“No, they could've kept us.” She sighed and sat back in the dirt. “They got what they wanted. I think they wanted to scare us away from the cave.”
“Maybe you’re right. It did the trick for me. I don’t care if I ever come back. Let’s get out of here.” She peeked over her shoulder looking as if the demons of hell were rising behind her.
“Can you stand?” Elle reached down to help Sara to her feet.
“Yeah, I feel fine now,” she said, and brushed off the backside of her jeans.
“Me, too, whatever they gave us has worn off. Let's try to get our bearings.” She turned in a circle, getting a good look at their surroundings. “I think the caves are back to the west of here and that's where we left the car.”
“Hey, there, what are you two doing out here so early in the morning?”
Elle's heart leapt at the sound of Kole's voice. “Oh, God, Kole, I’m glad to see you.” She moved close to his side. “You're a sight for sore eyes. We came out to watch the meteor shower and got lost in the dark.” She glanced at Sara warning her with her eyes. “We ended up spending the night out here.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him they’d been abducted. Knowing the way he felt about aliens, fake or not, he’d think she was as crazy as the townsfolk made her out to be.
“Well, now you're found.” He laughed. “I can see where it would be easy to get turned around in the dark in this huge maze of rocks.” Towering red sandstone surrounded them with sparse scrub oak growing out of the sides of the rock. He glanced toward Sara. “Are you doing okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just exhausted and want to get home.” She walked up close to Elle and Kole.
“What are you doing out here so early?” Elle already felt safer having him with them.
“I came out to get some shots of the early morning dew on the huge array of antennas and red rocks. Sunrise is always a special time for photos.” He grinned and her heart beat a little faster. “Do you want some food or water? I have extra bottles and some fruit in the Jeep.”
At the mention of food, Elle’s stomach growled. “Yes, that’d be great.” There was a crackle like a twig breaking, but she didn’t see anything. She clung to his hand as they headed toward his vehicle. His presence gave her much-needed peace of mind as she glanced back to make sure Sara was okay. Sara followed close behind, glancing over her shoulder from time to time, no doubt checking to see if anything was behind her. Not that Elle could blame her. It was odd Kole would show up right after their ordeal, but thank goodness he had. This was his second time to rescue them.
Were they aliens? Elle didn’t think so. Her thoughts ran in a circle. Now, in the light of day, it seemed like a bad dream, not an actual experience. Her psychic inner voice told her the people who took them were humans. But they had their cold slimy hands on her body. She had peered into the bottomless pits of their eyes. Right now, she didn’t think she'd ever sleep again. That had been real. She clutched Kole’s hand tight as they neared the Jeep.
“Here, have some water.” He handed them each a bottle. “You both have to be worn out.
Elle drank the water gratefully and then bit into an apple as she leaned against the Jeep and listened to him.
Kole stored his camera. “I've got the pictures I need. Why don't you let me take you girls back to town for some real food. We can come get your car later.”
Elle realized they were both shaken from their experience and probably in some kind of shock. Sara had barely uttered a word since Kole showed up. “That would be great.” She sighed, hating that they needed anyone’s help. “But only if you’re sure you’re through with your work.”
“Are you kidding? It’s my pleasure to escort you lovely ladies anywhere you want to go.” He winked at her, causing a fluttering in her stomach. “It’s no bother. Come on. Let's go back to town.”
“Can you take us to the diner? I'm starving,” Sara said, finally breaking her silence.
Kole smiled. “The diner it is. I’ll have coffee with you, but then I have to run some errands.”
A short time later, Dotty was serving them pancakes, ham and eggs sunny side up. “How was your tour of the High Mountain Array?” she asked.
“Interesting. I had no idea those antennas reached so far in space.” Elle sipped her coffee and gained more clarity and strength by the minute.
“Yeah, a few weeks back, Bill took me out there and showed me around. It's something to see. He's doing good work.” Dotty dashed off to help another customer.
