A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 18

"Holy s**t!" I cursed stupidly getting in between Hero and Mr Anderson right before he fired and thankfully he had a bad aim and ended up scratching my shoulder and fortunately the fireworks made it impossible for people to make out the loud noise of a g*n being fired. 

"gracious!" Mr Anderson exclaimed chickening out realizing I'd been shot. 

"oh my God" he quavered hands trembling on seeing blood drizzle out of my wound. 

"oh my God what have I done?" Mr Anderson lamented shocked to the bones as we all stared at my wound. I think even I was too stunned to feel the pain. The bullet had merely torn the sleeve of the bomber jacket I had on my Grey shirt. 

"you saved me. you are hurt" Hero was the first to point out moving to me with a strange worried look on his face. 

"move away from him, he.. He is a strange being. Move away from him girl" Mr Anderson tremble tremendously as he tried to warn me. 

"you think you can aim right with those hands. For f**k sake you just shot me!" I spat at Mr Anderson making him flinch. 

"you just shot her?" Charlie's voice was flat expressing disbelief. 

"can things get any worse?" Nicholas muttered as both boys stared at me in awe. 

"Dad it's alright. She's with us. Hero is also with us-

"who's Hero?" Mr Anderson asked scrunching up his nose. 

"the alien you want to shoot" She revealed and Mr Anderson stared at his daughter with a horrified expression. 

"you know he's an alien?" Mr Anderson asked despondently as if finding it hard to believe. 

"yes, but he's not a bad one-

" you can't say that, they are cunning little creatures" Mr Anderson objected and Hailey sighed. 

"look at him trying to fix Claire's wound" Hailey pointed to Hero who was busy rolling up my sleeve. I couldn't believe he tore the rough edge of his shirt to wrap around my arms. 

"your mom did that" he informed and I was left agape watching his actions. He was learning and he just showcased what he learnt. This is unbelievable I thought as I stared at Hero in disbelief. 

"Hero wow, you learned that from my mom?" I asked and he nodded with a smile. 

"so the alien can learn. Um" Nicholas acknowledged and I smiled before turning back at Mr Anderson who was busy staring at us in disbelief. 

"he's not a bad one okay and he's not the only good one. There are many other good one amongst them. Most are just being mislead and that's why we need your help to enlighten them, enlighten us" I explained and Mr Anderson study us all for some minutes before lowering his g*n. He looked around before sighing and turning back to me. 

"come, come" he urged us in, leading us into the tent which the toy stall was set in front. It was very cozy inside saved us from the chilly air outside the tent. There was fluffy huge divan with a blanket and some pillows at the end of the tent. I guess he sleeps there. And shielding the divan from the entrance is a wooden closet which doors faced the divan. Behind the closet is two long couch facing each other with a small table on the animal skin rug. But the floor was already rugged. Mr Anderson lead us to one of the couch while he sat with his daughter in the opposite one. 

"first. Who are you kids and what are you doing here?" Mr Anderson asked and I sighed. 

 "Mr Anderson, you have questions and so do we. So let try it out like this. You ask a question I answer and you answer a question in return till we both run out of questions, how about that?" I smiled hoping I had came up with a good deal because I also have tons of question lined in my head waiting for answers.

" um... Okay " he concurred and I smiled happy he gave in to my idea. 

" my name is Claire Chadwick, and this is my brother " I pointed to Charlie. 

"Charlie Chadwick, and this" I moved my hand to Nicholas. 

"is Nicholas Robinson-

" oh I know the Kid, are you both still dating Hailey? "Mr Anderson turned to Hailey who nodded while I scoffed because I was rather very anxious. 

"and you've met Hero. We met in an unlikely situation which I'll rather not go into details. I'll go straight to the point now. I saw your article on the net though it was taken down we were able to retrieve it-

"how were you able to do that?" Mr Anderson asked eyes prying me suspiciously. 

"nowadays with technology there's nothing impossible" I responded with a half smile. 

"so why does the article matter to you?-

" I believe it's my turn to ask question" I pointed out and Mr Anderson sighed waiting for me to go on. 

