A Stranger Comes Crawling

By A. G. Moye

An Alien that called herself Holly, instead of Et`ophia lands on Earth. With her powerful mind learns she is in danger if caught on Earth so she marries the first human she has contact with, nineteen year old Ripley called Rip by his family and friends.
The FBI and other authorities refuse to leave her be, forcing her to show how powerful her mind really was using it to move a wall that had her enclosed in a cell then recruiting Dolphins and Whales to help her escape along with her Earth family (Rip,Denise and Sally). Even the plants and trees could communicate with her.
The arrival of her parent (Tee`ra) forces her to rethink staying on Earth. Holly with the help of Tee`ra and Rip using their powerful minds and energy drawn from Rip, recruits Engineers at area 51 to build them a craft they all could leave in.
Holly coming from a world that has no emotions soon learns to love, laughter, tears and what anger was.
The Authorities decided that the two Aliens (Holly and Tee`ra)were to dangerous to leave alive and decide to terminate them before they became celebrities on the planet. That decision leads to the death of Sally, but allows them to find out they couldn't kill the Aliens with normal bullets.
Before she leaves, she joins forces with Tee`ra creating a Tornado bringing havoc and killing those that wanted her along with Tee`ra dead. She also wanted Denise set free from prison. Which the authorities immediately did! The Authorities were afraid of their power, also while dealing with the large loss of life and property.
Not knowing their minds were under Alien control, the Engineers and Scientists in Area 51 built the ship also stocking it for a long journey back to the Aliens strange worlds of Zotorna, Tis`can and Ru`man.
Rip found it was a strange world with strange rituals. Only males were pilots of the ships but were servants to the female Minds that ruled. Tee`ra was their word for ruler which she had been until the rebellion that forced her and Holly into the lifeboats that landed on Earth. Allowing Earth some of the technology in their craft, they erased the computer but not before transfering the star maps into Rip's brain believing only males could pilot, but Rip had recruited a former Air Force Pilot, Tabatha called Tab to pilot even though Tee`ra didn't approve.
Arriving on Zotorna, Rip learns of two classes of people, The Minds that ruled and controlled everything including the weather and the Zotorna, that were the original people and used along with being treated like slaves slaves.

Forced by the imprisonment of Holly and Tee`ra
Rip sets out to change their world! Learning about how Zotorna was before the Minds appeared, Rip along with those that were shanghaied when they stole the craft from Area 51 leaving Earth, changed the order of things on that world along with the other two Worlds!

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. G. Moye
• Release date: Aug 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476019017

A. G. Moye

Books with a Twist! Born in the cotton fields of Arkansas. Delivered newspapers in Clarksville, Arkansas from 5 to 14 and then moved to California. Work in the metals Industry management for thirty years. I am married with seven children and twenty- two grandchildren along with three great grandchildren. Started writing in 1987 just as a hobby but found I enjoyed it so much that I kept it up even after retiring. My wife, Sammi is my biggest supporter; pushing me to get my books published which I have enjoyed hearing from those that read them that they enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.Currently writing my three book Science Fiction series called Marauder Chronicles. Finished with first two and are published. Writing book three of the Chronicles of the Marauder! To be followed by the sequel to "A Stranger Comes Crawling" and conclusion of the Lightning in the Tunnel series, "Lightning Rages"

Book preview

A Stranger Comes Crawling!

@2012 A. G. Moye

Published by Smashwords

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Chapter One

Ripley Charles was doing what he always did when he got a chance. He was out squirrel hunting with his .22 rifle his father gave him on his eighth birthday. Having just graduated from the local high school, Rip as everyone called him, was spending the summer relaxing and occasionally helping his father on the farm before starting college this fall.

Looking upward as he moved in the trees knowing these hickory trees attracted a lot of squirrels, he tried not to make any noise. His eyes were focused on movement he saw up in the branches, but his target was well concealed by the leaves. Having his rifle ready to fire, he inched closer and closer trying to get a clean shot. He didn’t want to just nick the squirrel and have him go off somewhere and die; he wanted a clean kill.

