Crimson Mercury Part 1: Abduction

By Kathrine Kautzman

He was beautiful; the alien doctor. He was tall, pale and skinny, like I would have expected but what I didn’t expect was how breathtakingly handsome he was. His hair was dark, and all of his facial features were sharp and pointy, but not so much that he would stand out in a crowd of humans. His eyes were the giveaway; they were purple with a vertical black slit down the middle. His eyes should have been creepy and freaked me out but the more time I spend with him the more I love his warm, purple, beautiful, comfortable, eyes. Wait! I can’t be I love with him; he’s an alien. There’s no way I could have feelings for an alien…is there?
All the rumors are true; the abductions, the experimentation, the UFOs, the crop circles, and even the lizard eyes. But there’s so much about them they don’t let us see, normally. They took me from my wedding reception last summer and I was chosen by their leader to be his wife. They awoke me from my slumber and I’ve been living with them like I’m one of them until the wedding.
I have to admit I love it here but is it here that I love or is it him? He’s wonderful and perfect but I’m supposed to marry his brother and if I were to somehow escape from them I already have a husband at home. I can’t be in love with him. There are so many reasons why that could never work. No, I’m not in love with him. He’s an alien. Humans don’t just fall in love with aliens. I just like him…a lot. I like him a lot lot.
Crimson Mercury Part 1: Abduction is the first in the series about a love triangle between a girl named Sid and two alien brothers; Felix and Wolfgang.
Look for book 2 coming spring 2015

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483550749

Book preview

31

Chapter 1

I was thirsty – so thirsty.

It was hot and stifling like a tanning booth and I could feel the sweat dripping off my face. I was so weak and hungry I felt like I was on my way to death. I opened my eyes and was blinded by the brightness. Everything was fuzzy like I had been sleeping in my contacts for a long time but I could see well enough to figure out I was in a small, quiet, bright room strapped down to a table in the middle. I tried to free myself from whatever was holding me but it seemed like the more I moved the tighter the bindings got. I could only move my head to look around.

Above me was a piece of equipment with a bunch of metal arms coming off of it that reminded me of something found in a dentist office. Please tell me I’m in a dentist’s office. My vision was still blurry so I couldn’t see it perfectly but it seemed that at the end of one of the armatures there was a huge needle. Another armature had what looked like a mini chainsaw on the end of it.

I felt an itch on the tip of my nose. I went to scratch it but I was quickly reminded that my arms were bound. The itch got worse so I moved my nose hoping to stop the itch but to no avail. The itch really started to bug me so I tried in vain to free my arms. It was driving me insane. I began blowing at my nose but the itch just got worse so I tried again to free my arms until my wrists began hurting. I let out a scream because of the itch on my nose.

Voices outside the room startled me. I tried to figure out what they were saying but they weren’t speaking English; I couldn’t tell what language it was. I turned my head toward the sound and noticed a door. Just to the right of the door was some writing but I couldn’t make it out because I still couldn’t see clearly. Was I wearing my contacts or not? I don’t think the writing was English; in fact it didn’t look familiar at all. It actually looked like a bunch of crop circles. No, it was Russian. No, Japanese. If I had on my glasses I could figure it out so I squinted and examined the writing again. Crop circles; they had to be crop circles.

I realized I was in my wedding dress. What happened? How did I get here? I tried to remember but my memory was cloudy.

***

I was watching two crows outside the window trying to catch a butterfly as my sister was finishing fixing my hair. When she was done I went to get my wedding dress out of the bag. It was so beautiful I almost started to cry. I couldn’t believe I was about to get married.

I carefully took off my clothes so as not to mess up my hair or make up.

Help me get in this thing, Livy.

You are un-naturally tan, Sid, she said as she helped me put it on. I hope you don’t get skin cancer.

But Jeremy loves my California girl look, I said. So do I.

The constant tanning and the bleaching of your hair, that’s too much work just to keep a guy happy. The guy I marry has to love me just the way I am.

