by Andrew Beery
The one at the craft’s side grunted an answer and pulled out one of the test tubes. He grumbled something and his companion laughed. Suddenly he tossed the tube in my direction. It fell far short of my bush, but I discovered that wouldn’t matter. The glass shattered and a creature similar to an alpaca but with glowing red eyes shimmered into existence. It snarled angrily like a large cat, but it wasn’t looking at the Zethari. Oh no, that would be too nice. It was glaring at me.
For whatever reason, the invaders had brought the creatures with them. I don’t know what they called the beasts, but we called them Red Eyes. I know, very original. But you come up with something better when one of these things is staring at you with murder on the brain and saliva dripping down four inch fangs on either side of its jaw. It was usually a quiet ambush predator. Side note, while Red Eyes seemed quite accomplished in hunting humans (and everything else) they seemed to annoy the Zethari. Which made me wonder sometimes what their home world was like. But only for a moment before my imagination conjured something straight from a bad space horror movie. Then I drop the subject entirely.
I tensed wondering through a fog of panic where should I run? Or would the brambles keep the Red Eye from getting to me? But then, the Zethari would know that there was something of interest in the brambles and come investigate. I would be busted either way.
Before I could figure out which way to run a shot rang out. A thud and sizzling sound followed and I looked back at the Red Eye. It had collapsed to the ground, a good portion of its head gone. A voice on the other side of me called something to the two aliens by the craft. It sounded like it might have been a rude question.
I barely kept myself from startling. I think I only succeeded because I was too horrified to move. The ground hunting party had caught up. How had I forgotten about them? The keeper of the voice stepped into the clearing not three feet from me. The other two replied and the three of them laughed.
They were sick. My heart pounded. I had to get out of here. It would be nice if the two in the craft would just pick up the third with their ship and take all of them back to where they came from. But that was wishful thinking. Wishful thinking never got anyone anywhere. The three started chitchatting as though they had not a care in the world. And as I mentioned earlier, they really didn’t have anything to worry about. Maybe if I was a snipper they’d have more concerns. But I’d only get one. The others would follow the trajectory of the bullet right back to me and that would be the end of that.
I was neither on a suicide mission or a sniper. So there was no threat to them. That must be nice, I thought to myself. My limbs were cramping. I wanted to flee, to escape while they were distracted. I couldn’t hear the rest of the ground crew though I listened. I figured they must have fanned out while their leader, supposedly, chatted with the pilots.
Now. I can go now! my thoughts clamored as I edged away from the clearing. I would go back the way I had come a little ways before I picked a new direction and, God willing, I’d be home free. I’d just needed to move carefully now, but once out I would be gone without them ever knowing I had been there.
Ever hear the phrase that went something like ‘watch out for the silent ones as they’re the ones that’ll kill you’? I should have remembered it.
I turned my head to see how far I had to go and came eye to barrel with a Zethari riffle. My eyes widened in horror. A throaty chuckle drew my gaze up. Green highlights from the riffle’s lights glistened off glowing silver eyes. I had never been so close to a Zetharian before and thus had never noticed that their ‘hair’ wasn’t hair at all, but feathers. I could not tell what color the one crouching by my hiding spot had, not in this light or caught in his gaze like I was. But I could see they were short and layered. His hunter’s smile reached his gaze as he stared at me. “Boo.” he whispered snapping me out of my terrified stillness…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANDREW BEERY
I am a geek with a passion for God [I am a fulltime Presbyterian Pastor/Retired computer programmer.] I’m an unrepentant technologist with over 25 years in the "Information Technology" field – much of it as a Senior Manager of Research and Development.
I have a wonderful wife named Lori, and two fantastic daughters... CJ and Jackie. CJ is ten years the elder and is an author herself.
All four of us love Science Fiction, Scuba Diving and good food. Lori and the girls share a passion for music and the piano - regrettably I have absolutely no skills in this area. I do have a passion for Notre Dame and Green Bay Packer Football.
About my writing…
My current passion is a pure Science Fiction series following the adventures of a future "Horatio Hornblower" style character called "Admiral Catherine Kimbridge". I have also co-authored a fantasy series with my eldest daughter (CJ) called "The Ways of Mages"
PLEASE NOTE: A portion of all proceeds from my books go to funding food banks and homeless ministries... So enjoy an inexpensive read and know that you are helping someone else in the process!
Blessings
Andrew Beery