The Habit of Crystals (Open Novella Contest)

Three

In her 33 years of life, Jade dealt with her fair share of problems. The daily struggle of living had become more of a minor nuisance that was easily managed. None of her ups and down, her experience in any field of interest, nor her expectations in general had prepared her for the Neptunite crumbling before her. Fortunately there was no explosion, no shrapnel to deal with. The dismantling came with ease, the creature within standing mostly still. He stretched out his arms, his humanoid figure easier to see the details of now that the tinted barrier was gone.

His skin was stark white, shimmering in the lamplight. The blackish blue patches covered his torso, legs, and head in a pattern that she had considered similar to clothing and hair before, but now seemed entirely different. It didn't shimmer in the same way the white parts did, but it definitely reflected some light. Nothing about either part of his skin looked soft. Only his eyes--incredibly vibrant and multicolored that she had trouble looking at them with any sort of understanding--looked organic.

Neither her nor Lawrence moved. Chris looked at them, then turned his gaze to his clenched hand. He opened it to reveal small samples of some other mineral, though Jade could not discern what without a proper look.

Then Chris shifted his gaze back to them, to the small canopy around them, to the dirt below them, to the lamp and table and notebooks laying across. Lawrence stepped back, but Jade stood frozen in place. What held her there wasn't fear, but a curiosity familiar to her. A desire to see, to understand, to research.

But when the expression Chris wore turned panicked, the spell broke. He moved backwards, shoving against the canopy walls and tearing through. In a second Jade was outside on Lawrence's heels, running around to see where the strange person went.

Chris held his arms out in defense, head whipping this way and that as he searched the area. They were down a hill, no people around to witness this except maybe Lawrence's family. Jade thought that lucky for them, though she expected her friend would disagree.

She tapped him on the shoulder. "Should we restrain him?"

He responded with a bewildered look and a shrug, keeping Chris in his line of sight.

That was when they got the second text message.

Jade didn't check it at first, trying to creep forward without startling Chris, who now watched the sky with what she guessed was tension, but his body looked so solid that it was hard to tell.

Then the clouds parted and the flyers descended.

They looked like small jets, more curved than aircraft Jade was used to. She felt the ground shake as they shot through the sky, leaving in all directions with red clouds in their wake.

"We should call someone," Lawrence said, holding his phone in one hand as he signed. She quickly checked hers, blood freezing at the message.

"You've had time to prepare. Await our arrival."

There was absolutely no way this situation was what it looked like. Not possible.

"Jade," Lawrence began, trying to get her attention. But Chris had begun running again, off towards the trees bordering the valley, and there was no way Jade was letting this end now.

A quick glance over her shoulder told her Lawrence followed, so she kept pushing on, chasing after Chris. He was fast, too fast for her short legs to keep up with him. Maybe if she was in better shape.

Not the time for that.

They sped after Chris, who fortunately slowed down once they passed the treeline. He jerked around, changing direction suddenly here and there, eyes wide--did they close?--and hand still clenched around those gems.