Tuesday Tales - Confidence

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “confident”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. It is a little longer than normal. It’s worth it, I promise.

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Grarkiel’s smoky tentacles lifted. From what would have been the sucker on an octopus, a small cloud formed. Dani rummaged in her bag for the device she constructed with her dad. It took a little longer than she hoped. Bobo was pingponging in her skull like a squirrel on crack. 

She had so little confidence this was going to work. She pulled free her weapon then flicked the switch to turn it on. A pure blue beam of light pierced the sky as Grarkiel’s first minion took flight towards her. 

The laser sliced it in two. It poofed out of existence. There was a growl from the human/alien hybrid across from the alley from her. She didn’t know if it came from Ezra or Grarkiel. Maybe it was both. 

The alien henchmen popped free from their master at a rapid pace. Dani was no athlete yet she kept up with their attack. She wielded her laser show weapon like a true swordswoman. She could feel her heart race in her breast. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or adrenaline. Either way, it was keeping her alive. 

Her feet shuffled around the bound pair as she fought off Grarkiel’s goons. The light from her device flashed across the sky and off the brick of the buildings on either side of them. From the corner of her eye, she watched a beam bounce off a window and fire back between Grarkiel and Ezra. 

The howl that came from the ghostly alien was terrifying. It sounded like nails on a chalkboard. Ezra’s eyes widened as he stared at Dani. He slipped a hand behind his neck then smiled. 

The strike was enough to send Grarkiel into retreat. The smoky blobs he sent to fight with Dani scrambled back to him and disappeared into the suckers. Ezra cried out as Grarkiel rejoined him in his body. 

Dani could have sworn that, between convulsion on the two becoming one, Ezra mouthed to her “thank you”.

Dani gave him a small smile once Grarkiel was gone. Before she could take a step a voice echoed off the brick. “What…what is happening here?”

Tuesday Tales - Green

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “green”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

She heard loud laughter come from the direction of the conference rooms. If her memory served her correctly, the library board of directors reserved the largest one for their evening meeting. There was no point for Dani to stick around. If she were caught, it would only raise more questions than answers. She did her best to sneak through the corridor and back outside.

She blended into the crowd on the sidewalk as she made her way back to the bus stop. She sighed to herself. Maybe she made a mountain out of a molehill. She made this whole trip out to be more than it was. She was probably more in danger of being mugged than having to face Grarkiel.

She felt something snake around her bicep and grip her tight. Her steps no longer went forward to her transportation home. She stared hopelessly at the newly arrived bus as her feet shuffled backwards. Over the noise of the city she could hear a familiar voice choke out. “Let her go, now. Please. Let her go.”

Dani looked over her shoulder. Ezra was behind her and it appeared he was dragging her into an alley. However, he wasn’t holding onto her. Instead, a smoky spring green tendril was snaked around her arm. He glanced back over his shoulder and met her gaze.

He had no control over this situation. He was as helpless as she was. She searched the faces around her frantically. Someone had to see this. She received a few shocked looks but no one intervened to help her. The street behind her vanished as she was surrounded by tall buildings on either side of her. 

The cloudy restraint released her as Ezra, being driven by Grarkiel, crossed the small space to face her. What was with the theatrics? Who knew an alien could be such a diva?

Tuesday Tales - Kiss

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “kiss”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani jogged down the steps of her apartment building and raced out the door. She hurried her already hectic pace when she saw the bus arriving at the stop. She hopped on it with the rest of the riders waiting for it. She was out of breath as she collapsed onto the hard plastic seat and dropped her bag on the floor. Her eyes widened as she heard the clunk of her weapon on the floor. She glanced to the people on either side of her to see if they noticed. They did not. Good. She didn’t need any questions.

Twilight began to kiss the sky as the sun disappeared behind the buildings of downtown Boston. Her transfer was only a few stops away. She bent over her knees to pluck her cell phone from her purse. She should be back to the library before the last person left. It would be close though.

Even worse, it would be after dark. Bobo was letting his alien anxiety get to him. His shaking was giving her another headache. She huffed to herself as she picked up her tote again. Maybe it was time to see if he could occupy any other body part but her skull.