Jeremy loves me just the way I am, I told her. Now will you please zip me up?

She came behind me and zipped up my dress. I turned around, looked in the mirror and smiled but then I noticed my hands were shaking and I felt like there was a rock in my stomach. Why am I so nervous?

Do you think Tyler will show up today, after being gone for two years? my sister interrupted my thoughts. Dad’s going to freak out if he does. Every wedding has to have some drama. If that’s it, you’ll be lucky. Besides, I miss my big brother. I hope he comes.

Me too.

Look at my gorgeous niece! my Aunt Kathy said as she came in the room. I love my Aunt Kathy. We’re so close; much closer than I am to my mom. You look like a dream. She came over and gave me a hug and it calmed me a little but then I had to sit down because I was tired.

Thank you. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.

Don’t you start crying! I don’t want you ruining your make up before the wedding.

I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m so nervous and I’m so tired; I’m a mess.

Why are you so tired? Didn’t you get enough sleep last night? she asked. Were you too excited to sleep?

I got plenty of sleep, I said. I’ve just been tired lately.

You’re shaking, honey. You don’t need to be so nervous. Jeremy is a good guy.

I know. It’s not him. I can’t figure it out. I’ve been a wreck since I left Jeremy’s last night. It was dark last night and I got freaked out for some reason. Maybe I’m just nervous about marriage in general; I already have two friends divorced or maybe it’s because I’m about to marry the only guy I’ve ever really dated.

When its right, you don’t need to shop around.

I’ve never even had sex with him, I meekly told her.

You don’t have to sleep with someone to be in love, she assured me. You’ve really never had sex with him? She was in a state of disbelief. Eight years?

"We wanted to save something; at least, I’ve always wanted to save something, for the wedding night. Maybe I’m not really in love with him!" I was beginning to worry.

Of course you’re in love with him, Aunt Kathy said. You just know him so well. You two are just so comfortable together.

But I never gave any other guys a chance, I said. Maybe that’s why I’m so nervous. Maybe there is someone better out there for me.

Sidney! she startled me. Jeremy loves you and you love him. That is why you are marrying him…today. It will all work out, honey. You don’t need to question what you’ve known you’ve wanted for years.

Is this what I’ve wanted or is it what my parents wanted? I questioned. Is it what I wanted or what Jeremy wanted? I love Jeremy, but am I in love with him?

That’s silly, Sidney, she said. He’s your best friend. There’s no one better to marry than your best friend.

"He is my best friend."

He’s at the door, Livy said. Go away, Jeremy.

I need to see her, he said. Let me in.

He came in while everyone else left us alone.

Jeremy, I said. What are you doing in here? It’s bad luck for you to see me before the wedding.

Don’t be so superstitious, he said. I was concerned about you. You sounded nervous this morning. He came over to me and put his arms around me so I put my arms over his shoulders and hugged him. With my heels on we were the same height. He brought his face into mine and rubbed my nose with his. You’re trembling, Sid. I’ve never seen you like this.

I’m nervous, I told him. It’s my wedding day. I’m supposed to be nervous but now I’m worried about bad luck.

You worry too much, he told me. Are you going to wear your hair up like that?

I tried having it down but it looks so much better up.

Okay, he reluctantly agreed. You still look hot. I can’t wait till this whole wedding thing is over. He gave me a passionate kiss.

Me neither. I kissed him back and I could feel myself trembling.

He took my hand. What can I do to calm you down? This isn’t like you, Sid. You usually have no fear about anything – except horses.

I know.

You had to drag me sky diving with you. You never back down from anything.

I’m not going to back out of this, I assured him.

I know, he said. Do you think it’s just the usual cold feet?

Probably. Do you think we’re rushing into this? I asked. We’ve never seriously dated anyone else.

We’ve been together for eight years. We’re not rushing and we tried dating other people.

Please don’t remind me about all the hearts you broke in college.

They were all so needy, he said. There’s no one else out there who gets me like you do.

