Zoo

by Phil Price

  “Thank you, Captain,” they all said in unison, making his face light up in a toothy grin. He linked arms with Kyra, following them down to the grassy space that the villagers called home. Many were already halfway across the field, urgently making their way back to homes and loved ones. At the far end a group of teenagers were standing, wide-eyed and open mouthed, staring at Shimmer050. One lad had his mobile phone out, videoing the unprecedented event, his hand shaking slightly. As the first of the villagers left the field, Torben could hear voices, and car horns tooting. He looked over at the entrance to the field as a car ploughed into a tree on the road that led through the village.

  “Oh my god!” a young mother shouted, pointing at the spacecraft from the pavement. “Look. Aliens!”

  “I guess this is goodbye,” Torben said, addressing the three women.

  “I guess it is. We hope you make it home. I know we didn’t get off to the best of starts, but we are grateful to you for saving our lives.”

  “Think nothing of it. It was the least I could do under the circumstances.”

  Caroline limped forward, kissing him on the cheek, pulling him down towards her. Gemma did the same, then embraced Kyra, squeezing tightly. “Thank you for returning me home to my family.”

  Tears stung Kyra’s eyes as she held the woman. “Go and find them. They need you,” she said, her voice faltering.

  Sarah kissed them both, smiling at Kyra. “Love the hair by the way,” she said, sauntering over to the other women who stood facing the ship.

  “Stop. Police,” a voice hollered from the entrance to the field.

  Torben peered over, seeing a man dressed in black heading towards them. “I think it’s time we made a departure,” Torben said to Kyra, a watchful eye on the approaching human.

  “W-what’s going on,” he said, suddenly unsure of what he’d stumbled across. The officer had been stood by the pub a few moments before, alerted by the people who’d hurriedly made their way past him. He looked at Torben and Kyra, then the spacecraft. “The villagers?” he said.

  “They are home,” Torben replied evenly.

  “Who are you?”

  “My name is Torben Fraken, from the planet Biflux. This is Kyra Zakx. We are returning your citizens to you.”

  Unsure of how to reply the officer tried to stall them, in hope that reinforcements would arrive. “I can’t let you leave.”

  “I don’t think you really have a choice,” Torben replied gravely, as twin jets of steam expelled themselves from the ship’s hull.

  “You might want to take a video of this, officer,” Caroline said, a few paces behind him. A black car screeched to a halt in the lane, two men dressed in black suits climbing out slowly. They regarded the scene in front of them, one of them slowly walking towards Shimmer050.

  “You’d better make a move,” Gemma said. “They may try and stop you leaving.”

  “I think you’re right,” Torben said. “Take care, all of you,” he said, stepping backwards towards the ramp.

  “Enjoy your lives,” Kyra said. “We hope they are long and filled with happiness.” The three women watched as the couple walked up the ramp before it rose into the hull of the ship. A few seconds later Shimmer050 rose into the air, gaining altitude quickly. Their eyes tracked the ship before it shot off quickly, the sound of low-flying aircraft filling their ears. They watched in rapt fascination as two fighter jets climbed almost vertically, trying in vain to catch the retreating craft. A domed shockwave appeared above them, the alien craft accelerating towards the heavens before disappearing into the upper atmosphere.

  The two men appeared next to them, the taller one removing his sunglasses. “Was that what I think it was?”

  “Yes. A spacecraft,” Caroline said. “It’s just dropped us off home.”

  “Were you amongst the villagers who were abducted?” he replied.

  “Yes. We’ve had quite a journey. But we’re home now,” Gemma said happily.

  “Who are you?” Sarah asked, smiling at the two men.

  “Detective Sergeant Kemp, and this is Detective Constable Phillips,” the man said.

  Sarah decided to take the front foot. “Well, guys, we’ve had a fairly hectic day. I’m sure you’ll want to ask us all sorts of questions. But for now, I need a shower, a vodka and a lie down.”

  The threesome walked past them, heading for the main body of the village. Caroline and Sarah stopped next to the pub, needing to cross the road. They hugged tightly, tears free-flowing. “It’s been a blast, guys. I know we’ve been through hell, but I have made two new friends.”

  “Yes, you have, hun,” Sarah said, sniffing back the tears that were threatening to erupt.

