“Janet,” she said, “give me your knife.”
Janet handed her the blade. A candle sputtered out. Marla cradled the head in her lap and sliced open the underpart of the jaw. She smiled when she saw the back-up battery.
“What the hell are you doing?” Janet asked.
“Performing brain surgery with a machete. I need more light”.
Janet gathered the last of the candles. Marla worked with the crude tool, and soon the head twitched. Its eyes opened and it felt alive. It looked about.
“You will cease your intrusion,” it said, “or else I will be forced to eliminate.”
“How?” Marla asked. “Your body is on the other side of the room.”
The head blinked twice.
“Understood.”
“Cool. Now I need you to help us.”
“I serve Mistress Vanessa Kitteredge only.”
*****
“Your Mistress is gone!” Janet yelled. “She ran away and left us here to die, and unless you want to die too, you gotta help us!”
“Janet,” Marla said softly.
“You get it android? If you don’t help us you’re going to die here too.”
“Janet he is an android,” Marla said. “He doesn’t understand the concept.”
“Then we’ll make him understand.”
Janet grabbed the head. She went to a candle stand and planted it in the cooling wax. She pointed him to the darkness.
“Have a look,” she said. “Have a good look, because as long as your battery lasts that’s all you’re gonna see. Look at it. Study it. Make friends with it, because when we die that’s all you’ll be left with. Have a nice day.”
Janet strolled out of the head’s sight and sat with Marla. It took the head less than five minutes to work things out.
“Mistress is gone,” it said.
“She’s lit out,” Janet said. “She is gone and she’s not coming back.”
“She has left me.”
“Yep.”
The head was silent a while.
“You asked for my service,” it said.
“We did.”
“I agree on conditions.”
“Unconditionally,” Janet said.
The head was silent a while longer. To more candles went out.
“What do you require of me?”
“We want,” Marla began.
“We need the door opened,” Janet said. “Can you do that?”
“I can,” it said. “On condition.”
“Open the fucking door,” Janet cried.
“What condition,” Marla asked.
“Take me with you.”
Marla looked at Janet. Janet looked at Marla.
“Three heads,” Janet began.
“Don’t,” Marla said. “Just – just don’t.”
On the android’s instruction, they carried him upstairs to the door. He sang a series of notes until they heard a slight shift of metal. He sang again and again until he hit the correct combination that charmed and worked the locks. One by one the rollers and bars shifted and slid until the metal barrier opened. Marla’s heart flooded with relief.
Upstairs they entered a large kitchen. Marla was hesitant, but Janet assured her that the other androids had been dispatched. They found a bowl of fruit and devoured it. They explore the rest of the house. It was a rambling old elegant place that looked to be all tucked up for a long absence. Sheets covered everything. The only sign of habitation were the android bodies that lay sprawled about the parlor and foyer. Most of them had their heads blown off. Shotgun blasts were scattered about the walls.
Janet went about collecting their various weapons. Marla explored the upstairs. There she found the master bedroom. It looked like it had just been vacated. The bed was unmade and there were clothes strewn about. Then she found the bathroom. She called to Janet. In no time the two women lay naked, wallowing in the hot-tub, letting the soft rippling currents ease away their tension.
“This is nice,” Marla said. “If not a little creepy.”
“No one is going to bother us,” Janet said. “It was over a mile along a private road to get here. I doubt the Avon Lady is going to stop by. Besides, there’s a wall and a gate. This place is like a fortress.”
“The kitchen is full,” Marla said. “We could hole up here a while.”
“You said”
“I know what I said,” Marla sighed. “I need to think.”
She stretched her arms, and holding the tub wall let her legs float, buoyed by the water flow. It was so relaxing. Her eyes drooped. She could feel Janet’s gaze. The two were silent a while.
“You shave,” Janet said.
“Not really,” Marla replied. “I was always like this. When the other girls started sprouting those cute little tufts I had nothing. Not even on my legs or pits.”
