A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 13

"The identity of the gunman and victims remained unknown at the open shootout that took place on public street McHenry down Marie Claus Hamburger yesterday, 7:30pm. The police are yet to detect any victims or suspect for the case. The only clue the police has as of now are statements from two witnesses of the incident, Claire Chadwick and Charlie Chadwick who claim to be moving down the street before the open shootout started. The DEA, doctor Jane forensic investigator claims the scene was well cleaned out, no remains or evidence was left whatsoever and the only CCTV was completely lost-" 

" shut the goddamn TV off will you?" Charlie annoyingly asked switching the TV off and cutting the reporter short. 

" how's mom doing by the way? " I asked burying my back into the sofa ignoring his annoying action and letting out a frustrated sigh. 

" do you expect her to be okay after all you told her? " my brother asked arching a brow at me and I despondently lower my head. She wouldn't be. After we brought the alien last night. We have him treated though he opened his eyes but closed it back and fall into a very deep slumber. We tied him to the a pole in the garage after laying him down on a warm mattress and covering him up. After that mom had head inside and demanded an explicit explanation on all the mess. I didn't have a choice so I told her everything. Every single thing. She didn't say anything though. All she told me was she needed time to sink it all in and had left. Danny had left late that night and had called me after he arrived home. He claimed his mom was furious and had her all worried but she was happy he was safe. 

My body arches all over last night and had to take some painkillers after having dinner. I had a sound sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. I had gotten into a casual wear of black top and faded blue jeans making my way down in my white fluffy flip flops but I had gotten to the kitchen to realize there wasn't any breakfast. Mom was still locked up in her room probably fighting confusion or trying to stop herself from believing all I told her. I never thought I'll be telling my parents. I mean it's a really huge mess that had to stay in secret but she alone could have saved that alien so I had no choice. I had made oatmeal for Charlie and I because he tiredly walk down the stairs right before I make breakfast. Our breakfast was in silence and I decided to leave it that way until I decided to on the TV for any news to lighten the mood a little. I heaved out another sigh hoping my mom was okay. She had been completely trapped in her room since last night and I was starting to worry. The door bell ranged and I stood just the same time as my brother. 

"I'll go get it" I offered passing by my brother to the door. It was Nick or Danny. I smiled letting him in. Thankfully that was the first smile I had managed since I woke up. 

"Hey" he smiled immediately he was in. 

"hey" I casually replied digging my hand right to the back pockets of my jeans. Because I was literally speechless really. 

"how's your mom?" even he asked. I tsked moving with him to the sitting room. 

"she hasn't left her room since yesterday. Looks like she's still a bit shaken about everything. I do understand" I let out in a shaky breath. Why does it hurt so much. I mean I was expecting her to actually understand everything. It didn't really turned out as I had expected. She had merely stared blankly at me and headed upstairs not minding my call after her. 

"Hey Claire, she'll be fine. I'm certain. She'll come around Claire" Danny assured before bringing me into his embrace. My brother choose that time to clear his throat. 

"oh hi Charlie-

" don't be too impolite. I'm still older than you " my brother blurted. 

" um, I think since I came back from the future two years plus my age. I'll say we are age mate right now ". Danny concluded and my brother frowned before turning to me. 

"I think he's right" I agreed slightly edging my shoulders up before slumping them down. 

"no-

" I have two years experience than you right now, you certainly don't know what's to come in two years do you?" Danny challenged with a smirk carved at the corner of his lips. 

"I don't think the world would be so distinct in two years duh" my brother literally rolled his eyes. 

"there's a big difference Charlie. IPhone become outdated" I announced and Charlie's eyes widened in obvious shock. 

"No way" Charlie disagreed curiosity playing in his eyes. Of course he'll be curious, that's why he's Charlie. My silly, handsome, adorable brother. Charlie kept pestering me to tell him more about the future while I was trying to have decent conversation with Danny. It was annoying really, he kept pulling my top but that was disrupted by the sudden footsteps coming down from the stairs. 

