Revealing The Unknown(Kezia) I suppose I will get beaten again for getting home this late. The work at the corn field was endless just to get it ripe and fresh when it would be brought to the market. Oh and one more thing, to make them big for the annual corn contest where corns from around the land will be weigh and the heaviest will get a huge amount of prize, and pride. It’s been the same tradition for 15 years but I have joined in for the last 8 years and have never won. To give you more information, this prize which is a huge amount of money will help us a lot in expanding our business and land. Looks like a game, huh? No. It’s tough and everyone would sweat blood just to win this thing. The money was like a pass out of this whole thing and they could live a much easier life. With pride we could actually use it to make a better name for ourselves and also our parents because at that certain age they think we’re ready, they will go away and leave some patch of land. I’m super determined to win this time so I’m taking care of my babies very carefully although it would just raise aunt’s anger.
It’s the day of the competition and I learned something after another lost, very careful is not enough. The fact that I lose again means that I need to take a break from any competition and improve my crops. To be honest the whole people in that place thought that I would win this time because they believe 9 is a lucky number and also my corns is bigger than usual but then this thing happened. It came across my mind that maybe I am just unlucky. Actually, my crops are getting smaller and smaller than usual and some of them lose half of their original size. There’s once I call the soil expert to see if there is any problem or just an animal but he said there’s only ants and worms so I let them be there.
Then things change when my parents stay for the week at my aunt’s house. When what I witness that time was just a small animal it turns out to be more than that underneath. My parents totally did not include this in our agreement and have lied to me for the past 9 years. That feeling of betrayed is coming back.
The first day they came it’s all about hugs, kisses and stories to catch up with each other’s life. Apparently they had travelled miles, miles away from where we are. “It’s exciting,” they said “to see things out of our own place. We wish you would’ve come with us but you’re busy with work so what could we do.” I’m okay with neglecting work and join them for their trip. We could have fun together after all these years they left me alone with my aunt. Well if sending Christmas presents is still called in contact with them. Not going to whine about it. “Well yeah I’ve got to go now because I’m as “busy” as a bee so see you later.” I said with a slight of sarcasm. I ran out of the door and get into my truck as soon as possible. I think I’m going to be sick hearing them all happy while I’m suffering to get out of this place.
Tracking back 9 years ago my parents and I had this talk where they said I should start being independent. To start it, they had bought a land for me and I can do anything with it. Grow plants, crops, making a shop or anything that could help me get through life. My aunt had a house near that land so I could stay there until I’m financially stable. When I come back to them successful that’s the time when I will inherit my father’s oil company. Yes, you all might wonder why I should work hard when they’re so rich or I shouldn’t have done some hard labor job but they say it would help me a lot in the future and I will make that company more successful than ever. So here I am 9 years and I still have that small spoiled side of me that is not over-powering my hard work and discipline attitude but although I make lots of money because of the organic products that I produce, they still think it’s not enough until I will win that contest. 3 years and some months wasted just to win this annual corn contest. I deserve a break.
Second day, my dad joined me to where my crops is. He examined things and quite in awe of how well I worked. I told him I wanted to make a well somewhere at the corner of my land. I can tell he does not like the idea although it’s technically my land so I can do anything with it. He just said “Don’t dig it too much. Just enough.” And he went back to the truck. I can see something’s bothering him I don’t know what. So we went back to aunt’s house. A day off from work would be fine.
Third day, I woke up to the smell of familiar pancake I used to eat. The air still smells like vanilla and lots of fresh berries. Yum. The day went on without much interaction between me and my parents. Mostly random things came out but after that nothing else. Even strangers will not know that we came from one family. It’s my fault I distant myself from them but they should realize by now that I would never win that corn contest and that they should know I work hard enough to get their approve. They would never know what’s going on, on my head if I will never tell them. I still do not tell them.
Fourth day, shoot! My crops were missing without a trace like its normal if some of them would be only half or broken but then this time it’s different. All the crops had totally vanished. Days off goes back on. This is unforgivable. How could I go to the market without bringing anything? That night, I stay near a shed of my friend’s and keep watch of who might possibly ran away with all the crops. I put some random veggies and fruits on the soil. Waiting for a long time could be tiring so I fall asleep.