The transfer and the rest of her journey were as uneventful as the first jaunt had been. The peace truly didn’t make her feel any better. All it did was lead her to believe another shoe was about to drop. She scrambled up the stairs to the front doors of the library and through the corridors to the information desk. She searched in the dimly lit room for her keys. They were tucked carefully just beneath the monitor of the computer she normally worked at. She gave the screen a little smile as she scooped them up and dropped them in her bag. Elise took such great care of her. She was going to hate to leave her behind for even the brief few weeks she was in Egypt. 

Tuesday Tales - Bleak

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “bleak”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani jogged up the steps to her apartment door. Her brain wouldn’t stop. She had so much to plan. How would she tell her parents she was going overseas? Should she even go? On top of that, Julian gave her the creeps despite being drop dead gorgeous.

And vaccines - did she even need them? Which ones was she supposed to get? Could the pharmacy tell her?

All she wanted right now was a nap. However, the chances of getting one were bleak at best.

She unzipped her purse and rummaged inside, listening for the distinct jingle of her keys. There was nothing, She yanked the two sides apart to see for herself. She could see her wallet and cell phone but no keys.

Her heart sunk into her belly. Did she leave them at the college? She scowled to herself. She couldn’t have. She never opened her bag while she was there. Where could they have gone?

She closed her eyes as she remembered. She wanted a chocolate bar while she was at work at the library. She took out the contents one by one looking for the wayward dollar she had dropped in there the day before. She must have returned everything except her keys. 

She glanced at the lone window in the hallway. It glowed pumpkin orange with the setting sun. 

“What is wrong?” Bobo whispered in her ear. 

“My keys are at work. I have to go back and get them. Someone will be there until 8:00 tonight,” she muttered to him. 

She heard the tremble in his voice. “We can’t. You know what will happen.”

“We have no choice. We can’t get in without them. I am just glad there is a meeting there tonight so we can get in to get them.”

“What if we meet your friend…and Grarkiel?”

Tuesday Tales - Dry

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “dry”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“Absolutely. I would love to go with you,” Dani answered.

“Good. Good.” Julian closed the tome and slid it back into its place on the bookshelf. “I will get all of the arrangements made. You will want to take two weeks off from work. Of course, you will need a passport and all the required vaccinations to travel to Egypt. Also, pack the correct things. It’s a dry heat. You certainly won’t want to wear.” He motioned to her from head to toe. “That. Loose clothing. Sensible shoes you can climb in and pants with plenty of pockets. I will send you some suggestions and links to what would be best.”

Dani slowly nodded. His suggestions weren’t making her feel any better. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

He grinned at her. “Don’t mention it. I have a feeling that this excursion will be very beneficial for both of us. I must get to my next lecture. I don’t want to keep my students waiting. I will be in touch with you soon.”

“Sounds great.” She didn’t turn around. Instead she backed out of the room, keeping her eyes on him the entire time. She waited until she was clear of the doorframe before she spun on her toe and hurried down the corridor towards the exit. In fact, she didn’t slow her pace until she was at the bus stop. She panted as she collapsed on the last few inches of the bench that was not occupied by someone wearing a backpack.

She just started at the library. Would they even give her time off to go with Julian to see the tombs? Would she have to quit? What would she do when she got back? Maybe she should just email him when she got home and tell him she couldn’t go.

Her thoughts silenced. Only one remained and it pounded in her brain as hard as Bobo did when he got excited. 

What would happen to Ezra if she did just that?

Tuesday Tales - Cold

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “cold”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

“Thank you.”

Julian gave her one more cold glance before he crossed his office and shuffled through a bookshelf full of books and binders. It gave Dani a moment to take in his office. It seemed like everything was made of finished walnut and rich, maroon dyed leather. There were several expensive artifacts, just like the ones she had seen in museums, propped up on every flat surface. A laptop was perched in the middle of his desk. 

For a room that looked warm and inviting, Dani felt like she was in an igloo. She wrapped her arms around herself for warmth. 

Julian pulled free a thick tomb and flipped the cover open. His expensive designer shoes clicked across the wood floor as he thumbed through the pages. As he approached her, he angled the book towards her. “Is this what you want to see?”

She honed into the alien in her head as she studied what he showed her. There were several photos of an ancient tomb along with a spattering of text. Bobo kept quiet. “Yes, I want to see something like this.”

He shuffled a few more pages. “This is another area we could visit.”

Dani didn’t have to wait for Bobo to respond. She recognized the Vigvuth symbols without him. The alien bounced in her skull like a rubber ball. “Yes, absolutely. I would love to see this one.”