Ka-boom! the shock wave knocked him off his feet as something flashed overhead hitting in the bay just over the horizon. It happened so quickly he didn’t get a look at it but figured it was a jet crashing into the bay. Forgetting all about the squirrel, he quickly headed up the ridge knowing the bay was just on the other side of it.

Reaching the crest of the ridge, he was just in time to see something shining brightly sinking, making the water sizzle from the heat. Just before it sank out of sight, something looking like a giant silver slug was ejected with force landing on the shore.

Intrigued, he ran over to it. Suddenly, it started opening making him stop just before he reached it. The head of the most beautiful woman he ever saw popped out taking a deep breath removing what looked like a helmet from her head. He stood there shell shocked unable to move as a naked woman crawled out removed the rest of the her body out of whatever it was in. She was naked but didn’t seem to notice. She turned suddenly looking at him holding his .22 rifle.

I won’t hurt you! Rip said starring at her body that was just as perfect as her face. Feeling something tingling in his head, he realized she must have been trying to communicate with him with her mind. He relaxed and felt at peace when she spoke straight to his mind.

Come not to harm! she said making him realize she was searching his mind for the right words not speaking his language. She made a laughing sound in his mind when she saw what he was admiring her body!

Looking at her eyes, he realized they were crystal clear having neither color nor any visible retinas. She edged closer as if it was a strain to touch his mind from so far away, especially trying to read his thoughts.

We have no need -- for clothes, see both with eyes and mind, clothes not necessary but I need some! the woman said to him. Still Rip was speechless not knowing what to say or do. He knew that he must report this but then seeing the ship was no longer in sight, how could he prove it. Seeing where his eyes went to the slug like device she arrived in, she closed it part way then tossed it into the water letting it drift out before sinking. Turning back to him, she said, My name is E`thopia, yours is Ripley but everyone calls you Rip. Can we go now, I don’t want to end up in some lab as a lab rat!

He realized she was learning all this from reading his mind that was the buzzing sensation he felt in his head. There was nothing private about his thoughts with her around.

Sure! he said aloud. His voice strangely out of place with this woman. She shocked him by taking his hand; it felt cold at first touch but quickly warmed up as they walked. He felt a tingling sensation in his mind when she did so. He never noticed before that her face had no hair, not even eyebrows or eye lashes. When he thought about it, suddenly it appeared that she grew them so she would look human. The pale grayness of her skin also seemed to disappear. He noted that whatever difference he saw in their bodies she corrected except for being female.

A nervousness flashed through him wondering what would happen to him when the authorities found out he helped her. It will be all right, Rip! he heard in his mind. Give me your shirt, so no one but you see me naked! flashed through his mind. Thinking about her being naked, caused the usual reaction by his body with her this close to him. As he took off his shirt, he heard, Our species reproduce the same way as your species does!

That brought a reaction in his groin that threatened to rip his pants. He heard her giggle realizing she used her vocal cords to make the sound instead of her mind. I am trying to learn to use my vocal cords, they are not used much except to sing, they say I have the most pleasing voice on my planet.

When they touched again, he felt like she was taking him into the bushes near the lake and stripping him. He wasn’t sure if it was in his mind or she did in fact make love to him; but when he thought again they were dressing leaving the bushes. She smiled at him taking his hand. He reached down picking up his rifle from the dirt not recalling ever putting it down but he felt satisfied. The urge to have sex with her had been so overpowering, he didn’t understand. While having sex that he wasn’t sure of, he felt her probing his mind along with other things going on in his head. It was like a dream in broad daylight but it felt so real, he was confused but inside something told him this was all right.

You will tell your family, I am your girlfriend! she said holding his hand. The way he felt right now, he would say or do anything for her.

You are! Rip said with a smile squeezing her hand still astounded by her beauty. He wondered if it was a fact or did she just want him to see her that way.

You saw the real me and still do, I was out for the first few minutes when I arrived on the shoreline until the cocoon I was in determined the air was breathable and I could survive, otherwise it would have kept me in… suspended animation until the emergency signal of the cocoon could be spotted by a passing ship. Rip saw that every question that came to mind or concern she would answer without saying a word. The blank spaces in her thoughts were when she searched his mind to find the right words.

