For a moment I just froze in front of the tree, trying to come to grips with what happened, where fact had stopped and fantasy had begun. What was live and what was Memorex?

I mentally rewound back to the moment we got done talking with Spike. It seemed unreal that ET and Norenio knew where to find us, but Gertie had caused a lot of controversy. I asked him about this on the way back to his hut.

My wujemzu (kind of like an uncle-family relationships are hard to describe when you have three partners) Nuomgob sent me a message asking me if I knew anything about a group of large pale skinned creatures looking for Nisweku registration, he said. When I noticed you missing, I got suspicious, especially when Pabyeba mentioned a conversation she had with Gertie.

So, nothing false about any of that. It had the sort of uncomfortable awkwardness you'd expect from reality, and so did the stuff that happened before. Sleeping on the floor afterwards, that was kind of humbling and pitiful too.

So...the only part that didn't make sense was how I got to Yatgibi's place. Did I subconsciously memorize the computer commands necessary for bringing me back there?

Yatgibi waddled up to the door, examining my handiwork.

He smiled, patted me on the lower back, due to the height disadvantage. Excellent work Elliott. We are nearing the fruition of our goal. It is true what they say, 'Fire begins with a small blossom.'

I suddenly felt cold. "What did you just say?"

He shrugged. Your powers are developing. They began like a small spark, but now they blossom.

I frowned, not liking how much he talked like my hallucination.

The alien placed his hands on the door, made them glow. More pieces cracked. Tell your mate she is exempt from work today. Your contribution has been more than sufficient.

That sounded strange, but it was somewhere near early dawn. "My mate," I grumbled. I still wasn't sure...what happened...had actually happened. "Have you seen her? Is she anywhere around here?"

The look on Yatgibi's face told me he didn't care one way or another. I do not know. I was asleep, and you woke me up with your noise. Not that I'm complaining, of course, you have helped us more than you know.

I saw the alien's friends rushing out, to help him with the tree.

I searched around the pod and platform, but could find no sign of Lori. I gave it up, climbed into the pod.

I worried I wouldn't know how to get back. I wasn't even sure how I'd gotten the thing parked next to the tree instead of its usual spot at the platform, but immediately after the hatch closed, it started moving on its own.

If Lori was still at Yatgibi's place, I was going to be in even more trouble.

Knowing what I did about the pods and 'the honor system,' I panicked, thinking I'd be taken off to Timbuktu and have everyone worried sick, but then I saw Roy's face on the screen, wincing, clearly suffering from a hangover. "Kid, if you were planning to run away, you forgot to bring along your sister and girlfriend...Look, I probably shouldn't have been drinking. You probably get enough of that from your old man, but I promise I'm not going to slap you around. I meant what I said about returning you to your folks the way I found you." He sighed. "Despite the fact I'm really pissed at you."

I was insulted by what he implied about my Dad, but he didn't let me speak. I guess, even if he did, I really had nothing to say to him. I mean, I was still trying to figure out how I'd gotten to the tree.

"What were you doing over there anyway? Did you just need some air? I mean, Yatgibi is a neat guy, but I didn't exactly think you two were pals."

I scowled at the screen. "We're not." I paused a moment, panicking again. "Wait. Lori isn't with me."

Roy rubbed his head, squinting at me. "Yeah, so?"

"But..." I floundered. "Have you seen Lori?"

Roy shrugged. "She's with me. Why?"

I flushed red. "No reason."

"You seem...out of sorts, kid. Did Mister Yatgibi slip you some Boqunze while you were over there? If you wanted to get hammered so badly, you could have at least stolen some from me!"

"Wait, how did you know where I was?"

"Your pod has a tracking system. And a parental override. Your friend Vorxora showed me how it worked."

I heard mumbling in the background. "Oh. And Lori wants to know who gave you the right to chew on her ear."

After dropping that bombshell, he disappeared from the monitor, leaving me feeling worse than before.

So now I knew for a fact that Lori had never been there. Although it was nice to not worry about leaving anyone behind, it also meant I might end up wearing a straight jacket.

When the pod opened in ET's area, I found everyone waiting outside the hatch, nobody except Charlie looking too happy. Gertie looked hurt, Roy...pissed, obviously, Norenio worried, ET and his Qulpari friends: sad, terribly confused, or both. Lori wouldn't even make eye contact with me.