She heard Julian suck in a breath through his teeth. His voice sounded like a purr. “This one is one of my favorites. I think we could have a good time here. I will reach out to the lead archeologist in charge of this project and begin to arrange our travel. That is, if you wish to join me.”

The warning bells in her head went off. This guy was sinfully good looking. Something told her traveling to another country with this man could be her last mistake and it wasn't Bobo saying it.

Still, she needed answers, if not for her then at least for Ezra. 

Tuesday Tales - Year

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “new”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Julian’s grin nearly went from ear to ear. “Well, Bob sent you to the right place. I have been on archeological digs all over the world. Some of the pieces I found are now in prestigious museums. Just last year, I led a team that found a buried ancient city in Crete. Where were you hoping to start?”

Dani took a deep breath. “Egypt. I’d like to see the tombs.”

His smile turned to a scowl. A flirty one, but a frown nonetheless. “Oh, come on. You want a challenge, don’t you? I can take you to see wonders.”

“The tombs would be great. I am interested in hieroglyphics.”

His very friendly demeanor suddenly turned frigid. He reared back a bit as if to get a better look at her. The smile that followed seemed forced, like a mask to hide the truth. “Hmm. Very well. Why don’t you step into my office? I can show you some of the photos I’ve taken and, if you are still interested, we can get that trip arranged. Sounds good?”

“Sure.”

He motioned her towards an open doorway down the corridor then took the lead towards it. Once they arrived, he stepped aside to let her through. She glanced up at him as she passed him and stepped into his office. The look on his face made her shiver. She felt like a lamb in front of a wolf. She bit back a gasp that tried to escape.

It was the same expression that Ezra had when he and Grarkiel tried to kill her with all of their little cloud buddies. Did every man in this city want to eat her alive?

Once they were inside, he nudged the door closed. She caught it before it could slam shut. 

“If you don’t mind, can we keep it open?” Dani questioned. “I’m a little claustrophobic."

“And you want to go into a tomb? Bold choice and one I strongly discourage,” Julian answered. “But yes, go ahead.”

Tuesday Tales - New

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “new”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani slowed her steps as she studied the numbered plaques next to each door. 2122. 2124. 2126.

“May I help you?”

The voice was male, deep and rich. Dani spun on her toe to face the person who some. She bit back a gasp. The photo of Julian didn’t do him justice. He had wavy, sandy brown hair like her favorite movie star. His strong, angular face way sun kissed like he spent his time at the beach. Or, she supposed, an archeological dig. His deep blue eyes shimmered like diamonds. He was dressed in an off-white linen dress shirt unbuttoned enough to show a hint of chest. His chocolate brown slacks hung from his hips like he was a fashion model. 

Dani struggled to find her words. “I am looking for Doctor Julian Miles.”

He grinned at her. Of course his teeth were utterly perfect. “You found him. And you are?”

“Dani Scherr. I emailed you. I got your email from Professor Connors.”

“Ah, Bob. What a good man. So you want to know more about archeology.”

“I do. I’m new to all this. I found some books at the Boston Library where I work and I was just fascinated.” It was a little white lie. It wasn’t like Dani could tell him that she and the alien residing in her head needed to know more of the story so they could maybe free the cute guy at her library from the murderous alien camping out inside him. 

Dani forced herself to gaze into the eyes of Julian Miles. Her heart picked up its pace and twisted in guilt all at the same time. She didn’t know she could feel attraction and guilt all at once. Ezra was the polar opposite of this man. Julian was refined. Ezra wore a sweatshirt and jeans all the time. Julian traveled the world. Dani wasn’t sure Ezra went further than the library and the sports bar they occasionally ate at. Julian held a doctorate. She wasn’t sure if Ezra even finished high school. 

Why did it feel like she was cheating on Ezra by being here with Julian?

Tuesday Tales - Disappointment

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “disappointment". We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani checked her phone once more then searched the plates mounted next to the rows of clouded glass and walnut colored wood doors. She was looking for Julian Miles’s office, which started with a two. These all started with a three. Where were the twos?

She sighed. On the second floor. She must have been on the third. The entrance to this building was so confusing. 

She shook her head a bit. The all too familiar pressure was there and it was quaking. She shooshed Bobo. “Hush. We are just meeting him. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“How do you know?” Bobo hissed against her eardrum.

