Dear Journal,
It's Wednesday August 26th Isabelle Evan's 18th birthday and also the day of discoveries new allies revealed and some big trouble in little Roswell. So I'm about to go to sleep and all I can think of is how weird I feel right now. You know that awful feeling when you confront a bully it's like pure adrenaline but then afterward granted you didn't get the pulp beaten out of you, ya still feel scared. And then if you hit the bully back no matter how bad they were beating on you or if you felt that your life could have been threatened the fact that you hit someone is still heavy. I guess I should explain where all this came from right?
Sam runs out of the house wearing dark green kakis a white tank top her book bag and her long black hair swishing loosely on her back. She has a bagel stuffed in her mouth as she slings her bag over her shoulders and carelessly slams the door to rush out into the warm New Mexico air of an early 7 am drive to school. Alex gasps a little as he sees Sam pulling her long wavy black hair from behind her book bag. She usually keeps it up either tight in a ponytail or loose bun. She's never one to wear it down all loose and flowing. And although Alex has had a crush on Sam for a very long time he's always used her tomboyish ness to keep himself in line. Of course by the time they were 14 she could no longer hide that she was beautiful and yet she didn't know it yet.
Sam finally took the bagel out of her mouth, which was burning with all the Tabasco sauce and hoped into Alex's green rabbit with a smile. Alex looked a little taken back. Sam tilted her head as he backed out of her driveway.
"Alex do you have an elastic?
Alex shook his head.
Sam growled lightly.
"Great then my hair's gonna be down unless I can borrow one from Liz or Maria at school."
Alex tried to conceal the fact that he was paying more attention to her neckline and how her hair brush lightly against her shoulders than the road.
They both drove with the music up and singing voices going, the awkwardness was drifting away since last night. It now seemed that the two teens were getting used to the idea of going out with one another.
You know what's funny school could have gone by really weirdly I mean Michael and I aren't meeting until Friday but I've given him homework and he's doing an extra credit project for History on a World War II veteran. The thing that makes school great is friends and the flexible use of powers. I admit it can be a little cruel, but I have fun using my powers without anyone knowing like today I erased all the graffiti off the bathroom walls in the girls room. Simple stuff that keeps me sane in the middle of lectures and stuff. Although when we first got to our lockers in the morning something eventful did happen that is worth mentioning.
As Alex and Sam made their way over to their lockers Sam talked to Liz while Maria pulled Alex and Lucas away for something.
"So you're coming with us on Friday, no ifs ands or butts Liz Parker I'm not going to the dance without you. It'll be fun we'll beg the DJ to play oldies and then do our dance routines that we made up."
Liz laughed and then looked back to her cousin. It was hard enough not thinking about Max when everyone else seemed to be getting into these relationships out of no-where. Liz knew that Max loved her but she also knew that Tess was always going to be there that he had this whole destiny with her. Kyle walked up to the two and put his arm around Sam.
"You two are going to the dance right?"
Sam smiled at Kyle.
"Yup you?"
Kyle smiled and rubbed his temple.
"I'm going with a very blonde Tess Harding."
Liz's eyebrows perked up Kyle and Tess they did have a attraction but did this mean that she was giving up on her obsession with Max. Maybe things could work out for the two. Liz smiled at Kyle.
"Wow Kyle that's wow."
Kyle nodded and shrugged.
"Can't help it you gave up on a stud Parker."
Sam rolled her eyes and pushed Kyle playfully towards his locker as Maria came bustling up squealing and jumping up and down holding a flyer.
Sam and Liz looked at their excited friend and her blond curls bouncing up and down. Liz put her hand on her shoulder to calm her while Sam read aloud the flyer.
"The 20th annual debate team national championship come one and come all support the debate team in New York City November 16th to the 19th all expenses paid first come first serve."
Maria nodded and squeaked. Alex approached with Lucas behind her.
"And I just signed us all up."
Maria nodded, "This is my chance, to sing in some smoky dark cabaret and they will all love me."
Sam smiled and looked on Liz shook her head.
"Maria we're to go and support the debate team not sing in night clubs."
Maria shrugged.
"Potato, Patato Liz come on live a little besides it'll be fun even if we don't sneak off and live my dream it'll be New York City for four days and three nights for free."
Liz nodded and smiled to herself. Max and Michael walked by as Maria was talking and went straight to Max's locker. Michael looked over to Sam who was laughing with her friends.
"Did you hear that Max, there's a trip to New York City this fall pro bono."
