It's all about being pleasant. No complaints, no whining, no pained looks. It's harder then it looks. Trust me. I spend my day smiling and being pleasant to the parasites that come in to my convenience store. Scanning their "purchases" waving as they pump gas, I even put hotdogs in the little roller grill. Oh, yeah, and fill the bun warmer. Souls love warm buns. I am just another happy soul enjoying his calling. Sure that's me.

How I manage to pull off my charade is in part due to some special lenses implanted in my eyes. At lest that's how it was explained to me. They didn't relay get into the process. There are a lot of things I don't remember. They have messed with my head a bit too. Memory blocks in places, creepy things like that. For all I know I am some kind of Manchurian candidate.

I am always watching, noting how many seekers there are around, their patrol habits etc. I also am keeping an eye on the other inhabitants of the area. Numbers, resources, locations, the works. I also am tasked with establishing contact with any non-infected human survivors. Not that I think there are any left.

Reporting my findings is so simple it's almost stupid. The aliens have left the infrastructure pretty much intact. I just drop a coded message into an e-mail account. Yeah, an important military mission, success important to the handful of folks remaining on this earth, and I get orders and deliver reports via hotmail.

I start the coffee machine and stock the coffee creamer sugar and packets. Cups next. A soul can't have crumby convenience store coffee with out cups, and lids too. Yeah…Gotta do the smile and nod. Yep, we are all friends here! Dealing with most of 'em isn't so bad. Its kinda like actually working at a quicky-mart and needing the job. Just have to keep the frustrations off my face. If those murderous worms notice anything is off, I am dead, and probably some other folk if they can drag anything out of my mind.

I look up as the bell dingles on the door. I bring a grin to my face as my most dangerous customer walks in. Katrina's face lights up when she sees me and hurriedly walks over. Before they came I would have never associated an attractive woman as a serious danger. No mistake, she is. A seeker I can deal with, I deal with several. Most of them just grab some coffee, sandwiches or what ever. Obligatory best pals grins and small talk and out the door.

I take in Katrina's form as she approaches. The body she wears is easy on the eyes. 5' 3" tall, long strawberry blond hair. Her figure is a little on the plump side but in the right places. Curves, like a real girl should have. Dressed in jeans and tee shirt, ponytail bobbing as she walked. Each step of her sneakers bringing her closer, I am now in the most danger I'll face all day.

As she arrives she touches my left arm. I react with a little jolt and feel my face flush. I have a dual feeling of terror and attraction blast though my body. Fear and desire, lust and revulsion, all these heady emotions make war from with in. She always does this to me.

Does she sense my feelings of fear and revulsion? Is my secret out?

She smiles and looks up at me. My eyes are drawn to her beautiful face and light blue eyes. For a moment I'm pulled in, dazzled by them. Then I notice the hint of silver there, the tell-tale sign of alien possession. I keep the silly grin plastered on my face.

"Stands!" she says excitedly. "I am so glad I caught you here!"

I reply with a chuckle. "Where else am I going to be? I suppose I could be visiting with Banks Left…" I trail off. Banks host is an elderly woman who used to sing in a church choir. Her calling is music, so the former Bat makes good use of her voice. Great singing, just not overly attractive. It scares me how I sometimes think like them.

Katrina lightly taps me on my arm. "I hope I am more interesting then that." She says as she steps closer, cornering me in the coffee area. I can feel the heat radiating from her body. It sends a chill down my spine. Fear and desire, smelling of a light floral perfume.

I duck my head and feel my face change color. "Infinitely more interesting, I would say." With out realizing it I have mimicked he gesture by touching her arm.

Katrina smiles even wider, if that were possible. "We are having a cookout out at the lake this evening. The people from work and our families…" She pauses now, almost as if she is unsure. "Will you come with me?" She rushes out almost as one word.

I look at her for a pregnant second and blink. Regaining the power of speech I quietly reply "Sure, I would like that."

Quick as lighting she lets out a squeal and closes the last few inches separating us. As she wraps her arms around me I hear her say "I love you!"

My response to that is to close my eyes and pull her tighter to me. I don't trust my voice. Fear and desire, lust and revulsion.