  “Mummy,” a voice said behind them. Gemma turned, her resolve crumbling as she saw Oscar and Finn running towards her, Hugh in tow. She could see tears in his eyes, her legs wobbling as the two boys made it to her. The woman dropped to her knees, gathering her sons into her arms.

  “Mama,” Oscar said, burying his face into her neck. Caroline and Sarah watched in silence as the family was reunited.

  Hugh knelt down beside his wife, pulling her into his arms, his tears those of joy and relief. “Oh, babe. You’re home. I saw all the villagers filing past and I just grabbed the kids and…” His voice trailed off, emotions overtaking him.

  “I’ve missed you so much. All of you. Yes, I’m home. We’re home,” she said, smiling at her two new friends. They nodded before heading to their respective homes, their strides carefree.

  “What happened?” Hugh asked, his voice shaky.

  “Let’s get home. I have a feeling that the world and his dog are about to descend on the village. And I need a cup of tea. A real one. An Earth one.”

  “Mummy,” Finn said. “Can I show you my new Captain America costume?”

  “Y’know what, baby bear, I can think of nothing better,” she said tearfully, kissing both boys fiercely. They gathered themselves, walking back to their home, holding hands as sirens wailed along the country lanes.

  Thirty-Five

  One month later

  Snow had come early to Middle England, large flakes steadily settling over the landscape. Gemma walked the few hundred yards from her home to the Talbot Inn, the centrepiece of the village. She pulled her suede jacket around her neck as flakes began to invade her personal space. It was fully dark, even though it was not yet seven in the evening. Good idea to head out early, she thought, noticing the throng of humanity that was moving around inside the cosy pub. Houses and pubs were decorated in fairy lights, giving the village a festive feeling. Off to her left a detached house outshone all around it, an inflatable Father Christmas suspended halfway up the front wall, a large reindeer attempting to scale the roof. It was her first night out since she had volunteered to help out at the autumn fete. To Gemma, it seemed like a lifetime ago, even though it wasn’t even two months since she’d woken up on the floor of an alien spacecraft, speeding away from her planet. A group of men stood outside the front doors, smoking and vaping as they attempted to ward off the cold weather. “That’s one of them,” a middle-aged man said as he puffed on his vape stick.

  Gemma had accepted the fact that many of the villagers were almost minor celebrities, paying little heed to the comments and questions that she’d fielded over the past fortnight. She smiled at the men, shouldering her way into the main lounge, before shaking flakes of snow from her coat, stamping her feet on the thick mat that had welcome emblazoned across it. “Over here, hun,” a familiar voice called. She looked to her left, spotting Caroline and Sarah waving over at her. She weaved her way through the throng of humanity, averting her attention from the eyes and comments that the patrons levelled at her.

  “Come and sit down, lovely,” Sarah said. “Drink?”

  “I’d love a pear cider,” Gemma replied warmly. “One of those Swedish ones if they’ve got any?”

  “Sit yourself down,” Sarah replied, looking at Caroline. “Same again?”

&n
bsp; “Why not,” she replied. “I could do with a few tonight after the week I’ve had.”

  Sarah sashayed over to the bar, perching her elbows on the dark wooden top, her short skirt and knee-length boots drawing attention from most of the men and half of the women in the pub. Her blonde hair had been recently shaved on one side, reminding the approaching barman of a famous television presenter whose name escaped him.

  “What can I get you?” he said, his friendly manner drawing a smile from Sarah.

  “A pear cider, a Peroni, and a gin and tonic please.”

  “Ice in the cider and gin?”

  “Why not. Let’s live a little eh,” she said, winking at the young man.

  A group of lads stood to her right, appraising her through half-drunken eyes. The tallest of the group stepped towards her. “You’re one of the villagers that were snatched, aren’t you?”

  “What if I am?” Sarah said coolly, noticing the leering sneers of the pack of young men.

  “I’ve watched movies about stuff like that. Experimenting on us. Did they probe you?” The others sniggered, enjoying the moment.

  Sarah smiled sweetly as the barman returned, placing two of the drinks on the bar, eyeing the youths warily. “I’ve not been probed in a long time, by aliens or by humans. Do you think you have what it takes?”

