tracey told her with a giggle.

  “Party trick?” Hulaz asked, confusion on her beautiful face.

  “You know,” Tracey told her as she put her hands to her boobs and did the motions.

  “0h,” Hulaz said as we all began to laugh again.

  By the time Tracey and Mimi had left my room, I felt as if I’d done a hundred sit-ups. My whole stomach ached from laughing, but it was a good and welcome feeling. It felt so wonderful to be alive, especially with such amazing people. Hulaz stayed for a couple of hours after our friends had left, and it was lovely catching up with the angel. After she left, I knew I’d have some time to myself before James and the kids came back, so I decided to take a walk down to the birthing room where the encapsulated animals were stored.

  The walk to the birthing room was a quiet one, with only a few angels passing me as I made my way. I noticed that things were changing between us and the angels in a positive way. Whereas before I would just get a dipped head response from the angels I passed, now I was getting verbal greetings using my name. I suddenly felt quite sad at the thought of the angels leaving once the battle was over. I knew the angels would still visit our planet, but it wasn’t like they were able to pop over for a chit chat every week, especially as their job was saving planets all over the universe.

  As soon as I walked into the birthing room and took in the sight of the massive glass wall with all the encapsulated animals inside, my sadness melted away. It was hard to feel anything but sheer awe at the sight of all the animals. I walked up to the glass and peered inside, wondering just how thick the wall was. There were rows and rows of capsules behind the closest ones I could see, all filled with the shimmering fluid and baby animals of all varieties. On each capsule, I could make out the organic device that was keeping them alive. I could see so many different animals, all at various stages of growth depending on their size and every so often, there was a flicker of movement as one of them kicked or twitched.

  “We have a lot to be proud of, don’t we,” a male voice said from behind me, making me jump.

  I spun around to see Harrik standing a few feet away with a smile on his handsome face.

  “Goddammit, Harrik, I wish you angels would make a noise when you walk. You scared the living daylights out of me,” I told him as I patted my chest and racing heart. “You seriously need to cough or make a noise so I can hear you coming, or I may end up having this baby sooner rather than later.”

  “My apologies, Mel. I did not mean to startle you,” the angel said as he dipped his head.

  “It’s ok, I’ll probably get used to it just as you all leave,” I told him lightheartedly, “We certainly do have a lot to be proud of. It’s exciting to think of all these animals roaming free soon.”

  “Christik told us that you might like to help us release the animals when the time is right,” he said as his sapphire eyes sparkled.

  I felt butterflies in my stomach, at just the thought of James and the kids being part of the angels’ release program. Instantly, I knew how thrilled they would be to be asked.

  “Harrik, my family would absolutely love to be involved,” I told him with a huge grin. “I think I’ll let Christik tell them the good news.”

  Harrik and I spent an hour talking about the animals, and after we left the birthing room and I headed back to my room, I reached out to Hulaz.

  “Hulaz, could we go and check on the animals that we rescued tomorrow, please,” I asked.

  My baby girl was feeling restless, and I thought the contact with the animals might settle her down a bit.

  “Of course we can, Mel,” Hulaz replied right away, “I will collect you in the morning.”

  “Thank you,” I told her as I entered our suite.

  I hadn’t realized that it was already getting late, and the excited voices I heard as I walked in told me that my family was back from their shooting practice. There were paper targets all over the floor with holes everywhere, and the kids were teasing each other over who had taken the best shots.

  “It sounds like you all had a good time at shooting practice,” I said as I made my way to my husband.

  James reached for me, wrapping his arms around my waist and giving me a light kiss.

  “I think we have some sharpshooters on our hands, Mel,” he said with pride.

  Abigail was positively beaming as she picked up her target and held it up for me to see.

  “April and me are the sharpshooters!” She declared excitedly, “Show Mom your target, sis.”

  April’s face lit up at Abigail's words, and she picked up her target too.

  “I don’t like to brag,” she giggled, “but Abigail and me nailed it!” She sang as she grinned at our youngest daughter.

  “We can't even deny it,” Harrison said as he jokingly shook his head. “The girls were a lot better than
we were. Remind us not to get on their bad sides.”