"mom" I called beaming as I immediately made my way to the stairs. She looked like she'd cried a gallon. Her eyes were still wet and her yellow flowery dress from yesterday was badly rumpled. Seeing how she haven't changed I realized she just came out of bed. 

"come here dove" she gestured hugging me tight. 

"mom" my voice trailed as she hugged me tighter. 

"I can't pretend to understand what you must have gone through. The pain. I can't imagine and you here. After you death. I guess I did have that alien to thank for that. I'm so grateful. I'm glad you made college. All the achievements you told me you made. I couldn't stop smiling about it " I actually wished I could believe her on that statement. I mean have anyone seen her face. Her eyes were so swollen and she had eye-bags beneath them. Her hair was dishevelled standing in strands and her mascara had smudged a great deal. If it was any normal situations I would have literally teased her about her appearance and run away from her, but knowing my news did this to her. I could only nod to her praises. 

"Claire, I want to help. I want to do everything I can do. I can't lose my babies" I thought those tears would have run out but they were rushing out again. 

"you didn't lose us mom. You did all you could. But we lost you. Charlie and I. I won't lose you again. I promise mom" I assured staring into her eyes. She had doting look in them. It made me feel warm in the inside, and I felt greatly relieved. I guess this is what it felt like having to release things you've bottle in from people you love. I was at peace with myself after telling her. 

"I'll do it again if I have to, come here" my mom gestured Charlie over hugging us both. One of the things Charlie hate most was group hugs. He said it makes him inconvenient. Make him feel like he was a child but it was a thing mom loved to do a lot. His sudden groan of discomfort made mom release us. My mom smiled at us slightly pinching down our cheeks before she figured Danny was standing right in the middle of the living room watching our family drama. 

"Hey Danny" and that reminded me I haven't really told mom about Danny. Charlie realized too and he slightly shook his head in disagreement as if knowing I'll tell her. I sighed and nodded watching as mom climbed down to have a little banter with Danny. Maybe that was enough for one day. Telling her about Nick too could sent her having a panic attack. 

"I should go back upstairs to freshen up. It's embarrassing you guys have to see me like this" my mom huffed loudly and Charlie scoffed. 

"are you just worrying about that?" Charlie scoffed and my mom gave him a haughty look while I chuckle. 

"Then we'll see to your little friend in my garage before we move to go pick up your dad. He's arriving by 1pm" mom informed studying gaze unsteady between Charlie and I. 

"oh" I pouted in realization. 

"okay mom" Charlie gave the appropriate answer before mom headed back upstairs. 

"that went well. I was expecting a bigger disaster" Charlie scoffed slumping back on the couch. 

"you always expect negative things" I frowned at him in response. 

"don't blame me. Blame you. I couldn't stop myself imagining the worse since you came back" Charlie rolled his eyes and my brows instantly furrowed in a deeper frown. I felt like hitting him right that instant. 

"I hate you" I mumbled but I thought it wasn't loud enough for him to make out. I was wrong because he instantly turned to me and scoffed. 

"I remember you hugging me tight after you came back form the hospital even after I hide your training wheels. That's a friendly hate gesture" he teased and Danny couldn't hold back in his chuckle. 

"seriously you too?" I questioned Danny with disbelief tainting my tone. 

"well. I was.... laughing at the cartoon" he smiled turning to the cartoon showing on TV. 

"bad liar" I muttered leaving the sitting room for my room. My cell was ringing so I picked. 

"Hey Tanya " I said into the phone after checking the caller ID. 

"I saw your message last night. You were right. The police did came over this morning to verify you were with us. Brian and Nicholas also informed me they dropped by at their house. Thankfully Brian's dad wasn't around to testify we weren't having a party at the garage " Tanya sighed and I smiled. 

" the case will soon die down I assume, but I'm still confused. I saw three heads shooting back at us. But only one alien was found by us. Nothing was found by the reporters or the police. Something is up " I revealed pulling back my working chair to sit right in front of my study desk. 

" and that's why I called. Tony asked me to inform you that he managed to get the article which the professor posted. Sent me your email. I'll send it to you. Believe this s**t runs deeper" Tanya relayed and I sighed immediately texting her my mail after I had successfully disconnected the call. Then I heard a soft call of my name behind my door. 