“I’ve never heard of that,” Janet said. “It must make life easier.”
“I suppose. You trim, I see.”
“Rachael – Rachael likes it.”
“I bet she does.”
They fell quiet again. They glanced at each other, then looked away. Janet took her long mousy brown hair out of its braid. Marla watched the woman’s lovely tresses float and sway in the water, then settle and wrap Janet’s breasts. When Marla slid her eyes back to Janet, the woman was staring at her. Marla let go of the tub and drifted. Their thighs brushed.
“That was”
“Yeah,” Janet said quickly. “It was.”
“Yeah.”
“Stress,” Janet said.
“Right.”
“Right.”
Marla kissed her once more gently on the lips. Then she swam away and stood.
“But I am beginning to prune,” she said with a chuckle. “Where are the towels?”
The two dried one another. Then rummaging through Vanessa’s drawers, Marla found some suitable underwear, but Janet was hesitant.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Aren’t they like, you know, like cursed or something? I mean maybe she put a spell on them or something.”
Marla sniffed a pair of yellow silk panties.
“Lilac,” she said with a nod. “Jeeze, doesn’t she own anything other than suits and gowns?”
Ultimately they found a pair of black satin capri pants that fit Marla well enough. In a wry moment, she settled on a pink tank-top with the word “Bitch” blazoned in glitter. The only coat that fit her was a short black leather jacket festooned with zippers and buckles. All Vanessa had for shoes were stiletto heels two sizes too big. They scavenged a pair of combat boots from one of the smaller androids, but still had to stuff it with socks.
“It’s no big deal,” Marla said. “I can pick up some proper clothes in the city.”
“New York?”
“Boston.”
“Why?”
“To find a witch,” Marla said. “It takes a witch to catch a witch.”
*****
“You would think that stupid witch would have a stinking map someplace!” Marla cried.
They had ransacked the mansion. They found cash. They found jewelry. They found a small cache of weapons. They even found a stash of illegal drugs.
“Why would a witch want drugs?” Janet asked.
“Probably to bribe people,” Marla said.
They checked the garage and there they found the limo, a Jaguar, and some sleek sporty thing that neither of them recognized. But they found no maps.
“Damn,” Marla said. “She doesn’t even have a GPS.”
“Neither do you,” Janet said. “But I don’t understand what you need a map for,” Janet said. “We’re in the backwoods of Maine. All we need to do is drive south and we’re bound to run into ninety-five.”
“It’s because we’re in Maine,” Marla said. “There are people here who might be able to help Laird. And if I can find a map . . . how do you know I don’t have GPS?”
“We came in your Blazer, no gizmo there.”
“La
ird must have driven. He’s our gizmo.”
And with the same thought, the two looked at each other. They ran to the kitchen where they had left the android. “Hey head,” Marla said. “You have a navigation system in you?”
“That function is available.”
“Let’s pack.”
They gathered some food, an extra coat, the cash and some weapons. It took some doing, but they carefully loaded Laird into the back seat, protecting him with blankets and pillows. Janet drove with the head propped up on a crate in the passenger seat. Marla gave the head the name of a road in a town. She sat in the back nestled with her lover. They drove for hours in the dead of night through the deep woods. They saw no one else on the road. When the head announced that they were nearing the junction of Clemons Road, Marla took the wheel. She drove slow, scanning all around.
“What are we looking for?” Janet asked.
“There’s an enclave,” Marla said. “Like a commune of Hroth. They’ve banded together out here for safety.”
“You know any of them?”
“Yeah,” Marla said. “Sort of. Shit, I passed it.”
She stopped, backed up, spotted a small, indistinct marker, and then turned down a hidden gravel drive. The road was overgrown and rough. They bumped along for nearly a half hour. Then they saw a small wooden sign nailed to a tree saying, STOP. Marla did.
