Kray

by Brooklyn Jones

  “And this here is the hut that my parents and I live in.” Tyrex showed her a clay hut built into a dirt hill.

  Sophia was surprised to hear that Tyrex lived with his parents. “How old are you?” she asked.

  “It has been twenty years since my birth.”

  Sophia laughed. “Same as me.”

  Tyrex pointed to a well next to the hut. “You may drink from that.”

  Sophia almost pushed Tyrex out of the way to get to the water. The stone well was deep and the fresh water glistened brightly in the sun. Sophia immediately dunked her entire head in, swallowing as much as possible.

  She came up for a quick breath and returned to drinking.

  Tyrex watched with a fascination. Sophia whipped her head out and water sprayed from her blonde hair. Sophia wiped her mouth and smiled. This creature looked so much like him but she was very different.

  “Oh my god, that is the best tasting water. I don't know if it's because it's alien water or because I was on death's door. But I don't think I'll ever get tired of drinking water again.”

  Tyrex motioned to the entrance of the hut. “Now come inside, I will give you something to eat.”

  Sophia was so hungry she was ready to eat anything, even a weird space slug.

  The hut was sparsely furnished. A large red rug covered the dirt floor. There were a few table and chairs made out of stone.

  “Please be quiet, my parents are asleep now.”

  Sophia nodded as Tyrex left her to go into another room.

  Sophia sat down on one of the stone chairs and couldn't get comfortable.

  Tyrex returned with a basket. “Here is some Jeorn burloq.” The basket was filled with what looked like Earth bread except it was green colored.

  Sophia thought it was moldy at first but as she inspected it further, the bread looked just like the bread from back home.

  “What is Jeorn?”

  “Our planet.”

  The first bite into the bread was divine. It definitely didn't taste like bread from back home. It tasted more like steak and potatoes.

  “Eat as much as you like.”

  Sophia took another and stuffed her face. She wasn't worried about manners at this point. Her empty stomach had taken over her senses.

  “I am sure you would like to go to sleep now.”

  Sophia's mouth was stuffed full. She didn't even bother trying to speak and just nodded.

  “I will go prepare your bed. Tomorrow you can meet my parents.”

  Sophia swallowed a large lump of burloq. “I would like that very much. “Thank you, Tyrex.”

  Sophia continued to eat as Tyrex made her bed in the next room. He was worried about how his parents would feel about an alien under the roof. They weren't the most understanding.

  Tyrex returned to the living room to find the basket of burloq empty. That could feed a family of four for two days. “Earth women have huge appetites.”

  Sophia blushed. “I'm sorry, I hadn't eaten in a long time. They were very delicious.”

  Tyrex smiled. “My mother will be very pleased to hear that. “Your bed awaits, Sophia Jordan.”

  “You can just call me Sophia.”

  Tyrex bowed slightly. “Then Sophia, your bed is ready.”

  Sophia was led into a small bedroom. A stone slab was centered in the middle with a light white sheet on it. No other amenities. “This is lovely. Much better than slipping in the wreckage of the ship. Thank you again, Tyrex. You saved my life.”

  He shook his head. “Think nothing of it, Sophia. Sleep well.”

  Sophia was alone again. She tried her best to dry off her hair and got into bed. The stone slab was just about as comfortable as the chair she sat on in the living room. She pulled the small sheet to her chin and stared at the clay ceiling.

  “What the hell are you going to do?”

  Sophia was more exhausted than she knew. It didn't take long for her to pass out on the cold bed.

  Chapter Five

  An hour after sunrise, Sophia was still asleep and Tyrex still hadn't told his parents what he was hiding in the spare bedroom. He couldn't wait much longer because they were awake and would find her eventually.

  Tyrex approached the both of them in the living room. “Mother, Father, I have something to confess.”

  “What is it, Tyrex?” his mother asked.

  “I met someone last night.”

  His father leaned forward in his stone chair. “I told you it wouldn't take long to find your Intended.”

  Tyrex inhaled a deep breath. “Actually that's not what I meant. While I was walking through the forest last night. I came upon a strange creature.”

  “Oh Tyrex, you didn't bring home a stray yuwil again did you?”

  When Tyrex was six years old, he'd found a black yuwil wandering the forest. Yuwils were domesticated and were never let out to roam free. Tyrex felt sorry for the animal and carried him all the way home.

  But his parents refused to let him keep it. “You're not responsible enough to take care of a pet, Tyrex,” his father had told him. In the end he had to give it to another family.

  Tyrex couldn't help but laugh. “No, it's not exactly a yuwil.”