"Mr Anderson, how did you know about the Ghafils?" I asked and he seem to ponder whether to open up or not. 

"don't worry dad. Claire is not a bad kid" Hailey assured pressing down his dad's hand in assurance. I wonder how my own dad was at that point. 

"we found one. He was captured when he ran out of air. But the matter was discreet and every evidence of it was removed from the public. We studied this creature for a year before we realized he wasn't the only one. There were few others who seem to be manipulating everything. All they just have to do is appear like us humans. Especially the higher ups humans. They've totally invaded us-

"no, not yet" I cut in. 

"what?-

" Not yet, they've not totally invaded us Mr Anderson. They are about to though. I believe they've been here studying us and preparing for something even bigger. An apocalypse. Total annihilation of human race. They want our world-

"I doubt they'll be able to do that. They might be able to control few humans and manipulate people but they cannot do that. This place isn't even good for them. The ones surviving here have to raise their Nitrogen level every three weeks if they did not come in contact with too much oxygen. They could be depreciated if they do-

"believe me when I told you they can?" I defended sharply. 

"how can you be so sure young kid-

" I'm not young I'm 22" I retorted sharply. 

"you don't look twenty-

" I know, that's because I'm dead. I came back two years before the stupid apocalypse that claim my life" I blurted, letting out few soft pants because I was suddenly frustrated to have to think about my death again. 

"I don't understand" Mr Anderson confessed studying my expression closely. 

"you see, my sister here is a walking dead. No offense Claire it made everything simpler." Charlie apologized and I shrugged before he continued. 

"She died in the future during an apocalypse she claimed the aliens are responsible for. But one of the alien who happens to be a prince travel her subconsciousness through time and she found herself right in her younger body" Charlie concluded. 

"a royal" Mr Anderson dreamily muttered. 

"you've come in contact with their royal?" Mr Anderson asked in disbelief. 

"yeah, most of them. A couple of times" I revealed and his eyes widened in shock even more. 

"what I'm saying is we need all you've got on these creatures but first. How did you know Hero was a Ghafil?" I asked but Mr Anderson was dreamily staring at me. 

"you've really met their royal. Like up close?" he asked still finding it hard to believe. 

"that's not the point. The point is their prince doesn't want this apocalypse to happen as much as humans and this is the best he could do. He sent me back here and I need all I can get about them."I half yelled and that seam to return Mr Anderson back to reality because he slightly jumped at my outburst. 

" so you're working with some set of aliens-

"actually two aliens. The rest of them wants this to happen" Nicholas corrected and Mr Anderson sighed. 

"I think I believe you. Because I've met one of the Ghafil as well. A good one" Mr Anderson sounded timid and his expression was pained as he started his discussion. 

"she imitated my assistant. She was supposed to stop me but got curious. We made the findings together. Took me long before I realize who she really was but she told me all I needed to know. She showed me a lot until she was supposed to relay her findings to their royals. She didn't came back after that, and they started hunting me. They slaughtered my research team and killed my wife and daughter that was away on a vacation. They manipulated the public and make me appear the bad guy. I couldn't do anything. Staying here was my only chance of survival." Mr Anderson cleaned the tears that had slipped out of the corner of his eyes.

"he is in pain" Hero pointed out and I nodded. 

"my kind brought him pain?" he directed the question to me and I felt reluctant to answer but I did anyway. 

"you are good people" Hero smiled and I returned the smile warmly. 

"I would not let my kind hurt you" Hero assured and I smiled nodding at his little attempt to make Mr Anderson feel better. 

"but, before my research team got killed. We developed a little non-electric detachable optical lenses which can be worn as contacts or enclosed into reading lens. It allows us to detect these aliens. I wasn't the one who built it. It was one of my team scientists called Michael Cole. He was a very talented man. We made as much of those lens as we could but it was all destroyed... Except few " Mr Anderson stood now moving towards his closet. He brought out a briefcase and move it to the table. He met everyone's eyes before opening it after inputting the password. 