“I wonder where Kole disappeared to.” Sara gazed out the window still in some kind of daze. “He's been gone a long time.”
“He said he had something to do and he’d be right back.” Elle looked around at the customers, searching for a familiar face and saw the last person she'd wanted to see. Of all people, Elle wasn’t in the mood to deal with Liz this morning.
“Ladies, how are you doing?” Liz leaned toward the table and grinned at Elle. “I overheard Dotty saying you girls had a little adventure.” She laughed. “Why didn't you call somebody?”
Elle stared her down. “We liked staying out under the stars.” Lying through her teeth, she continued. “It was fun.”
Sara shivered and Liz glanced toward her. “Apparently, she didn't have quite so much fun.” Liz turned her glare toward Elle.
Caught off guard, Elle tried to ignore Liz and continued to stir her coffee.
“Oh, yeah, fun. I had a great time,” Sara said, trying to take the heat off Elle and turned back toward the window to avoid Liz asking her any more questions.
Liz glared at Elle. “What happened? You both look like you’ve been through the wringer. Did some of your relatives show up?” She snorted and marched away, her haughty nose stuck in the air. She went to flirt with Benny from the High Mountain Array. They had their heads together over coffee as Elle glanced away.
Just then, Kole scooted in next to her and lifted an empty cup and caught Dotty's eye. She nodded in his direction and brought hot coffee to refill everyone.
“Hey, there, handsome. Coffee's hot and the women are willing.” She winked at him and smiled at the girls.
Elle and Sara frowned in her direction at the willing part.
“Well, excuse me, the women are here.” Dotty laughed and went back to her other customers.
“Good coffee.” Kole stared at Elle as if he were trying to read her mind. “What were you girls really doing out in Red Rock Canyon at night?”
Her stomach lurched. Elle knew he had let them off too easy.
He sighed over his coffee cup, glanced between them and shook his head. “Your car was at least ten miles from where I found you. That's a long way to walk for a couple of girls in high-heeled boots.” He took a swallow of coffee and held Elle’s attention with those glacier blue eyes. “You know you can trust me. Tell me. What happened out there?”
His piercing stare could see right through her lie, but she couldn’t tell him about the aliens. Her anger flared in her own defense. “Aren't you the observant one?” She glared at him and dared him to say another word about the incident. “And in case you need to be reminded, it isn't any of your damn business.”
Kole held up his hand. “Whoa there, you don't have to get snippy.” He tossed her car keys on the table. “Bruce helped me get your car. It's parked out front.”
Damn, so that’s where he’d gone. Caught by surprise, she felt like a first class jerk. “Well…ah, thanks.” She reached for the keys and stuffed them in her pocket.
Sara leaned toward Elle. “What difference does it make? Maybe we should tell him.”
Elle frowned and kicked her under the table, not ready to confess.
“I'm going to go crazy if I don't talk about this with someone.” Sara beseeched her with her eyes.
The fight went out of Elle, but she hesitated to tell Kole the truth. Like everybody else in town, he’d think she was a kook.
He moved closer to her side and dropped his voice to a lower volume. “I
know something happened. I want to help.”
She ignored him and he reached for her hand, offering comfort. “It's okay, you can tell me anything. It won't go any further.” He spoke with a firm reassuring voice—one that urged her to confide.
Elle’s stomach did flip flops. “Nothing happened,” she spoke willing Sara not to say anything. “How many times do I have to tell you? We got lost.” She glared at Sara. Her friend needed to keep their secret. “There's nothing else to say.”
At that moment, Crazy Herman came through the door and made a beeline to their table. He ignored Sara and Kole as if they weren't there and pulled up a chair next to Elle. “It's happening–again. I saw them last night.” Fright strained his voice as he carried on. “You're one of them. Can't you tell them to stop coming for me?”
This was the last thing she needed this morning with Kole watching her every move. “Herman, I've told you a thousand times. I'm not one of them.” She sighed and let go of Kole’s hand and reached for Herman’s hand. She hoped to give him some peace. Waves of fear rolled off him.
