Scribbles and Drabbles

Notebook Drabble 72 - Monsters in the Stars

"Don't mistake that thing as human," Lance warned, eyes watching the wolf move between the sheep.

"Its from Earth."

Lance smiled grimly. "And if you asked most humans, they'd tell you it was a fairytale. A myth meant to scare children."

The alien looked at him and then over at the creature with too many eyes and more teeth than a human would be able to have. He watched the humans shy from it as it reached over their shoulders and traced muscles in their backs. All the humans did it with wary eyes and uncertain glances. The sheep could smell a predator, but they couldn't find it. His planet had stories meant to scare children, too. What would he do if one of them walked in the stars?

"It's not human," he said, voice low.

"No, it's not."

"Is it dangerous?"

"Very," Lance turned. The thing grinned, eyes locking on Lance almost as if it could hear him despite the distance. At this distance, the alien could see its pupils narrowing in on its target. The alien rolled his joints, unnerved. "I don't know why it's decided to venture beyond the stars. Most don't. The risk of being found out is too high."

"You know about them when others don't," the alien didn't move, frozen in place as a predator eyed up his companion. It sat playing with its food, never eating it. Lance was in danger. They all were in danger, or possibly just the humans. It showed no interest in aliens, not beyond the normal curiosity of someone new to space. An extra long look at someone with a different limb. A stroke of feathers, when given permission, didn't move any differently from any other human until it was put in with the flock.

"I grew up in a forest village. You see weird things sometimes. We learn not to talk about them, not unless we want to invite them into our lives." Lance clutched his arms to himself and shivered. "The only thing more fun about unsuspecting prey is one who knows and is trying to dance the line."

As quiet as Lance said it, it didn't stop the creature's lips widening into a grin that was a touch too big. That was less hungry and more amused. The humans described having a sixth sense for things that didn't make sense, but the alien was starting to get it, too. His stomach cramped. "And how's your two-step?"

Lance snorted. "I've already stumbled, Trex. He has my name and my blood."

-

Apokeri approached Trex with a drink and sat next to him as they watched the promenade. It wasn't a drink humans could drink, but they had gained a taste for it. It settled, letting the more inhuman bits of itself show. The pointed ears, and the flowers in its hair. Some of the humans didn't know it was supposed to be one of them. How many of its kind had slipped through the black, no longer hiding themselves among a mess of aliens?

"Lance tripped."

"He mentioned," Trex eyed up his own glass and wondered about that.

"He's delicious. He'll keep me fed for a while if I'm careful. Humans are so delicate,"

"That's not a description that anyone else would use," Because the stubborn things that refused to die in the most dangerous of situations were hardy and strong. The fact that there were things that fed off them was disturbing.

Apokeri barked in laughter. "I suppose not. So many in the stars are fragile like birds. All hollow bones and thin skin. This is the wrong kind of delicate. Emotionally, mentally, I've held Lance's heart in my hands. That's not something most can recover from easily, and his support network is woefully lacking."

"Pardon?"

"He's fine. Your medical detectors won't pick it up." Apokeri wrinkled his fingers, and they went translucent.

"That is terrifying," Trex resisted the urge to cover his chest.

"It's meant to be," Apokeri flashed his teeth. "I'd quite like to try you at some point. We're not sure yet if we're going to be bound to go where humans go or if we can feed from others, too. But then we come back to the fragility of you all. Maybe the Elephants?" He looked over at one of the lumbering guards. "They are a little more durable."

Trex focused on breathing.

Apokeri drank his drink and let him settle. "You're going home soon for a trip?"

"Yes,"

"Do you have stories?"

Trex didn't expect that. He rubbed his shoulder and considered. "Nothing like you, but yes, there were stories."

"Lance told you about not speaking about such things unless you want to invite them in? I'm not sure how true it will be for you, or if your monsters exist like we do, but on Earth, there is a pull to people who know. A mark of safety, or a curse. People like Lance are rare, and while we are compelled to feed off of them, we also want them breathing. It's a weird dichotomy, but it's so much nicer not to hide every moment."

"You don't know if by me knowing you, my own kind's monsters will come out of the woodwork?"

"Exactly."

"I'll stay safe," Trex promised the very old thing. "Salt and silver,"

"Iron fillings too," Apokeri's lips twisted. "A prayer of faith, if you have some."

"Should you be telling me your weaknesses?"

"If it keeps you breathing? Without a doubt."

-x-

Trex collapsed to his knees, all strength sapped. Lance twisted on the bed, reaching out to touch his head. Careful, gentle fingers curved over his ear flaps as if he was a child. He rather hoped this wouldn't happen.

"The two of you are ridiculous," Apokeri sighed, moving over to settle next to them. "I have you safe."

"Frecking nightmares," Trex bowed his head against the bed and more into Lance's hand.