"Danny?" I called in question and my door slightly opened for Nick to poke his head through. 

"you busy? Your mom requested you down at the garage" he informed his head slightly nudged to the direction of the garage. I nodded and pocketed my phone and the revolver which I hope still had few bullets left from last night. 

"you're going with the g*n?" Danny asked his lips twitched aside in a funny way. 

" safety first " I smiled immediately heading for the door. 

"took you long enough" Charlie commented with a scoff after I got down at the garage with Danny.

"who wanna go check first?" my mom asked nervously inhaling and exhaling as she tried to calm herself. Everyone seem have that nervous look on their face as we both stared at each other while we waited at the garage door. 

"seriously? You are all scared?" I asked with an amazed expression. 

"I'll go-

" I can't let you go alone " Danny quickly interrupted me. 

" why don't we all just go in together. Mom you can stay behind me" I instructed and she gave an exasperated sigh. 

"we'll just head in together" my mom renounced and we reluctantly moved deeper into the garage. Passing by mom's car we moved to the small tool cabinet where we had tied the alien. Maybe I wasn't really scared but my heart was racing so much in my chest as I reluctantly opened the transparent polyester that veiled the corner from us. The alien was awake and we were both screaming our lungs out as we all set our eyes on him. He was screaming too and one alarming thing is. He was now completely human. 

"stop" I suddenly requested stopping everyone's screaming. Even the alien. We were all panting after that. 

"is that him?" my mom looked like she was gonna scream again any second. 

"yeah... I think so" I muttered studying the human in front of us unbelievably. It looks like he was trying to untie the rope that was around his hands and leg. Just great I thought. I moved closer and he backed away. 

"don't move!" the biggest shock of the day. He.. Could.. Talk. 

"he can talk" my mom's voice trailed off as she slumped unto Charlie's arms passing out. 

"I feel like I'm gonna pass out too" Charlie confessed and I shot him a glare. 

"hell no you won't!" I muttered before turning back to the alien- human whatever it was. 

"you are human and you can talk?" I questioned as he stared at me in awe. He was a male teenage human. Probably 18 or 19. He had a bleached blonde hair with green eyes. Green eyes always. I practically scoffed at that. Why was he blinking so furiously as he stared at me? I just asked him a question. 

"hey!" I yelled and he flinched abruptly backing away from me while scanning me with his eyes. 

"I just asked you a question ghafil" I frowned now and his look abruptly change from terrified to shock. 

"how do you know that?" he timidly asked. 

"we do have a lot of questions to ask each other don't we? Why don't we just cooperate with other, I'm sure it'll do us both some good, won't it?" I smiled now but the gasp from my mom had me turning to the back. Charlie had sputtered some water on her face making her gasp out. Mom can be very dramatic when she wants to be. I shook my head with a sigh before turning back to the alien. 

" so, should we get started?" I asked exhaling out deeply. 

" he is going to kill you " he relayed his accent sounding so funny. 

" I figured that out. How did you even know me? Why do you wanna kill me? " I asked studying him patiently. 

" it was an order. We registered your image to our brains when we saw you. Up the ship" he replied slowly and carefully picking his words right. It's silly how distinct his voice sounded to a normal human voice. Gracious he was talking so slow, like two breath before saying another word. Frustrating really. 

"so, you tried to kill me. Understood. Why do you look so much like us, I mean the rest of you doesn't really look much like us" I pointed eyes fixed on the ties on his hands as he kept trying to get it off. 

"I can not answer to you" he replied and I removed my g*n pointing it straight at him. He screeched loudly his eyes glinting green in the process but not long enough to notice if you're not so close. 

"apparently humans and ghafils fear guns. How interesting" I gave a sheepish smile before chuckling as I watched the alien's reaction. 

"Claire has a g*n" my mom breathed and I sighed loudly. 

"mom please don't faint again" I pleaded but it was too late as she fainted the second time, collapsing into Charlie's wide opened arms. 

"I think we should stop the surprises now. You're gonna give mom an heart attack" Charlie complained carrying mom in bridal style away from the garage. 