" wow" Hailey gushed standing to join his dad as we saw. Contact lens enclosed in little transparent case not in the size of an average ring box. he took one out and handed it to me. 

"try it on" he urged but I hesitated before putting on the contacts after standing to take it from him. everything appeared to me in HD. 

"it's very sharp and clear. Allows you to make out images even in the dark. Why don't you turn your head to your little friend here" Mr Anderson suggested slowly moving my head to where Hero sat watching the whole scene. I almost jumped as Hero appeared all green. 

"wow" I softly exclaimed. 

"that's how I found out about your little friend. With the aid of this I've been able to avoid those creatures for weeks. This is another reason why they are after me" Mr Anderson revealed while I removed the lens and put it back in the case. 

"I have only 15 of these left and I've been protecting it from the wrong hands. I believe you guys are the right hands" Mr Anderson sighed and I smiled. 

"but we still need you Mr Anderson. We need more than just these lenses. We need your research we need you to help us prepare for the apocalypse. We have a workshop where we can make necessary preparations. We need you there Mr Anderson. I was meant to find you" I implored and he heaved a sigh. 

"these aliens want us all dead. There's too many complicated things associated to this but Mr Anderson. If you want your freedom which was ceased from you back, even want people to see your work, your research, if you want to clear your name... Then you'll come with us Mr Anderson. For Hailey" I cajoled and Mr Anderson pondered for a while. 

"isn't the apocalypse happening in two years?" Mr Anderson asked with furrowed brows. 

"no. It's starting in two days. If my calculation is right" I answered and everyone's lid shot up in nervousness. 

"how did you know that-

" the prince communicate with me very often " I revealed and Mr Anderson nodded. 

'I'll be very glad to help. I want to help" Mr Anderson declared and I smiled heaving a heavy sigh of relief.

"we'll come pick you up in the morning....hopefully. So we can introduce you to the rest of the team. We are going to stop the unstoppable" I grinned widely meeting everyone's warm gaze.

"but do you happen to have a first aid kit... The pain is finally setting in" I revealed fueling everyone's nervousness. Mr Anderson got a first aid and properly help me dress my wound. We decided to leave after that. 

"do you mind if I take one of these?" Charlie requested pointing to the exposed set of lens. Sounding anxious and looking very curious. 

"no I don't." Mr Anderson answered and my brother beamed taking a case of lens. 

"yes, thank you" Charlie beamed while we head but Hailey stopped at the entrance of the tent. 

"I have to stay with my dad. I'll meet you guys tomorrow" Hailey informed and Nicholas paled. 

"you sure you'll be okay in here?" Nicholas asked sounding really worried and concerned. 

"yeah, he's my dad after all. I've been a bad daughter to him. I need to make it up. Thanks a lot for everything Claire" Hailey managed to say and I felt taken aback by that. Yeah because Hailey was the type that hate saying 'Thank you' and 'sorry'. I mentally scoffed at her timid gratefulness before nodding at her. 

"Claire how does this works?" Charlie asked blinking rapidly since he'd fixed on the contact. 

"humans appear humans but aliens appear green" I simply explained and Charlie frown. 

"but I'm seeing so many green right now" Charlie announced making Nicholas and I abruptly turned to him.

"are you sure Charlie?" I asked feeling my heart raced in fear. 

"yeah, there are about 10 of them" Charlie informed.

"Holy s**t men!" Nicholas muttered as I head back into the tent. 

"it's no more safe for you in here" I announced to Mr Anderson who was having a drink. 

"what do you mean?" he queried shocked at my revelation. 

"they are here. They are looking for you, probably Hailey but it's not safe for either of you here" I claimed and he smiled. 

"it's not my first seeing them around here. As long as I don't act-

" Claire " Charlie called sounding worked up. 

" they are all headed for this place we need to get out " Charlie informed and I met Mr Anderson's gaze. We quickly move out through the back of the tent with Mr Anderson clinging on his briefcase after hiding everything that could lead them to him. 

"Claire the car. The car is in front of the park" Charlie informed and I stopped in my tracks making everyone halt as well. 

