Bounty Hunter

Chapter 7

When the clock hand strikes five the front door opens to reveal my parents. The SAT book is laid to rest on my bed freeing me to greet my parents. I welcome them home with a quick kiss on the cheek. "My friend Kai is coming at six. The friend that Sharon spied me with," I emphasize. "She wasn't spying on you. She just happened to notice you," my mom says defensively. My parents set about chopping vegetables and basting chicken. Thoughts run through my restless mind inciting sweat to gather in my underarms. I fan myself in attempt to cool the onslaught of perspiration. A small smile plays on the corner of my mother's lips. "What are you laughing about?" I ask in an accusatory tone. "Nothing," she says. "Seriously mom," I say. "Well it's just that this is the first time you're bringing a boy home. And you're so nervous that you're sweating," she laughs. Irately, I violently rip off a paper towel to wipe off the undesirable moisture.

DING! The doorbell alerts me to Kai's arrival. I eye my parents warningly. "Please don't embarrass me," I iterate. "We'll try our best to humiliate you," my mom jests. I exhale loudly attempting to ease the tension in my chest. Kai's tall frame fills the opened doorway, and I have to resist the urge to dissolve. He's exchanged his usual attire for a black T shirt which frames his broad chest and strong shoulders. "Hi May," he says with a smile. His penetrating stare causes me to shy away. "Hello Kai," I murmur. I gesture for him to come in. The heat of his heavy gaze forces me to look up. A muscular shoulder brushes against my own as he twists to pass me. I think there might be something wrong with my pulse. "You're actually on time," I remark trying to steady my speech. "I wouldn't show up late to meet the parents," he states seriously. I shake my head disapprovingly. My dad grips Kai's hand in a firm shake. Kai towers over my father who is only 5'7, yet my dad still manages to appear imposing. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Anthony," my dad says. "It's a pleasure to meet you sir, I'm Kai," he replies. He eyes Kai sternly letting him know who the alpha male is. My mom shakes his hand with a reassuring smile. Kai and I sit beside each other and to my relief the dinner runs smoothly. My parents seem to like Kai's charismatic smiles and graceful comments. The only heated moment occurs when Kai leans forward to grab the chicken for me. He passes it to me but not before seizing the opportunity to whisper in my ear. "I like your dress," he says softly. I refuse to meet his eyes and simply laugh at one of my dad's bad jokes.

My dad pushes himself away from the table and rises. "I'm going to get dessert," he says. "I'll help you," Kai offers. "Sh*t," I hear someone curse from the kitchen. "Honey are you okay?" my mom asks concernedly. "I'm fine hon," my dad's voice replies. When Kai emerges with my dad carrying the dessert, he wears a concerned expression. A small bandage covers my dad's finger, and he lays a fresh plate of watermelon onto the table. As soon as the meal concludes Kai ducks out of the house with a wave. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Flos," he says. "Bye May," he calls behind him. As I watch him leave, his suggestive words replay through my head like a broken record. I gaze longingly at his receding back wishing I could reach out to pull him back. After clearing the table I retire to my room and turn my speakers on. Beyonce's sultry voice resonates in my ears with a pulsating beat. "I'm feeling myself, I'm feeling myself," she raps. I swirl my body around pumping my shoulders up and down. Then I abandon my dress for something more suitable to the night time. A sharp rap on the window startles me and I clutch my chest in fright. Swiftly I run over to retrieve my gun from the closet. I peer out cautiously to determine the culprit. Whipping the gun out, I tear away the curtains, to unveil none other than Kai. The muscle in his jaw twitches, though I'm not sure from what. If my parents come in here and see Kai, I am dead. My very name on this place we call Earth will be obliterated. Slowly I lower the gun and hurriedly conceal it. Then I return to the window and silently slide the window open. "What are you doing here?!" I hiss. "Do you always greet your friends with a gun to the face?" he asks sarcastically. "We're not friends," I whisper angrily. "Ow, that hurt," he says touching his chest mockingly. Angrily, I shake my head and eyeball him. "What do you want?" I spit. "I need to talk to you," he says in a low voice. "Make it quick, because if my parents find you here they will kill both of us," I warn. "That's the least our problems right now," he states darkly. "Our problems," I repeat making quotation marks with my fingers. "Your problems," I correct him. He licks his lips once before speaking, "Your dad is an alien. Which makes you half alien," he says blankly. His stoic expression is concealed in the dark and completely devoid of any emotion. "My dad is not an alien," I say with a guffaw. Kai gestures for me to move aside so that he can climb into my room. I cross my arms over my chest to let him know he's unwelcome. "In the kitchen, when he cut himself, his blood was silver," Kai says. "It was a trick of the light," I say brushing him off. "You need to go," I say. "Your dad's been deceiving you. You have to confront him," he insists. "I'm not going to confront him. He'll think I'm insane!" Kai shakes his head frustrated. "Even if my dad is an alien it wouldn't make a difference." Kai's voice rises an octave, "It does matter because if your dad is an alien, he might be a part of the alliance. Aliens who join the alliance bind themselves with a charm. The charm affects their blood and turns it silver," he says his voice rising dangerously. I press my fingers against my temples and resist the urge to collapse. "My dad has been with my mom since he was 20 years old. I think I'd know if he was leading some double life." Kai's green eyes narrow at me brimming with accusation. "If you don't confront him then I will," he threatens. "Fine!" I whisper loudly. "Wait outside my window." There is no way I'm allowing Kai to speak with my father. He steps out of the window and leans against the sill. Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself to confront my father. A dim yellow light beckons me to my parents' bedroom. Timidly, I knock on the door. "Come in," dad's deep voice answers. Hesitantly, I stand at the doorway. He lays in the bed with my mom laughing at something on the T.V. They share a bowl of popcorn, the picture of happiness and content. How could this man possibly be an alien? Not to mention an alien, who's part of an elusive alliance, rampaging across the galaxy. "Dad?" "Yes honey," he answers with a mouthful of popcorn, his eyes trained on the screen. "Is there something you're not telling me?" "No honey," he says not paying attention. "Are you an alien?" I burst out hysterically.