“What are we doing?” Janet asked. She turned to Marla and let out a yelp.
“There’s one on you too,” Marla said. The little red laser dot stood motionless on Janet’s forehead. “We’re waiting.”
“For?”
“Clearance.”
It wasn’t long before the headlights showed a small drone flying slowly and silently toward them. It hovered above the windshield.
“State your business,” a tinny voice said,
“Liam,” Marla answered.
There was a long pause. Marla could feel Janet’s fear. A small burst of static came from the drone, then a clear and distinct male voice spoke.
“Marla,” he said. “You promised.”
“I know,” she said. “And if it wasn’t absolutely.”
“You Promised!”
“Leon it’s important!” Marla cried. “It’s Laird! Look, look in the back seat.”
The drone hesitated, then a light snapped on and bathed the ball that was Liam. The drone remained silent for a little while. There seemed to be an exchange going on in the background, and then a new voice burst forth.
“Ay mu Kaal!” it cried. “Marla? Marla my sweet? Is that you? Is that really you?”
“Yes Liam!” Marla sang with relief. “Yes it’s me, and oh I need your help.”
“Yes! Yes of course my darling, come. Come ahead.”
Marla drove on following the drone.
“Okay,” she said as they bumped along. “We’re in. Now Janet I need you to keep quiet. They’ll probably ignore you, maybe even make you wait in the car. Just do what you’re told.”
Janet nodded, her eyes still fixed in the beam on Marla’s forehead.
“And you, Head, keep quiet.”
The pulled up before a well-crafted and stately log house. Under the light of the porch were two Hroth men. Both were the deep coppery color of Laird and both wore their hair long. One had dark red hair. He stood stoic, arms folded, his eyes like steel slits. The other had much lighter hair, almost blond, and he seemed eager and agitated. The moment the car stopped he rushed to the door, yanked it open and a moment later Marla was in his arms.
“Oh my dear, dear girl,” the Hroth said almost weeping. “How I have missed you. How I have so missed you.”
*****
Marla sat in a plush old chair in the comfortable, rustic living room with. The blond, Liam was pacing the room, knotting and knitting his fingers. The red haired Hroth, Leon stood gazing into the fireplace, arms folded. Laird, Janet and the Head had been left in the car. As Marla finished her tale neither Hroth spoke for a long time. But when Leon stirred Liam sat on the arm of Marla’s chair and took her hand.
“Your woes are deep and grievous,” Leon said still staring into the fire. “And our hearts are moved.”
“Then,” Marla said hesitantly, “you’ll help me?”
“We can’t.”
“But”
“You say that this was done to Laird by the one named Dana?”
Marla nodded to his back.
“I know her,” Leon said. “She is a ketch.”
Marla didn’t know what the word meant, but she felt Liam’s hand clutch hers.
“She’s worse than a ketch,” Leon went on. “She is loathsome. But that is not in our discussion. Only a female can work the protector, and we have no females here. There is an enclave in Idaho. I can let them know that you are coming, but I cannot promise that they will help. Of course we will help you with anything that you might need for your journey. If you drive straight through you can be there in three days.”
“Three days?” Marla cried. “I can’t wait three days. That witch has Jason!’
“I do not know who this witch Vanessa is, but if she has fallen in with Dana she must be formidable. You should cut your losses and save Laird. Go to Idaho.”
“Leon please, there has to be something someone here can do. I am begging you. You have to help me!”
“You!” Leon said whirling to her. “Why the hell should we help you?”
“Leon!” Liam said in a hushed urgency. “Your voice. The children.”
“You,” Leon said. “You came to us as an ambassador; a position of good faith. Then you thrust yourself into our lives, break Liam’s heart and then steal away in the night with Laird leaving shambles in your wake. The sorrows that you have caused are just beginning to feel like they might fade away someday. And now you want us to help you so that you can go and rescue your other lover?”