Max looked over to Liz she swayed her head and laughed with everyone, he just focused on her lips and eyes. Max shook out of his daze to answer Michael as Michael was already adding their names to the list. Max followed as Michael finished filling their names in the list was full they were the last two spots open.
"Never turn down a trip to the Big Apple for Free Maxamillion."
Max nodded and smiled as he followed Michael to homeroom locking eyes with Liz as he passed her. Maria and Lucas followed them soon after, leaving Liz, Alex and Sam to make their way to homeroom last. Sam and Liz stopped in front of the list as they passed it by to take a peak. They noticed the last two names after theirs in a strong diagonal handwriting.
"No way Max and Michael are going too?"
Alex looked sideways at the list.
"You know some things never cease to amaze me."
The girls nodded dazed as they went into the class.
So I got a ride from Alex after school and we headed per Maria's orders to pick up his costume before heading to the Crashdown to help set up and decorate. Alex insisted on buying the required thong, which I insisted that he didn't need, I knew it wasn't going to go that far. Well I had hoped so anyway. The Crashdown was amazing even though we got their early things were looking good, there was space for a dance floor and the tables we gone so there was just booths. The place really cleans up well for parties; my uncle was on a ladder hanging up decorations while Michael was in the back preparing the snacks for everyone. At around 6pm Tess made the announcement that she was going to pick up Isabel's present and would be back soon. Maria rolled her eyes but everything seemed normal. Isabel was really surprised she totally didn't expect a party when Max brought her in she was elated.
Sam is bringing out drinks from the back with Courtney behind her carrying a tray of drinks as well. Everyone is mingling Kyle is with all the guys he sees Sam as she sets down glasses of soda and approaches her.
"Hey have you seen Tess?"
Sam looks around and then back to Kyle.
"Yeah she was here for the setup but had to leave for Isabel's gift I bet she's just running
late."
Kyle nodded and shrugged as he went back to the table with the guys. As Sam passed Isabel she dropped her glass of soda, Sam stopped and helped her pick it up.
"No, oh I'm sorry let me help you."
Isabel's arm brushed with Sam's to help pick up the shards of glass, then FLASH
Sam
could see Isabel struggling to help Tess, then another picture Isabel talking to Alex about a party at the old soap factory, then another image them at the same factory where Tess is unconscious.
Sam smiled at Isabel as the flash ended.
"No it's your birthday let me do this besides it's my job."
Isabel looked nervous and nodded as she made her way over to Max, Sam picked up the shards in a towel and looked around for Courtney. Figuring she was flirting with Michael Sam told Maria she was going to get her for help as she went into the back. Michael looked up from mixing a cake, the batter smelled sickly sweet and sour like a lot of Tabasco sauce it also looked watery. Pausing and catching each other in a glare Sam went to the big fridge and grabbed a carton of eggs.
"This Michael will help it rise, it's a great ingredient to any cake batter."
Michael smiled embarrassed and nodded as Sam made her way into the back employees bathroom. Sam opened the door and turned to see Courtney peeling away dead skin from her face.
Slightly shocked Sam held up her hand as Courtney followed Sam produced her force field and Courtney froze.
"Macaria?"
Sam nodded, "Used to be and you are?"
Courtney dropped her hand in embarrassment Sam kept her shield up as Courtney bowed slightly to Sam.
"Courtia of the allied Army."
"Where does your allegiance lie?"
Courtney smiled as Sam, "Always under Rath and Macaria of the Allied army."
Sam felt a calmness in her heart and as she let down her force field. Sam could hear music being played loudly and people hooting and cheering she knew she was missing Alex's strip tease. She had to focus though.
"Why are you here?"
"As spies those loyal infiltrated Kivar's men and have been rallying the loyal slowly, we're here for Kivar but us loyal we have weaned ourselves away from the group."
Sam looked in Courtney's eyes.
"There's more, skins?"
Courtney nodded.
"About 175 who are loyal to Kivar including Nicholas."
Sam winced she got a flash of Nicholas killing Rath in front of her, she shook it away.
"And those like you, where are they?"
"They asked for assignments like mine."
"Which was?"
"To observe the Royals and keep Vanessa under control."
Sam shook her head.
"Vanessa?"
Courtney nodded, "The Congress woman, I believe Liz is working for her."
Sam paused for a moment thinking about her earlier flash, if she saw what Isabel was seeing then Tess was in trouble and this Vanessa the congress woman could be at fault. She looked to Courtney.
"Tess is in danger and I think Isabel has followed, new orders as of today meet at my house and I figure with your infatuation with Michael you do know where I live. Meet in my basement go through the outside door at 11pm I don't want to wake my parents."
