CHAPTER 9 – A VERY STRONG GUST “Well, I’m waiting for an explanation,” Tina said, her arms still folded across her fitted exercise T-shirt. Darala looked into Jason’s eyes, silently asking him, can I trust her? And as if he understood her inquiry, he nodded gently. “Very well,” Darala said. “But perhaps this is a conversation better suited to privacy. Besides, we should make sure Kyle is okay.” A ...

Chapter 20 “His vitals are fading,” the doctor explained in a soft voice. “He doesn’t have much longer. Maybe less than an hour. Two at the most.” Beth, Stanley, and Mrs. Devor stared at the doctor for several moments. Beth couldn’t bring herself to speak, knowing she would burst into tears if she tried. Stanley found his voice first. “Is he comfortable?” Stanley asked. “Yes,” the doctor nodded. ...

CHAPTER 11 – THE TAU CETI SUPERWOMAN Back in her mission suit, her belt and bracelets secured, Darala quietly exited the guest studio behind Tina’s house. The windows were all dark and she suspected Tina was asleep. Darala very carefully slid around the side of the house, arriving in the driveway. She took a glance down the street in both directions. There were soft pools of light from overhead s ...

Chapter 22 Soreness in her arms awoke Beth. Her eyes fluttered open and she took in her surroundings. She glanced up, blinking to shake off the effects of the chemical her captor had used on her. Her wrists were bound behind her, and her ankles were tied. She was in a barn. That much she knew. The floor consisted of packed dirt with traces of hay mixed in. Any hay bales were long gone, and the ba ...

CHAPTER 14 – TIME IS SHORT Darala and Jason kissed one more time, deeply, softly and then parted. “I think we’d better go upstairs,” she said. Jason agreed and they made their way back into the store. There were customers completing purchases at the counter. Tina took cash and counted change back to them. After a friendly exchange, they left. Darala and Jason made it a point to stand just a littl ...