So there is more of you out there, how close? Rip asked worried they could conquer them with ease with their mental powers.

Don’t worry Rip, I don’t have any idea where I am or how long I was drifting in space before the ship I was on which was no more than a life pod detected your planet that had the necessary ingredients for me to survive and automatically brought me down. It was just luck that it was close to you. The pod is designed so if life forms on the planet seem intelligent for it to come down in water to protect me. E`thopia said.

How did you come to be in the life pod? Rip asked, E`thopia smiled at him making her use her voice so it would become more natural.

There was a rebellion by what I guess the word is fundamentalist against the minds in control I guess that is the good word for us. Rip found it strange her suddenly going quiet; then he felt her sadness as she continued.

My parent took me from the planet where the rebellion started to our real home planet but then discovered that there were fundamentalist aboard trying to take their rebellion to the home planet. My mother ordered me into the life pod just before she blew up the ship. E`thopia paused then answered his unasked questions. Yes, our world is ruled by women only, men as you know it are like horses in a stable to be used by various women because on our worlds only a few men have mental powers that equal ours and the women want only to have children fathered by them. E`thopia laughed out loud knowing things were different on this planet.

Just then the sound of beating helicopter blades was heard. Touching his mind, E`thopia learned what they were and seeing they were heading in the direction of the life pod. She turned in that direction and closed her eyes still holding his hand.

He felt her moving the lifeboat out to deeper waters and farther away so they couldn’t find it even with their best equipment. Rip tried not to think about anything wondering if that might break her concentration. He learned the ship was almost out of fuel so her mind told him she must have come a long way being unconscious. When she parked it where no one could find it, it had barely enough fuel to get her into orbit should the need ever arise. After she finished she turned back to him saying in his mind, I need a name that is normal around here. I searched your mind and found two I like, Holly or Rose.

Holly it is! he thought back about the real Holly he had been in love with or so he thought before she announced they should part because she would be going to a different college. Speaking in his head not knowing who might be close enough to hear him speak. They were already on his father’s land.

Holly, you stay here in the barn while I get you some clothes that will fit you better and be normal looking for a female. Rip said feeling her withdraw from his mind; like now she trusted him and felt she had a grasp of the language and all his knowledge, so she could be just like any other Earth girl.

Going into the barn by the side door seeing his father out in the fields, he only had his mother to worry about.

You love these animals you call horses yet you ride them. But they enjoy your being on them. I wonder why you kill little squirrels that have never done you any wrong. Holly was saying as she walked up to the horses in the corral next to the front of the barn.

I’ve always enjoyed hunting since my father first took me and taught me, that is why I hunt them. Rip replied embarrassed that she questioned his pastime. She turned to face him as all three horses were trying to nudge her being very friendly. He wondered if she could read their minds as well.

Quickly, he left her there with the horses while he headed out of the barn going to the house. Seeing his mother working out in her garden, he knew he would have no problem getting clothes out to Holly. It was then it occurred to him that Holly picked that name because the girl he dated through high school and thought he was in love with had been Holly. He went as far as to buy her an engagement ring but when he asked her to marry him, she just laughed turning him down saying that they both were going away to different colleges and she didn’t want to be tied down to anyone. He put the ring in the drawer never taking it out again. She gave him the choice wondering if Rose wasn’t a better choice. Feeling he still loved Holly maybe she was the one making the choice not him; so he would transfer that love to her.

Going first to his room, he took out the ring and put it in his pocket before going into his sister’s room. She was away and may not return. Anyway, her clothes she left behind going off to college would fit Holly better than his would. Taking an old pair of jeans, underwear and even an old bra, he grabbed one of her oldest tops that she rarely wore so his mother wouldn’t recognize it on Holly, knowing women noticed such things. In the back of his sister’s closest he spotted her two pair of old boots. Taking the ones she said were to small for her but looked like they would fit Holly, he grabbed a pair of socks on his way out. Hurrying, so his mother wouldn’t come in and catch him leaving her room or carrying the clothes. He went through the kitchen keeping the house between him and his mother.

Returning to the barn, he found Holly with her head leaning against his horse while stroking the other two with her eyes closed. He wondered if she was talking to them just as she easily talked to him.

