Not Human

Chapter 3 - Mystery Men

They all sat down silent for a moment, Lily in between Andy and Blade, Angelica standing by the countertop next to Cherry sitting on a stool from the kitchen, her long legs crossed slurping her green tea loudly disturbing the silent moment. Cherry’s hot pink hair was hurting Blade’s eyes who was thinking over the best, and the calmest way to go about this. 

Lily had changed into black jean shorts and a white crop top, her blond hair tied up in a high ponytail, two strands were sticking out barely hovering over her gray eyes. Andy kept with her short chestnut tomboy haircut and her brown eyes smiling as she bragged about jugging her coffee the quickest. 

Angelica had pretty red hair and brilliant green eyes and she was very kind.

“Please, will you stop slurping that so obnoxiously?” Andy demanded, shooting daggers at Cherry.

“Hmph, you jelly cuz you have nun of your coffee left?” Her hazel eyes shot daggers back, sharper and more fierce. 

Before Andy could say another word to Cherry, Blade cleared his throat, “So, do you guys believe in aliens?” Lily almost slapped him for that introduction? Who starts a meeting out like this?

“Yes, it is a possibility. Ooh, why have you seen or heard anything?” Cherry looked intrigued by the ideas of aliens, only if she knew they would kill her, Lily thought to herself.

“Aliens…?” Angelica inquired. “How could they be real, I don’t know.” She looked utterly shaken by just the mere thought. Aliens, no way! She was thinking in her head.

“Yeah, sure I do,” Andy shrugged like it was no big deal. “Of course, we have no proof, no clue either, of what’s out there. So, I’d say yes, I do believe in aliens. We can’t be the only ones out there.” 

“Well, that's an interesting way to look at it, Andy,” Blade said, leaning his head into his hands. “I’ll tell you all flat out, now, they’re real,” He continued, as all of them listened closely, their facial expressions changing. “Did you know what attacked Lily?”

“No, she wouldn’t tell us,” Cherry glared at Lily.

“I see, well did you look at her wound?” 

All three of them looked at each other than to Lily and down to her arm still dressed in bandages. 

“I figured, well, you can look at mine, I have the same marks.” He turned, pulling his shirt up just enough for them to see, but what they saw was bandages. “Oh, right, forgot about the wraps on it.”

“Hey, leave it alone, Blade!” Lily scolded, finding all eyes on her, surprised. “I just put that on you. It needs to heal. I’ll show them mine, okay?”

She had just stripped her arm of the bandages, revealing three long marks that looked like anything non-human, and non-animal. The marks were too big, and they went out at odd angles. 

“That could’ve been an animal,” Cherry argued, staring at it in disbelief. She left her stool and hovered over Lily, like everybody else looking at it, with a look of wonder.

“I saw it, Cherry, you have to believe me. That's why I didn’t tell you the whole story. I didn’t know if you’d ever believed me.” She said, in a rush, hoping her friends would believe her for just her word.

Lily, redid her bandages. They were back on her arm, covering the marks.

“No...that looks nothing like an animal, Cherry. I have never seen anything like this, it looks alien to me. I always knew they were out there!” Andy smiles widely, a gleam of excitement twinkling in her eyes.

“Oh, lord, that looks scary,” Angelica shivers.

“So, they’re really real?” Cherry arches a thin eyebrow at Blade.

“Yes, they are,” He replied, rubbing his temples and continuing, “ I know all of you must have questions now but that can wait. First off, do all of you agree on joining me and Lily to fight the aliens and put a stop to them? They’ve already killed my people and hurt your friend so they’re not good.``

“Sure, sir, Villain!” Andy saluted being silly.

“Uh, sure if Lily is with you and it’s for a good cause then why not?” Cherry nods, setting her tea down on the counter with a light thud.

“I...I guess, I just hope no one gets hurt,” Angelica frowns.

“Oh, Angelica we will be fine, remember we're in it together. So, don’t worry, okay?” Lily said, smiling over her shoulder at her and she slowly returned the smile.

“Alright, good. That is great!” Blade exclaims clapping his hands. “Now if any of you have jobs, I suggest you take a vacation, haha. We will be busy, also, I need you all to meet the new guys.”

“Vaca! Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” Andy cheers. 

“New guys?” Lily queries looking over at Blade.

“Yeah, they will be joining us.”

…

They all sat in the car Blade driving, Lily in passenger next to him, Cherry in between Andy and Angelica. It was quiet for a short time before Andy started gloating about how she was going to kick the most aliens’ butt.

They’d all packed planning on doing the training Blade had mentioned later on as they left. He said he was going to have them trained to fight the aliens. And they weren’t alone. He was taking them to his parent’s mansion to meet the mystery men.

“Ohhh, Lucky, I wish I lived here. Damn!” Andy was gawking out the window like a child going sightseeing at a zoo. 