Courtney laughed lightly.
"What?"
"Sorry it's just weird thinking of you as a teen who has to worry about sneaking in aliens for meetings."
Sam smiled and nodded.
"Cover for me I've gotta go."
Sam could hear that the hooting and cheering had stopped she had hoped for the best. As she went out into the main floor she could see the party was winding down slightly and Isabel's Mother talking to Vanessa the Congresswoman. They parted and Vanessa was gone out the doors as Courtney approached Sam from the back and whispered into her ear.
"Four from the back left in a hurry, one Alex Whitman and Liz Parker stayed for cover."
Sam nodded and handed a tray to Courtney.
"Keep the glasses full I'm going to fix this."
As Sam got near the back door Liz came out slightly startled.
"Hey Sam."
Sam smiled at Liz she looked worried even though she wasn't Tess's biggest fan.
"Hey, did I miss Alex's strip tease?"
Liz nodded and covered her worry with a smile.
"Yes you missed it live, but no we got it on tape."
Sam nodded and smiled.
"Excellent is he back there?'
Liz nodded and Sam winked at her as she went back to the break room to talk to a defeated Alex. He was sitting with his tie and open blue police shirt looking humiliated.
Sam sat down next to him.
"I saw Isabel's Mom showed up."
Alex nodded, "yeah."
Sam nodded along, "Well the costume shop doesn't close for another hour we can return it for a refund maybe."
Alex brightened slightly, "Okay."
He stood up and Sam followed.
"I'm coming too."
Alex shrugged and they went out the back to his car, as they got in Sam stopped Alex from turning the ignition.
"Alex I have to tell you something."
Alex looked to Sam nervous.
"What is it?"
"But first you have to promise not to freak out and that you will never tell a soul."
Alex tried to protest…
"Please"
Alex nodded and swallowed loudly.
"Okay, I know that Tess is missing."
A look of panic fell across Alex's face.
"I know because I can see things, and because I'm like them."
Trying to hide the secret Alex put on a clueless face.
"What are you talking about Sam?"
Nervous Sam looked around the car and saw one of Alex's THE WHITTS sticker on his dash board. She put her hand over it and spelled hybrid with her powers. Alex swallowed hard again and looked at Sam.
"But you're Liz's cousin."
Sam nodded.
"Yeah I really am her cousin, we didn't come from Pods like them we were genetically engineered with out Mother's egg and our own alien DNA."
Alex blinked and shook his head hoping it was a dream.
"Look I'll explain better on the way but we have to go to, the old soap factory the one Isabel invited you to last year."
Alex looked spooked. Sam rolled her eyes.
"It's one of my powers I get flashes, look I have to call Lucas and have him meet us there we need him to Mind Warp everyone so they won't see me."
Alex held up his hands and waved them around.
"Woah woah woah, wait how many of you are there?"
Sam, stopped dialing on her cell phone and looked up at Alex who was a bit dazed and confused.
"Lucas, John, Sandie and I are all Hybrids. It'll be okay we'll fill you in tonight at the meeting right now we have to help Isabel and Tess."
Sam pressed send on her cell phone and looked to Alex.
"Can you give me the directions to the Old Soap factory?"
Alex nodded and Sam gave the directions to Lucas.
"Good Lucas, no don't tell the others I'll meet you before the entrance of the factory out of sight with your car lights off we should be there in about ten minutes."
As Sam got off the phone with Lucas she looked to a questioning Alex. She spent the next ten minutes filling him in on all their hybrid history how they came to be and what they can do as far as powers go. Alex seemed to calm down quiet a bit, as they reached Lucas's car and he got in the tension was completely gone well sort of.
Lucas looked to the two in front of him.
"So Alex, are you glad to be a double agent?"
Alex half smiled and shrugged, "Call me Whitman ,Alex Whitman."
Sam smiled a bit relieved it looked like Alex was going to make a great addition to the team. She looked to Lucas.
"I need to know who's in the area."
Lucas nodded and closed his eyes to concentrate his power on other energies especially Tess's. He could use her similar powers to project what was going on around her. he opened his eyes and nodded.
"So far just Isabel and Tess, and the Congress woman they are on the move though you better get there fast."
Sam nodded and hopped out of the car she looked to the two boys.
"Lucas no-one can see me, and Alex thanks a bunch."
Alex nodded and smiled the reality for him was after the initial shock he was glad there was more good guys on their side.
"Well it seems you guys are a bit more organized."