Suddenly I've captured his attention. He and my mom glance at each other dubiously before collapsing into laughter. "Yes hon, your dad is actually from Mars," my mom jokes. "I need you to be honest with me," I say. "This isn't a joke," I insist. My heartbeat drums anxiously hoping he'll continue to brush me off. Then I would never have to know the truth. And sometimes ignorance is truly bliss. He sends my mom a wary glance. "What's spurred this sudden accusation?" my dad asks cautiously. "Kai freaked out. He texted me after dinner, claiming your blood was silver," I fib. Something caves in his eyes and his shoulders collapse. My mom rubs his shoulder to comfort him. "I think we need to be honest with her honey," my mom says. "I'm not sure how you jumped to the alien conclusion. But think you should sit down," he says. I approach the bed cautiously and sit myself beside him. "I am an alien. I was a fugitive running away from a bad past. I came to this planet on one of my escapades and I met your mom. I couldn't leave her. I decided I was tired of living like an outlaw. That's the short story. But it's as simple as that. Technically you're part alien, but it makes no difference. I've left that life entirely behind me," he assures me. The pain in my chest from his deception dissolves. He's my father and if he says something then I trust him. There's no need to probe him for further details. His large callused hands bring my head toward him, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. "This doesn't change anything," he reassures me. As I'm about to shut the door my parents utter one final warning. "Remember now that you know the truth you can leave it alone. Lock it up someplace safe and never speak of it," my dad warns. I nod my head fearfully and feign agreement.

When I leave their room I close the door gently behind me. Somehow knowing the truth hasn't set me free. I'm still confused and conflicted more so than before. Questions about my dad's newly unveiled past beg to be asked. How did he come to Earth? Why was he a part of the alliance? Of course I could never voice these questions. Something in his eyes was almost haunted when he spoke the truth. As if it must never be spoken again. I rush to my room when I hear the sounds of rough rains beating against my window. I run to slam the windows close but they've already been shut by someone. A muscular torso with long legs is sprawled across my bed. A leather jacket is strewn onto the floor, tossed carelessly to the side. I shut my door terrified my parents might pass by. I expect Kai to pop up and start laughing but he remains still. His six foot frame consumes my entire bed, and he sleeps with his arms spread across the sheets. A soft snore shakes his broad chest up and down.

Quietly I approach the bed, careful not to disturb him. I lean over to peer at his face. His eyes are shut close and his breath rises and falls at a steady pace. His normally clenched jaw is relaxed, lending him a more innocent countenance. My heart can't help but go out to him. Call me crazy for doing this, but my helpless hands are drawn to the blanket and I lay it over him. I can't help but smile at his cuteness, an overgrown, exhausted puppy. Sleep's soft embrace covers him in a blanket of innocence. Cautiously, I brush a stray hair away from his angular face. The rain relentlessly batters my windows in a rhythmic race. A race of raindrops against raindrops, all wanting the same thing. Yet they have nowhere to run. I drift over to the window and press my palms and forehead against the cold window. The frigid sensation fades once I remove myself from the glass. I'm forced to create a makeshift bed for myself on the floor. Faint snoring and the pattering rains lull the tides of my mind, high at night, to sleep.