Story cover:

This is based on the prompt: Beyond The Gate of the Halloween Vault 2 contest on YASciFantasy profile.

Foolish, idiotic and crazy: was how everyone called the infamous 51 Raid. It was indeed all those awful descriptions for only a few thousands had showed up and some got arrested after causing troubles.

However, he was all those and more for, a few weeks later after the failed event, the lanky tall nerd returned. Security had lessened and Liam managed to slip inside. He wasn't that stupid after all for on the day of the event he stood to side shrouded in dark clothes, observing.

When a fight issued, his thin arms sneaked between the swarm of bodies and the event might have flopped but Liam went home with the guard's identity.

It was a miracle how no one caught the intruder but he wasn't about to complain or prematurely celebrate. The inside reminded him of a hospital: bleak, too white yet dark, smelled like detergent, sickness and pain. His heart stuttered in nervousness and anticipation.

Tense faces bustled around the corridors and he kept his head up and gaze straight before slipping downstairs to the basement. He couldn't believe the lack of excitement of the place, the overrated Area 51 was nothing special.

The gears in his brain came to an abrupt halt, a heavily sealed door glaring back at him. Multiple futile attempts to open it later, Liam managed to punch in the right code. Proud with his hacking abilities, he peeked inside carefully.

The hissing broke him out of his reverie. "Leave!" The menacing scream prompted him to close the door, afraid someone might hear and effectively trapping himself inside as well.

Unnerved with his gawking and shameless staring, the creature jumped, slender long fingers grabbing the metal bars caging it inside. "Shameless." Liam jolted. "You're new."

"What are you?" Curiosity outweighed his embarrassing stutters.

"A female." It snapped, sharp teeth showing. His eyes moved down. It was indeed a body of a female.

"Uh, the voice and the body are a dead giveaway. But," he gestured at all of her. "Didn't want to assume, you know. Uh, no nipples or lady parts. How do you," a pause, "Aliens...reproduce?" His unexpected inquires caught her off guard and rich laughter flowed, eliciting a bashful smile from him. The twitching of his lips sobered her up and she growled at him. "How long have you been here?"

"Long before you existed."

"Why are you angry? I haven't done anything to harm you." He scowled.

She huffed. "Sorry, I don't speak human. You guys love victimizing yourselves. However, look closer." Her eyes narrowed, body stalking backward. "You're standing there, mesmerized with this extraterrestrial creature. And, I'm here trapped for centuries, suffering, getting experimented on as to satisfy your greed, prodded and poked for 'scientific purposes'. They robbed me of my freedom. Yet, you stand there so free and arrogantly asking about why I am so angry."

Venom dripped from each word uttered and Liam recoiled, ashamed. "I see humans. But, no humanity." Teeth gritted, a pang of guilt squeezed his heart.

"I'm sorry-"

"Useless apologies. If you're truly sorry, get me out of here. It's either that. Or you're stuck with me until they find you and kill you."

Their gaze connected for so long. "I can't possibly manage to sneak you out while you're looking like that."

Big black eyes turned to a vibrant turquoise, fair skin and white hair sprouted. His jaw went slack, gaping at the beautiful woman before him. "Am I up to your human standards, now?" Amusement twinkled in her eyes. Yet, specks of inhumanity swirled still.

Swallowing thickly, he approached her prison. "What guarantees you won't kill me and everyone here when I set you free?"

"Revenge is a fickle human thing. Homesickness outweighs my need to chew on terrestrial bones. Plus, you're my favorite human, so far." He rolled his eyes, her smirk ignored as he fumbled with the locks, the beeping indicating his success.

Turning his head to the side, his arms shook as he offered her his large jacket. Gratefully taking it, she grabbed his hands. A confident nod given his way before both of them grew invisible. "I trust you. Should you try anything, I will snap your neck."

Word count: 700.

Liam is an Irish name that means "unwavering savior".

Meh aesthetics :

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Dreams. Xx