A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 19

I was inconvenient, perturbed and feeling like s**t. We were able to get Mr Anderson and Hailey into the Junkyard. Brian and Nicholas were discussing the arrangement of getting a place for them to sleep while Tony, Tanya and Charlie were watching the video we made in the park. I had finally figured out what Tony meant when he asked us to make the video. He had posted it on every social media, everywhere people could see it and the charge on my brother and I was dropped as false allegations because everyone believed Hailey was just having fun with boyfriend and friends at the park. They had later reported to the public that the allegation was false and the girl wasn't abducted with the video as evidence. Though the video had exposed us and almost got us killed as alien's swam the place to catch us but we were free. Though everyone was laughing, chatting and chattering on the topic of our craziest escape I couldn't help but feel sullen and depressed. Having to think Hero might be killed make my inside burn with fury. Mr Anderson told us Ghafils have something similar to human. It's politics and greed. Some set of Ghafils knew our world was bad for them but kept the knowledge from the rest of them. Those Ghafils take orders and commands from the greediest of them all. Their chief grand. 

"Hey" Danny's appealing voice had me breaking out of my trance. 

"you look disturbed. What is it? What's wrong?" Danny worried and I sighed snuggling unto the palm he had rested on my cheek. 

"I'm scared" I confessed as he raised his send palm to cup my cheeks. 

"why are you scared Claire?" he asked staring straight into my eyes as he softly caress my cheek with his thumb. 

"I'm scared for Hero Danny, what if they-

" I doubt they'll do that to their kind. I mean he's part of them " Danny cut in knowing exactly what I wanted to say. Charlie had told them everything immediately we get back into the workshop. I was certain he had already guess what the problem was right before he asked. 

" Claire, he'll be fine. " Danny assured but I wasn't convinced though I nodded accepting the soothing hug he decided to give me. 

"you guys ready? We need to go home now" Charlie informed grabbing his stuffs which he had in a Nike duffel bag. 

"yeah, yeah we are" I tiredly replied releasing Danny as we all said our goodbyes. 

"I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow" Nicholas smiled, behind that smile was his exhaustion of the day. Everyone was exhausted and it was completely conspicuous. 

"yeah, and about Hailey. Have you... Fit them in already?" I asked and he nodded.

"yeah, Brian's got them using his secret room down at the other side of the workshop. So Brian and I are gonna go and come back with cozy clothing because it can get real chilly here at night. 

" yeah it can. It's already cold. Let's go home guys" I urged leaving with Charlie and Danny. 

"Claire, have you got the lens on your eyes? I. Really think you need it. Brent said we could all have it since we are team stop-the-badass-aliens. So now, I can go around walking with one. How cool is that?" Charlie asked whilst chuckling. 

"yeah it's cool but I doubt your life will remain normal with that-

" well I think my life has been pretty much abnormal since you walk in through front door throwing your tiny arms around me" Charlie scoffed and I gaped. 

"what!? My arms ain't tiny" I objected and he sneered. 

"it is. Here, grab one for you" Charlie informed throwing me a case of contacts. I caught it, putting it straight into my pocket. 

"I'll do that in the car" I muttered yawning as I feel every muscle in my body weakened. 

"it's been a long day" Charlie muttered as we made our drive home. I put in my contacts and laid my head back into the head rest. 

"did Danny grab one too?" I asked slightly turning back to see a half smile on his face. 

"yeah I did" he replied stretching his hand to put a strand of my uncombed hair to the back of my ear. I gave him my prettiest smile immediately he retracted his hands to have it folded against his chest. His image got blurry and I slowly felt my eyes close. 

"she's the cutest when she's asleep" I heard Danny compliment and my brother scoffed. 

"yeah, cute little devil" my brother chuckled softly. I would have retorted and retaliated, probably whack him the head if I wasn't so tired from the day's activity. I just gave in to my body's need and fell into a deep slumber. 

"Claire" Charlie call had me sleep talking. I was too tired and I just didn't wanna wake yet. 

"Claire" his call came again willed and persistent. 

"get out of my room Charlie, I need to sleep" I turned away from wherever the call came from and coiled up against something I was certain wasn't my bed. I heard a door close nevertheless. Hopefully it was my bedroom door but I heard another door open after some indistinct speaking and before I knew it, I was being lifted from I don't really know to strong flexed arms. 

"thanks Danny. Let me get the door for you" I heard Danny offered but I only snuggle close whoever arms I was in. 

"she seem really exhausted" Danny observed while I felt myself being moved. I heard a door cringe opened and then closed. I wonder how many doors was where I was at. 