  “Well, what is it?” his mother asked.

  Sophia stumbled into the living room, rubbing her eyes. “Good morning.” She yawned.

  Tyrex's parents were left speechless.

  Tyrex walked to Sophia. “Mother. Father. This is Sophia. This is my father, Kitor and my mother, Lija.”

  Sophia smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Is this a joke, Tyrex?” his father asked.

  “No joke, Father. I found her last night in the forest.”

  “But where did she come from?” his mother asked.

  Sophia stepped forward. “I'm from Earth. A planet very far from here. My ship crashed landed in the forest. I thought I was going to die until Tyrex saved my life.”

  Tyrex's mother fell back onto the stone couch. “An alien?”

  “I know it's a shock, Mother. I was surprised too.”

  “And you decided to bring her here?” his father asked.

  “Where else was I supposed to bring her? She needed food and water.”

  Tyrex's father closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. “What will the Council of Elders think?”

  “Kitor, Tyrex was right to bring her here.” Tyrex's mother rose from her seat and took Sophia's hand. “Now Sophia, why don't you come with me into the kitchen and help me with breakfast.”

  Sophia looked to Tyrex and he nodded at her.

  Tyrex and his father were left alone to discuss the situation. Kitor cited various laws on Jeorn and Tyrex explained that they didn't apply to this situation.

  “I don't know why you are so afraid, Father.”

  Kitor stood firm. “I am not afraid, Tyrex. This could put our family at serious risk.”

  “Why? Because our neighbors will look at you differently. When we looked up at the stars, we knew we couldn't be the only ones out there. Now we know we aren't alone. Sophia is proof.”

  “What if more of her kind come here?”

  “They will take Sophia back to her home and your problem is gone.”

  “I wish I could be as naive as you, Tyrex. And what of your Trials? You only have six days left to find your Intended.”

  “This will not interfere with that. I promise.”

  “Breakfast is ready,” Lija announced.

  Kitor and Tyrex joined Sophia around the dinner table. Burloq, tungle, and jamil were set on each plate. Sophia recognized the bread but had no idea what the rest of it was. There was something that looked like angel hair pasta but bright white. The jamil was a jelly-like blob that bounced around.

  Lija sat down at the head of the table. “I would like to welcome our guest, Sophia.”

  “Thank you for the hospitality,” she replied.

  “Let's eat,” Lija said.

  There were no silverware and everyone ate with their hands.
But very slowly and dignified. Jeorns never stuffed their faces and always took small bites.

  Sophia copied their movements to hopefully not offend anymore than she already had. She tried the tungle which tasted exactly like eggs but in pasta form.

  “This tungle stuff tastes amazing but the jamil doesn't really taste like anything. What is it?” Sophia asked.

  Lija smiled. “Jamil is an ancient recipe passed down from generation to generation. It has no taste but is rich in nutrients. It will give your body everything it needs. When Tyrex, was little he would only eat Jamil.”

  “Mother, she doesn't need to hear about this stuff.”

  Sophia laughed. “No tell me more.”

  Kitor ate in silence, barely acknowledging anything that was said.

  Lija passed Sophia more burloq. “No please tell me about yourself. How did you get here from your planet.”

  “I flew here on a ship.”

  “Like a boat?” Lija asked.

  Sophia tilted her head side to side. “Kind of. But a lot more advanced.”

  “And how does your ship work?”

  “Mother, I don't think Sophia wants to answer a million questions.”

  “No Tyrex, it's quite all right. It's the least I can do for your family taking me in.” Sophia put her food down. “Well I actually don't know much about space travel. I wasn't the pilot and it was my first time in space. It didn't turn out that good for me.”

  “Why did you leave? Don't you have any family?”

  “Never knew my father and my mother died a few years ago. So there wasn't much left for me on my planet.”

  Lija put her hand on Sophia's. “I'm sorry to hear that.”

  Kitor finally spoke up, “Are your people coming for you?”

  Sophia lowered her head. “I have no idea. But I hope so.”

  Tyrex tapped the table with his fist. “Enough of the questions.”

  Sophia grabbed the cloudy blue liquid in the glass in front of her. “Tastes just like milk,” she said, wiping her mouth. “That was a very good breakfast. Much better than my mother ever made.”

  Lija beamed. “I'm glad to hear it.”

  “I'm going to take Sophia on a tour of the village,” Tyrex said.

  “Do you think that's wise, Son. People will see her.”

  “They're going to find out sooner or later, Kitor,” Lija said.

  “And what do we tell them?”

  “The truth,” Tyrex said.