  Suddenly unsure, the youth took a sip of his lager, trying to gain the upper hand. “Go on. You can tell us. Did someone boldly go where no other man has been before?” They all laughed, making some of the locals look up towards the bar.

  “How do you mean, where no one has been before?”

  “You know. Up your arse,” the ringleader sniggered.

  A passing barmaid stopped in her tracks, a look of disgust on her face. She was about to intervene when Sarah placed her hand on the youth’s shoulder. “Believe me, sunshine, many a real man has already been there.” She let the words hang in the air, the group of men falling silent. She turned, handing a crisp note to the barman. “I’ll be back for the gin and tonic,” she said, scooping the other two drinks off the wooden counter. She returned a few seconds later, taking the change from the barman. “Thanks, sweetie,” Sarah said as she picked up her globe-shaped glass, the tonic fizzing and sloshing about.

  “My pleasure. Are those guys bothering you?”

  “Not at all. Just kids, trying to have fun.” She headed back over to her friends, removing her black leather jacket, hanging it on the chair before getting comfortable. A crackling fire nearby cast a mellow glow across the lounge, Sarah enjoying the warmth on her bare, tattooed arms. “So, how was your month?” she asked Gemma.

  “A blur. I’ve spoken to so many people. MI-5, Ministry of Defence, army doctors, reporters. I’ve been prodded, poked and examined, which was not entirely pleasant. I’ve even had a call from ITV, asking me to appear on one of their daytime chat shows. I may consider growing a beard and hiding out in the Clent Hills, with all the reporters I’ve had to dodge. It’s been pretty intense.” They both nodded, knowing what the young woman had been subjected to. They had been through similar routines, spending the first seven days after their arrival in a makeshift hospital that had been set up a mile away from their homes. More tears had flowed as loved ones had to say goodbye to the abductees as they were whisked away aboard army lorries, waving as they filed out of Belbroughton. Each villager had been examined and questioned, being kept in single isolated cells before the lorries trundled back into the village, happily reuniting them with their families. The village had become a hive of activity over the previous month, with various agencies and journalists setting up camp. The field where they had been abducted from was sealed off behind a tall metal fence, a convoy of white vans lining the kerb for hundreds of yards as policemen kept order.

  “I’ve had someone call me from the Sun,” asking me to sell my story,” Caroline said. “They’ve offered me £50,000.”

  “Wow,” Gemma said. “Are you going to take it?”

  “Not sure. MI-5 told me to refrain from talking to the media.”

  “Me too,” Sarah said. “But how can we not? It’s gone viral. I’m getting friend requests, marriage proposals, even pictures of guys dressed up as aliens, wanting to hook up. Plus, I’ve had reporters trying to snap pictures of me at my parents’ house. My Dad lost it in the end, telling them to politely fuck off.”

  Gemma laughed. “Go you! My Facebook and Twitter have gone mental. I’m getting tagged by random people, I’m all hashtagged out!”

  “How are the boys?” Caroline asked, changing the subject.

  “Good. Really good in fact. They’ve never been this well-behaved. It was hard to say goodbye to them, so soon after returning home. But they knew it was only for a few days. We’ve had them in bed with us every night since I got home. Poor Hugh has taken to sleeping in Finn’s bed most nights. We need a queen-sized.” She took a sip of her cider, the ice clinking around the rim of the glass. “How’s your mum?”

  “She’s doing okay. Having me home has given her a much-needed boost. We got a doctor’s appointment on Monday.” Caroline took a swig of her lager, eyeing the patrons carefully. “She sends her regards to Hugh, by the way.”

  “Yes, he told me about the CCTV. He turned into quite the detective.”

  “That’s nice though,” Sarah added. “He never gave up on you.”

  “No. My knight in shining armour. How about your little boy? Is he okay?”

  Sarah smiled before taking a measured sip of her drink. “He’s fine. He’s been in bed with me every night too. Mum and Dad have had their hands full with him over the past month or so.”

  Gemma and Caroline remembered what Sarah had told them on Valkash. that she lived in the village with her parents and son. “Do you have a partner?” Caroline asked. “With everything that we’ve been through, I never thought to ask.”