Hearing or seeing him in her mind, she released the horses and came over toward him. They are so lovable, we have none like this where I came from!

I love horses too! Rip remarked handing her the clothes. He felt a slight tingle knowing she was reaching into his mind to learn how to wear them. Taking off the shirt he gave her, he found his body reacting the same way to her nakedness. She smiled at him then placed his shirt and other clothing on bale of hay then took him by the hand leading him over to a hay pile.

This time he was sure it was not in his mind when she left his mind alone as he lay down on the hay. He was surprised she sank so far down but his mind was not on that but the sight and touching of her body. This time, he took off his own clothes before joining her. When their lips met for the first time that he was sure of, he saw she started to draw back but then touched his mind and allowed her body to relax enjoying the kisses and the warmth of his body on hers.

They were almost dressed when in came his father. Well son, I wondered what you two were up to when I saw you sneaking into the barn.

He laughed then added, I should have known!

Rip took the ring out of his pocket sliding it on Holly’s finger while answering his father. Dad, this is Holly, we are engaged to be married!

His father looked at her seeing a woman that looked slightly older than his son. When he looked into her eyes as she slipped on the blouse to cover up, he saw she had blue eyes just like him and his wife.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Charles! Holly said standing up offering her hand like she saw in his mind the way the Earthlings greeted strangers.

Glad to meet you --? Mr. Charles said waiting her to say her name. Rip felt Holly touch his mind just before she answered.

Holly Strange! Holly replied as they shook hands.

I can tell that you two couldn’t wait to start the honeymoon! Mr. Charles said with another laugh. Rip laughed so Holly did, still trying to figure out what was so funny but laughed because Rip did.

Well, let’s take her to meet your mother! Mr. Charles said just before turning to go. Both finished buttoning their clothing before following him out. Rip was surprised his father was taking it so well finding him engaged and just made love in the haystack.

His father waited on them to catch up before heading on to the house. Are you still planning on going to college? he asked then laughed saying, You two need to get the hay out of your hair or your mother will know right away what you have been up to!

Rip laughed then started picking the hay out of her hair, so she did the same to his while walking. He didn’t have much but she did.

I’m not sure about college but I guess I need an education to support a family! Rip remarked after cleaning out all the hay. He glanced at Holly wondering if he said the right thing. It was clear they couldn’t stay here but where? Taking Holly’s hand, they walked up on the back porch as his father went over to the edge calling out, Momma, you may want to come in here and meet your new daughter!

Rip seeing his mother stand up suddenly and stare at him when his father waved for her to come in. She wiped her hands on her apron then headed toward the house. Feeling Holly give his hand a little squeeze he knew it would be all right. Putting his arm around Holly, he guided her into the house.

His father waited on the porch until his mother joined him; together they came into the kitchen.

No squirrels today, son? his mother asked going over to the sink to wash her hands properly before greeting her new prospective daughter in her mind. His father laughed.

No, he brought home something else! his father said before Rip could reply.

Mom, I brought home Holly, we are going to get married soon, I just wanted to meet with you and dad before we did and hopefully get your blessing! Rip spoke up as his mother walked over to him and Holly.

You’re sure she is what you want. I seem to recall another Holly that dumped you and walked away. His mother said having finished drying her hands.

She is not the same Holly! Rip replied adding, I’m sure this time she won’t walk away.

If you’re sure this time, then I will welcome her to the family! His mother said surprising Holly by throwing her arms around her hugging her. Rip felt a tinge knowing Holly was checking in his mind on how to respond to this latest Earthling custom. She thought she should kiss her like Rip did her but then realized she was suppose to hug her back.

Thank you! Holly told his mother while she hugged her back and touched her cheek to his mother’s cheek.

Isn’t she a little older than you, son? His father asked in a low voice while they were hugging.

Not enough to matter! Rip responded wondering why they didn’t seem to notice her eyes without color. She answered him in his mind telling him that she made sure they saw the same color of eyes as he had, blue!

Rip looked at her and smiled. A feeling of love came over him then she blushed which shocked him when the feeling passed from him to her. She looked at him like she was peering into his soul. His mother released her and stepped back. Seeing Holly blushing, she remarked.