I know. I just wish I could get this uneasy feeling to go away. Do you think we really love each other?

What kind of a question is that, Sid? He was disappointed. We’re getting married in like, ten minutes.

Haven’t you had doubts? I asked.

Of course, Sid, but I love you. You’re my best friend. I don’t know what I would do without you in my life. You’ve always been there for me.

You did fine in college.

But I always knew you were back home waiting for me.

I waited for you? I questioned.

Yes. He smiled. No one was ever as good as me.

You’re right. I smiled back. There’s no one else on the planet better for me than you.

I knew it! he reveled. My job here is done. I think you’ll be okay. I’m going to go and let you finish fixing your hair. He kissed me on the cheek. I love you.

I love you, I told him as I started pulling the bobby pins out of my hair.

What are you doing? he asked. Didn’t your sister just spend like, two hours putting your hair up?

Yes, but you like it down. I said. I want to make you happy.

***

We were out on the dance floor dancing under the stars and the moonlight. The frogs were making so much noise in the trees I could still hear them over the music and it made me happy.

You look amazing tonight, Jeremy said as he kissed me. I love what you did with your hair, Mrs. West.

You look amazing too, Mr. West. I kissed him back and I almost forgot we were in front of all our friends and family.

Still having second thoughts? he asked me.

No, I said.

Still nervous?

Yes, I admitted. I can’t figure out why I would still be so nervous.

Maybe you’re still worried about your brother showing up, he said.

The night’s almost over, I said. I don’t think he’s going to make it. That’s okay. I didn’t want any drama.

Attention, everyone, the DJ interrupted. It’s that time of night; before the bride and groom head off into the sunset, the bride has to throw out her bouquet so I need all the single women to come to the dance floor. Come on ladies, don’t be shy.

Are you ladies ready? I asked once everyone was in position. They all cheered so I turned around and got ready to throw. All at once the frogs became silent making the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up and the creepy feeling from last night return. It was eerie quiet when I noticed five horizontal lights in the sky off in the distance in a v-shaped pattern coming this way very rapidly. They weren’t normal lights. They were so bright they were almost blinding to look at, but I couldn’t look away.

What’s that? I heard someone say.

The lights were getting closer very quickly causing fear to strike through me but I didn’t move.

Aliens! someone screamed. Aliens are coming! The cry sent the entire reception in a panic. I heard screams and people scattering all around me but I couldn’t move and I couldn’t look away as the lights got closer.

Jeremy pulled my arm. Sid, come on! Let’s get out of here! He pulled on me and I walked with him but I still couldn’t keep my eyes off the lights. Sid, let’s go! The lights were right above us when my nervousness disappeared and I felt warm and calm for the first time since last night. Sid! Jeremy screamed at me.

What? I managed to reply.

Let’s go! he urgently spoke. I calmly looked around and I could see people scattering in every direction but not everyone was panicking; one of Jeremy’s uncles was just standing there in a trance looking up at the lights like I had been.

Jeremy, I said. Your uncle… But before I could finish my thought Jeremy’s uncle quickly vanished as he was yanked up toward the light. Oh my gosh! Adrenaline surged through me. I grabbed Jeremy’s hand and we sprinted away as fast as we could. A coworker of my dad’s was standing looking up at the lights. In an instant, she was gone, up in the sky. Jeremy, get me out of here!

That’s what we’re doing! We ran as fast as we could through the parking lot, away from the lights but then I felt something wrap around my waist and pull me up and away from Jeremy.

Jeremy! I screamed. He turned around and grabbed my hand and held on with all his might. He was being dragged with me so he grabbed onto a car and pulled me the other way. I tried to hold him but I was being drawn up toward the light by some invisible force. My arm felt like it was going to be yanked out of its socket so I screamed in pain.