"Guys," I said. "I... just sleepwalked. I...don't know what to tell you. I'm sorry."

Lori glared. "You looked and sounded wide awake to me. I think you're just making excuses. Whatever you're trying to pull, no is still no."

I stared at her. "How did you get back here?"

She gave me this look like I was crazy. "Oh I don't know, because I never left?"

"And you just let me go?"

"You said you were only getting some air! How was I supposed to know you were going to run off?"

Yeah, so maybe Lori was less than understanding, but it sounded like I wasn't entirely blameless, either. I couldn't deny that I had done a bunch of weird things in my sleep, and I had no witnesses that could say I didn't look awake while doing them.

I felt my anger rising, red light flaring through my hands. I had to force myself to be calm. "I thought about telling you you don't have to work at Yatgibi's place today, on account of me doing such a good job, but you know what? Now I don't care. Go back there and play with your alien monster poop. You seem to like it more than me!"

She marched up and slapped me across the face. "Maybe Gertie had the right idea. You're such a jerk, I think I'd be better off with Oxnizjel! I hope you and your stupid tree have many great times together!"

Charlie flew between us, looking cheerful. "Jerrrk!"

Lori giggled. "You spoke!"

Purring, Charlie said the word again.

"Gee thanks, Charlie!" I snarled.

"Jerk jerk jerk," Charlie repeated merrily.

"You want me to show you how much a jerk I can be?" I threatened. "Keep it up! I'll use you as my personal punching bag! In fact, I'll make good on what Lori said about killing you again!"

Charlie flew in close. "Jerk!"

I swung my fist, but he did his puffer fish routine and darted away the moment I made the attempt.

Lori was laughing.

Even Gertie and ET's Qulpari friends were chuckling. I could take no more of their mockery.

I hated Charlie, I hated Lori, and above everything else I hated myself. Compiled with everything else, I found the negative emotion boiling up within myself, threatening to destroy me if it didn't find some outlet.

All that murderous hate I'd been practicing came to the fore, my hands glowing like red flashlights, and an evil instinct welled up inside me, prompting me to scream and lash out at Charlie like I'd attacked that tree.

At first, I thought nothing would happen. All I was doing was spreading my hands like some wizard in Dungeons and Dragons, but then a blast of red energy flashed from my palms.

Charlie shrieked as...whatever it was tore a furrow down his skin, singeing his flesh, burning his puffer spikes.

"No!" ET yelled with a ferocity I didn't imagine possible.

Before I knew what was happening, I found myself smashing through a wooden rail, sailing off the edge of the platform. ET had his slimy hand outstretched, the expression on his face like a pet owner being forced to put down a sick dog. Below loomed something like a fifty foot drop to the ground.

I fumbled with my outfit, wondering how I would make the glider thing work, or if it actually would.

Pabyeba growled something, waddling to the edge as I dropped through the air. Her hand shot out, and I felt my descent slowing.

Meazquad stepped in beside her, also reaching for me. I stopped falling.

ET, with a grudging nod, assisted the two in stabilizing me in the air.

Charlie flitted above me, making a sound like `Aww, do I have to?' A moment later, he was closing his eyes, and I felt myself drifting back toward the platform.

Like deep sea fishermen reeling in a big catch, Tolmina and Colzest hurried out to give aid, and soon I lay sprawled on the wooden planks.

ET said something and the Qulpari closed on me, hands outstretched, reminding me of the nightmare visions I've always heard described in UFO abduction lore.

The minute their hands made contact with my body, it felt like I was donating platelets, as if all my vitality and energy were draining away, making me weaker and weaker and weaker.

I saw the color draining from my flesh, like that cartoon man on Sesame Street that turns an orange into a deflated white ball. When their hands pulled away, I lay curled up in a fetal position, barely able to move. I was crying.

"It serves you right!" Lori said. "Just because you have magic powers doesn't mean you can go around trying to kill people that make fun of you. I'm surprised you didn't try to kill me!"

What she said hurt because it was true. I hated her for it, but I still loved her, which made me cry more.

Already beaten, I expected more punishment, maybe involving ET electrocuting me with lighting bolts like the Emperor on Star Wars, but instead he gave me a hug. I held him close, crying on his shoulder.

"Why?" I whimpered. "Why not just let me die? Why not just destroy me?"

You destroy an enemy best by making them not your enemy.

I swallowed. "I was your enemy?"

