The Arrivals
Adrian Belfast lay drenched in a pool of his own sweat, tossing and turning, snapping his head this way and that in the dead of night. His sheet and blanket now were in a mishmash pile not far from where his bed stood in his dorm. His heart hammered inside of his chest like the beating of a base drum. The words that escaped out of his mouth were largely only fractions of words and semi-phrases, though if one were present they could at times decipher a 'No!' and a 'Please!' Nowadays Adrian's life mostly consisted of intense fear, a regret that would not retreat to the small recesses of his consciousness, and a grief whose tentacles had grabbed hold and made its abode with him, and was squeezing the very life out of him. The young and aspiring Adrian Belfast, had committed murder.
...huff puff...huff puff...huff puff...
He propped himself up in his bed, wiping the immense sweat from his brow. These nightmares that he was having had the uncanny ability to drain him of his very energy, and so with an effort he craned his head towards the alarm clock. The time read 4:05. It was only a three hour night. He placed the weight of his cranium in his hands, and sat there in bed for what had to seem like time without end. A scant four days had elapsed since Adrian had committed the crime, and almost immediately his world began to cave in on him. Adrian's unbridled lust for success in his chosen field had been the catalyst which ignited the killing. His jealous envy upon coming across the works of another aspiring author had at first incited a curiosity mingled with feelings of self deprecation about his own works, but then upon meeting the very gifted individual and spending time with him (whom just so happened to be a student at the same university), he embraced wholeheartedly the notion of terminating his life so that he would not be seen as inferior in the eyes of the public.
He removed his hands from his face and ran them through his hair. His appetite had scarcely existed the past few days, but he felt that he needed to try to feed himself something, anything would do. Whatever it took to recover his lost faculties, he was sure he would discover it. He forced himself out of bed and resolved to take it one step at a time, deciding on eating a singular pop tart. He let it toast just how he liked it and after it was done at best began to nibble and nibble at the corners. An anger seeped up inside him and he flung the pop tart across the very small kitchen of his dorm.
Perhaps the attempt to occupy his mind might assist him. He picked up the remote and sprawled himself across his sofa. He flipped through the channels. He had cable, so there was plenty of channels to choose from. He went from a movie, to a news broadcast, to the weather channel, all in a mostly lethargic and uninterested manner. The face he displayed was the same throughout, dead and lifeless. He repositioned himself on the sofa, sitting up, and this time tried to consciously focus on what was happening on the screen. Even when trying to pay attention to what was on the television, he was in an uncanny predicament whereby he would relate most of what was being said to what he did, or even relate it to a characteristic of his victim's, in some way, shape, or form, such was the effect it had on him. Time marched on as if a group of turtles were now in charge of it, and every conscious moment for Adrian lay conjoined with the deed of murder. He glanced at the alarm clock again and it read 4:35. This is what he would try to fill the rest of his time with, hardly paying attention to the television and awaiting his 8:30 class. He had been faithfully attending his classes (albeit not really paying attention in them) as he was not about to let this situation destroy all semblance of life and opportunity for him.
This is what had become of Adrian's life in an instant. His mind raced at the possibilities that now lay before him. He could get off scot free. There was no one who saw him going into the dorm, and there was no one who saw him leaving Or was there?--The weather would be a tolerable seventy eight degrees today. Tomorrow--He didn't have a criminal record, so even if say the police had a hair that fell from his head it's not like they'd be able to trace it back to him--light rain for Wayfolk and Dayton counties--What about the thought that lead to this madness? What if they started to take samples from the students on campus? How likely a scenario would it be for them to ask for a sample from him though?--The case involving the death of a young university student--I was alright until that thought entered into my mind. But what if someone turned a corner the instant he left the victim's room? What then? A witness? But he didn't see anyone down either side of the corridor. What would prison be like?--The man and woman on the television were arguing--He would be someone's woman in prison wouldn't he? What about the death penalty? Was that even legal in this state?...
He sprawled himself back on the couch. He wanted to yell. He wanted to shout aloud a terrible cry and somehow have all of these torments escape out of him at the exact same moment. He wanted to lose his memory. Amnesia was akin to a great and wonderful antidote, an intoxicating elixir that would surely correct these plagues that had so besieged him. There was, however, that one area of the killing, that one domain of discomfort and uncertainty that he did not--at the time--foresee, and one that could have grave consequences. The circumstance with which he found himself in was by no means relative to perhaps a thug here or someone doing time in prison there. This was not an ordinary case of the murdering of an individual, for Adrian had murdered someone named Lucas Slaughter who confided to him and showed undeniable proof that he was an extra terrestrial.
Adrian had been battling this thought ever since he saw the first news broadcast on Lucas' death and it came to mind. Is it at all possible, is there even a sliver of possibility, that my murdering of Lucas could start an intergalactic war? I murdered someone who was born on another planet, out of malice and sheer jealousy. I took his life. Won't his alien brethren want to respond to that? And in what manner will they respond? It all made sense. They would come with their galactic armies, blanketing the skies with a swarm of star ships, all in the name of their dead comrade. He would be the person responsible for bringing the human race under the subjugation of cruel taskmasters and slave-drivers. Humanity would live out the rest of their days in unrivaled agony, and it would all be because of Adrian's self serving desires. Everyone he knows, his family, friends, even Crystal a new female prospect (whom Lucas helped him attract), would have him to thank for it. No! I can't let this happen. I won't! But what could he do? What power could he command that could reverse such an outcome? There was nothing even remotely possible that would undo these chain of events.
