In Alien Hands: Crashed

Crashed - Part 11

I sighed when I woke up the next morning. It was tremendously boring there. Right on cue, a toy and a tray of food was brought in. I waited while the food was poured in before rushing to get some out. It was identical to the one from yesterday. I completed the maze after just a couple tries. Even after that extra food from yesterday, I was still hungry.

The pellets were starting to grow on me, and they were getting easier to get out. After what I presume was a couple of hours, I started to pile up my extra pellets on the tray to eat later. I was feeling very satisfied with myself, I even managed to get one pellet out with my eyes closed.I

I had just gotten the last piece out when one of the aliens came to check on me. a big smile crept on its face when it saw my piles of food. It left the room quickly, returning several minutes later with another toy and another tray. This one wasnt some maze, it looked like a game of Simon. You know, that game with the lights and you had to follow the pattern. Next to the toy was a bowl of berries. They looked delicious, and even full on pellets, I wouldn't mind eating them.

It put the bowl full of pellets into a compartment in the center and closed it. It held the thing where I could easily see what it was doing, and flicked a switch. It was exactly like simon. A button lit up, turned off, it pressed the button, and the toy shot out a berry. The whole contraption was placed into the little compartment used to give me things, and I happily took it.

The toy dispensed a berry every "level" I completed. Level one was completed in front of me, level two was two lights, level three was three, rising in difficulty. It seemed to remember me, even if I turned it off in hopes of starting on level one once more. I got to level 15 or 16 before getting stuck. Frustrated with the stupid thing, I ignored it for some time. I munched on my pellets for a while.

I was almost done with my meal when Merle came back. I had been facing the door when he came in, so he didn't need to say my name before I'd come running to greet him. He seemed more tired than the day before, like he'd been up late. He seemed happier, too.

Several seconds after Merle entered, another dog-man came through the door. He seemed even more exhausted than Merle, but also a bit smug. The two assistants who let him in seemed particularly annoyed of him, like he was some antagonist. He seemed fine to me, though he never approached. He asked the assistants several questions, none of which I understood. They must've been about me, he used the word for human a lot.

I decided to show Merle my toy. He perked up when he saw it. I doubted I could complete the level for him, but decided I would try. To my surprise, only one light lit up when I flicked the switch ; It had reset. I pressed the button and offered him the berry, he shook his head and used the word for "no". I sighed, placed the berry with my supper (it felt odd eating in front of him without him eating too) and showed him the next level. He seemed very content watching me play the game, even pressing one of the buttons when it was his turn.

I heard a soft beeping sound a little while later. Without a word, Merle rose to his feet again, marching out the door with the other Dog-man. The two assistants, frowning, watched me sniffle and sulk as my beloved master left the room. As with yesterday, the doctor entered once more.

It spoke to them, their arms crossed, while it watched me intently. Again, another cage was wheeled in. A fruit was placed inside, this time a plum. I immediately went inside, I had learned there was nothing to fear from yesterday. I sat down and ate my plum while they cleaned it. panicked for a moment when the tray with my berries and pellets was moved, worried that it would be out back into a puzzle, wasting the hours I spent getting them out.

It was the same procedure as yesterday, the cage was cleaned, sheets changed, water weighed. The tray was weighed as well, causing me even more panic. I was relieved to see it out back in, untouched. The game was refilled and out back inside of the cage and I was released.

I worked on the game for the majority of the evening, eating my dinner and dessert before I slid into bed and fell fast asleep, hoping Merle would take me home soon.

Published 10/31/18 ((happy Halloween!!))