Fifth day and yes the veggies and fruits are gone. No sign of shoe prints or hands. Is that person or gang invisible ones? I went back to aunt’s and there’s only my parents there.
“Where is she?”
“Not here. She’s on a small trip to meet her friend and will stay there until we will go home.”
“Oh. Okay.”
That was it. I know from how mom looks at me I will be having a real talk with her sooner than I expected.
“What is wrong with you? Are we bothering you? Do you hate us? Is something bothering you?”
“Calm down, mom. Everything’s fine.”
“Yes everything is fine but not you.”
“It’s just some missing crops problem. Don’t worry. Okay?”
“Okay but tell me if it’s that bad I would ask your dad to help you.”
I nod. That is the only true act I have give to mom since ages.
The rest of the day I use it all to sleep so that at night I could watch more carefully of the “robbery”.
‘I wait and wait. There’s a gush of wind, going stronger and stronger. A light so bright it’s blinding my eyes. My skin’s hair all goes up. Eardrums boomed it’s as if it exploded. I felt like my body’s flying. Flying…’
I woke up and I did fly for a while. I panicked and fell but luckily I fell on a soft rug. There it was outside a light and some shadow behind it sucking all of the things I put into their UFO. UFO! Am I dreaming? I pinch myself and I am wide awake. Just why is that thing just suck on my land when there are plenty of others? I ran to the source but the UFO quickly fly to the sky and twinkles like a star. Just like the cartoons. I have never believed UFO or aliens exist but my curiosity grew and for the first time I will tell my parents about this. Later on when I checked one last time if there is any “souvenir” left by the aliens there they had accidentally left one, a note. When I looked inside it’s this:
“We thank u for your help but on his final day here please give us plenty of that and then you can go. Fulfill your promise or there will be change of plans. 8539F. J.K.”
I don’t know aliens could actually do some human language. Who is that he? Final day? Promise? 8539F? J.K? I need an explanation and there’s only one person that I can ask to clarify. (J)ack (K)lark, my dad.
Sixth day.
“Explain, now.”
“What are you talking about?”
“This,” I give him the note, he gasped. “I see you’re hiding something.”
“No. I don’t understand.”
“Let me make you understand. I spend 3 years and some months to try to win the contest that I can’t win which is why you could actually make my life easier when I was on my prime on that 5th year out of your place. Now I realize that you’re making friends with some aliens. I think mom knows about this but she kept it all to herself although she says she wanted to help me. My crops are all gone and I don’t even know anymore isn’t this enough of an “I don’t understand make me understand” statement?”
“Okay. You won. I did hide something from you because I know you are going to be this mad so I don’t tell you. 3 and half years ago I encountered them when I am working at the company. They say this weird stuffs that I don’t understand but they gave this map to me saying x place will be the biggest oil producer if we dig inside it and in exchange for the information we just need to give them food because without it they’re going to die. Then I thought of you, a land and them so there you go. To be more specific they could just eat a pinky and be full. Now they’re multiplying but at the same time I also tell them that you are actually quite done with this whole thing so they need as much possible foods to keep all of them alive and so tomorrow I would give them all.”
I am utterly shocked. I still need other explanations but that’s enough for today. I’m tired. My feet felt wobbly. I fainted.
Seventh day, I’m at home. My head still felt painful but that’s okay. At least I’m home. Later on I noticed that dad has done his job of giving foods to the aliens but I have never seen what they are like. Only dad knows and he still kept in contact with them, secretly.
(Rewind)
[Who is that he? Final day? Promise? 8539F?]
That he is me, Fred. The final day is that last day when we all go home, forever this time. Although aunt said she missed me so much although I had just got home 5 months ago. Dad promised me that I can inherit his oil company when I’m successful and I did. Now I’m rich and I do not need to do the hard labor that much. I’m kind of enjoying life but still working hard as well. 8539F is a secret. You can figure it out yourself if you understand.

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