His heart sunk to the depths of his frame at these morbid, foreboding thoughts. A great grief seized control of his soul and maximized terror crawled up beside him. A faint, dim hope resided in his heart, in an unrelenting sea of blackness. Time continued to tip toe on, but he eventually had to make himself ready for class. He went to the bathroom and began to wash himself up out of the faucet, completely forsaking the idea of taking a shower. He could scarcely even look at his reflection in the mirror. He went to his bedroom and randomly chose a pair of blue jeans to put on and a polo shirt. He slipped on his gym shoes and strapped his back pack along his shoulders and headed out the door. There was a pocketful of students to be seen in the hallway. Adrian walked and headed for class with his head bent low in abject reflection.
On his way to the history building, he saw a posterboard with a picture of Lucas' on it, smiling. It was an initiative being led by the journalism team of which Lucas was a part imploring anyone who had any knowledge of the killing to come forth. But it was these few sentences which stood out the most for Adrian:
'Lucas bought an amazing depth of warmth and kindness to whoever he came across. He would light up the room with his presence and touch our souls with his loving and caring words. It breaks our hearts to see that he is gone, and it is a wonder that someone perceived something in him so glaringly wrong that they had to take his life because of it. Lucas, we will forever miss your tender and gentle spirit. You were our friend, and our comrade, and we were glad to have had the chance to know you--signed the journalism team.'
Adrian thought on these words and it dawned on him for the first time that he had taken a person's life whom had touched so many different kinds of people, even if he was alien. He reflected on the people he met during the recital that Lucas asked him to be a part of, he reflected on the people who had come across and were touched by Lucas' writings, and even just people that were friends and companions of Lucas', like the journalism team. It completely broadsided Adrian and he felt for the first time sorry for causing pain and suffering to all those who knew Lucas.
Adrian made it to class with about 3 minutes to spare. Even then the room was only spotted with students. He took his seat and placed his hands on his desk as a support for his chin. He knew what was coming. He knew that he would not be able to partake in any discussions. He was only hoping that these feelings would soon pass over, that this was only a visitation and not permanency. His professor waddled into the classroom and the lesson began. He taught, students listened, hands were raised and questions asked, and all throughout that time Adrian's thought and focus lay on the deed of committing murder and the outlandish consequences that could be in store. Throughout that time, the professor didn't call on him for an answer, much to his relief, and the class ended with none of the students openly wondering as to his downtrodden state.
Adrian headed back toward his dorm with his head mostly bent toward the ground. When he made his way back to his room he looked down the hall and there were people standing in front of his dorm door. He recognized one as a student receptionist in charge of giving visitors information that would lead them to the dorm of the person they were visiting. The other person he didn't recognize. Then it dawned on him, it was a police officer. An uncontrollable fear welled up inside him and he looked this way and that before deciding on making a run for it. But before he could scamper away, the girl called out to him and he had no choice but to confront this scenario head on.
'Oh. There he is officer. Adrian? This gentlemen would like to talk with you." Adrian somehow managed to regain command of himself and walked over towards the pair.
"Talk to me? About what exactly?"
"We'll talk about that alone, if you don't mind," said the officer.
"Uh...ok," said Adrian. "Is it alright if we speak in my dorm?"
"It shouldn't take long," said the officer. "I just need to ask you a few questions." Adrian led the officer into his dorm and closed the door behind him. The two both stood. The officer pulled out a notepad and began.
"My name is Detective John Ashley. I'm doing the investigation in the murder of Lucas Slaughter. Did you know Lucas at all personally?"
"Well, I can't say that I did." John looked at Adrian in a contemplative manner and it took an effort for Adrian to maintain his stare.
"I'm going to advise you up-front not to lie to me, Adrian. I have a responsibility to bring this criminal to justice, for the sake of the victim's grieving parents. I'm going to ask you again. Did you or did you not know the victim?"
"His parents?" said Adrian as he tilted his head slightly and looked at the detective quizzically. But Lucas didn't have any parents, thought Adrian to himself. At least not the way this gentlemen is describing, he's alien.
"Is there some reason why you can't answer the question? Did you or did you not know the victim?" Adrian thought on this for a short passage of time with his head bent low.
"Well, I had made his acquaintance a few days before he was murdered, so I guess you could say that I knew him. But in terms of me being personally acquainted with him, I would say no."
"I see," said the officer. Adrian had placed his hands in his pockets. He didn't want the officer to see that his hands were sweating and shaking and that he was nervous.
"And how exactly did you come to meet Lucas?"
"I'd--I'd come across some of his writings and I wanted to meet him in person. I discovered that he went to the same university that I attended."
"And do you know of any reason why anyone would want to kill him?" Adrian looked around the room and thought on this questioning for a time.
"I can't say that I do. He was a very kind hearted and warm individual, from what I saw of him. He--he never got angry at anything, at least I'd never seen him angry before, so I can't see any reason why someone would want to kill him. But then again, I only knew him for like two days."
"I see..." said Detective Ashely. "Well, I inquired of the journalism team and they said that you had requested an audience with Lucas about five days ago during one of their meetings. I just wanted to come and ask you a few questions and see if you could lead me in the right direction in the case." Adrian nodded.
"I understand, detective. But, if there's nothing else I can do for you?" Detective Ashley was in reflection of what he'd just said and wasn't paying too much attention to what Adrian had just put forth. Adrian was beyond agitated that this was going on. Surely he was being investigated. Surely they'd find some evidence to incriminate him, and surely he'd spend the rest of his days in prison.
"Hmm? Oh right, right. Well, if you discover anything else just let me know. Here's my card." Adrian rubbed his right hand on the inside lining of his pocket to get the sweat off of it and took Detective Ashley's card.
"Just give me a call if you discover anything."
"I will do just that, detective."
"Thank you for your time," said Detective Ashley. Adrian saw the detective to the door. He closed the door and slid to the floor with his back against it in contemplative silence.
bbbbrriiiinnnggg bbbbrriiiinnnggg
The sudden ringing of the phone startled him so immensely that he almost sprung out of his sneakers. Calm down buddy, he said to himself. It's just the phone. He answered and it turned out to be Crystal, the girl whom he met in a club with Lucas four days ago.
