V O N: The Devourer from the Stars

by Tracy Gilmore

  The thought of the robot coming into my room stripping me naked and hosing me down entered my mind. I felt like I was being treated like a farm animal. No offense to them. I didn’t like his tone, nor did I care for the fact this joker was making snide remarks about me.

  “Do I look like a fucking cow to you?” I snarled at the voice.

  “You are of the female species. Your purpose is to procreate and provide food for the young ones you bear is it not. Your body creates the milk in which the youngling will drink. Your mouth moves just as much if not more than the four legged animal, you eat grass and yet do not lose any of the weight you gain and considering your size, I would say, yes.” He stated flatly.

  “You son of a bitch. Come in here and say that to my face!” I threatened planting my hand hard against the glass.

  “This is the gratitude you show after I killed that horrid creature and brought you aboard my ship?” he told me angrily.

  And so the truth remained.

  The demon girl and the snake creature fight was real.

  I was not on Earth and from what I recall my gracious savior telling me, I was going to die.

  I balled my fists, facing my fear and strained my eyes to see past the large panel keeping me locked in. Outside of my area was nothing but darkness. That creepy-you are being watched-darkness and I felt his eyes upon me although I could not see him. Nothing glowed, flickered or flashed. The ceiling behind me housed a lava lamp like before, but shone brighter and appeared to give off some warmth. I was still damp in the fishbowl and from all appearances, my situation was not getting any better.

  “How am I supposed to show gratitude when all you’re going to do is kill me later? Why was I taken from my home?” I asked the voice when I found the nerve to speak again. “My friends and family will be concerned about my disappearance. You can’t take me and think no one wouldn’t notice me gone.”

  “Regardless of what your outcome will be. You should appreciate the opportunity. As far as your departure is concerned, it has been taken care of. When the authorities search for you, obviously they will not find you, so your sudden desire to depart will only cause grief and confusion for a month or two.” His tone was low. Serious. Finite.

  My heart sank deep in my stomach, my mouth was dry, and the chill I felt from my feet went up my back.

  I sighed accepting his answer then posed another. “What have you done with Warren?” It is only after asking, I wondered to myself why I even bothered when Warren was going to kill me too.

  “The male who shot at me? He was unconscious when we departed.”

  At least Warren was safe. I just hope he wasn’t hurt too bad.

  “Why are you concerned about his wellbeing?” He asked me in a curious tone.

  “I’m not.” I said quickly knowing it was a lie. “I saw how you hit him and thought maybe you took him too.”

  “I only needed you.”

  “A…are you okay?” I asked being polite to my host remembering how he protected me.

  “I…I am fine, why do you ask?” His question sounding weird as if it was odd to inquire about him.

  “Warren shot you. I thought…are you still injured?” I questioned as my voice was trailing off.

  There was a pause and I searched the area thinking he had left.

  “No. My injuries have long since healed.”

  “Thank you for saving…I mean resc….killing that beast.” Considering his intention is to kill me as well, he is right. I could thank him for his help. It is what it is. I sighed again being hopeful there was another explanation to me being snatched from home.

  “How is it I could hear you in my head?”

  “We are able to use our telepathic abilities to speak, its easier for my species.”

  There would have to be a whole planet of them. I guess with fangs as big as his was, it would be hard for him to actually talk and not puncture his own mouth.

  “So, why did you choose me?” I asked timidly.

  “I don’t understand.” The voice in the dark posed.

  “Why did you take me? Am I to save the world?”

  “No.” He replied.

  I still tried to see if I could see anything in the dark but the lighting only showed my reflection.

  “Am I destined to rule the universe?” I asked.

  The alien made some sort of sound I could only guess to be a mock of laughter. “No.”

  “Why then?”

  “You were a randomly chosen person.”

  I shook my head not believing such nonsense. “Bullshit. There has to be some other reason.”

  “No, there isn’t.” He stated sharply. “It was in fact a very random occurrence the Suuwok was there the same time as I. What I have planned for you is a much better option than what the Suuwok would have done.”

  “Great.” I said exasperated.

  “Do you know what the Suuwok wanted with you?” He asked, his tone more investigative than agitated.

  “Other than to eat me, no. I have only had nightmares about her. I didn’t even know that damn thing physically existed until today.” I had to chuckle a laugh at my predicament.

  This has to be the most incredible moment of my life, not only was I not special on Earth, it seems I am not even special to an alien except to be killed. My life can’t get any worse now. I pace the area of my cage questioning all the possibilities.

  “So nothing special about my hair color?”

  “No, eleven percent of your Earth people have either the same or various shades of it. Plus yours is currently eighty-five percent artificial. It will have to come out.”

  My hands reach up feeling the strands. “What about my eye color?”

  “It is not uncommon. Over half of humans have such a color.”

  “What about my height, my brain capacity?” I asked grasping at imaginary straws when he has already told me the truth.

  “None of those are significant for my purpose.”

  My lip trembled when the revelation came crashing down. “So I’m really not special at all?” I asked lowly.