“It's going to be okay, Herman. We won't let them get you.” Or me. She sent healing vibrations into him, but it was as if there was a brick wall stopping anything she tried. His eyes grew wide with fear as he gazed at her face. “I can't let them take me again,” he said and shook his head. “I know they're coming after me and there’s nowhere to hide.”
“Herman, it's going to be all right. Sit down with us and try to relax.” She rubbed his arm through his red flannel shirt. “I'll talk to my dad. Maybe he can help.”
“He can't do anything.” His eyes grew huge as he glanced around the café and saw Benny. “Nobody can. I've got to go.” He ran out of the diner as if the hounds of hell were chasing after him.
The diner customers stared after him as he ran out the side door.
“Why was Herman in such an all-fired hurry?” Dotty asked and poured more coffee for Kole. “Are the aliens after him?”
Kole smiled at Dotty. “That's what the man said. You must hear a lot about this sort of thing from your customers.”
“Now, Kole, I don't want my name in your fancy magazine or anything. But I'll tell you the truth.” She leaned closer. “Herman isn’t the only one that’s seen aliens. Lots of folks around here have seen them.”
“Have you?” Kole kept after her.
“Nope. I know better.” She lifted her coffee pot. “I don't go out at night. The locals around town know it's best to stay in after dark.”
“You mean to tell me people stay inside in the evening to avoid aliens?” Kole’s disbelief echoed in his voice.
“The smart ones do.” Dotty turned to walk away and then turned back. “Take my word for it. They're out there and I don’t want any part of them.”
Elle grimaced. “So now you know the secret of Sweetwater. We're infested with extraterrestrials.”
Kole frowned apparently deep in thought. “To have so many people frightened and seeing things could be a powerful cover-up.” He glanced at Elle and smiled. “And I know you aren't an evil alien.”
That familiar sensation crept up in her chest as she gazed into his eyes. She was lost in those deep pools of blue with tiny golden specks. In all her life, she’d never seen eyes like that. Her anger and confusion dissolved into nothing. Those eyes held the power to soothe.
“As I was saying, when the locals are scared out of their wits, there's room for other people to commit crimes.” Kole sipped his drink. “Now, we need to figure out who is doing what.”
“I agree with you,” she said. “There's something besides aliens going on around here.” She sighed. “Someone is scaring people, and my guess is they were born right here on planet Earth.
Kole turned toward Sara. “Will you tell me what happened to you girls last night? You've lived here all your lives. I know you weren't lost.”
“Okay, if we tell you, then you can't tell anyone else.” Sara glanced at Elle. “I'm sorry, I have to talk about this or I'll lose my mind.”
Tired of fighting with them, Elle nodded her consent. “It goes no further than this table,” Elle said. Kole shook his head in agreement. “Agreed.”
Sara swallowed. “You're not going to believe this. I don't know if I believe it myself.” She spit out the words with Elle's help and told Kole everything.
“So, do you think we're crazy?” Elle gazed at Kole, waiting for his answer. Was he like the others in town? Would he think she was an alien and be afraid of her?
“Not at all. When I happened upon you two this morning, I could tell by your faces that you had been through something you didn’t want to talk about. I had hoped that when you were ready, you’d tell me.” He sipped his coffee. “I don't believe it was aliens.”
“They had us.” Sara shivered and clutched her coffee cup as if it were a weapon. “We didn't imagine it. They were gray and had cold empty eyes. We were at their mercy.” She shivered.
Kole patted her arm offering her comfort. “Try not to think about it. Put it out of your mind.”
Easier said, than done. Elle watched the interaction between Kole and Sara. Even under these terrifying circumstances, he had the uncanny ability to put her at ease.
“I wish I could.” Sara set the mug down. As if she were cold, she pulled her jacket tighter. “I'm going to see the image of them putting something over my face every time I close my eyes. I'm never going to sleep, again.”