"Hi, Adrian. This is Crystal. You haven't forgotten about me, have you?"
"Huh? Oh no, no, not at all. I remember you. I was just uh--"
"--You were just uh what? Listen, Adrian, I've been waiting on you to call for the last four days. Would you have rather exchanged numbers with Donna?" Crystal's tone was accusatory to the end. Adrian sought to explain his situation.
"No, no. I just uh...well, something had come up. I meant to call you though. But with all that's going on, I don't know--"
"--Oh, you must be talking about your friend's death. I heard about that on the news. It's so tragic. You wouldn't believe how heartbroken Donna was."
"Yeah, that's it. My friend just died..." An immense guilt plagued Adrian upon using this line and he cringed after having used it.
"Well, that's understandable. Might you need a little cheering up? You think you can make it over here by 2:30? That's when my class ends." Adrian at first didn't think it was wise to associate with people to the degree that this was going to be, but he later recanted on the basis that he needed to get his mind off of all this somehow, especially now with the police seemingly investigating him.
"Sure. I can be there at 2:30. Just tell me how to get to the building that you'll be in, and what route to take."
Adrian had shuttled across to a suburb of the city and to Summit University, the school that Crystal attended. It had taken a total of three bus routes. She had told him to meet her in the English building. He got off the bus along with many other students and looked around for the campus key that would show him where he was relative to it. He found it and discovered that he was relatively within the area of the structure, so he headed for its direction. The spring semester was only a scant few days old, so there was a lot of confusion amongst the students at the campus, and many people milling about. He found the building and headed for room number 103 with about seven minutes to spare.
He peeked inside of the door window with his hands as a scope for his eyes and saw the professor was still whining on. He sighed. He began to pace back and forth. He placed his hands inside of his pockets, then took them out again. He let loose a sigh once more. He decided to just sit down against the wall and wait for the professor to release the class. Just as soon as he sat the door swung open. He sprung up. Students began filing out. He looked over heads and swam his way through the horde of students. He spotted Crystal. She was talking with someone. He made for them and in his excitement trampled his way into them, knocking their belongings to the floor.
"Uh...forgive me for this. I guess I was just in a hurry to see you."
"Oh--Adrian," said Crystal as she helped Adrian pick up the fallen materials. "It's alright. How long did that douche bag of a professor keep you waiting?"
"Not long. I just got here." The student who Crystal was talking to was male. He just stood there speechless and eyed Adrian as he and Crystal were picking up the books and notebooks.
"No, that's not mine, that's his," said Crystal.
"Oh--right. Here you go. Sorry again buddy," said Adrian while placing his hand on his head.
"Huh? Right, right. Well umm--no foul done."
"Listen Adrian, this is my classmate, Casey Hudson. He just transferred here."
"How are ya, Casey? It's good to meet you."
"Likewise--well uh Crystal, I should really get going. I have to be to work at three. My boss will kill me if I'm late again."
"Ok. I'll see you in class next week," said Crystal.
"Right, right," said Casey. "I'll see you in class." Casey gave one last side glance at Adrian and left.
"Nice guy," said Adrian as the two of them walked in the opposite direction.
"Yeah, he's pretty cool. You're not jealous are you?"
"Well, do I have a reason to be?" Crystal put on a small smile. Adrian was feeling a little better too.
Adrian and Crystal had decided to have lunch together. This was to officially be their first date. Adrian didn't have a job, but he did have money from loans and also his parents would send him money at times. At his university he had a meal plan. Crystal had one as well. But the two of them decided to go out to a Denny's that was near the university. The waitress came and took their orders. The both of them ordered cheeseburgers and french fries.
"Ok, I'll be right back with your order."
"Thanks," smiled Crystal. She placed the both of her arms on the table. "So."
"So," said Adrian.
"It's our first date."
"Yeah, it is," said Adrian with a smile. Crystal returned the favor. Adrian had never had a girlfriend before. He thought on this on the walk towards the restaurant. But somehow, someway, he had managed to attract the attention of someone as beautiful as Crystal. Her hair fell down to her shoulders and was as black as a raven. She had the most remarkable pair of eyes, they were sparkling, akin to the crown jewels of a royal family. He thought he could stare into those eyes all day and never get tired. She was slender, but possessed ample subsidies in all the right places. She was a young and vibrant woman, and one to be desired. Just how had he managed to attract someone so beautiful in the first place? How did someone like him who all throughout his life could never find the courage to even approach a woman, manage to secure an opportunity such as this? Then the thought hit him like a ton of bricks. It was Lucas. Lucas was the one who got me to open up and approach her. He bent his head in miserable reflection upon realizing it.
"Oh, is there something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine. I'll be fine I mean."
"I know what's bothering you," said Crystal as she placed her hand on his. "It's Lucas' death, isn't it?" Adrian remained silent.
"You can tell me Adrian, I'm here for you."
"I don't think anybody is really here for me..."
"Adrian, I've lost people who were close to me before. I know how hard the sting feels. It's a good idea to air out your feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside you."
"I feel lost," said Adrian who was trying to avoid eye contact with Crystal. "I feel like--no one can relate to me, that no one understands the pain I'm going through. That no one will ever be able to understand..."
"It's only natural to feel that way when you've lost someone close to you. But trust me, it gets better."
"I feel like--whatever happens next will be my fault." Adrian bent his head. Crystal looked at him questioningly.
"Adrian, are you saying you know something about the murder?"
"NO!" Adrian shook his head vehemently. Heads throughout the restaurant snuck a peek towards the pair. "No I'm not. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying--"
"--Adrian, if you know something you need to tell the police," implored Crystal.
"I--I already talked to the police."
"You--you did?"
"Yeah, I did. I told them everything I know..." Adrian remained looking lowly towards the ground.
