Solacium

Ch 5: Blake

My eyes widened in awe. This was seriously advanced technology, and despite my exposure to Jada's engineering talents, I had never seen anything like it. Looking closer, I noticed it even had a sleek silver surface that reflected the movement of the swirling smoke around it, making it look almost living.

There was no way this was just some ordinary jet. I had seen enough of them blanketing the skies during the War to be able to pick one out. This was definitely not one of them.

Suddenly, an unwelcome thought sailed through my mind, sending a chill down my spine. This technology was unlike anything I had ever seen. Everything about the design of this ship screamed unnatural.

It was an otherworldly sight. Almost...alien.

Another chill wracked my body, having nothing to do with the cold rain. From behind a nearby tree, I kept my eyes focused on the jet or spaceship or whatever it was simply watching, waiting. I figured that if I waited long enough and nothing happened, then I could presume that whatever thing piloted that ship was dead and I could finally go home.

As if offended by my thoughts, suddenly the ship shuddered and began to screech. A wave of common sense washed over me and I was overwhelmed with the urge to get the hell out of there. After all, if someone or something could survive a crash like that, I wasn't sure how much a handgun could do, and I sure as hell didn't want to find out.

Before I could run, a loud bang echoed throughout the forest, forcing my attention back to the ship. I looked back just in time to see a large metal piece spring from the top of the ship and land just a few feet away from me. The force of it flattened the grass around it with a rush of wind and smoke that blew my hoodie back, releasing my hair into the chilly evening air.

The sound broke me out of my curiosity, my body instantly reverting into one of self-defense. My loose hair whipped around my face as I struggled for my gun. Grasping it from its place on my leg holster, I removed the safety and pointed it at the ship's opening.

I have six rounds...I reminded myself.

I have to use them wisely.

Without my hood, rain now pelted my face freely, soaking my hair that now plastered itself to the sides of my face.

I wanted to run. I wanted to be as far away from whatever nasty slimy thing was going to crawl out of that metal trap, but I couldn't. I had to assume that whatever this thing was had already sensed my presence and would undoubtedly follow me if I were to run. At this point, I had only one option. I would never consider putting Jada's life at risk so I had to face this threat head-on.

I had my gun, cocked and ready.

I would shoot anything that moved.

With the wind of the storm blowing the smoke around, the opening of the ship went in and out of my vision. One moment the opening was empty, and after the next pass of smoke, a hulking shadow took its place.

My eyes widened and I immediately took a step back further behind the tree, readying my gun. I watched in shock as the shadow grew as it emerged from the ship, landing with a thud on the grass beside it.

A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the clearing, giving me a glimpse of the silhouetted man and the barrel of a sleek silver weapon he had pointed in my direction. Judging by his slightly off aim, he could not see me from behind the tree. Not yet at least.

Despite the imminent threat, I felt my body involuntarily relax.

It was just a man.

Though quite a bit on the taller side, I could clearly see broad shoulders with two arms and a slim waist leading to two legs just the same as any man. I didn't see anything slimy or tentacled like my fear-clouded mind had pictured.

I let out a sigh. I must be losing my mind...

The ship was odd, sure. But perhaps technology had continued to advance outside of the public eye. That made a lot more sense than some green slimy tentacled alien or whatever creature my mind was beginning to conjure up out of fear.

Maybe there were still pilots around here. I wondered briefly. Maybe he stole this jet and didn't know how to fly it, leading him to crash land here.

Whatever the reason, the ship's captain was just a man. And I knew how to kill those.

Stepping from behind the tree, the man turned slightly, pausing as he noticed me for the first time. His gun was still held tightly in his grasp as he watched me emerge into the clearing. He had yet to fire, but I wasn't going to wait around and ask why.

A smirk slid across my face as I lowered my gun, aiming for where I assumed his chest and – hopefully heart – would be. Finally, I let my finger slide over the trigger, and with a steadying breath, I fired.