"we cannot take mom's car. They must be probably waiting for us right now. We need to find a public transport or something" I suggested and they all nodded while we head out through another route which Mr Anderson had told us led out of the park. 

"f**k!" Charlie muttered immediately we were out of the entrance. 

"they must have predicted we'll leave through this place Claire. They are about 15 of them right now" my brother informed and I saw few man hanging around parked cars suddenly making their way towards us. 

"run!" I screamed and with that command we were zooming down the pedestrian side of the road heading towards nowhere in particular. We headed into a corner between few buildings not looking back until I noticed someone stopped amongst us. 

"you should go" that was Hero's voice. 

"Hero what are you doing, let's go" I half yelled as we all paused. 

"Go, I will stop them. I will make them understand. You are good people. We do not belong here. Go Claire" he called my name for the first time and I felt warm from the inside but I couldn't quite dwell on the feeling. 

"I know what he's doing. He's going to create a diversion and that's good because this run with him is no use. They can smell him. They are probably following his scent right now. He's doing the right thing. We have to go" Mr Anderson explained out of breath. I didn't know how to feel but I made my choice. I left Hero and run along with the rest of the team. But that didn't stop the hurt I felt. My heart shattered from having to leave him behind and I felt tears slip down from my eyes as I made my run. 

"guys look. We could take that woman's car" my brother suggested pointing to a woman standing on front of a blue Volkswagen amidst pants. 

"that's stealing" Nicholas objected after our attention moved to the woman who was just bent into the the car as if trying to pick something from it. 

"I can't go any further" my brother panted and I sighed. He waited and turned back. 

"oh f**k!" my brother exclaimed. 

"what is it?" I asked slowing down to ask. 

"don't slow down Claire. They are right behind us" Charlie informed and I growled deciding to take to my brother's suggestion. 

"I think we have to steal!" I declared rushing down to the Volkswagen. 

"get out!" I barked at the woman removing and pointing my g*n at her while other's moved into the car before our chasers could catch up with us. One stupidly slumped on the bonnet right before Charlie made I spiral turn and press on the pedal speeding away and leaving the aliens behind us. 

"that wasn't so fun" my brother muttered before checking the mirror to see few cars behind us. 

"like seriously!" Nicholas exclaimed while checking back at the cars. 

"Charlie, how good are you at racing in video games?" I asked Charlie as calm as possible ignoring the look of disbelief everyone was giving me. 

"are you kidding me Claire?! You think this is the most appropriate time to talk about video games?" my brother half yelled and I sighed. 

"I was just thinking if you can get those super speeding and super winning that existed in your video games to reality. Haven't you always wanted a real life racing?" I smiled, a mischievous smile by the way. Then Charlie gave me a silly smirk. 

"buckle up baby" he warned and I quickly buckle my seat belt. Charlie almost didn't give me the chance to complete the action as my hand shook while trying to click it in but thankfully I got it in. 

"I think I'm gonna puke" Hailey informed as Charlie switched on to the highest speed racing past all the cars and swerving routes. 

"you shouldn't" I objected as Hailey retched until she finally let go in the car. 

"ow" Nicholas groaned and I closed my eyes trying not to be so irritated. So I ignored them watching the passing cars and buildings. 

"let show them why a human will always be distinct baby" my brother smirked going at the highest speed. Then suddenly pulling over in front of the junkyard. 

"woah that was incredible" my brother squealed in excitement as he slowly climb down from the car. 

"you think we lost them?" Nicholas asked after staggering out of the car. 

"yeah I guess" I sounded frenzy and felt dizzy as I was still recovering from the most dangerous drive of my life. Hailey moved down hastily moving over to a corner letting go the rest of her contents. I groaned and turned away from her. But worry suddenly enveloped me. 

"those aliens still chased us even after Hero volunteered to help divert them, I wonder what happened to him" I worriedly complained. 

"I'm afraid your friend isn't safe with his kind anymore. Remember the story of my assistant I told you about. I'm sorry to tell you this late but she was killed. By her kind because she found out too much" Mr Anderson confessed and my whole body burned with fury. I think I need to kill this old man! 

--------------------------