  “Why would you think you were special?” He asked in a raised sarcastic tone. “You are forty pounds overweight, you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stage two diabetic, and you have a drinking problem. You are by far the worst choice, if any, to save a puny planetoid such as Earth.” He replied in a tone suggesting he was either tired or annoyed by my questioning.

  I snorted a chuckle, as the tears filled my eyes, pacing the floor having been insulted-on epic levels-by an intergalactic being. Warren may have been using me, and yeah, there were men making fun of me behind my back about me being pudgy. I have tried to lose weight and no one of it worked. I had no friends, no real ones anyway, except for Michelle.

  I was an only child and my parents along with my grandparents had long ago died. I had no social life and my job was just a tedious repetition of a boring managing position. I was the perfect patsy to be taken. Granted it wasn’t the best but it was my life and I could deal with all of them. But this….thing…just insulted me to my face, I have never been so hurt in all my life.

  “So…what are you going to do with me? Am I to go back home when you have finished….probing me?” I asked as the tears continued to flow.

  “No. Fortunately for you. I am taking you to my home world.”

  This could be promising. I would be the first human to explore a unique alien world. Then again, I don’t have anyone to tell I was there. If he is planning on killing me, it wouldn’t matter. I wiped my tears hopeful of the new information.

  “So, will I be kept as some type of pet?”

  “No, nothing as important as that.”

  “Placed on an exhibit?”

  “Yes,” He paused. “Well, in a manner.” He moaned in a pleasurable tone giving me the impression I wasn’t going to enjoy how this was turning out.

  “What kind of manner?”

  “To eat you.”

  My brows lifted.
“Excuse me?”

  “On my planet, humans are a delicacy. Women are of a particular specialty.”

  The slow drawl of his words made me shiver. It disgusted me to even think he was thrilled at the fact I was going to be served up on a platter with sides and gravy. I think I’m going to be sick again. Maybe I just heard him wrong.

  “Wait…wait…wait…wait a minute. You mean to tell me, you plan on devouring me? The actual cook me, eat me?”

  “Yes. Like the males of your species, your appendages will be placed on a skewer and then roasted until they are tender. Your midsection will be placed in a pot and slowly cooked until the skin falls off.”

  I looked down at myself then palmed my overlapping stomach. “That’s disgusting.”

  “Actually no it isn’t. The fat of your buttocks makes for a sweet earthy soup. And your breasts…”

  My arms quickly cover my upper body. “What about my breasts?” I whispered.

  “Those are taken and placed in a solution of gneg and then served on an ice bath. Very delicious.”

  I glance at my breasts then back at the darkness where the creature is. I don’t know what a ‘greg’ is but I have grown attached to every part of me even if the alien has insulted me. I will not tolerate being a happy meal to anyone.

  “You sick fuck!”

  “I am neither ill, nor this distasteful word you call me. I am very much serious about what I have told you.”

  Seething with disgust, anger and a new sense of defiance, I decided to let my captor know just how I felt about his idea of serving me to his people. “YOU LOUSY NO GOOD….”

  V59ON7

  My patience with the female is wearing thin. Why the people of Earth believe they are special to anyone outside of their orbiting circle is unknown to me. There are other planets with far more superior technology and culture, than this war ridden place, I could have gone for a special item. Which I already have. This planet happens to be on the route of my home world. I cannot sustain my life force without proper sustenance. Thus the feeding of these Earthlings will hold me until my arrival.

  The meal I will have with this female will be a sufficient one. However, almost losing the human to the Suuwok, was not a pleasant moment. She did for some odd reason show some concern towards me. Curious, but why would she be bothered with my health when she is destined to die? The female species will always be peculiar to me.

  “She is a talkative one.”

  “That she is Captain. Would you prefer for me to activate the mist to put her to sleep?” the robot asked.

  It may be a good idea to put her down so she doesn’t disturb the entire ship with her violent tantrums. Thermal scanners show her body temperature rising fast. My vision shows her to be a bright yellow. Its almost hard to look up at her, which I still don’t understand, why she glows so.

  Her brain activity is off the charts for one so young. I am getting brief glimpses of her thoughts. Another pleasant ability of my species. This allows us to not keep secrets from one another. Visions of her ripping a male apart she envisions to be me, images of another she is violently beating up. I notice her eyes darting around the area she is in. Her thoughts contemplating the situation more. She has an idea of escaping. I need to quell the notion.

  “No. Bring me the cube from my quarters.”

  “Yes Captain.”

  I don’t understand how she is so overweight when she has been in a constant aggressive mode since I have told her of her demise. Her meat looks very tasty. Her arms are so succulent, those large breasts of hers do make my mouth water. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Why couldn’t humans come with more pieces? I should have brought more than one female.

  My thoughts are brought to the current status of the human and her consistent need to test the strength of the barrier. I glance up at the cell and she again displays the standard human aggression.

  Her use of colorful language is most intriguing. She refers to putting her foot up a four legged furry creature of mine.

  Why would she want to place her foot there? How does she know I have one? And her reference to the distastefulness of one’s mother. I have never considered such a thing. My mother isn’t of my mating type.

  “I need to have your attention.” I announced to her after watching her walk back and forth still speaking of a son of a female dog. Her bodily fluid levels rise fairly quickly and she is expressing a lot of pheromones in the air. Interesting.