"Well, I'm proud of you because of it. If someone was threatening Lucas, or if you knew of some activity that was taking place in his life that was questionable, you may have given the police the info they need to put whoever killed him behind bars." Adrian's focus was on his interlocked hands. Crystal saw this and sought to change the subject.
"Let's talk about something else. You know, you've never told me what your major was."
"I'm--I'm an English major," said Adrian as he raised his head and looked upon the brightness of Crystal once again.
The two ate lunch on a surprisingly lighter and more vibrant note. Crystal talked about her desire to run a chain of franchises. She was a business major. She said that she would like to one day own a chain of franchised restaurants.
"Who knows? Maybe I'll be running this place one day," said Crystal with a smile.
"Maybe," said Adrian, who had also put on a small smile.
They talked about their family. Adrian mentioned that he didn't have any siblings but he had cousins who would visit from time to time when he was a child. Crystal had siblings, but they were all younger than her, and all in elementary or middle school. They even talked about what they wanted in a relationship. Crystal mentioned that she was looking for someone who could basically be her best friend. Someone who she could rely on. Adrian didn't have any experience answering a question like that, but he managed to say that he would like to meet someone who was caring and compassionate. The latter end of the date had really gone rather well, compared to the dramatics of the early goings.
When the bill came Adrian had pulled out his wallet and paid for the whole meal. The two walked back to the bus stop that Adrian had embarked off of and they talked until the shuttle arrived to take Adrian home. The two were holding hands.
"You'll call me this time, right?" said Crystal.
"For sure this time, I'll call you," said Adrian. Adrian began to drift away when Crystal called out.
"Wait." He turned towards her and ran right into a kiss on the cheek. It was innocent, but he felt it nice.
"Good night," said Crystal.
"Good--good night," said Adrian who had placed his hand on his jaw. She smiled and walked towards the dormitory. Adrian stared after her for a time and then boarded the bus, heading for home.
Adrian made it home at around 6:30. He entered into his dorm and immediately plopped onto his sofa, reflecting on the day that was. He had been having such a wonderful time with Crystal that he had completely forgotten about Detective Ashley questioning him earlier in the day. He didn't seem to suspect anything, thought Adrian. Perhaps I'm in the clear. His time spent with Crystal had really been the highlight of the last few days, a bright shining beacon that stood amidst the dark clouds that had so overshadowed him. He reflected on how close he came to telling her some of the truth, how he wanted to at the very least tell her that Lucas was an alien. But she'd never believe me, thought Adrian. No one would. I'm alone in this world, and in this situation. Whatever happens as a result of what he did, he discovered that spending time with someone as compassionate as Crystal may prove to be the right thing to do at this point. If this is indeed the end of my life as I know it, I want to spend it doing something that will bring me happiness.
tap--tap--tap
There was a gentle knocking at his door. Could it have been Detective Ashley? Is it possible that they found some evidence needed to incriminate him in the case? Adrian's heart sunk so low that it met with his intestinal juices, and he quickly scampered around the dorm looking for a way out. He swore under his breath. This building didn't have a fire escape, and he was four stories off the ground. Whatever would he do now?
tap--tap--tap
Adrian tried to take control of his emotions. If it was indeed the detective then maybe there was just another question that he wanted answered, or maybe he wanted me to clarify something. Yeah, that's it. If I was a suspect he would have hauled me off earlier in the day. His emotions had largely come into check after reasoning the matter out within himself. He drew himself up and headed for the door. He unlocked it and Casey stood on the other side with a backpack strapped along his shoulder.
"Casey?"
"Not Casey, Lucas."
Adrian's heart dipped to the bottom of his frame once more and he stood staring at Casey with a look of fright. Casey is an alien? And he's coming to exact revenge on me for what I did to Lucas? I'm doomed. He'll drag me off to some alien planet and I'll be tortured in the most extreme and sickening ways. His people will look on in laughter, mocking my cries, taking joy in my sorrows. There's no escaping the reality of the situation now. This is it. I'm doomed.
"Wha--what are you going to--"
"--It's me, Adrian. I'm Lucas." Silence engulfed the space about the pair and a curiosity began to take hold of Adrian.
"You're--Lucas?" Casey nodded with a smile.
"But--he's dead," said Adrian as he began looking this way and that searching for an answer. "There was a funeral. Someone killed him. Is this some kind of a sick joke? Why are you digging through fresh wounds? Do you like Crystal or something?"
"Just let me in and I'll explain everything," said Casey. Adrian thought better of this. To even entertain such a thought was beyond ludicrous. But Casey was smiling the whole time, and there was something about that smile that seemed familiar, eerily so, and so against his better judgement he decided to give Casey the time of day. He walked away from the door and Casey stepped inside and placed his backpack on the floor along the wall.
"Firstly," said Casey, "let me say that I'm glad I ran into you. I was genuinely heartbroken when I had to transfer to Summit University and never see you again."
"What are you talking about?"
"I told you, I'm Lucas. I just uh--ran into a pretty bad predicament I guess," said Casey with his hand on his head. "But it is me."
Adrian shook his head. "You expect me to believe the word of some dude who I don't even know, and who for all I know was putting the moves on my girlfriend? What are you really after, Casey? You want me to step aside so Crystal can be all yours?"
Casey sighed. "Ok, you want proof, I'll give you some proof." Adrian reflected on what Casey had just said and it sounded shockingly familiar to a conversation that he had with Lucas when he proved to him that he was an alien.
"Think back," said Casey as he paced about the room, "to when you and I first met. I was having a meeting with the rest of the journalism team, was I not?"
Adrian was looking lowly towards the ground. He hesitantly raised his head. "--Yeah, but how did you--"
"--And then, remember our first night out? Where did I take you? To a recital that I was participating in, right?"
Adrian shook his head. "Wait a minute, this doesn't make any sense. How could you possibly know these things?"