"goodness" a voice which I very well recognized to be my mom's sounded and I heard multiple footsteps which I guessed most be more than two pairs move close. 

"what happened to her?" my mother's voice was tainted with worry. 

"oh goodness, Danny where have you been?" that was definitely Mrs Evans voice. 

"she's fine. Just pretty exhausted." my brother decided to answer my mom. 

"could you... Take her up please. I doubt she would wake up if she's that exhausted" my mom hinted but there was no response so I guess Danny must have nodded because I felt movement again and before I know it my body was hitting a soft surface which very much felt like my bed. I whimpered as I felt a warm fabric covering me up. I snuggle deeper into the warm material and slowly slipped out of consciousness. I found myself in the middle of two armies. Belligerent armies at both sides. Looking closer I realized the army on my left are green while those on my right are humans. Both rushed into each other ignoring me. They clashed their swords against each other and kept fighting until no one was left. Then I saw the Ghafil grand chief. The prince uncle walking on a pile of bodies, humans and Ghafil combined. He let out a devilish and maniac laugh as he walked up the bodies like he was walking on stairs while heading to a throne made from bones. After he was comfortably seated he met my eyes smiling as his face devilishly change from Ghafil feature to human and with that I woke up shutting my eyes even tighter as the sunlight hit them. 

I groaned trying to make some movement but every move was agony. I could hardly feel my strength but I could feel hunger pangs setting in. I managed to flip away my covers and stand stripping down to my panties I made my way into my room to have a warm bath. And the next I was walking down the stairs with a knee-length gown that was gathered at my waist. Thankfully I wasn't late for breakfast. 

"morning" I voiced timidly as I moved straight to the dining table to join my family for breakfast. 

"morning" everyone muttered back one after the other including my dad who was quietly sipping his coffee while eyes was fixed on the papers he had in his hands. I found the calm demeanor of everyone quite strange though. 

"how was your night dove?" my dad asked eyes still fixed on his papers. So that's it? No questions? No scolding or reprimanding? I think I'm about to freak out. 

"not bad dad. I see you are not.. Off to work already?" I observed creaming my bread. My point had my dad raising his head, eyes to meet mine but he merely smiled and turned back to the papers. 

"dad about last night-

" eat your breakfast dove" my dad interrupted sounding pretty commanding. I think it'll be best I do as he says. I thought biting down on my creamed bed. 

"your brother and your mom told me everything" the confession came right after I had finished my breakfast. 

"I'm not upset about any of it Claire. I'm just so shocked you could keep that huge of a thing to yourself" my dad voice sounded concerned and his brows were slightly furrowed. 

"I'm sorry Dad. It was just something I had to do. I couldn't bare to burden you with it" I apologized not wanting to meet his gaze because I was now in daughter mode. And daughter mode means total submission. 

"Claire. You cannot burden us with anything. You are our daughter and we would do the best to help" my dad assured and I smiled heaving a soft sigh. 

"after your brother told me everything last night. I get to realize why our research facility sunk." his revelation got me shooting my head up to meet his gaze. 

"our Intel picked the information that there was an alien spotting in Hong Kong China. They moved the foreign body to Korea for further investigation but before world researchers and scientists could arrive and make more findings the research facility where the aliens was held sunk since it was built over water and recently I heard few people with knowledge of the creature went missing. It sounded unbelievable but it was real. I was glad you call me back Claire. I wouldn't know how to go about it but since you have so much evidence on these things we could bring it to our researchers and find-

"Dad. Are you sure Charlie told you everything?" I questioned looking from my dad to Charlie who was busy adding sugar to his tea. 

"yeah, I think he pretty much told me all I needed to know" my dad replied curiously searching my eyes. 

"if he does you should know how risky it is to bring this into Missouri research center. Dad you just told me what happened to few people with knowledge of these... Things. It is a terrible idea involving more people. We have to be as discreet as we can. This isn't some movies dad. It's real. And I'm sure Charlie could testify to that " I meet my brother's gaze again and he sighed. 

" it's true dad. The more the people knowing about this. The more people we put in danger. Those f*****g-

"language young lady" my dad cautioned and I scoffed dramatically. I mean I thought we were discussing like sensible adults. Why does he have to make me feel like a kid all over again? I was tempted to snicker at the thought but had to keep it in because my dad had an intense gaze fixed on me. 

"those creature almost chase us to our deaths last night. They almost got me killed. I think it'll be better if we don't involve anymore people" I concluded and he nodded. 

"okay. But we are doing this together. So your Mom and I are taking some time off work to help you prepare for the big whatever it is but since you said it's near. We should help. As a family" my dad suggested and I smiled. 