“What was that?” A gray haired, matronly woman appeared out of nowhere. She glared at Dani as crossed her arms over she cardigan covered chest.

“Nothing.” Dani’s voice pitched higher than she meant it to. “Where can I find Professor Miles’s office?”

The look on the lady’s face made Dani uneasy as she pointed towards the stairs. It made her feel like an oddball. It was like her own college days all over again. “Down those steps and back this way on the second floor. Fifth door on the right.”

Dani forced a smile on her face. “Thank you.” She hurried away from the encounter. 

As she jogged down the staircase, she sighed. She had to admit that she was filled with disappointment at first. It took a full week after she sent her initial email to receive a reply from Julian Miles. She was just about to hit the send button on her follow-up message when it finally arrived.

Now? She was about as anxious as the alien calling her head home at the moment. She did enough research on the internet to know he was one of the top archeologists in the world. And if he looked as good as his photo…

She fanned herself with her hand at the thought.

Tuesday Tales - Gift

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “gift”. We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Bobo lowered his catlike head. “It was apparent that my people were aware of the Vigvuth when they arrived. The hosts that they possessed were taken into custody the moment they stepped onto our planet. The Vigvuth did not take kindly to this treatment. It took all their power to escape. They killed six guards in the process. As they retreated to their vessels, they crossed paths with me. My royal garments dictated who I was.”

“They kidnapped you.” Dani’s voice was barely a breath.

“They gave me a gift I did not want. Grarkiel injected me with a whisp of his essence. He needed to do that so I would shape shift into his form, much like his mercenaries. My mother’s screams were the last thing I heard before we boarded and departed.”

“I am so sorry you had to go through all that.”

He gave her a small smile. “You do not have to apologize. Much like that white-haired woman, you are my salvation. You helped me escape Grarkiel.” He nodded to the laser contraption. “You developed a way to keep me safe. Now that I am free, maybe I can find my way home.”

“If I can help, I will.”

“I know. Thank you.”

They sat in silence for a few moments. The quiet was the most comfortable Dani felt in a long time. Bobo trusted her enough to share his past with her. To be taken from his family and home world was devastating. At least for now, she was his new home. 

A ping from her email interrupted the peace. She leaned over and read the screen. 

“What is it?” Bobo questioned.

“It’s an email from my professor.” Dani clicked on the screen and took a minute to read it. “He has been in touch with the archeologist that he knows. The guy’s name is Julian Miles. I have his email, phone number and everything.”

“Are you going to contact him?”

A grin spread across Dani’s lips. “If we can see more of those hieroglyphics and figure out what the Vigvuth want, you bet I’m going to get a hold of him.” 

Tuesday Tales - Baking

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is “baking". We are back with Dani in my new Sci-Fi story. 

Be sure to check out the other Tuesday Tales by clicking here!

Dani didn’t notice that she had scooted closer to Bobo until her knee touched his leg. She was that wrapped up in his tale. “What did she do?”

Bobo rubbed his thin, bony hands together. “Her home planet was near ours. She crash landed in the lake near our home. She lacked consciousness for two full days after the soldiers pulled her from the wreckage. When she woke, she warned us of what was coming. Her employment with their armed services involved baking decadent treats for their higher ranking officers. However, in her spare time, she dabbled in engineering, specifically in space flight. She was an apprentice with one of the most renowned builders on the planet.”

“I don’t understand how a baker was able to save your planet.”

“I haven’t finished my story. She finished a few repairs on the space craft she had built by herself with the tutelage of her mentor. She excitedly reported to him that she was finished. He backhanded her for her message. It was unlike him to be violent. He was the most peaceful, gentle soul on their world. It was then she suspected something. She followed him closely to see if there was something troubling him. It was then that she noticed the four dots on the back of his neck.”

Dani gasped. “Like Ezra’s.”

Bobo nodded. “Exactly. She noticed him speak of my home world and how they would attack there next. We had an agreement with them to remain allies. We would send valuable minerals to them in exchange for their main export. She had heard rumors of what had happened to the other worlds that the Vigvuth destroyed. She wasted no time. Without telling anyone, she fired up her machine and took off. Fortunately, it made it to its final destination, even if it ended up in the lake.”

“She saved you all.”

Bobo nodded. “She did.”

“But that doesn’t explain why you are here with me.”