"I told you, I'm Lucas. What about the time when I proved to you that I was an extra terrestrial. Do you need more proof than that?" Adrian's mouth was gaped wide open. He placed his hand on his head and said he had to sit down. For his own part, Casey was too busy smiling it up.
"It's--you. I mean--you're really Lucas. I can't believe it's you--it's really you!" Adrian rushed towards him and embraced him tightly. All the guilt that he had been feeling over killing Lucas was now suddenly gone, in one instant. He felt as one liberated from the shackles of a fate and tormentor that showed not the slightest bit of compassion.
"I'm so sorry--' Just then Adrian caught himself and stepped away from Lucas, shaking his head vehemently. "I mean--I'm--I'm so glad you're still alive..." Lucas tilted his head ever so slightly and looked at him quizzically for only a moment.
"Yeah well, it'll take more than that to get rid of Lucas Slaughter," he said with a wry smile. "Or should I now say Casey Hudson?" Lucas laughed.
Adrian got closer to him and placed his hands on Lucas' shoulders. "You have to explain to me what happened. You just have to. You--you can't imagine the kind of life that I have had to live because of what happened to you."
"Sure thing. Got anything to drink first? I could use something cold."
"Ri--right." Adrian went to the fridge and pulled out two sodas. He gave one to Lucas and he immediately began drinking it standing up. Adrian hadn't opened his drink and had placed it on the kitchen counter. He was too entangled in thought, and excited by what this new turn of events meant. Lucas put the can down on the table and began.
"Ok, now we both know that someone tried to kill me. The thing is though, they never penetrated my alien flesh."
"I don't understand," said Adrian.
"Remember when I showed you what I really looked like that night? What I was wearing then, and what all of my people have to wear, was a suit that was based off of biotechnology and that's made in the image of a human being. Our suits are telepathically linked to us. What I did was, I made the suit appear transparent so you could see what I really look like."
"So--you're saying that the murderer only pierced the suit."
"Exactly. Our technology is of such a highly advanced nature that we were able to replicate the workings of the human body using bio tech. When the murderer slit my throat, it did indeed bleed, but that was an imitation of human blood, it was a substance that the highly advanced of our species developed to be placed inside of the suit, in case we scrape our knees, elbows, you know, so that we can fit in with everyone else."
"I see," said Adrian. So I only penetrated a protective covering. Thank God. "But there was a funeral though, and I assume an autopsy. So how did you manage to stage your own death?"
"Well, when the body was found, it was the bio suit. I had already left my dorm and took the things that originated from my people that would baffle the people on this planet. I just left the clothes you know, the shoes, things like that. Even the funeral was staged. Now, there were some who were my human friends that came, like from the journalism team and whatnot. But the people who were grieving as my parents, were also alien, so too were my other family members." Now Adrian understood why Detective Ashley said that he had a responsibility to catch the killer on account of Lucas' grieving parents.
"I see," said Adrian, who had his bent toward the ground. He then raised it up again.
"But why did you have to fake your own death? Why couldn't you just, remain Lucas and go somewhere else?"
"Well," said Lucas as he cocked his head, "it'd be quite strange if I ran into the murderer again, don't you think? If something like this happens, it's always best to just fake your death and assume another identity. Us Merridions, we always have a contingency plan for things like this."
"Is that your home planet, Merridion?"
"Yeah," said Lucas with a smile. "You know, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone that I was an extra terrestrial, so I kinda broke the rules of what the Contingent wants when I told you. As long as you don't tell anybody, we should be cool."
"You--you mentioned earlier on about there being more of you. Just how many Merridions are on this planet?"
"Hmm...I can't say for sure," said Lucas as he stroked his chin. "Oh, wait a minute, I'll give you this." Lucas went to his backpack and pulled out a pair of sunglasses.
"Put them on," said Lucas. Adrian did so.
"Notice anything different?"
"There's--there's an orange aura about you."
"Those glasses allow you to see someone who is from Merridion, even if they're wearing the bio suit, which they should be wearing. It'll give you an idea how many of us are down here."
"Ok," said Adrian. "Cool." He placed them on the kitchen counter.
Lucas sighed. "It just boggles my mind why someone would want to kill me or anyone of my kind. We take extreme pains to be as receptive as possible, and embrace anyone we come across. Mind you, this isn't the first time that this has happened, but it is something to have to experience it for yourself. To know that someone would go so far as to try and kill you." Adrian remained silent. Now, seemingly, he was faced with a newfound dilemma: Lucas finding out that it was he himself whom tried to kill him.
"Well, we most definitely should pick up where we left off, don't you think?"
"Yeah--most definitely."
"Here's my new phone number. I still have yours, so no problems there. Whoa, look at the time. I should really get going. I have class in the morning. I'm glad I was able to talk with you again and continue our friendship." Lucas smiled, picked up his backpack, and headed for the exit.
"And don't worry, I won't put any moves on Crystal." Adrian smiled.
The effect that finding out Lucas was still alive had on Adrian turned out to be a lasting one. Because of it, he was able to focus more in class, answer questions when called upon, ask the teacher questions when something was presented that he didn't fully comprehend, focus on doing his homework, and just basically command his life again. He was--to be sure--only worried about two scenarios which he contented within himself that he would just have to find a way to live with: the police finding some evidence that would incriminate him in the case involving the faux death of Lucas; and Lucas himself finding out that it was he whom tried to kill him. The latter scenario did not overtly concern him, because he could foresee no possibility of this happening. But the former was a very real threat, and one in which caused him apprehension from time to time. Four days had elapsed since he talked with Detective Ashley and the detective had not requested to speak with or tried to get in contact with him again. In each of those days he would contemplate scenarios whereby he would be charged with the murder of Lucas Slaughter, and at the end of those days those scenarios would not come to fruition. He would at times think within himself that this could just be a case that the police never solve. Those things do happen, he thought once. Maybe this would be one of those times.
