The Predators Hunt

Memento

   It's beautiful.
   At least, it is to me. To others, he'd look grotesque, but all I feel seeing him is pure wonder, and...something else. His face is mossy green all over with a darker green shade where his hair grows. Just like I thought, he has long mandibles that shyly click together. The white tusks on them look sharp, fierce, and strong. Behind them are small, shark-like teeth that look like they could rip anything to shreds.
   Should I be worried that I find that a little hot?
   I scan his face, taking in every ridge, scale, and scar till I reach his eyes. God, his eyes are incredible. They look like two fiery ambers, intense and full of life. They glimmer as I stare into them. He blinks and looks back, we're now making direct eye contact.
   I shiver while looking into them, I can't stop looking. My heart begins beating fast and hard.
   Why am I feeling this? He's not a human, he's...he's...
   Without even meaning to, my hand brushes his face. His skin is rough and ridgey, like the surface of a boulder. It creates a pleasant sensation over my fingertips as I begin exploring.
   His cheeks have a rougher feeling, but get smoother as I reach his mandibles. I gently caress them, careful not to hurt him. I move to what look like his cheekbones, then something miraculous happens.
   He begins to purr.
   Unlike the previous times he's done so - he usually sounds likes a tiger about to strike - this time, his sounds remind me of petting a housecat. A very, very big housecat.
   Stifling a giggle at the thought, I continue feeling his face, the purrs get louder. As they do, my chest starts to swell from the inside, threatening to burst like a balloon.
   The feeling is so intense, I can't help but sigh, "Bear."
   Oh shit. Did I just say what I think I just said?!
   A hot blush streaks across my face. I try my hardest to ignore it, praying that Bear was too occupied to hear. I stretch my hand up more, trying to reach his forehead. Bear must have caught on, since his head rubs against my hand. The purring gets louder.
   Suddenly, he's on his knees, his face is now directly in front of mine.
   A big alien hunter on his knees for me? Oh God...
   Now both my hands are able to grasp his face, which is exactly what they do. Now I can fully see him, his skin is much more riged up-close, and I can clearly see a pale green scar going up from his left eye to his forehead, and a few more on his right cheek. Instead of exploring any further, I just look into his eyes again.
   My, my, those eyes. The more I looked, the more they seemed to blaze back, like an inferno. Guess that would make me a helpless moth.
   As I get trapped in his gaze, I hear him purr and growl as well as feel the vibrations they create under my palms. They send shivers through my body that make me blush harder.
   I desperately pry my vision away from his eyes and fall to his mouth. His mandibles have now flared open, revealing pale pink flesh surrounding his piranha-like mouth. The pink shade reminds me of the color of lips.
   My teeth curl over mine at the thought. I think, what if we...we...
   "Bear, I..." He's not human.
   Maybe that doesn't matter.
   SWOOOOSH!!
   Startled, I look up just in time to see something fly overhead and dissapear into the night sky. I look to Bear who is now standing straight up and looking away from me, facing the direction of where that thing flew off to.
   "W-what was that?" I touch his arm to get his attention, but he just stands there. His fists clench.
   He turns to me and trills something, something that sounds important.
   "Bear, I don't know what-" I gasp.
   He's wrapped his fingers around my hand, squeezing it gently. I look down at it, mesmerized, his skin is so soft on his palm. I squeeze back, not wanting him to let go.
   Am...am I in...?
   Yeah. I think so.
   Before I know it, his other hand hovers above mine. He's holding something, it's a long metal rod. He carefully places it in my hand, guiding my fingers to hold onto it. He then presses my middle and index finger down, I feel and hear a button.
   I yelp and jump back as two huge blades shoot out of both sides. As I try to stand up straight, I hear Bear huff a laugh.
   "Screw you!" I scowl at him so that I don't slip up and smirk.
   I gaze at the weapon he's given me. It towers over me as I hold it to my side. The gleaming blades are strong, sharp and jagged, perfect for slicing. The leathery grip fits my hand just right, and despite being made of some metal material, it's surprisingly light. Easy to swing and maneuver.
   "Holy shit, I," I laugh, too amazed to form words. All I can muster out is, "Thank you."
   He nods once, then looks away. He slowly, sadly, puts his helmet back on before turning towards me again.
   "Are...are you leaving? Again?" I blink up at him. I keep blinking, hoping he doesn't see the tears beginning to form.
   He trills again. Though I don't understand his words, I all too well understand his tone.
   "Sonuvabitch Bear," I wipe my eyes, "you come back just to abandon me again? Y-you're the worst...b-but..."
   If he's gonna leave for good, I might as well tell him.
   Who cares if he's not human?
   I sure don't.
   I lunge toward him. It's difficult to get my arms all the way around him, but I'm sure I get my message across. This time, I let the tears flow free, so that he knows how much he means to me.
   "But I c-care about you, so, so much. You're more than just a friend to me. I-I know we're not the same species, but I..."
   I bury my lips into his chest, "I love you."
   Bear's hand comes around and holds onto my head. His claws glided through my hair, raking against my scalp soothingly. His other hand does the same to my back.
   I don't want him to leave, I'm sure he doesn't either, but he can't stay here, can he? He clearly doesn't belong on Earth, nor do I think he wants to. Whatever that thing in the sky was, it seemed important to him, perhaps it's his mother ship.
   If so - if I really loved him - he'll have to go.
   I end our hug short and look up at him. I try my best to smile.
   "I'll miss you Bear. But you have to leave, if that's what you really want." I wipe my eyes. "Don't worry about me, I've got this now. My own little memento to remember you bye."
   I press the little button again and watch the bladed sides slide back in place. I look up and wait for a response.
   Nothing.
   Then, he kneels down. His hand once again goes around to the back of my head, then he pulls me in till our forheads touch. He once again trills something, then clicks a few times.
   I close my eyes, trying to memorize the feeling of his warm hand against my hair, the cool of his helmet, and the sound of his odd language.
   "Looove..yeeww..."
   My eyes snap open. Could he - could he do that all along? He heard what I said! He feels the same?!
   I can't help but laugh, thinking about how I'll never hear the end of this from Jeremy.
   "Oh my God, you fell in love with an alien?!"
   Yep, not sorry!
   "The hell's the matter with you? Are you out of your mind?!! Wait till everyone else hears!"
   Who cares? I'll tell 'em myself.
   HEY EVERYONE! MY NAME IS WINDA AND I'M LOVE WITH AN ALIEN!!!
   "I'm in love with an alien!" I shout out.
   Bear just stares at me, probably thinking the human he loves back is crazy.
   "O-oh, heh, sorry. Got excited there." I smile again, my chest now feeling full.
   "Sigh. Well? What are you waiting for? Shouldn't you be going home?"
   He stands up, nods once to me again, then dissapears into the forest with one great leap.
   I watch him leave again, vision cloudy with tears. I clutch the new weapon at my hip, imagining it's his hand. I feel a bit better.
   Stronger.
   With a piece of him by my side, I can do anything.
   With that, I make my way down the hill.