"Don't run."
I shudder at the deep, unearthly voice that growls just behind my ear. I slow my pace, the metal shackles clanking against my bruised wrists and ankles. A tall, hulking creature steers me down a flight of steps. I find myself in a sleek, narrow hallway with a low ceiling, lined on both sides with cells.
Silent, fearful faces stare at me from behind the bars. Bright eyes blink ominously from the shadows. As I stand agape, one of the guard approaches us. This creature is similar to the one who discovered me on the transport ship; pale, silver skin with thick appendages, a bulbous brow crowned with thick black hair, and wide eyes like smoldering coals. On its naked side, a weapon of sorts is strapped to its waist. Thin, slender fingers curl around a gun that bears a shimmering core and short barrel.
"New prisoner," says the creature behind me, uttering the words slowly. "Male. He... snuck... aboard a transport vessel outside... of the city."
I grimace, scowling as the guard nods its head solemnly in understanding. It takes the chain leash from the creature beside of me, then pulls insistently on the bonds. I stagger after the guard compliantly, my bare feet sliding along the smooth, cold floor.
I'm dragged towards a cell near the center of the corridor. Clenching my fists, I grit my teeth in preparation. The guard pauses to unlock the door, inserting its silver armband into a crevice in the keypad. The door clicks open.
In a sudden move, I spin on my heels, ramming my elbow sharply into the creature's throat. It releases a guttural cry, stumbling backwards and clutching its neck. I lunge for the weapon, pulling the gun out of its holster and turning it on the creature in a flash.
"Make one move and I put a bullet in your brain," I say flatly. "Ya know, if brains are something you people have."
There's a chorus of cheers from the cells surrounding me as the guard stares bleakly at the barrel of the weapon. Chaos ensues as the prisoners swarm from the cell behind me, snatching the wristband from the guard and setting to work unlocking the others. I jerk my head, beckoning for the guard to follow me into the now-empty cell. The creature reluctantly stumbles after me, standing shyly in the middle of the barred room.
"Get me out of these," I order in a low tone, gesturing towards the shackles that bind me. The creature hesitates, and I step closer. The tip of the gun brushes against its brow, and the guard begins to tremble.
A moment of contemplation passes. Outside of the cell, madness reigns. Shouts of elation and joy mingle together in a swelling cacophony as loved ones are reunited and hope of escape comes to fruition.
At last, the creature offers its hands. Keeping a steady grip on the odd weapon, I allow the guard to fumble with the bonds, until the cuffs click open. They fall to the floor with a clatter. I step back, flexing my sore wrists. In the distance, I can hear the sound of an alarm. Footsteps.
They're coming.
I reach into the breast pocket of my torn shirt, withdrawing a faded photograph. I shove it into the creature's face.
"Tell me where she is," I command, my voice nothing more than a growl. The guard surveys the photograph blankly. There is no emotion within its black eyes, only a calm resilience. Anger boils inside of my chest, and I turn the gun to the creature's left leg, discharging a single bullet. As it turns out, the gun isn't too dissimilar from the weapon I used to tote during my tour in the Middle East.
The guard screeches, collapsing to the floor while babbling incoherently in a foreign language. Black blood pools on the ground around its wounded limb. "Where is she?!" I yell, crouching over the alien with the weapon pointed at its gangling head.