There was--admittedly--another thing that concerned him, though it had diminished to a degree after the burden of knowing that he hadn't taken a life was lifted. It was something that Lucas shared with him. He would sometimes wonder what was the purpose of the Dorridions, and why they were seemingly so interested in Earth. Did some calamity from the skies make their planet uninhabitable? Were they simply benign beings who wanted to share their advanced technology and knowledge with mankind? Was it possible that they were planning to infest the planet with their numbers and then overthrow the world's governments from within? These things he would puzzle over from time to time. One thing that he neglected to do however over these last four days was use the sunglasses that Lucas had given him, so he could see for himself just how many Dorridions were on planet Earth. Truth be told, he had decided within himself that life was going far to good for him, and he didn't want to feed any paranoia that might come about as a result of using those sunglasses. He kept them in a safe place however, in a shoe box at the top of his closet. He did not completely forsake the idea of using them, and he would at some point, when the opportunity presented itself.
He had not forgotten about Crystal either during this period of rebirth. Spending time with her during his state of sorrow had been the highpoint, so after four days had elapsed since he had dinner with her he decided to get in contact and see if she had any free time. He searched through his cell phone for her number and gave her a call. She answered almost immediately.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Crystal. It's me, Adrian."
"Oh hi, Adrian. I thought you had forgotten about me again."
"Yeah, I apologize for taking so long but I was trying to catch up on some of my school work and whatnot. I kinda got behind."
"Oh ok. Well, that's understandable," said Crystal.
"Listen, I was wondering if you were available later on today, say, three-ish?" said Adrian. "I thought it'd be nice if we could play put-put golf together."
"Well, my last class ends at 2:30 and I'm pretty caught up on school work, so yeah I'm free. I promised Casey that I'd show him around town today though, so would you mind if he came along with us? I won't feel right if I give him the cold shoulder."
"Uh--sure," said Adrian. "No problems here. Casey's a pretty cool guy in my book. He can come along."
"Ok, my Tuesday class is the same as my Thursday class, so we can meet in front of the English building. I'll see you at 3:00."
"Alright. I'll be looking forward to it."
Adrian pondered over the matter of Lucas coming along and thought that perhaps this would be a good time to finally test out the sunglasses. Maybe if there were any of his people around he could probe Lucas and discover some aspect of what the Dorridions were up to. He told me he was an extra terrestrial, and he wasn't supposed to, so maybe he'll tell me other things as well, he thought.
It was already 11:30 when Adrian made the call, so he knew that he had to give himself time to get there. Adrian left almost immediately and shuttled across to the suburb of the city and Summit University. By the time he got off the third bus it was 2:45. He made his way to the English building and saw Crystal standing in front of the structure and conversing with Lucas in the guise of Casey. He approached them.
"Hey, I hope I didn't keep you guys waiting too long."
"Oh no," said Crystal. "It hasn't been that long. You got here a bit early."
"Well, you guys ready to go?" said Adrian.
"Sure man," said Lucas in the guise of Casey. "It should be a lot of fun."
They were going to play at a place called Seagulls Put-Put and Golf, which resided in walking distance from the university. Adrian had seen the establishment when he and Crystal went out to dinner and thought it would be nice to take her there. Adrian offered to pay for Crystal's game, but she declined, and in the end everyone payed for themselves. Lucas, to Adrian's complete and utter astonishment, had the upper hand in the game. I knew that he was good at things like writing and music but you mean to tell me that he's proficient at something so miniscule as this as well?
"Four!" yelled Lucas as they went along to hole seven. He was up five strokes over Adrian and nine over Crystal. He was really enjoying himself, Adrian noted. Adrian had managed to converse back and forth with Crystal most of the time and they had pretty much picked up where they had left off. At hole nine Crystal excused herself on account of having to use the bathroom.
"Don't you guys cheat while I'm gone, now."
"Don't worry," said Lucas with a smile. "We won't."
"You're certainly pretty good at this. I'm impressed," said Adrian.
"Oh, I've played this game a few times here and there, at varying courses and whatnot. I guess you could say that I'm a quick study though," said Lucas who was smiling.
"I see that," said Adrian. Adrian now looked around wonderingly and thought this would be a pretty good time to use the sunglasses. He took them out of their case and placed them on his eyes. At first he didn't see any orange auras around anyone, but then a group of college students entered into viewing distance near hole six and he saw that one of them was a Merridion.
"One of your people just moved into hole six."
"Huh? What? Oh," said Lucas as he smacked himself upside his head. "You're using the sunglasses I gave you."
"Yeah," said Adrian. "He's the one with the red shirt on."
Lucas looked over the group throughly and wondered aloud.
"Hmm...I don't really know his name--I don't think I've ever seen him before. But yeah, Earth is a hot spot for us Merridions."
"When you visited my dorm you said something about the 'Contingent.' What is that exactly?" Lucas' face was one of bewilderment. He looked in the air for a moment as if the answer would come crashing right down before them.
"Ah--well," he said scratching his head, "...I don't know if it's wise for me to be talking about them. I mean, I'm supposed to go see them because of what happened and all, they want to question me. Don't get me wrong. I trust you as a person. It's just that, you're the only person I've ever entrusted with the knowledge of me being extra terrestrial, and if I go around telling every person I meet every thing about Merridion and us Merridions, I'd probably find myself gone from here real fast."
"Are you saying that the Contingent would silence you?" said Adrian.
"No, it's nothing like what you are probably thinking," said Lucas. "I'd probably be ordered to leave or something."
"...I see," said Adrian who had bent his head in reflection on what he'd just said. Lucas saw this and sought to correct it.
"Hey man, cheer up. I may not can share something like that, but how about later on tonight we go see my ship?"
"You have a ship?" said Adrian.