“You think that right now, but things will get better. In my opinion, you both look like you’re about to fall asleep on your feet. Now that you’ve eaten, why don't you let me take you ladies home so you can get some rest.” His eyes sought Elle. She must’ve looked confused for he added, “I didn't say sleep. I said, rest. That will clear your mind. And once you’re rested you might remember something else to tell me.”
Tired to the bone, Elle shoved her coffee cup away. “That won't be necessary. Now that I have my car, I can drive us home.” She had to admit he was right. They needed rest. Eating had only added to her exhaustion. The bottom had fallen out. Her brain was scrambled and all she wanted to do was go home.
“We . . . we're not cr . . . crazy,” Sara stuttered.
“I know.” He laughed. “You're two of the sanest people I've ever met.” He picked up the check and threw down a tip for Dotty. “You’ve been through a lot. You’ll have a much better perspective on things after you’ve gotten some rest.”
Elle pushed everything out of her mind and focused on what Kole was saying. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, he made sense. Plus, he believed her. She could trust him not to turn against her. With a warm feeling in her heart, she smiled and let him escort her from the restaurant.
“I'm going out there to take a look around. I'll check in with you later this afternoon.” He squeezed her hand which caused butterflies to erupt in the pit of her stomach. Gentleman that he was, he opened her car door and held it until she was comfortable behind the steering wheel.
“I'll give you a call when I get back.” He winked at her and nearly caused her heart to skip a beat.
Through the car window, she watched him get into his Jeep as Sara slid into the front seat beside her. The man had a hold on her heart the size of Colorado. She sighed, resigned to the fact Kole was somehow going to be a part of her life at least for the next few weeks and watched him pull away from the diner. She turned toward Sara. “Let’s go to my dad’s house. I think we need to have a word with him before he leaves for the afternoon shift.” More than just a word, she needed her dad.
Chapter Nine
Later that day, after Elle had taken Sara to her house, she sat and listened to her father’s rant. Not only was he her father, he was the sheriff and this was the sheriff talking.
“Sara is scared witless. You girls don't need to go messing around with this stuff. You can't go back out there. I won't allow it.” Unrelenting, Sheriff Thomas glared at her, his frustration obvious in everything he said.
“Sara and I have been through the worst thing that could happen. They took us and let us go. We’ll be fine.”
“What if they take you again and don't let you go. You don't realize how dangerous this could be. Stay away from that area.” He raked a shaky hand through his hair. “I’ve read stories on the Internet of folks disappearing at the hands of so-called aliens never to be seen. I can’t let that happen to you.” His steely gaze pinned her in place. “Promise me, you won't go back out there.”
She knew he meant well. They had always been honest with each other and she couldn’t bring herself to lie to him. “You know I can't do that. I have to find out what really happened to us.” She was adamant. She paced the floor and tired to express why she was being so difficult. Maybe if she could explain it right he would understand why she had to do this. “I know they weren’t aliens. Yet, I saw them. I'm confused and I have to figure this out or I'll never be able to trust myself or my instincts. Don't you see how important this is to me?”
He put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a big hug. “Baby girl, I'd never forgive myself if I let anything happen to you.”
“Nothing will. I know this. Every fiber of my being is telling me I'm going to be okay. There are mysterious forces at work, but there are other things going on as well.”
His cell phone rang and he glanced at it. “I have to take this.” He sighed and turned toward the kitchen. “I'll be right back.”
“Of course, I'm fine.” Tired and depressed with the whole conversation, she went out on the empty country porch and leaned back in the chaise lounge. She closed her eyes to soak up the sun, and immediately fell asleep.
A few hours later, she woke to see Kole thoughtfully studying her. She brushed the sleep from her eyes uncomfortable under his piercing gaze.
“I'm glad to see you took my advice and got some rest.”
Unnerved by his sudden appearance, she needed a moment to reorient herself. “I didn't expect to see you here so soon.” She yawned. “What time is it?”
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