Extraterrestrial Exploration

chapter 25

–Nala–

‘Is she okay? Did it work?’ a soft voice spoke up.

‘Nori?’

‘She is fine, and yes her mind has opened up to us, but she needs rest, lots of it. she will be disoriented and fatigued. try to keep her away from crowded places, getting too close to too many people isn't ideal when she has been blocked out all this time.it will take time for her to adjust.’ an older voice replied.

‘we understand, we will make sure she is taken care of for the time being.’ a much sterner voice responded.

‘Wait is that Astaria?’

‘She's waking up!’ Nori spoke again excitedly.

opening my eyes I was greeted by none other than Nori looking down at me with a smile.

blinking a few times I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned as a minor headache made its presence within my brain. ‘My head is killing me…’ I thought to myself, or at least so I thought.

‘That is to be expected, opening your mind can be difficult when you have been closed off for so long.’ Astaria spoke.

my eyes shot open as I turned to look at her confused and shocked. ‘did– she just speak English?’

‘What's English?’ Nori questioned and my head snapped back to her as she tilted her head curiously.

“how– wait… I can hear you now?” I said in disbelief.

Nori blinked before looking towards Astaria and the older woman. ‘What did she say?’ her voice questioned In my mind.

sitting up I turned to face them with wide eyes, it was as if I was seeing these people for the first time all over again.

‘My work here is done, you may call upon me should you require anything else.’ the old woman spoke while looking at Astaria.

she nodded in response and gave her thanks before watching the older woman leave the room.

I wasn't just imagining this, all of it was real, I could actually hear them…understand them. ‘how is this possible?’

Nori smiled and grabbed my hand. ‘we used mind slugs! it was obvious that you mind was blocking out everyone but thanks to your-’

‘Nori!’ Astaria’s voice snapped, cutting off the younger female with a small glare.

Noris eyes widened as her face fell as she lowered her head. ‘My apologies lady Astaria…’ she replied.

I looked between the two of them still in shock of the fact I could hear them in my mind.

‘Mind slugs?’ I questioned, a bit off-put by the name of the creature's.

Astaria sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as her tail flicked around behind her. ‘Yes, mind slugs. They are small creatures that tend to feed on the minds of other creatures by attaching themselves to the head, spine or back of the neck, when they find suitable hosts to feed on they will communicate with others of their kind with their minds. using their connection to each other we were able to open your mind to the people's voices so we can speak properly.’ she explained.

‘Feed on the minds of other creatures?! Is that what those leech things were? do they somehow feed off the neurological energy produced in the brain? or do they actually feed off the brainmatter?’ I mused to myself.

Both the women before me looked at me questioningly and I paused. ‘oh…you guys can hear all of my thoughts, don't you...’

Nori ended up nodding in affirmation of the question and I couldn't help but groan in response.