"Of course," commented Lucas who was beaming. "I'll pick you up at nine and you can check it out."
"Sounds great," said Adrian.
Adrian was alone in his dorm catching up on some homework when his cell phone rang. Lucas mentioned that he was out in front of the entrance to the dorm and waiting on him. Adrian got out of his seat, put on his jacket, and made his way to the entrance. Lucas was parked near the exit. He drove the same baby blue Porsche that he did when the two had first met.
"I see that you didn't get rid of your car," said Adrian.
"Oh, it'd take more than attempted murder and the staging of my own death to pry this girl out of my hands." Adrian got into the car. As soon as he did Lucas took off and Adrian's head snapped back. It had completely skipped Adrian's mind just how fast Lucas drove. He quickly buckled his safety belt.
"So uh--how far out is this alien ship of yours," said Adrian.
"It's just to the east of town in a clearing. It's cloaked though, so no one can see it from any vantage point." It took about thirty five minutes to make it to the clearing. Lucas pulled up along side of the dirt road and the both of them exited the vehicle. Stars were bespeckled here and there in the night sky. It seemed a very tranquil moment to Adrian. Lucas lead the way and begin speaking to himself.
"Now if I'm remembering correctly, it should be eleven paces this way, thirteen that, four baby steps in this direction...uh--shoot," said Lucas as he scratched his head. "I seemed to have forgotten my own directions." Adrian looked on from behind in a concerned manner.
"Ah well, I'll just de-cloak the thing and it should present itself." Lucas pulled out a very alien looking device and pressed a button on it and Adrian saw just ahead of the two of them what appeared to be an electrical storm. In the midst of that, the ship introduced itself. It was a ship about the size of a van, shaped like a lemon, and looked like it could seat a handful of people. It's color was silver and it had a hatch that looked to fly open. Adrian approached it with his mouth open wide.
"Wow, you really do have a ship," he said. "Can I touch it?"
"Sure thing," said Lucas. Adrian advanced towards the ship and placed the both of his hands on it. He then placed his right ear on the thing, as if he would be able to decipher something by doing so. Lucas approached from behind.
"Want to see what it sounds like when it's turned on?"
"Sure, why not?" Lucas pressed a button on the very alien device and the ship's hatch flew open. He pressed another button and there appeared to the side of the ship transparent steps which allowed him to climb and get inside of it.
"Come on, hop in," said Lucas.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm not going to fly it anywhere, but I'd thought you might want to see what the inside looks like." Adrian was reluctant at first, but he then conquered that reluctance and climbed the transparent steps. Once at the top he sat in the co pilots seat next to Lucas and gazed in wonderment at the control panel. The whole interface was touch sensitive and very transparent. There was a gray steering wheel that stood up where Lucas sat. Lucas initiated a combination of button presses and a humming noise began to envelope the area. Lights on the computer terminal began to randomly blink in and out as the ship turned on. The ship began to hover.
"I--I thought you said we weren't going anywhere?"
"Relax. We aren't. This is just what happens when you turn it on." Lucas then directed Adrian's attention to a GUI that projected itself in the air and was a map of the galaxy.
"If I wanted to, I could put this baby on auto pilot all the way back to Merridion," said Lucas. "Or not," he smiled. "There are other places I could go if I was hankering for a different kind of experience." Adrian looked in wonderment at the display. Lucas seemed to be hinting that there were other worlds with intelligent life forms besides Earth and Dorridion. It was an awful lot to take in at once. Adrian's curiosity was piqued. He began to wonder why a civilization like Dorridion wanted to communicate or even mingle with the people of Earth at all. He began to formulate a myriad of hypotheses, invasion plots, body snatcher scenarios, and War of the Worlds type assumptions. On the one hand the whole of the experience was very thrilling but on the other he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Adrian thought to question Lucas on the matter but felt that he may not be ready for the answer, and so he kept silent.
Lucas looked at his watch and sighed. "Well, I hope you had fun. But I think it's time we called it a night. I have a meeting with the Contingent tomorrow, about--you know--the attempt on my life and such."
"...Ok," said Adrian.
The next day came and Adrian had only one class to attend. He awoke to the buzzing of his alarm clock, yawned a yawn and stretched a stretch that suggested that he needed more sleep, but all the same he did not reset it. His spilt over dreams left suggestions and persuasions that he did not totally want to confirm or confront. He simply wanted to ignore it, if he could. But there was a pique of curiosity that he had attained that prevented him from doing this, a sliver of possibility that continued to harken unto him, even in the dead of night and in the murky realms of the dream world. And so he got ready for class, strapped his backpack along his shoulders, and took the sunglasses that Lucas had given him out of the shoe box with its protective case and put it into his pocket. There was a thick, morning mist that held limply around the campus, making it hard to see anything within the immediate vicinity. Students shuffled this way and that, trying to make it to their classes without being late. Adrian took the shades out of the case and put them on. He noticed nothing. There was nothing this way or that. But then, there approached towards him an orange outline. It was a Merridion, talking and laughing with three other students. He then noticed to the side and in the thick of the mist a student wearing a football uniform, who too carried the orange outline. He continued on, and as he entered into his class there was a student who made it in right in front of him who was outlined orange, and in fact, a good five students in the class bore similar traits.
They're everywhere, thought Adrian to himself, as he positioned himself in his seat. They're in our schools, our homes, they probably have our jobs, interacting with us on an untold scale, and we don't even know it. He could not, at this point, pay much of any attention to what was going on in the class, not when he could see Merridions spouting off answers to questions that the professor would put forth. Not when he didn't know the reasoning behind this massive integration. He wondered within himself just how far it had gotten, just how far assimilated they were into Earth's populace. Were they in the White House? The Kremlin? Beijing? If this college campus was anything to go by, it certainly wasn't a far fetched notion. He had let his mind wander into far off places that he wasn't sure he'd be able to return from. The only thing he could do, the only option that lay before him was to question Lucas about it, in an attempt to calm his overactive mind. He's my friend, he thought. There's no malignancy in him. If I express my concern about all of this, I'm sure he'd be able to relieve it.