“Not just Jason,” Marla pleaded. “The witch has girls as breeding slaves. And she has Rachel, Janet’s wife.”
“The lives of your friends don’t concern us. You promised to leave us alone, but here you are grinding salt into old wounds and begging us to help your lover. You have some gall, woman.”
“It’s not gall,” Liam said. “It’s desperation.”
“I don’t care what her motivation is,” Leon said. “We cannot help her.”
“Yes, I can.”
Marla’s heart dared to hope. Liam let go her hand, stood and move to Leon. Leon backed away.
“Liam?” he said. Marla heard his authority drain from his voice. “You can’t mean?”
“I want to help,” Liam said. “I have to help. And not just for Laird. Marla talked of the witch breeding werewolves. Once she has a brood, she can breed more and more. I don’t know about you, but I am not comfortable with the idea of Dana having a small army. I have to help.”
“But – but the children.”
“Sweetheart the children will adapt. For all they know it’s just something that Daddies do sometimes. And it will only be for a little while.”
“What about the others in town? What will they think?”
Liam looked at Leon with one eyebrow raised.
“Don’t be so petty.”
“I just . . .” Leon clutched his hair. It was his turn to start pacing. “It’s just so sudden. I mean, we need to think about this.”
“You think about it. I already have. Now excuse me, I need some privacy.”
And so saying Liam left the room. Leon glared at Marla. The fire and passion quickly returned and he stormed to her. He grabbed her by the lapels and pulled her face to face.
“You would battle a witch,” he said seething. “But you are nothing but a harpy, stealing joy wherever you go. You had better kick that witch’s ass from here to Franaal, or I will . . .”
He raised a fist. Marla shrank back but no blow came. He shoved her back into the chair and stormed from the room. Marla sat alone, confused and frightened. She wondered what she had just caused. Leon�
�s words cut to her heart, but what choice did she have? Liam was right, she was desperate. But in her desperation what had she caused.
She didn’t know what to do. She sat and waited. And waited. The grandfather clock softly chimed an hour. She thought to check with Janet, but she dared not move. The clocked chimed the quarter hour, the half hour, then she heard someone on the stairs and a figure strode into the room.
“Liam?” she gasped.
The blond haired woman smiled and nodded.
“Your – you’re a girl?”
“A female,” Liam said, “to be precise. Not like those funny little changes we can do during sex. This is a transformation.”
“Into a real female?”
“Yep,” Liam said. “Ovaries, mammaries, the whole shebang. Though my breasts feel like they have an awful sunburn, and the hair down there itches. But that will pass, I’m sure.”
“How . . .”
“You want the technical lecture?”
“B-but – Leon?”
“He’ll get over it,” Liam chuckled, “especially when he realizes what I can do. Besides, I like being pretty.”
And she was. She had changed her clothes, but she filled the boy clothes rather nicely. Her curves fit her form, her blonde hair seemed to glimmer and she even had lovely nails.
“So,” she said. “Shall we see to our friend?”
*****
By the first hint of dawn they had reached Interstate Ninety-five Southbound. Marla was too wound up, so she drove. Janet was asleep in the passenger seat. The Head was propped up in the cargo area, staring in awe at the dark world outside. Laird lay in the backseat, slowly uncurling. Liam had said that it would take some time for him to fully recover.
She had gone with Marla to the Blazer. She crawled into the back seat. She stroked his hair a few times, then holding his forehead in her open palm she spoke a single, unintelligible word and the silvery glow pulsed once, then twice, then faded. Laird took a deep breath and Marla’s heart melted. Then Liam slid out and smiled nodding to Marla.
“That’s it?”
“That’s all,” Liam said. “I know; all that ado for a soft touch and a loving word. But it was the only way.”
Alien Romance: Interview with an Alien (Football Paranormal Invasion Abduction Alpha Sci-fi Romance) (Fantasy First New Adult Contact Science Fiction Mystery Sports Alien Short Stories) Page 23