I wonder what is on your mind?

I can tell you Momma, they were testing out the haystack! his father said with a laugh making his mother blush telling Rip that his parents must have tested it out a few times themselves over the years.

Oh! his mother said walking back over putting her arm around her husband.

Mom, Holly will be staying with us for a few days until we get things situated if that is all right with you. Rip said looking at his mother and father as Holly came over putting her arms around him like she saw his parents do.

She can stay in Patty’s room, I’ll not have my son sleeping with his girl friend under my roof until they are formally married! his mother responded. She hesitated a minute before saying, Even if you two are no strangers to each others body, I won’t have everyone gossiping about it.

Okay, Mom! Rip replied leading her out of the kitchen. They both noticed how the floor squeaked when she stepped but didn’t say anything.

Taking her into Patty’s room, he did notice how the bed sagged when she sat on it more than it sagged when he sat on it next to her.

Will it be okay with you if we sleep in separate beds? He asked sitting holding her on the bed. They heard the parents go outside and stood on the back porch discussing this turn of events. Holly listened along with Rip to see what misgivings the parents might express. The only thing that bothered them it seemed was the suddenness of the engagement and her not bringing any luggage.

Once they were sure the parents had no major problem with everything, Holly answered him. Where I come from the men never stay with the women. Only come in to service them then sleep in their separate quarters.

Sounds like a lonely life to me! Rip remarked as Holly was busy trying to decipher that wonderful strange feeling that she felt. She never felt anything in her life that ever came close to this thing Rip called Love. She even felt it between his father and mother. Emotions like this were more Alien than this planet to Holly. She wondered if somewhere in their long history if such emotions once existed in her race. Singing was used to calm, not to invoke an emotion. She liked this feeling, and also enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her.

I’d like to sit and hold you all day but I should get out there and help my father. You can lie down and take a nap or if you wish to clean there is the bathroom there if you wish to. Towels are in the cupboard just before going in! Rip said standing up. He felt Holly touch his mind feeling the love he passed to her being passed back. He couldn’t resist leaning back down and giving her a kiss. She held him by the neck forcing him to kiss her longer than he intended. She was strong he thought glad she didn’t try to keep him there; he would have been powerless to breakaway from her.

I think I will go help your mother weed the garden! she said after she released him allowing him to walk away. She got up and followed him out.

Outside, they kissed then went their separate directions. Holly touched Mrs. Charles mind learning what weeding was and how to do it. She smiled at Mrs. Charles going to the next row and dropping on her knees to pull weeds out by hand. What no one knew was she apologizing to each weed in her mind before pulling it. Holly enjoyed weeding the garden feeling the warmth of the plants as they accepted her apology.

Chapter Two

Later, they all sat around the table to eat when Holly informed them that she was a vegetarian. Everyone gave her a funny look but accepted her wishes.

When the food was put on the table, Holly closed her eyes. Everyone thought she was saying a blessing so Mr. Charles said one aloud. They didn’t know she was just thanking the plants for allowing them to be eaten and giving them the substance that permitted life to continue. She heard Mr. Charles’s words, but opened her eyes looking around seeing everyone with their head bowed as he prayer and thanking someone called Lord for the substance. She wondered if it was a plant she knew by another name or for all the plants they were eating. She waited until everyone said amen and did so hearing it. She searched her mind of the facts she gleaned from Rip earlier; she respected his privacy by not going into his mind. Something she learned from him from his mind that it was private as far as he was concerned. Locating the information Holly learned who the Lord was and what amen meant.

Watching Rip eat, she copied him using the same utensils he was using. She was used to her planet using her mind to lift the food to her mouth but when on a strange planet, do what they did.

Thanks for the help today in the garden, Mrs. Charles said.

I was glad to help, Mom. Holly responded smiling at Rip over his mother’s comment. His mother gave a big smile at being called Mom; she was really enjoying the having of Holly here already.

You know she is stronger than she looks, no matter how deep the roots went, she pulled them all the way out of the ground! Mrs. Charles said with a big grin.

I thought that was the object of getting rid of them permanently so they can never grow back! Holly said a little confused by her statement.