Sid! Hold on, Jeremy said but I couldn’t

It hurts! I cried. Jeremy lost his grip on me and instantly I snapped up into the sky where I could see my ruined wedding reception. There ran away all my guests. My wedding! I was at my wedding. I just married Jeremy. I was pulled inside something, the wind stopped and it became dark; extremely dark. I couldn’t see anything but I heard something behind me. Get away from me! I yelled as I got up and ran away from the sound as quick as I could but I smacked my head on a ceiling and fell back in a daze.

Something softly touched my arm. Before I could move away a warm, relaxing feeling filled me and I didn’t want to move; I just wanted to keep feeling this feeling. The soothing touch moved up my arm then it moved to my neck and took my breath away. I felt as though my spirit was liquid and it was expanding right out of my body into whatever was touching me. This new freedom was the most serene feeling I’ve ever experienced. I felt intimately connected to whatever it was and I never wanted the feeling to stop.

I could feel it now breathing on my neck and it sent chills down my spine. This one has potential. I heard a voice in my head.

Potential for what? I asked and the touch immediately went away. Jeremy? I softly spoke. Is that you? Please, be you. I felt a hot hand then take my wrist, then a prick on my arm and within moments I began to feel light headed.

***

Now I was strapped to a table in the middle of a bright, hot dentist’s office; a dentist’s office with a chain saw. I was taken from my wedding reception and brought here by a UFO. Something strange touched me. Someone or something was outside speaking a strange language; a language written in crop circles.

Oh crap! I’ve been abducted by aliens! I quietly whispered.

I was startled by a noise behind me. I wasn’t alone; there was something in the room with me. Was it an alien? I lifted my chin and tilted my head back to look behind me. Everything was upside down and kind of blurry but I could see it.

There was someone behind me. It had its back to me and appeared to be looking at a something interesting. It wasn’t paying attention to me so I examined it. It actually looked like a man, just a regular human. He had on black pants and boots and a white lab coat. He was really tall and lanky but he appeared human. What? Where are the aliens?

Hello? I tried to speak but my mouth was so dry. Excuse me. I managed to get out.

He ignored me.

Excuse me, I said a little louder. I’m thirsty. I need a drink.

He continued to ignore me.

Hello! Can you hear me?

He finally turned around in his lab chair and looked at me but he didn’t say anything. He looked kind of strange but I couldn’t figure out what it was. Maybe if he was closer.

Hi, can I get a drink? It’s really hot in here. It was his eyes; his eyes were dark and looked like there was no white or iris, just a huge dark pupil. Was he on drugs? I squinted to see him clearer but he turned away and got something out of a cabinet, rolled over to me on his lab chair, reached up and turned on a light then brought it down into my face. I was almost blinding. Do you mind? That light is really bright.

He brought his face down to mine and his eyes changed. Suddenly, they were a bright purple violet color and he only had a small vertical black slit for his pupil.

OH MY GOSH! I blurted out. He’s not human! Fear and adrenalin filled my whole body! I had been abducted by aliens! I had to get away! I tried to move but I was still strapped in so I closed my eyes. I know it was stupid; he could still see me but at least I didn’t have to look at him. He moved away from me then I felt his hot hand on my arm. I opened my eyes to see what he was doing. He had a needle. Not a shot! I begged. How cliché. He injected a blue liquid into my arm and within moments I felt cooler and I wasn’t as thirsty or hungry anymore. In fact, I felt calm and relaxed. What was in that? I feel great now.

He rolled back over to my face and looked me in the eyes again but he wasn’t looking me in the eye. He was looking at my eyes. He’s going to put needles in my eyes just like in the movies! I should have felt some kind of fear but the drug he gave me kept me calm so I examined him as he reached for something.

He was strangely attractive. His skin was pale and his chin was kind of pointy. Actually, all of his features were kind of sharp and pointy; his eyebrows were even bent like a pointy off-center chevron. He had a dark head of what looked like hair. I didn’t know aliens had hair. His features were strange but pleasing to look at. I expected him to be creepy but he wasn’t creepy at all; except maybe his violet lizard eyes.