"of course dad. I'm really glad I'm not keeping any more thing from all of you-

" you didn't tell me Charlie stole my money though-

"mom" I whined at her sudden interruption. 

"it's in the past now so I guess I can let it slide-

" why won't you let it slide. Claire returned the money afterwards " Charlie put in cutting mom short. 

" well you still stole it " my mom refuted and Charlie frowned. 

" I regret telling you about it really" Charlie huffed loudly. 

"well you still stole it" my mom insisted and I groaned. 

"guys relax will you?" I pleaded and both heaved a sigh ad relaxed into their chair. 

"it's in the past mom. You really should let it slide-

" I was going to-

"mom" I cautioned before she start a brand new argument. 

"yeah sure." she muttered practically rolling her eyes at my brother who had a not-my-business look on his face. 

"so dad we'll do this together. I'm sure it'll be fun. There's even someone I'll love you to meet-

"professor Brent Anderson" my dad smirked and I vigorously nodded. 

"Charlie told me about it last night. We used to be classmates. He was so full of himself-

" you were just envious Carl " my mom pointed out with a snicker. 

" me envious? Of who? Brent? " my dad scoffed in denial. 

" well your denial just proved it" my mom taunted. 

"I wasn't envious of Brant in the slightest" my dad declared and I figured my dad and professor Anderson had an old bag to fill. I slowly meet Charlie's eyes as my parents continue their squabble. 

"I think dad held a grudge" I whispered to Charlie and he slowly nodded as we both turned our heads back to our parents who was now lashing at each other.

"mom did you used to date professor Anderson?" my observation had their argument coming to an abrupt halt. 

"was it that obvious?" my mom asked turning to me as she tilt her head a little to stare at me. 

"it's all written all over your face." I pointed my hand going over my face and my dad scowled. Seeing my dad acting jealous made me want to laugh but I couldn't because there was a tensed silence after my declaration. 

"but you really have to keep that all aside" I broke the silence meeting my dad's eyes. 

"you have to dad. For my sake. For all our sake. I doubt he'd remember about all of this... Past encounters. He had so much etched in his memory already." I notified and Dad sighed. 

"I heard he lost his wife and a daughter. Must be very hard for him" my dad said feeling a little remorseful.

"so give the old man a break and try to work together on this guys I seriously need that" I pleaded and my dad nodded. 

"since we've all had breakfast, I could call Danny to have us going to our-

" you'll do that after you've both got groceries. We are out of it " my mom informed finger moving from me to Charlie. 

" seriously? "Charlie asked and my mom nodded. 

" okay. We'll do that and be right back. The we'll call on Danny and we can go back to our workshop. There are some really cool stuffs-

"you mean guns?" my mom asked quirking her eyebrows. I turned to my brother and frown. 

"you told them about the guns too?" I queried Charlie who threw up his hands like he was asking 'so'? 

"I can't believe you" I growled at him. 

"Dad demanded to know everything Claire. Not really my fault. Just trying to be an obedient son" he replied with a wink moving to the sitting room to grab mom's keys on the stereo. 

"yeah and guns" I finally replied my mom and she gave me a bewildered look. 

"Claire. How did you even know how to shoot?" my mom asked her voice tainted by her disbelief. 

"well. I kinda told you I died " I replied slowly quickly deciding to move out with Charlie before mom decided to interrogate me any further. Getting groceries wasn't so hard. Charlie had collected dad's credit card doing my mom's little interrogation so it was him paying. I was really glad we didn't pass by or saw any aliens as I move around the stalls with my shopping trolley which had loads in them. Charlie delayed a little because he met his best friend Andrew which he really hadn't seen on days. So they did a little Boys chat while I pay for the groceries. After the groceries was packed up in grocery bags I moved it into the car while waiting for Charlie and trust me I was tempted to just drive home and leave his a*s to walk home for delaying me but I shoved away the thoughts and waited picking Andrew and Charlie in the side mirror. 

"see you later men" Andrew gave a silly smirk palms meeting with Charlie in a friendly shake. 

"yeah, later dude" my brother replied making his way to the car.

"took you long enough" I complained but Charlie ignored me, raved the engine to life and hit the road. I groaned and stared out the window also ignoring him until he switched on the tape. It was Ariana grande one last time playing. 

"outdated song" I scoffed and my brother frowned. 

"hey, that's in two years to come. Now. It's a pretty popular song" my brother defended and I nodded ignoring him. We sauntered into our driveway sooner than expected. I grabbed the grocery bags taking it in while Charlie moved the car into the garage. 