That is, I’m just saying you are stronger than you look.

Is that good or bad? Holly asked.

That’s good for my garden. Mrs. Charles said still wearing a smile. Mr. Charles laughed so did Rip. Reaching over, Rip took Holly’s hand. The one she wasn’t eating with. She felt the love come from him to her; she returned the feeling basking in the emotions that warmed her whole body from head to toe. Mr. and Mrs. Charles felt love flowing through the room as Holly and Rip looked at each other. Looking at each other, the Charles felt their love stronger than ever between them.

Holly found this emotion couldn’t be controlled; that was a first for her. Rip couldn’t take his eyes off her feeling the love going back and forth between them. No one noticed they stopped eating during all this time until Rip moved his hand from Holly and the spell was broken. Even though it was cold they all ate it anyway. What is this thing called Love that kept rolling around in Holly’s mind. She wasn’t aware that she cleaned her plate until Mom asked her if she wanted more vegetables. She nodded yes with a big smile. This planet gave her something that her home world lacked. Emotions!

Holly cleaned her plate a second time before getting up to help Mrs. Charles to clean up. While doing dishes, Mrs. Charles said, I’m glad you are joining our family. I could feel the love you two have for each other and see it on your faces. To me that is the only thing in the world that two people must have to survive.

I’m glad you are happy, Love for Rip is so strong in my body I don’t know what I would do without him! Holly said looking over at Rip sitting at the table with his father watching them do the dishes. This time Holly was speaking with her heart not her mind.

Seeing the love between you two, you can share the same bed tonight. I don’t care about the gossiping neighbors! Rip’s mom said giving Holly a hug after they cleaned and dried the last dish. Feeling love sweep through her body as she hugged Holly, Mrs. Charles felt like she had another daughter already. Releasing Holly, Mrs. Charles went over to the table and took her husband by the hand leading him into the bedroom without a word.

Rip grinned after them going over taking Holly by the hand leading her into his bedroom.

The next morning, Holly woke up when Mom got out of bed to go make breakfast leaving Rip sleeping soundly. Normally her race only had sex once to conceive; but she recalled with a smile yesterday enjoying the feeling of love she still had. A child by Rip could prove interesting to her. Would it be filled with emotions like she found him full of? Part of her mind sent a warning signal that emotions were dangerous but she chose to ignore it, instead choosing to sing to herself knowing no one but her would understand the song she sang.

Mom smiled when Holly stopped closing her eyes when she was cooking the eggs having something similar to that back on the her planet. She was thanking the chickens for giving up their future babies for them.

You sure pray a lot, that is good! Mom said mixing up the pancake batter while she cooked the eggs.

Yes, pray! Holly said with a smile after opening her eyes. Only if they knew, Holly thought hearing the shower running. She touched Rip’s mind finding it was Rip in the shower. She could feel the soap on him and the cool water flowing over him while another part of her brain was turning the pancakes.

She was just placing the last pancake on the table when Rip came out followed by his father. Rip gave her a peck on the neck coming up behind her. It felt strange to her but she accepted. It wasn’t as enjoyable as the kiss on the lips to her was. She watched him give his mother a peck on the cheek as well before he sat down. Understanding another part of love, the love between family and not just between a man and a woman.

Thinking about her mother, Holly couldn’t recall any sign of affection in her from her tiniest year that she could remember to date. She once asked about her father but was told that he was an insignificant nobody and never to speak about him again. Her people lived thousand of years having no diseases that threatened them, they worked on their mental skills daily working around the defenses others’ set up to prevent their mind from being tapped. Here she found it strange that not only the males present also helped with the children; the children knew both parents and loved both parents.

They all bowed their heads but spoke no words aloud when she closed her eyes, thanking the trees for their sap that made the maple syrup, the wheat for the flour they provided by giving up their seeds.

Almost finishing eating, there was a knock on the front door. Rip’s father got up from the table to answer. After a brief conversation, his father brought in two well-dressed gentlemen.

Rip, these two FBI Agents want a word with you about yesterday! his father said sitting down to finish eating.

