Beautiful [Alien!Gerard]

16.

The second we were taken to the base, they separated me from Peyton. I've never struggled so hard in my life. I struggled like a bird in the mouth of a lion. Though it made no sense. Lions don't eat small birds.

So why were they after us?

I felt useless as they locked me in a glass room. I didn't understand why it had to be glass, until they started torturing Peyton. Sadistic, and I wouldn't expect anything less from them.

They hooked up wires to every inch of her, shocking her whenever she didn't comply or answer their question. Her body was as taut as a bowstring after each shock. After a few seconds her muscles would relax, only to be forced to tense up again.

I slam my hands into the glass, trying desperately to break it. I wasn't strong enough. Useless, that's what I was. After another shock, her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she went completely still. I couldn't tell for sure if she was dead or not.

I felt a hard tug deep inside my stomach, and every glass wall shattered into a trillion pieces. Everyone gaped and stared at me. I stomped up to her. I must have looked terrifying to everyone, because they stepped back.

I touched Peyton's cheek softly. She came to, and her eyes widened. She linked her fingers with mine and the tugging stopped. She softly rubbed my knuckles with her thumb.

"I'm okay. Promise." She whispered.

I undid her straps, and then helped as I felt a sharp pain in my neck. I thought I was going to black out, but I didn't. Peyton didn't move at all, like she knew I'd be okay. They shoved me away from her.

"It's just a tag! You'll be okay! Just let them take you out!" She yelled frantically as they started yanking her down a hall.

I tried to get back to her, sobbing hysterically. I felt like a frightened child being separated from their mother. Funny enough, considering I was never connected to my mother in such a way.

She was always a figure of safety for me, Peyton. She cleaned up my wounds, shielded me from the cruelty that resided in the shadows.

I loved her, and I hoped to whatever God existed that she knew that. They shoved me out of the building, throwing her car keys at me and locking me out.

Not only did I just get separated from the only girl I'd ever loved, but I was stuck in the middle of nowhere without the knowledge on how to drive.

***

After several hours of trial and error, I learned the basics of driving the beast that was her small car. I drove away, without a clue as to where I was going.

I cried the entire time, and almost caused several accidents. I guess there's certain places I can't drive?

I pulled over when the needle pointed to E, whatever that meant. I knew it wasn't good. I curled up in the seat, crying harder than I've ever cried before.

After about two hours, there was a knock on my window. I thought it was the men in suits, but it wasn't. It was Frank.

The man who thought of green men and was afraid of the men in suits too. He opened the door.

"Are we going to get Peyton back, or are you gonna keep crying?" He said.

I should've been offended, but I couldn't be. He was right. He offered his hand, and I took it. It was warm and calloused and his strong fingers wrapped around my hand as he pulled me out of the car.

I felt a warmth in my heart that I could only identify as gratitude. He led me to his car, buckling me up. He treated me like Peyton would, and I understood why they were friends.

I looked into his eyes, and they looked so much like Peyton. I trusted him.

Frank's van had many computers and strange weapons. He described the things vaguely, promising to explain it at a later time.

He pulled up security footage. It started with me shattering the glass. Or rather, the glass shattering around me. My eyes were pure white, and white fog seemed to swirl around me. I looked terrifying.

How had that happened?

"Every one of your race is capable of doing that. We're less advanced now, but you are still very much strong. When your life mate is threatened, you become practically unstoppable. And extremely terrifying. What we need to do is pray to God you can do that again, because it'll be really fuckin' helpful." Frank said, shutting the video off.

Did Peyton know what was happening to me? And had she calmed me down on purpose?

He handed me a loaded gun, and I felt myself pale. Only the most elite Council officials were allowed such a powerful weapon on my planet. With good reason; this was made only to kill.

My blood pumped through my veins the same temperature as freshly melted slush. I resented the weapon in my hands, but I didn't let it go.

Peyton mattered more than my morals.

Frank typed frantically into his computer, stopping every few seconds to review his work and edit whatever needed to be. Professional.

I watched nervously, but didn't speak. I didn't want to distract him. He finished and frantically cocked his weapon.

"The security will be down for ten minutes. We get Peyton, we get out. Shoot anyone that gets in your way." He said.

I nodded, not knowing what I was getting into.