The Twelfth Face
I yawned and stared up into the trees, searching for a break in the branches. I couldn't sleep again for the third night in a row and walking seemed like a brilliant idea. I hadn't considered bringing along a flashlight and that wasn't a brilliant idea.
Without the full moon's glow to light my way, the woods were a never ending stretch of darkness. I pulled the collar of my jacket up around my ears. The hair on my arms began to rise and I stopped to listen. I felt eyes peering at me through the brambles and bushes surrounding me, but I couldn't see a thing.
"Just an animal... Just and animal!" I repeated over and over as I walked faster through the woods.
My footsteps were quiet due to the spongy moss under my rain boots, but I sure made a lot of racket cussing as twigs tangled in my hair and scratched my face. And this was my clever idea for relaxation?
Soon I could almost feel a strange breath on the nape of my neck. I whirled around arms out in defense, but nothing was there. Just an animal! That's all! Just an an –
I turned back around to see a pale, wrinkled beast inches from my face. I felt moist, hot, stank laden breath spread across my cheeks. It's large black eyes blinked, and it was then I noticed the smaller set just above the others, all shaped like almonds.
"Oh... my..."
"Don't move." A voice whispered behind me.
I froze, figuring it would be wise to listen to someone other than myself, who had got me into this mess. The creature's eyes darted past me to whomever was behind me. It let out a purr as it's mouth (at least I assumed it was a mouth) twitched into a smile. The beast's skin crawled as it lowered itself to meet my eyes. I felt my feet move, inching me backward.
"Don't move." The voice called again and I froze, releasing a whimper.
The mouth opened and a slithering, long pale tongue moved from behind a rather sharp row of teeth.
"A plessssure to ssssee you again Doctor." It hissed and purred. I whimpered as a long bony finger reached out and touched my cheek.
"Let her go."
"Why?" The creature retorted.
"She's protected by the order of intergalactic law. Page three-ninety-two, section eight, subsection C, paragraph four, line six." The voice rambled out. I felt a hand slowly close around the back of my jacket. I didn't know what the hell was going on, but it was buying time.
"Doctor, I think we all know a lie when we hearssss it." The creature hissed.
"Can't blame a guy for trying!" The voice called out, yanking on my jacket. I was pulled away from the beast and felt a hand clap into mine. It was then I met his eyes.
"RUN."