The class ended, Adrian took off the shades, packed his things and headed for the bathroom. It was empty. He turned on the faucet and enveloped his face with a handful of water. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and let loose a sigh. The bathroom door swung open and a student wearing shades entered. Adrian nodded and smiled at him. But the student just stood in the entrance and continuously stared at him.
Hey, how are ya?"
"You--you were the one who tried to kill our comrade!" Adrian was beyond startled.
"Wha--what?"
"His blood is on your hands," said the student. "It takes months after being exposed to wash off the substance. Your hands glow alight with attempted murder," said the Merridion. Adrian began to understand. He could see the blood from the bio suit that was on his hands. It must be glowing orange. He put the shades on himself and confirmed it.
"So you tried to kill him, but you were also someone who knew him, as evidenced by the shades you are wearing," said the Merridion. "I'll take them off your hands if you don't mind. You've stained them enough already I'd say." The Merridion headed towards Adrian and snatched the glasses off of his head. Adrian was at a loss for what was happening and did not try to stop him.
"Obviously Lucas was a bit too trusting. To think that someone whom he called a friend would try to take his life is beyond startling." The Merridion just stood there in silence for a short while, shook his head in disgust, turned away from Adrian, and left.
Adrian had made it home and lay in a preponderance of thought on his bed. The Merridion for sure was going to tell Lucas that it was he whom tried to kill him. And that would cement the end of their friendship, he thought. It was over. He would lose someone whom he'd grown to adore, someone whom he saw as a true friend. There was nothing he could do to change things. The clock couldn't be turned back, and he couldn't take back attempted murder in the least. It all hit him so hard, as it had come so sudden. He had thought there was no way for Lucas to find out that it was he. He was wrong. At this point, he didn't care that the police might find out that he murdered Lucas, or that the Merridions could be infecting society on a global scale in preparations for some dastardly deed. He didn't want to lose his friend. But was he completely powerless in this situation? A thought came to him and he reacted. He called Lucas and told him that they had to meet as soon as possible. Lucas said that he could be there late, at around nine. Adrian wanted to meet in front of the school bell. Lucas agreed.
Night had fallen. Adrian was out shuffling every this way and that in the dead of night. He had not practiced in his head what he wanted to say. It had occurred to him that he needed to be genuine in this instance, and he had succumbed to it. A silhouetted figure appeared in the distance and was approaching him. It turned out to be Lucas.
"You wanted to see me," said Lucas with a smile.
"Yeah, I did," Adrian let loose a sigh. "Listen, there's something I have to tell you." Lucas looked at him quizzically for a moment.
"Lucas--I'm--I'm the person whom tried to kill you," Lucas eyes narrowed. It seemed a concern fell over him and his head looked this way and that.
"I don't understand. What are you saying? How could it have been you? We were--"
"--I was acting on impulse," said Adrian, who had his head bent low. "I--I was initially jealous of your talents, in both writing and music, and when you showed me that you were alien I sort of came to a justification that you could be on assignment here to scope out our planet for an invasion. It was--an incredibly selfish act, and I suffered immensely for it, until I found out you were still alive that is." Lucas had his bent low. He inclined his head up towards the sky.
"I'm sorry," said Adrian. "I know you'll never want to speak to me again. But I just felt it prudent that you hear it from me and not anyone else." Lucas didn't say anything. He just stood there looking at him sourly for a moment, turned around hesitantly, and walked away. Adrian thought to call out to him, but later recanted, thinking it the better of the two options. He then began to walk in the company of his thoughts. Maybe he just needed a little time, he thought. I know I did the right thing. If he'd heard it from the Merridion, there's no way he'd want to see me again. He looked around in the dead of night. There was no one coming in either direction. He was seemingly alone again. He walked around in the night until around 10:15 and decided to call it a night.
The next morning came, and Adrian had two classes to attend. He awoke to the buzzing sound of the alarm clock. He sat up in his bed and placed his face in his hands. He didn't want to face whatever lay ahead, not without the comforting presence of his friend. Regardless of whatever lay beforehand, he knew he had to get ready for class. He prepared himself out of the faucet and put on a basketball jersey and matching shorts. He slipped on his sneakers and headed out the dorm door. His curiosity was piqued when he noticed that there was a manilla envelop on the outside of his door. He picked it up and opened it. It was a letter from Lucas:
This was a hard decision for me. Yesterday I had to meet with the Contingent on what happened. They came to the conclusion that I should leave the planet, that I was too young to be here. Remember when I told you that I had been on this planet for seventy five years? Us Merridions have extremely long lives. That's about age sixteen in human years. The Contingent felt that I was too immature to be here, and that is what led to the attempt on my life. I of course didn't agree with them, and I had declined their suggestion that I should leave. But after you told me that it was you whom tried to kill me, I began to rethink that position. It took a lot for you to admit what you tried to do. You said that you were being selfish, but I realize that I myself was being selfish. I was doing things that no other Merridion had ever done before, in trying to greatly excel in the arts of humanity. Based on all that has happened, I've decided I need to leave this place. Who knows? Maybe when I've matured a bit I'll return and track you down then. But right now, I need to return to Merridion and do a little ripening.
P.S. I left a little something for you, to remember me by.
Adrian bent his head in reflection. He was saddened that this was going to be the end of their association. He didn't want it to end. It had been such a fruitful union. The very fact that Lucas deigned to write him bade well for how he ultimately felt about it. He sighed, looked up in the air and down again, and noticed that there was something still in the envelop. It was a small package wrapped in wrapping paper. He unwrapped it and it turned out to be a case of shades. He put them on. "A little something to remember him by," he said, and smiled.