Xeno Love

Chapter 5: Happenings

Jake groaned as he awoke. He stretched his stiff back and glanced around. He was no longer in the cage with the Xenomorph. Instead, he was in a luxurious bedroom. In the corner was a large double bed adorned with clean white sheets and pillows. There was an antique-looking wooden dresser next to it with three drawers. He found clean clothes inside. He dressed in pale blue jeans and a spotless white T-shirt. He combed his hair lazily with his hands so it was less wild and a bit more decent. He pushed open the door and found himself in a small lounge. There was a medium-sized blue couch facing a wall-mounted flat screen TV. There was a mini glass coffee table to the side of the couch, next to a large black beanbag, and three more doors on the other three walls. Upon further investigation, one lead to a bathroom, and another lead to a small kitchen. The third was locked, so Jake had to assume it was the way out. He plopped himself down on the couch and lay down on it lazily, waiting for something to happen. He considered getting up and checking if there were any movies, but decided against it. Moving was a big hassle for young adults. He closed his eyes, thinking about his last encounter with his Xenomorph. And as such, he didn’t see the beanbag squirm and rise up off the ground. Nor did he see it yawn and stretch, flicking its tail about in the air. So it came as a surprise to him when the beanbag in the corner of the room was suddenly sitting on his chest, nuzzling his face insistently. Finally, Jake opened his eyes and stared at the ‘beanbag’.

“Jesus Christ!” he yelped. He would have fallen off the couch if it were not for the weight of the Xenomorph on top of him. “How did I mistake you for a beanbag?” The Xenomorph hissed as if to say ‘Because you’re a dumbass’. Jake laughed, glad to have his unusual friend here with him. He rubbed its head and listened to that comical purring. The Xenomorph jumped off him and sauntered into the kitchen, pushing the door open with its head. Jake shook his head in befuddlement and followed. The Xenomorph pointed at the fridge and folded its arms. Jake was awestruck at yet another display of its intelligence before coming to his senses and opening the fridge for it. Jake stood behind it and watched it bury its face in the fridge, tail waving around excitedly. Jake caught a glimpse of something he really shouldn’t have, making him blush and look away. The Xenomorph pulled away with a roast chicken in its – her – mouth. She trotted past him, flicking the fridge shut with her tail. She hopped back up onto the couch and started on her meal. Jake got himself a glass of water and sat down at the small table in the back of the kitchen, letting her have her space. He ended up eating a protein bar as well, just so he didn’t leave himself with an empty stomach. His mind ran over the past events. Weyland Industries seemed not to care about his safety, yet suddenly he was in a luxury accommodation? And they had put the Xenomorph in with him? It was obvious now that he thought about it. Weyland wanted to know why the Xenomorph was being so friendly. They were most likely watching him right now through hidden cameras. He felt like shouting ‘I’ve figured you out!’, but he knew it was best to act ignorant. Make them think you’re dumb. He dumped the protein bar’s wrapper in the bin, wishing he hadn’t eaten it due to his churning stomach. It was a big deal, what he had just figured out. The Weyland Industries still held onto the hope that they could weponise the Xenomorphs. He finally got up to check on the Xenomorph, and found her quite happily lying on the couch, stretched out much like a fat cat. Jake searched the small shelf beneath the TV and found a book that might be interesting. He took it over to the couch. “Move over,” he said, shoving her playfully. The Xenomorph seemed to grin at him. She swiped at him with her tail, yanking his leg and tripping him over. He landed on the couch with with a grunt, glad that they were good quality, soft cushions. Jake tackled the beast, only managing to knock the wind out of himself. The Xenomorph snickered and suspended him upside-down by the leg with her tail. Jake put his hands up, well, down actually. “Okay, okay, you win,” he surrendered. The Xenomorph set him down on the couch and pulled him closer to her chest. Jake sighed happily and opened his book.

The Xenomorph leapt off him suddenly and stalked off into the bedroom. Jake scratched his head and followed her, stopping and watching from the doorway. The Xenomorph jumped up onto the bed and started messing around with the sheets, fussing over them and arranging them much like an OCD person would arrange their pencils; precisely and purposefully. When she had finished, the bed looked much like a bird’s nest, the sheets making up the walls and the pillows lining the floor. The Xenomorph plonked herself down in her new nest and curled up into a ball.

“Looks like I’m sleeping on the couch,” Jake grumbled. He turned to leave, but he felt a strong presence curl around his waist and yank him towards the bed. He let out a cry of protest, but soon he was in her nest, with her body surrounding him protectively once more. He sighed and snuggled in a bit deeper. Girls confused him at the best of times, but this... Jake decided not to worry about it.

“Jake!” Dutch cried. “Watch out!” Jake turned around, and came face-to-face with an Xenomorph. He suddenly realised it was his Xenomorph, the one that had been taken from his chest. He wrapped his arms around it in a hug. “Jaaake!” Dutch charged over to them. He smacked Jake away from his Xenomorph. Dutch raised a gun to Jake’s head. “I’m sorry buddy, but you’re too far gone.” Jake tried to plead with Dutch, but his finger tightened around the trigger. His Xenomorph suddenly slammed into Dutch, then her tail went through his heart. She picked up Jake gently.

“Family,” she hissed.

 

Jake cried out as he sat up in bed, startling his Xenomorph. He was breathing heavily. What is wrong with me? He asked himself. It hadn’t even been a bad dream! Yet he felt exhausted and his heart was racing.

“Nothing is wrong with you.” Jake jumped. The voice! He’d heard that before! He looked around. The Xenomorph was staring at him, but Jake doubted she had said anything. The voice seemed to come from inside Jake’s head. “Yes Jake, it is me.” Jake stared at her. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this...”

“You... you talk? Inside my head?” The Xenomorph nodded.

“Yes, and you can stop calling me ‘The Xenomorph’ and come up with a name for me. It is quite irritating.” Jake nodded; a little bit scared she was listening to his thoughts. “Well, maybe if you talked less in your head and more out loud I wouldn’t have to! Plus, you could always block me out like you were doing for so long before.” She sounded a little annoyed at him. Jake gulped and nodded again. “Yes I am annoyed with you, but I still love you.” Her tone softened a bit.

“Would you stop?!” Jake shouted. He took a deep breath. “It is really hard to think with you commenting on my every thought!” She bared her teeth at him.

“Be careful how you talk to me. I didn’t make a mistake when I chose you, did I?” Jake stiffened.

“S-s-sorry,” he stammered. She nodded, accepting his apology.

“Come, we will talk more over breakfast.” Jake had no choice but to follow her dumbly as she led him to the kitchen.