  The girls thoroughly enjoyed teasing their brothers throughout the evening while James and I watched and enjoyed their banter. We could still hear them as they got ready for bed, right up until the barrier closed between our two rooms. As James and I snuggled up to each other in our bed, I knew sleep wasn’t far away.

  “You know that the girls aren’t going to let our boys live this down, don’t you,” James said as my eyelids became heavy.

  “Oh, I know,” I giggled quietly as I let sleep take me.

  Chapter 12

  Iwoke in the morning feeling refreshed and wide awake. James and the kids were still asleep as I showered, and I didn’t hear anything until I finished and came out of the bathroom.

  “Morning, beautiful,” James said as soon as he saw me.

  He was sitting at the small table, which was now covered with breakfast, and all he was wearing was a pair of trousers. I had to take a moment to appreciate his firm muscular body, which still gave me the tingles.

  “Morning, handsome,” I replied, giving him a sexy smile.

  It was hard not to flirt when you had a hottie for a husband, especially when he didn’t realize how damn hot he was.

  “I think the kids are just waking,” he said as he handed me my morning coffee, which instantly made me smile.

  We were just finishing our breakfast with the kids when Hulaz arrived. James and the kids were going to help Christine and her dad with some building work, something that I definitely wasn’t able to do for a while. Luckily, my family didn’t mind hard work or getting their hands dirty.

  “Ha hum,” Hulaz said as she attempted to do a fake cough. Straightaway, I knew that Harrik had told her what I’d said the day before. “Good morning to you all,” Hulaz said as she gracefully glided in.

  “Morning,” I told her as I smiled knowingly at her, “I’m ready when you are.”

  After giving James and the kids hugs goodbye, Hulaz and I made our way to our room’s exit.

  “Would you like me to flit you to the animals holding room?” She asked.

  “Um no, I think I’d like to walk,” I told her as we made my way to the corridor. I still didn’t relish the aftereffects of flitting. I always preferred to be hot than cold although the shivering didn’t last quite as long as it did when I was first flitted by the angels.

  Hulaz and I small talked on the way to the animals’ holding room. She explained in depth how everyone was doing at the holding structure and how much preparation was left. It seemed that while the kids and I had been wrapped up with James being hurt and the elders’ arrivals, everyone had their noses to the grindstone. Hulaz didn’t think it would be too long at all before we were all ready.

  By the time we arrived at the animals’ holding room, my baby girl was doing somersaults inside me. Every so often, sticking a foot up near my ribs, making me take a sharp breath.

  “Are you alright, Mel,” Hulaz asked as I gasped.

  I gave her a reassuring smile.

  “I’m fine. I think she knows we are close to the animals. She’s excited,” I told her as I ran my hand over my bump.

  I followed Hulaz into the holding room, and I was yet again stunned by the size of the rooms on the main craft. As we entered, the two dugongs were on our left inside a large natural-looking pool. It was similar to the pool inside the human holding structure, with trees and plants around it, growing in between large rocks. There was lush grass beneath my bare feet, which felt soft and cool as we walked further inside. The dugongs looked more than happy as we walked past their pool, swimming leisurely without a care.

  The angels seemed to have gone above and beyond to make the animals feel safe and happy. There were various trees and plants that had been planted in clusters, to suit each species’ needs. While I stood and admired the angels’ handy work, the animals began to slowly appear. Some came out from the foliage on their own, but most of them came out to see us in their pairs.

  The only two I wasn’t keen on seeing again were the two large sand rats, but I knew I’d have to get over my aversion to vermin eventually. It wasn’t their fault that my skin crawled at the thought of touching them. ‘Get a grip woman,’ I admonished myself, but it was very hard to get the thought of the biting ferret out of my mind.

  With most of the animals being so little, I decided to sit on the floor, so they could all reach me. My baby girl could sense all the animals, and she was beginning to roll inside me. The pandas were the first to reach us, and as they neared, they appeared to start racing each other, each trying to be the first. They were so funnily clumsy that they both ended up in a heap of black and white fur next to my knees.

  Hulaz and I both laughed as I tried to untangle their chunky little paws while they made cute little noises of indignation. Once they were both free, they seemed quite content to cuddle up next to my thighs and have their heads rubbed; next to their ears and have their bellies tickled. If they could have purred like cats, I think they would have done.

