JET(Lynda Andrews) JET
Copyright 2013
by Lynda Jean Harp Andrews All rights reserved.


PROLOGUE

Hazel, my two year old kitty, is on the kitchen counter looking at me. She has preferred this spot for a few days now. This is not her normal position inside. Her comfy cat tree is where I usually see her. Weather is nice for a spring evening in central Georgia, in the low 70's. I briefly wonder why she is not wanting to go outside like she loves, bringing me her “catch and release trophies”. Whether she leaves her prey at the bottom step off the deck or brings them inside , she is telling me “Hey, I'm earning my keep here. See what I brought you?”.

I've saved many lizards, birds, and other critters she has graciously offered. Some missing a tail, wing or bleeding, I get them back outside to safety best I can.

As I watch over the roast beef and potatoes in the oven, I'm not thinking about Hazel's behavior. I should have. I'm thinking “It's hot in here. I'll be glad when I'm out of the kitchen.” The pleasant 70's soon turn into 80's when the oven is going. Aware of the sweat rolling off my brow, down my neck, and between my breasts, I make my way upstairs to change out of lounging pants and long sleeve shirt into shorts and t-shirt.

Feeling better, I return to the kitchen to finish off dinner. The breeze coming through the open back door is welcomed. Putting my long gray hair in a ponytail, the cooler air from outside evaporates my remaining sweat.

Deciding dinner is done I turn the oven off, glance briefly at Hazel looking at me from her position on the kitchen counter. I'm no longer hungry but I have a few souls coming that will be. I walk barefooted outside to the deck in shorts and t-shirt. I realize I have only a few minutes to dress for company. I enjoy these remaining moments with myself.

I lift my head and arms up to allow for further cooling. Looking up to the sky through half open eyes, I glimpse an orange cloud covered full moon making it's appearance. It's a pleasant and relaxing sight. Clock is ticking, I'm thinking of which bra, jeans and shirt I will wear for company tonight.
Hazel does not join me outside.

On the deck still pondering how I will pull this dinner together, the first flash of light comes, not followed by thunder. Dinner and guests are on my mind, I think nothing of it.

Second flash comes, again no thunder.
A tingle shoots down my neck to my spine for a couple of seconds.
I liked the feeling.

Hoping to recapture those two seconds, I watch for a third light. My neck feels the strain from looking up, I become tired and feel foolish. 80's gave up the heat to mid 50's. I head towards the back door.
Third flash comes before I make it there.


THE PAIN

The boom that followed the third flash of light rocked me off my feet onto my stomach. Sharp splinters from the deck bury into my fingers, palms, knees and elbows as I'm being dragged towards the stairs leading to the concrete below by someone or something. I'm thinking “Really should have weather proofed this space”.

Landing face down on the concrete, I feel pain. Good news, I'm alive. The wetness I feel and smell reminds me of the salty taste of blood. Realizing it's mine...

I must turn over, see what has gotten hold of me.
Mud and grass enter my existing wounds as I'm dragged across the yard. As quickly as it began, It stops. Quiet and still, I gather what strength remains in me.

Managing to turn onto my back, Hazel appears on my belly, looking at me with her sharp green eyes. She has come outside, after warning me not to. She vanishes. In my confusion and panic, I wonder if she was ever there. I'm alone outside...

Lifting my head up over my chest, eyes focusing, ignoring my pain, I look across the yard. I'm not alone. For once, I wish my company would arrive early. They don't.


THE REVEAL

Assisted by the rising moon, a shiny, large triangular glowing object reveals itself, half buried in red Georgia clay. My bird bath is a casualty from the impact or landing. Pieces of it's dirty concrete litter the yard. I'm thinking “Sooner or later I will have to clean this mess”. A rational thought in an otherwise irrational moment. Tree limbs strewn across the yard won't be easy to clear away either.

Time stands still. I retain my not so comfortable position laying on my back on the wet yard., looking, waiting. So much time passes, I get chilled, wondering if I can make my way back inside to safety. Deciding I must try, I get on my feet, house is in sight, limp my way towards it , not looking back. The flash of light stops me before reaching the concrete to the deck stairs. Turning around, recovering from temporary blindness, and dizziness, I see a circular door opening right to left on the side of the what I will now call “the ship” for lack of any other explanation.

The large door finishes it's opening with a loud locking sound. Surrounded by background light a large figure stands there. I assume it's male based solely on it's size, having no hair, large shoulders, long muscular legs and arms. Not wearing what we refer to as clothing, I see no other evidence of masculinity. Then I look into it's eyes.

Glowing yellow cat shaped eyes penetrate into me. I feel hypnotized and am compelled to walk towards it and the ship. Staring at this gorgeous creature, I'm not thinking rationally and would follow it anywhere without the dragging and pulling of before. Perhaps that's their way of establishing dominance and cooperation at the initial contact.

As I reach the ship, it extends it's arm and offers it's hand to me. My right hand encloses around it's right hand. Gently led inside, I'm no longer frightened. Fear turns into curiosity and wonder.
Have “They” come to show me what I have wondered about my entire life? Did “I” invite “Them” through my readings, research, and thoughts on this subject?


THE REASON

Still holding hands, I'm led down a dimly lit hallway. Passing what looks like a control room on the left, I see two other beings seated there looking exactly like the one I am being led by. They are looking at monitors and seem not to notice me. No windows so far on this ship. I remember thinking “how odd”.

After what seemed like a long walk, I am led into a large room inside the ship. The room is filled with girls, women, just like me in different states of disarray sitting in steel chairs but do not look frightened.

After looking at a beautiful young blonde in a pink bikini, a housewife with her hair in curlers, a grandmother in her robe, I notice all of them are watching what I can only describe as 30 different tv screens overhead. I'm led to my seat and start watching too. The creature goes away.

The first screen I see shows a house on the beach. Inside, a young slender brunette is getting ready for some sun, putting on suntan lotion. Next screen I see a middle aged woman at her house in the mountains, feeding the hungry deer. I'm watching women in shacks, tents, igloos, any abode around our world.
The young blonde rises from her seat and walks towards an adjoining room. What seems like moments later, she re-enters our room, smiling. One by one the women go to the other room and exit with the same look of happiness on their faces. My time comes.


AWAKENING

Awakening on my back in my yard, not remembering what happened in that adjacent room, still scraped up, bleeding, and disheveled, the ship is gone.
My company has arrived. They are assisting me and asking “Are you ok?” Thank God you survived the tornado.” Putting a blanket around my chilled body, they assist me inside where my dinner is still ready to serve. Tornado? How can I tell them, they won't believe me.

JET
Four months after “the event” I've still not told anyone for fear of being called crazy. The abdominal pains started in the middle of the night. Rushed to the nearby hospital, I give birth to a healthy “boy”. My childbearing years have long since been over and I have had no sexual encounters for years.

I named the yellow eyed newborn Jet. I wonder if they will come and retrieve him, take him there, or leave him here for me to raise.

If I see a flash of light not followed by thunder, I will know.
My cat, Hazel, is back comfortably in her cat tree. Me, well, I have a “boy” to raise that I cannot explain. Always wondering if they want him back.

THE END

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