  “What the fuck do you want now?” She raged to me. Her facial expressions tighten when she screeches and the way she twists and moves her body is most appealing. The robot returns with the cube.

  “Take it to the barrier and open it.”

  The robot looks to me. “You wish for me to….”

  “Yes. We cannot have her attempt to escape. She must be fresh for the journey home.”

  The robot nods. “Yes Captain.”

  The robot sits the cube on the floor. It was a sacrifice to show the human just how serious her situation was. I had intended on having the furry animal for a snack later.

  “What are you doing?” she asked the robot.

  “I apologize for what I am about to show you. The atmosphere outside of your barrier is not of Earth.”

  Her head lifts and she looks around at the size of her containment. “You mean I don’t have a lot of air?”

  “You have enough air for….”

  “Robot.” I voiced rushing it to do as needed and then leave. My readings show her heart rate spiking and her brain synapsis are firing off similar to the sparks of a destroyed computer panel. This will make her brain a tasty treat. If it were not for the need of preserving her, I would have the robot prepare her now.

  “Forgive me.” It said looking at her at it pulled out the small creature. The furry animal inhaled a few breaths of the mist then its small body began to choke, jerking rapidly until it took in a long raspy breath, shriveling up then froze, expelling the last bit of air in a tiny squeak. The pressure in the ship caused its body to collapse and become a thin skeletal remnant of what it was. Such a waste of a good snack.

  The human panted a few times shaking her head then slowly fell to her knees as water was falling from her eyes yet again. The female species is so emotional over the tiniest situation.

  “My God. Why…why would you kill such an innocent creature?”

  “You need to understand….” I attempted to tell her.

  “YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO KILL A GERBIL FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND IM GOING TO DIE!” she shouted.

  I rushed to the barrier in heated fury over her high tone and the female fell back lifting her arm in a defensive move. “You fat ugly miserable lazy excuse for a woman. Don’t you dare ever raise your voice on my ship! I am in command here, and you are my hostage. You cannot escape, and no one is going to save you!” I roared to her.

  Her eyes were wide as her gaze viewed my full height. Her body quivered, her vibrant color dimmed and the more she stared at me, her chin trembled.

  I saw my reflection. My teeth fully exposed, jaw open wide enough to consume her whole and my frightening height. I slowly backed away. I saw the fear on her face, like when she first saw me. For some reason, unlike before, this time it bothered me. I cannot understand why. She shook her head, turned and expelled tears again crying in a huddle.

  The robot palmed the barrier penetrating inside, touching the human. “Miss, I…”

  “Robot. There is no need to explain further.” I snapped.

  “Yes Captain.” The robot stood taking the dead creature to dispose of it.”

  I glanced to her, my temper receding. She was having thoughts of the animal then of herself and the finality of her fate. She was sensitive to all around her. After what I put her through, she still had concerned feelings about me.

  No. She is not worth the thought. I told myself.

  I gripped the robot as it passed me. “Why did you apologize to the female?”

  “I noticed her fluid levels r
ising, she was terrified. And with your aggressive yet sudden approach to confirm her fears, I was concerned she would pass out.”

  “The human is nothing more than a parcel. Do not get attached.”

  “Yes Captain.”

  “I will activate the mist to sedate her. Place her back in her cell.”

  “Very well Captain.”

  The mist entered her area lightly as a layer of clear fog, it didn’t take long for her to fall asleep. I watched as the robot lifted her body with ease. Her breasts slumped together, her thighs a tempting treat, and the soft warm vessel between them arousing my senses. I swallowed removing the notions that she was anything other than a meal, and headed to my chambers.

  MIREYA

  ‘Come to me,’ a ghostly female voice whispered in the dark. The place all too familiar except the little girl wasn’t there. A tall person, surrounded by light was at the end of the street. ‘I have found you at last’ she said. There was a warm feeling around me. A sense of comfort, safety. Her image coming closer. I couldn’t make out who she was but as I took a step towards her I was gripped by the arm and a forceful voice told me ‘No!’

  I sat up clutching my arm then palming my head from moving so fast. A weird dream. I glanced around and I was back in my cell. I missed the softness of my bed, the warmth of my covers and the solace of my books.

  The soft thumps of my temples bothered me. Images of the gerbil inhaling the green mist then choking while it crapped itself plagued my mind. I can’t get out on my own. I would need some help to get off this ship. Maybe the robot can help. He seems to be more understanding to my problem than the alien.

  Can’t escape my ass, there is always a way to get out. Its just a matter of who you have on your side.

  “Hey, let me out. E.T, where are you taking me?!” I shouted.

  I banged on the glass more and there was no one coming. This would be my prison until it was time for me to be devoured by the creature. I paced the floor, the lava light glowing brighter and warming me at the same time. When I took another look, the silver man was coming in my direction. A natural walk, unlike the C3P0 of Star Wars. He seemed to be more of a servant than an aide but then, what else would he be to a lone alien on a ship. I may as well make friends with whatever I can while I can. It would be my only way to get off this blasted thing and back home.