  “That’s fine, sweetie. We’ve kinda had our minds on other things out there. I was seeing a guy from Stourbridge. Nothing serious. A bit like friends with benefits.”

  “Lucky you,” Caroline replied. “I’d take any kind of benefit right now. Friendly or otherwise.”

  Gemma almost spat her cider out, wiping her hand over her mouth as she tried to regain her composure. “I know what you mean. Me and Hugh have not had five minutes to ourselves. I’m sure we’ll get around to that. Maybe later, when I’ve had a few more ciders.”

  “I’m sure he’ll think all his birthdays have come at once, hun,” Sarah said, giving her a cheeky wink.

  “So will I, hun,” Gemma said, a warm smile spreading across her face.

  A few hours later, Gemma walked through the front door of the house, sitting heavily on the stairs to remove her leather boots. She placed them next to the telephone table as Hugh walked to the lounge doorway. “No alien abductions?”

  “Thankfully no,” she replied smiling. “Lots of stares though.”

  “That’s to be expected I guess. After all, it’s not every day that someone gets taken to the far corner of the universe.”

  “True. Were the boys okay?”

  “Yes, hun. They went to bed a few hours ago. Not heard a peep since. They are in our bed.”

  “That’s fine. What have you been doing?”

  “Watching Question Time,” Hugh replied. You can guess what the subject matter was?”

  “Aliens.”

  “Yes. It got quite heated. They had the head of the Church of England, along with a Muslim cleric and that physicist guy who is always on the TV. It almost boiled over into a full-scale brawl.”

  Gemma stood up, her legs feeling a little wobbly as she walked into her husband’s embrace. She kissed him, full on the lips, before leading him over to the two-seater sofa. They got comfortable, Gemma draping her legs over Hugh’s lap, reclining herself across the sofa. He rubbed her nylon-clad feet, drawing a smile from Gemma. “Hmm. That’s nice, babe,” she said, feeling relaxed and safe. “So, what was the consensus on Question Time?” she asked as fairy lights
twinkled in the small tree next to the fireplace.

  “Well, the physicist pretty much said that religion is now redundant, which angered the religious guys. Many of the crowd were agreeing with him. After all, how can God have created the Earth, knowing what we know? The Christian guy tried some lame attempt at saying God created the universe, and that this new development should not make people around the world question their beliefs.”

  “The Church would say that. They have nowhere to go now. Nor does Islam. We’re not alone. I know that first-hand. I’ve seen the other side of the universe. God did not create all this. I can see a real shift in our humanity coming, hun. Maybe this will be the start of something good? How can you start a war over religion, when we know that their gods have been fabricated?”

  “Let’s hope so, babe. I suppose the Flat Earth Society are pretty fucked too eh!” She smiled, lacing her fingers into her hair. “Anyway, how much did you have to drink?”

  “Err, probably more than I’ve had in a while,” she said sheepishly.

  “Well, it’s nice to see you happy and relaxed. Maybe you and your friends can make this a regular thing? Girly nights out.”

  “Maybe. They’re both really nice. To think, I would probably never have become friends with them, had we not been abducted.”

  “God works in mysterious ways. Sorry, I mean the universe works in mysterious ways.”

  She smiled at him, enjoying the constant kneading of her feet and ankles. She was now not only relaxed, but there was something else taking hold of her. “Enough talk. Take me upstairs and rock my universe.”

  “As you wish, my lady,” he said, leaning over to kiss her.

  Thirty-Six

  Paul Lewis swirled the wine in his glass, noting his bare wedding ring finger. Not long after the discovery of his wife’s infidelity, he had confronted her, which had turned into an all-out slugfest, without the actual slugging. His wife had gone on the defensive, blaming him for never being there for her. Paul had heard it all before, telling his wife that he wanted a divorce. He’d moved out two days later, renting an apartment on the outskirts of Cheltenham, as solicitors started to go through the motions of carving up their estate. He looked around the restaurant, its dark décor and muted lighting, combined with tasteful festive decorations, created a soothing effect on him as the woman approached the table. She sat down, placing her clutch bag next to her own wine glass, the ruby red liquid inside looking as inviting as the ambience inside the small Spanish restaurant. “You okay, Paul?” Sylvia said, taking a sip of her Rioja.