  Tyrex reached his hand across the table and took Sophia's. “Let me show you our village.”

  Sophia blushed. “I would like that very much.”

  Chapter Six

  Tyrex took Sophia outside the hut. “Please ignore my parents. They don't know when to stop.”

  Sophia laughed. “It was fine. I actually like them.”

  Tyrex stopped her for a moment. “You don't need to be polite.”

  “I can't blame them for the way they're acting. Their son just brought home an alien to breakfast.”

  Tyrex tried to keep from laughing but couldn't hold on.

  “So show me your village. I want to learn all about it.” She hooked her arm in Tyrex's and he looked confused about it.

  “There's not much to show. I just wanted to get away from my parents.”

  Tyrex showed her around the various huts. The biggest being for the Council of Elders.

  “And I assume the Council are the leaders of the village?”

  “Leader isn't the right word. More like gods. Or at least that's what they think of themselves as. They are forcing me to marry within seven days.”

  Sophia put her hand on his arm. “That sounds horrible. Who do you have to marry?”

  “I don't know yet. I have to find her.”

  “And can't you refuse?”

  “I don't understand.”

  “Like tell them you won't do it.”

  “You can't do that without losing your head.”

  Sophia put her hand over her mouth. “I can't believe that.”

  “That is life on Jeorn.”

  Tyrex showed her to the main well where the majority of the village got their water. A few people shot them weird glances but didn't say anything.

  “I'm sorry if I'm making you feel uncomfortable,” Sophia said.

  “Never think that. These people are just shocked to see something foreign to them.”

  “Well I'm a little shocked to see all this too.”

  Sophia almost felt like she was on a date. It would be the first one since her last boyfriend. Tyrex was everything she wanted in a man: strong, polite, and interesting.

  But was he even really a man? His skin color and huge size seemed to be the only differences. And skin color never bothered her before.

  A Jeorn male in robes approached them. He wasn't as tall nor as attractive as Tyrex. “What is this...thing, Tyrex,” he said, pointing his blue finger at Sophia.

  “This is Sophia,” Tyrex replied. “Sophia, this is Juhktar. He's a member of the Council.”

  “It is nice to meet you.” Sophia reached out for a handshake.

  Juhktar recoiled in fear. “Where did this thing come from?”

  “Space, my lord.”

  “Space? You surely jest, Tyrex.”

  “I would never joke, honored council member.”

  “The Council of Elders will hear of this. I would like you to come in tomorrow. Alone.”

  “Of course, my lord.” Tyrex bowed.

  Juhktar bowed, ignored Sophia, and left.

  “What was all that about?” Sophia asked.

  “Probably just the beginning,” Tyrex replied. “Let's forget about it and get back to my home.”

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning, Tyrex found himself in front of the Council of Elders again.

  “Jukhtar has brought us some troubling news, Tyrex Luk'ta,” the lead council member said. “Please explain to us what happened.”

  “I discovered an alien from space, my lords. Simple as that.”

  The council Elders grumbled to each other. “And where did you find this alien?”

  “In the forest. Her spaceship crash landed here a few days ago.”

  The council members grumbled to each other again. “This is most unusual, Tyrex Luk'ta.”

  Tyrex laughed. “You're telling me.”

  “And should we expect more of those things to come?”

  Tyrex tried to be as polite as possible. “The thing's name is Sophia Jordan and she's from Earth.”

  The council member rephrased the question. “Will there be anymore Jordans arriving?”

  “I'm not sure. Sophia has told me there's a small chance that her people might be looking for her. But it might be like finding a yuwil in a hayfield.”

  “And what of your Joining? Have you found your Intended?”

  Tyrex was shocked at their change of topics. “I regret to inform you that I am still looking.”

  “I believe we have found you a suitable Intended, Tyrex Luk'ta,” Juktar announced.

  Tyrex looked at the third council member from the left. “That is most irregular, honored council member. I never knew the Council of Elders would choose the Intended for the male.”

  “This is most irregular,” the middle council member said. “But this situation is irregular, Tyrex Luk'ta. I believe you would agree with me.”

  Tyrex stood firmly. “I believe a Jeorn male should be able to choose his own Intended.”

  “We are not forcing you to Join with her. You must only meet with her. That is the order of the Council of Elders. There will be no more discussion. You will meet with Rajla Cut'ha. Tonight.”

  Tyrex left the hall with his fists clenched. “How could they interfere with my life anymore than they already are?”

  Tyrex took the long way home, zigzagging through the village. As much as he was angry at the Council of Elders, his thoughts kept turning back to Sophia.