They glanced at Holly and his mother before speaking to Rip. Yesterday, you were seen down by the bay just after something crashed into the water. What did you see? the taller of the two was the one speaking. Seeing Holly out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her eyes were blue just like his.

I was out squirrel hunting but really I planned on meeting up with my fiancé, Holly here and bringing her home to meet my parents. Rip replied.

The shorter one grinned as the tall one spoke again. The person that saw you also saw your fiancé naked taking you into the bushes. He left knowing what was going on. It seems like that spot is a place of a lot of teenage rendezvous and skinny-dipping. But we found tracks were something that weighed about three hundred pounds walked where your fiancé walked but we lost the trail in the rocks but re-found the tracks around your barn before we lost them again. You sure you didn’t see a thing?

No not a thing, I only had eyes for my fiancé! Rip said with a laugh. How about you, lady? the short one asked looking at Holly.

I was like Rip here, I only had eyes for him, it there was someone else around, we wouldn’t have noticed. Holly replied smiling at Rip.

You can check our barn to be sure no one is there! Rip’s father said.

We already did, the haystack looks like someone heavy slept in it last night but has moved on today. The taller one said.

What did this person do? Rip asked. The two Agents looked at each other before the taller one spoke again.

We believe a plane went down in the bay and the person might be dazed walking around. We had boats and divers out there combing the bay all night but can’t find the plane or anyone there. Radar picked it up minutes before it hit the water. We have plenty of eyewitnesses that saw it go down but can’t find neither hide nor hair of it.

Well, thank you for your time, we will show ourselves out! the shorter one said nearly pushing the taller one back into the front room. Rip watched them go as two other Agents came out of the other parts of the house joining them heading outside. They must have sneaked in while they were talking. What they didn’t tell them that on the shore, they found an imprint of something that landed hard on the shore leaving behind a radioactive residual under it that was far more than the other Earth around it. Radar showed the object slowing down from a high rate of speed before plunging into the bay. Other people that saw some strange craft hit the water while floating before it disappeared ejected something onto the shore, but they couldn’t see what it was because the craft was between them and the shore. When they were able to see, they only saw Rip with this naked woman on the shoreline just before they went into the bushes. It was a mystery where the heavy person came from most likely followed behind them hiding out last night in the barn.

Did you see something go down yesterday? Mr. Charles asked his son.

I saw something just before I went over the ridge down to the bay but like I said once I was down there, I only had eyes for Holly. Rip replied, he hated to hide something from his parents but knew no one must ever know or Holly’s life was in danger.

Well, I need to get back out in the fields today. Are you still going to help me like you promised yesterday before you went squirrel hunting? Mr. Charles asked Rip then wiped off his mouth having finished his breakfast.

Sure Dad! Rip said wiping his mouth before getting up leaning down to kiss Holly. They kissed with Mom watching until they finished then she asked.

Holly, would you help me clean up then do you want to go to town with me? I have some shopping to do.

Sure Mom! She wiped her mouth the way she saw the others before she started collecting the plates to take the to the sink. She briefly touched Rip’s mind just before he went out the back door. He said, I love you! in his mind knowing she wanted to find out what this thing called shopping was. I love you, too! she said back in his mind bringing a smile to her face that he felt her touch his brain and didn’t seem to object. As he walked away he thought about what shopping was for her sake.

After they finished the dishes and had everything cleaned up, Mom said. I’m going to take a quick shower and clean up myself before we go!

I’ll take one also! Holly replied heading to the bathroom that she knew Rip used. Mom had her own private bathroom. Learning that she was expected to put on clean clothes after she showered, she went into Patty’s room and found a nice dress to wear that was brightly colored and some fancy boots in the closet that she learned by searching Rip’s memories she latched onto while learning about Earth. He was still close enough, she could reach him with her mind but she didn’t want to intrude anymore than she had to. The picture of his sister wearing these on her high school prom night was the memory she found. Seeing the woman in mind wearing jewelry, she went over to the jewelry box taking out the necklace. Seeing the earrings went into and through her ears, she knew that it was too thick to allow something penetrate her ears. Closing her eyes, she started concentrating willing her ears to expand to allow her to put the earrings through her skin. In seconds each ear had a pin threw it, her mind told her how to put the clip on pin. Once she had them on, she looked at herself in the mirror not believing what she was seeing. She looked totally like an Earthling in Rip’s mind.