He put one of his long hands on my forehead then he bought up his other hand to my face; his finger headed for my eye. I closed my eyes and tried to turn my head away but he was too strong. With the hand on my forehead he kept my head straight and then opened the lid of my eye. Then with his other hand he extracted the contact out of my eye and put it somewhere.

Oh. That’s it? Why didn’t you just tell me? I would have held still. He reached for my other eye. I didn’t struggle this time but I couldn’t keep the lid open so he held it open while he took out the other contact. I noticed he had a thin, smooth, silver two inch wide armband on the wrist of his hand that was on my forehead.

Nice arm band, I said. What’s it for? He glanced slightly at the armband. Did he just look at his armband?Did you understand what I said? He ignored me as he looked at my eyes again. It was then that I realized I could now see clearly. What did you do? How can I see after you took my contacts out? He didn’t answer so I looked around the room and noticed the sterile walls and the now much more intimidating armature tool above me and I realized just how alien this place really was.

The alien spoke something alien into his arm band and within moments the door opened and another similar, tall, lanky creature walked in with light blue eyes; like a Siamese cat. My captor pushed something on his armband and whatever had been binding me was gone. I was free! Now was my chance to get out. I sat up and went to jump off the table away from the aliens but I was still weak and my legs failed me so I crashed down to the floor. The two aliens watched with no expression as I struggled on the floor. What happened to my legs? I could move them but they were so weak.

There was an open door in front of me. If I could just get to it I could get out of here; wherever here was. I struggled some more to stand up but I couldn’t. I was so tired and weak I flopped back on the floor defeated.

My captor came over and stood over me then he crouched down in front of me and held out his hand. With my remaining strength I reached for his hand and took it. He pulled me up to my feet and let me go and this time I was able to at least and on my own. I looked up at my violet eyed captor who towered over me. He had to be taller than a normal human; I’m pretty tall but he made me feel short. He could have played professional basketball but he looked too wimpy to play any sport. He was still mesmerizing and I couldn’t help but examine his attractiveness even though his lizard eyes still freaked me out. He now had something in his hands that looked like his silver armband but there were two of them.

What’s that? He started to reach for my arm but I stumbled away as fast as I could using my former bed as a walker. Get away from me!

As they came after me and backed me into a corner I started to try to figure where I could hit them so they would leave me alone. I noticed there was a name on my captor’s lab coat; Felix. Is that really his name?Is Felix your name or is it the name of someone you’ve abducted?

He immediately grabbed my arm and got it behind me; he was surprisingly strong. Then he took my other arm and cuffed me with his alien handcuffs. Next the other alien then began prodding me out the door. My legs felt stronger as I walked and the more I walked the more they felt like normal. As I exited my cell I thought if I could run ahead of them, maybe I could escape so I ran out away from the aliens into a hall lined with doors. None of them would open so my escape attempt was short lived.

Felix went to the door next to mine and opened it up. He and the other alien went in and just left me out in the hall. I guess they didn’t worry about me escaping. A woman inside screamed, there was a struggle, then silence. I was curious so I tried to inconspicuously see what was going on. The blue eyed alien came out with the woman draped over his shoulder. What ever happened in there didn’t end well for her. I wondered if she was dead. Felix then opened another door, went in, a woman screamed, there was a struggle, and then he came out with her. She was awake; kicking and screaming.

Get your filthy alien hands off me! she yelled as he dragged her over to where I was standing. He pushed a button on the silver armband around his wrist and suddenly my cuffs were attracted to hers. He had bound us together with some invisible force. Who are you? she asked me, Did they take you too? You’re one of them aren’t you?

I’m not one of them, I said. Why do you think I would be one of them?

You look like one of them, she said.

What? I was puzzled but I didn’t have time to ask more questions because Felix began prodding us along. The other alien carried the sleeping woman in front of us as we followed.

Where do you think they’re taking us? she asked.

I have no idea, I said. How long do you think we’ve been here?

