Page 57 of Uncovered By the Alien Commander
Something or someone is coming for me!
My hand darts to my knife handle as I brace myself for anything. The source of the sound is very close now, coming from outside the building along the wall to my left. I swing my head round to see two massive clawed hands reaching over the edge. It’s Xandor—he’s found me, relentless in his pursuit. Shock courses through me, leaving my mouth agape in disbelief.
Xandor hoists himself up with ease, looking as fresh as a new hyperdrive. Adorning his face is his terrifying mask, the one I rue ever seeing. He strides towards me with an outstretched hand, looking like an avatar of retribution, heralding my death. Every instinct screams at me to flee, and without hesitation, I dash backward, hurtling towards the edge.
“Will you stop? Stop for void’s sake! For once in your life, stop running!” Xandor’s voice booms behind me, filled with frustration and exasperation.
I halt my frantic sprint, not because of his words but because I’m nearing the boundary, leaving only a yawning drop before me, almost as frightening as the hulking Klendathian behind me.
I’m such a stupid bitch, choosing to go up, now I’m trapped!
“How...how did you find me?” I manage to stammer, hoping to buy time, as my mind races, thinking of a way out of this desperate situation.
Xandor removes his mask with deliberate slow movement, his expression grave. “I could find you across the stars, Tyrxie,” he replies with a solemn tone, as he inches towards me, each step almost imperceptibly slight, most wouldn’t notice, but I do.
“Across the stars?” I repeat, unsure what he means other than I cannot ever elude him, no matter what I do. “Listen, just leave me alone, please. I’m sorry I stole from you, and I’m grateful you saved me from Urgnaw. I really am, but I have nothing to give you.” My voice is earnest, honesty and an abyssal drop off the building, my only options left.
Xandor shakes his head, tousling his long, green hair. “I can’t,” he states, his voice tinged with resignation.
“Why not? None of this makes any sense!” I protest, my gaze locked onto his piercing golden eyes,
“I know,” Xandor replies with a sardonic laugh. “It’s because I cannot let you go. Beneath my skin you are breathing, in my dreams you stalk, my every thought you consume, my lusts for others you extinguish.” His eyes are almost pleading, looking at me like I hold an answer for his insane words.
He’s a crazy lunatic who’s stalking me, tormenting me!
As I take hesitant steps backward, overwhelmed by his strange words and intense presence, until the ground beneath my heel disappears. Looking over my shoulder, I see I’m standing on the precipice; of the stomach wrenching plummet below. I survived the drop from the window earlier, then perhaps this fall would be no different? My heart pounds in my chest like one of Job’s hammers, as I contemplate the attempt, fortifying my courage, my will to survive.
“Come back with me, and I can show you Earth! Your people!” Xandor cries out, his voice laden with desperate concern. His words take my breath away, forcing me to face him once again.Is this one of his games, or does he know about my people?
“How do I know you’re not lying?” I ask as my hand finds the locket. The only connection to a life I never had, the life that was stolen from me.
“I speak the truth. I swear it on my ancestors. And there is another human female I know back on Klendathor, by the name of Rocks. After my business in Nebia is completed, I will take you to her,” Xandor says with haste, beckoning with an outstretched hand.
My mind is awash with possibilities. I’ve always longed to find out where I came from, to learn more about my people, to imagine the life I might have lived, safe among my kind.My curiosity almost overcomes my fear. Yet such thoughts are treacherous, leaving me once again at the mercy of Hyanxa and Kaanus, trapped, exposed, and alone.
“No... It’s too dangerous,” I mutter, averting my gaze from Xandor.
“Your solution is to run away forever?”
“It worked fine until you showed up!”
“It’s fine to live like a znat scurrying and hiding aboard a tiny scrap heap of a ship?”
“That’s what really infuriates me about you, Xandor. You assume everyone can be like you, a giant fearless soldier with massive muscles, sharp claws, advanced technology. Yeah, it’s easy for you to fight. But what about the rest of us? What about me? There are no ‘Gods’ to save or bless me. I’m all alone, left to rot, left to live in terror. So, you know what? Void you, void you all!” The words tumble from my lips, fueled by bitter resentment, catching me off guard as tears threaten to spill.
Xandor pauses, surprise flickering across his features, before a brief chuckle escapes him. “It’s refreshing, isn’t it?”
“What is?” I inquire, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.
“Speaking honestly,” Xandor retorts with a gentle smile, reassuring me.
“Void off,” I respond with a relieved laugh, feeling an immense weight lifting from my shoulders as Xandor approaches with careful steps, and for the first time, I’m unafraid.
My breath hitches as he looms before me, towering over me. It’s a struggle to maintain eye contact with his intense golden gaze. But it’s his warm, welcoming smile cast amidst his hardened, chiseled features that stand out. I always knew he was handsome, but now as he gazes at me, an unexpected, curious longing surges through me.Did I always feel this way about him?
“No more hiding, no more fear. Trust in me, Tyrxie, and I will protect you until the day I meet my ancestors,” Xandor vows, his smile now gone, leaving behind only a sincere, earnest expression that leaves me breathless. An overwhelming compulsion calls me to surrender to him, wondering if melting into his embrace would keep me safe, taking away all my worries and suffering. Relief floods through my body, leaving behind only an intense exhaustion and throbbing, aching injuries. The turmoil and terror of the day making itself known now the dangers have finally passed.
But he’s lying. He never said what he wanted in return. No one can be trusted, you stupid....