NOT HUMAN

Chapter 21 - Childhood Bully

It was dark.

Blackness everywhere--endless.

However,  specks of light were seen they were bright stars shining.

Outer-space was a cold atmosphere. So much of it is unexplored.

What was out there in the infinite space?

Who was out there?

"Are you done with your fair share of the deal?" David gave the white-eyed Oculos a lopsided grin.

The Oculos didn't return it. The creature stood towering him, intimidatingly close to him and its cold breath fanning over David's. The only human aboard the ship with any authority over the Oculos.

But, not with this one the leader of the Oculos. It shoved a scrappy piece of paper into his hand.

He read: Not even close. So much to explore about your species known as humans.

"Right, of course." David tried forcing a smile this time.

The Oculos had a name. It was the first. No joke. David was confused he finally got it. This Oculos was the oldest of them all. The very first Oculos. How long do they live? Or was he just a special case?

The ship was massive but wasn't alone. There were more sections, units, and more ships.

These Oculos have been watching Earth for who knows how long. Since Lily was born possibly which means more than twenty years.

-

Jax was chopping wood. He wiped the sweat from his brow and slammed the ax down once again stacking the wood near him. His eyes never venturing off anywhere but on the logs. Well, before he heard a familiar voice.

"You like this kind of work,lumberjack?" He nearly dropped the ax on his foot but caught it in time.

"Don't do that." He warned, taking his eyes off his proud work and finding a pair of brown eyes just like his but rounder.

"It's cold," Andy stated. "Good idea, firewood."

"Yeah, thought I might as well. Nothing else better to do around here." He shrugged, gathering the logs in a wheelbarrow.

"Yeah, I'm pretty annoyed by that too. It's boring. I'm waiting for something anything to happen." Andy pouted, folding her arms.

"Yeah, well how about you pick up an ax and help."

"Sure." She smiled taking his. Jax smirked at her as he took the spare ax. It wasn't his but it was there.

After chopping all the firewood they could they both took it inside to the team. Jax started the fire. Everybody huddled up close to keep warm.

They all sat in comfortable silence when a sound tore the comfy atmosphere with three sharp, pounding knocks at the door.

"Who is knocking?" Cherry asked. A question everyone wanted to know.

"Could it just be the wind?" Nixon shared the same scared look. He was on the arm of the couch a book in hand nestled up to the fireplace. Now he was hugging his book close.

"I'll see." Lily stood up volunteering since nobody else was making the first move.

"Wait." Blade said. "I'll come with you."

~Flashback~

"Wait," Emily called from upstairs. "I'll come with you."

"Why?" Lily gave her a suspicious look. "You hate me."

"Because...I'm your sister...." She whispered. "And...well...uh...sisters stick together...." She added, the atmosphere was soaked in awkwardness.

"Fine." So the sisters went outside then walked a few blocks to the park where the older boys were waiting.