  Next to reach us were the two Okapi, who came to us hesitantly and slowly.

  “It’s ok, you’re safe,” I told them.

  I knew that they couldn’t understand what I was saying, but I hoped that my tone would calm their nervousness. Hulaz and I were patient as they approached, and when they were close enough, I reached out a hand to stroke the female’s neck. My touch seemed to soothe her nerves, and the male began to brush his nose against my hair, occasionally having a sniff.

  Before long, we were surrounded by the animals we’d rescued, and I was being smothered with affection. Even the Potoo birds were affectionately rubbing their beaks against my hip. My baby girl was pushing against my abdomen as if she wanted to get closer to them. I had a feeling that animals were going to be a big part of my family’s life from then on.

  Hulaz and I were enjoying our time with the animals and while I was making a fuss of the dugongs as they came to the side of their pool; Christik’s voice spoke loud and clear in my mind. ‘Mel, we need you at the holding structure, please come quickly,’ she said.

  The moment I heard Christik’s words in my mind and her tone as she said them, I knew something was very, very wrong. Immediately, Hulaz picked up on my worry and racing heartbeat.

  “What is wrong, Mel?” Hulaz asked with concern marring her beautiful glistening face.

  “Christik needs me at the holding structure. Hulaz, can you take me there now, please, something bad has happened?” I asked in a rush of words.

  Thoughts of Peter and Kay entered my head, and I was abruptly worried that we’d missed a Marilian, and more people had been corrupted. It wasn’t just Hulaz that could sense the growing worry and dread building inside me. The animals could sense it too. Not only were they all looking at me as Hulaz placed her hand on my bare arm, but they were all making low distressed noises too.

  “Don’t worry!” I told them, just before Hulaz and I vanished from the room.

  In seconds, we were standing outside the holding structure with the bright morning sun on our faces. While I tried to control my shivering, Hulaz looked around to see if anyone was around.

  “Christik must be inside,” she said as she began to glide towards the large and heavy wooden doors.

  The holding structure was looking dramatically different. Ann and the other artists had been extremely busy, not only body painting the angels but also camouflaging the holding structure too. It was no longer the bright white building it was before, appearing like a stationary cruise ship. Now it was painted in various shades of greens, browns and all the warm colors in between.

  As we got closer, I noticed that Ann and her friends had actually painted trees and bushes on the outside, ‘no wonder it blended so well with the surroundings,’ I thought.

  When we walked through the doors and into the main entrance, Christik was waiting with Lindaz, Evest and Akhenaten by her side. Hulaz and I both dipped our heads in respect as soon as they looked our way. A
ll four of them reciprocated, and when they looked up again, sadness was written all over their expressions.

  “What has happened?” I asked as my heart began to pound harder in my chest. ‘Please don’t say James or my kids,’ I thought as my heart began to sink.

  “Something has happened to John,” Christik said quietly and calmly, “Tracey is with him in their room. Please come with us, Mel, Tracey needs you,” she added.

  As we made our way up to Tracey and John’s cabin, all I kept thinking was ‘how much more can poor Tracey take?’ It was heartbreaking to have a friend that I cared for and loved go through so much heartbreak and loss. ‘Please Let John be ok,’ I said in a mantra.

  Christik arrived at their cabin door, and it was already slightly open. She stood to the side of the door frame and allowed me to go in first.

  The cabin was smaller than the one James and our kids used, but it was bright and spacious with the same neutral colors with added shades of blue.

  “Tracey?” I called as I walked further inside.

  “Mel?” Tracey called out in a sob.

  Her voice seemed to come from the right of me, where there was another door. I assumed that it was their bedroom, and I felt a little strange invading their privacy, but I knew that my friend needed me.

  Light streamed through the circular window in their bedroom, and it shone on their bed where John was laying, making him look as if he were glowing. Tracey was kneeling on the floor beside his still form, and I could see tears running down her face, dropping silently onto John’s hand, which she was holding between hers.

  “Tracey,” I said again as gently as I could.

  “He’s gone, Mel!” Tracey sobbed, struggling to get the words out, “I don’t know how, but he’s gone.”