You were never my enemy. You have merely forgotten our friendship. Alas, if only I had responded this to others I have known.

I stopped crying and sat up. ET let go.

Lori, apparently satisfied I was okay, turned up her nose and stomped back into our hut.

Gertie had nothing to say to me. She just sighed and looked sad. Apparently satisfied that I at least hadn't died and seemed to be in good health, she also left me.

Roy gawked at ET. "Remind me to never piss you off."

The alien smirked a little.

The man turned his attention to me, rubbing his head, as his hangover still lingered. "Okay...so...I think you learned your lesson about attacking people...but what in God's name were you sneaking out all alone in the middle of the night? Even your friends had the sense to stay with Vorxora!"

I reddened. "Like I said, I was sleepwalking. The whole thing...well, until I got into the pod and you talked to me a few minutes ago...I don't care what Lori says, or if you believe me. I was sleepwalking."

Roy scratched his head. "I've heard of sleepwalking and sleep eating. I had a buddy that even said he attacked his wife in his sleep, but I've never heard of sleep driving to work."

"It's not a car. It's a flying alien pod with autopilot."

Roy had a look on his face that said he kinda didn't want to believe me, but was accepting the story anyway. "Okay...so...did you attack anyone? Steal anything? That's generally par for the course in these kinds of situations..."

I shook my head. "I...don't think so. I just...worked."

"Growing plants and breaking open a tomb?"

I nodded.

"Sounds industrious...Guess we're going to have to tie you down to the bed or something from now on."

I gave him a reluctant nod.

"Well, don't run off again."

He left for his place.

"You... do not know how to operate shuba, do you?" Norenio asked me.

I shrugged. "Did I look like I knew?"

Smiling, she showed me how to pull the rings and make a glider cape poof out. She offered to toss me in the air for a few practice flights, but I was still exhausted from the sleepwalking and the aliens draining me. "Thanks... maybe we can do that some other time."

I sat down on a step.

"Why did you sleepwalk?"

I laughed. "Seriously?"

She was serious.

"...Once I find out the answer to that question, I'll let you know."

Charlie winged in closer to me, his demeanor like a dog who had just gotten beaten, but still loved its master. When he opened his mouth, I thought he was going to call me a jerk again, but instead I heard a different one. "Whyyyyee?"

Sighing, I just shook my head. "I don't you'd understand. All I can say is that I'm sorry."

To my surprise, he responded intelligently. "It's okay."

His tone was sad, like it really wasn't, but he forgave me.

I stared at him in shock. "You can communicate?"

In response , he moaned like a baby whale.

I rolled my eyes, reached out to pet him.

He went puffer fish for a moment, then allowed me to stroke his unburned areas. "I hope someone can treat your burns, Charlie."

He gave me an expectant look.

"...Me?" I frowned. "I...don't know. I'm...tired."

He made a noise like a German Shepherd with indigestion.

Humoring him, I placed my hands on his burns, but the moment I focused on healing his wounds, I got a headache, saw stars and blacked out.

I came to face down on the wooden planks.

When I sat up, I saw ET and Meazquad taking over the job of restoring Charlie's flesh. "They took my power," I groaned.

Now it was Tolmina's turn to put his two cents in. As family nennop, I must tell you that it was bad to attack 'Charlie'. It was also Ill advised for you to go off to Yatgibi's place of business on your own. You must avoid doing reckless things of this type in the future. Another thing: I would suggest asking permission before attempting to devour anything on your prospective mate's body. She may take offense. If you continue to make unwise decisions such as these, I suggest you begin consulting me on a regular basis.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks. If I need somebody to repeat what everyone else just said to me, I'll be sure to ask for your assistance."

The sarcasm, being lost on him, prompted a proud nod. I provide advice through other methods as well!

"Thanks," I groaned. "Maybe later."

Tolmina wandered off.

I sat on the edge of the platform, staring into the night sky. In addition to the two moons, the constellations were completely unfamiliar. It explained the strangeness of certain astrological diagrams I'd seen in various places (like the market). I hadn't studied the pictures enough to connect the dots and figure out what anything was...or the location of earth.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a short brown body sitting down next to me. I did not want to hurt you, Elliott. You are my friend.

I sighed. "They seem to think I have talent. Yatgibi said a fire starts small."

ET's neck shrank, his expression becoming grave. Mold grows best in the dark.

He left me alone with that thought.