"mom we are back " I announced taking the groceries to the kitchen. 

"oh really darling?" my mom supposedly asked but she doesn't really sound like my mom. 

"where are you at?" I asked coming out of the kitchen to pick a green image sitting right on my couch. My heart hammered against my chest in fear but I decided to play along.

"yes mom, um.. Where's dad?" I asked hoping to God it's only an alien in the house. I could easily take her out. All I had to do was go upstairs and grab my g*n. 

"he's.. There he is" my acting mom replied and another green appeared from the door behind the stairs. Don't freak out. Don't freak out. Just play along. I subconsciously instructed myself. 

"oh, just wanted to tell you that we already got the groceries and Charlie and I will be heading for Mrs Evens house now" I faked a smile and waited for the imposter to talk. 

"oh really, I would have consented that but we don't know how long you're gonna take and your dad and I want to show you to a place. We prepared a nice surprise for you-

" Claire. Holy s**t! " my brother cursed immediately he set his eyes on our fake parents. I slightly turned my head at him. 

"play along" I mouthed. 

"Charlie why did you just cursed?" my fake mom frowned and I admitted she was really a good actress. She should sign up, she'll be a hit. She must have been one of those filthy aliens who had been here for a long time because she perfectly imitated my mom. Actions and voice. 

" sorry mom. Almost slipped" Charlie faked a smile but I could sense his nervousness. 

"mom hold on a second. I think my phone's ringing upstairs. Give me a second" I pleaded heading upstairs in a dash. I grab my g*n and my phone. I acted as normal as possible as I made my way downstairs while pretending to receive a call from Danny. 

"oh really? Your mom fainted. Oh my goodness. We'll be right there. Yeah sure I'll tell my mom. Great. Okay. Bye Danny" I pretended to hang up the phone while putting it into my pocket.

"you here that mom. Mrs Evans our neighbor fainted and we need to go check on her. We'll be back in a jiffy. I promise" I smiled pushing Charlie who was now covered in sweats to the door. 

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

"act casual. They might be watching" I whispered hastily walking to Danny's house. 

"Danny got get the door" Mrs Evan's voice resounded at the other side of the door. 

"Hi" Danny beamed on opening the door. He was perfectly dressed made me wonder if there was any occasion because he had his hair styled and was clad in a cream shirt and black jeans. 

"um Danny-

" I was actually gonna come over later but right now-" he glanced back but I couldn't make out where he was looking at since the door was still half closed. 

" there's a special occasion and-

"Danny we need your help. My mom and dad have been imitated and I have no idea where they are and the imposters acting like my parent are right inside our living room. I sputtered and I could tell Danny was trying to keep up because he had his eyes blinking rapidly. 

"you're kidding right?" he asked twitching his lips in a funny kinda way. I would have found it funny but I was too tensed up to laugh. 

"Do we look like we can kid right now. Like f**k my parents are gone and we have impostors in the house. What part of it can't you understand!" my brother rasped harshly rather impatient and I sighed. Danny rushed in and we were forced to move in too. 

"ow" I pouted in realization to see Nicholas and someone that seem like his older version seated next to him in the dining room. Mrs Evens was seated just across the older man. Finally they got it going. Would have congratulated them but I was in a hurry. 

"HI guys" Nicholas waved and I smiled.

"Hi" I waved back hoping I didn't sound so nervous as I look. 

"mom, Nathaniel do you mind if we both give you some privacy while you two catch up?" Danny requested urging Nicholas to stand after reappearing from the inside. I guess he went to pick his g*n. 

"yeah.. Yeah.. Sure" Mrs Evens stuttered as both boys hurriedly moved to us. 

"you can't be serious?" Nicholas muttered as we all hasten back to my house after Charlie hurriedly explained our rush. 

"why does everyone thinks we are joking!" my brother asked in disbelief. But I ignored them and concentrate on not falling as I hastily walk back to the house. 

"mom, Dad" I called immediately we were in. My imposter mom appeared from the door behind the stairs and I abruptly remove my g*n and point it at her. 

"where's my mom?" I asked and she slowly raised up her hands. Nicholas immediately removed his g*n as my imposter dad appeared right from the kitchen. 

"why are you with a g*n?" My imposter dad asked but Danny had his g*n pointed at him. 

"and where's my dad?" Charlie did the honours of asking. But the two bastards laughed hysterically at our actions before more imposters like them showed up. About 10 more of them in the image of my parent. 

"I'm f****d!" Charlie muttered. 

"no, we are fucked." I corrected as I stared in disbelief. 

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