There it was the mansion with its big black gates, a sparkly fountain of angels in the front yard, which was enormous. There was a greenhouse, flowers-beautiful flowers lining down the windows along the mansion’s white walls. There was a butler at the exteriors of the mansion opening the gates for them. 

All of them could see a fancy limousine parked by the gates, the grass so green, it looked freshly cut too. Everything was bright, full of color, and had a luxurious look to it.

“Magnificient, isn’t it?” Blade turned to Lily who was caught gaping at the mansion. It was nothing like where she lived. She was going to stay here to train.

“Yes, yes it is.” She never saw something that looked this expensive.

“Come on, come one, let’s go!” He called them all, shutting the ignition off.

“Wow,” Andy exclaimed as Blade led them all down the halls to a dining room. There were three men, fairly built all but one standing tall. The shorter one had glasses on his face, and sharp green eyes full of knowledge. 

He had curly dirty blonde hair, next to him was a friendly-looking guy, looked like he had more muscles than brains, and friendly light brown eyes and hair. He looked just like the guy standing next to Blade in the painting, and Lily noticed it too. 

The very last one, well he was definitely intimidating. He had this cold aurora around him and piercing blue eyes with jet black hair. Angelica shivered when meeting his gaze she hurriedly diverted her eyes; afraid he might kill right there if she pissed him off which he already looked pissed off.

“Okay, right here is Jax Damien, the one who looks happy to see you all.” Blade pointed out the friendly guy, then next to the short one, “Here is Nixon Jones the one with the most brains, haha. The scary-looking one here is Zane Lycan. Don’t worry he won’t bite, he is always like this. It’s not any of you, he just doesn’t like people in general.”

“Hey, nice to be acquainted with you, and what is your name?” The friendly guy Jax, held out his hand politely to Cherry.

“Oh, I am Cherry Morrow,” She shook his hand, noticing how rough they were. He had scars all down his hands, wrist, and arms. He must’ve been in quite a lot of fights. He must train too.

“Hi-ya! I  am Andy Lou,” Andy snatched Nixon’s hand, shaking it dramatically, three times, happily smiling like she just made a new friend.

“Yes...uh...nice to meet you.” He quickly took his hand back, wiping it on his shirt.

“Who are you?” Zane asks, approaching Angelica who was backing up as he drew nearer. 

“Uh...Angelica...Leen…” She softly replies, avoiding meeting his eyes.

“Nice name.” He surprised her by the compliment.

“Thank you…?” She thought for sure he’d have her by the throat by now. Maybe it was just his appearance that made him scary. He might be a nice guy under all that intimidation. She wondered.

“Looks like everyone is getting along,” Lily laughs, meeting Blade’s eyes.

“Yeah, it does. Let’s hope it stays that way. We’re going to be on the same team now. Can’t have any conflict that could divide us.”

“Yeah, that’s true.” She nods.

“Alright, everyone, have a seat, please.” Blade welcomes them to the dining room. “We’ll discuss the plan over dinner, okay?” He looked around the room at all of them, waiting when they replied with “Yes.”

The table stretched out too. It was marble. There were flowers in the center. Two butlers and a maid shuffled in arms full of food. It was a rich feast. Everyone moaned in delight at the aroma of the delicious food and the taste was beyond their expectations. Especially the ones not used to the riches.

“So, now I’d like to talk about the mission we are all on. Questions are welcome now that we are all here. I don’t like repeating myself.” Blade smiled, moving his eyes from Zane to Jax. He knew them both well. They didn’t exactly get along. You could call them old friends, though maybe not the friend part anymore.

“Yes, please do. I have many questions.” Nixon said, sipping his water. He wouldn’t touch any of the alcoholic beverages. So, he settled on the water. Andy couldn’t help but comment on this.

“You don’t drink? I see you’re a baby. How cute.” She smirked at him. He was sitting across from her.

“Yeah, whatever, call me what you want. I’m being smart about it, okay?”

“Relax, nerd. I was only pushing your buttons. I don’t either.” She said, showing him her soda.

“Oh…” He blushed.

“Yeah, so don’t worry. No need to get red about it,” She joked, again.

He just scoffed in response, turning his attention back to Blade.

“Alright, so, first off, we know they’re aliens. They killed a lot of my people. I was conducting thorough research on them in the labs. They broke out of the cages with their mouths that contain hot molting acid. You have to watch out for that.” He says, skimming the room making sure every eye is on him listening.

“Wait, are you serious?” Cherry stopped her fork in midair.

“Yes, they don’t just have a frightening appearance and nasty long claws.” 

“So, what do we even know about them?” Zane asks. “Do we even have a clue as to what they really are? What they’re capable of?”

“Yes, well, sort of. I’m sorry, I wish I could tell you more about them. But like I said they broke through the cages and took with them the information, the research, documents on them,” He admits. “I do know a weakness of theirs, but you can’t laugh.”

“Oh, I can’t promise you I won’t laugh,” Zane sneers, taking a swing of his fine red wine and licking his lips setting the glass cup down with a thud. Angelica sat across from him. She didn’t dare look at him. She was afraid she’d be dead if she took even a glance in his direction.