"let's make this simple shall we, you'll answer my every question or I put another bullet in you. Thankfully it was one yesterday I might add two today. Now answer my questions. How did you get here?, I'm certain your ship haven't landed or the lights we'll be off by now" I asked my hands on the trigger. 

"time" he simply replied. 

"what is that?" I asked completely clueless about what he meant. 

"our vehicle. We were sent here to stop you from disrupting the future" he answered straining against the rope around his hands. 

"I thought you guys were coming sooner" I scoffed. 

"we will come. Sooner but we must kill you. The grand chief want no mistake. We will make this place. A better home" he replied suddenly looking confident. 

"if you kill me now. It will not stop us" he confidently boasted and I rolled my eyes. 

"blah blah blah blah... I don't care. I'm going to stop you. All of you" I assured through gritted teeth. 

"this is not the right place for you. You're taking our home. Hijacking what belongs to us. Do you know how that feel. Watching everything you know pass away. It f*****g hurts" I snickered trying to contain the pain. 

"your prince. I think he has a second thought-" I mentally scoffed at the title I came up with for the my little alien friend. I didn't see any more befitting title since he was supposed to rule his alien people I guess. 

" prince traitor " he hissed. 

" no.. He want what is good for you and your people. This is not your home. You're not fit to be here. Earth is going to consume you faster than you know it. It seems your main component is nitrogen. The earth himself will digest you" I spat making him flinch again. 

"that is not true" he retorted and I smirked. 

"you don't know that. Of course the grand whatever has a lot he's not telling you. Only the prince is been truthful. He cares for you people. I still have some questions though. How are you even able to understand me?" I asked still finding the part unbelievable. He could talk. 

" we study you. We know you " he answered and I hummed moving the working stool not far from the pole he was tied to seat. I briefly glance back at Danny who was watching us with great attention. Perfect I thought as I positioned myself on the stool while point my g*n at the strange human. 

"so, you've been studying us. Cool. How many of you are here?" I asked meeting the eyes of the strange looking human again. 

"I know not-" I kinda got mad at that and ended up shooting the pole he was tied to. He screeched loudly backing further away until he was resting against the wall which serve as the only barrier stopping him from running. 

"oops I missed" I smiled and I heard Nick giggle behind me. I wasn't really like this. I used to be sweet and gentle but watching so many people die can literally change you. 

"you'll answer now" I pressed and he bared his sharp teeth at me. Probably forgetting he was human now. 

"I know not! We only travel in one through the capsule of time. I traveled alone. I know not of how many we are" he replied and I could tell he was telling the truth. I noticed a black stain on the blanket we had thrown over him before leaving him last night. 

"it looks like you're bleeding" I pointed out moving close but he shrieked. I heaved a heavy sigh and threw my g*n to Danny who caught it immediately. I threw my hands up in the air so he could realize I meant him no harm. He eyed me, furiously battling his lashes as I moved closer. 

" I just wanna help" I assured pulling down the blanket. 

"you're bleeding just like I guessed." I said moving out of the corner to mom's car where I took out the first aid kit. He wouldn't stop looking at me as I clean his wounds and re-dressed it. 

"why are you staring at me like that?" I asked as his stares become intense and unbearable. 

"you are not complete. Both. You and him" he voiced eyes moving from Me to Danny. 

"how do you mean?" I asked and sniffed. Unfortunately I wasn't wearing any perfume. 

"you smell like your subconsciousness do not belong to this time" he explained and I opened my mouth completely dazed at his revelation. 

"you can smell that?" I asked slowly standing from where he was. 

"he smells like his subconsciousness do not belong to that body nor the time, only the prince can do that. He is betraying us all" the alien muttered and I scoffed out loudly. 

"he's saving you dammit" I retorted sharply. 

"Your grand chief only wants to rule" I revealed but it seem he wasn't going to believe me ever. Now I see why the prince didn't try convincing his people. 

"honey I'm home. Where are you guys?" that can't be my dad can't it. I subconsciously asked myself meeting Danny's terrified gaze. 

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