Finished, she walked out into the front room. When Mom heard her, she yelled out. If you’re ready, come in here. I’m putting on my makeup!

Holly went to the master bathroom finding Mom sitting in front of it putting something on her face. I didn’t think you needed anything, your skin and eyes are naturally perfect without anything. Mom was saying as Holly stood there watching her putting on makeup.

When I was your age, I never wore much makeup either. Mom remarked.

I don’t see the need for makeup! Holly stated watching her.

When you get my age, you use all the help you can get to keep your man interested! Mom said then laughed. Holly chuckled knowing that was what humans did when some one said something a little funny. Her statement made Holly think, could a person in love with another fall back out of love wanting someone else? She touched Mr. Charles mind and he was in love with his wife just as much today as when they were first going out. She also knew that Mom still loved him like she did back then, so her statement didn’t make sense to Holly.

While she waited, Holly let her thoughts drift back to last time Rip made love to her. He did something she never knew a man could do, he used his mouth on her breasts giving her sensations she never felt before. She liked it. This love emotion along with others gave her feelings she never knew were inside her. How could this primitive planet have such wonderful things and still have progress. On her planet, they spent all their waking time using their mental powers.

Standing there, Holly was wishing she could get back to her home planet and visit the three worlds of her race’s beginning in the Hall of Time. She had never been there because she had no reason to go. She knew it contained the written record of her civilization from its inception to the present. Even though once the minds came in control, they stopped recording it after finding out that once the body died how to transfer their minds into a place they all called the memories room. Now anyone coming close to where minds were could learn from the person that lived during that time the history was occurring. Holly wondered if before the minds took over, had emotions one of those things that they stamped out. She wondered if it had been too big of price to pay for becoming so mentally superior that nothing else mattered. She wondered if the man that fathered her knew he did. Or had it been concluded in darkness like she was told it would when her mother thought it was time for her to have another girl to pass down their world that her mother’s mother and so on back built for them to rule over. Holly wondered if her mother ever gave birth to a male? If so, was he secretly taken away by the men that she never saw but did all the cooking in hiding also cleaning during the night while she slept? These Earthlings did things together, she was learning they shared the work a lot and both doing it.

Mom got up straightening her dress saying, I guess I’m ready. I hope you don’t mind riding in a pickup. I prefer to drive one than a citified car. She gave a chuckle walking out. Holly followed behind her not knowing what a pickup was.

Outside, Holly observed her opening the pickup door. You go around to the other side. I don’t trust anyone’s driving but my husband and my own.

Holly did see her climb in and sit down. She went around the front of the pickup to the other door that looked just like the one Mom got into. Opening it, she climbed in like Mom did but both noticed the tilt when she got in. Girl, you are heavier than you look or those springs are getting old on that side! Mom exclaimed followed by a laugh. Holly laughed as well.

Holly did a mental scan of Mom and realized that her body was twice if not more dense than Mom’s was. I just felt a strange tingling over my entire body, I hope I’m not coming down with something! Mom said as she inserted the key to start the pickup. Holly watched how she manipulated the vehicle to make it start up and run. It was another strange thing to her; the mind did all that without touching a thing. Realizing she now used her sense of touch more than she ever did before.

Strange smells assaulted her sense of smell, some pleasant others not so pleasant. She grew up spending most of her time in a perfectly manicured garden talking to the plants and learning how to use her mind. Now, she faced all different types of smells. Earth they called it had such a variety she was finding as she drove. She half listened to Mom chatting away about the wedding while enjoying sights and smells.

When they drove into town, she was amazed to see males and females together with little ones walking around doing things together. She was more amazed to hear men, women and even children call out to Mom saying good to see you Mrs. Charles! It seemed like everyone knew her. Once they were out of the truck, everyone they met, Mom introduced Holly as her soon to be daughter in law. It seemed like everyone wanted to shake her hand and smiled learning she would be soon a Charles.

Holly found out quickly not to leave her mind open as people talking with their mouths had thoughts running through their head that no one should read; saying one thing but thinking another