Lucas nodded and then closed his eyes to ready his mind-warp as Sam entered the factory she could hear screams and talking she followed it all the way through the labyrinth of tunnels until she found herself near an outside door watching Vanessa talk to Isabel. Hoping that Lucas was keeping her hidden Sam ran close to the three women, Tess was unconscious and bleeding Isabel looked disheveled but not too bad.
Sam could hear Vanessa telling Isabel about who she was as Vilandra. Sam now angry got even closer to Vanessa who grabbed an electrical wire. Sam put up her hand quickly and concentrated all her power on destroying Vanessa any way she could before she hurt Isabel and Tess. Just as Isabel put up her hand to protect herself the congresswoman exploded into little flaky pieces. Isabel looked at her hand knowing she hadn't used her powers.
Max Michael and Maria were approaching the fence that outlaid the property. Isabel looked to where Sam was standing squinted but couldn't see her. Tess moaned waking slightly as everyone helped her up.
"Isabel what happened?"
Max looked at his sister who was shaken.
"I don't know Max, she just exploded I didn't do it though did you guys?"
Everyone shook their head and Isabel looked back to where Sam was walking away she felt someone there. Michael picked Tess up and Max went over to heal her wounds.
"Is she okay Max?"
Max nodded, she's going to be fine in a day or so let's get her home. Isabel nodded.
"I'm just going to go to the Pod chamber I'll take the Jeep Max."
Max wanted to protest but he knew something was wrong with his sister he didn't have the heart to stop her. So they all went back to put Tess to bed in Maria's Jetta.
As Sam made her way back to the car she felt full of energy it was so intense her powers were becoming very strong especially to help the PODsters. As she sat in the car with the two boys they looked at her sympathetically obviously Lucas knew what happened and had told Alex.
"Well, I can't believe that happened."
Alex nodded, Lucas sighed as Alex drove him back to his car.
Sam looked at Alex's clock radio, it was 10:30 she couldn't believe that two hours had gone by already since she left the Crashdown. Looking to Lucas as he left the car he nodded knowing what she wanted him to do. As they left Alex stole glances at Sam worried about what she was feeling after killing Vanessa.
"I'm sorry you had to do that."
Sam nodded and thought hard.
"Well she would have killed Isabel and Tess without hesitating I couldn't let her do that."
Alex nodded understanding.
"Yeah you're right."
"But the fact that I had to take someone's life even if was to protect innocent life is still new to me. The person I used to be Macaria she would have done it without hesitation she was this warrior and I don't know. It still feels.."
"Heavy."
Sam nodded and smiled at Alex.
"Yeah heavy."
"Look I'll get the refund for you tomorrow we'll tell the costume shop what happened and at least get you a discount."
Alex smiled as he turned onto a main road.
"So what should I expect from this meeting?"
Sam shrugged.
"Well a bit of strategy and some initiation rituals."
Alex looked over a bit shocked.
"Kidding."
Alex nodded and laugh, "I knew that."
"We have two people to add to the group including you."
"Who else?"
"Courtney."
Alex looked over at Sam and met her eyes.
"The blonde who works at the Crashdown?"
Sam nodded.
"Yup a skin, but she is an ally to me well to Macaria they're sort of double agents like you."
Alex shook his head.
"I more like the go to guy."
Sam laughed to herself, as Alex turned onto their street and parked in his driveway and turned off the car.
"Well I thought last year was nerve racking and with the skins this year I was thinking great here we go again. But I'm really glad you told me about you cause I can rest easy knowing that there's a lot more good guys with kick ass powers than I first thought."
Sam nodded.
"I'm glad then, I was afraid you were looking for some normalcy and got jiped."
Alex shook his head and opened his car door to get out Sam followed. The two walked towards Sam's house and down to her basement. Everyone except for Courtney was there.
Sam nodded to everyone John looked worried about her as did Sandie. Lucas must have filled them in on the phone so that they wouldn't be pissed they weren't called to come help. Sam looked around at her group who were awaiting some word from her.
"Well we're waiting on one more."
John looked to Lucas the three of them looked worried.
"Don't worry she's one of us I'll explain."
Just as Sam was speaking those very words Courtney opened the basement door. Sam gave everyone the calm down it's okay look and they loosened their fists. Courtney stepped onto the floor looking from face to face amazed.
"Wow the gang's all here, Lucian, Symeon, Sophoronia, Alex Whitman."
Everyone acknowledged their old names as Courtney went to Sam's side.
"You probably don't remember me I wasn't much but a soldier but I'm Courtia of Rathania."
Lucas looked to Courtney.