I’ve been asleep, she said. I have no clue. You have a name?

Sid, I answered. What about you?

Ollie, she said. Did you just come from your wedding? Why are you in a wedding dress? Are they going to make you marry one of them?

I was taken from my reception.

Oh, Ollie said. Bummer.

Yes it was, I agreed then I thought about Jeremy. He probably thinks I’m dead.

We followed the blue eyed alien down several hallways never once seeing a window and it felt to me like we were going in circles. I never could have found my way back to my cell by myself; not that I wanted to. He finally led us up a bunch of stairs and up a dark curved hallway then we stopped right outside a large, ornate, meeting auditorium adorned with crucifixes. We appeared to be in some kind of modern church building. I could see rows, seats and what looked to me like an altar in the front. Was it a building or were we on a space ship?

They’re going to sacrifice us, Ollie said just as I was thinking it.

The alien put the woman he was carrying down at the end of the hall by a fountain. He leaned her up against the wall, pushed a button on his armband and then she was being held up magically, no, magnetically, maybe, by her cuffs. Then he put another set of cuffs around her ankles.

We have to get a hold of that thing on his wrist, Ollie said. I agreed.

When she was secure he came over for us and Ollie tried to bolt back down the hall. Only problem was, I wasn’t on the same page so she ended up pulling me to the ground. Then because I had fallen, she fell back on top of me. We looked like idiots. The two aliens came and stood over us and I swear they looked like they wanted to laugh, but they didn’t. They just looked at us until we figured we needed to get up. Felix had to help us up then he dragged us over to the wall where they separated us and secured us individually.

What if I have to pee? I asked Felix as he pushed the button that secured me in place. He ignored my comment like usual.

The sleeping woman started to wake up. Where am I now? she timidly asked.

Outside the sacrifice room, Ollie answered her.

Who are you? the waking woman asked. I’m not alone?

No, I said. She looked at me and was taken aback. I scared her for some reason.

You won’t have to die alone, Ollie said.

What did you do to be here? the woman asked me.

I was abducted, I told her.

But you’re one of them, she said.

Why does everyone keep saying that? I asked.

Because… Ollie started to say then stopped. She was looking down the hall we had just come up where a crowd of aliens were coming toward us. They came over to us and seemed pleased we were there. I didn’t want to speculate why.

I felt like an animal at the zoo, only I wasn’t behind protective glass. They just kept coming in, crowds and crowds of them, men and women; all of them tall, skinny, and curious with their big creepy colored lizard eyes, pale skin and pointy features. Actually, not all of them were tall and skinny. Every once in a while a short one would come in. The short ones were pale but their eyes were just white with a round black pupil. Their eye seemed human and they weren’t nearly as beautiful as the tall elf-like aliens. If I had to guess I’d say they were part human. Were they actually breeding with humans? Is that why we were there?

I didn’t like it when they would get up close to look at me. Their eyes were really creepy. They were orange or green but every once in a while one of them had yellow or blue eyes but they all had the vertical line down the center which made them look evil. Wait – these were aliens – they were evil. They didn’t seem all that evil though. Ok, so I was being held captive against my will but I didn’t feel like my life was really in any danger. I was uncomfortable with all the spectators but I wasn’t afraid of them. I had been more nervous on my wedding day. They just seemed curious. Some of them even appeared to smile at me. Maybe a smile wasn’t a good thing. Maybe I should have been scared that they were smiling. No, a smile is universally good, I hope.

Who do you think that is? Ollie asked.

I looked back down the hall and saw an alien dressed in a fancy, grey, military uniform heading our way. He looked very similar to Felix and had dark hair like him but his had a silver streak in it. He could have been an older version of Felix; he was almost as beautiful. Where they related? Everyone else cleared a path for the distinguished alien. He asked Felix something and Felix answered then he came up to us and began scrutinizing. He had the violet lizard eyes too but his eyes were scarier than Felix’s. He looked evil.