NOT HUMAN

Chapter 19 - Not Home

David scratched at a scab on his arm, picking the red hard skin off. It was annoying like those kids and the fact that they're not as stupid as he thought. His plan was fucked.

The space shuttle was out in outer space, it'd been three days since the incident. He was thinking up another solution, another plan. But he had time. They weren't going anywhere and even if they did- he'd find them again.

Three aliens walked into the control room where David was perched in his chair. His spacesuit sat on the other side of the room. In case of an emergency, if something went wrong on the ship, they needed to do repairs on the outside or escape it.

"what is it?" He groaned already in a foul mood. Right. They just stared at him. Can't comprehend the human language yet or yet many languages. He wanted them to at least understand English.

"Of course, I still need to give you all the language classes." He ran a rough hand through his scruffy blond locks, and snatched up his notebook scribbling down words: What do you want? Have you finished the experiments on the next batch of prisoners yet? Or better yet any new progress on the breeders?

The middle Oculos with white eyes replied: Yes, we have finished it. No, results of any pregnant humans or Oculos.

"Well, fuck, Sunflower was special, wasn't she?" David shook his head, vexed. Maybe they haven't found enough humans. Should they gather more? Abduct more?

Yes, he thought. Anything to get the results he wanted.

~Back to earth~

The sun was upon the horizon slowly rising like a ball of yellow egg yolk. Blade was in the kitchen frying sunny-side-up eggs. He smiled at the sentiment, waking early, and cooking food for his family.

Family.

The team. They were like family.

He had a rough night. Barely slept. Being the leader meant holding the most responsibilities. But if they left here, where would they go? The aliens knew their location or worse David did. This place was cozy but it was small.

"Good Morn-"Lily started to say but her words got stuck in her throat. She saw Blade, his bare chest exposed, with no shirt. Just in sweatpants.

It was unusual to catch him like this. So, informal- so casual- so off guard.

"...Lily..." He gaped, surprised she was up this early. "You're up?"

"Yes, I am. Thanks for noticing, Blade." She joked.

"I mean no one is up before I cook."

"Is that so?" Her mouth curved up. She moved from her spot by the doorway to stand at his shoulder by the stove. "It smells good." She looked at the eggs. "But I think it's missing something..."

"Oh, may I ask what that would be?" He glanced down at her. Noticing their proximity. It made him feel hot and uneasy. That was very unlike him. He's always all put together. But Lily made him feel like he was all over the place.

"Pass me the ketchup."

"Okay." He retrieved the red condiment from the fridge and placed it in her hands, accidentally brushing her hands as he passed it to her. It made him freeze up for a moment. The simple touch made his blood pulsate, and his heartbeat erratically.

"They're done. What do you think?" She had crafted smiley faces on all the eggs. It brought a smile to his face alright.

"Cute." He said, quietly not paying attention to her added design to the eggs but looking right at her as he said it.

"Thanks." She blushed, tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear. Why was he looking at her when he said it? She shrugged it off. It's nothing. Just a coincidence.