“Salt is the alien’s weakness. It burns their flesh.” He says, remembering the day he found this out by one of the scientists Bill. He worked for Blade and reported back to him with new information.

~Flashback~

“Sir, I have news to tell you.” 

“Yes, Bill go ahead. What is it?” He asked, leaning against a pillar, clutching the cell close to his eardrum. The rain was pouring harder, splashing in his face. Blade comes back some of his hair. He shivers to pull his suit jacket closer.

“Well, sir, It turns out that the salt theory I told you about works. The gray skin looked similar to a snail, the texture too. Now, they burn from sodium like snails...just not as easily. You’d need more than a handful of salt.”

"Really now? That's excellent, good work, Bill." He smiled to himself.

"Sir, we may have a problem. The aliens-" He was cut off, by the static over the line and then the dead silence after.

"Bill what's wrong?! Bill! Bill are you there?" Blade shouted, but it was futile. Then, he heard a blood-curdling scream after another. He dropped his phone, the screen cracking as it collided with the concrete.

What on earth was going on? He didn't want to sit around and wait. He ran through the rain, sending water flying in all directions without care. He needed to see if everyone was okay, his team was there. His father was there. Father, he will be okay. He has to.

Blade kept on until he stopped at the sight before him. A girl, blindingly blonde hair, hazel eyes full of something he'd never seen before. She looked like a fighter. She was staring back at an alien? What was it doing here? It couldn't have been one from the lab.

No, they're supposed to be in their cages. Wait Bill did seem to have a problem in the lab, said something about the aliens. Then there were screams. Screams. Oh no. s**t.

She was being raised by it and a rumble of thunderstruck, ear-splitting. Then, something very bizarre happened. Something Blade will never forget. It communicated with her or tried to and set her free.

She left a little shaken up, but ultimately fine. Too fine. Ugh. He can't think about this now. He needs to make sure everyone is fine.

...

So, he made it to the lab. And crashed to his knees, never forgetting how this day haunts him. Will haunt him for the rest of his life. There his father was, limp on the floor. His orbs were lifeless now. They used to hold so much light and happiness, pride, and love. His mouth was gushing blood, a file cabinet was on his back, the sharp edge piercing him. The rest of him covered head to toe in claw marks from the aliens.

"No, no, no, no...this...this...isn't happening. No, it couldn't be," He laughed an empty laugh, it wasn't funny. But he couldn't tell if he'd be sane anymore after this. He felt hot water spilling from his dark eyes. The water kept streaming down his face.

Wait, it wasn't water. It was his tears. He never cried.

"FATHER! COME BACK! WHO WILL TAKE THE BUSINESS," He cried out, not caring if the whole world could hear. "I-I will never be like you, dad. I  won't be as good as you, " He sniffled out, reaching for his dad's hand. It was cold. "Fine, if you...won't come back...then I promise I will kill every last one of those aliens for you father. I will run your business if it means giving up my dreams. I'll do it, I swear." He wiped the last tear from his left eye, standing up and leaving the scene.

After that, he covers the couches in white sheets. No one would sit on them. The armchair was an expensive one, a new brand on the market, and his father's favorite. He covered that one too.

He won't let his father down. He made a promise.

Present time~

"Oh, so we just bring bags of salt with us, okay. And what sprinkle it on the aliens. Yeah, okay?" Zane smirked.

"Wait, salt? How?" Nixon curiously asks, looking intrigued.

"So, it was a theory I and some of my partners had. Then, it wasn't anymore. It was tested on an alien. More than a handful of salt killed one of them, " Blade says, looking at Zane in amusement. His comment earlier hadn't bothered him. After all, he thought when Bill told him it. It was funny too.

"Can't I just take my big guns with me, plus I have these too," Jax says, holding his knuckles up planting a kiss on each of them confidently.

"Yeah, liked to see you one on one with an alien," Zane laughed.

"Shut up!" He retorted back to Zane sending him a glare that could kill.

"Okay, what about me? You said I was the key to the aliens." Lily asked. Wondering what he meant exactly.

"Yeah, well like I said they tried communicating with you. So, you're connected somehow. I was thinking, if you're okay with it, Lily. We'd use you as bait. We'd all go to the old mansion. Last place they were and hope they show."

"Sure, no problem. If it means getting rid of these things." Lily smiled, happy she had something to do.

"Wait, when will we do that?" I'm not ready." Cherry says, frowning.

"Don't worry. Not until training. Let's pray they don't try to come here. They might or maybe they'll let us find them." Blade finished his last bite. "Okay, off to bed. We have training first thing in the morning."

"What?" Andy stands up.

"Yes, you heard me. If you want in on the action Andy you must train." He smiles.

Blade showed all of them to their rooms where they'd stay for the rest of the time. And he, himself crashed down on his king-sized bed in depletion.