Alien Holiday by Tracy Lauren
Chapter 5
Lo
Strangest thing, I could swear I saw someone up on the hill. A greenish Vendari? He was definitely one of the Kings, because hermano had wings. And that’s one thing I know for sure about these aliens. The important ones, like our king in Beacon, they all have wings. What I can’t make sense of, however, is why he’s lurking in the bushes? So, I slide down the muddy hill, intent on finding out.
It is slippery though. I’ve got no traction and my downward speed exceeds my comfort level quite quickly. I yelp and use my hand to steady myself. Then, I’m wrist deep in mud. But I do slow myself to a halt, so that’s a plus. Carefully, I find my footing and frown down at my hand.
“Gross.” I try to shake the mud off. Big chunks plop back down onto the ground, but I’m a mess. Oh well. That’s just the way that it is during the rainy season. I refocus my gaze back up the mountain. There’s a rocky little outcropping that I make my target. I’m pretty sure that’s where I saw him.
Other than Rennek and the Red King, I haven’t met any of the other big guys. But regardless of what some of the skeptics say—particularly mi amiga Gabriella—I think they’re all pretty nice. I mean, they rescued us. Gabby thinks there’s more to it than the aliens are telling, but she’s paranoid. Which I understand—she’s scared and doesn’t want to trust them. Not to mention the fact that she’s stubborn. She’d rather hang onto her ideas than see life for what it is. It makes it hard for the others to connect with her. That’s why no one else wanted to be her Secret Santa, and why I volunteered for the role. I like the stubborn ones. Always have. Hell, maybe I’m one of them.
But I do understand her. At first we were all scared, and more than one of us clung to the tales Gabby was spinning in her head. But time has taught me to trust the aliens who saved us and gave us a home. They are not our kidnappers. They aren’t like the ones who abused us. They’re good. So, I don’t feel fear when I go looking to confront this mystery Vendari. I’m just curious what he’s doing out here. Does he want to join our yoga class but is embarrassed to ask? I don’t know yet, but I will find out.
My mind wanders, like it always does, as I make my trek up the mountain. Mud and rain… This is wintery, right? More so than a Southern California winter, I suppose. My boots sink into the muck and more than once I slip and fall to my knees. It’s comical, really. If that Vendari is watching me he must be laughing. At this point I must look like a snowman made entirely of mud. I laugh at the thought and try to swipe some of the mess off me, but it’s futile really. The worst of it is the way it clings to the bottom of my boots with every step. Still, I travel clumsily onward, looking up to find my target. Now, where are those rocks?
Shoot. I got off track somehow. Oh well. I readjust my bearings, enjoying my little adventure regardless of rain and mud. The mountain gets rockier the farther up I climb and I use the large stones to steady myself with each wide and effortful stride.
I need to start thinking about what to do for Gabby’s gifts. I should look for things to brighten her day—something simple, yet beautiful. So she doesn’t have to see this world as such a dark and dangerous place. After all, it really is quite safe.
Though something rustles in the bushes ahead and I come to an abrupt halt. What the fuck was that?
“¿Hola? Who’s there?” I call out, waiting for a response, but all I can hear is the driving rain. Searching the foliage ahead of me, there’s no movement to be seen. Meh, it’s probably nothing. I shrug and travel onward.
Yeah, I need to find something special for Gabby. Perhaps a gift that makes her think of home? I know I’m missing Earth and family this time of year more than ever. I wonder if it’s Christmas back there too? Is mi familia trading gifts beneath the tree? Are they sipping cocoa by a fire? Is Antonio getting his fourth helping of food from a table piled high with all our favorite Christmas dishes? I’d eat ten plates if I could go home for just one day. I’d eat tamales and pozole until I popped. The thought makes me smile wide.
I push past a thick fern, sure I’m close to those rocks even if I can’t see them from my vantage point. I stop dead in my tracks once more. “Well hello!” What to my wondering eye should appear? There’s a vine trailing all over the rocks, and in the shaded spots are bright, red flowers. No kidding, they look almost exactly like poinsettias!
“Es hermosa!” They’re perfect! I could bring a bouquet back to Gabby! What woman doesn’t like getting fresh flowers, especially such Christmassy ones? And the others will be so envious—they’ll all ask her where she got them. Maybe it will give my friend a chance to talk about something good for once—something other than her distrust of this community.
I hurry toward the bright red blooms, feeling hopeful. But the second I get a good look at the vine, I furrow my brows. It’s thick and I don’t have a knife or anything to cut with. I stare at la problema for a moment…considering my options, when a bolt of lightning cuts across the sky. I jolt and a second later, thunder rocks the mountain itself. It’s deafening and instinctively I crouch down low, covering my ears until it passes.
Okay, I need to get out of here and come back with gardening shears or something once this storm is over. Rain is one thing, but lightning? No thanks. Yet, no sooner than I have the thought, another bolt of lightning flashes overhead. “Oh shit.” That one was even closer. I guess I’ll just have to come back tomorrow.