The End

The Intruder

When I told Byron about the events that took place, he insisted that I was only tired from waking up early that morning.

I almost believed him..

Almost.

Everytime we were in or around the house, the air was dense. Like there was something lurking in it.

But apparently, I was the only one that felt it. I came to the conclusion that I was going mad.

The worst part, was that Byron was right.

But if I was sleeping, there was the feeling of someone watching me.

The feeling of comfort my bathroom normally provided, was gone. I was always looking around if anyone was there.

I no longer felt safe in my own home.

However, while I was suffering, Byron was having the time of his life. He would act like he saw a figure pass the window, and acted like he was scared with me. But when I got up to look, he would cover my mouth and drag me from behind.

It was so bad that I almost got a heart attack.

But, for some strange reason I told him I felt safer when he was by my side. So he moved into my room. I didn't like it, but it's like we were bonding more.

A silent but mutual bond, that manifested our support for one another.

"Zeke!" Byron whisper shouted, while crouched beside the couch.

"What are you doing?" If this was one of his games again, I was not in the mood.

"There was a knock at the door!"

Wow, I wonder who it is.

"I'm not in the mood for this right now By, so cut it out."

By glared at me. "I'm serious Zeke!"

I pierced his gaze with mine as well, "so am I-"

A sudden rushed tapping, indeed came from the door.

I must have been so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear it the first time.

Byron pulled me to the floor and tightly embraced me.

"We have to go see who it is By!" Now I was whisper shouting.

His eyes went wide. If it were not for the optical nerves in his eyes, they would have popped right out of their sockets.

"Are you mad?! No one in this town knows us or where we live, so I doubt it's the neighbour asking to borrow some sugar!"

I rolled my eyes, "so you're saying just take the escape tunnel?"

I was awaiting an answer, but Byron was silent. Getting irritated, I turned with my fist to hit him but refrained when I saw the horror-stricken look on his face.

I frowned. Nothing could affright him, so what was making him so scared?

I peaked under his arm, and I instantly regretted it as I felt all the colour drain from my face.

There was something trying to warp through the door, but it kept fading in and out, as if a barrier was blocking him from completely coming through.

Nonetheless, the invisible barrier broke and a man with a hoodie stood before us.

I heard Byron gulp, "Zeke?" There was a slight crack in his voice.

"Yea?" I cleared my throat to prevent a crack in mine as well. If By wasn't going to be strong, I would have to be for the both of us.

"RUN!" My arm felt like it was on the verge of coming out of the socket as he roughly dragged me towards the escape tunnel.

Byron suddenly stopped and pulled me behind him, hitting my head on his back in the process.

"Ow! Why'd you stop?" I never took note of how muscular he was until just now.

"He's in front of us." Byron's body suddenly felt heavier against mine and when I looked up, I realized that he had fainted.

Bitch.

The man spoke then, "don't worry. I come in peace."

~~~~~

The silence in the room was deafening as I held the gaze of the man in front of me.

It's been twenty minutes and Byron was still passed out in my lap.

My heart has been hammering in my chest this whole time and I feared that he could hear it when his eyes narrowed in on the area.

I took a deep breath to calm my heart before finally speaking.

"Who are you?" I think that was the best question to ask. My mind had abandoned me and the backup was failing to start, so my mouth was running on auto speech.

His fingers were clasped together in his lap, and his posture was relaxed. As if this was a normal chat over tea.

"I'm a friend." He smiled, but there was a slight glare in his eyes on Byron's head in my lap.

"Of a friend, of a friend? Because I don't know you and by the looks of it, neither does he." I ran palm against By's cheek and prayed that he would get up soon. I wanted my turn to faint as well.

"An acquaintance of a friend but I know you and in due time you'll know me." I don't know if I was mistaken but there was a grit in his voice after I touched Byron's cheek.

What was it with this guy?

"What are you? And don't you lie because I saw what happened. Are you a witch of some sort?"

His laugh was deep. "I believe the correct term would be wizard but no, I'm not."

"A ghost?"

"No."

"Master of advanced technology?"

"Kinda but no."

"Then what the hell are you?!" He was finding humor in this and my fright was now turning to anger.

"Uuggh.." Byron groaned and shifted in my lap. His eyes slowly blinked open and made contact with mine.

"Oh thank God. I had the weirdest dream," he pushed himself up and caressed his temple, "I think what was happening to you is affecting me now too."

I sighed and gently turned him to face the intruder on our couch.

"It wasn't a dream."

"Why are you in our house?!" His features were distraught but his words were angry.

"Nice to see you too Byron." He spoke like he knew him but something else was puzzling my mind.

He said his name. I didn't mention Byron's name at all.

Unless...

"Can you read my mind?" I was scared to know the answer but I needed answers nonetheless.

He looked at Byron and hesitated before he replied, "yes."

I slowly nodded and reached my hand under the coffe table before quickly retrieving the cold hard metal and pointed it in his direction.

"Who the hell are you? Answer me or I'll blow your head off!"

His eyes looked hurt but he slowly raised his hands and nodded his head.

He cleared his throat and what came out of his mouth was the last thing I expected to hear.

"The name's Reijzest of Planet Aeryn. Pleased to meet you."

"Cut the s**t dude!" I took the safety off the gun and stood up to show him that I was done playing games.

Byron then stood up and placed his hands on mine to lower the gun.

"Hear him out Zeke."

"What the hell?! When you saw him earlier you lost your balls and I had to find them!"

Byron muttered something too low for me to hear then sighed and looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Eveything will be explained eventually, just listen to him now."

"I will not waste my time on this madman!"

"I'm still here and hearing everything." Reijzest smiled.

We all sat in the living room but I made sure to distance myself from both of them.

I was no longer afraid and I spoke with confidence to the man in front of me.

"Choose your words wisely, I just might end up blowing your head off if I feel like it."