Taken

Chapter Two

Angie

I know what you're thinking.

The way that I responded to Taylor, how I handled that conversation, was pretty weird.

Maybe you think I'm too sensitive, and should have a sense of humor.

You probably think I'm crazy for believing in aliens. Up until a month ago, I would have agreed with you.

But I know what I saw, and I know I am not crazy. 

One month earlier

"Don't be afraid of us, Angie. We just want to help you," the small, shadowy figure said. I'm leaning against my bed frame, my comforter pulled up to my chin, my body quivering so hard that I can feel the bed shaking beneath me.

The figure takes a step into my bedroom. I open my mouth to scream, but no sound comes out. I squeeze my eyes shut, tears streaming down my face.

"Angie, please stop crying. We don't want to hurt you." Slowly, I peel my eyes open. In front of me stands the figure, with two other smaller figures standing behind it.

My eyes widen in amazement and horror as the one in front leaps up onto my night table, pulling the string on my lamp to turn the light on, so that their features are more visible in the light.

I'm face to face with three miniature, gray-purple creatures with large round black eyes.

"We know you believe in us, Angie," the three creatures say in unison. "We'd like to take you somewhere. Come with us." The two other gray-purple figures leap up onto my bed, reaching towards me and tugging on my hands.

I scream, squeezing my eyes shut.

When my eyes open again, I'm back in my dorm room, laying on my back. Beads of sweat are on my forehead, strands of hair plastered to my face. 

My clothing and bedsheets are also soaked with my sweat.

I sigh, sitting up in bed, propping my pillows behind my back. I reach down to the floor to pick up my water bottle, gulping down what's left.

I'm ok. Everything is ok. It was just a dream.

But if it was just a dream, then why did it feel so real?!

Present Day

Alicia turns the key in the lock, and the door to our AirBNB opens.

Alicia, Taylor and I haul our suitcases into the entrance, and ooh and ahh at the place we'll be staying for the next week.

Right as we walk in, we are greeted by a wide, open space with high ceilings. There is a living room that leads into a kitchen, which leads to a bedroom with two twin beds and a bathroom. On the other side of the bedroom is an identical bedroom and bathroom.

Alicia and Taylor take one bedroom, I take the other.

Alicia and Taylor have known each other since middle school, while I have only known them for two years, when we were freshmen in college. So it makes sense why they're closer, and why they always choose to room together whenever we travel.

Honestly though, I don't mind having my own room. If anything, I prefer it as opposed to having a roommate.

During this trip, I'll be able to have a decent amount of social interaction and escape my comfort zone a bit.