"You're a skin aren't you?"
"Courtney's one of 25 rebels of the skins loyal still to the allied army."
Sam looked to Courtney.
"What we want to know is where did you come from?"
Courtney looked to everyone who seemed very interested.
"In 1950 we landed on earth and took up residence in Cooper Summit Arizonia."
Courtney scratched her face flakes fell to the floor.
Sandie looked a bit repulsed.
"What's with the shedding?"
Courtney looked slightly embarrassed.
"Our husks live to the most 50 years and time's running out."
John looked sympathetically to Courtney.
"Why are you wearing husks?"
"We were sent here without the help of the Jesuits so we need husks to protect our bodies from the atmosphere it's too hostile here."
Alex looked to everyone and then back to Courtney.
"So you're going to die, I mean all of you will?"
Courtney shook her head.
"Not if I go to the Harvest."
Sam met eyes with Courtney.
"What's the harvest?"
Courtney took a deep breath.
"For about 10 years now we've been harvesting replacement husks and they will be ready at the latest by Halloween."
Sam looked down.
"I killed Vanessa."
Courtney looked slightly taken back.
"I had a feeling she would get herself in too deep right away. When they send in for her report at the beginning of each month they're going to know that she was killed."
Everyone looked at each other worried.
Lucas was the first to break the silence.
"If you go back and report that Naseado killed her and that you took out Naseado what will happen?"
Courtney looked impressed at Lucas.
"They will invent a death for her and use her husk for a funeral full scale media to make it believable."
Sam shook her head John caught on what she was thinking.
"If they make her death overtly public the Pod Squad's going to want to find out who's covering up her death."
Sam nodded.
"Right we have to delay them knowing that she's dead and keep the Podster's allusion to us covering for them. That means Courtney we're going to have to send that report to the others and Alex, I'm going to need you to help Liz out on that. If we all work together we can keep Nicolas and Kivar away from Roswell and maybe figure out how to defeat them."
Courtney looked around and spoke up.
"If you destroy their husks before the Harvest they'll die within a week."
Sam looked shocked at Courtney.
"Yeah but there's 25 loyals who have husks too."
Courtney nodded, "The Granolith can keep our husks maturing full until they are ready for habitation."
Sam nodded she understood what Courtney wanted to do.
"This is going to take some real planning until then we stick to the original plan. Tomorrow Lucas I need you to see about getting a large tractor trailer from Metachem on loan for let's say the third week of September."
Lucas smiled and nodded.
"Courtney I need you to get in touch with the others who are still loyal and tell them to return for the Harvest and await your orders tell them to expect us around the 3rd week of September."
Courtney nodded. John looked to Courtney.
"Is there anything you can tell us about the skins a weak spot to make fighting them easier?"
Courtney looked at him annoyed but reserved.
"Where the tail bone should be is basically out Achilles tendon hit it very hard or concentrate your powers there and the Husk will self destruct."
John nodded in thanks.
Sam tired and ready for the meeting to end looked around no-one seemed to have much more to say at this point.
"Well I think that concludes this meeting unless something else comes up our next meeting should be on Tuesday same time same place."
Everyone nods and starts to leave Alex and Sam are the only two left alone in the basement. Sam smiles at Alex wondering what's going on in his head.
"I bet you're a bit overwhelmed now right?"
Alex shrugs, "sort of overwhelmed but I feel like I have a purpose ya know a good one."
Sam nods, "Well like I said before I'd understand if you wanna back out in all this.."
Alex shakes his head no and walks up closely to Sam.
"Not a chance."
The two stare at each other wanting to do something more but still frozen in their stance, Sam breaks away and laughs to herself.
"Well I should get to bed then."
Alex laughs too, "yeah me too, I'll pick you up tomorrow okay?"
Sam nods and Alex leaves up the stairs to the open backyard meanwhile Sam walks up her stairs to her kitchen. As the light hits her eyes and she closes the door behind her she feels this large vibration of energy being released. Sam steadies herself.
"They found the Granolith."
Sam smiles, now she has to get the book Pete left for them about the Granolith tomorrow at the library.
I think Alex and I were about two hormones away from kissing today. Which is so strange, who would have thought that Alex Whitman and I would be staring at each other ready for some lip lock. It never gets boring here that's for sure. And I think I can finally feel justified for today I have to look to the future and not worry about what I had to do to survive. It's just more and more I feel like Macaria and that's a bit freaky. But who knows maybe I can spend the next few days like a normal teen that includes going to a dance and picking out dresses at the mall with my friends. Hey it could happen.
